absorbent articles

Abstract

To prevent a fastening member from unintentionally fastening to a top sheet in an absorbent article in a folded state before use. [Solution] In the second region 243, both widthwise side portions (i.e., a right region 224 and a left region 226) of the main body portion 2 are folded toward the wearer along a pair of longitudinal fold lines 61 extending in the longitudinal direction and overlapped on the widthwise central portion of the main body portion 2. As a result, the backsheet 23 is positioned on the wearer side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243. Furthermore, the first region 241 is folded toward the wearer along a first horizontal fold line 62 extending in the width direction and overlapped on the main body central portion 242, and the second region 243 is folded toward the wearer along a second horizontal fold line 63 extending in the width direction and overlapped on the first region 241. As a result, the fastening member 5 faces the backsheet 23 located on the wearer side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that is attached to the wearer side of an outer article worn by a wearer and receives excrement from the wearer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as absorbent pads for light incontinence have been used by attaching them to the inside of outer articles such as disposable diapers, underwear, etc. When attaching the absorbent article to an outer article, a fastening member such as a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the outer surface of the absorbent article is usually fastened to the inside of the outer article.

[0003] For example, the absorbent article of Patent Document 1 has a fastening member provided in the longitudinal central region of the main body. The fastening member is provided only in the longitudinal central region of the main body, and not in any other region. This prevents the fastening member from getting caught on or sticking to the outer garment when the absorbent article is attached to the inside of the outer garment. However, since the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article are not attached to the outer garment, the absorbent article is relatively prone to deformation. Therefore, when a wearer of the outer garment to which the absorbent article is attached walks or turns over in bed, the aforementioned ends of the absorbent article may twist or curl and become turned up from the outer garment. Absorbent articles include absorbent pads for light incontinence, with a longitudinal length of, for example, about 15 cm to 30 cm, as well as medium-sized absorbent pads and large absorbent pads with a longitudinal length of about 50 cm to 70 cm that can accommodate multiple urinations. When the absorbent pad becomes larger and the number of absorbent layers increases, some wearers and caregivers find it difficult to stably attach the absorbent pad to an appropriate position inside the outer garment in response to the wearer's body movements.

[0004] On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, fastening members are provided at both longitudinal ends of the inner pad, which prevents the ends of the inner pad from being turned up from the outer article due to the wearer's movements or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-048489 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-044538 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, absorbent articles such as those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are generally sold in a compact, longitudinally folded state, housed in a packaging bag, etc. For example, when the inner pad of Patent Document 2 is folded longitudinally in thirds before use, the fastening member provided on the back sheet at one longitudinal end may be fastened to the top sheet at the other end folded over the end. If the fastening member is fastened to the top sheet, it becomes necessary to peel the fastening member from the top sheet when using the inner pad, which reduces workability. Furthermore, the fibers of the top sheet may be pulled when the fastening member is peeled off, potentially damaging the top sheet. Furthermore, the fibers of the top sheet may become entangled in the fastening member, potentially reducing the fastening force of the fastening member.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent a fastening member from unintentionally fastening to a top sheet in an absorbent article that is in a folded state before use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article that is attached to the wearer side of an outer garment worn by a wearer and receives excrement from the wearer, and includes a main body portion divided into three parts: a first region, a main body central region, and a second region, which are aligned in the longitudinal direction, and a fastening member provided on the surface of the main body portion opposite the wearer side in the first region and capable of being fastened to the outer garment. The main body portion includes a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable backsheet to which the fastening member is less likely to attach than the topsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Before use, in the second region, both widthwise sides of the main body portion are folded toward the wearer along a pair of vertical fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction and overlap the widthwise central region of the main body portion, so that the backsheet is positioned on the wearer side of the topsheet in the second region. Furthermore, the first portion is folded toward the wearer along a first horizontal fold line extending in the width direction and overlapped on the central portion of the main body, and the second portion is folded toward the wearer along a second horizontal fold line extending in the width direction and overlapped on the first portion, so that the fastening member faces the back sheet located on the wearer side of the top sheet in the second portion.

[0009] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an absorbent article of aspect 1, wherein, in a folded state before use, when the second portion is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, in the region closer to the center of the main body, the top sheet is entirely covered from the wearer's side by the back sheet.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first or second aspect, wherein the length of the fastening member in the longitudinal direction is 5% to 15% of the length of the second portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect (or any one of the first to third aspects), wherein the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical fold lines is 30% or more and 50% or less of the maximum width in the widthwise direction of the second region when not folded at the pair of vertical fold lines.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first or second aspect (or any one of the first to fourth aspects), wherein the absorber comprises a first absorbent core and a second absorbent core disposed between the first absorbent core and the backsheet and having a rectangular shape in the second region with a width in the width direction smaller than that of the first absorbent core, and the pair of longitudinal folding lines overlap both end edges of the second absorbent core in the width direction.

[0013] Aspect 6 of the present invention is an absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2 (or any one of aspects 1 to 5), wherein the first portion includes a front portion that contacts the wearer's abdominal side, and the second portion includes a rear portion that contacts the wearer's back side.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first or second aspect (or any one of the first to sixth aspects), wherein in the second region, a maximum width portion, which is the largest width in the width direction when the main body portion is unfolded, extends in the longitudinal direction, and the length in the longitudinal direction of the maximum width portion is 120 mm or more and 200 mm or less.

[0015] Aspect 8 of the present invention is an absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2 (or any one of aspects 1 to 7), wherein when not folded along the pair of vertical fold lines, the maximum width in the width direction of the second region is greater than the minimum width in the width direction of the central portion of the main body.

[0016] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article of the first or second aspect (or any one of the first to eighth aspects), wherein absorber-free regions where the absorber is not present are provided at both widthwise end portions of the second section, and the width of the absorber-free regions is 20% or more and 40% or less of the widthwise distance between the pair of longitudinal fold lines. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the fastening member from being unintentionally fastened to the top sheet in an absorbent article that is in a folded state before use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment, viewed from the top sheet side. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 taken along line II-II. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent body. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent sheet. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent core. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent article. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent article. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article in a state where it is folded in the width direction along one of the longitudinal folding lines. [Figure 10] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article that has been folded widthwise along a pair of vertical folding lines and folded widthwise into thirds. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article folded longitudinally along a first horizontal fold line. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a side view of the absorbent article folded longitudinally along a first horizontal fold line. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the absorbent article in a state where it is folded longitudinally along the second horizontal folding line and folded longitudinally into thirds. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a side view of the absorbent article in a state where it is folded longitudinally along the second horizontal fold line and folded longitudinally into thirds. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The configuration of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown in the drawings are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, unfolded before use and viewed from the top sheet 21 side. The absorbent article 1 is an auxiliary absorbent device that is attached to the inside (i.e., the wearer side) of an outer article such as a disposable diaper worn by a wearer and receives excrement from the wearer. The absorbent article 1 is, for example, an absorbent pad for light incontinence that receives urine and the like from the wearer. In Fig. 1, the absorbent article 1 is drawn in a stretched state when not worn, with the side that comes into contact with the wearer when worn facing forward.

[0021] When describing each component of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side closest to the wearer when worn may be referred to as the skin-facing side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the numerical ranges of the dimensions of the components described in the embodiments are those measured in a dry state before wearing.

[0022] In the following description, the up-down direction and left-right direction in FIG. 1 are also referred to as the "longitudinal direction" and "width direction," respectively. The direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 is also referred to as the "thickness direction." The longitudinal direction, width direction, and thickness direction are perpendicular to one another. The absorbent article 1 shown in FIG. 1 is in a stretched state in the longitudinal and width directions. The length of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction is, for example, approximately 500 mm to 700 mm. The maximum width of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction is, for example, approximately 200 mm to 400 mm. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is also referred to as the "front-rear direction."

[0023] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (i.e., the vertical direction in Fig. 1) at position II-II shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at position III-III shown in Fig. 1. In Figs. 2 and 3, the absorbent article 1 is drawn thicker than it actually is (i.e., the ratio of thickness to width is increased) to make the drawings easier to understand. Furthermore, in Figs. 2 and 3, some components of the absorbent article 1 that are actually in contact are drawn spaced apart in the thickness direction (i.e., the vertical direction in Figs. 2 and 3).

