Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a free portion that has excellent posture stability on the inner side of a fixing portion of a rising gather.SOLUTION: The problem is solved by a rising gather 60 comprising: a root portion 65 positioned on the outer side in a width direction WD relative to a blocking position, and a body portion 66 extending inward in the width direction WD without being folded back from the root portion 65. The body portion 66 comprises a front end portion 67 and a rear end portion 69 each having a fixing portion BP fixed to a top sheet 30, and a non-fixed intermediate portion 68 not fixed to the top sheet 30. A gather elastic member 63 is attached to the tip end portion of the intermediate portion 68. Free portions FP, which are not fixed to the top sheet 30, are provided at an inner end portion in the width direction WD of the front end portion 67 and the rear end portion 69 so as to continue from the intermediate portion 68. Portions other than the free portions FP of the front end portion 67 and the rear end portion 69 form the fixing portions BP. The fixing portions BP are fixed to a waist expansion / contraction portion 15, and the boundaries between the free portions FP and the fixing portions BP are each located on an outer side surface in the width direction WD of a projection portion 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having standing gathers. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, most absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins have standing gathers (also called three-dimensional gathers) that rise from both sides of the width direction of the top sheet surface. The standing gathers prevent the lateral movement of excrement, thereby preventing so-called side leakage.

[0003] Many rising gathers have a root portion attached to the outside in the width direction of an imaginary line extending in the front-to-back direction along a cutoff position on both sides of the width direction of the topsheet surface, and a main portion extending from the inside edge in the width direction of the root portion. The main portion has front and rear end portions with fixed portions fixed to the topsheet, and an intermediate portion located between the front and rear end portions and not fixed to the topsheet. These portions are formed from a gathered sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, at least the tip portion of the rising gather has a two-layer structure, and an elongated gathered elastic member is attached between the layers of at least the tip portion of the intermediate portion in a state stretched in the front-to-back direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The middle portion contracts together with the gathered elastic member due to the contractile force of the gathered elastic member, and is also stretchable together with the gathered elastic member. When worn, the contractile force of the gathered elastic member shortens the front-to-back dimension of the tip of the middle portion, and because the middle portion is not fixed to the topsheet, the middle portion rises up so that it is higher near the tip (the part farthest from the base portion) and lowers as it approaches the fixed parts of the front and rear ends.

[0005] Furthermore, in some absorbent articles such as tape-type disposable diapers, the main body of the rising gathers often extends inward in the width direction without being folded back from the base, and the tip of the main body often faces inward in the width direction.

[0006] In this type of inward-facing rising gather, the front and rear ends of the main body, which have the fixed parts, do not rise, and the middle part, which is closer to the fixed parts, generally has a lower rising height.

[0007] In contrast to this, as in the rising gathers described in Patent Document 2, when free sections that are not fixed to the top sheet are provided at the widthwise inner ends of the front and rear ends of the main body part so as to continue from the middle section, and the parts other than the free sections at the front and rear ends are fixed sections, the free sections rise up along with the middle section, so that the part of the middle section that is closer to the fixed section rises up higher than if there were no free section, and the free sections also function as leak prevention walls at the front and rear ends of the main body part.

[0008] However, the free portion described in Patent Document 2 leaves room for improvement in terms of stability in the standing up position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-43830 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-004767 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having a free portion, which is excellent in stability of the upright posture, on the widthwise inner side of the fixed portion of the upright gather. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The absorbent article that solves the above problems is as follows. <First aspect> An absorber; A liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on the front side of the absorbent body; Standing gathers are provided on both sides of the surface of the top sheet in the width direction, The rising gathers have a root portion attached to the outside in the width direction of an imaginary line continuing in the front-to-rear direction along a blocking position on both sides in the width direction of the surface of the top sheet, and a main body portion extending inward in the width direction from the inner edge in the width direction of the root portion without being folded back, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end having fastening portions fastened to the top sheet, and an intermediate portion located between the front end and the rear end and not fastened to the top sheet; A gather stretchable portion having an elongated gather elastic member along the front-rear direction is provided at least at the tip end of the intermediate portion, The gathered stretchable portion is a portion that stretches elastically between a natural length state in which it is contracted in the front-to-rear direction together with the gathered elastic member and an expanded state in which it is stretched in the front-to-rear direction together with the gathered elastic member to a maximum stretch rate, at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion has a free portion that is not fixed to the top sheet over the entire front-to-rear direction at an end portion on the inner side in the width direction, and has the fixed portion adjacent to the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The garment has at least the free portion and a waist stretchable portion adjacent to the back side of the fixed portion on the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The waist stretchable portion has a waist elastic member and is elastically stretchable between a natural length state in which it contracts in the width direction together with the waist elastic member and has ridges extending in the front-to-rear direction repeatedly formed on the surface in the width direction, and an expanded state in which it stretches in the width direction together with the waist elastic member to a maximum stretch rate and has no ridges, The free portion is not fixed to the waist elastic portion, and the fixed portion is fixed to the waist elastic portion, and the boundary between the free portion and the fixed portion is located on the outer side surface of the protruding portion in the width direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

[0012] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, when the stand-up gathers are stretched from their natural length to the state when worn, a raised portion is present in the elastic waist section, the free portion is not fixed to the elastic waist section, the fixed portion is fixed to the elastic waist section, and the boundary between the free portion and the fixed portion is located on the outer side of the raised portion in the width direction of the elastic waist section, so that the free portion tends to assume a raised position extending upward along the outer side of the raised portion in the width direction, and because it is supported by the inner raised portion in the width direction and the shape of the raised portion is maintained by the contractile force of the waist elastic member, it is less likely to collapse inward in the width direction. Therefore, the free portion of this type of stand-up gather provides more stable raised position than conventional ones.

[0013] <Second aspect> The width of the free portion is 5 mm or more, The gathered stretchable portion has a plurality of gathered elastic members spaced apart in the width direction in a tip end region of the main body portion having a width equal to the width of the free portion, and the gathered elastic members are not provided in any region other than the tip end region, The gathered stretchable portion extends through the intermediate portion and the free portion, The front-to-back dimension of the part of the gathered stretchable portion located within the free portion is 5 to 25% of the front-to-back dimension of the free portion. 1. An absorbent article according to a first embodiment.

[0014] (Action and effect) The width of the free portion can be determined as appropriate, but from the perspective of improving leak prevention performance, it is preferable that it be 5 mm or more. However, simply widening the free portion may cause the free portion to become unstable in its upright position. Therefore, in such cases, it is preferable to have multiple gathered elastic members spaced apart in the width direction, and it is preferable that the gathered stretchable portion extend a sufficient length within the free portion.

[0015] <Third aspect> The absorbent body extends over the fixed portion of one of the rising gathers and the fixed portion of the other of the rising gathers, The waist side edge of the absorbent body is located closer to the waist than the waist side end of the gathered stretchable portion. The absorbent article according to the first or second aspect.

[0016] (Action and effect) When the absorbent body is arranged as in this embodiment, the rigidity of the absorbent body reduces the widthwise contraction of the fixed part, and the boundary between the free part and the fixed part is maintained further to the side, which makes it easier for the gathered elastic member to exert a force pulling the free part toward the intermediate part, making the upright posture of the free part more stable. Another advantage is that excreted fluid blocked by the free part can be quickly absorbed.

[0017] <Fourth aspect> The front-to-back dimension of the portion of the free section that overlaps with the waist stretch section is 50% or more of the front-to-back dimension of the free section. The absorbent article according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0018] (Action and effect) The greater the overlap between the free portion and the elastic waist portion in the front-to-back direction, the more stable the upright posture becomes, so it is preferable to configure the free portion as in this embodiment.

[0019] <Fifth aspect> The top sheet has a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on a surface of an area that overlaps with the free portion in an unfolded state, The thickness of the convex portion in the region of the top sheet that overlaps with the free portion is greater than the thickness of the region that overlaps with the fixed portion. The absorbent article according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0020] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, even if the free portion is not supported or is not fully supported by the raised portion of the waist elastic portion when worn, such as when the raised portion becomes lower to some extent due to the extension of the waist elastic portion, the free portion is supported by the convex portion on the surface of the top sheet located on the inner side in the width direction, further improving the stability of the free portion when standing up.

