Absorbent article
The absorbent article's design with a central bonded and forward non-joined region in the leak-proof gathers maintains the folded shape and provides ample storage space, effectively preventing front and side leakage by ensuring better skin adhesion and containment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024074620
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing absorbent articles struggle to maintain the folded shape of leak-proof gathers, leading to potential front leakage, especially in elderly individuals who may unintentionally urinate while transitioning from lying down to standing, resulting in significant urine discharge at the front of the article.
The absorbent article features a pair of leak-proof gathers with a central joint region where the facing and folded-back regions are bonded, a forward non-joined region, and a rear non-joined region, ensuring a longer central bonded area to maintain the folded shape and provide a larger storage space for excrement, while the elastic members ensure the gathers stand upright against the skin.
This design effectively suppresses both front and side leakage by maintaining the folded shape of the gathers, ensuring better adhesion to the skin and providing ample space for urine, thereby reducing the likelihood of leakage during sudden movements.
Smart Images

Figure 2025169673000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a pair of leak-proof gathers. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article having a pair of leak-preventing gathers. The leak-preventing gathers have upright portions where the side sheet rises from the top sheet toward the skin due to contraction of the leak-preventing elastic member, and base portions where the side sheet is joined to the top sheet on the widthwise outer side of the upright portions and serve as the base points for the upright portions. The side sheet has a facing region that extends widthwise inward from the upright portions and is positioned opposite the top sheet, and a folded region that is folded back toward the skin from a side fold located on the widthwise inner edge of the facing region as a base point. The tip of the folded region forms the apex of the leak-preventing gathers. The absorbent article is provided with a restricting portion that joins the facing region and the folded region in the center of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-358109 Summary of the Invention
[0004] The restricting portion in Patent Document 1 is provided locally in the leakproof gathers, and a front non-bonded region where the side sheets are not bonded to each other is provided forward of the restricting portion. The restricting portion maintains the folded shape of the side sheets, but because the range of the restricting portion is localized, it is sometimes not possible to maintain the folded shape of the entire leakproof gathers.
[0005] Furthermore, the applicant has conducted extensive research and studies into the use of absorbent articles and found that, depending on the wearer, the time they can hold in after feeling the urge to urinate may be shorter than they realize. In particular, elderly people may unintentionally urinate while lying down and trying to stand up, which may result in a large amount of urine being discharged at the front of the absorbent article, causing front leakage.
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an absorbent article that can maintain the folded shape of the leakage-proof gathers and further suppress front leakage. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] An absorbent article according to one embodiment has a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, an absorbent core containing an absorbent material, a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin, and a pair of leakproof gathers located on either side of the widthwise center of the absorbent article, the pair including side sheets and leakproof elastic members. The leakproof gathers have upstanding portions where the side sheets rise from the top sheet toward the wearer's skin upon contraction of the leakproof elastic members, and width origin portions where the side sheets are joined to the top sheet outward in the widthwise direction from the upstanding portions and serve as upstanding origins for the upstanding portions. The side sheets have a facing region that extends inward in the widthwise direction from the width origin portion and is positioned opposite the top sheet, and a folded region that is folded toward the wearer's skin from a side fold located at the inner edge of the facing region in the widthwise direction as an origin and includes an apex of the leakproof gathers. The leak-proof gathers have a central joint region where the facing region and the folded-back region are joined, and a front non-joined region extending forward from a front edge of the central joint region where the facing region and the folded-back region are not joined. The length of the central joint region in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length of the front non-joined region in the front-to-rear direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment as viewed from the non-skin side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along the width direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along the front-rear direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the leakage-proof gathers. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged view of a portion G shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] (1) Overview of the embodiment At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. The absorbent article according to the first aspect comprises a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, an absorbent core containing an absorbent material, a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin, and a pair of leakproof gathers located on either side of the center of the absorbent article in the width direction, the pair including side sheets and leakproof elastic members. The leakproof gathers have upstanding portions where the side sheets rise from the top sheet toward the wearer's skin upon contraction of the leakproof elastic members, and width origin portions where the side sheets are joined to the top sheet outside the upstanding portions in the width direction and serve as the upstanding origins of the upstanding portions. The side sheets have a facing region that extends inward in the width direction from the width origin portion and is positioned opposite the top sheet, and a folded region that is folded toward the wearer's skin from a side fold located at the inner edge of the facing region in the width direction as an origin and includes the apex of the leakproof gathers. The leakage preventing gathers have a central bonded region where the facing region and the folded-back region are bonded, and a front non-bonded region extending forward from the front edge of the central bonded region and where the facing region and the folded-back region are not bonded. The length of the central bonded region in the front-to-back direction is longer than the length of the front non-bonded region in the front-to-back direction. By bonding the facing region and the folded-back region using the central bonded region, the folded-back region including the peaks of the leakage preventing gathers can be raised in the thickness direction and placed flat against the skin, making it easier to bring the leakage preventing gathers into close contact with the skin. The relatively long length of the central bonded region in the front-to-back direction ensures an area in which the folded shape of the leakage preventing gathers can be maintained, making it easier to maintain the folded shape of the leakage preventing gathers. Furthermore, ensuring the length of the area in the front-to-back direction where the leakage preventing gathers are placed flat reduces gaps with the body and suppresses leakage. Furthermore, the front non-bonded region is located forward of the central bonded region. In the front non-bonded region, the facing region of the side sheet and the folded-back region are not bonded, making it easier to ensure the height of the leakage preventing gathers. Therefore, by arranging the leak-proof gathers in a planar manner in the central joint area to increase adhesion to the skin and by ensuring a large space for storing excrement forward of the central joint area, when a large amount of urine is discharged at the front end of the absorbent article, the wall of the leak-proof gathers suppresses side leakage while the front non-joined area contains the excrement, thereby further suppressing front leakage.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1. The leakage-preventing gathers have a front base point portion where the side sheet is joined to the top sheet forward of the standing portion, and serves as a standing base point for the standing portion. The front base point portion is located forward of the front edge of the central joint region. According to this aspect, an area is provided forward of the front edge of the central joint region, where the standing portion, where the side sheet is not joined to the top sheet, overlaps with a front non-joined area where the facing region and the folded-back region are not joined. This area makes it easier to ensure the height of the leakage-preventing gathers and ensures a large space for accommodating bodily excrement. This further reduces front leakage.
