Pants-type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a pants-type absorbent article which has good adhesion to the crotch area of ​​a wearer and can prevent side leakage of excrement. [Solution] A pants-type absorbent article (1) having an exterior member (20) and an absorbent main body (10) with an absorbent core (11), wherein the article has crotch elastic members (40) that are arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent core (11) and stretch along the longitudinal direction, the crotch elastic members (40) being arranged only in the central region when the absorbent core (11) is divided into thirds in the left-right direction, and wherein the article has leg elastic members (52) that are arranged on the left-right sides of the absorbent main body (10) and stretch along the longitudinal direction, the leg elastic members (52) being arranged outside the absorbent core (11) in the left-right direction, and the absorbent main body (10) is not joined to the exterior member (20) at the left-right side ends of the absorbent main body (10) at the longitudinal central position of the pants-type absorbent article (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a pants-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body having an absorbent core, a belt portion having a ventral waistband portion and a dorsal waistband portion located at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body, and a plurality of crotch elastic members disposed on the absorbent core and extending in the longitudinal direction. This configuration facilitates transmission of force pulling up the belt portion during wear to the crotch region including the absorbent core via the crotch elastic members. Furthermore, at least one crotch elastic member is disposed in each of three equal regions of the absorbent core in the width direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the crotch region can be pulled up over an entire surface (a wide area in the width direction) during the pulling-up motion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 032386 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The crotch elastic members (crotch elastic members) pull up the absorbent core during the pulling-up action, and also facilitate deformation of the absorbent core so that it is pushed up toward the wearer's skin. This improves the fit of the absorbent core to the wearer's crotch area. However, if the crotch elastic members are arranged over a wide area of ​​the absorbent core in the width direction, as in Patent Document 1, the absorbent core is pulled up over its entire surface, fitting closely to the wearer's crotch area, and it becomes difficult to ensure space for containing excrement. As a result, if a large amount of urine is urinated at one time, the urine cannot be temporarily contained, and it is prone to side leakage from the wearer's legs.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a pants-type absorbent article that has good adhesion to the crotch area of ​​the wearer and can prevent side leakage of excrement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention to achieve the above object is: An exterior member; an absorbent main body joined to the skin side of the exterior member and including an absorbent core; A pants-type absorbent article having In the deployed and extended state, having a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with one another, a crotch elastic member provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and stretchable along the longitudinal direction; When viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent core is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction, and of the three regions, the crotch elastic members are arranged only in a central region, The absorbent body has leg elastic members provided on the left-right side portions thereof and stretchable along the longitudinal direction, The leg elastic members are disposed outside the absorbent core in the left-right direction, This pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that the absorbent main body is not joined to the outer member at the left and right side ends of the absorbent main body at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pants-type absorbent article that has good adhesion to the crotch region of the wearer and is capable of suppressing side leakage of body exudates. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic front view of a pants-type disposable diaper 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view of a diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CL-CL in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the crotch elastic members 40 in the diaper 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of leg elastic members 52 and joints 60. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view illustrating deformation of the absorbent core 11 caused by the crotch elastic members 40, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view illustrating deformation of the absorbent main body 10 at the center position CL in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an elastic region. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of leg elastic members 52 and lateral elastic members. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a part of a modified diaper 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Aspect 1 is a pants-type absorbent article having an outer member and an absorbent main body joined to the skin-side surface of the outer member and having an absorbent core, wherein in an unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent main body has a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction that intersect with one another, and has crotch elastic members that are arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and stretch along the longitudinal direction, and when viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent core is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction, and of the three regions, the crotch elastic members are arranged only in the central region, and the absorbent main body has leg elastic members that are arranged on the sides of the left-right direction of the absorbent main body and stretch along the longitudinal direction, and the leg elastic members are arranged outside the absorbent core in the left-right direction, and the absorbent main body is not joined to the outer member at the left-right side ends of the absorbent main body at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article.

[0010] According to the first aspect, the central portion of the absorbent core in the left-right direction is easily deformed into a convex shape toward the upper side, improving the fit of the absorbent core to the wearer's crotch region. Furthermore, the absorbent core is not pulled up over a wide area in the width direction, ensuring a space for accommodating body waste and preventing side leakage of body waste. Furthermore, the leg-wall elastic members and their surrounding areas (the left-right side portions of the absorbent main body) are less susceptible to the deformation of the absorbent core, and open outward in the left-right direction to easily fit around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the leg-wall elastic members and their surrounding areas are less susceptible to the movement of the outer member, making it easier to maintain a good fit around the wearer's legs and further preventing side leakage.

[0011] (Aspect 2) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1, In the unfolded and stretched state, the crotch elastic members have portions that overlap with the leg elastic members in the longitudinal direction, and at the left and right sides of the absorbent main body at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article, at least a portion of the leg elastic members is arranged in a portion where the absorbent main body is not joined to the outer member.

[0012] According to the second aspect, the absorbent core, which is deformed into a convex shape by the crotch elastic members, is aligned in the left-right direction with the leg elastic members and their adjacent areas that fit around the wearer's legs, thereby suppressing side leakage. At least some of the leg elastic members are less susceptible to the movement of the outer member, which makes it easier to maintain the fit of the leg elastic members and their adjacent areas, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0013] (Aspect 3) A pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent body has a joint between the outer member and the absorbent body, and at the position of the end of the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side of the longitudinal direction, the length from one end of the joint to the other end in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the length between the inner ends of the leg elastic members that are respectively arranged on both outer sides of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

[0014] According to aspect 3, the longitudinal ends of the leg elastic members are affected by the movement of the outer covering member, and when the outer covering member is pulled up, the leg elastic members are also easily pulled up, allowing the garment to fit around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, because the longitudinal ends of the leg elastic members are pulled outward in the left-right direction by the outer covering member that fits closely around the wearer's waist, the leg elastic members in the crotch portion and their neighboring parts open outward in the left-right direction, making it easier to fit around the wearer's legs and preventing side leakage.

[0015] (Aspect 4) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, In the expanded and stretched state, the maximum length in the longitudinal direction of the stretchable portions of the crotch elastic members is equal to or less than half the maximum length in the longitudinal direction of the stretchable portions of the leg elastic members.

[0016] According to aspect 4, by appropriately reducing the length of the crotch elastic members, it is possible to prevent the absorbent core from being pulled up over a wide area in the longitudinal direction, thereby ensuring space for storing body waste. On the other hand, by increasing the length of the leg elastic members, the leg elastic members and their neighboring areas fit over a wide area around the wearer's legs, thereby preventing side leakage.

[0017] (Aspect 5) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, In the unfolded and stretched state, the outer member and the absorbent main body have a joint portion, which is located on one side of the longitudinal direction at the left-right side of the absorbent main body, and a second-side joint portion located on the other side of the longitudinal direction at a distance from the first-side joint portion, and the first-side joint portion is located on one side of the longitudinal direction relative to the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member.

[0018] According to aspect 5, the side portions of the absorbent main body adjacent to one longitudinal side of the crotch elastic member are less susceptible to the movement of the outer member, and the leg elastic members help maintain a snug fit around the wearer's legs, thereby preventing side leakage. Also, by not positioning the crotch elastic member too far to one longitudinal side, it is possible to reduce discomfort when wearing the absorbent and ensure space to accommodate body excrement.

