Absorbent articles

Abstract

When the absorbent material shifts relative to the outer packaging, it suppresses the peeling of the fastening member from the outer packaging and also suppresses the possibility of damage to the main body near the fastening member. [Solution] The fastening member overlapping region 28 is the region in the main body where the fastening member 5 and the absorber 22 overlap in the thickness direction. In the fastening member overlapping region 28, the back sheet 23 and the absorber 22 are joined in a pair of joining regions 281 that are spaced apart in the width direction of the main body. The region between the pair of joining regions 281 is a non-jointed region 282 where the back sheet 23 and the absorber 22 are not joined over the entire surface. The width B1 of the non-jointed region 282 in the width direction is 50% or more of the width B2 of the fastening member 5 in that width direction. This makes it possible to suppress the peeling of the fastening member 5 from the outer article when the absorbent article shifts relative to the outer article, and also suppresses the possibility of damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as disposable absorbent pads have been used by being attached inside outer garments such as disposable diapers and underwear. When attaching the absorbent article to the outer garment, usually, a fastening member such as a snap fastener provided on the outer surface of the absorbent article is fastened inside the outer garment.

[0003] For example, in the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, a fixing member such as a snap fastener is joined to the outer surface of the back sheet at one end in the longitudinal direction. The back sheet has a two-layer structure in which an outer sheet and an inner sheet are joined by an adhesive. In the back sheet, the entire fixing member region, which is a region overlapping the fixing member, and the region around the fixing member region, the outer sheet and the inner sheet are not joined. Therefore, when the underwear is displaced with respect to the absorbent article, the outer sheet of the back sheet is pulled and moved with the fixing member by the underwear, but the movement of the inner sheet of the back sheet is suppressed. Thereby, the movement of the absorber and the top sheet is also suppressed, so that skin abrasion of the wearer is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, the outer sheet is not joined to the inner sheet in the entire area of ​​the fixing member that overlaps with the fixing member of the back sheet. Therefore, when attaching the absorbent article to underwear, deformation or displacement of the fixing member may occur, making it difficult for wearers or caregivers to stably attach the absorbent article in the correct position.

[0006] On the other hand, in the backsheet of Patent Document 1, if the outer sheet and inner sheet are joined together over the entire fixing member area, when the underwear shifts relative to the absorbent article, the entire backsheet is pulled along with the fixing member by the underwear and moves, causing the absorbent material and top sheet joined to the backsheet to also be pulled. As a result, there is a risk that the base material such as tissue that wraps around the absorbent layer of the absorbent material may tear in or near the joining area between the fixing member and the backsheet. There is also a possibility that the top sheet and backsheet may be damaged. Alternatively, there is a risk that the fixing member may peel off from the underwear.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to suppress the peeling of the fastening member from the outer article when the absorbent article shifts relative to the outer article, and to suppress the possibility of damage to the main body near the fastening member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article attached to the wearer side of an outer article worn by a wearer to receive excrement from the wearer, comprising: a main body portion; and a fastening member provided on the side of the main body portion opposite to the wearer side at the longitudinal end of the main body portion and capable of being fastened to the outer article. The main body portion comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. In the fastening member overlapping region of the main body portion where the fastening member and the absorbent overlap in the thickness direction, the back sheet and the absorbent are joined in a pair of joining regions spaced apart in the width direction of the main body portion, and the region between the pair of joining regions is a non-jointed region in which the back sheet and the absorbent are not joined over the entire surface. The width of the non-jointed region in the width direction is 50% or more of the width of the fastening member in the width direction.

[0009] Aspect 2 of the present invention is an absorbent article of aspect 1, wherein the backsheet and the absorbent are joined by an adhesive layer coated by stripe coating. The width of the non-joined region in the width direction is greater than the pitch of the adhesive strips extending in the longitudinal direction, located outside the width direction of the pair of joined regions.

[0010] A third aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article attached to the wearer side of an outer garment worn by a wearer to receive excrement from the wearer, comprising: a main body portion; and a fastening member provided on the side of the main body portion opposite to the wearer side at the longitudinal end of the main body portion and capable of fastening to the outer garment. The main body portion comprises: a liquid-permeable top sheet; a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet; and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and bonded to the back sheet by an adhesive layer coated with a stripe coating. In the fastening member overlapping region of the main body portion where the fastening member and the absorbent body overlap in the thickness direction, the back sheet and the absorbent body are bonded in a pair of bonded regions spaced apart in the width direction of the main body portion, and the region between the pair of bonded regions is a non-bonded region where the back sheet and the absorbent body are not bonded over the entire surface. The width of the non-bonded region in the width direction is greater than the pitch of the adhesive strips arranged in the longitudinal direction extending outside the width direction of the pair of bonded regions.

[0011] Aspect 4 of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein in the main body portion, the region in which the back sheet and the absorbent are not joined extends in the longitudinal direction from the non-joined region of the overlapping region of the fastening member to the entire length of the absorbent in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Aspect 5 of the present invention is an absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3 (or any one of aspects 1 to 4), wherein the absorbent comprises a fiber aggregate and a core wrap sheet enclosing the fiber aggregate. The back sheet and the core wrap sheet of the absorbent are joined at the pair of joining regions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In this invention, when the absorbent article shifts relative to the outer article, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the fastening member from the outer article and to suppress the possibility of damage to the main body near the fastening member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment, seen from the topsheet side. [Figure 2] It is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a sectional view taken along the line III-III of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a plan view showing an example of an absorber. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent sheet. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent core. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent article. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the fastening member. [Figure 9] It is a plan view showing a second absorbent core, a backsheet, and a fastening member. [Figure 10A] It is a side view showing an outline of an experimental apparatus. [Figure 10B] It is a plan view showing an outline of an experimental apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] The configuration of the absorbent article according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown in the drawings are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, spread out in a state before use and seen from the topsheet 21 side. The absorbent article 1 is an auxiliary absorber that is attached inside an outer article such as a disposable diaper worn by a wearer (that is, on the wearer side) and receives excrement from the wearer. The absorbent article 1 is, for example, a loss-preventing absorbent pad that receives urine or the like from the wearer. In FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 in the extended state when not worn is drawn with the surface that contacts the wearer when worn facing forward.

[0017] When explaining each component of the absorbent article in an embodiment of the present invention, the side closer to the wearer during wearing is referred to as the skin side for explanation, and the opposite side of the skin side may be referred to as the non-skin side. Also, the numerical range of the dimensions of the components described in the embodiments is the numerical range when measured in the dry state before wearing.