[0021] <Sixth aspect> The region of the top sheet that overlaps with the fixing part does not have the convex part and has a constant thickness. An absorbent article according to a fifth embodiment.

[0022] (Action and effect) The aforementioned difference in thickness can be produced by providing a convex portion in the area of ​​the top sheet that overlaps with the fixing portion, but by pressing and adhering the fixing portion to the top sheet so that the convex portion is crushed in the thickness direction; however, it is more preferable to produce this by having the area of ​​the top sheet that overlaps with the fixing portion not have a convex portion and have a constant thickness.

[0023] <Seventh aspect> An absorber; A liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on the front side of the absorbent body; Standing gathers are provided on both sides of the surface of the top sheet in the width direction, The rising gathers have a root portion attached to the outside in the width direction of an imaginary line continuing in the front-to-rear direction along a blocking position on both sides in the width direction of the surface of the top sheet, and a main body portion extending inward in the width direction from the inner edge in the width direction of the root portion without being folded back, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end having fastening portions fastened to the top sheet, and an intermediate portion located between the front end and the rear end and not fastened to the top sheet; A narrow gathered elastic member is attached to at least the tip of the intermediate portion along the front-rear direction, the intermediate portion is contracted together with the gathered elastic member by the contraction force of the gathered elastic member, and is also stretchable together with the gathered elastic member; at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion has a free portion that is not fixed to the top sheet over the entire front-to-rear direction at an end portion on the inner side in the width direction, and has the fixed portion on the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The top sheet has a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on a surface of an area that overlaps with the free portion in an unfolded state, the thickness of the convex portion in the region of the top sheet that overlaps with the free portion is thinner than the thickness of the region that overlaps with the fixed portion; An absorbent article characterized by:

[0024] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, the free portion is supported by the convex portions on the top sheet surface located on the inner side in the width direction, and is therefore less likely to collapse inward in the width direction. Therefore, the free portion of the standing gathers in this embodiment provides better stability in the standing posture than conventional ones. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, an absorbent article is provided with a free portion, which is excellent in stability of the standing posture, on the widthwise inner side of the fixed portion of the standing gather. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the inner surface of the connected disposable diaper in an unfolded state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the outer surface of the connected disposable diaper in an unfolded state. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1. [Figure 5]5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 9A is a plan view of the stretch sheet in an unfolded state, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9a-9a, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9b-9b. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts including the elastic waist portion and the rising gathers. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts including the elastic waist portion and the rising gathers. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of FIG. [Figure 13] 9A is a plan view of the stretch sheet in an unfolded state, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9c-9c of the unfolded state, and FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9c-9c of the contracted state. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the top sheet and intermediate sheet in an unfolded state. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the top sheet and intermediate sheet. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the top sheet and intermediate sheet. [Figure 17] 16(b) are cross-sectional views showing the 1a-1a cross section, the 1b-1b cross section, and the 1c-1c cross section of FIG. 16(b). [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the top sheet and intermediate sheet in an unfolded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Figures 1 to 8 show a connectable disposable diaper 10 (commonly referred to as a tape-type disposable diaper), an example of an absorbent article. The symbol X in the figures indicates the overall width of the diaper excluding the connecting tape 13, and the symbol L indicates the overall length of the diaper. Note that the dotted pattern in the cross-sectional view indicates an adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, that joins the various components located on the front and back sides. However, this does not represent all adhesives; adhesive can also be applied to areas without the dotted pattern, as needed. Hot-melt adhesives can be applied by known methods, such as slot coating, continuous or dotted bead coating, spiral, Z-shaped, or wavy spray coating, or pattern coating (transfer of hot-melt adhesive using a relief printing method). Alternatively, or in addition, hot-melt adhesive can be applied to the outer surface of the elastic member to secure the elastic member to an adjacent member. Hot-melt adhesives include, for example, EVA-based, adhesive rubber-based (elastomer-based), polyolefin-based, and polyester / polyamide-based types, but no particular limitation is imposed on the types. As a fixing or joining method for joining each component, material welding methods such as heat sealing and ultrasonic sealing can also be used. In areas where liquid permeability in the thickness direction is required, adjacent components in the thickness direction are fixed or joined in an intermittent pattern. For example, when such intermittent fixing or joining is performed using a hot melt adhesive, intermittent pattern application such as a spiral, Z-shaped, or wavy pattern can be suitably used. When applying to an area greater than the application width of a single nozzle, intermittent pattern application such as a spiral, Z-shaped, or wavy pattern can be performed with or without gaps in the width direction.

[0028] This connectable disposable diaper has a crotch region M including the center in the front-to-back direction LD, a ventral region F extending forward from the center in the front-to-back direction LD, and a dorsal region B extending rearward from the center in the front-to-back direction LD. This connectable disposable diaper also has an absorbent body 56 incorporated in a range including the crotch region M, a liquid-permeable top sheet 30 covering the front side of the absorbent body 56, a liquid-impermeable sheet 11 covering the back side of the absorbent body 56, and an exterior nonwoven fabric 12 covering the back side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 and constituting the outer surface of the product. When the absorbent body 56 has a constricted region 56n (described below), the crotch region M refers to the region in the front-to-back direction LD including the constricted region 56n. When the absorbent body 56 does not have a constricted region 56n, the crotch region M refers to the region located at the center in the front-to-back direction LD and whose dimension in the front-to-back direction LD is 40% of the overall length of the product.

[0029] The materials and characteristic features of each part will be described below in order. The nonwoven fabric in the following description can be any known nonwoven fabric, depending on the part and purpose. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be selected without particular limitation, for example, synthetic fibers such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), polyesters, and polyamides (including single-component fibers and core-sheath and other composite fibers), regenerated fibers (e.g., rayon or cupra), and natural fibers (e.g., cotton), or a mixture of these. To enhance the flexibility of the nonwoven fabric, it is preferable to use crimped fibers as the constituent fibers. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be hydrophilic fibers (including fibers made hydrophilic by a hydrophilizing agent), hydrophobic fibers, or water-repellent fibers (including fibers made water-repellent by a water-repellent agent). Furthermore, nonwoven fabrics are generally classified into staple fiber nonwoven fabrics, long fiber nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, thermal bond (air-through) nonwoven fabrics, needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, point-bond nonwoven fabrics, laminated nonwoven fabrics (including SMS nonwoven fabrics and SMMS nonwoven fabrics in which a meltblown layer is sandwiched between spunbond layers), etc. depending on the fiber length, sheet formation method, fiber bonding method, and laminated structure, and any of these nonwoven fabrics can be used. (absorbent) The absorbent body 56 is a part that absorbs and retains excreted fluid and can be formed from a fiber assembly. This fiber assembly can be made of stacked staple fibers such as cotton-like pulp or synthetic fibers, or a filament assembly obtained by opening a tow (fiber bundle) of synthetic fibers such as cellulose acetate as needed. When stacking cotton-like pulp or staple fibers, the fiber weight can be, for example, 100 to 300 g / m 2 In the case of a filament aggregate, for example, 30 to 120 g / m 2 The fineness of synthetic fibers is, for example, 1 to 16 dtex, preferably 1 to 10 dtex, and more preferably 1 to 5 dtex. In the case of a filament aggregate, the filaments may be non-crimped fibers, but are preferably crimped fibers. The crimp degree of the crimped fibers can be, for example, 5 to 75, preferably 10 to 50, and more preferably 15 to 50, fibers per 2.54 cm. Uniformly crimped fibers can also be used.

[0030] The shape of the absorber 56 can be determined as appropriate. For example, the absorber 56 can be formed in a generally hourglass shape, with a narrowed portion 56n in which the portion located in the crotch region M is narrower than the front and rear sides, as in the illustrated example, or it can be formed in any other appropriate shape, such as a rectangular shape. It is usually preferable that the absorber 56 be provided from the front to the back of the crotch region, but this is not limitative.