[0019] (Aspect 6) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 5, The ventral waist portion and the dorsal waist portion of the outer covering member are joined in a ring shape by a pair of waist joints, and in the unfolded and stretched state, the one-side joint portion extends further to the other side in the longitudinal direction than the waist joint on one side in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] According to aspect 6, one longitudinal side of the absorbent main body is joined to the outer sheath member at one joint portion, so that when the outer sheath member is pulled up, the leg elastic members are also easily pulled up, allowing for a better fit around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the one longitudinal side of the absorbent main body is pulled outward in the left-right direction by the outer sheath member, which is in close contact with the wearer's waist. Therefore, the leg elastic members in the crotch region and their neighboring areas open outward in the left-right direction, allowing for a better fit around the wearer's legs and preventing side leakage.

[0021] (Aspect 7) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, In the deployed and extended state, the exterior member has lateral elastic members that stretch in the left-right direction, and stretchable portions of the leg elastic members intersect with stretchable portions of the lateral elastic members.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect, the longitudinal ends of the leg elastic members that intersect with the lateral elastic members are pulled outward in the left-right direction, so that the leg elastic members in the crotch portion and their neighboring areas open outward in the left-right direction, making it easier to fit around the wearer's legs and preventing side leakage.

[0023] (Embodiment 8) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, In the unfolded and stretched state, there is a joint between the outer member and the absorbent main body, and when viewed in the thickness direction, the end of the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side of the longitudinal direction has a portion that overlaps with the joint.

[0024] According to aspect 8, the stretchable portions of the leg elastic members on one longitudinal side are directly affected by the movement of the outer sheath member, and when the outer sheath member is pulled up, the leg elastic members are also easily pulled up, allowing the garment to fit snugly around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the longitudinal ends of the leg elastic members on one longitudinal side are pulled outward in the left-right direction. Therefore, the leg elastic members in the crotch region and their neighboring areas open outward in the left-right direction, allowing the garment to fit snugly around the wearer's legs and prevent side leakage.

[0025] (Aspect 9) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, In the unfolded and stretched state, the outer member and the absorbent body have a joint, and on one side in the left-right direction, the end of the joint is located on the one side of the end of the absorbent core, and the length from the end of the absorbent core to the end of the joint is longer than the length from the end of the joint to the end of the absorbent body.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect, the side portions of the absorbent main body joined to the exterior member on the left-right outer side of the absorbent core can appropriately suppress deformation of the absorbent core caused by the crotch elastic members, thereby ensuring the absorption area of ​​the absorbent core in the thickness direction and suppressing side leakage.

[0027] (Aspect 10) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, When in an expanded and stretched state, at the center position of the stretched portion of the crotch elastic member in the longitudinal direction, the length from one end of the crotch elastic member to one end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction is shorter than the length from one end of the absorbent core to one end of the leg elastic member.

[0028] According to aspect 10, when the side portions of the absorbent body on the left and right outer sides of the end of the absorbent core rise up, the side portions of the absorbent body tend to rise up higher than the height of the convex shape of the absorbent core, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0029] (Aspect 11) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article has a crotch elastic region defined by the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member, and a leg elastic region defined by the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side of the absorbent core in the left-right direction, and the contraction rate of the crotch elastic region is lower than that of the leg elastic region.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect, the crotch elastic region does not shrink too much, so the height of the convex shape of the absorbent core can be appropriately controlled. Conversely, the high shrinkage rate of the leg elastic region improves the fit of the leg elastic region and its surrounding areas around the wearer's legs. This ensures the absorbent core adheres tightly to the crotch area while suppressing side leakage.

[0031] (Aspect 12) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, In the unfolded and stretched state, the leg elastic members are provided closer to the skin than the crotch elastic members.

[0032] According to aspect 12, the leg elastic members are more likely to push up the material located on the skin side, making it easier for the leg elastic members and their surrounding areas to stand up against the skin side, improving the fit around the wearer's legs and suppressing side leakage.

[0033] (Aspect 13) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article has a top sheet that is closer to the skin than the absorbent core, side sheets that are provided on the left and right sides of the skin-facing side of the top sheet, and leak-proof wall elastic members that are provided on the side sheets and stretch along the longitudinal direction, and the leak-proof wall elastic members are positioned more inward in the left and right direction than the leg elastic members.

[0034] According to the thirteenth aspect, body exudates can be doubly blocked by the portions where the side sheets stand up due to the leakage barrier elastic members (leak prevention portions), and by the leg elastic members and their neighboring portions that fit around the wearer's legs, thereby further suppressing side leakage.

[0035] (Aspect 14) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 13, In the unfolded and stretched state, the absorbent article has a leg elastic region defined by the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side of the absorbent core in the left-right direction, and a leak-proof wall elastic region defined by the stretchable portion of the leak-proof wall elastic member on one side of the left-right direction, and the contraction rate of the leak-proof wall elastic region is higher than that of the leg elastic region.

[0036] According to the fourteenth aspect, the leakage preventing wall elastic member and its adjacent area can be firmly erected, and excrement can be blocked as far inside as possible in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0037] (Aspect 15) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, In the unfolded and extended state, the outer member has a joint between the outer member and the absorbent main body, and the outer member is a continuous member extending from one end of the pants-type absorbent article to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and extends outward in the left-right direction beyond the joint over the entire area that overlaps with the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction.

[0038] According to the fifteenth aspect, when the outer member is pulled up, a force that inclines outward in the left-right direction from the crotch portion toward the waist joint acts on the absorbent main body, and deformation of the absorbent core by the crotch elastic members can be appropriately suppressed, ensuring the absorption area of ​​the absorbent core in the thickness direction. In addition, the leg elastic members in the crotch portion and their neighboring parts open outward in the left-right direction, making it easier to fit around the wearer's legs and reducing side leakage.

[0039] (Aspect 16) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, In the unfolded and stretched state, the garment has a leakproof back sheet that is located closer to the skin than the absorbent core, and one end of the back sheet in the left-right direction is located to one side in the left-right direction of the other end of the leg elastic member, which is located to one side in the left-right direction than the absorbent core.

[0040] According to aspect 16, at least a portion of the leg elastic members overlaps the backsheet in the thickness direction. Therefore, even if excrement flows outward in the left-right direction from the surface of the absorbent article or the absorbent core and reaches the position where the leg elastic members fit around the wearer's legs, the excrement can be received by the backsheet, preventing excrement from seeping out and side leakage.

[0041] === Implementation form === The following description will be given taking as an example a pants-type disposable diaper for adults (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1") as an example of a pants-type absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the pants-type absorbent article according to the present invention can also be used as sanitary shorts, etc. Furthermore, the wearer may be a living organism such as an infant or an animal. <<Basic structure of pants-type disposable diaper 1>> Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a pants-type disposable diaper 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 2. Fig. 4A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2, Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line CL-CL in Fig. 2. Here, the "unfolded state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the waist seam 2, which will be described later, has been untied, the diaper 1 has been opened in the longitudinal direction, and the diaper 1 has been unfolded in a plane.