[0018] In the following description, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. 1 are also referred to as the "longitudinal direction" and the "width direction", respectively. Also, the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 is also referred to as the "thickness direction". The longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction are perpendicular to each other. The absorbent article 1 shown in FIG. 1 is in a state of being extended in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. The length of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction is, for example, about 500 mm to 700 mm. Also, the maximum width of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction is, for example, about 200 mm to 400 mm. In the following description, the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the absorbent article 1 and / or the main body portion 2 are also referred to as the "front-back direction" and the "left-right direction", respectively.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the absorbent article 1 with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 1) at the position II-II shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the absorbent article 1 with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at the position III-III shown in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 2 and 3, for ease of understanding of the drawings, the absorbent article 1 is drawn thicker than in reality (that is, the ratio of the thickness to the width is increased). Also, in FIGS. 2 and 3, a part of the configuration of the absorbent article 1 that actually contacts is drawn with a separation in the thickness direction (that is, the vertical direction in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent article 1 comprises a main body 2 and a pair of side sheets 3 positioned on the skin side, covering at least a portion of the main body 2. The pair of side sheets 3 are positioned on both sides of the main body 2 in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction. Each side sheet 3 is provided over substantially the entire length of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, a portion of each side sheet 3 is positioned to stand upright facing the wearer. In this disclosure, "substantially entire length" means substantially the entire length, and manufacturing tolerances of the absorbent article are included.

[0021] In Figure 1, the upper part 201 and the lower part 203 of the main body 2 are the parts that come into contact with the wearer's abdominal and dorsal skin, respectively, and will be referred to as the "front part 201" and the "rear part 203" in the following description. In addition, the part 202 that is continuous with the front part 201 and the rear part 203 and faces the wearer's crotch area will be referred to as the "crotch area 202". In absorbent article 1, the front part 201, the crotch area 202 and the rear part 203 are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction in the main body 2. In the following description, the upper and lower parts in Figure 1 will also be referred to as the "front side" and the "rear side", respectively.

[0022] In the example shown in Figure 1, the width of the front section 201 in the width direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as "width") is approximately constant except for the front end of the main body section 2 (i.e., the end of the front section 201 opposite to the crotch area 202). At the front end of the main body section 2, the width of the front section 201 decreases slightly as it approaches the front edge of the main body section 2. In other words, in the front section 201, except for the front end of the main body section 2, the widest part of the main body section 2, where the front section 201 has its maximum width, extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the width of the rear section 203 is approximately constant, except for the rear end of the main body 2 (i.e., the end of the rear section 203 opposite to the crotch area 202). At the rear end of the main body 2, the width of the rear section 203 decreases slightly as it approaches the rear edge of the main body 2. In other words, in the rear section 203, except for the rear end of the main body 2, the widest part of the main body 2, where it has its maximum width in the rear section 203, extends in the longitudinal direction. The width of the rear section 203 excluding the rear end (i.e., the maximum width of the rear section 203) is approximately the same as the width of the front section 201 excluding the front end (i.e., the maximum width of the front section 201). Figure 3 above is a cross-sectional view of the rear section 203, and the cross-section of the front section 201 is approximately the same as the cross-section of the rear section 203 shown in Figure 3.

[0024] The width of the crotch area 202 gradually decreases from the front part 201 towards the rear, reaching its minimum midway between the front part 201 and the rear part 203, and then gradually increasing further towards the rear until it reaches the rear part 203. In other words, the shape of the main body 2 in plan view is a so-called hourglass shape, where the maximum width of the front part 201 and the maximum width of the rear part 203 are greater than the minimum width of the crotch area 202. In the following description, the part of the crotch area 202 where the width of the main body 2 is minimum will be called the "narrowest part 204". The narrowest part 204 is also the narrowest part of the absorbent article. Figure 2 above is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 at the narrowest part 204.

[0025] In the example shown in Figure 1, the narrowest part 204 corresponds to a point in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2. In other words, the side edge of the main body 2 is preferably an arc shape that is recessed inward in the width direction at the crotch area 202, and the narrowest part 204 is preferably the innermost point in the width direction of this arc-shaped side edge. The narrowest part 204 may have length in the longitudinal direction. In this case, considering the fit around the legs, the length of the narrowest part 204 in the longitudinal direction is preferably greater than 0 mm and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the main body 2 comprises a permeable top sheet 21, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet 23, and an absorbent 22. The absorbent 22 is positioned between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23 and is bonded to the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent 22 is a member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 (i.e., has a longitudinal direction). In Figure 1, the outline of the absorbent 22 is drawn with a thick dashed line to facilitate understanding of the figure. The total length and total width of the absorbent 22 are smaller than the total length and total width of the main body 2 (i.e., the total length and total width of the back sheet 23). The back sheet 23 extends forward of the front edge of the absorbent 22 and backward of the rear edge of the absorbent 22. The back sheet 23 also extends outward from the side edges on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent 22 (i.e., the left and right side edges).

[0027] The top sheet 21 quickly captures moisture from the wearer's excretions, such as urine, and transfers it to the absorbent material 22. The absorbent material 22 absorbs the moisture that has permeated the top sheet 21 and quickly fixes it in place. The back sheet 23 prevents moisture from the excretions that have reached the back sheet 23 from seeping out of the main body 2.

[0028] The longitudinal length (hereinafter simply referred to as "length") of the main body 2, including the top sheet 21, absorbent material 22, and back sheet 23, is approximately the same as the length of each side sheet 3. The side edges of the main body 2 and the side edges of each side sheet 3 overlap approximately in the thickness direction over approximately the entire longitudinal length. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the width of the top sheet 21, which is approximately rectangular in plan view, is smaller than the width of the back sheet 23. Also, the width of the top sheet 21 is greater than the width of the absorbent material 22 in the crotch area 202, and smaller than the width of the absorbent material 22 in the front part 201 and the rear part 203.

[0029] The backsheet 23 extends outward in the width direction from both side edges of the topsheet 21 and both side edges of the absorber 22. In other words, the side portions of the backsheet 23 extend laterally from the topsheet 21 and the absorber 22 without being covered by them. The widthwise outer portions of a pair of side sheets 3 are joined to the widthwise side portions of the backsheet 23. The pair of side sheets 3 are further joined to the widthwise side edges of the topsheet 21. At the longitudinal edges of the absorbent article 1, the topsheet 21 and each side sheet 3 are joined to the backsheet 23. The joining of the topsheet 21, backsheet 23, and each side sheet 3 may be carried out by various methods (e.g., hot melt adhesive bonding, thermal fusion, or ultrasonic fusion). In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the side edges of the top sheet 21 are joined to each side sheet 3 via a roughly strip-shaped adhesive layer 41 that extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, the illustration of adhesives other than the adhesive layer 41 is omitted.

[0030] As the top sheet 21, for example, a permeable nonwoven fabric (point-bonded nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc.) formed from hydrophobic fibers (polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, nylon, etc.) whose surface has been hydrophilically treated with a surfactant can be used. Alternatively, as the top sheet 21, a nonwoven fabric (for example, spunlace nonwoven fabric) formed from hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose, rayon, or cotton may be used.