[0031] (Superabsorbent polymer particles) The absorbent body 56 may contain superabsorbent polymer particles in part or in its entirety. The term "superabsorbent polymer particles" includes not only "particles" but also "powder." The superabsorbent polymer particles may be those used in this type of absorbent article. The particle size of the superabsorbent polymer particles is not particularly limited. For example, when the particles are sieved (shaken for 5 minutes) using a 500 μm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006) and the particles that fall through the sieve are then sieved (shaken for 5 minutes) using a 180 μm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006), the proportion of particles remaining on the 500 μm standard sieve is preferably 30% by weight or less, and the proportion of particles remaining on the 180 μm standard sieve is preferably 60% by weight or more.

[0032] The material of the superabsorbent polymer particles is not particularly limited, but a water absorption capacity of 40 g / g or more is preferred. Examples of superabsorbent polymer particles include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based materials, such as starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymers, crosslinked products of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and acrylic acid (salt) polymers. The shape of the superabsorbent polymer particles is preferably the commonly used powder-like form, but other shapes can also be used.

[0033] The highly absorbent polymer particles preferably have a water absorption rate of 70 seconds or less, particularly 40 seconds or less. If the water absorption rate is too slow, the liquid supplied into the absorbent body 56 tends to flow back out of the absorbent body 56, which is known as backflow.

[0034] Furthermore, the highly absorbent polymer particles preferably have a gel strength of at least 1000 Pa. This effectively prevents the sticky feeling after absorbing liquid, even when the absorbent body 56 is bulky.

[0035] The basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer particles can be determined appropriately depending on the absorption amount required for the application of the absorbent body 56. Therefore, although it cannot be generalized, it is usually 50 to 350 g / m 2 It can be said that:

[0036] (packaging sheet) In order to prevent the superabsorbent polymer particles from escaping or to improve the shape retention of the absorbent body 56, the absorbent body 56 can be incorporated as an absorbent element 50 wrapped in a wrapping sheet 58. As the wrapping sheet 58, tissue paper, particularly crepe paper, nonwoven fabric, polylaminated nonwoven fabric, perforated sheet, etc. can be used. However, it is preferable that the sheet is one from which the superabsorbent polymer particles do not escape. When using nonwoven fabric instead of crepe paper, hydrophilic SMMS (spunbond / meltblown / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven fabric is particularly suitable, and polypropylene, polyethylene / polypropylene, etc. can be used as the material. The fiber weight is 5 to 40 g / m 2 , especially 10 to 30 g / m 2 It is preferable that:

[0037] This packaging sheet 58 may be structured so that one sheet wraps the entire absorbent body 56, or multiple sheets, such as two sheets on top and bottom, may wrap the entire absorbent body 56. The packaging sheet 58 may also be omitted.

[0038] (Top sheet) The top sheet 30 is liquid-permeable, and may be made of, for example, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, or the like.

[0039] The top sheet 30 preferably extends from the front end to the rear end of the product in the front-to-rear direction, but can be modified as needed. As shown in the illustrated example, the top sheet 30 preferably extends in the width direction WD to the outside of the boundary between the main body portion 66 and the root portion 65 of the rising gathers 60 (described later), but can be modified as needed.

[0040] (middle seat) In order to prevent backflow of liquid that has permeated the top sheet 30, an intermediate sheet 40 (also called a "second sheet") can be provided adjacent to the back side of the top sheet 30. The intermediate sheet 40 can also be omitted.

[0041] Various nonwoven fabrics can be suitably used as the intermediate sheet 40, and particularly, a bulky air-through nonwoven fabric is suitably used. For the air-through nonwoven fabric, composite fibers with a core-sheath structure are preferably used, and in this case, the resin used for the core may be polypropylene (PP), but polyester (PET) with high rigidity is preferred. The basis weight is 17 to 80 g / m 2 is preferable, and 25 to 60 g / m 2 The thickness of the raw material fibers of the nonwoven fabric is preferably 2.0 to 10 dtex. In order to make the nonwoven fabric bulky, it is also preferable to use eccentric fibers, hollow fibers, or eccentric and hollow fibers as all or part of the raw material fibers.

[0042] The intermediate sheet 40 may be positioned at the center and shorter than the width of the absorber 56, or may be positioned so as to cover the entire width of the absorber 56. The intermediate sheet may be provided over the entire length of the diaper, or may be provided only in the middle portion in the front-to-rear direction LD, such as in the crotch region M.

[0043] (Liquid-impermeable sheet) The liquid-impermeable sheet 11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably moisture-permeable. For example, a microporous sheet obtained by kneading an inorganic filler into a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in a uniaxial or biaxial direction can be suitably used as the liquid-impermeable sheet 11. Alternatively, a liquid-impermeable sheet 11 having a nonwoven fabric base material with enhanced waterproofness can also be used.

[0044] The liquid-impermeable sheet 11 preferably has an extending portion that extends outward in the width direction WD beyond the top sheet 30. It is desirable that the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 extends over the same or a wider range as the absorbent body 56 in the front-rear direction LD and the width direction WD. The liquid-impermeable sheet 11 may be omitted.

[0045] (exterior nonwoven fabric) The exterior nonwoven fabric 12 covers the entire back side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 11, giving the outer surface of the product a cloth-like appearance. The nonwoven fabric can be used in one piece or in multiple pieces stacked together. In the latter case, it is preferable to bond the nonwoven fabrics together with a hot melt adhesive or the like. When using nonwoven fabric, the fineness of the constituent fibers is 1.0 to 6.0 dtex, and the basis weight is 15 to 45 g / m. 2 It is preferable that the thickness of the nonwoven fabric is 0.5 to 3.0 mm.

[0046] The exterior nonwoven fabric 12 may be replaced by a sheet other than a nonwoven fabric, or the exterior nonwoven fabric 12 may be omitted.

[0047] (End flap section, side flap section) The illustrated example of the connectable disposable diaper 10 has a pair of end flap portions EF that do not have the absorbent body 56 and extend to the front and rear sides of the absorbent body 56, respectively, and a pair of side flap portions SF that do not have the absorbent body 56 and extend laterally beyond both side edges of the absorbent body 56. The side flap portions SF may be made of a material (such as the gathered sheet 62, top sheet 30, liquid-impermeable sheet 11, and exterior nonwoven fabric 12) that is continuous with the part that has the absorbent body 56, as in the illustrated example, or may be formed by attaching other materials.

[0048] (Wing part) In the present connectable disposable diaper 10, the back portion B has wing portions WP extending outward in the width direction WD beyond the crotch portion M. Similarly, the ventral portion F also has wing portions WP extending outward in the width direction WD beyond the crotch portion M. These wing portions WP can be formed from separate members from the other portions. However, in the illustrated example, in a structure having side flap portions SF, it is preferable to form narrowed side edges 10n from the side edges of the crotch portion M to the lower edges 10u of the wing portions WP by cutting out the middle of the sides of the side flap portions SF in the front-to-rear direction LD, as this facilitates manufacturing.

[0049] (connecting tape) 1, 2 and 7, the wing portions WP of the back portion B are provided with connecting tapes 13 which are detachably connected to the outer surface of the abdominal portion F. When putting on the diaper 10, the connecting tapes 13 are wrapped around the outer surface of the abdominal portion F from both sides of the waist, and the connecting portions 13A of the connecting tapes 13 are connected to appropriate locations on the outer surface of the abdominal portion F.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting tape 13 has a base end 13C fixed to the wing portions WP, a sheet substrate forming a main portion 13B extending from the base end 13C, and a connecting portion 13A for the ventral portion F, which is provided in the middle of the main portion 13B in the width direction WD of the sheet substrate. The portion of the main portion 13B closer to the base end 13C than the connecting portion 13A is a non-connecting portion that is not connected to the ventral portion F. The side edges of the base end 13C may coincide with the side edges of the wing portions WP, or, as shown in the illustrated example, may be slightly spaced inward in the width direction WD from the side edges of the wing portions WP. The inner edges of the connecting portion 13A in the width direction may coincide with the side edges of the wing portions WP, but are preferably sufficiently spaced outward in the width direction WD from the side edges of the wing portions WP, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7.

[0051] The connecting portion 13A may be provided with a hook material (male material) of a mechanical fastener (hook and loop fastener) or with an adhesive layer. The hook material has many engaging protrusions on its connecting surface, and these engaging protrusions become entangled with the fibers of the target surface, thereby adhering to the target surface.

