absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that can be adapted to the risk of urinary leakage of a wearer. [Solution] The present disclosure provides an absorbent article 10 comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet 11, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12, an absorbent body 13 and three-dimensional gathers 20 arranged between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12, wherein the three-dimensional gathers 20 comprise a three-dimensional gather main body 30 having a fixed part 31 fixed to the absorbent article 10 and an upright part 32 that stands up from the fixed part when not in use, and an extension part 40 including a water-repellent extended gather sheet 41, and the extension part 40 has a detachable part 44 between the widthwise outer end of the extended gather sheet 41 and the three-dimensional gather main body 30, which allows the extended gather sheet 41 to be detached along the longitudinal direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an absorbent article in which the fixed part of the three-dimensional gathered sheet, which is fixed with a hydrophilic adhesive, peels off when the wearer urinates, causing the height of the three-dimensional gathers to increase and improving the function of preventing leakage of excrement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-101028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Wearers of absorbent articles using wide pads for a relatively high level of care need may experience higher-than-normal urinary output due to differences in medication status and physical condition, resulting in problems with urinary incontinence. Furthermore, there is a risk of urinary incontinence when lying not only on one's back but also when in an angled position such as on one's side, which may vary depending on the situation. Existing wide pads cannot be adjusted to fit the user's condition, so in order to deal with situations where the risk of leakage is high, even if it is infrequent, users have had to use pads with a high absorption capacity or a separate auxiliary pad, sacrificing comfort to some extent.

[0005] In the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, if the force of urination is strong, bodily fluids may leak before the adhesive dissolves and the three-dimensional gathers deform. Also, in situations where body pressure is applied, such as when lying on one's back, even if the adhesive dissolves, the three-dimensional gathers cannot deform to a high height, and bodily fluids may leak.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article in which the range of three-dimensional gathers can be adjusted by expanding them, thereby enabling adjustment to the wearer's risk of urinary incontinence. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and three-dimensional gathers provided on both sides of the top sheet in the width direction along the longitudinal direction of the skin-side surface, wherein the three-dimensional gathers comprise a three-dimensional gather main body having a fixed portion fixed to the absorbent article and an upright portion that stands up from the fixed portion when not in use, and an extension portion connected to the three-dimensional gather main body and including a water-repellent extended gather sheet arranged to extend outward in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather main body, wherein the widthwise outer end of the extended gather sheet is fixed to the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction, and a detachment portion is provided between the widthwise outer end of the extended gather sheet and the three-dimensional gather main body, allowing the extended gather sheet to be detached along the longitudinal direction.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article of the first aspect, wherein the extension portion has an extension portion absorbent body arranged on the extension gathered sheet along the longitudinal direction between the three-dimensional gathered body and the separation portion, and a liquid-permeable cover sheet arranged above the extension portion absorbent body.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect, wherein the standing portion has an elastic stretch member at the end opposite the fixed portion, and the extension gathered sheet is arranged adjacent to the elastic stretch member of the standing portion.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect, wherein the widthwise dimension of the extension gathered sheet when cut off at the separation portion is not more than half the widthwise dimension of the absorbent article minus the widthwise dimension of the body fluid absorption portion of the absorbent article.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article according to the first or second aspect, wherein the absorbent article has three-dimensional gather fastening portions at both longitudinal end portions of the three-dimensional gather main body, and both longitudinal end portions of the tear-off portion are located more inward than the three-dimensional gather fastening portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can be adapted to the wearer's risk of urinary incontinence. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1 taken along the line II-II. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the left side portion of the absorbent article showing the state after the perforations have been cut away. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are schematic enlarged cross-sectional views of the three-dimensional gathers of the absorbent article of FIG. 1, in which (a) shows the state before the cut-off portion is cut off, (b) shows the state after the cut-off portion is cut off and the extension portion is expanded, and (c) shows the state when the absorbent article is worn by a wearer. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an absorbent article showing a modified example. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional gathers of the absorbent article of FIG. 5, where (a) shows the state before the cut-off portion is cut off, (b) shows the state after the cut-off portion is cut off and the extension portion is expanded, and (c) shows the state when the absorbent article is worn by a wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In the description of this specification, "wearing an absorbent article" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is worn on the body, regardless of whether the absorbent article is worn before, during, or after absorbing bodily fluids. Furthermore, "unused" refers to the state in which the absorbent article is unfolded to be worn on the body but not yet actually worn. The longitudinal direction of the absorbent article is the direction along the front and back of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, and is the direction indicated by arrow X in the figure. The width direction of the absorbent article is the direction (short direction) that intersects (is perpendicular to) the longitudinal direction, and is the direction indicated by arrow Y in the figure. The thickness direction of the absorbent article is the direction in which the components are stacked, and is the direction indicated by arrow Z in the figure. The "skin side" of the absorbent article refers to the direction in the thickness direction of the absorbent article that faces the skin side of the wearer when worn, and the "non-skin side" of the absorbent article refers to the direction that faces the opposite side from the skin side of the wearer (e.g., the underwear side) when worn. Furthermore, "body fluid" refers to liquids excreted from the body to the outside, such as urine, blood, and water in loose stools. Examples of absorbent articles include absorbent napkins, light incontinence pads, urine absorption pads and other light incontinence products, sanitary napkins and other sanitary products, panty liners, etc., but are not limited to these and may also be other absorbent articles.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the left side of the absorbent article, showing the state after the perforations have been cut away. Also, dashed lines 44 in Figs. 1 and 2 indicate the positions where the perforations will be provided.

