Pants-type absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a pants-type absorbent article which has elastic members for the crotch area and allows the wearer to easily put their legs through openings around the legs when wearing the article. [Solution] A pants-type absorbent article (1) having an absorbent main body (10) with an absorbent core (11), and a waistline member (20) with a front waistline portion (20f) and a rear waistline portion (20b), wherein the front waistline portion (20f) and the rear waistline portion (20b) are joined together by a pair of side joining portions (5) to form a pair of leg openings (LH), the pants-type absorbent article (1) has crotch elastic members (40) that stretch along the longitudinal direction, and the rear waistline portion (20b) has buttocks elastic members (26) that are arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction, forward of the front ends (5beb) of the side joining portions (5), and the rear ends (40eb) of the crotch elastic members (40) are located forward of the buttocks elastic members (26) that are arranged at the frontmost side of the rear waistline portion (20b) in the longitudinal direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in a pants-type absorbent article (such as a pants-type diaper) having an absorbent main body and waistband members arranged so as to cover the front and rear of the absorbent main body from the non-skin side, a technique has been known in which an elastic member (crotch elastic member) that stretches along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body is provided to improve the fit of the absorbent main body in the crotch area. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a diaper (absorbent article) that includes leg elastics 7A that stretch along the width direction and a central elastic member 60 (corresponding to the crotch elastic member) that stretches along the longitudinal direction, and that prevents the absorbent main body 40 from moving away from the wearer's skin due to contraction of the central elastic member 60, thereby improving wearing comfort. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-279612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In pants-type absorbent articles equipped with such crotch elastic members, the leg openings may be difficult to open sufficiently due to the stretchability of the crotch elastic members. For example, when putting on the pants-type absorbent article, the wearer's legs may easily get caught in the leg openings, making it difficult to pull the absorbent main body up to the crotch area, and this may result in an insufficient fit in the crotch area and leg openings.

[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 a crotch elastic member and makes it easy to put the legs through the leg openings when worn. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is a pants-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent main body having a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction that intersect with one another in an unfolded and stretched state, and comprising an absorbent core; and a waistband member having a front waistband located at the front in the longitudinal direction and a rear waistband located at the rear in the longitudinal direction, wherein the front waistband and the rear waistband are joined to each other at both ends in the left-right direction by a pair of side joints to form a pair of leg openings, the pants-type absorbent article comprising crotch elastic members that are located closer to the skin than the absorbent core and stretch along the longitudinal direction, the rear waistband has buttocks elastic members that are arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction and forward of the front ends of the side joints in the longitudinal direction, and the rear ends of the crotch elastic members are located forward of the buttocks elastic members that are located at the frontmost side of the rear waistband in the longitudinal direction. 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 includes crotch elastic members and allows the wearer to easily put their legs through the leg openings when wearing the article. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a pants-type disposable diaper 1 as seen from the ventral side. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of a pants-type disposable diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 taken along the CC line in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a plan view of the absorbent main body 10 as seen from the skin side, and Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10 at a central position CL in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional pants-type absorbent article 5 (diaper 4). [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the joining of the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20. FIG. [Figure 7] Fig. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 6A. Fig. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 6A. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a modified diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 9] 10A to 10C are three-view diagrams illustrating the configuration of a diaper 2 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are three-view diagrams illustrating the configuration of a diaper 3 according to a third embodiment. 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) a waistband member having a front waistband portion located at the front side in the longitudinal direction and a rear waistband portion located at the rear side in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of leg openings formed by joining the front waistband portion and the rear waistband portion to each other at both ends in the left-right direction with a pair of side joints; a pants-type absorbent article having crotch elastic members that are located closer to the skin than the absorbent core and stretch along the longitudinal direction, and the rear waistband portion has buttocks elastic members that are arranged in a straight line along the left-right direction and forward of the front ends of the side joints in the longitudinal direction, and the rear ends of the crotch elastic members are located forward of the buttocks elastic members that are located at the frontmost side of the rear waistband portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 1, the buttocks elastic members are arranged linearly in the left-right direction, preventing the area around the buttocks elastic members from protruding away from the skin and forming pocket-like spaces. This prevents the legs from getting caught in the pocket-like spaces when the legs are put through the leg openings. Furthermore, because the crotch elastic members and the buttocks elastic members are spaced apart, the buttocks elastic members are less likely to be pulled forward when the crotch elastic members contract. This prevents the gap between the crotch elastic members and the buttocks elastic members from narrowing, making it easier for the leg openings to open. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings when putting the garment on.

[0011] (Aspect 2) Aspect 2. The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1, wherein a central position of the crotch elastic members is located forward of a central position of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 2, contraction of the crotch elastic members arranged toward the front in the longitudinal direction pulls the fabric constituting the waistband member in the crotch area toward the front, making it easier for the leg openings to open toward the front. Therefore, when putting on the article, the wearer's toes are less likely to get caught in the leg openings, making it easier for the wearer to put their legs through.

[0013] (Aspect 3) The pants-type absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the waistband member is not provided with an elastic member that curves from one side to the other in the left-right direction.

[0014] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 3, since no elastic members are provided that curve in the left-right direction, no area is formed that is surrounded by the curved elastic members and the straight elastic members. Therefore, when the elastic members contract, the area surrounded by the elastic members does not convex toward the non-skin side, thereby preventing the formation of pocket-like spaces. Therefore, it is easier to put the legs through the leg openings when putting on the article.

[0015] (Aspect 4) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, having a crotch elastic region defined by the crotch elastic member, and the width of the crotch elastic region in the left-right direction is 1 / 2 or less of the maximum width of the absorbent core.

[0016] According to the pants-type absorbent article of the fourth aspect, the absorbent core is more likely to undergo a clean convex deformation than in the reverse case. Therefore, the left-right central portion of the convexly deformed absorbent core is more likely to fit the wearer's crotch area (excretory opening). Furthermore, by deforming the absorbent core into an isosceles triangle with the left-right central portion as the vertex, the left-right distance (the length of the base of the isosceles triangle) is shorter than when the absorbent core is deformed into a trapezoidal shape. Therefore, the distance between the pair of leg openings is shorter, and the legs are less likely to get caught in the leg openings when putting on the absorbent article.

[0017] (Aspect 5) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the width of the crotch elastic region in the left-right direction is equal to or less than half the minimum width of the absorbent core.

[0018] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 5, the width of the crotch elastic region is less than half the minimum width of the absorbent core, which makes it easier for the left-right central part of the absorbent core to undergo convex deformation, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core between the wearer's groin and making it less likely for the legs to get caught in the leg openings.