[0031] As the backsheet 23, for example, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric or plastic film, or a laminated sheet in which these nonwoven fabrics and plastic films are laminated together, can be used. The nonwoven fabrics used for the backsheet 23 are, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, or SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwoven fabrics formed from hydrophobic fibers, and are treated with a liquid-repellent finish as needed. When a plastic film is used for the backsheet 23, it is preferable to use a plastic film that has moisture permeability (breathability) from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness of the absorbent article 1 and improving the wearer's comfort.

[0032] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent 22. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the absorbent 22 comprises an absorbent sheet 25 and an absorbent core 26. The absorbent sheet 25 and the absorbent core 26 are laminated in the thickness direction between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent sheet 25 is placed between the absorbent core 26 and the top sheet 21. The absorbent sheet 25 is a sheet-like member in which an absorbent resin is fixed between multiple layers of sheet members. The absorbent core 26 is placed between the absorbent sheet 25 and the back sheet 23. The absorbent core 26 is a bulky member mainly formed from an aggregate of bulky fibers such as fluff pulp. The thickness of the absorbent core 26 in the thickness direction (hereinafter also simply referred to as "thickness") is greater than the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25 is 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and the thickness of the absorbent core 26 is 2 mm to 10 mm.

[0033] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, an upper backing sheet 271 is sandwiched between the absorbent sheet 25 and the absorbent core 26. In other words, the absorbent sheet 25 is placed on the upper surface of the absorbent core 26 (i.e., the main surface that faces the skin when worn) via the upper backing sheet 271. The upper backing sheet 271 is, for example, tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. Note that the upper backing sheet 271 may be omitted, and the absorbent sheet 25 may be placed directly on the upper surface of the absorbent core 26.

[0034] The lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is joined to the upper backing paper 271 via a hot-melt adhesive or the like. For example, a strip-shaped region extending longitudinally in the central part of the width direction of the lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is joined to the upper backing paper 271, while the ends on both sides of the width direction of the lower surface of the absorbent sheet 25 are not joined to the upper backing paper 271. The lower surface of the upper backing paper 271 is joined to the upper surface of the absorbent core 26 via a hot-melt adhesive or the like. The upper surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is joined to the top sheet 21 via a hot-melt adhesive or the like. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the upper surface of the absorbent sheet 25 is joined to the top sheet 21, and other members may be interposed between the absorbent sheet 25 and the top sheet 21. In the narrowest part 204 of the main body 2, it is preferable that at least a portion of the absorbent sheet 25 is joined to the top sheet 21 directly or via another layer.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent core 26 comprises a first absorbent core 261 and a second absorbent core 262. The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are each bulky, cotton-like members mainly formed from an aggregate of bulky fibers such as fluff pulp. The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are laminated in the thickness direction between the absorbent sheet 25 and the back sheet 23. The first absorbent core 261 is positioned between the second absorbent core 262 and the absorbent sheet 25. The second absorbent core 262 is positioned between the first absorbent core 261 and the back sheet 23. The thickness of each of the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 is greater than the thickness of the absorbent sheet 25.

[0036] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, an intermediate backing sheet 272 is sandwiched between the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262. In other words, the first absorbent core 261 is positioned on the upper surface of the second absorbent core 262 via the intermediate backing sheet 272. The lower surface of the first absorbent core 261 and the upper surface of the second absorbent core 262 are joined to the intermediate backing sheet 272 via hot melt adhesive or the like. The intermediate backing sheet 272 is, for example, tissue paper or nonwoven fabric. Note that the intermediate backing sheet 272 may be omitted.

[0037] The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 may each contain, in addition to the fiber aggregate described above, an absorbent resin such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer) and / or SAF (Super Absorbent Fiber). The first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262 are, for example, members in which SAP particles are mixed into a fiber aggregate formed from fluff pulp. The fiber aggregate may be wrapped in tissue paper or nonwoven fabric to prevent the SAP particles from falling off. In the first absorbent core 261, the basis weight of the absorbent resin is, for example, 50% or less of the basis weight of the fluff pulp forming the fiber aggregate. Similarly in the second absorbent core 262, the basis weight of the absorbent resin is, for example, 50% or less of the basis weight of the fluff pulp forming the fiber aggregate. Furthermore, the fiber aggregates contained in the first absorption core 261 and the second absorption core 262 do not necessarily have to be formed from fluff pulp; for example, they may be aggregates of synthetic fibers, or aggregates of a mixture of fluff pulp and synthetic fibers.

[0038] Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent sheet 25. Figure 6 is a plan view showing an example of an absorbent core 26. In Figure 6, the second absorbent core 262 is drawn with a thick dashed line to facilitate understanding of the figure. In Figures 4 to 6, the "center line 220," which is a hypothetical straight line extending longitudinally from the center in the width direction of the absorber 22 in a plan view, is shown with a dashed line (similar to Figure 1). Also, in Figures 4 to 6, the position of the fastening member 5, which will be described later, is shown with a dashed line.

[0039] The center line 220 is also a hypothetical straight line extending longitudinally from the center in the width direction of the absorption sheet 25. Furthermore, the center line 220 is also a hypothetical straight line extending longitudinally from the center in the width direction of the respective absorption cores 26, the first absorption core 261, and the second absorption core 262. In other words, the center line 220 is also the center line of the absorption sheet 25, the absorption core 26, the first absorption core 261, and the second absorption core 262. In a plan view, the absorber 22, the absorption sheet 25, the absorption core 26, the first absorption core 261, and the second absorption core 262 each have a shape that is approximately symmetrical with respect to the center line 220.

[0040] The shape of the absorbent sheet 25 in plan view is approximately rectangular, with its length greater than its width. The absorbent sheet 25 extends from the front part 201 of the main body part 2 shown in Figure 1, through the crotch area 202, to the rear part 203. The width of the absorbent sheet 25 is approximately constant along its approximately total length in the longitudinal direction and is smaller than the width of the main body part 2 along its approximately total length in the longitudinal direction. The length of the absorbent sheet 25 is shorter than the length of the main body part 2.

[0041] The absorbent core 26 extends from the front portion 201 of the main body 2, through the crotch area 202, to the rear portion 203. The length of the absorbent core 26 is approximately the same as the length of the absorbent sheet 25, and the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core 26 substantially overlap with the longitudinal edges of the absorbent sheet 25 in a plan view. The width of the absorbent core 26 is substantially constant in the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203. The width of the absorbent core 26 in the crotch area 202 gradually decreases from the rear end of the front portion 201 toward the narrowest part of the crotch area 202, becoming minimum at the narrowest point between the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, and then gradually increasing toward the rear portion 203. In other words, the shape of the absorbent core 26 in a plan view is a so-called hourglass shape. The width of the absorbent core 26 is smaller than the width of the main body 2 along its substantially entire longitudinal length.

