Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of increasing a temporary storage amount of excrement and suppressing the leakage of excrement.SOLUTION: In an absorbent article 10 having an article body 20 that has a first body 30 and a second body 50: the first body 30 has a first surface sheet 31, a first rear surface sheet 35 and a first absorber 40; the second body 50 has a second surface sheet 51, a second rear surface sheet 55 and a second absorber 60; a groove 65 is formed along a longer direction in the central part in a width direction W of a part positioned in a crotch part 23 of the second absorber 60; both end parts 55a,55a in a width direction of the second rear surface sheet 55 do not join the first surface sheet 31; and both end parts 55a, 55a of the second rear surface sheet 55 are configured to be capable of standing up on a skin surface side when in a usage state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that, when in use, has a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Absorbent articles for use by elderly people who require care have been known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below describes an absorbent article (disposable diaper) that includes a symmetrical diaper main body in which a dorsal waistband, a crotchband, and a ventral waistband are integrally formed in the longitudinal direction by a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and a first absorbent body is disposed between the liquid-permeable topsheet and the liquid-impermeable backsheet, and a second absorbent body is sandwiched between a liquid-permeable upper sheet and a liquid-permeable lower sheet and laminated on the first absorbent body. When in use, the absorbent article having the above-described configuration is configured to have a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-89880 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, excrement such as urination and defecation is absorbed by the first absorbent body and the second absorbent body, and is temporarily stored inside the diaper due to the three-dimensional shape of the diaper during use, but there is a limit to the amount that can be stored.

[0006] If the amount of excrement that can be temporarily stored in an absorbent article can be increased, it is expected that the burden on caregivers will be reduced. In addition, from the perspective of reducing the burden on caregivers, it is also required that the stored excrement does not leak.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can increase the amount of excrement such as urination and defecation that can be temporarily stored, and that can prevent the stored excrement from leaking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an absorbent article having an absorbent main body that extends a predetermined length and has a ventral portion, a crotch portion, and a back portion that are arranged in that order along the longitudinal direction, and that is in a state of use in which a waist opening and a pair of leg openings are formed when the ventral portion and the back portion are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion, the main body comprising a first main body and a second main body that is layered on the skin-facing side, i.e., the front side of the first main body, and the first main body comprises a liquid-permeable first topsheet that is arranged on the skin-facing side, a liquid-impermeable first backsheet that is arranged on the back side of the first topsheet, and a first absorbent body that is arranged between the first topsheet and the first backsheet, and the second main body comprises: The diaper is characterized in that it comprises a liquid-permeable second top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a liquid-permeable second back sheet arranged on the back side of the second top sheet, and a second absorbent body arranged between the second top sheet and the second back sheet, wherein the second absorbent body is formed smaller than the longitudinal and widthwise dimensions of the first absorbent body, and a groove is formed along the longitudinal direction in the widthwise center of at least the portion of the second absorbent body located in the crotch area, and at least both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet are not joined to the first top sheet, and are configured so that both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet can stand up on the skin-facing side when in use.

[0009] According to the above invention, when in use, both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet are configured to be able to stand up toward the skin side, so that the second absorbent body and the second top sheet arranged on the surface side thereof both bend and deform in response to the standing deformation of the second back sheet, forming a first space inside thereof and a second space between both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet and the first top sheet.

[0010] Furthermore, since excrement such as urination and defecation can be stored in these spaces, the amount of excrement that can be temporarily stored in the absorbent article can be increased, and the upright deformed side portions of the second back sheet can prevent leakage of excrement stored in the first space, and the first top sheet, which curves and deforms as the absorbent article is worn, can prevent leakage of excrement stored in the second space.

[0011] In the absorbent article of the present invention, the groove may be formed over the entire range from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body.

[0012] According to the above aspect, it is possible to diffuse excrement through the groove to the portion located in the ventral side or the portion located in the dorsal side of the second absorbent body, thereby making effective use of the portion located from the ventral side to the dorsal side of the first absorbent body, and after guiding the excrement through the groove to the ventral side or the dorsal side of the second absorbent body, it is possible to promote absorption of the excrement into the first absorbent body.

[0013] Furthermore, by forming the groove over the entire range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body, it can be used as a guide for the width direction W of the absorbent article, further improving ease of donning and installation. Furthermore, by having a groove extending from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction in the central part of the width direction W of the second absorbent body main body, an absorbent-free area is formed, making it easier to bend the central part in the width direction toward the skin side so as to face each other in the width direction, and making it easier for both side edges in the width direction of the second backsheet to stand up toward the skin side when in use.

[0014] In the absorbent article of the present invention, elastic members may be arranged along the longitudinal direction on both widthwise side portions of the second main body.

[0015] According to the above aspect, elastic bodies are arranged along the longitudinal direction on both widthwise sides of the second main body, making the second main body stretchable in the longitudinal direction and easy to bend. As a result, when the absorbent article is worn, it is possible to improve the fit between the wearer and the second main body, suppress leakage of body exudates, and further reduce discomfort felt by the wearer when wearing the absorbent article.

[0016] In the absorbent article of the present invention, a hole extending along the longitudinal direction may be formed in the widthwise central portion of the first absorbent body at least in a portion located in the crotch portion.