[0017] (Absorbent articles) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, examples of the absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment include a urine absorption pad and a sanitary napkin. However, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to these and may be a light incontinence pad, a light incontinence liner, or other absorbent article. The absorbent article 10 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 that faces the skin when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 12 that faces away from the skin when worn, and an absorber 13 disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12. Furthermore, the absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment comprises three-dimensional gathers 20 on both sides in the width direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "left and right"). The shape of the absorbent article 10 is not particularly limited, and may be a substantially rectangular or oval shape. In this embodiment, an irregularly shaped wide pad is preferred.

[0018] There are no particular limitations on either the longitudinal dimension or the width dimension of the absorbent article 10, but for example, the longitudinal dimension is in the range of 450 mm to 680 mm, and the width dimension is in the range of 200 mm to 350 mm. By adjusting the dimensions of the absorbent article 10 within these ranges, it is easy to obtain absorbent articles for a variety of uses.

[0019] (Top sheet) The top sheet 11 is a liquid-permeable sheet-like substrate that allows bodily fluids to pass quickly toward the absorbent body 13 and diffuse the bodily fluids in the planar direction of the absorbent body 13. The top sheet 11 is preferably a substrate that is soft to the touch and does not irritate the skin so that it may come into direct contact with the wearer's skin. Examples of substrates include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, thermal-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and spun-bonded nonwoven fabrics; open-pore films such as open-pore polyethylene films; foamed films such as polyethylene foam and urethane foam; and multilayer sheets made by laminating two or more of these.

[0020] To improve liquid permeability, the surface of the top sheet 11 may be embossed or perforated. Any known method can be used for embossing or perforating the top sheet 11 without limitation. Furthermore, to reduce irritation to the skin, the top sheet 11 may contain lotion, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc.

[0021] (back seat) The backsheet 12 may be formed using a liquid-impermeable substrate that prevents the body fluids retained by the absorbent 13 from wetting the wearer's clothing. Examples of such substrates include resin films and composite sheets that are laminates of resin films and nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven fabrics used in the composite sheets may be produced by any method, and examples include single-layer nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, composite nonwoven fabrics such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric laminates and spunbonded nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbonded nonwoven fabric laminates, and composite materials thereof. Examples of resin films include polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite films of polyethylene and polypropylene. To prevent stuffiness during wear, the backsheet 12 is preferably breathable. To provide breathability to the backsheet 12, for example, a filler may be added to the resin film substrate or the backsheet 12 may be embossed. The filler may be calcium carbonate, and the method for blending it may be any known method without any restrictions.

[0022] (absorber) Examples of the absorbent body 13 include a fluff absorbent body containing absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "SAP"), and an SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between liquid absorbent sheets.

