absorbent articles

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can suppress deterioration in wearing comfort. [Solution] The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core, a top sheet, a back sheet, and side sheets for forming three-dimensional gathers. The three-dimensional gathers have a base end piece that rises toward the skin-facing side from the joint edge with the top sheet and extends widthwise inward from the rising line, a free end piece that is folded widthwise outward from the base end piece by a longitudinally extending fold-back portion and extends widthwise outward, and a free end provided at the tip of the free end piece. The absorbent article also comprises, at the longitudinal end, a first adhesive portion that adheres the base end piece to the top sheet, and a second adhesive portion that is formed at a position that does not overlap the first adhesive portion when viewed in plan with the free end piece overlapped on the base end piece, and adheres the free end side piece to the base end side piece.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Absorbent articles that absorb liquids such as urine and body fluids are known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-79034 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Absorbent articles have three-dimensional gathers to prevent leakage of excreted fluids such as urine. The three-dimensional gathers are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and are adhered to the top sheet with an adhesive at the longitudinal ends, i.e., the front and back body sections, so that they stand up against the skin in the crotch area of ​​the wearer. If the areas where this adhesive is applied come into contact with the wearer's skin, this can cause discomfort to the wearer and reduce comfort.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can suppress deterioration in wearing comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a first adhesive portion at the longitudinal end that adheres the base end side piece of the three-dimensional gather to the top sheet, and a second adhesive portion that adheres the free end side piece of the three-dimensional gather to the base end side piece.

[0007] In detail, the absorbent article according to the present invention is an absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and comprises an absorbent body, a top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, a water-impermeable back sheet covering the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a water-impermeable side sheet for forming three-dimensional gathers, the side sheet being arranged closer to the skin-facing side than the top sheet, and the three-dimensional gathers rise from a joint edge with the top sheet to the skin-facing side and extend from the joint edge to the width direction. the free end piece is folded outward in the width direction from the base end piece by a fold-back portion extending in the longitudinal direction and extends outward in the width direction; and a free end provided at the tip of the free end piece, and is provided with a first adhesive portion at the longitudinal end that adheres the base end piece to the top sheet, and a second adhesive portion that is formed at a position that does not overlap with the first adhesive portion when viewed in a planar view with the free end piece overlapped on the base end piece, and adheres the free end side piece to the base end piece.

[0008] In the absorbent article, the second adhesive portion may be formed in a linear region of the free end side piece on the widthwise end side.

[0009] In the absorbent article, the second adhesive regions may be spaced apart from one another and arranged along the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In the absorbent article, at least one of the first adhesive region and the second adhesive region may be formed in a curved shape.

[0011] In the absorbent article, the curved shape may include a circular or elliptical arc.

[0012] In the absorbent article, the second adhesive portion may be formed by heat-sealing the free end piece and the base end piece.

[0013] In the absorbent article, the first adhesive portion may be formed of a hot melt adhesive.

[0014] In the absorbent article, the plurality of first adhesive regions may be formed so as to be spaced apart from one another and arranged along the longitudinal direction.

[0015] In the absorbent article, the second adhesive portion may be formed further inward in the longitudinal direction than the first adhesive portion.

[0016] In the absorbent article, the second adhesive portion may be formed on the outer side in the width direction than the inner end portion in the width direction of the base end side piece in a plan view.

[0017] The absorbent article may include an elastic member disposed in the vicinity of the folded-back portion of the free end side piece, further inward in the longitudinal direction than the first adhesive portion.

[0018] In the absorbent article, the joining end portion may serve as a rising line when the standing gathers rise toward the skin-facing side.

[0019] In the above-mentioned absorbent article, the absorbent body has an absorbent core capable of absorbing liquid excreted by the wearer, and the absorbent core has, at least at the longitudinal end, a folding portion that makes it easy to fold the widthwise end toward the skin side relative to the widthwise center, and the longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather may be laminated to the top sheet in an area that overlaps with the absorbent core on the widthwise end side relative to the folding portion.

[0020] In the above-mentioned absorbent article, the absorbent core may have, at least at the longitudinal end, a high-rigidity portion at the center of the width direction and a low-rigidity portion at the end of the width direction, the folded portion being formed between the high-rigidity portion and the low-rigidity portion, and the longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather may be laminated to the top sheet in an area overlapping with the low-rigidity portion.

[0021] In the above absorbent article, a first stretchable member that stretches in the width direction may be laminated on an end portion of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] In the above-mentioned absorbent article, the absorbent core has a shape that is narrowed in the width direction at the center of the longitudinal direction, and has a narrowest portion in the crotch region, wide portions in the front body region and the back body region, and a widened portion sandwiched between the narrowest portion and the wide portion, and a second elastic member that stretches in the width direction may be laminated in the widened portion.

[0023] In the absorbent article, a non-adhesive region in which the base end side piece and the top sheet are not adhered to each other may be provided on the inner side of the first adhesive portion in the width direction.

[0024] The absorbent article includes end sheets provided on the skin-facing sides of the top sheet and the side sheets on both sides in the longitudinal direction, and the end sheets extend in the width direction and are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction by a plurality of third adhesive portions. The sheet may be adhered to the sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, deterioration in wearing comfort can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a development view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the backsheet, absorbent core, topsheet, and sidesheets extracted from the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the back sheet, absorbent core, top sheet, side sheets, and end sheets extracted from the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the backsheet, absorbent core, topsheet, and sidesheets extracted from the diaper according to the first modified embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the backsheet, absorbent core, topsheet, and sidesheets extracted from a diaper according to the second modification of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to a third modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] <Embodiment> Diapers according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper") according to an embodiment. In the diaper, the direction connecting the front body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's back, is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion, which is placed between the wearer's crotch (placed opposite the crotch), is located. When the diaper is worn by a wearer, the side facing the wearer's skin is defined as the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side is defined as the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and thickness directions is defined as the width direction. In addition, a view from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The diaper 1 has a length along the longitudinal direction and a width along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, terms relating to directions used in the present application refer to directions that correspond to the front, back, left, and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer. For example, the left-right direction in the present application refers to the direction that corresponds to the left and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer.

[0029] In this embodiment, as an example of an absorbent article, a pants-type disposable diaper having a tubular structure having an opening for receiving the wearer's abdominal circumference and a pair of left and right openings through which the wearer's left and right lower limbs are inserted is exemplified. However, the "absorbent article" referred to in this application is not limited to pants-type disposable diapers for adults. The "absorbent article" referred to in this application also includes pants-type disposable diapers for children. It also includes various types of absorbent articles that can cover the abdominal circumference and crotch area, such as tape-type disposable diapers in which a tubular structure is formed by attaching a tape fixed near one end of a sheet-like member that covers the wearer's crotch area (genitals) from the front to the back, to the other end of the sheet-like member.