[0019] (Aspect 6) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the absorbent core has a constricted portion in the center of the longitudinal direction that is narrower in the left-right direction than the ends of the longitudinal direction, and the crotch elastic members are positioned so as to overlap with the constricted portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0020] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 6, when worn, the absorbent core is more likely to deform convexly toward the skin at the waist portion that is sandwiched between the wearer's groin, and the highly rigid left and right side edges of the absorbent core are less likely to interfere with the space between the wearer's legs (groin) when the wearer puts their legs through the leg openings. This makes it less likely that the absorbent core will feel stiff in the wearer's groin, and also makes it less likely that the wearer's legs will get caught on both sides of the absorbent core when putting their legs through the leg openings.

[0021] (Aspect 7) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, having a main body joint that joins the absorbent main body and the waistband member, and having adhesive-free portions in the longitudinal center and both left-right ends of the main body joint where no adhesive is present.

[0022] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 7, the width of the main body joint portion is narrowed in the region where the adhesive-free portion is formed, thereby narrowing the distance between the portions (leakage preventing walls) that rise from the waistband member toward the skin on both the left and right sides of the absorbent main body. Therefore, when putting on the article and putting on the legs through the leg openings, the leakage preventing walls are less likely to interfere with leg movement in the inner regions in the left-right direction of the crotch portion (near the groin). This makes it easier to put on the leg openings.

[0023] (Aspect 8) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the adhesive-free portion and the crotch elastic member have overlapping portions in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 8, by narrowing the width of the main body joint portion joining the absorbent main body and the waistband member as much as possible at a position where the absorbent main body (absorbent core) undergoes convex deformation due to the stretchability of the crotch elastic members, the absorbent main body is more likely to naturally undergo convex deformation. Furthermore, when the absorbent main body undergoes convex deformation, a pair of leakage preventing walls standing on the skin-facing side at the left and right outer ends are pulled inward in the left and right direction, making it easier for the leg openings to open. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings when putting on the article.

[0025] (Aspect 9) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the center of the adhesive-free portion is located forward of the center of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 9, the distance between the leakage preventing walls in the left-right direction narrows at a position closer to the front of the crotch region, making it less likely that the toes will get caught on the periphery of the leg openings when putting the pants on and putting the legs through them. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings when putting the pants on.

[0027] (Aspect 10) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the waistband member has a portion in the longitudinal direction where the width in the left-right direction is narrowest and the crotch elastic member overlap.

[0028] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 10, the width of the waistband member in the left-right direction is narrowest at a position in the longitudinal direction that overlaps with a portion of the absorbent main body (absorbent core) that is deformed convexly toward the skin due to the stretchability of the crotch elastic members. Therefore, when putting on the pants-type absorbent article and putting on the leg openings, the legs are less likely to get caught on both sides of the convexly deformed absorbent main body, and the legs are also less likely to get caught on the waistband member. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings when putting on the article.

[0029] (Aspect 11) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein, in the left-right direction, the inner end of the adhesive-free portion is located inside the position where the width of the waistband member in the left-right direction is narrowest.

[0030] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 11, a dry edge is formed in the left-right direction in the portion where no adhesive is provided (adhesive-free portion) between the narrowest portion of the waistband member and the outer edge of the main body joint portion. Therefore, compared to when the absorbent main body and the waistband member are joined (when no dry edge is formed), the rigidity of the narrowest portion of the waistband member can be reduced. As a result, when putting on the pants-type absorbent article, the legs are less likely to get caught in the narrowest portion of the waistband member when passing them through the leg openings.

[0031] (Aspect 12) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the absorbent main body has leg gather elastic members at both ends in the left-right direction that stretch along the longitudinal direction, the waist member has a plurality of waist elastic members that stretch along the left-right direction, and in the longitudinal direction, the front ends of the leg gather elastic members are located forward of the rearmost waist elastic member of the one or more waist elastic members arranged in the front waist portion, and the rear ends of the leg gather elastic members are located rearward of the frontmost buttocks elastic member of the one or more buttocks elastic members arranged in the rear waist portion.

[0032] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 12, the leg gather elastic members provided on both lateral ends of the absorbent main body are supported at both longitudinal ends by the waist elastic members and the buttocks elastic members, so that even when the absorbent main body absorbs excrement and its weight increases, the absorbent main body is prevented from sagging downwards. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings while preventing the fit of the absorbent article from becoming worse when in use.

[0033] (Aspect 13) A pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the length of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member is equal to or less than half the length of the stretchable portion of the leg gather elastic member.

[0034] According to the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 13, by making the effective length of the crotch elastic members half or less of the effective length of the leg gather elastic members, it is possible to prevent the entire absorbent main body from shrinking in the longitudinal direction, compared to the reverse case. Furthermore, it is possible to easily adjust the range of convex deformation of the absorbent main body toward the wearer's skin depending on the position of the wearer's excretory opening. Furthermore, by locally convexly deforming only a portion of the absorbent main body (absorbent core) due to the stretching force of the crotch elastic members, it is possible to easily put the legs through the leg openings and achieve a good fit in the crotch area.

[0035] (Aspect 14) 14. The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the crotch elastic members are entirely located forward of a center position of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

[0036] In the pants-type absorbent article of aspect 14, when the crotch elastic members contract, the fabric constituting the waistband member in the crotch area is more likely to be pulled forward, making it easier for the leg openings to open forward and backward. Therefore, when putting on the article, the wearer's toes and heels are less likely to get caught in the leg openings, making it easier for the wearer to put on the article.

[0037] ===First Embodiment=== The following description will be given taking a pants-type disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1") as an example of a pants-type absorbent article according to the present invention. However, the pants-type absorbent article according to the present invention is not limited to the above and can also be used as a sanitary napkin, sanitary shorts, etc.

[0038] <Basic structure of pants-type disposable diaper 1> Fig. 1 is a front view of a pants-type disposable diaper 1 as seen from the ventral side. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 taken along the line CC in Fig. 2.

[0039] The unfolded state of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (diaper 1) refers to the state in which the diaper 1 is opened and laid out flat by separating a pair of side seams 5 provided on both sides of the diaper 1. The stretched state of the diaper 1 refers to the state in which the diaper 1 is stretched to the extent that wrinkles in the diaper 1 are no longer visible. Specifically, this refers to the state in which the diaper 1 is stretched until the dimensions of each component constituting the diaper 1 (e.g., the top sheet 12 and inner layer sheet 23 described below) match or are close to the dimensions of the component alone.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 1 has a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a front-to-back direction (directions passing through the paper in Fig. 1) that are perpendicular to one another, and has a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH. The upper side in the vertical direction corresponds to the waist opening BH side, and the lower side corresponds to the crotch side. The front side in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the wearer's abdomen, and the rear side corresponds to the wearer's back.