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent article 1 comprises a main body 2 and a pair of side sheets 3 that cover at least a portion of the main body 2 and are arranged on the skin-facing side. The pair of side sheets 3 are arranged on both widthwise sides of the main body 2 and extend in the longitudinal direction. Each side sheet 3 is provided over approximately the entire longitudinal length of the main body 2. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, each side sheet 3 is arranged so that a portion of each side sheet 3 stands up toward the wearer. In this disclosure, "approximately the entire length" means essentially the entire length and includes manufacturing errors of the absorbent article.

[0025] The upper region 201 and the lower region 203 of the main body portion 2 in FIG. 1 are regions that come into contact with the wearer's abdominal and dorsal skin, respectively, and are referred to as the "front region 201" and the "rear region 203" in the following description. Furthermore, the region 202 that is continuous with the front region 201 and the rear region 203 and faces the wearer's crotch region between the front region 201 and the rear region 203 is referred to as the "crotch region 202." In the absorbent article 1, the front region 201, the crotch region 202, and the rear region 203 are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction in the main body portion 2. In the following description, the upper and lower sides in FIG. 1 are also referred to as the "front side" and the "rear side," respectively.

[0026] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the width in the width direction of the front portion 201 (hereinafter simply referred to as "width") is approximately constant except for the front end portion of the main body portion 2 (i.e., the end portion of the front portion 201 opposite the crotch portion 202). At the front end portion of the main body portion 2, the width of the front portion 201 decreases slightly as it approaches the front edge of the main body portion 2. In other words, at the front portion 201, except for the front end portion of the main body portion 2, a maximum width portion where the main body portion 2 has the maximum width at the front portion 201 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] Furthermore, the width of the rear portion 203 is substantially constant except for the rear end of the main body portion 2 (i.e., the end of the rear portion 203 opposite the crotch portion 202). At the rear end of the main body portion 2, the width of the rear portion 203 decreases slightly as it approaches the rear edge of the main body portion 2. In other words, in the rear portion 203, except for the rear end of the main body portion 2, a maximum width portion where the main body portion 2 has the maximum width in the rear portion 203 extends in the longitudinal direction. The width of the rear portion 203 excluding the rear end (i.e., the maximum width of the rear portion 203) is substantially the same as the width of the front portion 201 excluding the front end (i.e., the maximum width of the front portion 201). Figure 3 above is a cross-sectional view of the rear portion 203, and the cross-section of the front portion 201 is substantially similar to the cross-section of the rear portion 203 shown in Figure 3.

[0028] The width of the crotch portion 202 gradually decreases from the front portion 201 toward the rear, reaches a minimum midway between the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, and then gradually increases toward the rear up to the rear portion 203. In other words, the shape of the main body portion 2 in a plan view is a so-called hourglass shape in which the maximum width of the front portion 201 and the maximum width of the rear portion 203 are greater than the minimum width of the crotch portion 202. In the following description, the portion of the crotch portion 202 where the width of the main body portion 2 is minimum is referred to as the "narrowest portion 204." The narrowest portion 204 is also the narrowest portion of the absorbent article. Figure 2 above is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 at the narrowest portion 204.

[0029] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the narrowest portion 204 is a portion of the main body portion 2 that corresponds to a single point in the longitudinal direction. In other words, it is preferable that the side edges of the main body portion 2 are arc-shaped and concave inward in the width direction in the crotch portion 202, and the narrowest portion 204 is the innermost vertex of the arc-shaped side edges in the width direction. The narrowest portion 204 may have a length in the longitudinal direction. In this case, in consideration of the fit around the legs, the longitudinal length of the narrowest portion 204 is preferably greater than 0 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm, and more preferably equal to or less than 3 mm.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the main body portion 2 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 21, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet 23, and an absorbent body 22. The absorbent body 22 is disposed between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent body 22 is a component that extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 2 (i.e., has a longitudinal direction). In FIG. 1, the outline of the absorbent body 22 is drawn with a thick dashed line to facilitate understanding of the drawing. The total length and width of the absorbent body 22 are smaller than the total length and width of the main body portion 2 (i.e., the total length and width of the back sheet 23). The back sheet 23 extends forward of the leading edge of the absorbent body 22 and rearward of the trailing edge of the absorbent body 22. The back sheet 23 also extends outward of both widthwise side edges (i.e., left and right side edges) of the absorbent body 22.

[0031] The top sheet 21 quickly captures moisture from excrement such as urine from the wearer and transfers it to the absorbent body 22. The absorbent body 22 absorbs and quickly fixes the moisture that has permeated the top sheet 21. The back sheet 23 prevents moisture from excrement that has reached the back sheet 23 from seeping out of the main body portion 2.

[0032] The longitudinal length (hereinafter also simply referred to as "length") of the main body portion 2, including the top sheet 21, absorbent body 22, and back sheet 23, is approximately the same as the length of each side sheet 3. The side edges of the main body portion 2 and the side edges of each side sheet 3 overlap in the thickness direction over approximately the entire longitudinal length. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the width of the top sheet 21, which is approximately rectangular in plan view, is smaller than the width of the back sheet 23. Furthermore, the width of the top sheet 21 is larger than the width of the absorbent body 22 in the crotch region 202, and smaller than the width of the absorbent body 22 in the front region 201 and the rear region 203.

[0033] The backsheet 23 extends outward in the width direction from both side edges of the topsheet 21 and both side edges of the absorbent body 22. In other words, both side edges of the backsheet 23 extend laterally from the topsheet 21 and the absorbent body 22 without being covered by them. The outer side edges of the pair of side sheets 3 in the width direction are joined to both side edges of the backsheet 23 in the width direction. The pair of side sheets 3 are also joined to both side edges of the topsheet 21 in the width direction. The topsheet 21 and each side sheet 3 are joined to the backsheet 23 at both longitudinal edge portions of the absorbent article 1. The topsheet 21, the backsheet 23, and each side sheet 3 may be joined by various methods (for example, adhesion with a hot melt adhesive, heat fusion, or ultrasonic fusion). 2 and 3, the side edges of the top sheet 21 are joined to each side sheet 3 via a substantially strip-shaped adhesive layer 41 that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Note that adhesives other than the adhesive layer 41 are not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0034] For example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric (such as a point-bonded nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric) made of hydrophobic fibers (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, or nylon) whose surfaces have been hydrophilically treated with a surfactant is used as the top sheet 21. Alternatively, a nonwoven fabric (such as a spunlace nonwoven fabric) made of hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon, or cotton may be used as the top sheet 21.

[0035] For example, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or plastic film, or a laminated sheet in which such a nonwoven fabric and a plastic film are laminated, is used as the backsheet 23. The nonwoven fabric used for the backsheet 23 is, for example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, or SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers, and is subjected to a liquid-repellent treatment as necessary. When a plastic film is used for the backsheet 23, it is preferable to use a moisture-permeable (breathable) plastic film from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness in the absorbent article 1 and improving comfort for the wearer.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of the absorbent body 22. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the absorbent body 22 includes an absorbent sheet 25 and an absorbent core 26. The absorbent sheet 25 and the absorbent core 26 are laminated in the thickness direction between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent sheet 25 is disposed between the absorbent core 26 and the top sheet 21. The absorbent sheet 25 is a sheet-like member in which an absorbent resin is fixed between multiple layers of sheet members. The absorbent core 26 is disposed between the absorbent sheet 25 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent core 26 is a bulky member formed mainly of an aggregate of bulky fibers such as fluff pulp. The thickness of the absorbent core 26 in the thickness direction (hereinafter simply referred to as "thickness") is thicker than the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25 is 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and the thickness of the absorbent core 26 is 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0037] 2 and 3, an upper backing 271 is sandwiched between the absorbent sheet 25 and the absorbent core 26. In other words, the absorbent sheet 25 is placed on the upper surface of the absorbent core 26 (i.e., the main surface that faces the skin when worn) via the upper backing 271. The upper backing 271 is, for example, tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. The upper backing 271 may be omitted.