[0023] The absorbent fiber is not particularly limited as long as it is one generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, and urine absorption pads. Examples include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Among these, fluff pulp is preferably used from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of fluff pulp include wood pulp (e.g., bleached coniferous kraft pulp (N-BKP) such as southern pine or Douglas fir), synthetic fiber, resin fiber, and non-wood pulp defibrated into a cotton-like state. Furthermore, examples of the liquid absorbent sheet include sheets composed of one or more of the above absorbent fibers.

[0024] The superabsorbent polymer is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow, and examples thereof include polyacrylates, polyaspartates, (starch-acrylic acid) graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof. Among these, from the viewpoint of absorption per weight, polyacrylates are preferred, alkali metal polyacrylates are more preferred, and sodium polyacrylate is even more preferred. The superabsorbent polymers can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0025] In the absorbent body 13, the absorbent fibers and SAP may be in the form of a mixture of absorbent fibers and SAP particles, or may be in the form of SAP particles fixed between absorbent fibers.

[0026] The absorbent body 13 is not provided on the outer peripheral edge of the absorbent article 10. At the outer peripheral edge of the absorbent article 10, the sheets including the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 are joined together.

[0027] A cover sheet (not shown) may be provided to encase the absorbent body 13 in order to prevent leakage of SAP particles and stabilize the shape of the absorbent body 13. The base material of the cover sheet may be any hydrophilic material, such as tissue, absorbent paper, airlaid nonwoven fabric, or spunbond nonwoven fabric. Among these, spunbond nonwoven fabric is preferred. When multiple cover sheets are provided, the base materials of the multiple cover sheets may be the same or different. An ADL layer may be provided between the top sheet 11 and the upper cover sheet to quickly capture and distribute body fluids from the cover sheet side to the absorbent body 13 side.

[0028] (3D gathers) The left and right three-dimensional gathers 20 are gathers for preventing side leakage of bodily fluids excreted by the wearer, and are provided, for example, at both widthwise ends of the skin-facing surface of the top sheet 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "skin-side surface") so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10. The left and right three-dimensional gathers 20 each include a three-dimensional gather main body 30 having a fixed part 31 that is fixed to the absorbent article 10 and an upright part 32 that stands up from the fixed part 31 when the absorbent article 10 is not in use. The three-dimensional gather main body 30 is formed from a water-repellent and / or waterproof gather sheet 34. An elastic stretchable member 33 is arranged in the upright part 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30, giving it uprightness.

[0029] In addition, the left and right three-dimensional gathers 20 are connected to the three-dimensional gather main body 30 (standing portion 32 in this embodiment) and have an extension portion 40 including a water-repellent extension gather sheet 41 arranged extending outward in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather main body 30.

[0030] (3D gather body) The three-dimensional gather body of this embodiment is formed from a gather sheet 34. The gather sheet 34 is a water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. As the nonwoven fabric, any water-repellent and / or waterproof nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) which is a spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric laminate.

[0031] The fixing parts 31 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30 are provided on both widthwise sides along the longitudinal direction of the skin-side surface of the top sheet 11. In this embodiment, they are fixed to both widthwise ends of the skin-side surface of the back sheet 12 along the longitudinal direction of the top sheet 11. The fixing positions of the fixing parts 31 are not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the fixing parts 31 may be fixed to the non-skin-side surface of the back sheet 12. Alternatively, the fixing parts 31 may be fixed near both widthwise ends of the skin-side or non-skin-side surface of the joint between each edge of the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12.

[0032] (Standing part) The three-dimensional gather main body 30 is connected to the fixing part 31, and has an upstanding part 32 at the other end in the width direction. The upstanding part 32 stands up from the fixing part 31 when the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment is unused. Note that the unused state of the absorbent article 10 refers to the state in which the absorbent article 10 is unfolded to be worn on the body, but before it is actually worn.

[0033] An elastic stretchable member 33 is disposed along the longitudinal direction near the end of the standing portion 32 on the opposite side of the fixed portion 31 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30. The elastic stretchable member 33 imparts standing ability to the standing portion 32 and enables the area near the standing portion 32 to be deformed to fit the wearer's body shape.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the absorbent article 10 has three-dimensional gather fastening parts 34 on both longitudinal end parts of the three-dimensional gather main body 30. The three-dimensional gather fastening parts 34 fix the elastic stretchable members 33 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30, allowing the standing parts 32 to stand up.