[0041] In the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction (a direction passing through the paper in FIG. 2) that intersect with one another. The left-right direction in the unfolded state of FIG. 2 is the same as the left-right direction in the pants-type state of FIG. 1. The longitudinal direction in the unfolded state is a direction along the up-down direction in the pants-type state. One side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the front side (ventral side), and the other side corresponds to the rear side (dorsal side). As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness direction is the direction in which the materials constituting the diaper 1 are layered. In the thickness direction, the side that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is referred to as the skin side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-skin side.

[0042] The diaper 1 has an absorbent main body 10 and an exterior member 20 provided on the side away from the wearer's skin than the absorbent main body 10. As will be described in detail later, the absorbent main body 10 and the exterior member 20 are bonded in the thickness direction using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. Cover sheets 31, 32 may also be provided to cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 10 from the skin side (see FIG. 3). This prevents the edges of the absorbent main body 10 from digging into the wearer's body and prevents the absorbent main body 10 from opening open.

[0043] The outer layer member 20 is a portion that is positioned around the waist of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. Hereinafter, the outer layer member 20 will also be referred to as the "waist member 20." As shown in FIG. 2 , when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, the portion of the waist member 20 that is forward (toward the ventral side) of a longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1 will be referred to as the "front waist portion 20f," and the portion that is rearward (toward the dorsal side) of the longitudinal center position CL of the diaper 1 will be referred to as the "rear waist portion 20b." When the diaper 1 is folded in half at the longitudinal center position CL from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2 , the front waist portion 20f and the rear waist portion 20b, which are opposed in the thickness direction (front-rear direction), are joined at their lateral sides by a pair of side joining portions 5, thereby forming the pants-type diaper 1 as shown in FIG. 1 . Examples of joining methods using the side joining portions 5 include thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, and adhesive joining.

[0044] (Absorbent body 10) Fig. 4A is a plan view of the absorbent main body 10 as seen from the skin side. Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent main body 10 at a longitudinal center position CL. The absorbent main body 10 includes an absorbent core 11 that absorbs and retains excretory liquids such as urine, a liquid-permeable top sheet 12 (e.g., nonwoven fabric) arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 13 (e.g., a resin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene) arranged closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11, a liquid-permeable intermediate sheet 15 (e.g., nonwoven fabric) arranged between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11, a pair of side sheets 16, an elastic member cover sheet 17, and leg gather elastic members 19.

[0045] 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). The absorbent core 11 is made of a liquid-absorbent material such as water-retentive fibers or superabsorbent polymers (so-called SAPs) molded into a predetermined shape, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, it has a generally hourglass shape with the longitudinal center narrowed inward in the left-right direction. However, the planar shape of the absorbent core 11 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, the width (maximum width) of the absorbent main body 10 in the left-right direction is larger than the width (maximum width) of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction.

[0046] A pair of leakage preventing walls 60 is provided along the longitudinal direction on both left and right sides of the absorbent body 10. As shown in FIG. 4B , portions of the side sheets 16 extending from both left and right sides of the non-skin side of the back sheet 13 are folded at multiple locations to form the leakage preventing walls 60 on both left and right sides of the skin side of the top sheet 12. Leak preventing wall elastic members 61 (e.g., rubber threads) are attached to the leakage preventing walls 60 in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, the stretchability of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 61 causes the leakage preventing walls 60 to stand up against the wearer's skin, thereby blocking body waste.

[0047] In addition, leg gather elastic members 19 that stretch along the longitudinal direction are provided at both left and right ends of the absorbent main body 10. The leg gather elastic members 19 are attached, for example, by sandwiching rubber threads between the side sheets 16 from both sides in the thickness direction in a state where the threads are stretched along the longitudinal direction. When the diaper 1 is worn, the stretchability of the leg gather elastic members 19 allows the left and right ends of the absorbent main body 10 to easily fit along the wearer's legs, thereby suppressing side leakage of excrement such as urine.

[0048] The absorbent main body 10 also has a longitudinally stretchable crotch elastic member 40 in its left-right central portion and on the non-skin side in the thickness direction of the absorbent core 11. Specifically, the crotch elastic member 40 of this embodiment is attached in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction between the back sheet 13 provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction and the elastic member cover sheet 17 arranged on the non-skin side of the back sheet 13. However, it is sufficient that the crotch elastic member 40 is provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11, and for example, it may be provided between the core wrap sheet 18 (absorbent core 11) and the back sheet 13 on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11.

[0049] In Fig. 4A, five crotch elastic members 41-45 are arranged longitudinally at intervals in the left-right center of the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11). Hereinafter, the area defined by these five crotch elastic members 40 (41-45) will also be referred to as the "crotch elastic region ER." In other words, as shown by the diagonally slanted area in Fig. 4A, the area surrounded by the crotch elastic member 41 arranged on the most one side in the left-right direction and the crotch elastic member 45 arranged on the most other side is the crotch elastic region ER. However, the number and arrangement of the crotch elastic members 40 are not limited to this.

[0050] When the diaper 1 is worn, the elasticity of the crotch elastic member 40 (crotch elastic region ER) causes the central region of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction to deform three-dimensionally so that it becomes convex toward the skin, fitting to the crotch area and excretory opening, thereby achieving good absorbency and fit.

[0051] (Waist member 20) The waistband member 20 (outer member 20) is a sheet member having a shape in which the longitudinal center is constricted inward in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the waistband member 20 has a ventral outer layer sheet 21, a dorsal outer layer sheet 22, an inner layer sheet 23, waistband elastic members 24 and 25, and a buttocks elastic member 26.

[0052] 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 waistband member 20 and is a continuous sheet member extending longitudinally from the front side (ventral side) to the back side (dorsal side). The ventral outer layer sheet 21 is disposed closer to the skin than the inner layer sheet 23 and in a portion of the front waistband 20f. The ventral outer layer sheet 21 overlaps the side joints 5 in the longitudinal direction and has the same longitudinal length as the side joints 5 (see FIG. 2). The back outer layer sheet 22 is disposed closer to the skin than the inner layer sheet 23 and in a portion of the rear waistband 20b. The back outer layer sheet 22 overlaps the side joints 5 in the longitudinal direction and extends partially beyond the side joints 5 toward the crotch. 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.