[0038] The lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is bonded to the upper-layer backing 271 via a hot melt adhesive or the like. For example, a strip-shaped region extending in the longitudinal direction in the widthwise center of the lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is bonded to the upper-layer backing 271, and both widthwise ends of the lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 are not bonded to the upper-layer backing 271. The lower surface of the upper-layer backing 271 is bonded to the upper surface of the absorbent core 26 via a hot melt adhesive or the like. The upper surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is bonded to the top sheet 21 via a hot melt adhesive or the like. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the upper surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is bonded to the top sheet 21, and another member may be interposed between the absorbent sheet 25 and the top sheet 21. At the narrowest portion 204 of the main body portion 2, at least a portion of the absorbent sheet 25 is preferably bonded to the top sheet 21 directly or via another layer.

[0039] The absorbent core 26 includes a first absorbent core 261 and a second absorbent core 262. The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are each a bulky, cotton-like member formed mainly from an aggregate of bulky fibers such as fluff pulp. The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are layered in the thickness direction between the absorbent sheet 25 and the back sheet 23. The first absorbent core 261 is disposed between the second absorbent core 262 and the absorbent sheet 25. The second absorbent core 262 is disposed between the first absorbent core 261 and the back sheet 23. The thickness of each of the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 is greater than the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25.

[0040] 2 and 3, an intermediate mount 272 is sandwiched between the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262. In other words, the first absorbent core 261 is placed on the upper surface of the second absorbent core 262 via the intermediate mount 272. The lower surface of the first absorbent core 261 and the upper surface of the second absorbent core 262 are each bonded to the intermediate mount 272 via a hot melt adhesive or the like. The intermediate mount 272 is, for example, tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. The intermediate mount 272 may be omitted.

[0041] The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 may each contain an absorbent resin such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) and / or SAF (Super Absorbent Fiber) in addition to the above-mentioned fiber aggregate. The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are components in which SAP particles are mixed into a fiber aggregate formed from, for example, fluff pulp. The fiber aggregate may be wrapped in tissue paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like to prevent the SAP particles from falling off. In the first absorbent core 261, the basis weight of the absorbent resin is, for example, 50% or less of the basis weight of the fluff pulp that forms the fiber aggregate. Similarly, in the second absorbent core 262, the basis weight of the absorbent resin is, for example, 50% or less of the basis weight of the fluff pulp that forms the fiber aggregate. The fiber aggregates contained in the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 do not necessarily have to be made of fluff pulp, but may be, for example, aggregates of synthetic fibers, or aggregates of a mixture of fluff pulp and synthetic fibers.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent sheet. Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent core. In Fig. 6, the second absorbent core 262 is depicted by a thick dashed line to facilitate understanding of the drawing. In Figs. 4 to 6, a "center line 220," which is an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction at the center in the width direction of the absorbent body 22 in plan view, is depicted by a dashed line (similar to Fig. 1). In Figs. 4 to 6, the position of a fastening member 5, which will be described later, is depicted by a dashed line.

[0043] The center line 220 is also an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction at the widthwise center of the absorbent sheet 25. The center line 220 is also an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction at the widthwise center of each of the absorbent core 26, the first absorbent core 261, and the second absorbent core 262. In other words, the center line 220 is also the center line of the absorbent sheet 25, the absorbent core 26, the first absorbent core 261, and the second absorbent core 262. The absorber 22, the absorbent sheet 25, the absorbent core 26, the first absorbent core 261, and the second absorbent core 262 each have a shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to the center line 220 in a plan view.

[0044] The absorbent sheet 25 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view, with its length greater than its width. The absorbent sheet 25 extends from the front portion 201 of the main body 2 shown in FIG. 1 , through the crotch portion 202, to the rear portion 203. The width of the absorbent sheet 25 is generally constant over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction, and is smaller than the width of the main body 2 over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The length of the absorbent sheet 25 is shorter than the length of the main body 2.

[0045] The absorbent core 26 extends from the front portion 201 of the main body portion 2 through the crotch portion 202 to the rear portion 203. The length of the absorbent core 26 is approximately the same as the length of the absorbent sheet 25, and both longitudinal edges of the absorbent core 26 approximately overlap both longitudinal edges of the absorbent sheet 25 in a plan view. The width of the absorbent core 26 is approximately constant in the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203. The width of the absorbent core 26 in the crotch portion 202 gradually decreases from the rear end of the front portion 201 toward the narrowest portion of the crotch portion 202, reaches a minimum at the narrowest portion between the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, and then gradually increases toward the rear portion 203. In other words, the shape of the absorbent core 26 in a plan view is a so-called hourglass shape. The width of the absorbent core 26 is smaller than the width of the main body portion 2 over approximately the entire longitudinal length.

[0046] The width of the absorbent core 26 in the front portion 201 is approximately constant except for the region near the front edge. In the region near the front edge of the main body portion 2, the width of the absorbent core 26 decreases slightly as it approaches the front edge of the main body portion 2. The width of the absorbent core 26 in the rear portion 203 is approximately constant except for the region near the rear edge. In the region near the rear edge of the main body portion 2, the width of the absorbent core 26 decreases slightly as it approaches the rear edge of the main body portion 2. The maximum width of the absorbent core 26 in the front portion 201 is approximately the same as the maximum width of the absorbent core 26 in the rear portion 203. The maximum widths of the absorbent core 26 in the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203 may be different.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the portion of the absorbent core 26 where the width is smallest (i.e., the narrowest portion of the absorbent core 26) is a portion of the absorbent core 26 that corresponds to a point in the crotch portion in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the side edges of the absorbent core 26 are arc-shaped and concave inward in the width direction in the crotch portion 202 (see FIG. 1), and the narrowest portion of the absorbent core 26 is preferably the innermost vertex in the width direction of the arc-shaped side edges. The narrowest portion of the absorbent core may have a length in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the length of the narrowest portion of the absorbent core is preferably greater than 0 mm and equal to or less than 5 mm, and more preferably equal to or less than 3 mm.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4, the width of the absorbent core 26 is smaller than the width of the absorbent sheet 25 at the narrowest part 204 and in the vicinity of the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2. The width of the absorbent core 26 is larger than the width of the absorbent sheet 25 in the crotch portion 202, in the front portion 201, and in the rear portion 203, excluding the narrowest part 204 and in the vicinity of the narrowest part 204. In other words, the width of the absorbent sheet 25 is larger than the width of the absorbent core 26 only at the narrowest part 204 and in the vicinity of the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2. The longitudinal length of the part of the absorbent core 26 that is narrower than the absorbent sheet 25 is, for example, 20 mm to 50 mm, and the proportion of this length to the total length of the absorbent core 26 is, for example, 3% to 10%.

[0049] At the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2, the difference between the width of the absorbent sheet 25 and the width of the absorbent core 26 is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. At the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2, the width of the absorbent core 26 is preferably 100 mm or more and 130 mm or less. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the longitudinal position of the narrowest part of the absorbent core 26 is substantially the same as the longitudinal position of the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2. Therefore, in the region where the width of the absorbent core 26 is smaller than the width of the absorbent sheet 25, the maximum difference between the width of the absorbent sheet 25 and the width of the absorbent core 26 is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. At the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2, the difference between the width of the absorbent sheet 25 and the width of the absorbent core 26 is preferably 100 mm or more and 130 mm or less. The minimum width of the absorbent core 26 is, for example, about 35% to less than about 100% of the maximum width of the absorbent core 26 in the rear portion 203, and more preferably about 35% to about 75% of the maximum width.

[0050] In the example shown in Fig. 6, the shape of the first absorbent core 261 in plan view is substantially the same as the shape of the absorbent core 26 in plan view. That is, the shape of the first absorbent core 261 in plan view is what is known as an hourglass shape. The shape of the second absorbent core 262 in plan view is substantially rectangular with its length greater than its width. The width of the second absorbent core 262 is substantially constant over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The length of the second absorbent core 262 is substantially equal to the length of the first absorbent core 261. Both longitudinal end edges of the first absorbent core 261 and both longitudinal end edges of the second absorbent core 262 substantially overlap in plan view.