[0017] According to the above aspect, a hole extending longitudinally in the widthwise center is formed in at least the crotch portion of the first absorbent body, so that excrement can be diffused longitudinally through the hole, improving longitudinal diffusion of excrement. In addition, the hole also allows excrement to be diffused to the ventral and dorsal portions of the first absorbent body, making effective use of the portions of the first absorbent body from the ventral to dorsal portions.

[0018] Furthermore, when the ventral side and dorsal side portions are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion to put the absorbent article into a usable state, the first absorbent body will bend through the holes, but the first top sheet and the second back sheet can easily cause both widthwise sides of the second back sheet to stand up against the skin side in response to deformation through the holes in the first absorbent body, at least in the area that overlaps with the holes in the thickness direction (this works in cooperation with the holes to make it easier to cause both widthwise sides of the second back sheet to stand up), and the first and second spaces can be easily formed.

[0019] In the absorbent article of the present invention, the first topsheet and the second backsheet may be joined to each other by a joint provided on a joint line that passes through the center of the first body and the second body in the width direction and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first body and the second body. Also, the joint may be intermittently joined on the joint line.

[0020] When the joints are intermittently joined along the joint line, there will be a mixture of joined areas where the first topsheet and second backsheet are joined and unjoined areas where the two sheets are not joined along the joint line. As a result, the second main body can move relatively freely in the longitudinal and width directions at the unjoined areas, which improves the fit of the absorbent article when worn (allowing it to follow the wearer's movements) and also allows body waste to be dispersed in the width direction via the unjoined areas.

[0021] In the absorbent article of the present invention, the first absorbent body may have a hole extending longitudinally in the center of the width direction at least in the crotch portion, and the first top sheet and the second back sheet may be joined to each other by the joint at least in the area overlapping with the hole in the thickness direction.

[0022] According to the above aspect, when the absorbent article is in use and the ventral side and dorsal side portions are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion, the first absorbent body will bend through the holes. However, since the first top sheet and the second back sheet are joined to each other by joints at least in the area that overlaps with the holes in the thickness direction, deformation through the holes in the first absorbent body can be used as a trigger to make it easier for both widthwise sides of the second back sheet to stand up toward the skin side through the joints that overlap with the holes (this works in cooperation with the holes to make it easier for both sides of the second back sheet to bend up), and the first and second spaces can be easily formed.

[0023] In the absorbent article of the present invention, a groove narrower than the hole of the first absorbent body is formed in the center of the width direction along the longitudinal direction in at least the crotch portion of the second absorbent body, and this groove may be arranged so as to overlap with the hole in the thickness direction.Furthermore, the first top sheet and the second back sheet may be joined to each other by the joint at least in the area overlapping with the groove in the thickness direction.

[0024] If the second absorbent body has a groove narrower than the hole in the first absorbent body along the longitudinal direction in the widthwise central portion at least in the crotch portion, the groove can diffuse body waste in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body, improving longitudinal diffusion of body waste. Furthermore, the groove can also diffuse body waste to the portions located in the ventral and dorsal portions of the second absorbent body, thereby making effective use of the portions located in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body.

[0025] Furthermore, when the absorbent article is put into use, the ventral and dorsal portions are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion, and when both widthwise sides of the second back sheet are made to stand up toward the skin side with the joint as the base end, the grooves themselves make it easier to deform the second absorbent body, and the cooperation of the grooves and holes makes it easier to make both sides of the second back sheet stand up and deform, making it easier to form the first and second spaces.

[0026] In the absorbent article of the present invention, the groove may extend to a portion located in the back portion of the second absorbent body, and the end of the groove on the back portion side may extend closer to the end forming the waist opening of the back portion than the end of the hole on the back portion side.

[0027] According to the above aspect, since the grooves are configured as described above, the excrement absorbed in the second absorbent body can be guided through the grooves to the back portion of the second absorbent body, and then the excrement can be promoted to be absorbed into the first absorbent body, thereby making effective use of the back portions of the first and second absorbent bodies. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the present invention, when in use, both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet are not joined to the first top sheet, and when in use, both widthwise side edges of the second back sheet are configured to be able to stand up toward the skin side, thereby making it possible to form a first space and a second space, which increases the temporary amount of excrement stored, and also makes it possible to prevent leakage of excrement stored in each space by the standing and deformed both sides of the second back sheet and the curved and deformed first top sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article with the main body unfolded. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first main body constituting the absorbent article. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first absorbent body main body of a first absorbent body constituting the first main body. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second main body constituting the absorbent article according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second absorbent body that constitutes the second main body. [Figure 9] 1 is an explanatory plan view showing the positional relationship between holes formed in a first absorbent body and grooves formed in a second absorbent body in an absorbent article according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 11] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 12] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 4. [Figure 13]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the absorbent article according to the present invention in use. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modified example of the absorbent article according to the present invention, with the main body unfolded. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent body main body of a second absorbent body that constitutes the absorbent article. [Figure 16] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. [Figure 17] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 4, showing the absorbent article in use, with both widthwise side edges of the second backsheet standing up toward the skin side with the joints as base ends. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] (Embodiment of absorbent article) Hereinafter, embodiments of the absorbent article according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the absorbent article of the present invention is, for example, an absorbent article for adults or for incontinence treatment.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the absorbent article 10 has an absorbent main body 20 that extends to a predetermined length and has a ventral portion 21, a crotch portion 23, and a dorsal portion 25 arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction L (which can also be said to be the extension direction).