[0052] The sheet substrate forming the base end portion 13C to the main body portion 13B may be a nonwoven fabric, a plastic film, a polylaminated nonwoven fabric, paper, or a composite material thereof, and the fineness should be 1.0 to 3.5 dtex and the basis weight should be 60 to 100 g / m. 2 A spunbond nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or a spunlace nonwoven fabric having a thickness of 1 mm or less is preferred.

[0053] The connecting tape 13 may be such that at least a portion of the non-connected portion is stretchable in the width direction WD, or may be such that the entirety is not stretchable.

[0054] (target part) It is preferable that a target portion 12T be provided at the connection point of the connecting tape 13 in the abdominal portion F. As shown in the illustrated example, the target portion 12T can be provided by attaching a sheet material to the outer surface of the abdominal portion F to facilitate connection.

[0055] The sheet material for forming the target portion 12T is not particularly limited, but if the connecting portion 13A is a hook material, for example, a long-fiber nonwoven fabric in which the fibers are partially welded to each other by ultrasonic welding in an intermittent pattern can be used.

[0056] Furthermore, when the connecting portion 13A is a hook material, a composite sheet material can be used as the sheet material for forming the target portion 12T, in which a large number of loop threads are sewn onto the surface of a base material made of a plastic film or nonwoven fabric, so that the engaging protrusions of the hook material can become entangled.

[0057] Furthermore, when the connecting portion 13A is a hook material and the connecting portion of the connecting tape 13 in the ventral portion F is made of nonwoven fabric (for example, when there is an outer nonwoven fabric 12 as in the illustrated example), it is possible to use an appropriate location of the outer nonwoven fabric 12 as the target portion 12T and connect the hook material by entangling it with the fibers of the outer nonwoven fabric 12 without adding a sheet material to form the target portion 12T.

[0058] On the other hand, when the connecting portion 13A is an adhesive layer, the target portion 12T can be a sheet material such as a plastic film with a smooth surface that has been subjected to a release treatment so as to have good adhesiveness to the adhesive layer.

[0059] (Get up and gather) In order to block excrement moving laterally along the top sheet 30 and prevent so-called side leakage, rising gathers 60 are provided on both sides of the surface of the top sheet 30 in the width direction WD.

[0060] The rising gathers 60 in the illustrated example have a root portion 65 attached to the outside in the width direction WD of an imaginary line 60B that continues in the front-to-back direction LD along interruption positions on both sides in the width direction WD of the surface of the top sheet 30, and a main body portion 66 that extends inward in the width direction WD from the inner edge of the root portion 65 in the width direction WD without being folded back. The main body portion 66 has a front end portion 67 and a rear end portion 69 that have fixed portions BP fixed to the top sheet 30 (in other words, the range of the main body portion 66 in the front-to-back direction LD that has the fixed portions BP constitute the front end portion 67 and the rear end portion 69), and an intermediate portion 68 that is located between the front end portion 67 and the rear end portion 69 and is not fixed to the top sheet 30, and at least the tip portion of the intermediate portion 68 is provided with a gathered stretchable portion having elongated gathered elastic members 63 that extend along the front-to-back direction LD. The gathered stretchable portion 61 is the portion to which the contractile force of the gathered elastic member 63 acts, and is a portion that elastically stretches between a natural length state in which it is contracted in the front-to-back direction LD together with the gathered elastic member 63, and an expanded state in which it is stretched in the front-to-back direction LD together with the gathered elastic member 63 to the maximum elongation rate.

[0061] The main body portion 66 and the root portion 65 can be formed by a gathered sheet 62 that is folded in half at the tip of the main body portion 66 (the end opposite the root portion 65) to form a two-layer structure consisting of an inner layer 62n and an outer layer 62f. In this case, a gathered elastic member 63 can be provided between the inner layer 62n and the outer layer 62f. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inner layer 62n does not need to extend to the root portion 65, but may extend only to the middle position in the width direction WD of the main body portion 66. Alternatively, although not shown, it may extend to the root portion 65. In other words, the main body portion 66 may have a single layer on the root portion 65 side. The gathered sheet 62 may also have a layer structure of three or more layers, and may particularly have a liquid-impermeable film as an intermediate layer. When the gathered sheet 62 has a multi-layer structure, the number of layers may be increased without folding a single nonwoven fabric, or by adding another nonwoven fabric to the multi-layer structure by folding a single nonwoven fabric.

[0062] The root portion 65 in the illustrated example has a joining start point in the width direction WD on a side portion of the top sheet 30, and this joining start point passes through the blocking position and continues in the front-to-back direction LD. The root portion 65 in the illustrated example also has an extending portion that extends outward in the width direction WD beyond the top sheet 30, and this extending portion is joined with a hot melt adhesive or the like to the inner surface of each side flap portion SF, that is, in the illustrated example, to the side portion of the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 and the side portion of the exterior nonwoven fabric 12 located outward in the width direction WD.

[0063] Although both ends of the main body portion 66 in the front-to-back direction LD are provided with fixed parts BP that are fixed to the surface of the top sheet 30, an intermediate portion 68 located between the front and back fixed parts BP is not fixed to the surface of the top sheet 30. As a result, in the natural length state and when worn, the dimension of the tip of the intermediate portion 68 in the front-to-back direction LD is shortened by the contractile force of the gathered elastic member 63, and because the intermediate portion 68 is not fixed to the top sheet 30, as shown in Figure 3, the intermediate portion 68 rises higher as it approaches the tip (the portion farthest from the base portion 65; the end) and at a shallower angle (lower tip height) as it approaches the fixed parts BP of the front end portion 67 and the rear end portion 69.

[0064] The type of gathered sheet 62 is not particularly limited, but in general, a water-repellent nonwoven fabric is used from the viewpoint of softness against the skin and liquid-blocking properties. In particular, a nonwoven fabric having a meltblown layer between spunbond layers (SMS nonwoven fabric, SMMS nonwoven fabric, SSMS nonwoven fabric, SSMMS nonwoven fabric) is suitable because it can achieve both softness against the skin and liquid-blocking properties. The nonwoven fabric can be used alone or in a stack of multiple sheets. In the latter case, it is preferable to bond the nonwoven fabrics together with a hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0065] The gathered elastic member 63 can be an elastic member such as rubber in the form of a thread, string, or strip. As shown in the example, only one gathered elastic member 63 can be provided on each side, or multiple gathered elastic members can be provided on each side. The elongation percentage of the gathered elastic member 63 in the expanded state can be determined as appropriate, but is preferably about 150 to 250%, and more preferably 180 to 230%. When synthetic rubber thread such as spandex is used as the gathered elastic member 63, its thickness is preferably 300 to 700 dtex, and more preferably 400 to 500 dtex.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 12, the front end 67 and rear end 69 of the main body portion 66 have a free portion FP that is not fixed to the top sheet 30 throughout the entire front-to-back direction LD at the inner end in the width direction WD (i.e., continuing from the middle portion 68 to the waist side edge), and it is preferable that the main body portion 66 has a fixed portion BP adjacent to the outer side of the free portion FP in the width direction.

[0067] In such inward rising gathers 60, the free portion FP rises together with the intermediate portion 68 as shown in Figure 10, so that the portion of the intermediate portion 68 closer to the fixed portion BP rises higher than when there is no free portion FP, and the free portion FP also functions as a leakage prevention wall at the front end portion 67 and rear end portion 69 of the main body portion 66.

[0068] The dimensions of the free portion FP can be determined as appropriate. The width x1 of the free portion FP is preferably 1 / 6 to 1 / 3, and particularly preferably 2 / 11 to 1 / 4, of the width x2 of the intermediate portion 68. More specifically, the lower limit of the width x1 of the free portion FP is preferably 5 mm or greater. Furthermore, when both the front end 67 and the rear end 69 have free portions FP, the width x1 of the free portion FP of the front end 67 and the width x1 of the free portion FP of the rear end 69 may be equal. However, because the range of motion of the legs is greater in the front than in the rear, it is also preferable to make the width x1 of the free portion FP of the front end 67 of the main body 66 wider (e.g., 1.2 to 1.5 times) than the width x1 of the free portion FP of the rear end 69. While the width x1 of the free portion FP is constant in the illustrated example, it may vary depending on the position in the front-to-rear direction LD, in which case it refers to the minimum value. While the width x2 of the intermediate portion 68 is constant in the illustrated example, it may vary depending on the position in the front-to-rear direction LD, in which case it refers to the maximum value.