[0042] In the pants-type state shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-to-back direction, which intersect with one another, and is formed with a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. In the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a horizontal direction, and a thickness direction, which intersect with one another. The longitudinal direction is the direction along the vertical direction in the pants-type state. The thickness direction is the direction in which the components constituting the diaper 1 are layered. In the vertical direction, the waist opening BH side is the upper side, and the crotch side is the lower side. In the front-to-back direction, the side facing the wearer's stomach is the front side, and the side facing the wearer's back is the rear side. In the thickness direction, the side in contact with the wearer's body (skin) is the skin side, and the opposite side is the non-skin side.

[0043] Furthermore, the "stretched state" of the diaper 1 refers to a state in which the entire diaper 1 is stretched without wrinkles by stretching each elastic member of the diaper 1 (for example, the waist elastic members 24, 25 and the leak-proof wall elastic member 51, which will be described later), specifically, a state in which the dimensions of each material constituting the diaper 1 (for example, the top sheet 12 and the inner layer sheet 23, which will be described later) are stretched to the same dimensions as or close to the dimensions of the individual member.

[0044] 3, the diaper 1 has an outer cover member 20 and an absorbent main body 10 joined to the skin side of the outer cover member 20. Cover sheets 31, 32 may be provided to cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 10 from the skin side. This can prevent the edges of the absorbent main body 10 from digging into the wearer's body and prevent the absorbent main body 10 from opening open.

[0045] In this specification, as shown in Fig. 2, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the diaper 1 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and the ventral region is referred to as the "ventral portion 1A," the central region is referred to as the "crotch portion 1B," and the dorsal region is referred to as the "dorsal portion 1C." The diaper 1 in an unfolded state is folded in half at the longitudinal central position CL, and the left and right side portions of the outer member 20 of the ventral portion 1A and the outer member 20 of the dorsal portion 1C are joined together to form the pants-type diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1. Examples of joining methods for the waist seam 2 include welding and joining with an adhesive.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent body 10 includes an absorbent core 11 that absorbs excrement, a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 (e.g., nonwoven fabric) provided on the skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction, a leak-proof (e.g., liquid-impermeable) back sheet 13 (e.g., a resin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene) provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction, a pair of side sheets 16, and an elastic member cover sheet 17. The elastic member cover sheet 17 is a sheet member that covers the non-skin side of the crotch elastic members 40 that stretch in the longitudinal direction. However, without being limited to the above, the pair of side sheets 16 and the elastic member cover sheet 17 may be formed from a single sheet. In other words, a single sheet may cover the non-skin side of the back sheet 13 and the crotch elastic members 40 from the non-skin side.

[0047] The absorbent core 11 absorbs and retains excreted liquids such as urine. The surface of the absorbent core 11 may be covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 18 (e.g., tissue paper). An example of the absorbent core 11 is one in which liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp containing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) are molded into a predetermined shape. The absorbent core 11 of this embodiment has a shape in which the center portion in the longitudinal direction is narrowed inward in the left-right direction, but the planar shape of the absorbent core 11 is not particularly limited.

[0048] Leakage preventing wall elastic members 51 and leg-hole elastic members 52 are provided on the left-right sides of the absorbent main body 10, laterally outboard of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 51. The leakage preventing wall elastic members 51 and the leg-hole elastic members 52 are thread-like elastic members that stretch along the longitudinal direction. The stretchability of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 51 causes the leakage preventing wall portions 50 to stand up against the skin.

[0049] The outer covering member 20 is a sheet member having a shape in which the longitudinal center portion is narrowed inward in the left-right direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the outer covering member 20 has a ventral outer layer sheet 21, a dorsal outer layer sheet 22, an inner layer sheet 23, waist elastic members 24 and 25, and a buttocks elastic member 26.

[0050] The ventral outer layer sheet 21, the back outer layer sheet 22, and the inner layer sheet 23 can be exemplified by flexible sheet members such as nonwoven fabrics. The inner layer sheet 23 forms the outer shape of the exterior member 20 and is a sheet member that is continuous from the ventral portion 1A through the crotch portion 1B to the back portion 1C. The ventral outer layer sheet 21 is disposed closer to the skin than the inner layer sheet 23 and in part of the ventral portion 1A. The ventral outer layer sheet 21 overlaps with the waistline joint 2 in the longitudinal direction and has the same longitudinal length as the waistline joint 2. The back outer layer sheet 22 is disposed closer to the skin than the inner layer sheet 23 and in part of the back portion 1C and the crotch portion 1B. The back outer layer sheet 22 overlaps with the waistline joint 2 in the longitudinal direction and extends further toward the crotch than the waistline joint 2. In the flattened diaper 1, the ventral outer sheet 21 and the dorsal outer sheet 22 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, with the inner sheet 23 exposed to the outside as the non-skin side of the diaper 1 between them.

[0051] The waist elastic members 24, 25 and the buttocks elastic members 26 are elastic members that stretch in the left-right direction, and can be exemplified by thread-like elastic members. As shown in FIG. 2, the waist elastic members 24, 25 overlap the waist joint 2 in the longitudinal direction. In the following description, the waist elastic member located in the abdominal portion 1A will also be referred to as the abdominal waist elastic member 24, and the waist elastic member 25 located in the back portion 1C will also be referred to as the back waist elastic member 25. The buttocks elastic member 26 is located on the crotch side in the longitudinal direction (lower in the up-down direction) than the waist joint 2. In this embodiment, there are two buttocks elastic members 26, but this number is not particularly limited.

[0052] The waist elastic members 24, 25 and buttocks elastic members 26 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction in the pants-shaped state between the inner layer sheet 23 and the ventral-side outer layer sheet 21 or the dorsal-side outer layer sheet 22, and are fixed in a stretched state in the horizontal direction, so that the outer member 20 fits snugly around the waist and buttocks of the wearer.

[0053] The basic structure of the diaper 1 has been described above, but the above-described structure of the diaper 1 is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting. For example, a liquid-permeable intermediate sheet (e.g., nonwoven fabric) may be disposed between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11.

[0054] <<Provides a tight fit around the crotch area and prevents side leakage>> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the crotch elastic members 40 in the diaper 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the leg-hole elastic members 52 and the joints 60. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating deformation of the absorbent core 11 due to the crotch elastic members 40, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating deformation of the absorbent main body 10 at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of elastic regions. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of the leg-hole elastic members 52 and the lateral elastic members. FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 show a portion of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a portion of a modified diaper 1. The drawings show only the stretchable portions of the crotch elastic members 40, the leakage-barrier elastic members 51, and the leg-hole elastic members 52.

[0055] The diaper 1 has a joint 60 between the outer cover member 20 and the absorbent main body 10. The joint 60 illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 has a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of joints 60 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. One example of a joining method using the joints 60 is a joining method using an adhesive. In the joints 60, the adhesive may be applied without any gaps (so-called solid application), or the adhesive may be applied in a well-known pattern (for example, a spiral pattern or an Ω pattern).