[0051] The width of the second absorbent core 262 is smaller than the width of the first absorbent core 261 over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The second absorbent core 262 is covered over substantially the entire surface by the first absorbent core 261, except for a portion that overlaps in plan view with a through-hole provided in the center of the first absorbent core 261. Specifically, at the narrowest portion of the absorbent core 26 in the crotch portion 202, the width of the second absorbent core 262 is slightly smaller than the width of the first absorbent core 261. Furthermore, in the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, the first absorbent core 261 extends outward in the width direction by a relatively large amount from the second absorbent core 262 on both widthwise sides of the second absorbent core 262, and the second absorbent core 262 overlaps with the center portion of the first absorbent core 261 in the width direction. In the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, the maximum width of the first absorbent core 261 (ie, the maximum width of the absorbent core 26) is, for example, two to three times the width of the second absorbent core 262.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent sheet 25 comprises an upper layer sheet 251, a lower layer sheet 252, and an absorbent resin 253. The upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252 are laminated in the thickness direction between the top sheet 21 and the absorbent core 26. The upper layer sheet 251 is disposed between the lower layer sheet 252 and the top sheet 21. The lower layer sheet 252 is disposed between the upper layer sheet 251 and the absorbent core 26. The absorbent resin 253 is fixed between the upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252 with a hot melt adhesive or the like. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bulky fibers such as fluff pulp are substantially absent between the upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252. This achieves a thin absorbent sheet 25 with a high absorption capacity. In addition, in the absorbent sheet 25, even if a small amount of fluff pulp or the like that is unintentionally mixed in during manufacturing is present between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252, it is considered that there are substantially no bulky fibers between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252.

[0053] The upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252 are each a liquid-permeable sheet member. For example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric (such as a spunlace nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or a spunbond nonwoven fabric) is used as the upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252. The upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252 may be the same type of nonwoven fabric or different types of nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the upper layer sheet 251 and the lower layer sheet 252 may each be a liquid-permeable sheet member other than a nonwoven fabric (for example, a perforated plastic film).

[0054] In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent resin 253 is a large number of granular SAP. In Figures 2 and 3, the particles of the absorbent resin 253 are drawn larger than they actually are. The absorbent resin 253 may also be a large number of fibrous SAF, or a mixture of a large number of SAPs and SAFs. In other words, the absorbent resin 253 is granular and / or fibrous. SAPs and SAFs are highly absorbent materials that have higher absorption capacity (i.e., can absorb and hold a larger amount of liquid) than the same amount of pulp fibers, etc. The absorbent resin 253 absorbs body fluids, such as urine, that have permeated the top sheet 21 and reached the absorbent sheet 25, and swells to hold the body fluid within the absorbent sheet 25.

[0055] For example, a polyacrylic acid-based absorbent resin such as sodium polyacrylate is used as the absorbent resin 253. Alternatively, a starch-based absorbent resin such as a starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer, a starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, or a starch-acrylamide graft copolymer may be used as the absorbent resin 253. Alternatively, a polyvinyl alcohol-based absorbent resin such as a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol may be used as the absorbent resin 253.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5, the absorbent sheet 25 includes a pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254, a central region 255, and a pair of side regions 256. In Fig. 5, the pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254 are indicated by hatched lines to facilitate understanding of the drawing.

[0057] The pair of side regions 256 are side edge regions located on both ends of the absorbent sheet 25 in the width direction. Each side region 256 is a band-shaped region extending approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction over approximately the entire length of the absorbent sheet 25. The shape of the pair of side regions 256 in a plan view is approximately symmetrical with respect to the center line 220. The shape of each side region 256 in a plan view is approximately rectangular with the length greater than the width, and the width of each side region 256 is approximately constant over approximately the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent resin 253 is substantially absent in the pair of side regions 256. In other words, the pair of side regions 256 are absorbent resin-free regions. In the pair of side regions 256, the upper-layer sheet 251 and the lower-layer sheet 252 are joined to each other with a hot-melt adhesive or the like.

[0058] The pair of absorbent resin-existing regions 254 are regions located on the widthwise inner side of the pair of side regions 256. Each absorbent resin-existing region 254 is continuous in the width direction with the adjacent side region 256 on the widthwise outer side. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the width of each absorbent resin-existing region 254 is approximately the same as the width of each side region 256. The pair of absorbent resin-existing regions 254 are provided with absorbent resin 253 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and are fixed to the upper-layer sheet 251 and the lower-layer sheet 252 with a hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0059] The pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254 are disposed at positions spaced apart on both sides of the center line 220 in the width direction, and do not overlap with the center line 220 in a plan view. Each absorbent resin-containing region 254 is a band-shaped region extending approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction over approximately the entire length of the absorbent sheet 25. The shape of the pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254 in a plan view is approximately line-symmetrical with respect to the center line 220. The shape of each absorbent resin-containing region 254 in a plan view is approximately rectangular with the length greater than the width, and the width of each absorbent resin-containing region 254 is approximately constant over approximately the entire length in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the width of each absorbent resin-containing region 254 is 15 mm to 25 mm, which is 10% to 20% of the width of the absorbent sheet 25.

[0060] The central region 255 is a region between the pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254 in the width direction, and is continuous with the pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254 in the width direction. The central region 255 is a band-shaped region extending approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction over approximately the entire length of the absorbent sheet 25. The absorbent resin 253 is substantially absent in the central region 255. In other words, the central region 255 is an absorbent resin-free region. In the central region 255, the upper-layer sheet 251 and the lower-layer sheet 252 are joined to each other with a hot-melt adhesive or the like.

[0061] The central region 255 overlaps with the center line 220 in a plan view. The shape of the central region 255 in a plan view is substantially symmetrical with respect to the center line 220. The shape of the central region 255 in a plan view is substantially rectangular with its length greater than its width, and the width of the central region 255 is substantially constant over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the width of the central region 255 is 30 mm to 60 mm, which is 25% to 45% of the width of the absorbent sheet 25.

[0062] The central region 255 is wider than each of the pair of absorbent resin-containing regions 254. In other words, the width of the central region 255 is greater than the width of each of the absorbent resin-containing regions 254. The width of the central region 255 is, for example, two to three times the width of each of the absorbent resin-containing regions 254. This allows the absorbent article 1 provided with the absorbent sheet 25 to fit the body of the wearer more easily, resulting in a structure that makes it easier to suppress side leakage.

[0063] It is preferable that the absorbent resin 253 is completely absent (i.e., strictly absent) in the central region 255 and the pair of side regions 256, but a small amount may be present so long as it can be said to be substantially absent. For example, a small amount of absorbent resin 253 that was unintentionally scattered during the manufacturing process of the absorbent sheet 25 may be present in the central region 255 and / or the pair of side regions 256.

[0064] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pair of side sheets 3 are disposed on the absorbent body 22 on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent body 22 and extend in the longitudinal direction. Each side sheet 3 comprises a side sheet main body 31 and an elastic member 32. The side sheet main body 31 is a substantially strip-shaped sheet member disposed on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent body 22 and extending in the longitudinal direction. The side sheet main body 31 is provided over substantially the entire length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction. The side sheet main body 31 is fixed to the side portion of the top sheet 21 via the above-mentioned adhesive layer 41. The adhesive layer 41 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction over substantially the entire length of the side sheet 3.