[0069] As shown in the figure, the free portion FP is preferably provided at both the front end 67 and the rear end 69 of the main body portion 66, but it may also be provided at only the front end 67 or only the rear end 69.

[0070] Unlike the illustrated example, the gathered elastic member 63 can be provided in places other than the tip of the intermediate portion 68. In particular, as in the illustrated example, it is preferable to provide the gathered elastic member 63 only in a tip-side region having a width equal to the width x1 of the free portion FP, and not to have the gathered elastic member 63 in any region other than the tip-side region, as this stabilizes not only the intermediate portion 68 but also the upright posture of the free portion FP. When the gathered elastic member 63 is provided only in a tip-side region having a width equal to the width x1 of the free portion FP, only one gathered elastic member 63 may be provided, but it is preferable to provide multiple gathered elastic members spaced apart in the width direction WD, as in the illustrated example, and it is particularly preferable to have at least one gathered elastic member closer to the fixed portion BP and at least one gathered elastic member closer to the tip of the free portion FP in the width direction WD.

[0071] The gathered stretchable portion 61 and the gathered elastic member 63 may or may not extend to the free portion FP. In the former case, the portion of the gathered elastic member 63 located in the free portion FP may be fixed to the free portion FP, with the gathered stretchable portion 61 extending across the middle portion 68 and into the free portion FP, or the portion of the gathered elastic member 63 located in the free portion FP may not be fixed to the free portion FP, with the gathered stretchable portion 61 not being present in the free portion FP.

[0072] (Side flat gathers) A side elastic member 64 may be provided on the outside of the blocking position in the width direction WD of each side flap portion SF, and the leg-surrounding portions of each side flap portion SF may contract together with the side elastic member 64 due to the contractile force of the side elastic member 64, and may also be stretchable together with the side elastic member 64 (so-called flat gathers may be formed). The side elastic member 64 may also be omitted.

[0073] (Elastic waist part) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 18, the back portion B is provided with a waist stretchable section 15 that extends along the width direction WD from the rear side of the fixed section BP adjacent to the free section FP of one of the rising gathers 60 to the rear side of the fixed section BP adjacent to the free section FP of the other rising gather 60. The waist stretchable section 15 includes waist elastic members 72 and is elastically stretchable between a natural length state (see FIG. 10) in which it contracts in the width direction WD together with the waist elastic members 72 to form ridges 16 on the surface that extend in the front-to-back direction LD, and a deployed state in which it stretches in the width direction WD to its maximum stretch rate together with the waist elastic members 72, eliminating the ridges 16. Therefore, the ridges 16 exist in a stretched state that is similar to the natural length state when worn (e.g., a stretch rate range of approximately 100-130% in the width direction WD). The stretch rate of the waist stretchable section 15 in the deployed state can be determined as appropriate, for example, 180-300%.

[0074] As long as the waist stretchable portions 15 are adjacent to the backside of the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP on the outer side thereof in the width direction WD, unlike the illustrated example, one waist stretchable portion 15 adjacent to the backside of the free portion FP of one standing gather 60 in the width direction WD and the fixed portion BP on the outer side thereof in the width direction WD, and the other waist stretchable portion 15 adjacent to the backside of the free portion FP of the other standing gather 60 and the fixed portion BP on the outer side thereof in the width direction WD may be provided separately with an interval in the width direction WD. Furthermore, the waist stretchable portions 15 may extend laterally beyond the fixed portion BP on the outer side of the free portion FP in the width direction WD, for example to the base portion 65, or they may only extend as far as the fixed portion BP on the outer side of the free portion FP in the width direction WD.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, when the waist elasticized portion 15 is stretched from its natural length to the state required for wearing, the raised portion 16 is present in the waist elasticized portion 15, the free portion FP is not fixed to the waist elasticized portion 15, and the fixed portion BP is fixed to the waist elasticized portion 15. The boundary Q between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP is located on the outer side of the raised portion 16 in the width direction WD of the waist elasticized portion 15. This means that the free portion FP tends to assume a raised position, extending upward along the outer side of the raised portion 16 in the width direction WD. Furthermore, because the raised portion 16 is supported by the raised portion 16 located on the inner side in the width direction WD and the shape of the raised portion 16 is maintained by the contractile force of the waist elastic member 72, it is less likely to collapse inward in the width direction WD. Therefore, the free portion FP of such raised gathers 60 has superior stability in its raised position compared to conventional gathers. In particular, from the perspective of improving leakage prevention, it is preferable that the widthwise dimension x1 of the free portion FP be 5 mm or more. Postural stability is particularly important for such wide free portions FP.

[0076] The waist stretchable section 15 has no specific dimension in the front-to-back direction LD, as long as it extends in the width direction WD to encompass the free section FP and the fixed section BP on the outside of the free section FP in the width direction WD. Therefore, the dimension FPo in the front-to-back direction LD of the part of the free section FP that overlaps with the waist stretchable section 15 can be determined as appropriate, but since the greater the overlap between the free section FP and the waist stretchable section 15 in the front-to-back direction LD, the greater the stability in the upright posture. Therefore, it is preferable that the dimension FPo in the front-to-back direction LD of the part of the free section FP that overlaps with the waist stretchable section 15 be at least 50% of the dimension FPy in the front-to-back direction LD of the free section FP.

[0077] The positional relationship between the waist elasticized section 15 and the free section FP can be determined as appropriate. The entire waist elasticized section 15 may be located closer to the waist than the boundary between the free section FP and the intermediate section 68, or a portion of the waist elasticized section 15 may overlap the intermediate section 68. In the former case, the dimension 15y in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist elasticized section 15 may be approximately 60 to 90% of the dimension FPy in the front-to-back direction LD of the free section FP. As shown in the example shown, the dimension 15y in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist elasticized section 15 at the portion overlapping the free section FP is preferably longer (e.g., approximately 1.5 to 4.0 times longer) than the minimum dimension 15m in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist elasticized section 15 located between the two rising gathers 60 in the unfolded state. However, the dimension 15y in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist elasticized section 15 may be constant.

[0078] Instead of or in addition to providing the elastic waist section 15 on the back portion, the elastic waist section 15 can be provided on the ventral portion F.

[0079] The waist elastic members 72 may be elongated (thread-like, string-like, etc.), or may be non-perforated or perforated films, mesh-like, or other suitable shapes. The waist elastic members 72 are fixed to the components that make up the waist stretchable section 15. For example, when using the elongated waist elastic members 72 shown in the drawings, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, two support sheet layers 71 such as nonwoven fabrics are joined together with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive or by ultrasonic welding, and the waist elastic members 72 are fixed between the two support sheet layers 71 in a stretched state in the width direction WD to form a stretchable sheet 70. The stretchable sheet 70 is then fixed to a component behind the rising gathers 60 in a stretched state in the width direction WD, thereby forming the waist stretchable section 15. Approximately 5 to 15 elongated waist elastic members 72 with a thickness of 420 to 1120 dtex can be arranged at intervals of 3 to 10 mm, and the stretchability of the fixed members can be approximately 150 to 250%. In the example stretch sheet 70 shown in Figure 9, two support sheet layers 71 are continuously joined in the width direction WD, and waist elastic members 72 are continuously fixed in the width direction WD at the joint positions. However, as shown in Figure 13, two support sheet layers 71 can also be intermittently joined in the width direction WD, and waist elastic members 72 can be fixed to the support sheet layers 71 only at the joint positions.

[0080] Both ends of the stretch sheet 70 in the width direction WD may be non-stretchable regions 76 so that they can be held and attached by suction during manufacturing. In other words, the entire stretch sheet 70 does not have to form the waist stretch section 15. The non-stretchable regions 76 may be regions that do not have waist elastic members 72, but elastic members 72 may be arranged across the intermediate stretchable region 75 and the non-stretchable region 76, and the elastic members 72 may be cut or left unfixed in the non-stretchable region 76, so that although the elastic members 72 remain in the non-stretchable region 76, there is little or no stretch.