[0042] The width of the absorption core 26 in the front section 201 is approximately constant, except for the area near the leading edge. In the area near the leading edge of the main body 2, the width of the absorption core 26 decreases slightly as it approaches the leading edge of the main body 2. The width of the absorption core 26 in the rear section 203 is approximately constant, except for the area near the trailing edge. In the area near the trailing edge of the main body 2, the width of the absorption core 26 decreases slightly as it approaches the trailing edge of the main body 2. The maximum width of the absorption core 26 in the front section 201 is approximately the same as the maximum width of the absorption core 26 in the rear section 203. Note that the maximum widths of the absorption core 26 in the front section 201 and the rear section 203 may be different.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 6, the narrowest part of the absorbent core 26 (i.e., the narrowest portion of the absorbent core 26) corresponds to a point in the crotch area along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core 26. In other words, the side edge of the absorbent core 26 is preferably curved inward in the width direction at the crotch area 202, and the narrowest portion of the absorbent core 26 is preferably the innermost point in the width direction of this curved side edge. The narrowest portion of the absorbent core may have a length in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the length of the narrowest portion of the absorbent core is preferably greater than 0 mm and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less.

[0044] A core groove 263 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the upper surface of the absorption core 26. The core groove 263 is a recess that is recessed downward from the upper surface of the absorption core 26 (i.e., toward the back sheet 23). In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the core groove 263 does not penetrate the absorption core 26 in the thickness direction. The core groove 263 is provided approximately in the center of the width direction of the absorption core 26. In the example shown in Figure 6, the shape of the core groove 263 in plan view is approximately a band shape, with length greater than width. The core groove 263 extends approximately in a substantially straight line, substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, from the front part 201 of the main body 2 through the crotch area 202 to the rear part 203. The width of the core groove 263 is substantially constant over its substantially total length in the longitudinal direction, except for both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 6, the shape of the first absorbing core 261 in plan view is substantially the same as the shape of the absorbing core 26 in plan view, except that it has through holes corresponding to the core grooves 263. That is, the shape of the first absorbing core 261 in plan view is a so-called hourglass shape. The shape of the second absorbing core 262 in plan view is substantially rectangular, with its length greater than its width. The width of the second absorbing core 262 is substantially constant along its substantially long length. The length of the second absorbing core 262 is substantially equal to the length of the first absorbing core 261. The longitudinal edges of both ends of the first absorbing core 261 and the longitudinal edges of the second absorbing core 262 substantially overlap in plan view.

[0046] The width of the second absorbing core 262 is smaller than the width of the first absorbing core 261 over approximately its entire length in the longitudinal direction. The second absorbing core 262 is covered by the first absorbing core 261, except for the portion that overlaps with the through-hole of the first absorbing core 261 in a plan view. Specifically, at the narrowest part of the absorbing core 26 in the crotch area 202, the width of the second absorbing core 262 is smaller than the width of the first absorbing core 261. In addition, in the front portion 201 and the rear portion 203, the first absorbing core 261 extends relatively far outward in the width direction from the second absorbing core 262 on both sides in the width direction, and the second absorbing core 262 overlaps with the central part of the first absorbing core 261 in the width direction.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent sheet 25 comprises an upper sheet 251, a lower sheet 252, and an absorbent resin 253. The upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 are laminated in the thickness direction between the top sheet 21 and the absorbent core 26. The upper sheet 251 is placed between the lower sheet 252 and the top sheet 21. The lower sheet 252 is placed between the upper sheet 251 and the absorbent core 26. The absorbent resin 253 is fixed between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 with a hot melt adhesive or the like. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, there are virtually no bulky fibers such as fluff pulp between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252. This makes it possible to realize a thin absorbent sheet 25 with high absorption capacity. Furthermore, in the absorbent sheet 25, even if a small amount of fluff pulp or the like that is unintentionally mixed in during the manufacturing process is present between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252, it is considered that there are substantially no bulky fibers between the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252.

[0048] The upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 are each permeable sheet members. For example, permeable nonwoven fabrics (spunlace nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, etc.) can be used as the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252. The upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 may be the same type of nonwoven fabric or different types of nonwoven fabrics. In addition, the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 may each be permeable sheet members other than nonwoven fabrics (for example, perforated plastic film).

[0049] In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent resin 253 is composed of numerous granular SAP. In Figures 2 and 3, the particles of the absorbent resin 253 are depicted larger than they actually are. The absorbent resin 253 may also be composed of numerous fibrous SAF, or a mixture of numerous SAP and SAF. In other words, the absorbent resin 253 is granular and / or fibrous. SAP and SAF are highly absorbent materials that have higher absorbency (i.e., can absorb and retain a larger amount of liquid) compared to the same amount of pulp fibers, etc. The absorbent resin 253 absorbs bodily fluids such as urine that have permeated through the top sheet 21 and reached the absorbent sheet 25, and swells to retain the bodily fluids within the absorbent sheet 25.

[0050] As the absorbent resin 253, for example, a polyacrylic acid-based absorbent resin such as sodium polyacrylate can be used. Alternatively, a starch-based absorbent resin such as starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, or starch-acrylamide graft copolymer may be used as the absorbent resin 253. Or, a polyvinyl alcohol-based absorbent resin such as a polyvinyl alcohol crosslinked product may be used as the absorbent resin 253.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the absorbent sheet 25 comprises a pair of absorbent resin regions 254, a central region 255, and a pair of side regions 256. In Figure 5, parallel diagonal lines are drawn over the pair of absorbent resin regions 254 to facilitate understanding of the figure.

[0052] The pair of side regions 256 are side end regions located at both ends of the absorbent sheet 25 in the width direction. The pair of absorbent resin regions 254 are regions located inside the pair of side regions 256 in the width direction and are continuous with the pair of side regions 256 in the width direction. The central region 255 is the region between the pair of absorbent resin regions 254 in the width direction and is continuous with the pair of absorbent resin regions 254 in the width direction. Each side region 256, each absorbent resin region 254, and the central region 255 are each substantially rectangular band-shaped regions that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction over substantially the entire length of the absorbent sheet 25.

[0053] In the pair of absorbent resin regions 254, absorbent resin 253 (see Figures 2 and 3) is provided and fixed to the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 by hot melt adhesive or the like. In the central region 255 and the pair of side regions 256, absorbent resin 253 is substantially absent. That is, the central region 255 and the pair of side regions 256 are regions where absorbent resin is absent. In the central region 255 and the pair of side regions 256, the upper sheet 251 and the lower sheet 252 are joined to each other by hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0054] The central region 255 coincides with the center line 220 in a plan view. The shape of the central region 255 in a plan view is approximately symmetric with respect to the center line 220. In addition, the shapes of the pair of absorbent resin regions 254 and the pair of side regions 256 in a plan view are also approximately symmetric with respect to the center line 220. As shown in Figure 4, the central region 255 of the absorbent sheet 25 coincides with the core groove portion 263 of the absorbent core 26 in a plan view.