[0035] As the elastic stretchable member 33, for example, thread-like, string-like or band-like members made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc. can be used as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the fixed portion 31 and the standing portion 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30 are integrally formed from a single gather sheet 34, but they may also be made separately and connected together.

[0036] (extension) The left and right three-dimensional gathers 20 are connected to the three-dimensional gather main body 30 and have extensions 40 that extend outward in the width direction of the three-dimensional gather main body 30. The extensions 40 include an extension gathered sheet 41 that is water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable).

[0037] The extended gathered sheet 41 is disposed adjacent to the elastic stretchable member 33 of the standing portion 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30. In this embodiment, the extended gathered sheet 41 is configured to extend continuously from the gathered sheet 34 that forms the standing portion 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30.

[0038] In the extension portion 40, the widthwise outer end of the extension gathered sheet 41 is fixed along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10. In this embodiment, the extension gathered sheet 41 is fixed to the skin side of the backsheet 12 together with the gathered sheet 34 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30.

[0039] Further, the extension gathered sheet 41 has an extension absorbent body 42 disposed along the longitudinal direction on the widthwise outer side of the fixed part 31, and a liquid-permeable extension cover sheet 43 is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the extension absorbent body 42. A separation part 44 is provided on the widthwise outer side of the extension absorbent body 42, allowing the extension gathered sheet 41 to be separated along the longitudinal direction.

[0040] (Extension gathered sheet) The extension portion 40 of the three-dimensional gathers 20 of this embodiment includes an extension gathered sheet 41. The extension gathered sheet 41 is a water-repellent and / or waterproof (liquid-impermeable) sheet, and is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. As the nonwoven fabric, any water-repellent and / or waterproof nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, and composite nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric) which is a spunbond nonwoven fabric / meltblown nonwoven fabric / spunbond nonwoven fabric laminate.

[0041] In this embodiment, the extension gathered sheet 41 is configured to extend continuously from the gathered sheet 34 that forms the standing portion 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30 of the three-dimensional gathers 20. In addition, the extension gathered sheet 41 is fixed to the skin side of the back sheet 12 together with the gathered sheet 34 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30.

[0042] In this embodiment, the extension gathered sheet 41 of the extension portion 40 is formed integrally with the gathered sheet 34 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30 so as to extend from the gathered sheet 34, but they may be formed separately and connected to each other.

[0043] (Extension absorber) The extension portions 40 of the left and right three-dimensional gathers 20 have an extension absorbent body 42 arranged on an extension gathered sheet 41 along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 10. Examples of the extension absorbent body 42 in this embodiment include a fluff absorbent body alone, a fluff absorbent body containing absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "SAP"), and an SAP sheet in which SAP particles are fixed between liquid-absorbent sheets. The absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer of the extension absorbent body 42 can be the same as those listed as examples of the configuration of the absorbent body 13. The extension absorbent body 42 may have the same configuration as the absorbent body 13, or a different configuration.

[0044] (Extension cover sheet) In this embodiment, an extension portion cover sheet 43 is provided to encase the extension portion absorbent body 42 arranged on the extension gathered sheet 41. The base material of the extension portion cover sheet 43 may be any hydrophilic material, for example, tissue, absorbent paper, air-laid nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or other hydrophilic nonwoven fabric. Among these, spunbond nonwoven fabric and air-through nonwoven fabric are preferred. Furthermore, when multiple extension portion cover sheets 43 are provided, the base materials of the multiple extension portion cover sheets 43 may be the same or different.

[0045] (Separation part) The extension gathered sheet 41 of the extension portion 40 of the three-dimensional gathers 20 is provided with tear-off portions 44 along the longitudinal direction on the widthwise outer side of the extension portion absorbent body 42. In this embodiment, the tear-off portions 44 are perforations that allow the extension gathered sheet 41 to be separated along the longitudinal direction. The tear-off portions 44 (perforations) are arranged in a line with alternating cut portions and non-cut portions in series, and can be easily cut along the line.

[0046] 1, both longitudinal end portions of the cut-off portion 44 are located inside the three-dimensional gather fastening portion 34. As a result, by cutting off the cut-off portion 44 while maintaining the uprightness of the upright portion 32 by the stretching force of the elastic, stretchable member 33, the extension portion 40 can be extended from the three-dimensional gather main body 30, thereby expanding the three-dimensional gathers 20.