[0056] The diaper 1 also has "crotch elastic members 40" that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction and are located closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11. The diaper 1 of this embodiment has a plurality (here, five) of thread-like elastic members as the crotch elastic members 40. As shown in FIG. 4B , the plurality of crotch elastic members 40 are arranged side by side at intervals in the left-right direction between the backsheet 13 and the elastic member cover sheet 17. Each crotch elastic member 40 is attached in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction. The crotch elastic members 40 may be located closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, for example, on the skin-side surface of the backsheet 13 or between the absorbent main body 10 and the exterior member 20. The number of thread-like crotch elastic members 40 is not particularly limited, and the crotch elastic members 40 may be a stretchable sheet (e.g., stretchable nonwoven fabric, stretchable film, etc.).

[0057] 8, the area defined by the stretchable portions of the crotch elastic members 40 will be referred to as the crotch elastic region E40, the area defined by the stretchable portions of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 51 will be referred to as the leakage preventing wall elastic region E51, and the area defined by the stretchable portions of the leg opening elastic members 52 will be referred to as the leg opening elastic region E52. The absorbent main body 10 has the leakage preventing wall elastic region E51 and the leg opening elastic region E52 on one and the other sides in the left-right direction, respectively.

[0058] Specifically, when multiple thread-like elastic members (e.g., crotch elastic member 40) are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, the elastic region is the region between the leftmost elastic member (e.g., crotch elastic member 40a) and the rightmost elastic member (e.g., crotch elastic member 40b), and is surrounded by an imaginary line connecting the longitudinal ventral ends of the stretched portions of each of the left-right-aligned elastic members and an imaginary line connecting the longitudinal dorsal ends of the stretched portions of each of the elastic members. When the elastic member is a stretchable sheet, the elastic region is the region where the stretchable sheet is arranged. When multiple strip-shaped stretchable sheets or flat elastic bands are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, the same applies as in the case of thread-like elastic members. In other words, the elastic region is the region between the left end of the leftmost strip-shaped stretchable sheet or flat elastic band and the right end of the rightmost strip-shaped stretchable sheet or flat elastic band.

[0059] Preferably, at least a portion of the crotch elastic member 40 is provided in the "crotch portion 1B" (see FIG. 2), which is the central region when the diaper 1 in a flat and stretched state is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. The crotch elastic member 40 may be contained within the crotch portion 1B, or may extend to the ventral portion 1A or the dorsal portion 1C. In this embodiment, the crotch elastic member 40 is positioned offset toward the ventral side of the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1, but this is not limiting. The crotch elastic member 40 may be positioned across the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 10, or may be positioned offset toward the dorsal side of the longitudinal direction.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, when the diaper 1 is in an expanded and stretched state and viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent core 11 is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction: three regions 11A, 11B, and 11C. Of these, the crotch elastic members 40 (stretchable portions) are disposed only in the central region 11B. The three equal parts in the left-right direction are the regions 11A-11C defined by trisecting lines Lc1 and Lc2 that divide the maximum width W0 of the absorbent core 11 into three equal parts. The crotch elastic members 40 need only be disposed in the central region 11B. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the crotch elastic members 40 are also disposed within the central region (not shown) when the absorbent core 11 is divided into three equal parts at its minimum width. Therefore, the crotch elastic members 40 are disposed only in the central region when the absorbent core 11 is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction.

[0061] The crotch elastic members 40, which overlap the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction, are bonded to the absorbent core 11 via the backsheet 13 with adhesive or the like. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the crotch elastic members 40 contract longitudinally, pushing the absorbent core 11 up toward the wearer's skin. Furthermore, if the crotch elastic members 40 are located only in the lateral central region 11B, the lateral central portion of the absorbent core 11 is more likely to deform upward (toward the wearer's crotch region) into a convex shape, as shown in FIG. 7A . In other words, the boundaries between the region where the crotch elastic members 40 are located and contract longitudinally and the regions further outward in the lateral direction become folding points, facilitating convex deformation. This improves the adhesion of the absorbent core 11 to the wearer's crotch region. Specifically, this reduces the likelihood of a gap forming between the wearer's excretory opening (e.g., urination opening) and the absorbent core 11, thereby preventing excretions such as urine from leaking out of the diaper 1 along the wearer's skin.

[0062] If crotch elastic members were placed in areas other than the central region 11B in the left-right direction, the absorbent core would be pulled up over a wide area in the width direction, but the above arrangement ensures a space for accommodating bodily waste. Particularly for adults, the amount of urine voided in one urination is large. Even in this case, the absorbent core 11 can temporarily accommodate urine before it is drawn into the absorbent core 11, thereby preventing side leakage from the wearer's legs.

[0063] In the region of the absorbent core 11 adjacent to the crotch elastic members 40 in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent core 11 deforms into a convex shape even if the crotch elastic members 40 are not disposed, as shown in Fig. 7B, for example. The deformation of the absorbent core 11 decreases with increasing distance from the crotch elastic members 40 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the crotch elastic members 40 are positioned offset toward the ventral side in the longitudinal direction, as in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the absorbent core 11 is more likely to deform into a convex shape at the position that contacts the wearer's urination opening, and the deformation of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11 decreases toward the dorsal side in the longitudinal direction, ensuring a space for accommodating excrement (urine and feces).

[0064] The diaper 1 also has leg-hole elastic members 52 provided on the lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10 and stretchable along the longitudinal direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A , the side sheets 16 extend from both lateral edges of the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 13 and are folded over onto the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12. The leg-hole elastic members 52 are attached to the folded-over portions of the side sheets 16 in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. Two thread-like leg-hole elastic members 52 are arranged side by side at a distance in the lateral direction on each of the lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10. In the following description, the outer leg-hole elastic members 52 in the lateral direction are also referred to as outer leg-hole elastic members 52o, and the inner leg-hole elastic members 52 in the lateral direction are also referred to as inner leg-hole elastic members 52i.

[0065] 4A. For example, the number of leg-hole elastic members 52 is not particularly limited, and the leg-hole elastic members 52 may be sheet-shaped elastic members. Furthermore, the leg-hole elastic members are not limited to the folded-back portions of the side sheets 16. For example, the leg-hole elastic members may be sandwiched and attached between a sheet (e.g., a top sheet) that is closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11 and extends outward in the left-right direction, and a sheet (e.g., a back sheet or an exterior sheet) that is closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11 and extends outward in the left-right direction.

[0066] 5 and 6, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the leg-hole elastic members 52 (stretchable portions) are disposed laterally outward of the absorbent core 11. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 11 has a shape in which the longitudinal center portion is constricted inward in the width direction. At the constricted portions of the absorbent core 11 (FIGS. 4B and 4C), both the leakage barrier wall elastic members 51 and the leg-hole elastic members 52 are positioned laterally outward of the absorbent core 11. On the other hand, at the longitudinal end portions of the absorbent core 11 (FIG. 4A), the leakage barrier wall elastic members 51 are positioned above the absorbent core 11. Although not shown, the side sheets 16 are fixed to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12 with an adhesive on the longitudinal extension of the leakage barrier wall elastic members 51. Therefore, if the diaper 1 does not have the leg-hole elastic members 52 but only has the leakage barrier elastic members 51, the leakage barrier elastic members 51 will be easily affected by the deformation of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11 caused by the crotch elastic members 40. As a result, the leakage barrier wall portions 50 will tend to stand up from positions on the inside in the left-right direction, which will make it easier for body waste to leak outward in the left-right direction.