[0033] That is, the ventral portion 21 is arranged at one end side of the longitudinal direction L of the main body 20, the back portion 25 is arranged at the other end side of the longitudinal direction L of the main body 20, and the crotch portion 23 is arranged between the ventral portion 21 and the back portion 25.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the abdominal portion 21 and the back portion 25 are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion 23 in the main body 20, the both side portions 21a, 21a in the width direction W of the abdominal portion 21 and the both side portions 25a, 25a in the width direction W of the back portion 25 are joined to each other via a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 32b, thereby forming a waist opening 27 and a pair of leg openings 29, 29 in a usable state.

[0035] When a wearer is wearing the absorbent article 10, the abdominal portion 21 is positioned corresponding to the wearer's abdomen, the crotch portion 23 is positioned corresponding to the wearer's crotch, and the back portion 25 is positioned corresponding to the wearer's back. Furthermore, the waist opening 27 is an opening positioned opposite the crotch portion 23 and is positioned around the outer periphery of the wearer's abdomen, and the pair of leg openings 29, 29 open on both sides in the width direction W, and the left and right legs of the wearer are positioned therethrough.

[0036] An elastic member 28 is disposed in the waist opening 27. The elastic member 28 biases the waist opening 27 in a direction to close it, thereby enabling the waist opening 27 to fit around the waist of the wearer.

[0037] Furthermore, the "width direction W" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L in a plan view of the absorbent article 10 (the same applies to each of the components constituting the absorbent article). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state in which the absorbent article 10 is unfolded (a state in which the ventral portion 21, the crotch portion 23, and the back portion 25 are arranged on a predetermined plane), when the absorbent article 10 is viewed from the planar direction, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is the width direction W. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the "thickness direction T" refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W of the absorbent article 10 (the same applies to each of the components constituting the absorbent article).

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, when the absorbent article 10 is unfolded, the narrowest part in the width direction W forms the crotch part 23, the part connected to one end of the crotch part 23 in the longitudinal direction L and including a gradually wider wide part forms the abdominal part 21, and the part connected to the other end of the crotch part 23 in the longitudinal direction L and including a gradually wider wide part forms the dorsal part 25.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4 and 10 to 12, the main body 20 is mainly composed of a first main body 30 and a second main body 50 laminated on the surface side, i.e., the skin side, of the first main body 30 (the surface side in the thickness direction T, facing the skin of the wearer).

[0040] The "front surface" refers to the surface facing the wearer's skin, and can also be referred to as the inner surface when the absorbent article 10 is in use. On the other hand, the "back surface" refers to the surface opposite the front surface in the thickness direction T, which is the surface opposite the skin surface, and can also be referred to as the outer surface when the absorbent article 10 is in use.

[0041] The first main body 30 has a first top sheet 31, a first back sheet 35, and a first absorbent body 40, while the second main body 50 has a second top sheet 51, a second back sheet 55, and a second absorbent body 60 (see Figures 10 to 12).

[0042] Furthermore, the first top sheet 31 and the second back sheet 55 are joined to each other by a joint 70 provided on a joint line S (see Figure 4) that passes through the center of the width direction W of the first body 30 and the second body 50 and extends along the longitudinal direction L of the first body 30 and the second body 50.

[0043] First, a detailed description will be given of the first main body 30. This first main body 30 has a liquid-permeable first topsheet 31 arranged on the skin-facing side, a liquid-impermeable first backsheet 35 arranged on the side of this first topsheet 31 opposite the skin-facing side, and a first absorbent body 40 arranged between the first topsheet 31 and the first backsheet 35 (see FIGS. 10 to 12).

[0044] In addition, the liquid permeability of the first top sheet 31, the second top sheet 51, and the second back sheet 55 means that they are capable of passing through excrement such as urination and defecation, and the liquid impermeability of the first back sheet 35 means that they are not capable of passing through excrement.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the first surface sheet 31 constituting the first main body 30 is in the form of a generally long plate extending a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction L, and the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 (not shown in FIG. 4) has a protruding shape such that both sides in the width direction W at one end (the end on the ventral side portion 21 side) and the other end (the end on the dorsal side portion 25 side) in the longitudinal direction L are wider than both sides in the width direction W of the portion of the first main body 30 located in the crotch portion 23.

[0046] The first topsheet 31 is a liquid-permeable sheet made of, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), etc. The material of the first topsheet is not particularly limited, and the structure may be single-layered or multi-layered.

[0047] Furthermore, the first backsheet 35, which is placed on the back side of the first topsheet 31 (the back side in the thickness direction T, the side opposite the skin surface), has a two-layer structure, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, consisting of a nonwoven fabric sheet 36 which is placed farthest from the skin surface and is made of nonwoven fabric, and a film sheet 37 which is made of a resin film such as polyethylene (PE) and is laminated on the front side (skin surface side) of the nonwoven fabric sheet 36.