[0053] The waist elastic members 24, 25 and the buttocks elastic members 26 are elastic members that stretch in the left-right direction, and examples thereof include rubber thread. As shown in FIG. 2, the waist elastic members 24, 25 overlap the side joints 5 in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the waist elastic members located in the front waistline portion 20f may also be referred to as the ventral waistline elastic members 24, and the waist elastic members 25 located in the rear waistline portion 20b may also be referred to as the back waistline elastic members 25. The buttocks elastic members 26 are located longitudinally forward of the side joints 5 (vertically lower). In this embodiment, there are two buttocks elastic members 26, but this number is not particularly limited.

[0054] 2, the buttocks elastic members 26 are cut in the center in the left-right direction and are arranged so as not to overlap with the absorbent core 11. This prevents the absorbent core 11 from contracting in the left-right direction due to the stretchability of the buttocks elastic members 26. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the absorbent core 11 can be brought into contact with the wearer's buttocks over a wide area, making it easier to achieve good fit and absorbency. However, the buttocks elastic members 26 do not necessarily have to be cut in the center, and may be provided continuously from one end to the other end in the left-right direction.

[0055] The waist elastic members 24, 25 and buttocks elastic members 26 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction between the inner layer sheet 23 and the ventral outer layer sheet 21 or the back outer layer sheet 22, and are attached in a stretched state in the left-right direction. The left-right stretchability of these elastic members 24, 25, 26 allows the waist member 20 to fit the waist and buttocks of the wearer. In the diaper 1, the waist elastic members 24, 25 (and the buttocks elastic member 26 may also be included) are provided continuously from one left-right end to the other, and hereinafter these elastic members 24, 25 (26) are collectively referred to as "left-right elastic members."

[0056] <About the operation when putting on diaper 1> Generally, when putting on a pants-type absorbent article such as the diaper 1, the wearer first widens the waist opening BH left and right (and front and back), passes one leg through each of the left and right leg openings LH from the waist opening BH, and with both legs through, pulls the entire pants-type absorbent article from the toes toward the crotch area to fit the absorbent main body to the crotch area. However, it is difficult to widen the waist opening BH while simultaneously widening the pair of leg openings LH sufficiently to pass the legs through, which can cause problems such as the wearer's feet getting caught in the leg openings LH during the putting on operation. In particular, when an elastic member corresponding to the crotch elastic member 40 is provided in the crotch portion of the pants-type absorbent article, the stretchability of the elastic member makes the crotch portion more likely to contract in the longitudinal direction, which can prevent the leg openings LH from widening sufficiently, potentially causing the wearer's toes or heels to get caught when passing the legs through.

[0057] In contrast, the diaper 1 of this embodiment has different configurations for the crotch elastic members 40 and buttocks elastic members 26 from conventional diapers, which makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH when putting on the diaper. The specific configurations of the crotch elastic members 40 and the buttocks elastic members 26 will be described below.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a conventional pants-type absorbent article 4 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 4") as a comparative example. Fig. 5A shows a plan view of the diaper 4 in an unfolded and stretched state, and Fig. 5B shows the pants-type diaper 4 as viewed from one side in the left-right direction.

[0059] The basic configuration of the diaper 4 of the comparative example is substantially the same as that of the diaper 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the diaper 4 includes an absorbent main body 10 and a waistband member 20. The crotch portion of the diaper 4 is provided with longitudinally stretchable crotch elastic members 40. However, the diaper 4 differs from the diaper 1 in the arrangement of the crotch elastic members 40 and the configuration of the buttocks elastic members 26. Specifically, the rear waistband portion 20b of the diaper 4 does not include the buttocks elastic members 26 arranged linearly from one side to the other in the left-right direction. Instead, the rear waistband portion 20b of the diaper 4 is provided with curved elastic members 28 that curve along the periphery of the leg openings LH from one side to the other in the left-right direction (see FIG. 5A). The crotch elastic members 40 of the diaper 4 intersect with the waistband elastic members 24 at the front side in the longitudinal direction and with the curved elastic members 28 at the rear side in the longitudinal direction. In addition, in FIG. 5A, a substantially trapezoidal region surrounded by the waistline elastic member 25b arranged at the frontmost side in the longitudinal direction of the rear waistline portion 20b and the curved elastic member 28 is defined as a pocket region PA.

[0060] When putting on the diaper 4 of the comparative example, as described above, the wearer inserts their legs through the waist-opening BH and passes them through the leg-openings LH. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B , the pocket region PA in the rear waistline portion 20b deforms to bulge outward, forming a convex space on the non-skin side. This occurs because the curved elastic members 28 and waist-opening elastic members 25b that form the periphery (outline) of the pocket region PA contract, while the fabric (the back outer sheet 22 and the inner sheet 23) in the region inside the elastic members 28 and 25b do not contract, resulting in the excess fabric protruding toward the non-skin side. Therefore, when the wearer inserts their legs through the waist-opening BH and removes them through the leg-openings LH, their legs may easily get caught in the pocket-like space (pocket region PA) that convex toward the non-skin side.

[0061] In the diaper 4 of the comparative example, the crotch elastic members 40 intersect with the waist elastic members 24 and the curved elastic members 28 at both longitudinal ends. Therefore, the elastic force of the crotch elastic members 40 pulls the waist elastic members 24 and the curved elastic members 28 inward in the longitudinal direction, thereby narrowing the leg openings LH near the crotch region. In particular, since the curved elastic members 28 are located close to the longitudinal center position CL (the center position in the front-to-back direction), the elastic force of the crotch elastic members 40 tends to constrict the leg openings LH between the center position CL and the curved elastic members 28. This means that the leg openings LH tend to narrow further in the rear waistline portion 20b. In this case, the wearer's heels may be easily caught in the leg openings LH when inserting their legs through the waistline openings BH and then removing them through the leg openings LH.

[0062] In contrast, the rear waistband portion 20b of the diaper 1 is provided with a buttocks elastic member 26 that is linearly arranged without curvature in the left-right direction and located longitudinally forward of the front end 5beb of the side joint portion 5. The comparative diaper 4 does not have a curved elastic member 28 (see FIG. 2, etc.). Because the buttocks elastic member 26 is arranged parallel to the waistband elastic member 25, a pocket region PA as shown in FIG. 5A is not formed. That is, no region is enclosed by the buttocks elastic member 26 and the waistband elastic member 25. Therefore, even when the elastic members 26, 25 contract, the fabrics (the back outer sheet 22 and the inner sheet 23) convex toward the non-skin side of the rear waistband portion 20b (as shown in FIG. 5B) are unlikely to form a pocket-like space. This prevents the legs from getting caught when putting on the diaper 1.