[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 3 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2: The widthwise length of the facing region at the position where it overlaps with the front non-bonded region is equal to or longer than the widthwise length of the facing region at the position where it overlaps with the central bonded region. According to this aspect, the widthwise length of the facing region at the position where it overlaps with the front non-bonded region is the same as or longer than the widthwise length of the facing region at the position where it overlaps with the central bonded region, so that the height of the leakage-preventing gathers in the front non-bonded region can be further ensured, and front leakage can be further suppressed.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 4 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 3. The center of the standing portion in the front-to-rear direction is located forward of the center of the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction. According to this aspect, the standing portion can be positioned closer to the front, and front leakage can be more effectively suppressed.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 5 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 4: The width base point overlaps the absorbent body in the thickness direction. According to this aspect, since the absorbent body and the width base point overlap, the position of the width base point is stable, making it easier to maintain the height of the leakage-proof gathers.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 6 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, and have the following features. The absorber has a high basis weight section in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is high, and a low basis weight section in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the high basis weight section. The width origin section overlaps with the high basis weight section in the thickness direction. The low basis weight section is located inward in the width direction from the width origin section. According to this aspect, since the width origin section overlaps with the high basis weight section and the low basis weight section is located inward in the width direction, the height of the origin of the leakage-preventing gathers can be made higher than the region sandwiched by the leakage-preventing gathers (the region in which the low basis weight section is located), and the height of the leakage-preventing gathers can be made relatively high. This ensures the volume of the storage space surrounded by the left and right leakage-preventing gathers, further suppressing side leakage.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 6: Compressed portions are provided that compress the absorbent body in the thickness direction at least. The compressed portions have front and rear compressed portions extending along the front-to-rear direction. The front and rear compressed portions are arranged more inward in the width direction than the leak-proof gathers. The areas where the compressed portions are provided are thinner than areas where no compressed portions are provided. Therefore, the leak-proof gathers located outward in the width direction from the front and rear compressed portions are relatively tall. This ensures the height of the leak-proof gathers and further suppresses leakage. Furthermore, the outer edges of the front and rear compressed portions serve as deformation base points, and the areas widthwise outward of the outer edges of the front and rear compressed portions are more likely to bulge towards the skin. This ensures the height of the leak-proof gathers and further suppresses leakage.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 8 may be the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, and have the following features: A plurality of the leakproof elastic members are arranged in the folded region. Of the leakproof elastic members arranged in the folded region, the leakproof elastic member located furthest outward in the width direction has a higher elongation stress than the other leakproof elastic members arranged in the folded region. The leakproof elastic member located furthest outward in the width direction in the folded region becomes the apex of the leakproof gathers when they stand up. Because the leakproof elastic member located furthest outward in the width direction has a high elongation ratio, it is easy to position the apex of the leakproof gathers at a high position, making it easy to ensure the height of the leakproof gathers.
[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 9 may be the invention according to Aspect 8, which has the following features: The leakproof elastic member located outermost in the width direction is arranged to overlap the front non-bonded region. Since the front non-bonded region does not have a central bonded region, the widthwise length over which the side sheet can stand is longer than that of a region where a central bonded region is provided. By arranging the leakproof elastic member located outermost in the width direction in the front non-bonded region, it becomes easier to ensure the height of the leakproof gathers in the front non-bonded region.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 10 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, and may have the following features. The side sheet has a rear non-bonded region extending rearward from the rear edge of the central bonded region, where the facing region and the folded-back region are not bonded. According to this aspect, a space for accommodating bodily waste can be secured even in the rear non-bonded region. Furthermore, by providing a front non-bonded region and a rear non-bonded region on both sides of the central bonded region in the front-to-rear direction, both non-bonded regions can stand relatively high, thereby pulling the leakproof elastic member. This allows the position of the leakproof elastic member to be elevated in the central bonded region, making it easier to secure the overall height of the leakproof gathers.
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 11 may have the following feature in the invention according to aspect 10: The length of the front non-bonded region in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length of the rear non-bonded region in the front-to-rear direction. According to this aspect, the non-bonded regions arranged on both sides of the central bonded region in the front-to-rear direction ensure a larger volume of the storage space provided by the leakage-preventing gathers, and by further increasing the length of the front non-bonded region, front leakage can be further suppressed.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 12 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11. At least a portion of the front non-bonded region is arranged in a region overlapping the absorbent body. According to this aspect, the front non-bonded region, which can ensure a relatively large volume of the storage space, can retain body fluid and smoothly guide the body fluid to the absorbent body. Even if a large amount of body fluid is guided to the front non-bonded region, it can be absorbed by the absorbent body, thereby suppressing front leakage.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 13 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12. At least a portion of the leakproof elastic member overlaps the central joint region. According to this aspect, the leakproof elastic member makes it easier for the central joint region to stand up. This makes it easier for the central joint region to protrude inward in the width direction, and the folded-back region to be arranged in a planar manner. The leakproof gathers are arranged in a planar manner against the body, making it more difficult for excrement to leak.
[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 14 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, and may have the following features: Compressed portions are provided that compress the absorbent body at least in the thickness direction. The compressed portions have front compressed portions that are arranged at least in the region sandwiched between the front non-bonded regions in the width direction. The outer edges of the front compressed portions extend along the front-to-rear direction and have recessed portions that are recessed inward in the width direction. The front non-bonded regions are arranged on imaginary lines that extend from the recessed portions in the width direction. According to this aspect, the outer edges of the front compressed portions serve as the deformation base points, and the regions that are widthwise outer than the outer edges of the front compressed portions are more likely to protrude toward the skin. The recessed portions are portions that are recessed inward in the width direction, and in the regions extending widthwise outward from the recessed portions, a long region that rises from the outer edges of the front compressed portions as a base point can be ensured. Furthermore, since a front non-bonded region is provided in the region extending widthwise from the recessed portion (a region where a long region can be secured that stands from the outer edge of the front compressed portion as a base point), the height provided by the leak-proof gathers can be further secured.