[0065] In the stretched absorbent article 1, the side sheet main body 31 extends widthwise inward from the portion in contact with the adhesive layer 41 and is folded back widthwise outward and upward (i.e., toward the skin-facing side when worn) at a side wall fold line 39 that extends longitudinally and widthwise inward of the adhesive layer 41. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the side wall fold line 39 overlaps the absorbent resin-containing region 254 of the absorbent sheet 25 in a plan view. In the following description, the portion of the side sheet main body 31 on one side of the side wall fold line 39 that is fixed to the main body portion 2 by the adhesive layer 41 or the like is also referred to as the "side wall base portion 33." Furthermore, the portion of the side sheet main body 31 on the other side of the side wall fold line 39 that is not directly fixed to the main body portion 2 is also referred to as the "side wall upright portion 34." The side wall base portion 33 and the side wall upright portion 34 are continuous at the side wall fold line 39.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent article 1, and similarly to FIG. 1, it shows the absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state. In each side sheet 3, the portion of the side wall base 33 of the side sheet main body 31 that extends widthwise outward from the side edge of the top sheet 21 (i.e., the portion widthwise outward from the portion that contacts the adhesive layer 41 (see FIGS. 2 and 3)) is joined to the left or right side in the width direction of the back sheet 23 at the narrowest portion 204, and is joined to the left or right side in the width direction of the absorbent core 26 and the left or right side in the width direction of the back sheet 23 at portions other than the narrowest portion 204. In the following description, the widthwise inner edge of the region of the side wall base 33 that contacts the adhesive layer 41 (i.e., the region directly joined to the main body portion 2) is referred to as the "fixed region inner edge 332." The side wall base 33 is fixed to the main body portion 2 only widthwise outward from the fixed region inner edge 332.

[0067] 2, 3, and 7, the fixed region inner edge 332 is located widthwise outside the side edges of the second absorbent core 262. That is, the fixed region inner edge 332 does not overlap the second absorbent core 262 in the thickness direction, but overlaps the first absorbent core 261 in the thickness direction on the widthwise outside of the second absorbent core 262. The fixed region inner edge 332 is also located widthwise outside the absorbent resin-existing region 254 that is closer to the side wall base 33. Therefore, the side wall base 33 is fixed to the main body section 2 widthwise outside the absorbent resin-existing region 254, but is not fixed to the main body section 2 on the absorbent resin-existing region 254 or widthwise inside the absorbent resin-existing region 254.

[0068] In FIG. 7 , the fixing regions 331, which are regions of the left and right sidewall bases 33 in the width direction that are fixed to the main body portion 2, are indicated by parallel diagonal lines. The sidewall bases 33 and the main body portion 2 are fixed to each other by, for example, adhesion with a hot melt adhesive. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the entire region of the sidewall base 33 that is widthwise outer than the fixing region inner edge 332 is the fixing region 331 that is fixed to the main body portion 2. Note that even if there is an area of ​​the sidewall base 33 that is widthwise outer than the fixing region inner edge 332 that cannot be coated with hot melt adhesive due to manufacturing limitations, such as near the side edges of the top sheet 21, the entire region is considered to be the fixing region 331 as long as hot melt adhesive is applied to the entire region other than that area. The hot melt adhesive is applied to the fixing region 331 by, for example, curtain spray coating, stripe coating, spiral coating, omega coating, or the like.

[0069] As described above, the side wall upright portion 34 extends from the side wall fold line 39 upward toward the side wall base portion 33. The side wall upright portion 34 is overlapped on the side wall base portion 33 at both longitudinal ends and fixed to the upper surface of the side wall base 33 (i.e., the main surface that faces the skin when worn) with a hot melt adhesive or the like. In the following description, the portions of the side wall upright portion 34 that are fixed to the upper surface of the side wall base 33 at both longitudinal ends are also referred to as "end fixing portions 341." In FIG. 7, the end fixing portions 341 are indicated by hatched lines that are different from the fixing region 331. The length of the end fixing portion 341 is, for example, 5% to 20% of the length of the main body portion 2, and preferably 10% to 17%.

[0070] As shown in Figures 2 and 7, when the side wall upright portion 34 is spread widthwise outward from the side wall fold line 39, the widthwise outer edge of the side wall upright portion 34 at the narrowest part 204 of the main body portion 2 (i.e., the free end edge of the side wall upright portion 34) is positioned widthwise outer than the widthwise outer edge of the absorbent core 26 at the narrowest part 204.

[0071] The elastic members 32 extending in the longitudinal direction are joined in a stretched state to the free ends of the side wall standing portions 34 with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. In the state shown in Fig. 2 (i.e., the state in which the side wall standing portions 34 are spread outward in the width direction from the side wall folding lines 39), the elastic members 32 are located outward in the width direction of the absorbent resin existing region 254 of the absorbent sheet 25 that is closer to the elastic member 32, of the pair of absorbent resin existing regions 254, and do not overlap with the absorbent resin existing region 254 in a plan view.

[0072] When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the elastic members 32 in each side sheet 3 contract, causing the side wall upright portions 34 to rise from the main body portion 2 toward the wearer in the longitudinal center of each side sheet 3. When the side wall upright portions 34 rise, the portion of the side wall base portion 33 between the side wall fold line 39 and the adhesive layer 41 also rises toward the wearer together with the side wall upright portions 34. That is, in each side sheet 3, the portion of the side sheet main body 31 excluding the fixing region 331 rises toward the wearer from the fixing region inner edge 332, which is the inner edge of the fixing region 331, to form a pair of three-dimensional gathers that come into contact with the wearer's skin. This prevents side leakage of body fluids such as urine (i.e., leakage to the sides from the absorbent article 1).

[0073] The side sheet main body 31 is made of a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric (e.g., spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric, etc.) made of hydrophobic fibers. The elastic members 32 are made of, for example, polyurethane threads, strip-shaped polyurethane films, thread-shaped or strip-shaped natural rubber, etc. In the example shown in FIG. 2, polyurethane threads are used as the elastic members 32.

[0074] 1 and 3, fastening members 5 are provided at end portions 206 on both longitudinal sides of the main body portion 2. The fastening members 5 are provided on the surface of the main body portion 2 opposite the wearer side (i.e., the side that faces away from the skin when worn), and are fixed to the surface of the backsheet 23 with a hot melt adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the longitudinal end portions 206 of the main body portion 2 are regions that are from the longitudinal edge (i.e., edge) of the main body portion 2 to a position that is 1 / 6 of the total length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the end portions 206 of the main body portion 2 are regions that are separated from the longitudinal edge of the main body portion 2 by a distance that is 1 / 6 of the total length of the main body portion 2 from the edge in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] The fastening member 5 is a member that can be fastened to the outer article described above. The fastening member 5 is, for example, a resin hook-and-loop fastener having a large number of hook elements. The fastening member 5 is pressed against and engaged with the inner surface of the outer article described above (i.e., the surface facing the wearer), thereby attaching the absorbent article 1 to the outer article and preventing the absorbent article 1 from shifting position relative to the outer article. Note that the fastening member 5 "engages" with another member means that the fastening member 5 and the other member are joined together and the relative positions between them are fixed. Furthermore, after the fastening member 5 and the other member are engaged, these members can be separated.

[0076] Of the constituent members of the absorbent article 1, the fastening member 5 is relatively easy to fasten to the top sheet 21, but is more difficult to fasten to the back sheet 23 than to the top sheet 21. In other words, the fastening strength of the fastening member 5 to the back sheet 23 is weaker than the fastening strength of the fastening member 5 to the top sheet 21. Also, the fastening strength of the fastening member 5 to the back sheet 23 is weaker than the fastening strength of the fastening member 5 to the side sheet 3. In this embodiment, the fastening member 5 is substantially unable to fasten to the back sheet 23.

[0077] The width of the fastening member 5 (i.e., the length in the left-right direction) is preferably equal to or less than the width of the second absorbent core 262. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the width of the fastening member 5 is smaller than the width of the second absorbent core 262. The width of the fastening member 5 is, for example, 80% to 100% of the width of the second absorbent core 262. Both side edges of the fastening member 5 in the width direction are located on the second absorbent core 262. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, both side edges of the fastening member 5 in the width direction are located on the pair of absorbent resin existing regions 254. The width of the fastening member 5 is, for example, 15 mm to 85 mm. The length in the longitudinal direction of the fastening member 5 (i.e., the width in the front-rear direction) is, for example, 10 mm to 20 mm.