[0063] In the diaper 1, the crotch elastic members 40 are arranged longitudinally apart from the waist elastic members 24, 25 and the buttocks elastic members 26 without intersecting with them. In other words, the front end 40ef of the crotch elastic member 40 is located longitudinally behind the waist elastic member 24, which is located at the rearmost position of the front waistline portion 20f. Similarly, the rear end 40eb of the crotch elastic member 40 is located forward of the buttocks elastic member 26 (and the waist elastic member 25), which is located at the frontmost position of the rear waistline portion 20b (see FIG. 2, etc.). The front end 40ef and rear end 40eb of the crotch elastic member 40 refer to the front and rear ends of the portion of the crotch elastic member 40 where the stretching force acts (the so-called effective length portion). With this configuration, when the crotch elastic members 40 contract along the longitudinal direction, the buttocks elastic members 26 and the waist elastic members 24 are less likely to be pulled forward or backward. For example, in the rear waistband portion 20b, even when a stretching force is applied in the longitudinal direction by the crotch elastic members 40, the buttocks elastic members 26 are less likely to be pulled forward, and therefore the distance between the crotch elastic members 40 and the buttocks elastic members 26 is less likely to shrink, making it easier for the leg openings LH to open. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH when putting on the diaper 1.

[0064] 2, the center position C40 of the crotch elastic member 40 is located forward of the center position CL of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the crotch elastic member 40 is located closer to the front of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, when the crotch elastic member 40 located closer to the front of the diaper 1 contracts, the fabrics (the back outer sheet 22 and the inner sheet 23) constituting the waist member 20 in the crotch region are pulled forward, making it easier for the leg openings LH to open forward. Therefore, when putting on the diaper 1, the wearer's toes are less likely to get caught in the leg openings LH, making it easier for the wearer to put on the diaper 1.

[0065] Furthermore, in the diaper 1, the entire crotch elastic member 40 is located forward of the center position CL of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the rear end 40eb of the crotch elastic member 40 is located forward of the center position CL in the longitudinal direction. As a result, when the crotch elastic member 40 contracts, the fabrics constituting the waist member 20 in the crotch region (the back outer sheet 22 and the inner sheet 23) are more likely to be pulled forward of the center position CL, making it easier for the leg openings LH to open forward and backward. Therefore, when putting on the diaper 1, the wearer's toes and heels are less likely to get caught in the leg openings LH, making it easier for the wearer to put on the diaper 1.

[0066] Furthermore, the diaper 1 does not have any elastic members that curve from one side to the other in the left-right direction. In other words, the diaper 1 does not have any elastic members equivalent to the curved elastic members 28 (see FIG. 5A) found in the comparative diaper 4, but only has left-right elastic members (24, 25, 26) that are linearly arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, the area (pocket area PA) surrounded by the left-right curved elastic members (28) and the linearly arranged elastic members (25b) shown in FIG. 5A is not formed, and the pocket-shaped space that protrudes toward the non-skin side as shown in FIG. 5B is unlikely to be formed. This makes it easier to put the diaper 1 on by passing the legs through the leg-openings LH.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, the width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER in the left-right direction of the diaper 1 is preferably equal to or less than half the maximum width W11a of the absorbent core 11 (W40≦½×W11a). If the width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER were greater than half the width W11a of the absorbent core 11, the width of the crotch elastic region ER in the left-right direction of the absorbent core 11 would be too large, which could result in poor fit of the absorbent core 11 when the diaper 1 is worn. As described above, in the diaper 1, the stretchability of the crotch elastic region ER causes the central portion of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction to deform convexly toward the body, thereby improving fit around the excretory opening. However, if the width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER is too large, the absorbent core 11 may deform trapezoidally toward the body, which could result in poor fit around the excretory opening.

[0068] In contrast, in the diaper 1, the width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER is equal to or less than half the width W11a of the absorbent core 11, which makes it easier for the absorbent core 11 to deform convexly compared to the opposite case. Therefore, the lateral center of the convexly deformed absorbent core 11 fits more easily around the wearer's crotch area (excretory opening). Furthermore, since the absorbent core 11 is more likely to deform into an isosceles triangle with its vertex at the lateral center, the lateral distance (the length of the base of the isosceles triangle) is shorter than when the absorbent core 11 deforms into a trapezoidal shape. Therefore, the distance between the pair of leg openings LH, LH is shorter, which makes it less likely for the legs to get caught in the leg openings LH when putting on the diaper 1.

[0069] The absorbent core 11 of the diaper 1 has a constricted portion 11c in the longitudinal center that is narrower in the left-right direction than the opposite longitudinal ends (see FIG. 4A). The presence of this constricted portion 11c prevents the edges of the opposite ends of the absorbent core 11 from interfering with the wearer's crotch area (groin area) when the diaper 1 is worn, improving the fit.

[0070] 4A, the absorbent core 11 has its left-right width W11b narrowest at a position forward of the longitudinal center position CL. The width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER is preferably equal to or less than half the minimum width W11b of the absorbent core 11 (W40≦½×W11b). By setting the width W40 of the crotch elastic region ER to be equal to or less than half the minimum width W11b of the absorbent core 11, the center portion in the left-right direction of the waisted portion 11c of the absorbent core 11 is more likely to deform convexly toward the skin, improving the fit of the absorbent core 11 between the wearer's groin and making it less likely that the wearer's legs will get caught in the leg openings LH.

[0071] Furthermore, in the diaper 1, the crotch elastic members 40 are arranged at positions overlapping the constricted portion 11c in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 4A). That is, the crotch elastic members 40 are provided at the portions of the absorbent core 11 where the width in the left-right direction is narrower. With this configuration, when the diaper 1 is put on, the absorbent core 11 is more likely to deform convexly toward the skin at the constricted portion 11c, which is the portion that is sandwiched between the wearer's groin. Therefore, when the wearer puts their legs through the leg openings LH, the edges of both sides of the highly rigid absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction are less likely to interfere with the space between the wearer's legs (groin). This makes it less likely that the absorbent core 11 will feel stiff in the wearer's groin, and also makes it less likely that the wearer's legs will get caught on both sides of the absorbent core 11 when putting their legs through the leg openings LH.