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 15 may be the invention according to Aspect 14, and have the following features. The front edge of the front compressed portion has a width extension portion extending along the width direction. The front non-bonded region is located on an imaginary line extending from the outer edge of the width extension portion in the width direction along the width extension portion. The width extension portion and its imaginary line serve as deformation base points for the absorbent article, allowing the absorbent article to easily deform to follow the curvature of the body extending in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, because the front non-bonded region is located on the imaginary line extending from the width extension portion, the raised portion of the front end of the absorbent article due to the deformation base point is connected to the left and right walls of the leakage preventing gathers, forming walls that surround the portions of the front end and side portions of the absorbent article from which bodily fluids are excreted (portions located opposite the excretory opening), thereby further suppressing front leakage.
[0024] (2) Overall structure of the absorbent article An absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, or fecal pad. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is attached to a worn article such as underwear. The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment is a light incontinence pad.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article along the width direction W. FIG. 3(A) is a cross-sectional view along line AA shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view along line BB shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3(C) is a cross-sectional view along line CC shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article along the front-rear direction L. FIG. 4(A) is a cross-sectional view along line DD shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view along line EE shown in FIG. 1. For ease of explanation, in the cross-sectional view, the components constituting the absorbent article 1 are partially separated in the thickness direction, but in an actual product, the components have portions where they are joined. The drawings also show the absorbent article 1 in a stretched state. Here, the "stretched state" refers to a state in which the elastic members of the absorbent article are stretched to the extent that wrinkles in the absorbent article are no longer visible. In contrast, the "natural state" refers to the state when the absorbent article 1 is attached to a wearing article. In the present invention, the positional relationships (front-rear direction positional relationship, width direction positional relationship, overlapping positional relationship) refer to the positional relationships in the stretched state unless otherwise specified.
[0026] The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other, and a thickness direction T that extends from the wearer's skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2. In the front-to-rear direction L, the side that contacts the wearer's lower abdomen is called the "front side," and the side that contacts the wearer's buttocks is called the "rear side." The width direction W is a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction L and corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the wearer. The "skin side" corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side that faces away from the wearer's skin during use.
[0027] The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front region S1, and a rear region S2. When the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 or the outer edge of the absorbent core 31 has a portion that is narrowed inward in the width direction, the region where the narrowed portion is provided may constitute the crotch region S3. Alternatively, the crotch region S3, the front region S1, and the rear region S2 may be formed by regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the front-to-back direction L. The crotch region S3 is a region facing the wearer's excretory opening, such as the urination opening. When the absorbent article 1 is worn in underwear, the crotch region S3 is located in the crotch part of the underwear and is a region that is located between the wearer's legs. The front region S1 is located forward of the crotch region S3. The rear region S2 is located rearward of the crotch region S3.
[0028] In the present invention, the outer portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. The outer edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L is an edge connecting points located on the outer side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. In the present invention, the inner portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge refers to the inner edge in the width direction W. The inner edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L is an edge connecting points located on the inner side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. In the present invention, the front end and rear end refer to portions occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L, including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end refers to the front end and rear end, and the outer edge refers to the front edge and rear edge. The inner side refers to a side that includes the inner side edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The outer side is a side that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. In this specification, the term "along the front-to-rear direction L" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-to-rear direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.
[0029] The absorbent article 1 may have at least an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 21, and a back sheet 25. The absorbent body 30 has an absorbent material. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., pulp), and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent body 30 may have an absorbent sheet (so-called SAP sheet) in which the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of a superabsorbent polymer are covered with a sheet, or may have an absorbent core 31 in which pulp is laminated. The absorbent core 31 may be covered with a core wrap 32 such as tissue. The absorbent body of this embodiment has an absorbent core 31 containing pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and a core wrap 32 that covers the absorbent core 31.
[0030] The absorbent body 30 may have regions with different basis weights of absorbent material. The absorbent body 30 may have a high basis weight portion 35, where the basis weight of the absorbent material is high, and a low basis weight portion 36, where the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the high basis weight portion 35. In FIG. 5(A), the high basis weight portion 35 is hatched, and the low basis weight portion 36 is the region other than the high basis weight portion 35 in FIG. 5(A). The high basis weight portion 35 is a region where the basis weight of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 31 is high, and the low basis weight portion 36 is a region where the basis weight of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 31 is lower than that of the high basis weight portion 35. In this embodiment, the high basis weight portion 35 has a central high basis weight portion 351 arranged across the article width center 1CW, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction W, and side high basis weight portions 352 arranged on both sides of the central high basis weight portion 351 in the width direction W. The low basis weight portion 36 is disposed between the central high basis weight portion 351 and the side high basis weight portion 352 .
[0031] The top sheet 21 contacts the wearer's skin. The top sheet 21 may cover the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 30. The top sheet 21 is arranged across the product width center 1CW. The top sheet 21 is liquid permeable and may be made of a nonwoven fabric. The top sheet 21 may cover a partial area of the absorbent body 30 (for example, the center in the width direction), or may cover the entire area of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W.