[0078] In the example shown in FIG. 4, at the end portions 206 on both longitudinal sides of the main body portion 2, the edge 57 of the pair of longitudinal edges of the fastening member 5 that is farther from the crotch portion 202 is located at a position spaced apart from the edge 223 of the absorber 22 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., one of the pair of longitudinal edges of the absorber 22 that is closer to the fastening member 5). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the one edge 223 of the absorber 22 is also one of the longitudinal edges of each of the first absorbent core 261, the second absorbent core 262, and the absorbent sheet 25 (i.e., one of the longitudinal edges closer to the fastening member 5). The longitudinal distance L1 between the one edge 223 of the absorber 22 and the edge 57 of the fastening member 5 is preferably 5 mm or more, and more preferably 10 mm or more. Furthermore, the distance L1 is preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or less. In FIG. 4, the distance L1 is illustrated for the fastening member 5 disposed in the front portion 201, but the same applies to the fastening member 5 disposed in the rear portion 203.

[0079] Next, an example of a folded state of the absorbent article 1 before use will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 14. Before use, the absorbent article 1 is folded in thirds in the width direction and then folded in thirds in the length direction and stored in a packaging bag or the like. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, a pair of vertical folding lines 61 extending substantially linearly and substantially parallel to the length direction are first set on the main body portion 2. The pair of vertical folding lines 61 run vertically through the main body portion 2. The pair of vertical folding lines 61 divide the main body portion 2 of the absorbent article 1 into thirds in the width direction.

[0080] In the example shown in Fig. 8, the pair of vertical folding lines 61 substantially overlap both widthwise edges of the second absorbent core 262. In other words, the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61 is substantially the same as the width of the substantially rectangular second absorbent core 262 in plan view. Furthermore, the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61 is substantially the same as the maximum width of the portion of the main body portion 2 to the right of the right vertical folding line 61 (hereinafter also referred to as the "right side portion 224") and the maximum width of the portion of the main body portion 2 to the left of the left vertical folding line 61 (hereinafter also referred to as the "left side portion 226"). In other words, the pair of vertical folding lines 61 divide the main body portion 2 into substantially three equal parts in the widthwise direction.

[0081] As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , both widthwise side portions of the main body portion 2 (i.e., the right side portion 224 and the left side portion 226) are folded toward the wearer along a pair of vertical fold lines 61 over their entire length in the longitudinal direction, and are placed on top of the widthwise central portion of the main body portion 2. Specifically, the right side portion 224 of the main body portion 2 is folded back toward the viewer along the right vertical fold line 61, and is placed on top of the widthwise central portion of the main body portion 2 with the right side sheet 3 (see Figure 8) facing the top sheet 21. Then, the left side portion 226 of the main body portion 2 is folded back toward the viewer along the left vertical fold line 61, and is placed on top of the widthwise central portion and the right side portion 224 of the main body portion 2 with the left side sheet 3 facing the back sheet 23 of the right side portion 224.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 10 , the absorbent article 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "the laterally folded absorbent article 1") in a state in which the main body section 2 is folded in thirds in the width direction along a pair of vertical folding lines 61 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction in a plan view. The back sheet 23 is located over substantially the entire front side of the laterally folded absorbent article 1 in Fig. 10 (i.e., the wearer side of the central part of the width direction of the main body section 2) except for the top sheet 21 that is exposed in the longitudinal center and width center regions. In other words, in the laterally folded absorbent article 1, the top sheet 21 is covered from the wearer side by the back sheet 23 over substantially the entire top sheet 21 except for the longitudinal center and width center regions. In further other words, in the laterally folded absorbent article 1, the back sheet 23 is located over substantially the entire top sheet 21 that is on the wearer side except for the longitudinal center and width center regions. When folding the main body 2 along the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the left side portion 226 may be folded first, and then the right side portion 224 may be folded.

[0083] When the main body 2 is folded in thirds in the width direction, as shown in Fig. 10, a first horizontal fold line 62 and a second horizontal fold line 63 extending substantially linearly and substantially parallel to the width direction are set on the main body 2. The first horizontal fold line 62 and the second horizontal fold line 63 traverse the main body 2. In the example shown in Fig. 10, the first horizontal fold line 62 is located above the second horizontal fold line 63 in Fig. 10 (i.e., forward in the front-to-back direction).

[0084] In the following description, the portion of the main body 2 located above the first horizontal folding line 62 will also be referred to as the "first portion 241," and the portion of the main body 2 located below the second horizontal folding line 63 will also be referred to as the "second portion 243." Furthermore, the portion of the main body 2 located between the first horizontal folding line 62 and the second horizontal folding line 63 (i.e., the portion between the first portion 241 and the second portion 243 in the longitudinal direction) will also be referred to as the "main body center portion 242."

[0085] The main body 2 is divided into three parts by the first horizontal fold line 62 and the second horizontal fold line 63: a first region 241, a main body central region 242, and a second region 243, which are aligned consecutively in the longitudinal direction. The main body 2 is composed of the first region 241, the main body central region 242, and the second region 243. The first region 241 is located on the opposite side of the first horizontal fold line 62 from the main body central region 242 in the longitudinal direction. The second region 243 is located on the opposite side of the second horizontal fold line 63 from the main body central region 242 in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the main body 2 is divided into approximately three equal parts in the longitudinal direction by the first horizontal fold line 62 and the second horizontal fold line 63. In other words, the longitudinal lengths of the first region 241, the main body central region 242, and the second region 243 of the main body 2 are approximately the same.

[0086] The first region 241 includes the entire front region 201 (see FIG. 1) of the main body portion 2 and the front end of the crotch region 202 (see FIG. 1). The main body central region 242 includes the region of the crotch region 202 of the main body portion 2 excluding the front end, and the front end of the rear region 203 (see FIG. 1). The second region 243 includes the region of the rear region 203 of the main body portion 2 excluding the front end. In the laterally folded absorbent article 1, the outline shape of each of the first region 241, main body central region 242, and second region 243 in a plan view is a substantially rectangular shape with a constant width at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] The width of the first region 241 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1 (i.e., the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61) is, for example, 30% to 50% of the maximum width of the first region 241 (i.e., the maximum width of the front portion 201) when the absorbent article 1 is not folded along the pair of vertical folding lines 61, and in this embodiment, it is approximately 1 / 3 of the maximum width. When the first region 241 is not folded along the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the region having the maximum width (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum width portion 245") extends in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 8). The longitudinal length of the maximum width portion 245 of the first region 241 is, for example, 120 mm to 200 mm. When not folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the width of the widest part 245 of the first section 241 is, as described above, greater than the width of the main body part 2 at the narrowest part 204 (i.e., the smallest width in the width direction of the main body central part 242) (see Figure 8).

[0088] The width of the second region 243 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1 (i.e., the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61) is, for example, 30% to 50% of the maximum width of the second region 243 (i.e., the maximum width of the rear portion 203) when the absorbent article 1 is not folded along the pair of vertical folding lines 61, and in this embodiment, it is approximately one-third of the maximum width. When the second region 243 is not folded along the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the region having the maximum width (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum width portion 246") extends in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 8). The longitudinal length of the maximum width portion 246 of the second region 243 is, for example, 120 mm to 200 mm. The longitudinal length of the maximum width portion 246 of the second region 243 is preferably equal to or greater than the longitudinal length of the maximum width portion 245 of the first region 241. When not folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the width of the widest part 246 of the second region 243 is, as described above, greater than the width of the main body portion 2 at the narrowest part 204 (i.e., the minimum width in the width direction of the main body central portion 242) (see Figure 8).

[0089] As shown in Figure 8, when the main body section 2 is not folded at the pair of vertical fold lines 61, both widthwise end portions thereof are absorber-free regions 207 where the absorber 22 is substantially not present. In the absorber-free regions 207, the top sheet 21 and / or side sheet 3 and the back sheet 23 are joined with a hot melt adhesive or the like without the absorber 22 interposed therebetween. Note that even if a small amount of fluff pulp, SAP, or the like unintentionally mixed in during manufacturing is present between the top sheet 21 and / or side sheet 3 and the back sheet 23, it is considered that the absorber 22 is substantially not present between the top sheet 21 and / or side sheet 3 and the back sheet 23.