[0067] In contrast, the stretchable portions of the leg opening elastic members 52 are positioned laterally outward of the absorbent core 11 throughout the entire longitudinal area. Therefore, the leg opening wall elastic members 52 are less susceptible to deformation of the absorbent core 11 than the leakage preventing wall elastic members 51, and are more likely to function independently of the absorbent core 11. Therefore, even when the absorbent core 11 is deformed inwardly into a convex shape by the crotch elastic members 40 as shown in Fig. 7B, the leg opening elastic regions E52 and their vicinity (i.e., the lateral side portions of the absorbent main body 10) open outwardly in the lateral direction and easily fit around the wearer's legs. This makes it possible to prevent side leakage of body exudates from around the wearer's legs.

[0068] 6, at the lateral side edges CLs of the absorbent main body 10 at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state, the joints 60 are not located, and the absorbent main body 10 is not joined to the outer sheath member 20. The longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1 is the position that abuts against the wearer's crotch region. At this position, the lateral side edges of the absorbent main body 10 are less susceptible to the movement of the outer sheath member 20. Therefore, the leg-hole elastic regions E52 provided on the lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10 are less susceptible to the movement of the outer sheath member 20, and are more likely to maintain a good fit around the wearer's legs. This further reduces side leakage from the wearer's legs.

[0069] Preferably, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the crotch elastic members 40 (stretchable portions) have portions that overlap with the leg elastic members 52 (stretchable portions) in the longitudinal direction. This allows the absorbent core 11, which is deformed into a convex shape by the crotch elastic members 40, to be aligned in the left-right direction with the leg elastic regions E52 that fit the wearer's legs and their neighboring portions. Therefore, even if the absorbent core 11 is deformed into a convex shape and its width in the thickness direction is narrowed, side leakage can be suppressed.

[0070] Furthermore, at the lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10 at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state, at least a part of the leg-hole elastic members 52 (stretchable portions) is preferably arranged in a portion where the absorbent main body 10 is not joined to the outer sheath member 20. In this embodiment (FIG. 6), at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1, both the outer leg-hole elastic members 52o and the inner leg-hole elastic members 52i are arranged laterally outward of the joining portion 60. The leg-hole elastic members 52 arranged in a portion where the absorbent main body 10 is not joined to the outer sheath member 20 are less susceptible to the movement of the outer sheath member 20. This allows the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring portions to fit more easily around the legs of the wearer, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0071] As shown in a modified example (FIG. 10), at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1, only a portion of the leg elastic members 52 may be arranged laterally outward of the joint 60. In addition, when the leg elastic members are sheet-shaped, it is preferable that the entire width or a portion of the sheet is arranged laterally outward of the joint 60 at the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1.

[0072] Furthermore, although the outer covering member 20 of this embodiment is formed of a single member that is continuous in the longitudinal direction from the ventral side to the dorsal side, this is not limiting. For example, an outer covering member for the crotch portion may be provided between the ventral and dorsal side outer covering members, which are separate members. Alternatively, the ventral and dorsal side outer covering members may be formed of separate members, with the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent main body exposed in the crotch portion. If an outer covering member is not present at the longitudinal center of the diaper, the absorbent main body will not be joined to the outer covering member at the lateral ends of the absorbent main body at this central position, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effect. Similarly, if an outer covering member is not present at the longitudinal center of the diaper, the leg-hole elastic members will be located in the portions of the absorbent main body that are not joined to the outer covering member at this central position, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effect.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 6, it is preferable that at least a portion of the leg-hole elastic members 52 be disposed inwardly of the side edges of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction. In other words, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, it is preferable that the maximum width W1 of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction is longer than the distance W2 between the inner ends of the leg-hole elastic members 52 disposed on both sides of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction (i.e., the distance between the inner leg-hole elastic member 52i on one side and the inner leg-hole elastic member 52i on the other side in the left-right direction) (W1>W2). This allows the region from the inner leg-hole elastic member 52i to the side edges of the absorbent main body 10 to easily fit closely around the wearer's legs in a planar manner, as shown in Fig. 7B. This helps to prevent side leakage.

[0074] The position of the end of the stretchable portion of the leg-hole elastic member 52 on one longitudinal side (ventral side or dorsal side) is also referred to as the end position of the leg-hole elastic member 52. When the end positions of the leg-hole elastic members 52 on both lateral sides are different, the position of the end on the longitudinal center side is used as the reference. When the diaper 1 is unfolded and stretched, at the end positions of the leg-hole elastic members 52, the length W3 from one end to the other end of the joint 60 in the lateral direction is preferably equal to or greater than the length W2 between the inner ends of the leg-hole elastic members 52 disposed on both lateral sides of the absorbent core 11 in the lateral direction (W3≧W2). In this embodiment, the length W3 of the joint 60 at the longitudinal ends 52ea, 52eb of the leg-hole elastic member 52 is slightly longer than the length W2 between the inner ends of the leg-hole elastic members 52.

[0075] Therefore, the longitudinal ends of the leg-hole elastic regions E52 are affected by the movement of the outer sheath member 20, and when the outer sheath member 20 is pulled up to put the diaper 1 on, the leg-hole elastic regions E52 are also easily pulled up, allowing the diaper 1 to fit snugly around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the outer sheath member 20 at the ends 52ea, 52eb of the leg-hole elastic members 52 is stretched outward in the lateral direction by the waist elastic members 24, 25, thereby closely fitting around the wearer's waist. Therefore, the longitudinal ends of the waist elastic regions E52 are also pulled outward in the lateral direction, making them less likely to collapse inward in the lateral direction. Therefore, at the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1 (the crotch portion 1B), the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring regions open outward in the lateral direction, allowing the diaper 1 to fit snugly around the wearer's legs, thereby preventing side leakage.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, it is preferable that the maximum longitudinal length L1 of the stretched portion of the crotch elastic member 40 is equal to or less than half the maximum longitudinal length L2 of the stretched portion of the leg elastic member 52 (L1≦L2 / 2).