[0032] The back sheet 25 is disposed closer to the non-skin side T2 than the absorbent body 30 and constitutes the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. The back sheet 25 is liquid-impermeable and may be formed of a film. The non-skin side T2 surface of the back sheet 25 may be provided with fastening parts 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to a worn article. The fastening parts 60 may be provided at least in the area overlapping with the absorbent body 30. The fastening parts 60 may be provided with an adhesive or mechanical hooks. The fastening parts 60 in this embodiment extend in the front-rear direction L and are spaced apart in the width direction W, with three fastening parts on each side of the center of the absorbent article in the width direction W. In a modified example, the fastening parts may extend in the width direction W and be spaced apart in the front-rear direction L. The fastening parts 60 may be covered with a release sheet 65 or a packaging sheet (not shown) for individually packaging the absorbent article 1 before use of the absorbent article 1.
[0033] The absorbent article 1 may be provided with compressed sections 80 that compress at least the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction. The compressed sections 80 need only compress at least the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T, and may compress both the absorbent body 30 and the top sheet 21. The compressed sections 80 in this embodiment include front and rear compressed sections 81 located on both sides of the article width center 1CW and extending in the front-to-rear direction L, a front compressed section 82 disposed at least in an area sandwiched between front non-bonded regions FNR, which will be described later, and a width compressed section 83 extending in the width direction W behind the front and rear compressed sections 81. In this embodiment, the front and rear compressed sections 81 and the width compressed section 83 are continuous. However, the front and rear compressed sections 81 and the width compressed section 83 may be spaced apart.
[0034] The absorbent article 1 has a pair of leak-preventing gathers 70 located on either side of the widthwise center 1CW of the article. The leak-preventing gathers 70 have at least a side sheet 71 and a leak-preventing elastic member 72. The leak-preventing gathers 70 are positioned closer to the skin side T1 than the top sheet 21 and are configured to be able to stand on the skin side T1. The side sheet 71 covers the skin side T1 surface of the outer part of the top sheet 21. The leak-preventing gathers 70 have standing portions 73 where the side sheet 71 stands on the skin side T1 from the top sheet 21 due to contraction of the leak-preventing elastic member 72, and width base portions 75 where the side sheet 71 is joined to the top sheet 21 outside the standing portions 73 in the width direction W and which serve as the standing base points for the standing portions 73. In addition, the leak-proof gathers 70 may have at least one of a front base point portion 76 where the side sheet 71 is joined to the top sheet 21 in front of the standing portion 73 and serves as the standing base point of the standing portion 73, and a rear base point portion 77 where the side sheet 71 is joined to the top sheet 21 in back of the standing portion 73 and serves as the standing base point of the standing portion 73.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the leakage-preventing gathers 70. FIG. 5(A) shows the width base point portion 75, the front base point portion 76, and the rear base point portion 77. FIG. 5(B) shows the joined regions (central joined region CBR, front joined region FBR, and rear joined region RBR) of the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79, the front non-joined region FNR, and the rear non-joined region RNR. FIG. 5(C) is a diagram combining the portions illustrated in FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B). The hatched region in FIG. 5(A) is the sheet joined region 70BR where the top sheet 21 and the side sheet 71 are joined. The region surrounded by the sheet joined region 70BR and the side fold FL71 located on the inner edge of the side sheet 71 is the region where the top sheet 21 and the side sheet 71 overlap without being joined, and forms the standing portion 73. The standing portion 73 is a portion where the facing region R78 of the side sheet 71 can stand up relative to the top sheet 21, using the width base point portion 75, the front base point portion 76, and the rear base point portion 77 as base points.
[0036] The top sheet 21 and the side sheet 71 may be joined (at the sheet joining region 70BR) with an adhesive. The width origin 75 is formed by the inner edge of the sheet joining region 70BR located outside the inner edge of the side sheet 71 in the width direction W, and extends along the front-to-back direction L. The width origin 75 forms the outer edge of the standing portion 73. The front origin 76 is formed by the rear edge of the sheet joining region 70BR located at the front end of the leakage preventing gather 70. The rear origin 77 is formed by the front edge of the sheet joining region 70BR located at the rear end of the leakage preventing gather 70. In this embodiment, the front origin 76 and the rear origin 77 extend in the width direction W and are continuous with the width origin 75. However, the front origin 76 and the rear origin 77 may be spaced apart from the width origin 75.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , the side sheet 71 has a facing region R78 that extends inward in the width direction W from the width origin 75 and is positioned opposite the top sheet 21, and a folded-back region R79 that is folded back toward the skin side T1 from a side fold FL71 located on the inner edge of the facing region R78 in the width direction W as a base point and includes an apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers 70 when they are erected. The range of the facing region R78 in the width direction W is between the width origin 75 and the side fold FL71, and the range of the folded-back region R79 in the width direction is between the side fold FL71 and the apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers. The apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers is located outward in the width direction W of the side fold FL71. The leakage preventing gathers 70 are so-called outward-folded gathers.
[0038] The side sheets 71 may be made of hydrophobic (hydrophobically treated) nonwoven fabric. The leakproof elastic members 72 may be made of rubber thread and arranged in multiple pieces at intervals in the width direction. The leakproof elastic members 72 are those that are joined to the side sheets 71 in a stretchable manner, and do not include those that are joined to the side sheets 71 in an unstretched state or those that are not joined to the side sheets 71. The side sheets 71 are folded around the vertices 70T of the leakproof gathers 70, and the leakproof elastic members 72 are arranged between the side sheets 71. These two layers of side sheets 71 are folded at the side folds FL71. Therefore, in the area where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 overlap, the side sheets 71 are stacked in four layers.
[0039] The leakage preventing gathers 70 may have a central joint region CBR where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are joined together; a front non-joined region FNR extending forward from the front edge of the central joint region CBR and where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are not joined together; and a rear non-joined region RNR extending rearward from the rear edge of the central joint region CBR and where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are not joined together. The central joint region CBR may be formed by joining the side sheets 71 together with an adhesive, for example. The central joint region CBR joins the side sheets 71 together, and the folded-back region R79 does not stand upright relative to the facing region R78. Joining the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 by the central joint region CBR allows the folded-back region R79, including the apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers 70, to stand upright in the thickness direction T, while the facing region R78 can be positioned flat against the skin, making it easier to fit the leakage preventing gathers 70 to the skin.