[0072] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the joining of the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 (outer layer member 20). Fig. 6A is a plan view of the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 in an expanded and stretched state, and Fig. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 6A.

[0073] The absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 are joined together by a main body joint 70 formed with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. The main body joint 70 is formed by applying adhesive to the non-skin side of the absorbent main body 10 or the skin side of the waistline member 20 in the region indicated by the diagonally shaded area sloping upward to the right in Fig. 6A. Examples of adhesive application patterns include the so-called Ω pattern and spiral pattern.

[0074] The main body joint 70 has an adhesive-free section 75 at its longitudinal center and at both lateral ends. In Fig. 6A, the main body joint 70 is formed over substantially the entire absorbent main body 10 in a region of width W70a in the lateral direction. Meanwhile, in a section having a predetermined length in the front and rear directions across the longitudinal center position CL, adhesive-free sections 75 are provided on both lateral sides. Therefore, in this section, the main body joint 70 has a narrower lateral width W70b than W70a (W70a > W70b). The diaper 1 has a narrower lateral width (W70b) of the main body joint 70 in the crotch region, which allows the wearer to easily put their legs through the leg openings LH when wearing the diaper.

[0075] Fig. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 6A. Fig. 7B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 6A. A pair of leakage preventing walls 60 provided on both lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10 rise toward the skin side in the thickness direction, with both lateral ends of the main body joint 70 as rising starting points. That is, at the boundary between the portion of the side sheet 16 constituting the absorbent main body 10 joined to the waistline member 20 via the main body joint 70 and the portion not joined, the side sheet 16 moves away from the waistline member 20 and bends toward the skin side, causing the leakage preventing walls 60 to rise toward the skin side. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7A, the distance between the rising position of the leakage preventing wall 60 on one lateral side and the rising position of the leakage preventing wall 60 on the other lateral side is W70a.

[0076] In contrast, in Fig. 7B, as in Fig. 7A, the leakage preventing walls 60 stand upright on both the left and right sides toward the skin, but the distance between the standing positions of the leakage preventing walls 60 on both sides is W70b, which is narrower than W70a. This is because the width W70b of the main body joint 70 is narrow in the region where the adhesive-free portion 75 is formed (see Fig. 6A), and the distance (W70b) between the leakage preventing walls 60 standing upright on both sides is also narrow. Therefore, when putting on the diaper 1 and putting on the legs through the leg openings LH, the leakage preventing walls 60 are less likely to interfere with leg movement near the crotch area (near the groin). This makes it easier to put on the diaper 1 and put on the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0077] Additionally, the crotch elastic members 40 are disposed in portions overlapping with the adhesive-free portions 75 in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 6A ). In other words, the adhesive-free portions 75 and the crotch elastic members 40 overlap in the longitudinal direction. As explained above, the portions of the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) where the crotch elastic members 40 are disposed undergo convex deformation toward the skin, thereby improving fit. By narrowing the width (W70b) of the main body joining portion 70 joining the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 as much as possible at the position where the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) undergoes convex deformation, the absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) is more likely to naturally undergo convex deformation. Furthermore, by causing the absorbent main body 10 to undergo convex deformation, the pair of leakage prevention walls 60 standing on the skin side at both lateral ends in the lateral direction are pulled inward in the lateral direction, which also facilitates opening of the leg openings LH. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH when wearing the garment.

[0078] 6A, the center position C75 of the adhesive-free section 75 is located forward of the center position CL of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the adhesive-free section 75 is located closer to the front of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the spacing (W70b) of the leakage preventing walls 60 is narrower at a position closer to the front of the crotch section, and the leakage preventing walls 60 are less likely to interfere with the legs when the legs are placed through the leg openings LH during putting on the diaper 1. This makes it easier to place the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0079] Furthermore, in the diaper 1, the crotch elastic members 40 are arranged so as to overlap, in the longitudinal direction, the positions where the waistline member 20 has its narrowest width in the left-right direction. In other words, there is a portion where the crotch elastic members 40 overlap, in the longitudinal direction, the positions where the waistline member 20 has its narrowest width in the left-right direction. In FIG. 6A , the waistline member 20 has its narrowest width in the left-right direction at the position of arrow BB, and the crotch elastic members 40 are arranged so as to overlap, in the longitudinal direction, the position where the absorbent core 11 is likely to deform convexly toward the skin due to the stretchability of the crotch elastic members 40, with the position where the waistline member 20 has its narrowest width in the left-right direction. Therefore, when putting on the diaper 1 and putting legs through the leg openings LH, the legs are less likely to get caught on both side ends of the convexly deformed absorbent main body 10 (absorbent core 11) and also on the waistline member 20. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH when putting on the pants.

[0080] In addition, in the left-right direction, the inner end of the adhesive-free portion 75 is located more inward than the inner end of the waistline member 20 in the left-right direction. In FIG. 6A , at the position where the width of the waistline member 20 is narrowest in the left-right direction (the position of arrow BB), the inner end of the adhesive-free portion 75 is located more inward than the inner end of the waistline member 20. In other words, at the position where the width of the waistline member 20 is narrowest in the left-right direction (the position of arrow BB), the inner end of the waistline member 20 is located more outward than the outer end of the main body joint portion 70. In the left-right direction, a so-called dry edge is formed in the portion where no adhesive is provided between the narrowest portion of the waistline member 20 and the outer end of the main body joint portion 70 (i.e., the adhesive-free portion 75). Therefore, compared to when the absorbent main body 10 and the waistline member 20 are joined (i.e., when a dry edge is not formed), the rigidity of the narrowest portion of the waistline member 20 can be reduced. This makes it more difficult for the legs to get caught in the narrowest part of the waist member 20 when putting the diaper 1 on and putting the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0081] Furthermore, leg gather elastic members 19 that stretch along the longitudinal direction are provided on both lateral sides of the absorbent main body 10. The range over which the stretching force of the leg gather elastic members 19 acts (i.e., the effective length range) preferably intersects with at least a portion of the lateral elastic members (the waist elastic members 24, 25 and the buttocks elastic member 26) arranged along the lateral direction. In FIG. 2, the front end 19ef of the leg gather elastic member 19 is located forward of the waist elastic member 24b arranged at the rearmost position in the front waistline portion 20f, and they intersect. Similarly, the rear end 19eb of the leg gather elastic member 19 is located rearward of the buttocks elastic member 26 arranged at the frontmost position in the rear waistline portion 20b, and they intersect with each other. That is, the leg gather elastic members 19 are configured such that their front ends are supported by the waist elastic members 24b, and their rear ends are supported by the buttocks elastic members 26.