[0030] The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which corresponds to the crotch region covering the wearer's pubic region (crotch area) when worn; a front body region 1F, which corresponds to the front body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's abdominal side; and a back body region 1R, which corresponds to the back body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's back side. The front body region 1F is located in front of the crotch region 1B, and the back body region 1R is located behind the crotch region 1B. Since the diaper 1 in this embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper, the left edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the left edge of the rear body region 1R, and the right edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the right edge of the rear body region 1R. Thus, a waist opening 2T is formed in the diaper 1 by the upper edge of the front body region 1F and the upper edge of the back body region 1R. The diaper 1 also has a left leg opening 2L formed in a portion of the left side of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed, and a right leg opening 2R formed in a portion of the right side of the crotch region 1B. When the wearer's left leg is inserted through the left leg opening 2L, the wearer's right leg is inserted through the right leg opening 2R, and the wearer's torso is placed within the torso opening 2T, the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body with the front body region 1F positioned toward the wearer's abdomen and the back body region 1R positioned toward the wearer's back, and the left leg opening 2L and right leg opening 2R surrounding the wearer's thighs. Because the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can move freely while wearing the diaper 1.

[0031] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body, capable of absorbing and retaining liquid, mainly located near the crotch region 1B. To prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid leakage path, the diaper 1 also has a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the left leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's left leg, a three-dimensional gather 3BR at the right leg opening 2R surrounding the thigh of the wearer's right leg, and a waist gather 3R around the wearer's abdominal circumference. Leg gathers 3LL and 3LR are also provided around the base of the wearer's legs. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR and the waist gather 3R adhere closely to the wearer's skin due to the elasticity of the elastic thread. The leg gathers 3LL and 3LR also prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the base of the wearer's legs. Therefore, excrement discharged from the wearer's genitals is absorbed by the absorbent body of the diaper 1 with almost no leakage from the diaper 1.

[0032] The diaper 1 can be used in combination with an inner pad (not shown). The inner pad is a generally rectangular absorbent article with an absorbent body that absorbs exudates. When the diaper 1 and inner pad are used in combination, the inner pad is placed on the skin-facing side of the diaper 1 so that it abuts the wearer's exudate hole. The exudate is first absorbed by the inner pad, and only the exudate that cannot be absorbed by the inner pad reaches the absorbent body of the diaper 1 and is further absorbed. This prevents the exudate from leaking from the diaper 1 even when the amount of exudate is large. Furthermore, if the amount of exudate is small and can be absorbed entirely by the inner pad, only the inner pad needs to be replaced, reducing care costs. Furthermore, the diaper 1 can be used for a long period of time.

[0033] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment. The diaper 1 comprises a cover sheet 4 and an inner cover sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 are roughly hourglass-shaped (gourd-shaped) sheets that are bonded together to form the outer surface of the diaper 1, and are identical in shape except for the end portion on the front body region 1F side and the end portion on the back body region 1R side. When worn by a wearer, the cover sheet 4 faces away from the wearer's skin, and the inner cover sheet 5 faces the skin. Elastic threads are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 to form the waist gathers 3R and leg gathers 3LL, 3LR. Elastic members such as strip-shaped elastic can be appropriately selected instead of the elastic threads.

[0034] For example, in order to prevent leakage of excrement, the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 can be made of a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

[0035] The diaper 1 comprises a backsheet 6, an absorbent body 8, and a topsheet 9 having a water-permeable region, which are layered in this order on the wearer-facing surfaces of the coversheet 4 and the inner coversheet 5. The backsheet 6 is a substantially rectangular sheet having a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the front body of the wearer, passing through the crotch area, to the back body, and a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent body 8 and the topsheet 9 are both sheet-like members having a substantially rectangular appearance, like the backsheet 6, and are layered in this order on the backsheet 6 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the backsheet 6. The backsheet 6 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of exudates. The topsheet 9 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the wearer's skin side so as to cover the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent body 8. The topsheet 9 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 9, which comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and penetrates into the absorbent body 8, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. The top sheet 9 may also be hydrophilic.

[0036] The absorbent body 8 has an absorbent core 8c made of a mat and a core wrap sheet 7 (an example of the "water-permeable sheet" of the present disclosure) that encases the absorbent core 8c. The absorbent core 8c is roughly hourglass-shaped with a constricted portion. The absorbent core 8c is made of short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or short fibers made of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been hydrophilically treated. SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a crosslinked structure that can absorb and retain water, is placed in the gaps between the short fibers. The absorbent core 8c has a structure that holds granular absorbent resin (polymer absorbent material) such as a polymer absorbent polymer (polymer absorbent polymer). When the absorbent core 8c absorbs liquid discharged from the wearer, the absorbent resin held in the gaps between the staple fibers swells, thereby holding the liquid within the staple fibers. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 8c is roughly hourglass-shaped with a narrowed central portion. The absorbent core 8c can have any suitable shape depending on the purpose. Examples of the shape of the absorbent core 8c include rectangular, oval, and various other shapes.

[0037] The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin, liquid-permeable sheet. By wrapping the absorbent core 8c with the core wrap sheet 7, the SAP of the absorbent core 8c described above is less likely to be mixed with other structures. It also prevents the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. The core wrap sheet 7 can be made of pulp fiber, and tissue paper can be used as an example. The core wrap sheet 7 may be a single sheet, or it may be composed of two sheets: an upper sheet placed on the wearer's skin-facing side and a lower sheet placed on the non-skin-facing side and wrapping around the sides and skin-facing side of the absorbent core. When the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets, the widthwise edge of the upper sheet may be wrapped in another sheet (e.g., the side sheets 10L and 10R, the back sheet 6, and the top sheet 9, which will be described later). The absorbent body 8 is wrapped in the back sheet 6 and the top sheet 9, and these sheets also help prevent the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape, so the core wrap sheet 7 may not be provided.

[0038] The back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are layered together to cover the wearer's genitals (below the crotch), both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are positioned on the wearer's ventral side and dorsal side. In other words, the wearer's genitals are covered by the absorbent body 8 from the ventral side to the dorsal side. Therefore, when the wearer turns belly down, Whether liquid is excreted from the body in a front-facing position or a back-facing position, the excreted liquid comes into contact with the absorbent body 8 via the top sheet 9.