[0040] In the front non-bonded region FNR, the side sheets 71 are not bonded to each other, allowing the folded-back region R79 to stand upright relative to the facing region R78. In the front non-bonded region FNR, the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 of the side sheet 71 are not bonded, making it easy to ensure the height of the leakage-preventing gathers 70. The rear edge of the front non-bonded region FNR is the front edge of the central bonded region CBR. The front edge of the front non-bonded region FNR is the rear edge of the front bonded region FBR, where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are bonded forward of the central bonded region CBR. The front bonded region FBR may be a region where the side sheets 71 are bonded to each other with an adhesive, as with the central bonded region CBR, or may be formed by round embossing of the absorbent article. Additionally, in a configuration that does not include a front bonded region, the front edge of the front non-bonded region FNR may be the front edge of the side sheet.
[0041] In the rear non-bonded region RNR, the side sheets 71 are not bonded to each other, and the folded-back region R79 can stand upright relative to the facing region R78. In the rear non-bonded region RNR, the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 of the side sheet 71 are not bonded, making it easy to ensure the height of the leakage prevention gathers 70. A space for accommodating bodily waste can also be secured in the rear non-bonded region RNR. The front edge of the rear non-bonded region RNR is the rear edge of the central bonded region CBR. The rear edge of the rear non-bonded region RNR is the front edge of the rear bonded region RBR, where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are bonded to each other rearward of the central bonded region CBR. The rear bonded region RBR may be a region where the side sheets 71 are bonded to each other with an adhesive, as with the central bonded region CBR, or may be formed by a round embossing of the absorbent article. Additionally, in a configuration that does not include the rear bonded region RBR, the rear edge of the rear non-bonded region RNR may be the rear edge of the side sheet.
[0042] In the embodiment having both the front non-bonded region FNR and the rear non-bonded region RNR, the front non-bonded region FNR and the rear non-bonded region RNR are provided on both sides of the central bonded region CBR in the front-to-back direction L, and both non-bonded regions stand up, thereby pulling the leakproof elastic member 72 in the front-to-back direction L. This allows the position of the leakproof elastic member 72 to be higher in the central bonded region CBR, making it easier to ensure the overall height of the leakage preventing gathers 70.
[0043] The length in the front-to-back direction L of the front non-bonded region FNR is shorter than the length in the front-to-back direction L of the central bonded region CBR. According to this configuration, the length in the front-to-back direction L of the central bonded region CBR is relatively long, ensuring an area in which the folded shape of the leakage preventing gathers 70 can be maintained, making it easier to maintain the folded shape of the leakage preventing gathers 70. Also, by ensuring the length in the front-to-back direction L of the area in which the leakage preventing gathers 70 are arranged in a planar manner, it is possible to reduce the gap between the body and the wearer and to suppress leakage. Furthermore, by arranging the leakage preventing gathers 70 in a planar manner using the central bonded region CBR to improve adhesion to the skin and by ensuring a wide space for storing excrement forward of the central bonded region CBR, when a large amount of urine is excreted at the front end of the absorbent article, the leakage preventing gathers 70 form a wall to prevent side leakage, while the front non-bonded region FNR stores the excrement, thereby further suppressing front leakage.
[0044] The length of the front non-bonded region FNR in the front-to-back direction L may be longer than the length of the rear non-bonded region RNR in the front-to-back direction L. By providing the front non-bonded region FNR and the rear non-bonded region RNR on both sides of the central bonded region in the front-to-back direction L, the volume of the storage space provided by the leakage preventing gathers 70 can be further ensured, and by further increasing the length of the front non-bonded region FNR, front leakage can be further suppressed.
[0045] The central bonded region CBR may be disposed across the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L. This configuration allows the leakage-preventing gathers 70 to be in planar contact with the skin at the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L, where a relatively large amount of bodily fluid is guided, thereby effectively preventing leakage. The length of the central bonded region CBR in the front-to-back direction L may be 150 mm or more, and preferably 180 mm or more. The length of the central bonded region CBR in the front-to-back direction L may be 250 mm or less, and preferably 200 mm or less. The length of the front-to-back direction L of the front non-bonded region FNR may be 20 mm or more, and preferably 30 mm or more. The length of the front-to-back direction L of the front non-bonded region FNR may be 50 mm or less, and preferably 40 mm or less. The length of the rear non-bonded region RNR in the front-to-back direction L may be 15 mm or more, and preferably 18 mm or more. The length of the rear non-bonded region RNR in the front-rear direction L may be less than 40 mm, and preferably 35 mm or less.
[0046] The length of the central joint region CBR in the width direction W may be 10% or more, and preferably 20% or more, of the overall length of the region where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 overlap. The central joint region CBR may be located close to the side fold FL71. Side non-joined regions SNR, where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are not joined, may be located outward of the central joint region CBR in the width direction W. The outer edges of the folded-back regions R79 form the apexes 70T of the leakage-preventing gathers 70 when they stand. By locating the side non-joined regions SNR outward of the central joint region CBR in the width direction W and connecting the side non-joined regions SNR to the outer edges of the folded-back regions R79, the height of the apexes 70T of the leakage-preventing gathers 70 can be easily ensured.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 5(C), the front base point portion 76 may be located forward of the front edge of the central bonded region CBR. A front non-bonded region FNR is provided forward of the front edge of the central bonded region CBR. An area is provided forward of the front edge of the central bonded region CBR where the standing portion 73, where the side sheet 71 is not bonded to the top sheet 21, overlaps with the front non-bonded region FNR, where the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79 are not bonded. This area makes it easier to ensure the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 and ensures a large space for accommodating bodily excrement. This further reduces front leakage.
[0048] The front base point portion 76 may be disposed so as to overlap the front non-bonded region FNR. In other words, the front bonded region FBR may be located further forward than the front base point portion 76. When the leakage preventing gathers 70 stand up using the front base point portion 76 as a base point, the folded-back region R79 stands up relative to the facing region R78 on the skin side T1 of the front base point portion 76, and the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 can be increased in stages.