[0081] Furthermore, by providing a non-elastic region 77 that does not have a waist elastic member 72 or that has been cut to provide little or no stretch at all on one side in the front-to-back direction LD (the crotch side in the illustrated example) of the stretch sheet 70 in a portion that is located between both rise-up gathers 60 in the unfolded state, as described above, the dimension in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist stretchable portion 15 at the portion that overlaps with the free portion FP can be made longer than the dimension in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist stretchable portion 15 that is located between both rise-up gathers 60 in the unfolded state. Furthermore, by providing a similar non-elastic region 77 in the stretch sheet 70 throughout the entire front-to-back direction LD at the middle of the width direction WD, it is possible to provide independent waist stretchable portions 15 on both sides in the width direction WD.

[0082] In the illustrated example, the stretch sheet 70 is disposed between the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 and the absorbent element 50, but this arrangement is not particularly limited. For example, the stretch sheet 70 may be disposed between the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 and the exterior nonwoven fabric 21, or may be provided on the outside of the exterior nonwoven fabric 21. These arrangements also apply when the waist elastic members 72 are disposed independently of the stretch sheet 70 rather than being incorporated into the stretch sheet 70.

[0083] The waist elasticized portion 15 may have any known structure, as long as it is elastically stretchable between a natural length state in which it contracts in the width direction WD together with the waist elastic members 72, forming repeated ridges 16 extending in the front-to-back direction LD on the surface, and a fully extended state in which it stretches in the width direction WD together with the waist elastic members 72 to a maximum elongation rate, eliminating the ridges 16. For example, as shown in Figures 9(b) and 9(c), by continuously joining the front and back members of the waist elastic members 72 in the width direction WD, the cross section of the waist elasticized portion 15 along the width direction WD in the contracted state becomes wavy, as shown in Figure 10 (first elasticized structure). As a result, the front and back surfaces of the waist elasticized portion 15 are repeatedly formed with ridges 16 extending in the front-to-back direction LD in the width direction WD. In this case, the waist elastic members 72 only need to be fixed to the front and back members of the support sheet at least at both ends of the waist elastic portion 15 in the width direction WD, but as shown in the example, the waist elastic members 72 may be fixed to the front and back members over the entire width direction WD, thereby joining the front and back members and fixing the waist elastic members 72 to the front and back members. The front and back members of the waist elastic members 72 are not limited as long as they are located on the front and back sides of the waist elastic members 72, respectively. In the example shown, the front members of the waist elastic members 72 are the support sheet layer 71, absorbent element 50, top sheet 30, and gathered sheet 62, and the back members of the waist elastic members 72 are the support sheet layer 71, liquid-impermeable sheet 11, and exterior nonwoven fabric 12.

[0084] 13, the front and back members of the waist elastic members 72 may be intermittently joined in the width direction WD, with the waist elastic members 72 secured to the front and back members at the joints 74. In this case, the front and back members are always held together at the joints 74, while the front and back members are separated from each other in the contracted state at the non-jointed areas 73 between adjacent joints 74, forming pleats (a second stretchable structure). As a result, although not shown, raised portions extending in the front-to-back direction LD are repeatedly formed in the width direction WD on the front and back surfaces of the waist stretchable portion 15. Note that while FIG. 13 only shows the stretchable sheet 70, the absorbent element 50, top sheet 30, and gathered sheet 62 may be joined continuously to the front side in the width direction WD, and the liquid-impermeable sheet 11 and exterior nonwoven fabric 12 may be joined continuously to the back side.

[0085] In the second stretchable structure, the position of the raised portion 16 is determined at the non-jointed portion 73 between the front and back members of the waist elastic member 72. Therefore, the root portion 65 of the rising gathers 60 and the fixed portion BP can be fixed to the opposing surfaces so that the boundary Q between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP is located outside the non-jointed portion 73 in the width direction WD. On the other hand, in the first stretchable structure, the raised portion 16 is automatically formed at the boundary Q between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP of the rising gathers 60 where the rigidity changes (because the number of laminated bonding sheets inside the boundary in the width direction WD is less than the number of laminated bonding sheets outside the boundary in the width direction WD, the rigidity of the former portion is lower than the rigidity of the latter portion), and the boundary Q between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP is located on the outer side surface of the raised portion 16 in the width direction WD. Therefore, in this case, it is not necessary to position the root portion 65 and the fixed portion BP of the rising gathers 60 relative to the raised portion 16.

[0086] As shown in the figure, the absorber 56 spans the fixed portion BP of one rising gather 60 and the fixed portion BP of the other rising gather 60, and if the waist side edge of the absorber 56 is located closer to the waist than the waist side end of the gather stretchable portion 61, the rigidity of the absorber 56 reduces contraction of the fixed portion BP in the width direction WD by the waist stretchable portion 15, and the boundary between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP is maintained more to the side, which makes it easier for the gathered elastic member 63 to pull the free portion FP toward the intermediate portion 68, making the rising posture of the free portion FP more stable, which is preferable. Another advantage is that excreted fluid blocked by the free portion FP can be quickly absorbed.

[0087] On the other hand, the top sheet 30 may have a constant thickness, but preferably has a plurality of spaced convex portions 31 on the surface of the area of ​​the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the free portion FP in the unfolded state, and the thickness 31t (apparent thickness, maximum value) of the convex portions 31 in the area of ​​the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the free portion FP is greater than the thickness (apparent thickness, maximum value) of the area of ​​the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the fixed portion BP. As a result, even if the free portion FP is not supported or is not fully supported by the convex portions 16 of the waist elastic portion 15, such as when the convex portions 16 are lowered to some extent due to the extension of the waist elastic portion 15 when worn, as shown in Figure 11, the free portion FP is supported by the convex portions 31 on the surface of the top sheet 30 that are located inside the free portion FP in the width direction WD, further improving the stability of the free portion FP in an upright position. As can be seen from this effect, when there is no waist stretch section 15, or even if there is one, the boundary between the free section FP and the fixed section BP is not located on the outer side of the raised section 16 in the width direction WD, if the free section FP is supported by the convex section 31 of the top sheet 30, the posture stability of the free section FP will be improved even if the free section FP is not supported by the raised section 16.

[0088] The difference between the thickness 31t of the convex portion 31 in the region of the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the free portion FP and the thickness of the region that overlaps with the fixed portion BP can be determined as appropriate, and can be, for example, 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

[0089] The aforementioned difference in thickness can be produced by having a constant thickness in the area of ​​the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the fixing part BP without a convex part 31, as shown in Figure 14, or by providing a convex part 31D in the area of ​​the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the fixing part BP, as shown in Figure 18, but pressing and adhering the fixing part BP to the top sheet 30 so that the convex part 31D is crushed in the thickness direction.

[0090] The structure of the protrusions 31 provided on the surface of the top sheet 30 is not particularly limited, and they may be solid protrusions 31 with no recesses on the backside of the protrusions 31, or may have recesses on the backside of the protrusions 31 as in the examples shown in Figures 14 to 18. Furthermore, the protrusions 31 may be ridge-shaped protrusions 31 that are continuous in the front-to-rear direction LD or the width direction WD.

[0091] To explain the protrusions 31 in the example shown in Figures 14 to 18 in more detail, the protrusions 31 are formed by extruding part of the top sheet 30 from the back side to the front side by embossing. A large number of the protrusions 31 are arranged at intervals in both the width direction WD and the front-to-back direction LD. This arrangement can be modified as appropriate, such as in a matrix as shown in Figure 15, or in a staggered pattern (an arrangement in which adjacent rows are staggered) as shown in Figures 14 and 16.

[0092] The dimensions of the protrusions 31 can be determined as appropriate, but as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the longitudinal dimension 31m of the protrusions 31 is set to be equal to or less than the center-to-center distance 80y between a joint 80 (described later) located on one side of the protrusions 31 in the longitudinal direction LD and a joint 80 located on the other side, with the lower limit being preferably about 0.9 times this distance, and preferably about 2.7 to 9 mm for use by infants. Similarly, the widthwise dimension 31c of the protrusions 31 is set to be equal to or less than the center-to-center distance 80x between a joint 80 located on one side of the protrusions 31 in the longitudinal direction WD and a joint 80 located on the other side, with the lower limit being preferably about 0.9 times this distance, and preferably about 2.7 to 9 mm for use by infants. Furthermore, the height 31z of the protrusions 31 is preferably equal to or less than the center-to-center distance 80x between a joint 80 located on one side of the protrusions 31 in the longitudinal direction WD and a joint 80 located on the other side, with the lower limit being preferably about 0.9 times this distance, and preferably about 2.7 to 9 mm for use by infants.