[0055] In addition, it is preferable that the absorbent resin 253 is not present at all (i.e., strictly absent) in the central region 255 and the pair of side regions 256, but it may be present in small amounts if it can be considered substantially absent. For example, a small amount of absorbent resin 253 that was unintentionally scattered during the manufacturing process of the absorbent sheet 25 may be present in the central region 255 and / or side regions 256.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, each pair of side sheets 3 is positioned on the absorbent 22 on both sides in the width direction and extends longitudinally. Each side sheet 3 comprises a side sheet body 31 and an elastic member 32. The side sheet body 31 is a substantially strip-shaped sheet member positioned on both sides in the width direction of the absorbent 22 and extending longitudinally. The side sheet body 31 is provided over substantially the entire length of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction. The side sheet body 31 is fixed to the side of the top sheet 21 via the adhesive layer 41 described above. The adhesive layer 41 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction over substantially the entire length of the side sheet 3.

[0057] In the stretched absorbent article 1, the side sheet body 31 extends inward in the width direction from the portion in contact with the adhesive layer 41, and is folded back outward and upward in the width direction (i.e., towards the skin side when worn) along a side wall fold line 39 that extends longitudinally inward in the width direction from the adhesive layer 41. In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, the side wall fold line 39 overlaps with the absorbent resin-containing region 254 of the absorbent sheet 25 in a plan view. In the following description, the portion of the side sheet body 31 on one side of the side wall fold line 39 that is fixed to the main body 2 by the adhesive layer 41, etc., is also called the "side wall base 33". The portion of the side sheet body 31 on the other side of the side wall fold line 39 that is not directly fixed to the main body 2 is also called the "side wall upright portion 34". The side wall base 33 and the side wall upright portion 34 are continuous along the side wall fold line 39.

[0058] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of the absorbent article 1, and, like Figure 1, it is shown in an unfolded state. In each side sheet 3, the portion of the side wall base 33 of the side sheet body 31 that extends outward in the width direction beyond the side edge of the top sheet 21 (i.e., the portion that is outward in the width direction beyond the portion that is in contact with the adhesive layer 41 (see Figures 2 and 3)) is joined to the left or right side in the width direction of the back sheet 23 at the narrowest portion 204, and to the left or right side in the width direction of the absorbent core 26 and the left or right side in the width direction of the back sheet 23, except at the narrowest portion 204.

[0059] In Figure 7, parallel diagonal lines are drawn on the areas of the left and right side wall bases 33 in the width direction that are joined to the main body 2. The side wall bases 33 and the main body 2 are fixed together, for example, by bonding with a hot melt adhesive. In the example shown in Figure 7, the entire portion of the side wall base 33 that is outside the area in the width direction of the adhesive layer 41 (see Figures 2 and 3) is fixed to the main body 2.

[0060] As described above, the side wall upright portion 34 extends upward from the side wall fold line 39 to the side wall base portion 33. The side wall upright portion 34 overlaps the side wall base portion 33 at both ends in the longitudinal direction and is joined to the upper surface of the side wall base portion 33 (i.e., the main surface on the skin side when worn) with hot melt adhesive or the like. In Figure 7, parallel diagonal lines are also drawn on the region of the side wall upright portion 34 that is joined to the upper surface of the side wall base portion 33.

[0061] An elastic member 32 extending in the longitudinal direction is joined in an extended state to the free end of the side wall upright portion 34 using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the elastic member 32 contracts in each side sheet 3, causing the side wall upright portion 34 to stand up from the main body 2 toward the wearer at the longitudinal center of each side sheet 3. When the side wall upright portion 34 stands up, the portion of the side wall base 33 between the side wall fold line 39 and the adhesive layer 41 also stands up toward the wearer along with the side wall upright portion 34. This forms a pair of three-dimensional gathers that come into contact with the wearer's skin. In the absorbent article 1, the pair of three-dimensional gathers suppress lateral leakage of bodily fluids such as urine (i.e., leakage from the absorbent article 1 to the sides).

[0062] As the side sheet body 31, a nonwoven fabric that is liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable, formed from hydrophobic fibers (for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric, etc.) is used. As the elastic member 32, for example, polyurethane yarn, a strip of polyurethane film, or thread-like or strip-like natural rubber is used. In this embodiment, polyurethane yarn is used as the elastic member 32.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, fastening members 5 are provided at both ends 205 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2. In this embodiment, the longitudinal ends 205 of the main body 2 are the parts corresponding to 25% of the total length of the main body 2 from the longitudinal edge (i.e., the edge) of the main body 2. In other words, the ends 205 of the main body 2 are the parts between the longitudinal edge of the main body 2 and a position longitudinally separated from that edge by a distance corresponding to 25% of the total length of the main body 2.

[0064] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of the fastening member 5 in Figure 3 (i.e., the fastening member 5 provided on the rear portion 203). The following description of the fastening member 5 is substantially the same for the fastening member 5 provided on the front portion 201. The fastening member 5 is provided on the surface of the main body 2 opposite to the wearer's side (i.e., the non-skin side when worn) and overlaps with the absorbent 22 in the thickness direction (i.e., in a plan view). In the following description, the region in the main body 2 where the absorbent 22 and the fastening member 5 overlap in the thickness direction is also called the "fastening member overlapping region 28". The surface of the fastening member 5 facing the backsheet 23 (i.e., the skin-side surface) is fixed to the non-skin-side surface of the backsheet 23. For example, the fastening member 5 is fixed to the backsheet 23 via an adhesive layer 51 provided over substantially the entire surface of the skin-side surface of the fastening member 5.

[0065] The fastening member 5 is a member that can be fastened to the exterior article described above. The fastening member 5 is, for example, a resin hook fastener having a number of hook elements. When the fastening member 5 is pressed against the inner surface of the exterior article (i.e., the surface on the wearer's side) and engages with it, the absorbent article 1 is attached to the exterior article, and displacement of the absorbent article 1 relative to the exterior article is suppressed. Note that "engaging" of the fastening member 5 with other members means that the fastening member 5 and other members are joined together and their relative positions are fixed. Furthermore, after the fastening member 5 and other members have engaged, these members can be separated.

[0066] The shape of the fastening member 5 in plan view is a substantially rectangular strip extending substantially parallel to the width direction (i.e., left-right direction) of the main body 2. In other words, the shape of the fastening member 5 in plan view is a substantially rectangular shape in which the length in the width direction of the main body 2 is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2. That is, the fastening member 5 is a substantially rectangular shape with its longitudinal side in the width direction of the main body 2. The longitudinal length of the fastening member 5 (i.e., the length in the left-right direction) is, for example, 15 mm to 85 mm. In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of the fastening member 5 is, for example, 80 mm. The length of the fastening member 5 in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal side (i.e., the width in the front-back direction) is, for example, 10 mm to 20 mm. In plan view, the fastening member 5 has a shape that is substantially symmetrical with respect to the center line 220 (see Figure 1).