[0082] Generally, when a pants-type absorbent article such as a disposable diaper is worn and the absorbent main body 10 absorbs excrement such as urine, the weight of the absorbent main body 10 increases, making it more likely to sag downward. In response to this, in the diaper 1, the leg gather elastic members 19 provided on both left and right sides of the absorbent main body 10 are supported at both longitudinal ends (the upper end on the front side and the upper end on the rear side in the pants-type state) by the waist elastic members 24 and the buttocks elastic members 26. The support of both sides of the absorbent main body 10 by the leg gather elastic members 19 prevents the absorbent main body 10 from sagging downward. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH, while preventing the fit from deteriorating during use.

[0083] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length (effective length) of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member 40 in the longitudinal direction is equal to or less than half the length (effective length) of the stretchable portion of the leg gather elastic member 19. In Fig. 2, if the distance (effective length) in the longitudinal direction between the front end 19ef and the back end 19eb of the stretchable portion of the leg gather elastic member 19 is L19 and the distance (effective length) between the front end 40ef and the back end 40eb of the stretchable portion of the crotch elastic member 40 is L40, then L40 ≤ 1 / 2 × L19.

[0084] In this way, by making the effective length L40 of the crotch elastic members 40 half or less of the effective length L19 of the leg gather elastic members 19, it is possible to more easily prevent the entire absorbent main body 10 from shrinking in the longitudinal direction, compared to the reverse case. Also, it is possible to easily adjust the range of convex deformation of the absorbent core 11 toward the skin according to the position of the wearer's excretory opening. And, by locally convexly deforming only a part of the absorbent core 11 by the stretching force of the crotch elastic members 40, it is possible to easily put the legs through the leg openings LH and achieve a good fit in the crotch area.

[0085] (Modification of Diaper 1) The diaper 1 may be modified as follows. Fig. 8 shows a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a modified diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. In the modified diaper 1, the arrangement of the crotch elastic members 40 (41-45) constituting the crotch elastic region ER differs from that of the above-described embodiment. Specifically, in the modified diaper 1, the crotch elastic members 40 (41-45) are located closer to the skin than the absorbent core 11 (core wrap sheet 18, not shown in Fig. 8) and closer to the skin than the backsheet 13 in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the modified diaper 1 does not include an elastic member cover sheet 17. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the diaper 1 described with reference to Fig. 2 and other figures.

[0086] In the diaper 1 of this modification, the rear waistband portion 20b is provided with a buttocks elastic member 26 that is arranged linearly, without curvature, along the left-right direction, forward of the longitudinal front end 5beb of the side joint portion 5. Because the buttocks elastic member 26 is arranged parallel to the waistband elastic member 25, even when the elastic members 26, 25 contract, the fabrics (the back outer sheet 22 and the inner sheet 23) convex toward the non-skin side of the waistband portion 20b are unlikely to form pocket-like spaces as shown in Fig. 5B. This prevents the legs from getting caught during the putting on operation.

[0087] In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 of this modified example, the rear end 40eb of the crotch elastic member 40 is located forward of the buttocks elastic member 26, which is located at the frontmost position in the rear waistband 20b. In other words, the crotch elastic member 40 is located away from the buttocks elastic member 26. Therefore, when the crotch elastic member 40 contracts along the longitudinal direction, the buttocks elastic member 26 is not easily pulled forward, which makes it easier to widen the gap between the crotch elastic member 40 and the buttocks elastic member 26 and open the leg openings LH. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0088] === Second Embodiment === In the second embodiment, a pants-type diaper 2 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 2") having a part of its configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a three-view diagram illustrating the configuration of the diaper 2 of the second embodiment.

[0089] The diaper 2 of the second embodiment has a liquid-absorbent main absorbent body 10 and a waistband member 20 arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent main absorbent body 10. However, the configuration of the waistband member 20 of the diaper 2 is different from that of the diaper 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, the waistband member 20 of the diaper 2 has an outer layer sheet 27 arranged on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet 23. The outer layer sheet 27 is a continuous sheet extending from one end (front side) to the other end (rear side) in the longitudinal direction, and corresponds to a sheet member formed by integrating the ventral side outer layer sheet 21 and the dorsal side outer layer sheet 22 of the diaper 1. The configuration other than the outer layer sheet 27 is basically the same as that of the diaper 1.

[0090] The rear waistband portion 20b of the diaper 2 is provided with a buttocks elastic member 26, which is arranged linearly without curving in the left-right direction, forward of the longitudinal front end 5beb of the side joint portion 5. Because the buttocks elastic member 26 is arranged parallel to the waistband elastic member 25, even when the elastic members 26, 25 contract, the fabrics (the outer layer sheet 27 and the inner layer sheet 23) convex toward the non-skin side of the rear waistband portion 20b are unlikely to form pocket-like spaces, as shown in Fig. 5B. This prevents the legs from getting caught during the putting on operation.

[0091] In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 2, the rear ends 40eb of the crotch elastic members 40 are located forward of the buttocks elastic members 26, which are located at the frontmost position in the rear waistband 20b. That is, the crotch elastic members 40 are located away from the buttocks elastic members 26. Therefore, when the crotch elastic members 40 contract along the longitudinal direction, the buttocks elastic members 26 are not easily pulled forward, which makes it easier to widen the gap between the crotch elastic members 40 and the buttocks elastic members 26 and open the leg openings LH. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0092] ===Third Embodiment=== In the third embodiment, a pants-type diaper 3 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 3") having a part of its configuration different from those of the first and second embodiments will be described. Fig. 10 is a three-view diagram illustrating the configuration of the diaper 3 of the third embodiment.

[0093] The diaper 3 of the third embodiment has a liquid-absorbent main absorber 10 and a waistline member 20 arranged on the non-skin side of the absorber 10. However, in the diaper 3, the waistline member 20 is divided into a front side (ventral side) and a rear side (back side), and is composed of two members, a front waistline section 20f and a rear waistline section 20b. In other words, the diaper 3 is a pants-type absorbent article with a so-called three-piece structure, in which the front waistline section 20f and the rear waistline section 20b are arranged with a gap in the longitudinal direction, and the absorber 10 is arranged to span between the front waistline section 20f and the rear waistline section 20b.