[0090] In the absorbent article 1 in a state where it is not folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61, the absorber-free regions 207 are generally band-shaped regions extending in the longitudinal direction along the outer edges of the absorber 22 on both widthwise sides of the first region 241, the main body central region 242, and the second region 243 (see FIG. 10 ). On both widthwise sides of the first region 241, the width of the absorber-free regions 207 is preferably 20% to 40% of the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61. Furthermore, on both widthwise sides of the second region 243, the width of the absorber-free regions 207 is preferably 20% to 40% of the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61.

[0091] The fastening member 5 fixed on the back sheet 23 in the front portion 201 of the main body portion 2 is located on the rear side of the first portion 241 in FIG. 10 (i.e., the side opposite to the wearer side). The width of the fastening member 5 is equal to or less than the width of the first portion 241 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1, and is preferably smaller than the width of the first portion 241 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1. The length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the width in the front-to-rear direction) is smaller than the length of the first portion 241 in the longitudinal direction. The length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 5% to 15% of the length of the first portion 241 in the longitudinal direction, and more preferably 7% to 10%.

[0092] The fastening member 5 fixed on the backsheet 23 in the rear portion 203 of the main body portion 2 (see FIG. 8) is located on the rear side of the second region 243 in FIG. 10 (i.e., the side opposite to the wearer side). The width of the fastening member 5 is equal to or less than the width of the second region 243 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1, and is preferably smaller than the width of the second region 243 in the laterally folded absorbent article 1. The length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the width in the front-to-rear direction) is smaller than the length of the second region 243 in the longitudinal direction. The length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 5% to 15% of the length of the second region 243 in the longitudinal direction, and more preferably 7% to 10%.

[0093] The first region 241 and the second region 243 of the main body portion 2 are folded toward the wearer (i.e., toward the near side in the figure) along the first horizontal folding line 62 and the second horizontal folding line 63, and are placed on the main body central portion 242. Specifically, first, the first region 241 of the main body portion 2 is folded back toward the wearer along the first horizontal folding line 62, and is placed on the main body central portion 242 so that the left sides 226 of the first region 241 and the main body central portion 242 face each other in the up-down direction, as shown in the plan view of Fig. 11 and the schematic side view of Fig. 12. As a result, the fastening member 5, which was located on the far side of the first region 241 in Fig. 10, is placed on the near side of the main body central portion 242 and the first region 241 in Fig. 11 (i.e., toward the wearer of the main body central portion 242). The fastening member 5 is located on the upper surface of the first portion 241 folded back above the main body central portion 242 in FIG.

[0094] Then, the second region 243 of the main body portion 2 is folded back toward the wearer along the second horizontal fold line 63, and is superimposed on the main body central portion 242 and the first region 241 so that the left side portion 226 of the second region 243 and the backsheet 23 at the center in the width direction of the first region 241 face each other in the up-down direction, as shown in the plan view of Fig. 13 and the schematic side view of Fig. 14. As a result, the fastening member 5, which was located at the back side of the second region 243 in Fig. 10, is located at the front side of the main body central portion 242, the first region 241, and the second region 243 in Fig. 13 (i.e., on the wearer's side of the main body central portion 242). The fastening member 5 is located on the upper surface of the second region 243, which is folded back above the main body central portion 242 and the first region 241.

[0095] 14, the fastening member 5 located on the upper surface of the first region 241 faces, in the up-and-down direction (i.e., thickness direction), the lower surface of the second region 243 folded over the first region 241 (i.e., the inner surface in the folded state), and is in contact with the lower surface of the second region 243. As shown in FIG. 10, the lower surface of the second region 243 in FIG. 14 (i.e., the surface of the top sheet 21 covered by the right side portion 224 and the left side portion 226, the surface facing the wearer) is constituted over substantially the entire surface by the backsheet 23 of the right side portion 224 and the backsheet 23 of the left side portion 226. In other words, the backsheet 23 of the right side portion 224 and / or the backsheet 23 of the left side portion 226 is located over substantially the entire surface below the second region 243 in FIG. 14 (i.e., the wearer side). 14, the backsheet 23 of the right side portion 224 and / or the backsheet 23 of the left side portion 226 is located over substantially the entire surface below the topsheet 21 (not shown) (i.e., on the wearer's side). Therefore, the fastening member 5 located on the upper surface of the first portion 241 in FIG. 14 is not fastened to the lower surface of the second portion 243 overlapping thereon. Alternatively, fastening of the fastening member 5 located on the upper surface of the first portion 241 to the lower surface of the second portion 243 is suppressed.

[0096] From the perspective of preventing the fastening member 5 located on the upper surface of the first region 241 in FIG. 14 from being fastened to the underside of the second region 243, only the region of the underside of the second region 243 that faces the fastening member 5 in the up-down direction needs to be formed by the backsheet 23. However, considering that the positions of the first horizontal fold line 62 and the second horizontal fold line 63 may be misaligned when the main body portion 2 is folded, it is preferable that the backsheet 23 forms substantially the entire underside in FIG. 14 in at least a region 244 closer to the main body center portion 242 when the second region 243 is bisected in the longitudinal direction (i.e., a region that is likely to face the fastening member 5 in the up-down direction). In other words, in this region 244, it is preferable that the top sheet 21 is covered substantially entirely by the backsheet 23 from the wearer side. In FIG. 11, this region 244 is surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

[0097] As described above, the absorbent article 1 is attached to the wearer side of an outer garment worn by a wearer and receives excrement from the wearer. The absorbent article 1 comprises a main body portion 2 and a fastening member 5. The main body portion 2 is divided into three portions aligned in the longitudinal direction: a first region 241, a main body central region 242, and a second region 243. The fastening member 5 is provided on the surface of the main body portion 2 opposite the wearer side in the first region 241. The fastening member 5 can be fastened to the outer garment. The main body portion 2 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 21, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet 23, and an absorbent body 22. The fastening member 5 is more difficult to fasten to the back sheet 23 than to the top sheet 21. The absorbent body 22 is disposed between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23.

[0098] Before use, the absorbent article 1 has both widthwise side portions (i.e., the right side portion 224 and the left side portion 226) of the main body portion 2 folded toward the wearer along a pair of longitudinal fold lines 61 extending in the longitudinal direction, and superimposed on the widthwise central portion of the main body portion 2. As a result, the backsheet 23 is positioned on the wearer's side (i.e., the skin-facing side) of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243. Furthermore, the first region 241 is folded toward the wearer along a first horizontal fold line 62 extending in the width direction, and superimposed on the main body central portion 242, and the second region 243 is folded toward the wearer along a second horizontal fold line 63 extending in the width direction, and superimposed on the first region 241. As a result, the fastening member 5 faces the backsheet 23 located on the wearer's side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243.

[0099] Therefore, in the absorbent article 1 in a folded state before use, it is possible to prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the top sheet 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in workability, damage to the top sheet 21, and a decrease in the fastening force of the fastening member 5, which may occur when the fastening member 5 is peeled off from the top sheet 21 when unfolding the folded absorbent article 1. Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 in a folded state before use, it is also possible to prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to a part other than the top sheet 21.

[0100] As described above, in the absorbent article 1 in a folded state before use, when the second region 243 is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the top sheet 21 is entirely covered from the wearer's side (i.e., the skin-facing side) by the back sheet 23 in the region 244 closer to the main body central part 242. This makes it possible to suitably prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the top sheet 21 in the second region 243.

[0101] As described above, the length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 5% to 15% of the length of the second region 243 in the longitudinal direction. This allows the fastening member 5 to face the backsheet 23 in the second region 243 even if the positions of the first horizontal fold line 62 and the second horizontal fold line 63 are misaligned due to manufacturing errors or the like. As a result, it is possible to prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the topsheet 21 in the second region.

[0102] As described above, the distance in the width direction between the pair of vertical folding lines 61 is preferably 30% or more and 50% or less of the maximum width in the width direction of the second region 243 when not folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61. This allows the backsheet 23 to be positioned over a wide range on the wearer's side of the topsheet 21 at the second region 243 when folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61. As a result, it is possible to suitably prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the topsheet 21 at the second region 243.