[0039] The diaper 1 also has long, strip-like side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the above-mentioned upright gathers 3BL, 3BR. The side sheets 10L, 10R are provided on the long sides of the top sheet 9. Elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 are adhered to the side sheets 10L, 10R along the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the cover sheet 4 is joined at its left edge 4F4 of the front body region 1F and its left edge 4R4 of the back body region 1R, and at its right edge 4F5 of the front body region 1F and its right edge 4R5 of the back body region 1R, the diaper 1 is completed as shown in FIG. 1 . The side sheets 10L, 10R are pulled longitudinally by the contractile forces of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 and rise from the top sheet 9 along fold lines 10L2, 10R2 (an example of a "standing line" herein). As a result, three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed that prevent fluid leakage from the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R (details will be described later). The fold lines 10L2, 10R2 are formed at the join ends of the side sheets 10L, 10R on the inside in the width direction with respect to the top sheet 9, where they overlap the top sheet 9. The method for joining edges 4F4 and 4R4, and edges 4F5 and 4R5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, heat sealing, high frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like.

[0040] The diaper 1 further comprises an end sheet 11F sandwiched between the back sheet 6, absorber 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R, and is laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the front body region 1F and an end sheet 11R sandwiched between the back sheet 6, absorber 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R. The end sheets 11F, 11R (an example of the "end sheet" referred to in this application) are strip-shaped sheets laminated on the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 at one longitudinal end of the top sheet 9. The end sheets 11F, 11R are made of impermeable nonwoven fabric and mainly reinforce the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 in the waist-contacting portion of the diaper 1. The end sheets 11F, 11R are coated with adhesive, which bonds them to the inner cover sheet 5. The end sheets 11F, 11R are arranged closer to the skin than the laminate formed by the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R, and prevent the ends of the laminate from directly touching the skin, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a diaper 1 according to an embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. Fig. 3(A) shows the internal structure of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the left side. Fig. 3(B) shows a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state.

[0042] In the following description, the widest portion of the absorbent core 8c having a narrowed shape in the crotch region 1B in the width direction will be referred to as the wide portion 88A, and the narrowest portion will be referred to as the narrowest portion 88B. The portion sandwiched between the wide portion 88A and the narrowest portion 88B, which gradually widens from the crotch region 1B to the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R, will be referred to as the widened portion 88C. The portions of the top sheet 9 located between the widthwise ends of the narrowest portion 88B and the widened portion 88C and the widthwise ends of the core wrap sheet 7 will be referred to as the side flaps 41L, 41R.

[0043] In addition, the side sheets 10L, 10R and the end sheets 11F, 11R are not shown in FIG. 3(B). The cover sheet 4 has one end folded back at the folding lines 4FF, 4RF shown in FIG. 2. The waist gather 3R is formed by adhering elastic threads (elastic threads) 4F1, 4F2 to the front body region 1F of the cover sheet 4, and adhering elastic threads 4F2 to the back body region 1F of the cover sheet 4. The back body region 1R is formed by adhering elastic threads (elastic threads) 4R1 and 4R2 to the front body region 1R. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 are arranged along a fold line 4FF, which will form the upper edge of the front body region 1F when folded back, in the order of elastic thread 4F1, elastic thread 4F2, from the fold line 4FF side. Similar to the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2, the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 are arranged along a fold line 4RF, which will form the upper edge of the back body region 1R when folded back, in the order of elastic thread 4R1, elastic thread 4R2, from the fold line 4RF side. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 are an example of a "first stretchable member" in the present disclosure.

[0044] Therefore, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. The elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. When the edges 4F4 and 4R4 are joined together and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 are joined together, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 form a substantially annular elastic member that runs along the waist opening 2T, thereby contracting the waist opening 2T in the waist-circumference direction. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 exert a contractile force to fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer and prevent a gap from forming between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdominal circumference. Portions of the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 on the crotch region 1B side overlap the absorbent body 8.

[0045] The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 are arranged to extend laterally along the upper edges of the front and back body regions 1F and 1R shown in FIG. 1 . The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. When the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 tightly tighten the wearer's abdominal circumference above the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer, preventing it from shifting and preventing excrement from leaking from the abdomen or back. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 reduce the pressure felt by the wearer due to the contraction force of the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1. Furthermore, when an inner pad is used, they prevent the inner pad from shifting.

[0046] Furthermore, rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are adhered to the cover sheet 4. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are elastic members provided in an area of ​​the cover sheet 4 closer to the crotch region 1B than the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. However, unlike the other rubber threads that extend in the width direction of the diaper 1 from the left end to the right end of the cover sheet 4, the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are curved toward the crotch region 1B and overlap with a portion of the core wrap sheet 7 at the narrowed portion of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core 8c. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are an example of a "second elastic member" in the present disclosure.

[0047] The elastic thread 4F3 provided in the front body region (ventral side) crosses the absorbent body 8 when viewed in the thickness direction. Here, in the region where the elastic thread 4F3 crosses the widthwise center of the diaper 1, the cover sheet 4 and the absorbent body 8 are not adhered to each other; more specifically, in this region, the inner cover sheet 5 and the back sheet 6 are not adhered to each other. Therefore, the contraction of the elastic thread 4F3 does not shrink the absorbent body 8, and the cover sheet 4 can lift the absorbent body 8 toward the skin side. This configuration makes it easy for the diaper 1 to lift the absorbent body 8 toward the wearer on the abdominal side, and to abut the free ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR at appropriate positions against the wearer's skin on the abdominal side of the wearer.

[0048] The elastic thread 4R3 provided in the rear body region (back side) overlaps with the absorbent core 8c at the widened portion 88C so as to follow the constriction of the cover sheet 4. The elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 overlap with part of the absorber 8 and the side flaps 41L, 41R of the top sheet 9 at the widthwise outer sides of the widened portion 88C. Note that as the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 themselves contract in the direction in which they extend, the portions of the cover sheet 4 to which the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 are attached become pleated, and this allows the diaper 1 to be easily worn. It functions as leg gathers 3LL, 3LR that fit snugly around the wearer's crotch.

[0049] The cover sheet 4 is folded back at the fold lines 4FF and 4RF to extend to the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed, and the folded back portions reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed. The end sheets 11F and 11R are provided in the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed, where the cover sheet 4 folded back at the fold lines 4FF and 4RF does not extend, and reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed.