[0048] The first backsheet may be a single-layer sheet or a sheet of three or more layers. Furthermore, the material of the first backsheet may be, other than those mentioned above, for example, woven fabric or various synthetic resins, as long as it can ensure liquid impermeability.

[0049] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the first absorbent body 40 has a three-layer structure consisting of a first absorbent body main body 41 of a predetermined thickness, a first auxiliary absorbent body 42 stacked on the front side (skin side) of the first absorbent body main body 41, and a first auxiliary absorbent body 43 stacked on the back side of the first absorbent body main body 41.

[0050] 6, the first absorbent body main body 41 has a generally long plate shape extending a predetermined length as a whole. More specifically, the first absorbent body main body 41 is made up of an intermediate portion 41a disposed in the middle in the longitudinal direction L and located in the crotch portion 23, one end portion 41b connected to one end side of the intermediate portion 41a in the longitudinal direction L and located in the abdominal portion 21, and the other end portion 41c connected to the other end side of the intermediate portion 41a in the longitudinal direction L and located in the dorsal portion 25.

[0051] Both sides of the middle portion 41a in the width direction W are narrower than both sides of the end portions 41b, 41c in the width direction W. Furthermore, the other end portion 41c is formed slightly longer in the longitudinal direction L than the one end portion 41b, and the middle portion 41a is positioned slightly offset toward the one end portion 41b. Furthermore, substantially arc-shaped notches 41d, 41d are formed on both sides of the middle portion 41a in the width direction W, near the one end portion 41b.

[0052] The first absorbent body 41 is formed from a material that mainly contains absorbent fibers such as pulp and also contains a high-molecular-weight water-absorbent polymer, and is capable of absorbing and storing excrement. The first auxiliary absorbents 42, 43 are thinner than the first absorbent body 41 and are made of, for example, tissue.

[0053] At least a portion of the first absorbent body 40 located in the crotch portion 23 has a hole 45 extending in the longitudinal direction L at the center in the width direction W. As shown in Fig. 6, the hole 45 in the absorbent article 10 has a generally elongated hole shape that extends in the longitudinal direction L with a constant width at the center in the width direction W of the first absorbent body main body 41 constituting the first absorbent body 40, and both end portions 45a, 45b in the longitudinal direction L are rounded in an arc shape.

[0054] The hole 45 is formed to penetrate the first absorbent body main body 41 in the thickness direction T (see FIG. 11). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, one end 45a of the hole 45 in the longitudinal direction L (the end on the ventral portion 21 side) is located on the side of one end 41b of the first absorbent body main body 41, and the other end 45b in the longitudinal direction L (the end on the dorsal portion 25 side) extends through the intermediate portion 41a to reach the other end 41c of the first absorbent body main body 41.

[0055] The holes 45 in the absorbent article 10 penetrate the first absorbent body 41 in the thickness direction T, but may also be, for example, recesses formed to a predetermined depth from the front or back surface of the first absorbent body 41.

[0056] 10, a pair of three-dimensional gather forming sheets 48, 48 are provided on the front surface side of both sides in the width direction W of the first backsheet 35. Each three-dimensional gather forming sheet 48 has an inner portion 48b that is located above the side of the first topsheet 31 in the width direction W, and a hydrophobic three-dimensional gather nonwoven fabric 49 and at least one elastic body are attached to the front surface side of this inner portion 48b to prevent leakage of excrement to the outside.

[0057] 10, a strip-like overlap tape 32 extending a predetermined length and a nonwoven fabric tape 32a made of nonwoven fabric disposed inside the overlap tape 32a are sandwiched between the side portions in the width direction W of the nonwoven fabric sheet 36 constituting the first backsheet 35 and the three-dimensional gather-forming sheet 48. A hook-and-loop fastener 32b is provided on the inside of the tip of the nonwoven fabric tape 32a. This hook-and-loop fastener 32b is joined to the outer surface of the first backsheet 35 in a portion located in the abdominal portion 21 of the first main body 30, thereby allowing the absorbent article 10 to assume a three-dimensional shape as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 when in use.

[0058] Next, the second main body 50 will be described in detail. The second main body 50 has a liquid-permeable second topsheet 51 arranged on the skin-facing side, a liquid-permeable second backsheet 55 arranged on the backside of the second topsheet 51, and a second absorbent body 60 arranged between the second topsheet 51 and the second backsheet 55. The second absorbent body 60 is formed smaller than the dimensions of the first absorbent body 40 in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the second top sheet 51 and the second back sheet 55 (not shown in FIG. 7) constituting the second main body 50 are generally long plate-shaped extending a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction L, and have a protruding shape such that both sides in the width direction W at one end (the end on the ventral side portion 21 side) and the other end (the end on the dorsal side portion 25 side) in the longitudinal direction L are wider than both sides in the width direction W of the portion located in the crotch portion 23 of the second main body 50.

[0060] As shown in Figure 4, in the case of the absorbent article 10, the longitudinal dimension L of the second top sheet 51 and the second back sheet 55 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction L of the sheets 51, 55) may be formed to be the same as the longitudinal dimension L of the first top sheet 31 and the first back sheet 35 constituting the first main body 30 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction L of the sheets 31, 35).