[0067] In the examples shown in Figures 6 and 8, the entire fastening member 5 overlaps with the second absorbing core 262 in a plan view. The longitudinal length of the fastening member 5 is less than or equal to the width of the second absorbing core 262. In the example shown in Figure 8, the longitudinal length of the fastening member 5 is smaller than the width of the second absorbing core 262. At the position where the fastening member 5 is positioned in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the central position of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2), the longitudinal length of the fastening member 5 is 80% or more of the width of the second absorbing core 262.

[0068] In the example shown in Figure 4, at both ends 205 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2, the edge 57 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first edge 57") of the pair of edges of the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2 that is further from the crotch area 202 is located at a distance from the edge 223 of the absorber 22 in the longitudinal direction (i.e., one of the pair of edges of the absorber 22 in the longitudinal direction that is closer to the fastening member 5). In the example shown in Figure 4, one edge 223 of the absorber 22 is also one of the longitudinal edges of the first absorbent core 261, the second absorbent core 262, and the absorbent sheet 25 (i.e., one of the edges that is closer to the fastening member 5). The longitudinal distance L1 between the said edge 223 of the absorbent 22 and the first edge 57 of the fastening member 5 is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more. Furthermore, the distance L1 is preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. Figure 4 illustrates the distance L1 for the fastening member 5 located on the front section 201, and the same applies to the fastening member 5 located on the rear section 203.

[0069] From the viewpoint of suppressing deformation of the fastening member 5 due to the movements of the wearer of the outer garment, it is preferable that the edge 58 of the pair of longitudinal edges of the fastening member 5 that is closer to the crotch area 202 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second edge 58") is located at a certain distance or more from the crotch area 202 in the longitudinal direction. For example, it is preferable that the second edge 58 of the fastening member 5 is spaced apart from the core groove 263 in the longitudinal direction. That is, it is preferable that the fastening member 5 does not overlap with the core groove 263 in a plan view.

[0070] Figure 9 is a plan view showing the second absorbent core 262, back sheet 23, and fastening member 5 of the absorber 22. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the second absorbent core 262 and the back sheet 23 are joined by an adhesive layer 42 applied to the non-skin side of the back sheet 23 by stripe coating. In Figure 8, the thicknesses of the adhesive layer 42 and adhesive layer 51 are depicted larger than they actually are for convenience. The second absorbent core 262 comprises a fiber aggregate 264 and a core wrap sheet 265 that encloses substantially the entire fiber aggregate 264. The adhesive layer 42 joins the back sheet 23 to the core wrap sheet 265 of the second absorbent core 262. Although not shown in the illustration, in the area around the second absorbent core 262, the back sheet 23 is joined to the first absorbent core 261, top sheet 21, and side sheet 3 by the adhesive layer 42.

[0071] The adhesive layer 42 includes a plurality of adhesives (hereinafter also referred to as "adhesive elements 421") arranged in a stripe pattern extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body 2. Each adhesive element 421 is substantially linear and substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. The plurality of adhesive elements 421 are spaced apart from each other and arranged substantially parallel to each other.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 9, the multiple adhesive elements 421 constituting the adhesive layer 42 are arranged in the width direction at approximately equal intervals, except for the central part of the backsheet 23 in the width direction (i.e., the area overlapping with the center line 220). In this embodiment, except for the central part of the backsheet 23 in the width direction, the distance in the width direction between each pair of adjacent adhesive elements 421 in the width direction (i.e., the pitch P1) is 20 mm. Also in this embodiment, the distance in the width direction between the pair of adhesive elements 421 closest to the center line 220 on both the left and right sides of the center line 220 (i.e., both sides in the width direction) is 60 mm.

[0073] The adhesive layer 42 is applied, for example, by stopping the discharge of adhesive from two adhesive nozzles closest to the center line 220 on both the left and right sides of the center line 220, while discharging adhesive from the other adhesive nozzles and moving the back sheet 23 longitudinally relative to the multiple adhesive nozzles.

[0074] As shown in Figure 8, in the aforementioned overlapping region 28 of the fastening members, the second absorbing core 262 of the absorber 22 is joined to the backsheet 23 by a pair of adhesive elements 421 (i.e., a pair of adhesive elements 421 located in the central part of the adhesive layer 42 in the width direction) that are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction with respect to the center line 220. In the following description, the region of the overlapping region 28 of the fastening members in which the second absorbing core 262 and the backsheet 23 are joined by the pair of adhesive elements 421 will also be referred to as the "pair of joining regions 281". Furthermore, the region of the overlapping region 28 of the fastening members in the width direction (i.e., a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal side of the fastening member 5) between the pair of joining regions 281 will also be referred to as the "non-joining region 282".

[0075] In the example shown in Figure 8, the back sheet 23 and the core wrap sheet 265 of the second absorption core 262 are joined in a pair of joining regions 281. Each joining region 281 is a substantially linear region extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fastening member 5. Each joining region 281 traverses the fastening member overlapping region 28 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fastening member 5.

[0076] In the non-bonded region 282, there is substantially no adhesive between the second absorbent core 262 and the backsheet 23, and the second absorbent core 262 and the backsheet 23 are not bonded over almost the entire surface. That is, in the non-bonded region 282, the core wrap sheet 265 of the second absorbent core 262 faces the backsheet 23 in the thickness direction, and is movable relative to the backsheet 23, including in the longitudinal and width directions of the main body 2. In the absorbent article 1, even if a small amount of adhesive is unintentionally deposited between the second absorbent core 262 and the backsheet 23 in the non-bonded region 282 during manufacturing, it is considered that there is substantially no adhesive between the second absorbent core 262 and the backsheet 23 in the non-bonded region 282.

[0077] In the fastening member overlapping region 28 illustrated in Figure 8, the second absorbing core 262 and the back sheet 23 are joined only by a pair of joining regions 281. In addition, in the fastening member overlapping region 28, there may also be a region outside the pair of joining regions 281 in the width direction (i.e., left-right direction) of the main body 2 in which the second absorbing core 262 and the back sheet 23 are joined. Even in this case, the non-joining region 282 refers to the region between the pair of joining regions 281 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction with the center line 220 in between.

[0078] In the example shown in Figure 9, the second absorbing core 262 and the back sheet 23 are not joined along the entire length of the second absorbing core 262 between a pair of adhesive elements 421 that are positioned adjacent to each other in the width direction with respect to the center line 220. Similarly, when the first absorbing core 261 and / or the absorbing sheet 25 extends longitudinally from the second absorbing core 262, the first absorbing core 261 and / or the absorbing sheet 25 and the back sheet 23 are not joined along the entire length of the first absorbing core 261 and / or the absorbing sheet 25 between the pair of adhesive elements 421.