[0049] The length of the facing region R78 in the width direction W may vary. As shown in FIG. 5(A), the side fold FL71 is aligned along the front-to-rear direction L, and the position of the width base point 75 in the width direction W may vary. At the front end of the side sheet 71, the sheet joining region 70BR is located close to the side fold FL71, and the length of the facing region R78 in the width direction W is substantially 0 mm. The sheet joining region 70BR extends from the side fold FL71 side toward the outside in the width direction W toward the rear side, sloping. This sloping portion constitutes the front base point 76. That is, the front base point 76 is sloping toward the rear side from its inner end edge toward its rear end edge (toward the outside in the width direction). The outer edge of the front base point 76 is continuous with the width base point 75. The width base point 75 extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The rear end edge of the width base point 75 is continuous with the outer edge of the rear base point 77. The rear base point portion 77 is inclined rearward from its outer edge toward its inner edge (toward the inside in the width direction W). At the front end of the side sheet 71, the sheet joining region 70BR is disposed adjacent to the side fold line FL71, and the length of the facing region R78 in the width direction W is substantially 0 mm. The range of the standing portion 73 in the front-to-rear direction L is the range sandwiched between the front base point portion 76 and the rear base point portion 77, and the range of the standing portion 73 in the width direction W is the range sandwiched between the width base point portion 75 and the side fold line FL71.
[0050] The length in the width direction W of the facing region R78 at the position overlapping with the front non-bonded region FNR may be equal to or greater than the length in the width direction W of the facing region R78 at the position overlapping with the central bonded region CBR. According to this embodiment, the length in the width direction W of the facing region R78 at the position overlapping with the front non-bonded region FNR is the same as or longer than the length in the width direction W of the facing region R78 at the position overlapping with the central bonded region CBR, thereby ensuring a higher height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 in the front non-bonded region FNR. The position overlapping with the front non-bonded region FNR is a position rearward of the front bonded region FBR and forward of the front edge of the central bonded region CBR. The position overlapping with the central bonded region CBR is a position rearward of the front edge of the central bonded region CBR and forward of the rear edge of the central bonded region CBR. The lengths can be compared using the maximum lengths. In this embodiment, the widthwise length of the opposing region R78 at the position where it overlaps with the front non-bonding region FNR and the widthwise length of the opposing region R78 at the position where it overlaps with the central bonding region CBR are both the widthwise distance between the width base point 75 and the side fold FL71, and are the same length.
[0051] The center 73CL in the front-to-rear direction of the standing portion 73 may be located forward of the center 1CL in the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article 1. According to this embodiment, the standing portion 73 can be positioned closer to the front, thereby more effectively suppressing front leakage. In this embodiment, the center 73CL in the front-to-rear direction L of the standing portion 73 is the midpoint between the front end edge of the front base point portion 76 and the rear end edge of the rear base point portion 77. Because the center 73CL in the front-to-rear direction L of the standing portion 73 is located forward of the center 1CL in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, the distance between the front base point portion 76 and the front end edge of the absorbent article 1 is shorter than the distance between the rear base point portion 77 and the rear end edge of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the rising base point of the leakage preventing gathers 70 can be located closer to the front. The rising range of the leakage preventing gathers 70 can be made wider at one front end of the absorbent article, thereby more effectively suppressing front leakage.
[0052] The width origin parts 75 may overlap the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T. According to this embodiment, since the absorbent body 30 and the width origin parts 75 overlap, the position of the width origin parts 75 is stable, making it easier to maintain the height of the leak-proof gathers 70. Preferably, the width origin parts 75 may overlap the absorbent core 31 that constitutes the absorbent body 30.
[0053] The width origin portion 75 may overlap the high basis weight portion 35 in the thickness direction T. This configuration makes the position of the width origin portion 75 more stable, making it easier to maintain the height of the leak-preventing gathers 70. Furthermore, the width origin portion 75 may overlap the high basis weight portion 35 in the thickness direction T, and the low basis weight portion 36 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the width origin portion 75. Because the width origin portion 75 overlaps the high basis weight portion 35 and the low basis weight portion 36 is located more inward in the width direction W, the height of the origin of the leak-preventing gathers 70 can be made higher than the region sandwiched by the leak-preventing gathers 70 (the region where the low basis weight portion 36 is located), and the height of the leak-preventing gathers 70 can be made relatively higher. This ensures the volume of the storage space surrounded by the left and right leak-preventing gathers 70, further suppressing side leakage. In this embodiment, the width base point portion 75 is disposed so as to overlap the side high basis weight portion 352 , and the low basis weight portion 36 is disposed inside the width base point portion 75 .
[0054] At least a portion of the front non-bonded region FNR may be arranged in a region overlapping the absorbent body 30. The front non-bonded region FNR can retain body fluid and smoothly guide the body fluid to the absorbent body 30. Even if a large amount of body fluid is guided to the front non-bonded region FNR, it can be absorbed by the absorbent body 30, thereby suppressing front leakage. At least a portion of the central bonded region CBR may be arranged in a region overlapping the absorbent body 30. The front end edge of the width origin portion 75 may be located forward of the front end edge of the central bonded region CBR, and the rear end edge of the width origin portion 75 may be located rearward of the rear end edge of the central bonded region CBR. The front origin portion 76 and the rear origin portion 77 may also overlap the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction, and preferably may overlap the absorbent core 31. This configuration can further stabilize the standing base points of the standing portions 73.