[0061] In addition, the dimension in the width direction W of the second top sheet 51 and the second back sheet 55 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the width direction W of the sheets 51, 55) is formed to be smaller than the dimension in the width direction W of the first top sheet 31 and the first back sheet 35 that constitute the first main body 30 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the width direction W of the sheets 31, 35).

[0062] The second topsheet 51 and the second backsheet 55 disposed on the back side of the second topsheet 51 are liquid-permeable sheets made of, for example, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), etc. The materials of the second topsheet 51 and the second backsheet 55 are not particularly limited, and they may have a single-layer or multi-layer structure.

[0063] As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the second absorbent body 60 has a three-layer structure consisting of a second absorbent body main body 61 of a predetermined thickness, a second auxiliary absorbent body 62 stacked on the front side (skin side) of the second absorbent body main body 61, and a second auxiliary absorbent body 63 stacked on the back side of the second absorbent body main body 61.

[0064] Furthermore, the second absorber main body 61 has a generally long plate shape extending a predetermined length as a whole, as shown in Fig. 8. More specifically, the second absorber main body 61 extends a predetermined length with a constant width, and is made up of a base portion 61a that is located mainly in the crotch portion 23 and has a portion located in the abdominal portion 21, and a back-side base portion 61b that is connected to the back-side portion of the base portion 61a in the longitudinal direction L, is wider than the base portion 61a, and is located in the back-side portion 25.

[0065] As shown in Figure 7, the dimension in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 61 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 61) is formed to be smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction L of the second top sheet 51 and the second back sheet 55, and the dimension in the width direction W of the second absorbent body 61 (the maximum length from one end to the other end in the width direction W of the second absorbent body 61) is formed to be smaller than the dimension in the width direction W of both sheets 51, 55.

[0066] The second absorbent body 61 is formed from a material that mainly contains absorbent fibers such as pulp and also contains a high-molecular-weight water-absorbing polymer, and is capable of absorbing and storing excrement. The second auxiliary absorbents 62, 63 are thinner than the second absorbent body 61 and are made of, for example, tissue.

[0067] At least the portion of the second absorbent body 61 located in the crotch portion 23 may have a groove 65 narrower than the hole 45 of the first absorbent body 41 in the center of the width direction W along the longitudinal direction L.

[0068] The groove 65 in the absorbent article 10 is a slit groove extending along the longitudinal direction L with a constant width from a position slightly closer to the other end of the longitudinal direction L of the base 61a of the second absorbent body 61 than one end (the end on the ventral side 21 side) of the base 61a.

[0069] The grooves 65 are formed so as to penetrate the second absorbent body main body 61 in the thickness direction T. The dimension of the grooves 65 in the width direction W is smaller than the dimension of the holes 45 in the width direction W, and the grooves 65 are narrower than the holes 45. The grooves 65 in the absorbent article 10 penetrate the second absorbent body main body 61 in the thickness direction T, but may also be, for example, recessed grooves formed to a predetermined depth from the front or back surface of the second absorbent body main body 61.

[0070] Figure 9 illustrates the relationship between the groove 65 and the hole 45 formed in the first absorbent body main body 41. Referring also to Figure 9, one end 65a of the groove 65 in the longitudinal direction L (the end on the ventral portion 21 side) is positioned closer to the dorsal portion 25 (not shown in Figure 9) than one end 45a of the hole 45 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0071] On the other hand, the other end 65b of the groove 65 in the longitudinal direction L (the end on the back side portion 25 side) extends beyond the other end 45b of the hole 45 in the longitudinal direction L and reaches a position close to the other end in the longitudinal direction L.

[0072] In other words, when the absorbent bodies 40, 60 are viewed from a planar direction, the groove 65, including one end 65a, overlaps with the hole 45 in the longitudinal direction L and width direction W for the most part and is within the range of the hole 45, but the other end 65b is configured to protrude a predetermined length from the other end 45b of the hole 45.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the groove 65 extends to the portion of the second absorbent body main body 61 of the second absorbent body 60 that is located at the back portion 25, and the other end 65b of the groove 65 on the back portion 25 side extends closer to the end 27a that forms the waist opening 27 of the back portion 25 of the main body 20 than the other end 45b of the hole 45 on the back portion 25 side.

[0074] The groove 65 in the absorbent article 10 is configured so that its both end portions 65a, 65b are located inside the both ends of the second absorbent body main body 61 in the longitudinal direction L, but the groove may also be configured to be formed over the entire range from one end to the other end of the second absorbent body main body 61 in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] 14 to 16 show modified absorbent articles of the present invention in which grooves are formed over the entire range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body main body. As shown in Fig. 15, grooves 65A in an absorbent article 10A according to the modified example are slit grooves extending with a constant width over the entire range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 60, that is, from one end in the longitudinal direction L of the base 61a of the second absorbent body main body 61 to the other end in the longitudinal direction L of the back-side base 61b.

[0076] 11, the grooves 65 may be arranged to overlap the holes 45 in the thickness direction T. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first topsheet 31 and the second backsheet 55 are joined to each other by joints 70 provided on the above-mentioned joint line S (see FIG. 4) in at least the region where the holes 45 and the grooves 65 overlap each other in the thickness direction T.