[0050] In the present application, the term "overlapping of sheets" does not necessarily mean that the overlapping sheets are in full contact with each other, but rather includes a concept that includes a configuration in which only portions of the sheets overlap. For example, the end sheet 11F is overlapped such that a portion of one longitudinal end of the back sheet 6 touches a portion of the cover sheet 4. The diaper 1 is formed by stacking the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9 with the absorbent body 8 sandwiched therebetween, as well as the cover sheet 4, end sheets 11F and 11R, inner cover sheet 5, and side sheets 10L and 10R, and can therefore be said to have a laminate formed by stacking these multiple sheets.

[0051] 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a diaper according to an embodiment. The absorbent body 8 includes a core wrap sheet 7 and an absorbent core 8c made of an absorbent mat wrapped in the core wrap sheet 7. Near the longitudinal ends, the absorbent core 8c extends to near the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8.

[0052] The crotch region is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, so it is subjected to compressive pressure inward in the width direction. On the other hand, in the front and back body regions, the wearer's weight exerts pressure in the thickness direction of the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, by providing a constriction in the crotch region of the absorbent core 8c, the absorbent core 8c in the crotch region can be made to have a high basis weight, preventing it from losing its shape inward in the width direction. Furthermore, in the front and back body regions, widening the width of the absorbent core increases the area on which the wearer's weight is applied, preventing it from losing its shape in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable to make the absorbent core 8c hourglass-shaped.

[0053] In this figure, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which is positioned on the skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which is positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are bonded to each other at the skin-facing end of the absorbent core 8c. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with a hot melt adhesive HM. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with a hot melt adhesive HM.

[0054] The backsheet 6 is a water-impermeable film laminated on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, and prevents discharged liquid that has penetrated the absorbent body 8 from leaking out to the cover sheet 4. The backsheet 6 is wider than the absorbent core 8c, enveloping the sides of the absorbent core 8c and reaching the skin-facing side.

[0055] The top sheet 9 is a water-permeable sheet that contacts the wearer's skin. When the wearer excretes liquid, the excreted liquid passes through the top sheet 9 and penetrates into the absorbent core 8c, where it is absorbed. The top sheet 9 is also wider than the absorbent core 8c, and wraps around the sides of the absorbent core 8c, reaching the non-skin-facing side. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the top sheet 9 is laminated closer to the skin than the back sheet 6.

[0056] The side sheets 10L and 10R are made of impermeable nonwoven fabric and are disposed on both sides of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction. The side sheets 10L and 10R constitute a pair of side sheets that cover the widthwise sides of the absorbent body 8. The side sheets 10L and 10R rise further toward the skin-facing side at the skin-facing end of the absorbent body 8 to form three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR that prevent lateral leakage of excreted liquid. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the side sheets 10L and 10R are layered closer to the skin-facing side than the top sheet 9.

[0057] The backsheet 6 has folded-back portions 6A that are folded back at the widthwise ends of the absorber 8 toward the skin-facing side and extend toward the skin-facing side of the absorber 8. The backsheet 6 is folded back toward the skin-facing side of the absorber 8 so that the folded-back portions 6A cover the widthwise ends of the absorber 8. A hot melt adhesive is applied between the folded-back portions 6A and the topsheet 9 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The hot melt adhesive bonds the folded-back portions 6A and the topsheet 9. The first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R are formed using the water-impermeable hot melt adhesive. The first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R prevent discharged liquid that has permeated the topsheet 9 from leaking from the widthwise ends of the absorber 8 along the folded-back portions 6A of the backsheet 6. The first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R are formed from the front body region to the back body region so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent side leakage from any position on the widthwise end of the absorbent body 8.

[0058] The side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are positioned outboard of the widthwise center of the diaper 1 and closer to the skin than the top sheet 9. A hot melt adhesive is applied between the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R are bonded together by the hot melt adhesive. Second water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed by the water-impermeable hot melt adhesive. The second water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R prevent exuded liquid from entering between the side sheets 10L, 10R and the top sheet 9, thereby preventing liquid from leaking from the widthwise edges of the diaper 1. The second water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed from the front body region to the back body region in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent side leakage from any position at the widthwise end portions.

[0059] The side sheets 10L, 10R also cover the widthwise ends of the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 6. This allows the diaper 1 to suppress side leakage even if liquid penetrates further toward the widthwise ends than the first water-impermeable portions 30L, 30R or the second water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R.

[0060] Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is viewed in plan, the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R are arranged overlapping each other. This is because the hot melt adhesive is applied to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 9, penetrates the top sheet 9, and hardens between the top sheet 9 and the folded-back portion 6A of the back sheet 6 to form the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R, while the hot melt adhesive hardens between the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R to form the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R. In this way, the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R are integrally formed by a single application of the hot melt adhesive. Furthermore, the hot melt adhesive has penetrated and hardened into the top sheet 9 between the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R, making the area between these portions water impermeable as well. Therefore, the diaper 1 prevents excreted liquid from penetrating the top sheet 9 and reaching the non-skin-facing side, and also prevents liquid from leaking from the non-skin-facing side.

[0061] The three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR rise toward the skin-facing side across fold lines 10L2, 10R2 formed at positions overlapping the top sheet 9. The fold lines 10L2, 10R2 are formed along the widthwise inner edges of the second impermeable portions 31L, 31R, and are located more inward in the widthwise direction of the diaper 1 than the second impermeable portions 31L, 31R. In other words, the first impermeable portions 30L , 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R are located outboard of the fold lines 10L2, 10R2 in the width direction of the diaper 1. Because the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed with a hot melt adhesive, the areas where these water impermeable portions are formed are harder than when no water impermeable portions are provided. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the side sheets 10L, 10R are positioned closer to the skin than the first water impermeable portions 30L, 30R and the second water impermeable portions 31L, 31R. This prevents these water impermeable portions from directly contacting the skin of the wearer, thereby preventing the water impermeable portions from touching the skin and causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0062] 4, the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR have base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1 extending from the fold lines 10L2, 10R2 inward in the width direction of the diaper 1, free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3 folded from the base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1 by folded-back portions 3BL2, 3BR2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 and extending outward in the width direction of the diaper 1, and free end portions 3BL4, 3BR4 provided at the tips of the free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3. The portions of the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR from the folded-back portions 3BL2, 3BR2 to the free end portions 3BL4, 3BR4 come into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0063] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the back sheet 6, absorbent core 8c, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R extracted from the diaper 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a section including the top sheet 9 and side sheet 10L taken along line AA in Fig. 5. The first and second adhesive regions of the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR provided at the longitudinal ends of the diaper 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Note that the following description will focus on the first and second adhesive regions on the left side of the back body region 1R, but the same applies to the first and second adhesive regions on the right side of the back body region 1R and on both the left and right sides of the front body region 1F, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0064] The diaper 1 comprises, at its longitudinal end, a first adhesive region 35 that bonds the proximal end piece 3BL1 to the top sheet 9, and a second adhesive region 36 that bonds the free end piece 3BL3 to the proximal end piece 3BL1 and is formed at a position that does not overlap the first adhesive region 35 when viewed in plan with the free end piece 3BL3 overlapping the proximal end piece 3BL1. The standing gathers 3BL rise toward the skin side in the crotch region 1B, and are fixed to the top sheet 9 by the first adhesive region 35 in the back body region 1R, which is the longitudinal end of the diaper 1. The standing gathers 3BL rise toward the skin side in the region where the first adhesive region 35 is not formed, with the fold-back line 10L2 shown in Figure 4 as the boundary.