[0077] By appropriately restricting the length L1 of the crotch elastic members 40, it is possible to prevent the absorbent core 11 from being pulled up over a wide area in the longitudinal direction, thereby ensuring space for accommodating bodily waste. In other words, by providing the crotch elastic members 40 only in areas of the wearer where the absorbent core 11 needs to be closely fitted (for example, the urination opening), the absorbent core 11 can be deformed into a convex shape. On the other hand, by lengthening the length L2 of the leg elastic members 52, the leg elastic regions E52 and their neighboring areas fit over a wide area around the wearer's legs, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0078] 6, the joint 60 has a ventral joint portion 61 located on the ventral side in the longitudinal direction on the left-right side of the absorbent main body 10, and a dorsal joint portion 62 located on the other side in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the ventral joint portion 61. That is, on the left-right side of the absorbent main body 10, the joint portions 60 are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the absorbent main body 10 and the outer sheath member 20 can be unjoined between the ventral joint portion 61 and the dorsal joint portion 62. Therefore, not only the side ends of the absorbent main body 10 but also the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 over a range of length in the left-right direction are less susceptible to the influence of the movement of the outer sheath member 20. Therefore, the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring portions can be more easily maintained in a state where they fit around the legs of the wearer, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0079] Furthermore, it is preferable that the one-side joining portion (at least one of the ventral joining portion 61 and the dorsal joining portion 62) located on one side in the longitudinal direction is located on one side of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member 40 in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 adjacent to the portion on one side in the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member 40 from being joined to the exterior member 20 and being less susceptible to its influence. Therefore, the leg elastic members 52 make it easier for the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 to maintain a state in which they fit around the wearer's legs, thereby suppressing side leakage. Furthermore, according to the above, the crotch elastic member 40 is not positioned too far to one side in the longitudinal direction (the ventral side or the dorsal side). For example, by not positioning the crotch elastic member 40 too far to the ventral side, discomfort when wearing the garment can be alleviated, and by not positioning the crotch elastic member 40 too far to the dorsal side, space can be secured to accommodate body waste (feces).

[0080] Preferably, the other-side joining portion (ventral joining portion 61 or dorsal joining portion 62) located on the other side in the longitudinal direction is also located on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member 40. In Fig. 6, the abdominal joining portion 61 is located on the ventral side in the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member 40, and the dorsal joining portion 62 is located on the dorsal side in the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member 40. By doing so, the side portion of the absorbent main body 10 overlapping with the crotch elastic member 40 in the longitudinal direction is not joined to the exterior member 20 over a range having a length in the left-right direction, making it easier to maintain a fit around the legs of the wearer.

[0081] In contrast, the joint 63 located laterally inward of the ventral joint 61 and the dorsal joint 62 is continuous from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10. Since the central part in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 10 has little effect on the fit of the leg elastic regions E52, the central part is firmly joined to the exterior member 20, thereby preventing the absorbent main body 10 and the exterior member 20 from peeling off.

[0082] In the pants-type diaper 1, the ventral waist portion 20A and the back waist portion 20B of the outer cover member 20 are joined in an annular shape by a pair of waist joint portions 2. When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, it is preferable that one joint portion located on one side in the longitudinal direction (at least one of the ventral joint portion 61 and the back joint portion 62) extends further toward the other side in the longitudinal direction (toward the center CL) than the waist joint portion 2 on one side in the longitudinal direction.

[0083] As a result, the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 overlapping the waist joint 2 in the longitudinal direction are joined to the outer sheath member 20. Therefore, when the outer sheath member 20 is pulled up, the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 are also easily pulled up, making it easier for the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring portions to fit around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the outer sheath member 20 fitting around the wearer's waist (specifically, the outer sheath member 20 stretching in the left-right direction due to the waist-hole elastic members 24, 25) makes it difficult for the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 overlapping with the outer sheath member 20 to collapse inward in the left-right direction. Therefore, at the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1 (the crotch portion 1B), the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring portions open outward in the left-right direction to fit around the wearer's legs more easily, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0084] However, the shape, number, and arrangement of the joining portions 60 are not limited to those exemplified in Fig. 6. For example, as shown in a modified example in Fig. 10, the joining portions 60 at the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 may be continuous in the longitudinal direction. In this case, too, as long as the joining portions 60 are located at least at the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1, inside the side ends of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction, the absorbent main body 10 will not be joined to the outer casing 20. Furthermore, a relatively narrow joining portion 63 adjacent to the ventral joining portion 61 and the dorsal joining portion 62 from the inside in the left-right direction in Fig. 6 may also be not joined to the outer casing 20 at its longitudinal center, similar to the ventral joining portion 61 and the dorsal joining portion 62.

[0085] The outer cover member 20 has transverse elastic members that stretch in the left-right direction. The diaper 1 of this embodiment has, as transverse elastic members, waist elastic members 24, 25 that overlap the waist joint 2 in the longitudinal direction, and a buttocks elastic member 26 that is located closer to the crotch than the waist joint 2. Note that the transverse elastic members are not limited to those that are arranged along the left-right direction over the entire area. For example, elastic members that slope from the left-right side portions (waist joint 2) toward the crotch side in the longitudinal direction toward the sides of the absorbent main body 10 and are arranged along the left-right direction in the center of the left-right direction are also included in the transverse elastic members.

[0086] It is preferable that the stretchable portions of the leg elastic members 52 intersect with the stretchable portions of the lateral elastic members when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the stretchable portions of the leg elastic members 52 on the ventral side in the longitudinal direction intersect with the lowest ventral-side waist elastic member 24, and the stretchable portions of the leg elastic members 52 on the dorsal side in the longitudinal direction intersect with the two buttocks elastic members 26.

[0087] As a result, the longitudinal ends of the leg-hole elastic members 52 are pulled outward in the left-right direction by the lateral elastic members (the abdominal waist elastic members 24 and the buttocks elastic members 26), making them less likely to collapse inward. Therefore, at the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1 (the crotch portion 1B), the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring areas open outward in the left-right direction, making it easier to fit around the wearer's legs and reducing side leakage.

[0088] In addition, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, it is preferable that, as viewed in the thickness direction, the end of the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member 52 on one longitudinal side has a portion that overlaps with the joint 60. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, both longitudinal ends of the inner leg elastic member 52i overlap with the joint 60 in the thickness direction.

[0089] This makes the stretchable portions of the leg-hole elastic members 52 more susceptible to the direct influence of the movement of the outer cover member 20 at least on one longitudinal side (here, both sides). Therefore, when the outer cover member 20 is pulled up, the leg-hole elastic regions E52 are also more easily pulled up, allowing the diaper to fit around the wearer's legs. Furthermore, as the outer cover member 20 stretches in the lateral direction, the longitudinal ends of the leg-hole elastic regions E52 are also pulled outward in the lateral direction, making them less likely to collapse inward. Therefore, at the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1 (the crotch portion 1B), the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring regions open outward in the lateral direction, allowing the diaper 1 to fit around the wearer's legs more easily and suppressing side leakage.

[0090] Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the end 60e of the joint 60 on one side in the left-right direction is located to one side of the end 11e of the absorbent core 11, and it is preferable that the length W4 from the end 11e of the absorbent core 11 to the end 60e of the joint 60 is longer than the length W5 from the end 60e of the joint 60 to the end 10e of the absorbent main body 10 (W4>W5). Since the absorbent main body 10 of this embodiment has a left-right symmetrical configuration, the above holds true on both the left and right sides.

[0091] As a result, the joint 60 extends beyond the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction, ensuring an appropriate length (longer than W5). Therefore, the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 that are joined to the exterior member 20 beyond the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction can appropriately suppress deformation of the absorbent core 11 (deformation toward the inside in the left-right direction) caused by the crotch elastic members 40. This prevents the left-right width of the absorbent core 11 from becoming too short in the thickness direction, ensuring an absorption area of ​​the absorbent core 11 that receives excrement, and suppressing side leakage.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 8, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, at a center position C40 of the longitudinally stretched portion of the crotch elastic member 40, it is preferable that the length W6 from one end of the crotch elastic member 40 (e.g., the crotch elastic member 40a) to one end 11a of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length W7 from one end 11a of the absorbent core 11 to one end 52a of the leg elastic member 52 (e.g., the outer leg elastic member 52o) (W6 <W7)。

[0093] As a result, when the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 on the outer side in the left-right direction from the end of the absorbent core 11 rise up (for example, FIG. 7B), the side portions of the absorbent main body 10 tend to rise up higher than the height of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11. This makes it possible to suppress side leakage.