[0079] In the absorbent article 1 according to this embodiment, the second absorbent core 262 and the back sheet 23 are not joined together over the entire length of the second absorbent core 262 in a strip-shaped area with a width of 60 mm extending longitudinally with the center line 220 as the center in the width direction. That is, in the main body 2, the area in which the back sheet 23 and the absorbent body 22 are not joined together extends from the non-jointed area 282 of the fastening member overlapping area 28 to approximately the entire length of the absorbent body 22 in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of adhesive used in the absorbent article 1.

[0080] In the examples shown in Figures 8 and 9, the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 in the width direction (i.e., left-right direction) of the main body 2 is greater than the pitch P1 of the multiple adhesive elements 421 (i.e., adhesives arranged in stripes) that extend longitudinally beyond the width direction of the pair of jointed areas 281, as described above. In this embodiment, the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 is 60 mm, and the pitch P1 of the adhesive elements 421 is 20 mm.

[0081] Furthermore, the width B1 of the non-joining region 282 is preferably 50% or more of the width B2 of the fastening member 5 in that width direction (i.e., the longitudinal length of the fastening member 5), and in this embodiment it is 75%. By making the width B1 of the non-joining region 282 50% or more of the width B2 of the fastening member 5, when the absorbent article 1 fastened to the outer article by the fastening member 5 shifts relative to the outer article (especially when it shifts in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2), peeling of the fastening member 5 from the outer article is suppressed, and damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5 is suppressed.

[0082] Specifically, if the absorbent article 1 shifts relative to the outer packaging due to the wearer's movements, the top sheet 21, which is in close contact with the wearer's skin, and the absorbent body 22, which is bonded to the top sheet 21, will shift relative to the outer packaging. On the other hand, in the non-bonding area 282 of the fastening member overlapping area 28, the absorbent body 22 is relatively movable relative to the back sheet 23, including in the longitudinal and width directions of the main body 2. Therefore, the transmission of the above-mentioned shift of the absorbent body 22 to the back sheet 23 and the fastening member 5 is suppressed. In other words, the back sheet 23 stretches near the non-bonding area 282, reducing the force applied between the absorbent body 22 and the back sheet 23. As a result, the movement of the fastening member 5 fixed to the back sheet 23 relative to the outer packaging is suppressed, and the peeling of the fastening member 5 from the outer packaging is suppressed.

[0083] Furthermore, if the absorbent 22 shifts relative to the backsheet 23 while the fastening member 5 remains fastened to the outer packaging, a force will be applied near the joint between the absorbent 22 and the backsheet 23 in a direction that will cause the joint to peel apart. However, as described above, since the absorbent 22 is relatively movable relative to the backsheet 23 in the non-jointed region 282, this force can be reduced. As a result, the possibility of damage to the absorbent 22, backsheet 23, etc., due to this force is suppressed.

[0084] Next, referring to Table 1 and Figures 10A and 10B, the relationship between the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 and the load generated when the absorbent article 1 is shifted relative to the outer article will be explained. The load (N) in Table 1 was measured using experimental apparatus 9, which is schematically shown in Figures 10A and 10B. Figures 10A and 10B are side and top views, respectively, of experimental apparatus 9 used to measure the load. As experimental apparatus 9, a Tensilon universal testing machine (RTG-1210 (manufactured by A&D Co., Ltd.)) and a friction coefficient testing fixture (U-2177C (manufactured by Orientec Co., Ltd.)) were used.

[0085] [Table 1]

[0086] In Example 1 shown in Table 1, the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 is 60 mm, and the ratio of the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 to the width B2 (80 mm) of the fastening member 5 is 75%. In Example 2, the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 is 40 mm, and the ratio of the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 to the width B2 of the fastening member 5 is 50%. In Comparative Example 1, the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 is 20 mm, and the ratio of the width B1 of the non-jointed area 282 to the width B2 of the fastening member 5 is 25%.

[0087] When measuring the load described above, first, in the experimental apparatus 9, multiple linear double-sided tapes 921, which simulate the multiple adhesive elements 421 of the adhesive layer 42, are attached to the upper surface of the test stand 91, which simulates the second absorption core 262 of the absorber 22. Figure 10B is a diagram corresponding to Example 1, where the two double-sided tapes 921 correspond to the pair of adhesive elements 421 located in the central part of the adhesive layer 42 in the width direction. The distance between the two double-sided tapes 921 in the left-right direction is 60 mm, the same as the width B1 of the non-bonded area 282. The length of each double-sided tape 921 is 100 mm. In Example 2 and Comparative Example 1, the distance between the two double-sided tapes 921 in the left-right direction is 40 mm and 20 mm, respectively. In Comparative Example 1, one double-sided tape 921 is attached to the outside of the two double-sided tapes 921 in the left-right direction at 20 mm intervals.

[0088] Next, a rectangular test piece cut from the backsheet 23 is placed on top of multiple double-sided tapes 921, and the backsheet 23 and the test stand 91 are joined together by the multiple double-sided tapes 921. The size of the test piece of the backsheet 23 is not particularly limited as long as it covers the entirety of the multiple double-sided tapes 921. For example, the test piece of the backsheet 23 is approximately a square with sides of about 120 mm in a plan view.

[0089] Next, the fastening member 5 is attached to the upper surface of the test piece of the backsheet 23 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "backsheet 23"). As described above, the fastening member 5 is fixed to the backsheet 23 via an adhesive layer 51 that is provided over substantially the entire surface of the skin-facing side of the fastening member 5. The length of the long side of the fastening member 5 (i.e., the length in the left-right direction) is 80 mm as described above. The width of the fastening member 5 perpendicular to its long side is 15 mm.

[0090] In the example shown in Figure 10B, the portion of the backsheet 23 that overlaps with the fastening member 5 in the vertical direction corresponds to the fastening member overlapping region 28 described above. Also, the portions of the two double-sided tapes 921 that overlap with the fastening member 5 in the vertical direction correspond to the pair of joining regions 281 described above. Furthermore, the region between the two double-sided tapes 921 within the area corresponding to the fastening member overlapping region 28 corresponds to the non-joining region 282 described above. The fastening member 5 is attached to the backsheet 23 such that its center in the left-right direction approximately coincides with the center of the two double-sided tapes 921 in the left-right direction.