[0065] The first adhesive region 35 is formed by applying a hot melt adhesive to the top sheet 9. This stiffens the first adhesive region 35, but because the first adhesive region 35 and the second adhesive region 36 are formed so as not to overlap each other, the free end side piece 3BL3, which is located closer to the skin than the first adhesive region 35, can move relative to the first adhesive region 35. The relative movement of the free end side piece 3BL3 in the diaper 1 reduces the stiffness of the first adhesive region 35 felt by the wearer. This allows the diaper 1 of this embodiment to minimize a decrease in comfort when worn. The second adhesive region 36 is positioned so that it comes into contact with the wearer's skin, but the free end side piece 3BL3 adjacent to the second adhesive region 36 can move relative to the second adhesive region 36. This allows the diaper 1 to reduce the contact of the second adhesive region 36 with the skin, thereby minimizing a decrease in comfort when worn.

[0066] Further, a non-adhesive region 37 is provided on the inside of the first adhesive region 35 in the width direction of the diaper 1, where the base end piece 3BL1 is not adhered to the top sheet 9. By providing the non-adhesive region 37, the inside end of the vertical gathers 3BL, 3BR in the width direction is not adhered, so that the base end piece 3BL1 on the skin-facing side of the non-adhesive region 37 can be moved relatively in the width direction (left and right direction of the wearer). This allows the widthwise inner ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR to move relatively in the left-right direction of the wearer, thereby softening the contact with the skin and preventing deterioration in comfort when worn. The non-adhesive region 37 may be provided in at least one of the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R of the diaper 1.

[0067] The second adhesive region 36 is formed in a linear region of the free end piece 3BL3 at the widthwise end of the diaper 1. Here, the linear region refers to the vicinity of the free end 3BL4, a region where the vicinity of the folded-back portion 3BL2 and the second adhesive region 36 are the minimum necessary for the free end 3BL4 to remain free and the standing gathers 3BL to stand up. The second adhesive region 36 bonds the free end piece 3BL3 to the base end piece 3BL1 in that region, thereby reducing the area of ​​the adhesive region that directly contacts the wearer's skin. By bonding the free end piece 3BL3 to the base end piece 3BL1 with the second adhesive region 36 only in the minimum necessary region for the free end 3BL4 to remain free and the standing gathers 3BL to stand up, the area of ​​the second adhesive region 36 that directly contacts the wearer's skin can be reduced.

[0068] The second adhesive region 36 is formed by heat-sealing the free end side piece 3BL3 and the base end side piece 3BL1. This heat-sealing includes ultrasonic welding. Forming the adhesive region with a hot-melt adhesive results in sticky adhesive. Furthermore, if the second adhesive region 36 were formed with a hot-melt adhesive, the adhesive layer would increase in areas close to the skin, making the diaper 1 feel stiff to the wearer. These factors can reduce the comfort of the diaper 1, but the diaper 1 of this embodiment forms the second adhesive region 36 without using a hot-melt adhesive, thereby minimizing these factors.

[0069] The diaper 1 is provided with a plurality of second adhesive regions 36. The second adhesive regions 36 are spaced apart from one another and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The second adhesive regions 36 are spaced apart from one another at equal intervals. By forming a plurality of second adhesive regions 36 at intervals, it is possible to form non-adhesive regions between the second adhesive regions 36, thereby reducing the stiffness of the diaper 1 that occurs at the second adhesive regions 36.

[0070] On the other hand, as described above, the first adhesive region 35 is formed with a hot melt adhesive. This allows the free end piece 3BL3 to be folded at the fold-back portion 3BL2, and the standing gather 3BL can be bonded to the top sheet 9 with the proximal end piece 3BL1 and the free end piece 3BL3 layered together. If the first adhesive region 35 were formed by heat-sealing the top sheet 9 and the proximal end piece 3BL1, the proximal end piece 3BL1 and the free end piece 3BL3 would also be heated and fused together, making it impossible to adhere the standing gather 3BL to the top sheet 9 with the proximal end piece 3BL1 and the free end piece 3BL3 layered together, and this would increase the number of manufacturing steps for the diaper 1. The diaper 1 of this embodiment prevents an increase in the number of manufacturing steps by forming the first adhesive region 35 with a hot melt adhesive.

[0071] A plurality of first adhesive regions 35 are formed. The plurality of first adhesive regions 35 are spaced apart from one another and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The first adhesive regions 35 are spaced apart from one another at equal intervals. By forming a plurality of spaced first adhesive regions 35, non-adhesive regions can be formed between the first adhesive regions 35, allowing relative movement between the base end side piece 3BL1 and the top sheet 9 due to these non-adhesive regions. Furthermore, since the free end side piece 3BL3 layered on the first adhesive region 35 can move relative to the base end side piece 3BL1, the first adhesive regions 35 can be made less noticeable to the wearer.

[0072] 5, the second adhesive region 36 is formed further inward (toward the center) in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 than the first adhesive region 35. When the diaper 1 is worn, the base end side piece 3B L1 first rises, causing the folded portion 3BL2 to come into contact with the wearer's skin, and then the free end side piece 3BL3 rises, causing the area from the folded portion 3BL2 to the free end 3BL4 to come into contact with the skin. This allows the contact between the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and the skin to be planar rather than linear. If the three-dimensional gathers 3BL were to come into contact with the skin in a linear manner, gaps would likely form in some places between the skin and the three-dimensional gathers 3BL. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment allows the three-dimensional gathers 3BL to come into contact with the skin in a planar manner, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the skin and the three-dimensional gathers 3BL.