[0094] Furthermore, the contraction rate of the crotch elastic region E40 is preferably lower than that of the leg-hole elastic region E52. The contraction rate is the ratio of the length of the diaper 1 in a stretched state divided by the length in a natural state. A low contraction rate for the crotch elastic region E40 prevents excessive contraction of the crotch elastic region E40, thereby appropriately suppressing the height of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11. Conversely, a high contraction rate for the leg-hole elastic region E52 allows the leg-hole elastic region E52 to easily stand up, improving the fit around the wearer's legs. Therefore, the deformation of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11 ensures close contact with the crotch area while suppressing side leakage.

[0095] The contraction rates of the crotch elastic region E40 and the leg elastic region E52 can be measured by a known method. The contraction rates are measured without removing the elastic members from the diaper 1, while the elastic members are still incorporated into the diaper 1. First, as shown in Fig. 8, with the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, a longitudinal overlap area between the crotch elastic region E40 and the leg elastic region E52 is identified. Two longitudinal points (a first position p1 and a second position p2) within this overlap area are determined. In Fig. 8, the position of the longitudinal end of the crotch elastic region E40 on the ventral side is designated as the first position p1, and the position of the longitudinal end of the crotch elastic region E40 on the dorsal side is designated as the second position p2. Then, with the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state, the length La40 from the first position p1 to the second position p2 of the crotch elastic region E40 and the length La52 from the first position p1 to the second position p2 of the leg elastic region E52 are measured. In the stretched state, the length La40 and the length La52 are the same. Next, with the diaper 1 in its unfolded and natural state, the length La40' from the first position p1 to the second position p2 of the crotch elastic region E40 and the length La52' from the first position p1 to the second position p2 of the leg-hole elastic region E52 are measured. The natural state refers to a state in which the diaper 1 is placed on a flat surface such as a desk without any load (in an unstretched state). The contraction ratio (La40 / La40', La52 / La52') is calculated by dividing the length in the stretched state by the length in the natural state for each elastic region (E40, E52).

[0096] For example, if the crotch elastic region E40 has a relatively longer length in the natural state than the leg elastic region E52 (La40'>La52') and the contraction rate is small (low), it is possible to appropriately reduce the height of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11. It is advisable to adjust the number and thickness of the elastic members, the contraction rate of each elastic member alone (length in the stretched state / length in the natural state), etc. so as to achieve the above-mentioned contraction rate relationship.

[0097] 4B, in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1, the leg-hole elastic members 52 are preferably located closer to the skin than the crotch elastic members 40. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the crotch elastic members 40 are located closer to the skin than the backsheet 13, whereas the leg-hole elastic members 52 are located closer to the skin than the backsheet 13.

[0098] As a result, the leg opening elastic members 52 can easily push up the material located on the skin side, which makes it easier for the leg opening elastic regions E52 and their surrounding areas to rise up against the skin side, improving the fit around the legs of the wearer and suppressing side leakage.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 4A and other figures, the diaper 1 preferably includes side sheets 16 provided on the left and right sides of the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12, and leak-barrier elastic members 51 provided on the side sheets 16 and stretchable along the longitudinal direction. Due to the stretchability of the leak-barrier elastic members 51, the portions of the side sheets 16 on which the leak-barrier elastic members 51 are provided rise up toward the wearer's skin as leak-barrier walls 50, thereby blocking body waste. As shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, the leak-barrier walls 50 rise from the adhesive HMA that joins the side sheets 16 and the back sheet 13. There is no particular limitation on the number of leak-barrier elastic members 51, and the leak-barrier elastic members 51 may be sheet-like elastic members.

[0100] When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the leakage barrier elastic members 51 are disposed laterally inward of the leg-hole elastic members 52. Therefore, the leakage barrier walls 50 and the leg-hole elastic regions E52 and their neighboring areas that fit around the wearer's legs provide a double containment of body waste, thereby preventing side leakage. However, the diaper 1 is not limited to the above, and may not include the leakage barrier elastic members 51. Furthermore, the side sheets are not limited to being folded back from the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11, and may be configured to be provided only on the skin side of the top sheet 12.

[0101] When the diaper 1 has the leakage barrier elastic members 51, it is preferable that the contraction rate of the leakage barrier elastic region E51 on one side in the left-right direction is higher (larger) than the contraction rate of the leg-hole elastic region E52 on one side in the left-right direction. This allows the leakage barrier wall 50 on the inner side in the left-right direction to stand up firmly, and allows excrement to be blocked as far inside in the left-right direction as possible. This further suppresses side leakage. Note that the absorbent main body 10 of this embodiment has a left-right symmetrical configuration, and the contraction rate of the leakage barrier elastic region E51 on the other side in the left-right direction is also higher than the contraction rate of the leg-hole elastic region E52 on the other side in the left-right direction.

[0102] The contraction rates of the leakage barrier elastic region E51 and the leg-hole elastic region E52 can be measured in the same manner as described above, and are measured with the elastic members (50, 52) incorporated into the diaper 1. First, as shown in Fig. 8, with the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, two longitudinal points (third position p3 and fourth position p4) are determined within the region where the leakage barrier elastic region E51 and the leg-hole elastic region E52 overlap in the longitudinal direction. The length Lb51 from the third position p3 to the fourth position p4 of the leakage barrier elastic region E51 in the unfolded and stretched state is divided by the length Lb51' from the third position p3 to the fourth position p4 of the leakage barrier elastic region E51 in the unfolded and natural state, and the resulting value (Lb51 / Lb51') is used to compare the contraction rates of the leakage barrier elastic region E51. In addition, the length Lb52 from the third position p3 to the fourth position p4 of the leg-hole elastic region E52 in the unfolded and stretched state is divided by the length Lb52' from the third position p3 to the fourth position p4 of the leg-hole elastic region E52 in the unfolded and natural state, and the value (Lb52 / Lb52') is compared as the contraction rate of the leg-hole elastic region E52.

[0103] Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, it is preferable that the exterior member 20 is a continuous member from one end of the diaper 1 to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and that it extends outward in the left-right direction beyond the joint 60 in the entire area where it overlaps with the absorbent main body 10 in the longitudinal direction. In Fig. 5, in the area where the exterior member 20 and the absorbent main body 10 overlap in the longitudinal direction, the portion of the exterior member 20 that extends outward in the left-right direction beyond the joint 60 is dotted (note that the dots are applied only on one side in the left-right direction).