[0077] As a result, the central portion of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W is joined to the first top sheet 31 via the joining portion 70, while the both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W are not joined to the first top sheet 31 and can be separated from the first top sheet 31.

[0078] The joint 70 in the absorbent article of the present invention is designed to intermittently or continuously join the portions of the first top sheet 31 and the second back sheet 55 located in the ventral portion 21, the crotch portion 23, and the dorsal portion 25 along the joint line S.

[0079] The joint 70 may be, for example, an adhesive layer made of adhesive or adhesive tape, or may be a stitched portion made of thread, and is not particularly limited as long as it can join the first topsheet 31 and the second backsheet 55. The joint 70 may be provided intermittently at a predetermined interval on the joint line S, or may be provided continuously and without interruption on the joint line S.

[0080] In the absorbent article 10 of the present invention, the dimensions of the second absorbent body 60 and its relationship with the grooves 65 (particularly its relationship with the grooves 65) are configured so that when the absorbent article 10 is in use, both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 can stand up toward the skin side, as shown in Figure 17.

[0081] That is, the second absorbent body 60 is formed smaller than the longitudinal direction L and width direction W dimensions of the first absorbent body 40, and a groove 65 is formed along the longitudinal direction L in the center of the width direction W at least in the crotch portion 23 of the second absorbent body 60, and at least both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W are not joined to the first top sheet 31, and is configured so that both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W can stand up toward the skin side when in use.

[0082] In this embodiment, when the absorbent article 10 is in use, as shown in a cross-sectional view in the width direction W, both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W are bent and deformed so as to move away from the surface of the first top sheet 31, with the joint 70 as the deformation starting point, and the second back sheet 55 is configured to bend and deform upright to form an approximately V-shape (see Figure 17).

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 17, in response to the upright deformation of the second backsheet 55, the second absorbent body 60 and the second topsheet 51 arranged on the front side of the second backsheet 55 both deform to form an approximately V-shape.

[0084] As a result, the second absorbent body 60 bends and deforms around the portion (groove 65 in this case) that aligns with the joint 70, with the central portion becoming the bottom and both side portions 60a, 60a in the width direction W gradually increasing in height from this bottom toward both ends in the width direction W. At the same time, the second topsheet 51 bends and deforms such that the central portion 51a in the width direction W becomes the bottom and both side portions 51b, 51b in the width direction W at the outermost surface of the second topsheet 51 gradually increasing in height from the central portion 51a toward both ends in the width direction W. As a result, an internal space R1 is formed (or can be said to be defined) inside the bent and deformed portions of the second absorbent body 60 and the second topsheet 51.

[0085] Furthermore, as a result of the upright deformation of both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 in the width direction W, a second space R2, R2 is formed between the back surface of the both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 and the surface of the first top sheet 31, as shown in Figure 17.

[0086] As described above, by causing both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 to stand up toward the skin side, the second absorbent body 60 and the second top sheet 51 are bent and deformed as shown in Figure 17, so that a first space R1 is formed inside the bent and deformed portion, and a second space R2, R2 is formed between the both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 and the first top sheet 31.

[0087] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 10 is in use, in the cross-sectional view of the width direction W shown in Figure 17, the layout is such that the first space R1 is arranged above the thickness direction T of the joint 70, and a pair of second spaces R2, R2 are arranged on both sides of the width direction W of the joint 70.

[0088] It should be noted that excrement such as urination and defecation can be stored in the first space R1 and the pair of second spaces R2, R2. That is, leakage of excrement stored in the first space R1 can be suppressed by both side portions 51b, 51b of the outermost surface of the bent and deformed second topsheet 51, both side portions 60a, 60a of the second absorber 60, and both side portions 55a, 55a of the upright and deformed second backsheet 55, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement outward in the width direction W (lateral leakage).

[0089] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 10 is in use, the first surface sheet 31 curves and deforms as shown by the dotted line in Figure 17, blocking part or all of the opening in the width direction W (horizontal direction) of the second space R2, thereby preventing lateral leakage of excrement stored in the second space R2.

[0090] When this absorbent article 10 is in use, both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55, which stand up toward the skin side with the joint 70 as the base end, are pushed upward (toward the skin side) by the first main body 30 and the second main body 50, since the main body 20 is arranged with the ventral side portion 21 and the dorsal side portion 25 facing each other via the crotch portion 23, so that the upright deformed state of both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 is maintained.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, elastic bodies 80, 80 are preferably arranged along the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the second main body 50 in the width direction W.

[0092] In the absorbent article of the present invention, a pair of elastic bodies 80, 80 are arranged along the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the width direction W of the second main body 50. One end of each elastic body 80 in the longitudinal direction L is located in the abdominal side portion 21, and extends through the crotch portion 23 to the dorsal side portion 25. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, each elastic body 80 is arranged between both lower side portions of the second topsheet 51 and the second backsheet 55.

[0093] (Action and effect) Next, the effects of the absorbent article having the above-described structure will be described.