[0055] The front and rear compressed portions 81 may be positioned more inward in the width direction W than the leakage preventing gathers 70. The areas where the compressed portions 80 are provided are thinner than areas where the compressed portions 80 are not provided. Therefore, the leakage preventing gathers 70 located outward in the width direction W from the front and rear compressed portions 81 are relatively tall. This ensures the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 and further suppresses leakage. Furthermore, the outer edges of the front and rear compressed portions 81 serve as deformation base points, making it easier for areas more outward in the width direction W than the outer edges of the front and rear compressed portions 81 to bulge toward the skin side T1. This ensures the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 and further suppresses leakage. The front and rear compressed portions 81 in this embodiment are positioned more inward in the width direction W than the side folds FL71 that form the inner edges of the leakage preventing gathers 70. At least a portion of the front and rear compressed portions 81 may be positioned more inward in the width direction W than the leak-proof gathers 70, but preferably the outer edges of the front and rear compressed portions 81 may be positioned more inward in the width direction W than the inner edges of the leak-proof gathers 70.
[0056] The front edges of the front and rear compressed portions 81 may be located rearward of the front base point portion 76 and rearward of the central joint region CBR. In other words, the front and rear compressed portions 81 may be located rearward of the front non-joint region FNR. The region extending inward in the width direction W from the front non-joint region FNR is not hindered by the presence of the front and rear compressed portions 81, and deformation that follows the curvature of the body in the front-to-back direction L is easily realized. Therefore, in a cross section along the front-to-back direction L, deformation is realized in which the outer ends in the front-to-back direction L rise up relative to the center in the front-to-back direction L, and a large storage space can be formed by the leakage preventing gathers 70. Furthermore, the rear edges of the front and rear compressed portions 81 may be located rearward of the rear base point portion 77 and rearward of the rear edge of the central joint region CBR. The front and rear compressed portions 81 may be disposed inside the width direction W over more than half of the range of the standing portion 73 in the front-to-back direction L. Furthermore, the front and rear compression portions 81 may be arranged inside in the width direction W over half or more of the range in the front-rear direction L of the central joint region CBR.
[0057] The leakage preventing elastic members 72 of the leakage preventing gathers 70 may be arranged in at least one of the facing region R78 and the folded-back region R79. Preferably, a plurality of the leakage preventing elastic members 72 may be arranged in the folded-back region R79. Arranging a plurality of the leakage preventing elastic members 72 in the folded-back region R79 can further improve the upstanding ability of the leakage preventing gathers 70. Furthermore, among the leakage preventing elastic members 72 arranged in the folded-back region R79, the leakage preventing elastic member 721 located at the outermost position in the width direction W may have a higher elongation stress than the other leakage preventing elastic members arranged in the folded-back region R79. The leakage preventing elastic member 721 located at the outermost position in the width direction in the folded-back region R79 becomes the apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers 70 when they stand. Because the leakage preventing elastic member 721 located at the outermost position in the width direction has a high elongation ratio, it is easier to arrange the apex of the leakage preventing gathers 70 at a high position, making it easier to ensure the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70.
[0058] The tensile stress is measured using an autograph tensile tester (e.g., AG-1KN1) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. First, samples are cut out so that each contains a leakproof elastic member. Each sample is stretched to the extent that gathers due to the contraction of the leakproof elastic member 72 disappear, and the dimensions of the sample in its stretched state are measured. Next, one end of each sample is clamped in a fixed chuck and the other end in a movable chuck, and the sample is stretched at a speed of 300 mm / min to approximately 90% of its stretched dimension, then turned over and contracted to approximately 75% of its stretched dimension. The tensile load (N) at this point is determined and converted into stress per unit width (mm) (N / mm), which is used as the tensile stress.
[0059] Of the leakage preventing elastic members 72 arranged in the folded-back region R79, the leakage preventing elastic member 721 located furthest outward in the width direction W may be arranged to overlap the front non-bonded region FNR. Since the front non-bonded region FNR does not have a central bonded region CBR, the widthwise length over which the side sheet 71 can stand is relatively long. By arranging the leakage preventing elastic member 721 located furthest outward in the width direction in the front non-bonded region FNR, it becomes easier to ensure the height of the leakage preventing gathers 70 in the front non-bonded region FNR.
[0060] At least a portion of the leakproof elastic member may overlap the central bonded region CBR. According to this embodiment, the leakproof elastic member 72 makes it easier for the central bonded region CBR to stand up. This makes it easier for the central bonded region CBR to protrude inward in the width direction W, and makes it easier for the folded-back region R79 to be arranged in a flat state. The leakproof gathers 70 are arranged in a flat state against the body, making it more difficult for excrement to leak. Furthermore, of the leakproof elastic members 72 arranged in the folded-back region R79, the leakproof elastic member 721 located at the outermost position in the width direction may be arranged to overlap the front non-bonded region FNR and the central bonded region CBR. As described above, the leakproof elastic member 721 located at the outermost position in the width direction is configured to have high tensile stress, making it easier for the folded-back region R79 to be arranged in a flat state.
[0061] The leakproof elastic members 72 may be a different color from the top sheet 21, or may be the same color (for example, white). Preferably, of the leakproof elastic members 72 arranged in the folded region R79, the leakproof elastic member 722 located most inward in the width direction W may be the same color as the top sheet 21. With this configuration, the leakproof elastic member 722 located most inward in the width direction W is integrated with the top sheet 21, and the absorption area does not appear to be narrowed by the leakproof gathers 70, making it possible to make the absorption area appear larger.
[0062] The fastening parts 60 may be arranged continuously in the front-to-rear direction L and extend further outward in the front-to-rear direction L than the central joint region CBR. Furthermore, the fastening parts 60 may be arranged forward of the front end edge of the central joint region CBR, or rearward of the rear end edge of the central joint region CBR. This configuration makes it easier to stabilize the positions of the central joint region CBR and the non-joined regions, and makes it easier to maintain the leakage-proof gathers 70 in an upright state.