[0104] As described above, when the diaper 1 is pulled up, a force acts on the outer member 20 in a direction inclined outward in the left-right direction from the longitudinal center CL of the diaper 1 toward the waist seam 2. Accordingly, the absorbent main body 10 also tends to expand outward in the left-right direction starting from the seam 60. This makes it possible to appropriately suppress deformation of the convex shape of the absorbent core 11 caused by the crotch elastic members 40, thereby ensuring the width (absorption area) of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the leg elastic regions E52 and their neighboring areas open outward in the left-right direction, making it easier to fit around the wearer's legs and reducing side leakage.

[0105] 4B, in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1, it is preferable that one end 13e of the backsheet 13 in the left-right direction is located to one side (outside) of the other end (inner end) of the leg-hole elastic member 52 that is located to one side in the left-right direction of the absorbent core 11. In this embodiment, one end 13e of the backsheet 13 in the left-right direction is located to one side (outside) of the inner leg-hole elastic member 52i of the two leg-hole elastic members 52 that are located on one side in the left-right direction of the absorbent main body 10.

[0106] According to the above, the inner leg elastic members 52i overlap the backsheet 13 in the thickness direction. Therefore, even if the excrement flows outward in the left-right direction from the surface of the topsheet 12 or the absorbent core 11 and reaches the position where the leg elastic members 52 fit around the wearer's legs, the excrement can be received by the backsheet 13, preventing the excrement from seeping out and side leakage.

[0107] Preferably, when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, one end 13e of the backsheet 13 in the left-right direction is located to one side (outside) of the rising starting point of the leakage preventing wall 50 on that side in the left-right direction. The rising starting point of the leakage preventing wall 50 is the inner end HMAe in the left-right direction of the joining portion (e.g., adhesive HMA applied longitudinally) that joins the side sheet 16 constituting the leakage preventing wall 50 to the sheet (here, the backsheet 13) closer to the skin than the side sheet 16, as shown in Fig. 4B.

[0108] According to the above, the back sheet 13 is positioned to the left-right outside of the rising starting point HMAe of the leakage preventing wall portion 50. Therefore, the back sheet 13 can receive the excrement blocked by the leakage preventing wall portion 50, and excrement that has flowed outward in the left-right direction to the leakage preventing wall portion 50 can be prevented from seeping out, thereby preventing side leakage.

[0109] ===Other=== The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1. Pants-type disposable diapers (absorbent articles), 2 waist joint, 10. Absorbent body; 11 absorbent core, 12 top sheet, 13 back seat, 16 side seats, 17 Elastic member cover sheet, 20 Exterior components, 21 ventral outer sheet, 22 dorsal outer sheet, 23 inner layer sheet, 24 (ventral side) waist elastic member (horizontal elastic member) 25 (back side) waist elastic member, 26 buttock elastic member (transverse elastic member), 31 cover sheet, 32 cover sheet, 40 crotch elastic member, 50 Leakage prevention wall section, 51 Leak-proof wall elastic member, 52 Elastic member around the legs, 60 joints,

Claims

1. An exterior member; an absorbent main body joined to the skin side of the exterior member and including an absorbent core; A pants-type absorbent article having In the deployed and extended state, having a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with one another, a crotch elastic member provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and stretchable along the longitudinal direction; When viewed in the thickness direction, the absorbent core is divided into three equal parts in the left-right direction, and of the three regions, the crotch elastic members are arranged only in a central region, The absorbent body has leg elastic members provided on the left-right side portions thereof and stretchable along the longitudinal direction, The leg elastic members are disposed outside the absorbent core in the left-right direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the absorbent main body is not joined to the outer member at the left and right side ends of the absorbent main body at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article.

2. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, In the deployed and extended state, In the longitudinal direction, the crotch elastic members have portions that overlap with the leg elastic members, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that at least a portion of the leg elastic members are arranged in the left-right sides of the absorbent main body at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the pants-type absorbent article, in a portion where the absorbent main body is not joined to the outer member.

3. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a joint portion between the exterior member and the absorbent main body; At the end of the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side in the longitudinal direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the length from one end to the other end of the joint in the left-right direction is greater than or equal to the length between the inner ends of the leg elastic members respectively arranged on both outer sides of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in an unfolded and stretched state, the maximum length in the longitudinal direction of the stretched portion of the crotch elastic member is equal to or less than half the maximum length in the longitudinal direction of the stretched portion of the leg elastic member.

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a joint portion between the exterior member and the absorbent main body; The joint portion has, at the left-right side portion of the absorbent main body, a one-side joint portion located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second-side joint portion located on the other side in the longitudinal direction with a gap therebetween from the one-side joint portion, The pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that the one-side joining portion is located on one side in the longitudinal direction of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member.

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 5, The ventral waist portion and the back waist portion of the exterior member are joined in an annular shape by a pair of waist joints, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in an unfolded and stretched state, the one-side joint portion extends further toward the other side in the longitudinal direction than the waistline joint portion on one side in the longitudinal direction.

7. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, The exterior member has a lateral elastic member that expands and contracts in the left-right direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the stretchable portions of the leg-hole elastic members and the stretchable portions of the lateral elastic members intersect with each other.

8. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a joint portion between the exterior member and the absorbent main body; A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, when viewed in the thickness direction, an end of the stretchable portion of the leg elastic member on one side in the longitudinal direction has a portion that overlaps with the joint portion.

9. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a joint portion between the exterior member and the absorbent main body; A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, on one side in the left-right direction, the end of the joint is located on the one side of the end of the absorbent core, and the length from the end of the absorbent core to the end of the joint is longer than the length from the end of the joint to the end of the absorbent main body.

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, when in an unfolded and stretched state, at the center position of the stretched portion of the crotch elastic member in the longitudinal direction, the length from one end of the crotch elastic member to one end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction is shorter than the length from one end of the absorbent core to one end of the leg elastic member.

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a crotch elastic region defined by the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member; a leg-hole elastic region defined by a stretchable portion of the leg-hole elastic member on one side of the absorbent core in the left-right direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the contraction rate of the crotch elastic region is lower than the contraction rate of the leg elastic region.

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in an unfolded and stretched state, the leg-hole elastic members are provided closer to the skin than the crotch elastic members.

13. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a top sheet provided closer to the skin than the absorbent core; side sheets provided on the left and right sides of the skin-facing side of the top sheet; and leakage preventing wall elastic members provided on the side sheets and stretchable along the longitudinal direction, The pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that the leakage preventing wall elastic members are arranged inside the leg-hole elastic members in the left-right direction.

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 13, In the deployed and extended state, a leg-hole elastic region defined by a stretchable portion of the leg-hole elastic member on one side of the absorbent core in the left-right direction; a leakage preventing wall elastic region defined by an elastic portion of the leakage preventing wall elastic member on one side in the left-right direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the contraction rate of the leakage preventing wall elastic regions is higher than the contraction rate of the leg-hole elastic regions.

15. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a joint portion between the exterior member and the absorbent main body; The outer member is a continuous member extending from one end of the pants-type absorbent article to the other end in the longitudinal direction, and extends outward in the left-right direction beyond the joint over the entire area that overlaps with the absorbent main body in the longitudinal direction.

16. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the deployed and extended state, a leak-proof back sheet provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core; A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that one end of the back sheet in the left-right direction is located to one side in the left-right direction of the other end of the leg elastic member, which is located to one side in the left-right direction of the absorbent core.

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