[0073] 6, in a plan view of the diaper 1, the first adhesive region 35 is formed widthwise outward of the widthwise inner edge of the proximal end piece 3BL1. This creates a gap between the top sheet 9 and the proximal end piece 3BL1 in the diaper 1, preventing discharged liquid such as urine flowing on the top sheet 9 from crossing over the first adhesive region 35 and allowing the discharged liquid to be guided through this gap toward the absorbent core 8 rather than the top sheet 9.

[0074] Additionally, the rubber thread 10L1 is disposed in the vicinity of the folded-back portion 3BL2 of the free end side piece 3BL3, longitudinally inward of the first adhesive portion 35. The rubber thread 10L1 pulls the folded-back portion 3BL2 longitudinally inward, causing the top sheet 9 and the folded-back portion 3BL2 to stand up due to the lack of adhesion between them. This makes it easier for a gap to form between the top sheet 9 and the proximal end side piece 3BL1 in the diaper 1.

[0075] In Fig. 5, the thickness-wise region overlapping the high basis weight portion of the absorbent core 8c in the thickness direction is designated as the high basis weight region 24 (an example of the "high stiffness region" of the present disclosure), and the thickness-wise region overlapping the low basis weight portion of the absorbent core 8c in the thickness direction is designated as the low basis weight region 22L, 22R (an example of the "low stiffness region" of the present disclosure). The high basis weight region 24 and the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R extend in the longitudinal direction while maintaining the same width in the wide portion 88A. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the side sheets 10L, 10R are laminated to the top sheet 9 in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R at the longitudinal ends.

[0076] In the diaper 1 described above, components such as the absorbent core 8c and the top sheet 9 included in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R are easily folded toward the skin-facing side starting from the boundary with the high basis weight region 24 (an example of the "folded portion" of the present disclosure). Furthermore, since the side sheets 10L, 10R are provided in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, the formed three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are positioned close to the skin-facing side at their longitudinal ends. Furthermore, as described above, the entire area from the folded-back portions 3BL2, 3BR2 to the free ends 3BL4, 3BL4 is easily in contact with the skin, and therefore the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR can prevent exudates from leaking from the top sheet 9.

[0077] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 described above, the absorbent core 8c included in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R may not only bend at the boundary with the high basis weight region 24, but may also lose its shape. However, because the side sheets 10L, 10R are laminated to the top sheet 9 included in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, the bending rigidity in the laminated region of the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R is improved. This prevents the absorbent core 8c included in the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R from losing its shape.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-described diaper 1, portions of the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 on the crotch region 1B side overlap the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, as the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 contract in the width direction, the absorbent core 8c overlapping the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 on the skin-facing side becomes convex toward the skin-facing side, making it easier to come closer to the skin.

[0079] In addition, according to the diaper 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the elastic threads 4F3 and 4R3 are The elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 are provided on the side flaps 41L, 41R on the widthwise outer sides of the widened portion 88C, overlapping with a portion of the core wrap sheet 7 (see FIG. 3). Contraction of the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 pulls the side flaps 41L, 41R in the contraction direction (widthwise outer sides), facilitating the standing of the side flaps 41L, 41R. In other words, even if the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a has a constriction and the widened portion 88A exists, the side flaps 41L, 41R stand up in response to the standing of the side sheets 10L, 10R. Therefore, the portions of the top sheet 9 extending longitudinally from the side flaps 41L, 41R also stand up in response to the side flaps 41L, 41R. This increases the height of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR across the entire longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 4. This improves the effectiveness of preventing leakage of exudates present on the top sheet 9.

[0080] On the other hand, in a diaper according to a comparative example, for example, when the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 are arranged so as not to overlap the side flaps 41L, 41R in the thickness direction, the rigidity of the wide portions 88A of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a located in the longitudinal direction of the side flaps 41L, 41R is high, which may inhibit the side flaps 41L, 41R from rising up in response to the rising of the side sheets 10L, 10R. As a result, the height of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR does not increase, which may reduce the effect of preventing leakage of exudates present on the top sheet 9.

[0081] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 described above, in the side flaps 41L, 41R located widthwise outside the widened portion 88C of the absorbent core 8c, the widthwise inner ends of the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 do not overlap the absorbent core 8c (see FIG. 3). This prevents the absorbent core 8c from bending due to contraction of the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3. This facilitates the upright standing of the side flaps 41L, 41R, with the widthwise ends of the narrowest portion 88B serving as the base point for folding. This increases the height of the formed three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. This improves the leakage prevention effect of exudates present on the top sheet 9.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, taken along the width direction in the front or back body region. FIG. 7 shows the cross-sectional structure of the wide portion 88A of the absorbent core 8c. As shown in FIG. 7, the widthwise ends of the absorbent core 8c are the wide portions, i.e., the ears 88L and 88R. In FIG. 7, the ears 88L and 88R are indicated by dotted lines. The ears 88L and 88R are wider outward in the width direction than the narrowest portion 88B of the absorbent core 8c. The ears 88L and 88R are not bonded to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b with the hot melt adhesive HM, and are therefore less rigid than the region to which the hot melt adhesive is applied. This allows the absorbent core 8c to bend easily at the ears 88L and 88R toward the skin.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the back sheet 6, absorbent core 8c, top sheet 9, side sheets 10L and 10R, and end sheets 11F and 11R extracted from the diaper 1 according to this embodiment. The end sheets 11F and 11R are adhered to the top sheet 9, side sheets 10L and 10R, inner cover sheet 5 (see FIG. 2), and cover sheet 4 (see FIG. 2) that are arranged on their non-skin-facing sides. FIG. 8 also shows third adhesive regions 110 formed on the non-skin-facing sides of the end sheets 11F and 11R. The third adhesive regions 110 extend in the width direction of the diaper 1, and multiple third adhesive regions 110 are provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The end sheets 11F and 11R are the sheets arranged closest to the skin-facing side and contact the waist of the wearer. The end sheets 11F and 11R are adhered to the non-skin-facing sheet by multiple third adhesive regions 110, allowing the non-adhesive portions to move longitudinally relative to the non-skin-facing sheet. As a result, the diaper 1 can improve the feel against the wearer's skin and prevent deterioration in wearing comfort by moving the end sheets 11F, 11R relatively in the longitudinal direction.