[0094] That is, in the absorbent article of the present invention, from the unfolded state of the absorbent article 10 shown in Figure 4, the ventral side portion 21 and the back side portion 25 are placed against the wearer's skin side via the crotch portion 23, and both side portions 21a, 21a in the width direction W of the ventral side portion 21 and both side portions 25a, 25a in the width direction W of the back side portion 25 are joined to each other via multiple hook-and-loop fasteners 32b, resulting in the use state shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0095] As a result, as shown in Figure 14, both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 rise toward the skin side with the joint 70 as the base end, and the second top sheet 51 follows suit and bends and deforms, forming a first space R1 inside it and a second space R2, R2 between the both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 and the first top sheet 31.

[0096] As a result, excrement such as urination and defecation can be stored in the first and second spaces R1, R2, thereby increasing the amount of excrement temporarily stored in the absorbent article 10, and the side portions 55a, 55a of the upright deformed second back sheet 55 can prevent leakage of excrement stored in the first space R1, and the first top sheet 31, which curves and deforms as the absorbent article 10 is worn, can prevent leakage of excrement stored in the second spaces R2, R2.

[0097] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 10 is worn, the upright deformation state of both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 is maintained, so that the first main body 30 is worn in a state in which it is recessed upward to form a valley at the central portion in the width direction W of the crotch portion 23 of the absorbent article 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thereby improving the adhesion of the first main body 30 to the skin surface in the crotch area of ​​the wearer.

[0098] Furthermore, when worn, the upright deformation state of both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 is maintained, so that the volume of the internal space of the first space R1 and the second spaces R2, R2 can be maintained, thereby ensuring that excrement such as urine and feces can be stored.

[0099] Furthermore, when this absorbent article 10 is in use, the first space R1 formed by the bending deformation of the second absorbent body 60 and the second top sheet 51 due to the upright deformation of both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 can be used as a guide for the width direction W of the absorbent article 10 when worn or attached, thereby improving the ease of wearing and attaching the article.

[0100] Furthermore, when the joint 70 is intermittently joined along the joint line S, there will be a mixture of jointed portions where the first top sheet 31 and the second back sheet 55 are joined along the joint line S, and unjoined portions where the two sheets 31, 55 are not joined.

[0101] As a result, the second main body 50 can move relatively freely in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W in the unjoined portions, which improves the wearing comfort of the absorbent article 10 when worn (allowing it to follow the wearer's movements), and also allows excrement such as urination and defecation to be dispersed in the width direction via the unjoined portions.

[0102] Furthermore, when the ventral portion 21 and the dorsal portion 25 are arranged opposite each other via the crotch portion 23 to prepare the absorbent article 10 for use, the first absorbent body 40 will bend through the holes 45, and it is preferable that the first surface sheet 31 and the second back surface sheet 55 are joined to each other by the joints 70 at least in the area that overlaps with the holes 45 in the thickness direction T.

[0103] According to the above aspect, deformation through the holes 45 in the first absorbent body 40 can be used as an opportunity to make it easier for both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 to stand up toward the skin side through the joints 70 that overlap with the holes 45 (working together with the holes 45, it becomes easier for both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 to be deformed upright), and the first space R1 and the second spaces R2, R2 can be easily defined.

[0104] Furthermore, at least the portion of the second absorbent body 61 located in the crotch portion 23 may have a groove 65 narrower than the hole 45 of the first absorbent body 41 in the center of the width direction W along the longitudinal direction L.

[0105] According to the above embodiment, the liquid excrement can be diffused in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 60 through the grooves 65, thereby improving the diffusibility of the excrement in the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the grooves 65 can also diffuse the excrement to the portion of the second absorbent body 60 located in the ventral portion 21 and the portion of the second absorbent body 60 located in the dorsal portion 25, thereby making effective use of the portions of the second absorbent body 60 arranged in the longitudinal direction L.

[0106] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 10 is put into use, the ventral portion 21 and the dorsal portion 25 are positioned opposite each other via the crotch portion 23, and the both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 are made to stand up toward the skin side with the joint 70 as the base end, the groove 65 itself makes it easier to deform the second absorbent body 60, and the cooperation between the groove 65 and the hole 45 makes it easier to make the both side portions 55a, 55a of the second back sheet 55 stand up and deform, so that the first space R1 and the second space R2, R2 can be more easily defined.

[0107] Furthermore, the groove 65 extends up to the portion located at the back portion 25 of the second absorbent body 60, and the end of the groove 65 on the back portion 25 side extends closer to the end 27a forming the waist opening 27 of the back portion 25 than the end of the hole 45 on the back portion 25 side (see Figure 4).

[0108] According to the above aspect, since the groove 65 has the above configuration, the excrement absorbed in the second absorbent body 60 can be guided through the groove 65 to the back portion 25 of the second absorbent body 60, and then the excrement can be promoted to be absorbed into the first absorbent body 40, thereby making effective use of the back portion 25 of the first absorbent body 40 and the second absorbent body 60.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 7, elastic bodies 80, 80 are arranged on both sides of the second main body 50 in the width direction W along the longitudinal direction.

[0110] This allows the second main body 50 to stretch in the longitudinal direction L, making it easier to bend the second main body 50. As a result, when the absorbent article 10 is worn, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the wearer and the second main body 50, suppress leakage of excrement, and further reduce discomfort felt by the wearer when wearing the absorbent article 10.