[0047] (Extension dimensions) Fig. 3 shows the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment in a state where the tear-off portion 44 of the standing gathers 20 has been cut away. Note that Fig. 3 shows only the left side of the absorbent article 10 in a plan view.

[0048] 3 indicates the widthwise dimension of the extended gathered sheet 41 when cut at the cutting portion 44. The widthwise dimension L of the extended gathered sheet 41 when cut at the cutting portion 44 is equal to or less than half the widthwise dimension of the absorbent article 10 minus the widthwise dimension (L2 in FIG. 1) of the region between the two three-dimensional gathers 20 provided on both sides of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction (the body fluid absorption portion of the absorbent article 10).

[0049] By setting the dimension L to the above dimension, it is possible to prevent the standing gathers 20 from coming out from the absorbent article 10 and to prevent a reduction in the effect of suppressing urine leakage to the outside of the absorbent article 10.

[0050] (How to use) Next, a method of using the absorbent article 10 will be described.

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional gather 20 of the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment, where (a) shows the state before the cut-off portion 44 is cut off, (b) shows the state after the cut-off portion 44 is cut off and the extension portion 40 is expanded, and (c) shows the state when the wearer is wearing the absorbent article 10.

[0052] When the absorbent article 10 is unused, the tear-off portion 44 in Fig. 4(a) is cut off. Then, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the main body 30 of the three-dimensional gathers 20 can be expanded by the amount of the extension portion 40. Next, as shown in Fig. 4(c), the expanded three-dimensional gathers 20 are fitted to the wearer's body and worn.

[0053] In the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment, the extensions 40 allow the width of the three-dimensional gathers 20 to be wider than that of ordinary three-dimensional gathers, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in fitting the absorbent article 10 to the wearer's body. Therefore, even when the wearer is in an angled position, such as a lateral position, the extensions 40 can catch bodily fluids that tend to spread beyond the three-dimensional gather main body 30, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4(c), making it less likely that the bodily fluids will leak outside the absorbent article 10. Furthermore, because the extensions 40 are provided with an absorbent extension 42, even if bodily fluids penetrate the extensions 40, they are absorbed by the absorbent extension 42. In this way, leakage of bodily fluids from the absorbent article 10 can be further suppressed.

[0054] In the absorbent article 10 configured as described above, there is usually no need to worry about urinary leakage, but even if there is a risk of urinary leakage due to wearing the absorbent article for a longer period of time, this can be addressed by adjusting the three-dimensional gathers 20 without changing the size of the absorbent article as normally used. According to the absorbent article 10 of this embodiment, for example, when there is no risk of urinary leakage, it can be used without expanding the extensions 40 of the three-dimensional gathers 20. On the other hand, when there is a risk of urinary leakage due to taking medicine, lying on one's side, or wearing the absorbent article for a longer period of time, it is possible to suppress leakage of bodily fluids from the absorbent article 10 by wearing the absorbent article with the extensions 40 expanded.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, the extensions 40 provided on the three-dimensional gathers 20 make it possible to change the widthwise dimension of the three-dimensional gather main body 30. This increases the degree of freedom with which the absorbent article 10 can be fitted to the wearer's body. Therefore, even if the wearer's condition changes, it is no longer necessary to prepare and use multiple products, which is highly convenient.

[0056] In addition, since the extension portion 40 of the three-dimensional gather 20 of this embodiment is provided with an extension portion absorbent body 42, even if bodily fluids spread beyond the three-dimensional gather main body 30 into the extension portion 40, the extension portion absorbent body 42 absorbs the bodily fluids, thereby preventing the bodily fluids from leaking outside the absorbent article 10.

[0057] In addition, the standing portion 32 of the three-dimensional gather main body 30 has an elastic stretch member 33 at the end opposite the fixed portion 31, and the extended gathered sheet 41 of the extended portion 40 is positioned adjacent to the elastic stretch member 33, so that the extended portion 40 can be made to fit the wearer's body even more closely.