[0093] The spacing between the protrusions 31 can be determined as appropriate, but for use with infants, in the case of a matrix arrangement as shown in Fig. 15, it is preferable that the center-to-center spacing 31x in the width direction WD between rows of adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-rear direction LD is about 3 to 10 mm, and the center-to-center spacing 31y in the width direction WD between rows of adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-rear direction LD is about 3 to 10 mm. Also, in the case of a staggered arrangement as shown in Fig. 16, it is preferable that the center-to-center spacing 31x in the width direction WD between rows of adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-rear direction LD is about 3 to 10 mm, and the center-to-center spacing 31y in the width direction WD between rows of adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-rear direction LD is about 3 to 10 mm.

[0094] The shape of the protrusions 31 is preferably a circular dome shape, but it can also be an elliptical dome shape or a regular polygonal dome shape. Note that, because the protrusions 31 are formed by extruding the top sheet 30 through embossing, the desired shape can be obtained by appropriately changing the shape of the protrusions used in that processing.

[0095] (joint part) 14 to 18, it is preferable that the portions of the top sheet 30 between adjacent protruding portions 31 in the width direction WD and the front-to-back direction LD are joined to the intermediate sheet 40 by pressure welding, thereby forming a large number of joints 80 in an intermittent joint pattern in the width direction WD and the front-to-back direction LD, which provides excellent shape retention for the protruding portions 31. As described above, when protruding portions 31 are provided not only in the region of the top sheet 30 that overlaps with the free portion FP but also in the region that overlaps with the fixed portion BP, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, the intermediate sheet 40 is not extended laterally to the position where it overlaps with the fixed portion BP (that is, the side edge of the intermediate sheet is positioned closer to the center in the width direction WD than the boundary between the free portion FP and the fixed portion BP), or, although not shown, the intermediate sheet 40 is extended laterally to the position where it overlaps with the fixed portion BP but no joints 80 are provided in the region that overlaps with the fixed portion BP, thereby making it possible to make the protruding portions 31 that overlap with the free portion FP less likely to be crushed and the protruding portions 31 that overlap with the fixed portion BP more easily crushed.

[0096] Also, in the region between the convex portions 31 adjacent to the front-rear direction LD, a row in which a plurality of joining portions 80 are arranged at intervals in the width direction WD is formed so as to cross the central position in the width direction WD of the region, and in the interval portion in the width direction WD of the joining portion 80, it is preferable that the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40 are not welded and the top sheet 30 is a compressed portion 81 compressed from both sides in the front-rear direction LD. As long as the top sheet 30 is compressed in the compressed portion 81, the intermediate sheet 40 may or may not be integrally compressed with the top sheet 30. Further, portions other than the joining portion 80 and the compressed portion 81 may be such that the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40 are not welded and are compressed in the same manner as the interval portion in the width direction WD, but it is desirable that the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40 are not welded and the top sheet 30 is not compressed (including non-compression where it is not compressed at all) more than the interval portion in the width direction WD. That is, when the thickness of the joining portion 80 in the top sheet 30 is T1, the thickness of the compressed portion 81 is T2, and the thickness of the portion other than the joining portion 80 and the compressed portion 81 is T3, T1 < T2 = T3 may be acceptable, but it is desirable that T1 < T2 < T3.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 10(a), the joining pattern may be a pattern in which the joining portion 80 is formed at the central position in the width direction WD corresponding to the central portion in the width direction WD of the convex portions 31 adjacent to the front-rear direction LD, or may be a pattern in which the joining portion 80 is not formed at the central position in the width direction WD as shown in FIGS. 9(b) and 10(b).

[0098] As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to providing a single row in which a plurality of joining portions 80 are arranged at intervals in the width direction WD in the region between the convex portions 31 adjacent to the front-rear direction LD, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a plurality of rows can be provided at intervals in the front-rear direction LD. The former is suitable for a pattern in which the interval in the front-rear direction LD of the convex portions 31 is narrow, such as the form shown in FIG. 9 where the convex portions 31 are arranged in a matrix, and the latter is suitable for a pattern in which the interval in the front-rear direction LD of the convex portions 31 is wide, such as the forms shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 where the convex portions 31 are arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0099] The shape of each joint 80 is not particularly limited, and may be any shape such as a circle as shown in the example, an ellipse, a polygon, a star, or a cloud.

[0100] The dimensions of the seams 80 can be determined as appropriate, but preferably, each seam 80 between adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-rear direction LD is a point-like seam with a length 80m in the front-to-rear direction LD of approximately 0.1 to 0.4 times the center-to-center distance 31y in the front-to-rear direction LD of the row of adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD (e.g., 0.5 to 3 mm for infant use) and a length 80c in the width direction WD of approximately 0.1 to 0.4 times the center-to-center distance 31x in the width direction WD of the row of adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD (e.g., 0.5 to 3 mm for infant use). Furthermore, the width direction WD distance 80d between adjacent seams 80 in the width direction WD is preferably approximately 1 to 5 times the width direction WD length 80c of the seams 80 (e.g., 0.5 to 15 mm for infant use), and the number of seams 80 in the row of width direction WD is preferably approximately 2 to 4.

[0101] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16 , when the protrusions 31 are staggered, the spaces between adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD are also the spaces between adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-rear direction LD, so that similar joints 80 are provided between adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-rear direction LD. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15 , when the protrusions 31 are arranged in a matrix, in addition to the joints 80 between adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-rear direction LD, joints 80 are also provided intermittently in the front-rear direction LD between adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD. The pattern of the joints 80 between adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to arrange dot-like joints 80 at intervals in the front-rear direction LD. As shown in FIG. 15( b ), compressed portions 81 can also be formed in the spaces in the front-rear direction LD, similar to the spaces in the width direction WD. The joints 80 can be arranged in a single row in the front-rear direction LD at the midpoint between adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD, as in the illustrated example, or in multiple rows spaced apart in the width direction WD. Furthermore, although the dimensions of this point-like joint 80 are not particularly limited, it is preferable that the front-to-back direction LD length 80m is approximately 0.1 to 0.4 times the center-to-center distance 31y in the front-to-back direction LD of the widthwise direction WD row of protrusions 31 adjacent to the front-to-back direction LD (for example, 0.5 to 3 mm for use by infants), and that the widthwise direction WD length 80c is approximately 0.1 to 0.4 times the center-to-center distance 31x in the widthwise direction WD of the front-to-back direction LD row of protrusions 31 adjacent to the widthwise direction WD (for example, 0.5 to 3 mm for use by infants).

[0102] The joining range A3 in the width direction WD by each joint 80 between adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-back direction LD can be determined as appropriate, for example, to be about 0.3 to 1 times the center-to-center distance 31x in the width direction WD of the row of adjacent protrusions 31 in the front-to-back direction LD (for example, 1 to 10 mm for use by infants).Furthermore, the joining range A4 in the front-to-back direction LD by each joint 80 between adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD can be determined as appropriate, for example, to be about 0.3 to 1 times the center-to-center distance 31y in the front-to-back direction LD of the row of adjacent protrusions 31 in the width direction WD (for example, 1 to 10 mm for use by infants).

[0103] <Explanation of terms used in the specification> When used in this specification, the following terms have the following meanings unless otherwise specified in the specification.

[0104] "Front-rear direction" refers to the direction indicated by the symbol LD in the drawing (longitudinal direction), and "width direction" refers to the direction indicated by the symbol WD in the drawing (left-right direction), with the front-rear direction and width direction being perpendicular to each other.

[0105] "Front side" means the side closest to the wearer's skin when worn, and "reverse side" means the side farthest from the wearer's skin when worn.

[0106] "Front" means the side of a component that is closest to the wearer's skin when worn, and "back" means the side that is farthest from the wearer's skin when worn.