[0111] Furthermore, in the absorbent article of the present invention, as shown in Figure 15, the groove 65A may be formed over the entire range from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 60 (here, the second absorbent body main body 61 that constitutes the second absorbent body 60).

[0112] According to the above embodiment, the grooves 65A are formed over the entire range from one end to the other end of the second absorbent body 61 in the longitudinal direction L, and therefore, when excrement is diffused in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 61 through the grooves 65A, the diffusion can be further improved.

[0113] In other words, when the grooves 65A are formed over the entire range from one end to the other end of the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body 61, it becomes possible to diffuse excrement through the grooves 65A to the portion located in the ventral portion 21 or the portion located in the dorsal portion 25 of the second absorbent body 60, thereby making effective use of the portion of the first absorbent body 40 located from the ventral portion 21 to the dorsal portion 25, and after the excrement is guided through the grooves 65A to the ventral portion 21 or the dorsal portion 25 of the second absorbent body 60, it is possible to promote absorption of the excrement into the first absorbent body 40.

[0114] Furthermore, by forming the groove 65A over the entire range from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L of the second absorbent body main body 61, it can be used as a guide for the width direction W of the absorbent article 10A, further improving the ease of donning and putting on. Furthermore, by providing the groove 65A extending from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L in the central portion of the width direction W of the second absorbent body main body 61, an absorbent-free region is formed, which makes it easier to bend the central portion in the width direction W toward the skin side so as to face the width direction W, and makes it easier for both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second backsheet 55 to stand up toward the skin side when in use.

[0115] Furthermore, in the absorbent article of the present invention, elastic bodies 80, 80 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the second main body 50 in the width direction W, as shown in FIG.

[0116] According to the above aspect, the elastic bodies 80, 80 are arranged along the longitudinal direction L on both sides of the second main body 50 in the width direction W, making the second main body 50 stretchable in the longitudinal direction L and making it easier to bend the second main body 50. As a result, when the absorbent article 10 is worn, it is possible to improve the adhesion between the wearer and the second main body 50, suppress leakage of excrement, and further reduce discomfort felt by the wearer when wearing the absorbent article 10.

[0117] In addition, in the absorbent article of the present invention, a hole 45 extending along the longitudinal direction L at the center of the width direction W may be formed in at least the portion located in the crotch portion 23 of the first absorbent body 40 (here, the first absorbent body main body 41 constituting the first absorbent body 40).

[0118] According to the above aspect, the holes 45 allow the body waste to be diffused in the longitudinal direction L of the first absorbent body 40, thereby improving the diffusibility of the body waste in the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the holes 45 also allow the body waste to be diffused to the portion of the first absorbent body 40 located in the ventral portion 21 and the portion of the first absorbent body 40 located in the dorsal portion 25, thereby making effective use of the portions of the first absorbent body 40 arranged in the longitudinal direction L.

[0119] Furthermore, when the ventral portion 21 and the dorsal portion 25 are positioned opposite each other via the crotch portion 23 to put the absorbent article 10 into use, the first absorbent body 40 will bend through the holes 45. However, in at least the region overlapping with the holes 45 in the thickness direction T, the first top sheet 31 and the second back sheet 55 can easily cause both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 to stand up against the skin (working together with the holes 45, it becomes easier to cause both side portions 55a, 55a in the width direction W of the second back sheet 55 to stand up), and the first space R1 and the second space R2 can be easily formed.

[0120] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 10,10A...absorbent article, 20...main body, 21...ventral portion, 23...crotch portion, 25...dorsal portion, 27...waist opening, 29...leg openings, 30...first main body, 31...first top sheet, 35...first back sheet, 40...first absorbent body, 45...hole, 50...second main body, 51...second top sheet, 55...second back sheet, 60...second absorbent body, 65,65A...groove, 70...joint portion, 80...elastic body, S...joint line, R1...first space, R2...second space.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having an absorbent main body extending to a predetermined length and having a ventral side portion, a crotch portion, and a back side portion arranged in that order along the longitudinal direction, and in which a waist opening and a pair of leg openings are formed when the ventral side portion and the back side portion are arranged opposite each other with the crotch portion interposed therebetween, The main body includes a first main body and a second main body laminated on the skin-facing side, which is the surface side of the first main body, the first body has a liquid-permeable first topsheet disposed on the skin-facing side, a liquid-impermeable first backsheet disposed on the back side of the first topsheet, and a first absorbent body disposed between the first topsheet and the first backsheet, the second body has a liquid-permeable second top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a liquid-permeable second back sheet arranged on the back side of the second top sheet, and a second absorbent body arranged between the second top sheet and the second back sheet, the second absorbent body is formed to be smaller than the first absorbent body in longitudinal and widthwise dimensions, and a groove is formed in the second absorbent body at least in a portion located in the crotch portion, along the longitudinal direction at a central portion in the widthwise direction, An absorbent article characterized in that at least both widthwise sides of the second back sheet are not joined to the first top sheet, and when in the used state, both widthwise sides of the second back sheet are configured to be able to stand up toward the skin side.

2. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed over the entire range from one end to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the second absorbent body.

3. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein elastic members are arranged along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the second main body in the width direction.

4. 4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein a hole extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the central portion in the width direction of the first absorbent body at least in a portion located in the crotch portion.

Images