[0084] <Variation 1> Next, a diaper 1 according to a first modification of the present embodiment will be described. 1 is a plan view showing the back sheet 6, absorbent core 8c, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R extracted from a diaper 1 according to this modification. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the first adhesive region 35 is formed in a curved shape. For example, the first adhesive region 35 may be formed in a spiral curve. Alternatively, the first adhesive region 35 may be formed in a wavy curve. These curved shapes may include a circular or elliptical arc. Alternatively, a plurality of curved first adhesive regions 35 may be formed spaced apart from one another, and these plurality of first adhesive regions 35 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, by forming the first adhesive region 35 in a curved shape, the area of ​​the first adhesive region 35 can be reduced, thereby further softening the contact of the first adhesive region 35 with the skin.

[0085] <Variation 2> Next, a diaper 1 according to a second modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the back sheet 6, absorbent core 8c, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R of the diaper 1 according to this modification. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the second adhesive region 36 is formed in a curved shape. For example, the second adhesive region 36 may be formed in a spiral curve. Alternatively, the second adhesive region 36 may be formed in a wavy curve. These curved shapes may include a circular or elliptical arc. Alternatively, a plurality of curved second adhesive regions 36 may be formed spaced apart from one another, and these plurality of second adhesive regions 36 may extend along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the curved second adhesive region 36 is formed to have a smaller area, thereby further softening the contact of the second adhesive region 36 with the skin.

[0086] <Variation 3> Next, a diaper 1 according to a third variation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the diaper according to this variation. The absorbent body 8 includes a core wrap sheet 7 and an absorbent core 8c made up of multiple absorbent mats wrapped in the core wrap sheet 7. In the variation shown in this figure, the absorbent core 8c includes an upper absorbent mat 8a and a lower absorbent mat 8b. The upper absorbent mat 8a is the absorbent mat that faces the wearer's skin when worn, and has an hourglass shape with a narrowed portion in the crotch region in plan view. The upper absorbent mat 8a extends near the longitudinal ends to the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8. In contrast, the lower absorbent mat 8b is the absorbent mat that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The lower absorbent mat 8b extends only to the center of the absorbent body 8, corresponding to the wearer's midline, and its overall width is less than the narrowed portion of the upper absorbent mat 8a. That is, the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is layered on the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a so that the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is entirely hidden by the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a when viewed from the skin-facing side.

[0087] The crotch region is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, so it is subjected to compressive pressure inward in the width direction. Meanwhile, in the front and back body regions, the wearer's weight exerts pressure in the thickness direction of the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, by providing a constriction in the crotch region of the absorbent core 8c and stacking the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b, the absorbent core 8c in the crotch region has a high basis weight, preventing it from losing its shape inward in the width direction. Furthermore, by widening the width of the absorbent core in the front and back body regions, the area on which the wearer's weight is applied is increased, preventing it from losing its shape in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable to make the absorbent core 8c hourglass-shaped.

[0088] The upper absorbent mat 8a contains cellulose-based short fibers or hydrophilically treated resin-based short fibers (hereinafter referred to as short fibers) as well as granular absorbent resin (SAP particles) such as a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water. When fluid is excreted from the wearer and penetrates the absorbent core 8c, the SAP particles absorb the water and gradually expand, fixing the excreted fluid and preventing it from flowing back to the skin side. On the other hand, the basis weight (amount of SAP particles per unit area) of the SAP particles contained in the lower absorbent mat 8b is lower than that of the upper absorbent mat 8a. Alternatively, the lower absorbent mat 8b may not contain SAP particles and may be formed only from short fibers.

[0089] In this figure, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which is positioned on the skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which is positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are bonded to each other at the skin-facing edge of the absorbent core 8c. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b. However, the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a is not bonded to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. Therefore, in the absorbent body 8, a flow path 8s is formed between the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b and the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a, further outboard of the widthwise edge of the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b, where the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a extends.

[0090] The adhesive strength between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a may be lower than that between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the lower absorbent mat 8b. Specifically, the width of the adhesive bonding the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the lower absorbent mat 8b may be wider than the width of the lower absorbent mat 8b, so that only the edge of the adhesive is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 8a. Alternatively, an adhesive with low adhesive strength may be used to bond the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a, and the amount of adhesive applied for this purpose may be small. The adhesive peels off when the lower absorbent mat 8b absorbs water and expands, or when exudate flows between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a, forming the flow channels 8s. If the flow channels 8s are formed even when the diaper 1 has not absorbed water and the flow channels 8s are not necessary, the flow channels 8s may cause the absorbent core 8c to lose its shape. If the flow paths 8s are formed only when the absorbent core 8c absorbs water, the flow paths 8s can be formed only when necessary.

[0091] As described above, the absorbent core 8c of the absorbent body 8 is constricted in the crotch region 1B, and the upper and lower absorbent mats 8a and 8b are stacked together, resulting in a high basis weight for the absorbent core 8c in the crotch region 1B. Because the lower absorbent mat 8b has a substantially constant width, the center of the width in the front and back regions 1F and 1R is a high basis weight. The outer width areas of the lower absorbent mat 8b in the front and back regions 1F and 1R, i.e., the areas where only the upper absorbent mat 8a is present, are low basis weight. The high basis weight extends to the area corresponding to the wearer's excretory opening and absorbs excreted fluid. It also reinforces the absorbent core 8c in areas prone to pressure during wear, preventing it from losing its shape. The low basis weight is located in the area that contacts the wearer's buttocks during wear, allowing it to easily conform to the wearer's body surface.

[0092] The absorbent core 8c has a flat surface on the side facing the wearer's skin, and the high basis weight portion is formed by increasing the basis weight on the non-skin-facing side. The high basis weight portion extends with the same width from the ventral end to the dorsal end of the absorbent core 8c. The high basis weight portion extends with the same basis weight throughout its entire extension. By forming the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion in this manner, a step caused by the boundary between the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion appears on the skin-facing side, and this step can be prevented from causing discomfort to the wearer. An absorbent core 8c with these characteristics can be realized by stacking, for example, an hourglass-shaped upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and a strip-shaped lower-layer absorbent mat 8b whose width is equal to or less than the narrowed portion of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a, as described above.

[0093] <Other embodiments> Next, other embodiments will be described. In the above embodiment, a tape-type disposable diaper has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to absorbent articles such as pants-type disposable diapers and absorbent pads. The adhesive portions 35 and the second adhesive portions 36 are formed in a dotted line shape along the longitudinal direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first adhesive portion 35 and the second adhesive portion 36 may be formed in a continuous linear shape. Furthermore, both the first adhesive portion 35 and the second adhesive portion 36 may be formed in a curved shape.