[0103] As described above, the absorbent body 22 preferably includes a first absorbent core 261 and a second absorbent core 262. The second absorbent core 262 is disposed between the first absorbent core 261 and the backsheet 23. The second region 243 of the second absorbent core 262 has a rectangular shape that is narrower in the width direction than the first absorbent core 261. The pair of vertical folding lines 61 preferably overlap both widthwise edges of the second absorbent core 262. This allows the steps at both side edges of the second absorbent core 262 to be used as folding references, making it easier to fold the absorbent article 1 along the pair of vertical folding lines 61.

[0104] As described above, it is preferable that the first region 241 includes the front portion 201 that contacts the abdominal side of the wearer, and the second region 243 includes the rear portion 203 that contacts the dorsal side of the wearer. By designating the rear portion 203, whose longitudinal length in the maximum width portion is equal to or longer than the front portion 201, as the second region 243, it is possible to position the backsheet 23 over a wide range on the wearer's side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243 in the folded state before use. As a result, it is possible to preferably prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the topsheet 21 at the second region 243.

[0105] As described above, in the second region 243, it is preferable that the maximum width portion 246, which is the largest width in the width direction when the main body portion 2 is unfolded, extends in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, it is preferable that the length in the longitudinal direction of the maximum width portion 246 is 120 mm or more and 200 mm or less. This allows the backsheet 23 to be positioned over a wide area on the wearer's side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243 in the folded state before use. As a result, it is possible to suitably prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the topsheet 21 in the second region 243.

[0106] As described above, when the absorbent article 1 is not folded at the pair of vertical folding lines 61, it is preferable that the maximum width in the width direction of the second region 243 is larger than the minimum width in the width direction of the main body central portion 242. By reducing the width of the main body central portion 242 that faces the crotch region of the wearer in this way, it is possible to achieve a comfortable wearing feel for the absorbent article 1.

[0107] As described above, it is preferable that absorber-free regions 207, where no absorber 22 is present, be provided at both widthwise end portions of the second region 243. Furthermore, it is preferable that the width of the absorber-free regions 207 is 20% or more and 40% or less of the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical fold lines 61. This allows the backsheet 23 to be positioned over a wide area on the wearer's side of the topsheet 21 in the second region 243 when folded along the pair of vertical fold lines 61. As a result, it is possible to suitably prevent the fastening member 5 from unintentionally fastening to the topsheet 21 in the second region 243.

[0108] The absorbent article 1 described above can be modified in various ways.

[0109] For example, on both sides of the second region 243 in the width direction, the width of the absorber-free region 207 may be less than 20% or more than 40% of the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical folding lines 61. Furthermore, the absorber-free region 207 does not necessarily have to be provided on both sides of the second region 243 in the width direction, and may be omitted.

[0110] The length in the longitudinal direction of the widest portion 246 of the second portion 243 may be less than 120 mm or greater than 200 mm. Similarly, the length in the longitudinal direction of the widest portion 245 of the first portion 241 may be less than 120 mm or greater than 200 mm. Furthermore, the length of the widest portion 246 of the second portion 243 may be less than the length of the widest portion 245 of the first portion 241.

[0111] The distance in the width direction between the pair of vertical folding lines 61 may be less than 30% and may be greater than 50% of the maximum width of the second region 243 in the unfolded state.

[0112] The pair of vertical folding lines 61 do not necessarily need to overlap the side edges of the second absorbent core 262, but may be spaced apart from the side edges to the outside or inside in the width direction.

[0113] The structure of the absorbent body 22 is not limited to the above example and may be modified in various ways. For example, the absorbent core 26 is not limited to a laminated structure of the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262, but may be composed of only a single absorbent core layer. Furthermore, one of the absorbent core 26 and the absorbent sheet 25 may be omitted.

[0114] In the absorbent article 1 in a folded state before use, in the region 244 of the second portion 243, the top sheet 21 does not necessarily have to be covered entirely by the back sheet 23 from the wearer's side, and the top sheet 21 may be partially exposed to the wearer's side in that region 244.

[0115] The shape of the absorbent article 1 in a planar view when unfolded does not necessarily have to be hourglass-shaped; it may be, for example, an approximately rectangular shape with the same width along almost the entire longitudinal length, or may be another shape.

[0116] The first horizontal folding line 62 may be located rearward in the front-to-rear direction from the second horizontal folding line 63. In this case, the first region 241 includes the rear portion 203 of the main body portion 2, and the second region 243 includes the front portion 201 of the main body portion 2.

[0117] The length of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction may be less than 5% of the length of the second portion 243 in the longitudinal direction, or may be greater than 15%.

[0118] In the absorbent article 1, the fastening member 5 may not be provided in the second region 243. Furthermore, in addition to the first region 241, the fastening member 5 may also be provided in the main body central region 242.

[0119] The fastening member 5 does not necessarily have to be a hook-and-loop fastener, but may have other structures such as adhesive tape.

[0120] The absorbent article 1 does not necessarily have to be an auxiliary absorbent implement attached to the inside of a disposable diaper or the like, but may also be an absorbent article attached to the inside of underwear or the like.

[0121] The configurations in the above-described embodiment and each modification may be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually contradictory. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Absorbent articles 2 Main body 5 Fastening member 21 Topsheet 22 Absorbent 23 Back Seat 61 Vertical fold line 62 First horizontal fold line 63 Second horizontal fold line 201 Front 203 Rear part 207 Absorber-free region 224 Right side 226 Left side 241 Part 1 242 Center of the main body 243 Part 2 244 areas 246 (Second part) Maximum width 261 First Absorption Core 262 Second absorption core

Claims

1. An absorbent article that is attached to the wearer side of an outer article worn by a wearer and receives excrement from the wearer, a main body portion divided into three parts, a first portion, a main body central portion, and a second portion, which are aligned in the longitudinal direction; a fastening member provided on a surface of the main body portion opposite to a wearer side in the first region and capable of being fastened to an outer garment; Equipped with The main body portion is a liquid-permeable top sheet; a back sheet that is liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable and to which the fastening member is less likely to adhere than the top sheet; an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; Equipped with In the absorbent article before use, in the second region, both widthwise side portions of the main body portion are folded toward the wearer at a pair of vertical fold lines extending in the longitudinal direction and overlapped on the widthwise central portion of the main body portion, so that the back sheet is positioned on the wearer side of the top sheet in the second region, and further, the first region is folded toward the wearer at a first horizontal fold line extending in the width direction and overlapped on the main body central portion, and the second region is folded toward the wearer at a second horizontal fold line extending in the width direction and overlapped on the first region, so that the fastening member faces the back sheet located on the wearer side of the top sheet in the second region.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, An absorbent article in which, when folded before use, the top sheet is entirely covered from the wearer's side by the back sheet in the region closer to the center of the main body when the second portion is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent article in which the length of the fastening member in the longitudinal direction is 5% or more and 15% or less of the length of the second portion in the longitudinal direction.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, An absorbent article in which the widthwise distance between the pair of vertical fold lines is 30% or more and 50% or less of the maximum width in the widthwise direction of the second region when not folded at the pair of vertical fold lines.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent body is a first absorbent core; a second absorbent core disposed between the first absorbent core and the back sheet, the second absorbent core having a rectangular shape in the second region with a width in the width direction smaller than that of the first absorbent core; Equipped with The pair of vertical folding lines overlap both widthwise edges of the second absorbent core.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent article has a front portion that contacts the wearer's abdomen, and a rear portion that contacts the wearer's back.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the second region, a maximum width portion, which is a maximum width in the width direction when the main body portion is not folded, extends in the longitudinal direction, An absorbent article, wherein the length of the widest part in the longitudinal direction is 120 mm or more and 200 mm or less.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, When not folded along the pair of vertical folding lines, the maximum width of the second region in the width direction is greater than the minimum width of the central portion of the main body in the width direction.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, Absorbent-free regions in which the absorbent body is not present are provided at both end portions of the second region in the width direction, An absorbent article in which the width of the absorbent-free region in the width direction is 20% or more and 40% or less of the distance in the width direction between the pair of vertical fold lines.

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