[0063] Next, a preferred configuration of the front compressed portion 82 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion G shown in FIG. 1. The front compressed portion has a shape based on a partial star pattern motif and has radially extending edges. The outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The outer edge of the front compressed portion 82 and the inner edge of the leakage preventing gathers 70 are spaced apart in the width direction. The outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 has a recessed portion 821 that is recessed inward in the width direction. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 821 is located in the center of the outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 in the front-to-rear direction, and the outer edge 82E extending from the recessed portion 821 to the front extends outward in the width direction W, while the outer edge 82E extending from the recessed portion 821 to the rear also extends outward in the width direction W. The front non-bonded region FNR may be located on an imaginary line EL1 extending from the recessed portion 821 in the width direction W. The outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 serves as the deformation base point, and the region outside the outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 in the width direction W is likely to bulge toward the skin side T1. The recessed portion 821 is a portion recessed inward in the width direction W, and in the region extending from the recessed portion to the outside in the width direction, a long region can be secured that stands up using the outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 as a base point. Furthermore, because the front non-bonded region FNR is provided in the region extending from the recessed portion in the width direction (a region where a long region can be secured that stands up using the outer edge 82E of the front compressed portion 82 as a base point), the height provided by the leakage-proof gathers can be further ensured.
[0064] The front edge 82F of the front compressed section 82 may have a width extension 822 extending along the width direction. In this embodiment, the width extensions are located on both sides of the width center of the article. The width center of the front edge 82F of the front compressed section 82 has a portion that protrudes toward the front, and width extensions 822 are located on both sides of the protruding portion. The front non-bonded region FNR is located on an imaginary line EL2 that extends from the outer widthwise edge of the width extension 822 along the width extension 822. The width extensions and their imaginary line serve as deformation base points for the absorbent article, allowing the absorbent article to easily deform to fit the curvature of the body extending in the front-to-rear direction. In addition, since the front non-bonded region is positioned on a virtual line extending from the width extension portion, the raised portion caused by the deformation base point of the front end of the absorbent article is connected to the left and right walls caused by the leakage-proof gathers, forming walls that surround the portion at the front end and side of the absorbent article where body fluids are discharged (the portion located opposite the excretion opening), thereby further suppressing front leakage.
[0065] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0066] 1: Absorbent articles 1CW: Center of article width 21: Top sheet 30: Absorbent 70: Leak-proof gathers 70T: Vertex 71: Side seat 72: Leak-proof elastic member 73: Standing part 75: Width base point 76:Anterior base point 77: Posterior base point R78: Opposing area R79: Folding area CBR: central junction area FL71: Side fold FNR: anterior nonunion region RNR: Posterior nonunion region 81: Front and rear compression section 82: Pre-compression section 821: Recessed part 822: Width extension part L: Front and back direction T: Thickness direction W: Width direction
Claims
1. a front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are orthogonal to each other; an absorbent body having an absorbent material; a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin; a pair of leak-proof gathers positioned on both sides of the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, the gathers having side sheets and leak-proof elastic members; The leak-proof gathers have upright portions where the side sheets stand up from the top sheet toward the skin due to contraction of the leak-proof elastic member, and width base portions where the side sheets are joined to the top sheet outside the upright portions in the width direction and serve as upright base points for the upright portions, the side sheets have a facing region that extends inward in the width direction from the width base point portion and is disposed facing the top sheet, and a folded region that is folded back toward the skin from a side fold that is located at the inner edge of the facing region in the width direction as a base point and that includes an apex of the leakage-proof gather, the leakage-preventing gathers have a central joined region where the facing region and the folded-back region are joined together, and a front unjoined region that extends forward from a front end edge of the central joined region and where the facing region and the folded-back region are not joined together, An absorbent article, wherein the length of the central bonded region in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length of the front non-bonded region in the front-to-rear direction.
2. The leakage-preventing gathers have a front base point portion where the side sheet is joined to the top sheet forward of the standing portion, and which serves as a standing base point for the standing portion, The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the front base point portion is located forward of a front edge of the central joining region.
3. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the widthwise length of the facing region at a position overlapping with the front non-bonded region is equal to or greater than the widthwise length of the facing region at a position overlapping with the central bonded region.
4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the center of the standing portion in the front-rear direction is located forward of the center of the absorbent article in the front-rear direction.
5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width base point portion overlaps the absorbent body in the thickness direction.
6. The absorbent body has a high basis weight portion in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is high, and a low basis weight portion in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the high basis weight portion, the width base point portion overlaps the high basis weight portion in the thickness direction, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the low basis weight portion is disposed on the inner side of the width origin portion in the width direction.
7. A compressed portion is provided by compressing the absorbent body in at least the thickness direction, The compressing portion has front and rear compressing portions extending along the front-rear direction, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front and rear compressed portions are arranged more inward in the width direction than the leakage-preventing gathers.
8. a plurality of the leak-proof elastic members are arranged in the folded region; 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tensile stress of the leakproof elastic member arranged in the folded region that is located furthest outward in the width direction is higher than the tensile stress of the other leakproof elastic members arranged in the folded region.
9. The absorbent article according to claim 8 , wherein the leakage preventing elastic members located outermost in the width direction are arranged so as to overlap the front non-bonded regions.
10. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side sheet has a rear unbonded region extending rearward from a rear end edge of the central bonded region, where the facing region and the folded-back region are not bonded.
11. The absorbent article according to claim 10 , wherein the length of the front non-bonded region in the front-to-rear direction is longer than the length of the rear non-bonded region in the front-to-rear direction.
12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the front non-bonded region is disposed in a region overlapping the absorbent body.
13. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the leakproof elastic member overlaps the central joining region.
14. A compressed portion is provided by compressing the absorbent body in at least the thickness direction, The compressing section has a front compressing section disposed at least in a region sandwiched between the front non-bonded regions in the width direction, The outer edge of the front compression portion extends along the front-rear direction and has a recessed portion recessed inward in the width direction, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front non-bonded region is disposed on an imaginary line extending from the recessed portion in the width direction.
15. The front end edge of the front compression portion has a width extension portion extending along the width direction, The absorbent article according to claim 14 , wherein the front non-bonded region is disposed on an imaginary line extending from an outer edge of the widthwise extension along the widthwise extension.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Absorbent article
JP2004358109A