[0107] The term "deployed state" refers to a state in which the material is stretched to the elastic limit in the direction of expansion and contraction (in other words, contracted (including any contraction such as contraction due to an elastic member) or deployed flat without slack).

[0108] The term "elongation rate" refers to a value when the natural length is taken as 100%. For example, an elongation rate of 200% is equivalent to an elongation ratio of 2 times.

[0109] "Maximum elongation rate" means the elongation rate in the unfolded state.

[0110] "Artificial urine" is a mixture of 2 wt% urea, 0.8 wt% sodium chloride, 0.03 wt% calcium chloride dihydrate, 0.08 wt% magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, and 97.09 wt% ion-exchanged water, and is used at a temperature of 37°C unless otherwise specified.

[0111] "Gel strength" is measured as follows: 1.0 g of superabsorbent polymer is added to 49.0 g of artificial urine and stirred with a stirrer. The resulting gel is left in a thermo-hygrostat at 40°C and 60% RH for 3 hours, then returned to room temperature, and the gel strength is measured using a card meter (I.techno Engineering: Curdmeter-MAX ME-500).

[0112] "Basis weight" is measured as follows. After pre-drying the sample or test piece, it is left in a test room or device under standard conditions (test location: temperature 23±1°C, relative humidity 50±2%) until it reaches a constant weight. Pre-drying refers to bringing the sample or test piece to a constant weight in an environment at a temperature of 100°C. Note that pre-drying is not necessary for fibers with an official moisture regain of 0.0%. From the test piece that has reached a constant weight, a sample template (100mm x 100mm) is used to cut out a sample measuring 100mm x 100mm. The weight of the sample is measured and multiplied by 100 to calculate the weight per square meter, which is the basis weight.

[0113] The "thickness" of thick members such as the absorber 56 and the absorption element 50 is measured using a thickness measuring instrument (Peacock, Dial Thickness Gauge, Model G-30 (measurement range: 0 to 10 mm, measurement surface dimensions: 60 mm diameter circular terminal, measurement force approximately 1.7 N)) manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd., with the sample and the thickness measuring instrument held horizontally. The thickness of other thin materials, such as nonwoven fabrics, is measured using an automatic thickness measuring instrument (KES-G5 Handy Compression Measurement Program) with a load of 0.098 N / cm. 2 , and pressure area: 2cm 2 The thickness is measured automatically under the following conditions. If it is impossible or inappropriate to measure the thickness, the apparent thickness may be used.

[0114] The "water absorption amount" is measured according to JIS K7223-1996 "Test method for water absorption amount of superabsorbent resins."

[0115] "Water absorption rate" is the "time to the end point" when 2 g of superabsorbent polymer and 50 g of physiological saline are used and the "Test method for water absorption rate of superabsorbent polymer" according to JIS K7224-1996 is performed.

[0116] Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions and positional relationships of each part refer to the dimensions and positional relationships in the deployed state, not in the natural length state.

[0117] If no environmental conditions for a test or measurement are specified, the test or measurement shall be carried out in a test room or device under standard conditions (the test location shall be a temperature of 23±1°C and a relative humidity of 50±2%). [Industrial Applicability]

[0118] The present invention is not limited to tape-type disposable diapers as described above, but can be applied to all disposable diapers, including pad-type and pants-type diapers, as long as they have rise-up gathers, and can also be applied to other absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins. In particular, disposable diapers for low birth weight infants prefer a soft, even if weak, fit rather than a firm one. Therefore, the rise-up gathers with the free portions described above are suitable for disposable diapers for low birth weight infants. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 11...liquid-impermeable sheet, 12...exterior nonwoven fabric, 12T...target portion, 13...connecting tape, 13A...connecting portion, 15...waist stretch portion, 16...raised portion, 30...top sheet, 31...convex portion, 50...absorbent element, 56...absorbent body, 56n...constricted portion, 58...packaging sheet, 60...standing gathers, 61...gathered stretch portion, 62...gathered sheet, 62f...outer layer, 62n...inner layer, 63...gathered elastic member, 64...side elastic member, 65...root portion, 66...main body portion, 67...front end portion, 68...middle portion, 69...rear end portion, 70...stretch sheet, 71...support sheet layer, 72...waist elastic member, BP...fixed portion, FP...free portion, LD...front-to-back direction, M...crotch portion, WD...width direction.

Claims

1. An absorber; A liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on the front side of the absorbent body; Standing gathers are provided on both sides of the surface of the top sheet in the width direction, The rising gathers have a root portion attached to the outside in the width direction of an imaginary line continuing in the front-to-rear direction along a blocking position on both sides in the width direction of the surface of the top sheet, and a main body portion extending inward in the width direction from the inner edge in the width direction of the root portion without being folded back, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end having fastening portions fastened to the top sheet, and an intermediate portion located between the front end and the rear end and not fastened to the top sheet; A gather stretchable portion having an elongated gather elastic member along the front-rear direction is provided at least at the tip end of the intermediate portion, The gathered stretchable portion is a portion that stretches elastically between a natural length state in which it is contracted in the front-to-rear direction together with the gathered elastic member and an expanded state in which it is stretched in the front-to-rear direction together with the gathered elastic member to a maximum stretch rate, at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion has a free portion that is not fixed to the top sheet over the entire front-to-rear direction at an end portion on the inner side in the width direction, and has the fixed portion adjacent to the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The garment has at least the free portion and a waist stretchable portion adjacent to the back side of the fixed portion on the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The waist stretchable portion has a waist elastic member and is elastically stretchable between a natural length state in which it contracts in the width direction together with the waist elastic member and has ridges extending in the front-to-rear direction repeatedly formed on the surface in the width direction, and an expanded state in which it stretches in the width direction together with the waist elastic member to a maximum stretch rate and has no ridges, The free portion is not fixed to the waist elastic portion, and the fixed portion is fixed to the waist elastic portion, and the boundary between the free portion and the fixed portion is located on the outer side surface of the protruding portion in the width direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The width of the free portion is 5 mm or more, The gathered stretchable portion has a plurality of gathered elastic members spaced apart in the width direction in a tip end region of the main body portion having a width equal to the width of the free portion, and the gathered elastic members are not provided in any region other than the tip end region, The gathered stretchable portion extends through the intermediate portion and the free portion, The front-to-back dimension of the portion of the gathered stretchable portion located within the free portion is 5 to 25% of the front-to-back dimension of the free portion. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The absorbent body extends over the fixed portion of one of the rising gathers and the fixed portion of the other of the rising gathers, The waist side edge of the absorbent body is located closer to the waist than the waist side end of the gathered stretchable portion. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The front-to-back dimension of the portion of the free section that overlaps with the waist stretchable section is 50% or more of the front-to-back dimension of the free section. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The top sheet has a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on a surface of an area that overlaps with the free portion in an unfolded state, The thickness of the convex portion in the region of the top sheet that overlaps with the free portion is greater than the thickness of the region that overlaps with the fixed portion. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The region of the top sheet that overlaps with the fixing part does not have the convex part and has a constant thickness. The absorbent article according to claim 5.

7. An absorber; A liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on the front side of the absorbent body; Standing gathers are provided on both sides of the surface of the top sheet in the width direction, The rising gathers have a root portion attached to the outside in the width direction of an imaginary line continuing in the front-to-rear direction along a blocking position on both sides in the width direction of the surface of the top sheet, and a main body portion extending inward in the width direction from the inner edge in the width direction of the root portion without being folded back, the main body portion has a front end and a rear end having fastening portions fastened to the top sheet, and an intermediate portion located between the front end and the rear end and not fastened to the top sheet; A narrow gathered elastic member is attached to at least the tip of the intermediate portion along the front-rear direction, the intermediate portion is contracted together with the gathered elastic member by the contraction force of the gathered elastic member, and is also stretchable together with the gathered elastic member; at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion has a free portion that is not fixed to the top sheet over the entire front-to-rear direction at an end portion on the inner side in the width direction, and has the fixed portion on the outer side in the width direction of the free portion, The top sheet has a plurality of convex portions provided at intervals on a surface of an area that overlaps with the free portion in an unfolded state, the thickness of the convex portion in the region of the top sheet that overlaps with the free portion is thinner than the thickness of the region that overlaps with the fixed portion; An absorbent article characterized by:

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