[0058] In this embodiment, the widthwise dimension L of the extension gathered sheet 41 when cut off at the cutting portion 44 is equal to or less than half the widthwise dimension of the absorbent article 10 minus the widthwise dimension of the body fluid absorbent portion L2 of the absorbent article 10. This prevents the three-dimensional gathers 20 from extending beyond the width of the absorbent article 10, thereby preventing a decrease in the effect of the three-dimensional gathers 20 in suppressing leakage of body fluids to the outside of the absorbent article 10.

[0059] Furthermore, the three-dimensional gather main body 30 has three-dimensional gather fastening portions 34 at both longitudinal ends, and the longitudinal ends of the separation portion 44 are located inside these three-dimensional gather fastening portions 34, thereby ensuring the uprightness of the elastic stretchable member 33 of the upright portion 32 and enabling the extension portion 40 to fit the wearer's body even more closely.

[0060] Next, modified examples of the absorbent article 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is a plan view of an absorbent article 60 showing a modified example. Fig. 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional gather 50 of the absorbent article 60 of Fig. 5, where (a) shows the state before the cut-off portion is cut off, (b) shows the state after the cut-off portion is cut off and the extension portion is expanded, and (c) shows the state when the wearer is wearing the absorbent article. The dashed dotted line 54 in Fig. 6 indicates the position where the perforation will be provided. Note that the same components as those in the absorbent article 10 described above will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in addition to the extension absorbent body 52, the standing gather 50 has a second extension absorbent body 55 disposed adjacent to the elastic stretchable member 53 of the upright portion 51.

[0062] When the absorbent article 60 is unused, the tear-off portion 54 in FIG. 6(a) is cut away. This allows the three-dimensional gathers 50 to expand, as shown in FIG. 6(b). Next, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the expanded three-dimensional gathers 50 are worn by fitting them to the wearer's body. In this modification, the second extension absorbent body 55 is disposed adjacent to the elastic stretchable member 53 provided at the end of the standing portion 51 of the three-dimensional gathers 50, so that the second extension absorbent body 55 can also fit to the wearer's body, further suppressing leakage of bodily fluids.

[0063] In this modified example, two extension absorbent bodies, extension absorbent body 52 and second extension absorbent body 55, are provided, but this is not limited to this, and three or more extension absorbent bodies may be provided in the three-dimensional gathers 50.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the content of the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, all other embodiments, examples, operational techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are naturally included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10, 60: Absorbent articles 11: Top sheet 12: Back seat 13: Absorbent 20, 50: 3D gathers 30: Three-dimensional gather body 31: Fixed part 32: Standing part 33: Elastic and stretchable member 34: Three-dimensional gathered fastening part 40: Extension part 41: Extended gathered sheet 42, 52: Extension absorber 43: Extension cover sheet 44, 54: Separation section 55: Second extension absorber

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and three-dimensional gathers provided on both sides in the width direction along the longitudinal direction of the skin-side surface of the top sheet, The three-dimensional gathers are a standing gather body having a fixed part that is fixed to the absorbent article and a standing part that stands up from the fixed part when the absorbent article is not in use; an extension part including a water-repellent extension gather sheet connected to the solid gather main body and extending outward in the width direction of the solid gather main body; The extension portion is configured such that the widthwise outer end of the extension gathered sheet is fixed to the absorbent article along the longitudinal direction, and a separation portion is provided between the widthwise outer end of the extension gathered sheet and the three-dimensional gather main body, allowing the extension gathered sheet to be separated along the longitudinal direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The extension portion has an extension portion absorbent body disposed on the extension gathered sheet along the longitudinal direction between the standing gather main body and the separation portion, and a liquid-permeable cover sheet disposed above the extension portion absorbent body.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The upright portion has an elastic stretchable member at an end opposite to the fixed portion, The extension gathered sheet is disposed adjacent to the elastically stretchable member of the upright portion.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a widthwise dimension of the extension gathered sheet in a state cut off at the cutting portion is equal to or less than half of a value obtained by subtracting a widthwise dimension of a body fluid absorption portion of the absorbent article from a widthwise dimension of the absorbent article; 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The absorbent article has three-dimensional gather fastening portions at both longitudinal end portions of the three-dimensional gather main body, Both longitudinal end portions of the cut-off portion are located inside the three-dimensional gathered fastening portion.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

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