[0094] As shown in the D3-D3 cross section of Fig. 10, the absorbent main body 10 of the diaper 3 has a plurality of crotch elastic members 40 stretched in the longitudinal direction on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction and on the skin side of the backsheet 13, and these crotch elastic members 40 define crotch elastic regions ER. In addition, the side sheet 16 is continuous from one side to the other in the left-right direction (see the D3-D3 cross section of Fig. 10), and the leakage barrier walls 60 on both the left and right sides are formed by a single side sheet 16. The rest of the configuration is substantially the same as that of the absorbent main body 10 of the diaper 1.

[0095] The front waist portion 20f of the diaper 3 comprises a ventral outer sheet 21, a ventral inner sheet 23f disposed on the skin side of the ventral outer sheet 21 and having substantially the same shape as the ventral outer sheet 21, and a plurality of waist elastic members 24 disposed between the ventral outer sheet 21 and the ventral inner sheet 23f. Similarly, the rear waist portion 20b of the diaper 3 comprises a dorsal outer sheet 22, a dorsal inner sheet 23b disposed on the skin side of the dorsal outer sheet 22 and having substantially the same shape as the dorsal outer sheet 22, and a plurality of waist elastic members 25 and buttocks elastic members 26 disposed between the dorsal outer sheet 22 and the dorsal inner sheet 23b.

[0096] The buttocks elastic members 26 are provided in the rear waistband 20b of the diaper 3, forward of the longitudinal front end 5beb of the side joint 5, and are arranged linearly without curving in the left-right direction. Because the buttocks elastic members 26 are arranged parallel to the waistband elastic members 25, even when the elastic members 26, 25 contract, the pocket-like convex space on the non-skin side as shown in Fig. 5B is unlikely to be formed. This prevents the legs from getting caught during the putting on operation.

[0097] In addition, in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 3, the rear ends 40eb of the crotch elastic members 40 are located forward of the buttocks elastic members 26, which are located at the frontmost position in the rear waistband 20b. That is, the crotch elastic members 40 are located away from the buttocks elastic members 26. Therefore, when the crotch elastic members 40 contract along the longitudinal direction, the buttocks elastic members 26 are not easily pulled forward, which makes it easier to widen the gap between the crotch elastic members 40 and the buttocks elastic members 26 and open the leg openings LH. This makes it easier to put the legs through the leg openings LH.

[0098] ===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]

[0099] 1 Diaper (first embodiment, pants-type disposable diaper, pants-type absorbent article), 2 Diaper (second embodiment), 3 Diaper (third embodiment), 4 diapers (comparison example), 5 side joint, 5feb rear end (longitudinal), 5beb front end (longitudinal), 10. Absorbent body; 11 absorbent core, 11c waist portion, 12 top sheet, 13 back sheet, 15 middle sheet, 16 side sheet, 17 elastic member cover sheet, 18 core wrap sheet, 19 Leg gather elastic member, 20 waistband member (exterior member), 20f front waistband, 20b rear waistband, 21 ventral outer sheet, 22 dorsal outer sheet, 23 inner layer sheet, 23f ventral inner layer sheet, 23b dorsal inner layer sheet, 24 waist elastic member (ventral side), 25 waist elastic member (dorsal side), 26 buttocks elastic member, 27 outer layer sheet, 28 curved elastic member, 31 cover sheet, 32 cover sheet, 40 crotch elastic member, 40ef front end, 40eb rear end, 41 to 45 crotch elastic member, 60 Leakage prevention wall section, 61 Leak-proof wall elastic member, 70 Main body joint, 75 adhesive-free area, BH waist opening, LH leg opening, CL central position (longitudinal direction), ER crotch elastic area

Claims

1. In the deployed and extended state, the device has a longitudinal direction, a left-right direction, and a thickness direction which intersect with each other, an absorbent body having an absorbent core; a waistline member including a front waistline portion located on the front side in the longitudinal direction and a rear waistline portion located on the rear side in the longitudinal direction, a pair of leg openings formed by joining the front waistband portion and the rear waistband portion to each other at both ends in the left-right direction by a pair of side joining portions, a crotch elastic member that is provided closer to the skin than the absorbent core and stretches along the longitudinal direction; the rear waistband portion has buttocks elastic members linearly arranged along the left-right direction and forward of front ends of the side joint portions in the longitudinal direction, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the rear end of the crotch elastic member is located forward of the buttocks elastic member, which is located at the frontmost side of the rear waistband portion.

2. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1, A pants-type absorbent article, wherein a center position of the crotch elastic members is located forward of a center position of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

3. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the waistband member is not provided with an elastic member that curves from one side to the other side in the left-right direction.

4. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, a crotch elastic region defined by the crotch elastic member; A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the width of the crotch elastic region in the left-right direction is equal to or less than half the maximum width of the absorbent core.

5. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 4, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the width of the crotch elastic region in the left-right direction is equal to or less than half the minimum width of the absorbent core.

6. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent core has a constricted portion in the center in the longitudinal direction, the constricted portion having a width in the left-right direction narrower than that of the end portions in the longitudinal direction, The pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that the crotch elastic members are arranged at positions overlapping the waist portion in the longitudinal direction.

7. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, a main body joining portion that joins the absorbent main body and the waistband member; A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the main body joint has adhesive-free portions at the center in the longitudinal direction and at both ends in the left-right direction, where no adhesive is present.

8. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 7, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that there is a portion in the longitudinal direction where the adhesive-free portion and the crotch elastic member overlap.

9. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 7, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the center position of the adhesive-free portion is located forward of the center position of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

10. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 7, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that the waistband member has a portion in the longitudinal direction where the position where the width in the left-right direction of the waistband member is narrowest overlaps with the crotch elastic member.

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 10, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in the left-right direction, the inner end of the adhesive-free portion is located inside the position where the width of the waistband member in the left-right direction is narrowest.

12. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The absorbent body has leg gather elastic members at both ends in the left-right direction, the leg gather elastic members being stretchable along the longitudinal direction, The waistband member has a plurality of waistband elastic members that stretch along the left-right direction, In the longitudinal direction, a front end of the leg gather elastic member is located forward of a rearmost waistline elastic member among the one or more waistline elastic members arranged in the front waistline portion; a rear end of the leg gather elastic member is located rearward of a frontmost buttocks elastic member among the one or more buttocks elastic members arranged in the rear waistband portion; A pants-type absorbent article characterized by:

13. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 12, A pants-type absorbent article characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the portion where the stretchability of the crotch elastic member is active is 1 / 2 or less of the length of the portion where the stretchability of the leg gather elastic member is active.

14. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, A pants-type absorbent article, characterized in that the entire crotch elastic members are located forward of a center position of the pants-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction.

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