[0094] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1B: Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back area 2L:Left lower limb opening 2R: Right lower limb opening 2T: Body opening 3BL, 3BR: 3D gathers 3LL, 3LR: Leg gathers 3R: Waist Gather 4: Cover sheet 4F1, 4F2, 4F3: Elastic thread 4F4,4F5: Edge 4FF: Fold line 4R1, 4R2, 4R3: Rubber thread 4R4, 4R5: Edge 4RF: Fold line 5: Inner cover sheet 6: Back seat 6A: Folded part 7: Core wrap sheet 8: Absorbent 8a: Upper layer absorbent mat 8b: Lower layer absorbent mat 9: Top sheet 10L: Side seat 10L1: Elastic thread 10L2: Folding line 10R: Side seat 10R1: Elastic thread 10R2: Turn-back line 11F, 11R: End seat 22L, 22R: Low basis weight area 24: High weight area 30L,30R: 1st non-permeable part 31L, 31R: 2nd non-permeable part 35: 1st adhesive part 36:Second adhesive part 37: Non-adhesive area 41L, 41R: Side flaps 88A: Wide section 88B: Narrowest part 88C: Widened section 88L, 88R: Ears 110: 3rd adhesive part

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, absorbent material, A top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent, A non-permeable backsheet covers the non-skin side of the absorbent material, A side sheet for forming three-dimensional gathers, comprising a non-permeable side sheet positioned on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, Equipped with, The aforementioned three-dimensional gathers are, From the joint end with the top sheet, rises towards the skin side, A base end side piece extending inward in the width direction from the aforementioned joint end, The free end portion extends outward in the width direction, which is bent outward from the base end portion by the longitudinally extending folded portion, The free end provided at the tip of the free end side piece, It has, At the longitudinal end, a first adhesive portion is provided for bonding the base end side piece and the top sheet, A second adhesive portion is formed in a position that does not overlap with the first adhesive portion when the free end side piece is superimposed on the base end side piece and viewed from above, and which adheres the free end side piece and the base end side piece. Near the folded portion of the free end side piece, an expandable member is positioned inward in the longitudinal direction from the first adhesive portion, An absorbent article equipped with [a specific feature].

2. An absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, absorbent material, A top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent, A non-permeable backsheet covers the non-skin side of the absorbent material, A side sheet for forming three-dimensional gathers, comprising a non-permeable side sheet positioned on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, Equipped with, The aforementioned three-dimensional gathers are, From the joint end with the top sheet, rises towards the skin side, A base end side piece extending inward in the width direction from the aforementioned joint end, The free end portion extends outward in the width direction, which is bent outward from the base end portion by the longitudinally extending folded portion, The free end provided at the tip of the free end side piece, It has, At the longitudinal end, a first adhesive portion is provided for bonding the base end side piece and the top sheet, A second adhesive portion is formed in a position that does not overlap with the first adhesive portion when the free end side piece is superimposed on the base end side piece and viewed from above, and which adheres the free end side piece and the base end side piece. Equipped with, The absorbent body has an absorbent core capable of absorbing the wearer's excretory fluids, The absorbent core has a bendable portion at least at the longitudinal end that facilitates bending the end in the width direction toward the skin side relative to the central portion in the width direction, The longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather is laminated to the top sheet in the region that overlaps with the absorbing core on the widthwise end side relative to the folded portion. Absorbent material.

3. The absorption core has, at least at the longitudinal end, a high-rigidity portion on the central side in the width direction and a low-rigidity portion on the end side in the width direction. The bent portion is formed between the high-rigidity portion and the low-rigidity portion. The longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather is laminated to the top sheet in the region overlapping with the low-rigidity portion. The absorbent article according to claim 2.

4. A first expandable member that expands and contracts in the width direction is laminated at the longitudinal end of the absorption core. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The absorbent core has a shape that is narrowed in the width direction at the center of the longitudinal direction, and has a narrowest part in the crotch area, a wide part in the front and back body areas, and a widened part sandwiched between the narrowest part and the wide part. In the widened portion, a second expandable member that expands and contracts in the width direction is laminated. The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

6. An absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, absorbent material, A top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent, A non-permeable backsheet covers the non-skin side of the absorbent material, A side sheet for forming three-dimensional gathers, comprising a non-permeable side sheet positioned on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, Equipped with, The aforementioned three-dimensional gathers are, From the joint end with the top sheet, rises towards the skin side, A base end side piece extending inward in the width direction from the aforementioned joint end, The free end portion extends outward in the width direction, which is bent outward from the base end portion by the longitudinally extending folded portion, The free end provided at the tip of the free end side piece, It has, At the longitudinal end, a first adhesive portion is provided for bonding the base end side piece and the top sheet, A second adhesive portion is formed in a position that does not overlap with the first adhesive portion when the free end side piece is superimposed on the base end side piece and viewed from above, and which adheres the free end side piece and the base end side piece. Equipped with, The absorbent body has an absorbent core capable of absorbing the wearer's excretory fluids, The absorbent core has a bendable portion at least at the longitudinal end that facilitates bending the end in the width direction toward the skin side relative to the central portion in the width direction, The absorption core has, at least at the longitudinal end, a high-rigidity portion on the central side in the width direction and a low-rigidity portion on the end side in the width direction. The bent portion is formed between the high-rigidity portion and the low-rigidity portion. The longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather is laminated to the top sheet in the region overlapping with the low-rigidity portion. Absorbent material.

7. An absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, absorbent material, A top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent, A non-permeable backsheet covers the non-skin side of the absorbent material, A side sheet for forming three-dimensional gathers, comprising a non-permeable side sheet positioned on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, Equipped with, The aforementioned three-dimensional gathers are, From the joint end with the top sheet, rises towards the skin side, A base end side piece extending inward in the width direction from the aforementioned joint end, The free end portion extends outward in the width direction, which is bent outward from the base end portion by the longitudinally extending folded portion, The free end provided at the tip of the free end side piece, It has, At the longitudinal end, a first adhesive portion is provided for bonding the base end side piece and the top sheet, A second adhesive portion is formed in a position that does not overlap with the first adhesive portion when the free end side piece is superimposed on the base end side piece and viewed from above, and which adheres the free end side piece and the base end side piece. Equipped with, The top sheet and the side sheet have end sheets provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction, on the skin-facing side of the top sheet and the side sheet. The end sheet is bonded to the non-skin side sheet by a plurality of third adhesive portions that extend in the width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. Absorbent material.

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