[0091] As shown in Figure 10A, a nonwoven fabric (hereinafter also referred to as "outer nonwoven fabric 94") that mimics the skin-side surface of the outer packaging article is fixed to the underside of the sliding piece 93, which is positioned above the test stand 91, covering almost the entire surface of the underside. In Figure 10B, the outline of the sliding piece 93 is shown with a dashed line to facilitate understanding of the figure. The sliding piece 93 is a flat, roughly rectangular jig in plan view. In plan view, the sliding piece 93 is roughly square with sides of approximately 63 mm. The sliding piece 93 weighs 200 g. The outer nonwoven fabric 94 is then fixed to the fastening member 5 by overlapping the sliding piece 93 from above and pressing it down. This simulates the state in which the absorbent article 1 is fixed to the outer packaging article. The sliding piece 93 and the outer nonwoven fabric 94 are overlapped on the fastening member 5 so that their centers in the left-right direction approximately coincide with the center of the fastening member 5 in the left-right direction.

[0092] Subsequently, the sliding piece 93 is pulled using a tension cable 931 in a direction approximately parallel to the upper surface of the test stand 91 and approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fastening member 5 (i.e., to the left in Figure 10A). The tensile speed (crosshead speed) of the sliding piece 93 is 300 mm / min. The maximum point load (N) is measured when the center point of the sliding piece 93 has moved 3 mm in the tensile direction. This maximum point load corresponds to the load applied to the fastening member 5 in the longitudinal direction when the absorbent article 1, which is fastened to the outer article, is shifted 3 mm in the longitudinal direction relative to the outer article.

[0093] Table 1 also shows the maximum point loads at the point when the center point of the sliding piece 93 moves 5 mm in the tensile direction and at the point when it moves 10 mm. The maximum point loads at each position shown in Table 1 are the arithmetic mean of the measured values ​​obtained by repeating the measurement in the experimental apparatus 9 five times. When the distance the sliding piece 93 moves is the same, the smaller the maximum point load, the greater the back sheet 23 stretches in the tensile direction relative to the test stand 91 as the sliding piece 93 and the fastening member 5 move, and the smaller the load applied to the second absorption core 262 corresponding to the test stand 91.

[0094] In Example 1, the maximum point loads at which the sliding piece 93 traveled 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm were 7.39 N, 11.05 N, and 15.85 N, respectively. In Example 2, the maximum point loads at which the sliding piece 93 traveled 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm were 8.90 N, 15.20 N, and 19.58 N, respectively. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the maximum point loads at which the sliding piece 93 traveled 3 mm, 5 mm, and 10 mm were significantly higher, at 14.85 N, 24.02 N, and 28.86 N, respectively.

[0095] Thus, the maximum point load mentioned above was reduced to about 45% to 55% of that in Comparative Example 1 in Experimental Example 1, and to about 60% to 70% of that in Experimental Example 2. Therefore, in Examples 1 and 2, when the absorbent article 1 shifts relative to the outer article, the possibility of damage to the core wrap sheet 265 of the second absorbent core 262, the back sheet 23, etc., near the joint between the back sheet 23 and the second absorbent core 262 due to the load caused by the above-mentioned shift is reduced.

[0096] In addition, in experimental apparatus 9, measurements were also taken with the fastening member 5 directly fixed to the test stand 91. Specifically, with the fastening member 5 directly fixed to the upper surface of the test stand 91 via the adhesive layer 51, the outer nonwoven fabric 94 fixed to the sliding piece 93 was fastened to the fastening member 5, and the sliding piece 93 was moved in the tensile direction at a tensile speed of 300 mm / min. The maximum point load (N) was measured at the point when the fastening member 5 detached from the outer nonwoven fabric 94 due to damage to the fibers of the outer nonwoven fabric 94, etc. In the following explanation, this maximum point load will also be referred to as the "peel load". The peel load was 20 N.

[0097] As shown in Table 1, in Examples 1 and 2, even when the sliding piece 93 travels 10 mm, the maximum point load is smaller than the peeling load. Therefore, in Examples 1 and 2, when the absorbent article 1 shifts relative to the outer article, the fastening member 5 is prevented from peeling off from the outer article. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, when the sliding piece 93 travels 5 mm and 10 mm, the maximum point load is larger than the peeling load, and there is a risk that the fastening member 5 will peel off from the outer article.

[0098] As described above, the absorbent article 1 is attached to the wearer side of an outer garment worn by the wearer to receive excrement from the wearer. The absorbent article 1 comprises a main body 2 and a fastening member 5. The fastening member 5 is provided on the side of the main body 2 opposite to the wearer side at the longitudinal end 205 of the main body 2. The fastening member 5 can be fastened to the outer garment. The main body 2 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 21, a liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable back sheet 23, and an absorbent body 22. The absorbent body 22 is positioned between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 23.

[0099] The fastening member overlapping region 28 is the region in the main body 2 where the fastening member 5 and the absorber 22 overlap in the thickness direction. In the fastening member overlapping region 28, the back sheet 23 and the absorber 22 (in the above example, the second absorber core 262) are joined in a pair of joining regions 281 that are spaced apart in the width direction of the main body 2. The region between the pair of joining regions 281 is a non-jointed region 282 where the back sheet 23 and the absorber 22 are not joined over the entire surface. The width B1 of the non-jointed region 282 in the width direction is 50% or more of the width B2 of the fastening member 5 in that width direction.

[0100] As a result, as described above, when the absorbent article 1 shifts relative to the outer article, the detachment of the fastening member 5 from the outer article can be suppressed, and damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5 (for example, damage to the absorber 22 or back sheet 23) can be suppressed. In addition, by providing a pair of joining regions 281 in the overlapping region 28 of the fastening member, deformation of the fastening member 5 is suppressed. As a result, the ends 205 of the absorbent article 1 are prevented from twisting or curling and peeling away from the outer article.

[0101] In the above example, the backsheet 23 and the absorbent 22 are joined by an adhesive layer 42 coated with a stripe coating. Preferably, the width B1 of the non-joined area 282 in the width direction (i.e., the width direction of the main body 2) is greater than the pitch P1 of the adhesive (i.e., adhesive elements 421) arranged in stripes extending in the longitudinal direction (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the main body 2) outside the width direction of the pair of joined areas 281. This allows for suitable joining of the backsheet 23 to other components such as the absorbent 22, while suppressing the possibility of damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5. When the adhesive layer 42 is striped, the backsheet 23 and the absorbent 22 are joined relatively strongly against longitudinal displacement. Therefore, if the absorbent article 1 is displaced relative to the outer packaging article and the backsheet 23 is pulled longitudinally together with the fastening member 5, a relatively large force is applied to the absorbent 22, making it relatively susceptible to damage. Accordingly, the above structure of the absorbent article 1 is particularly suitable when the adhesive layer 42 is striped.

[0102] In the absorbent article 1, the width B1 of the non-joined area 282 does not necessarily have to be 50% or more of the width B2 of the fastening member 5. For example, if the absorbent body 22 is joined to the backsheet 23 by an adhesive layer 42 coated with a stripe coating, and the width B1 of the non-joined area 282 in the width direction is greater than the pitch P1 of the adhesive (i.e., adhesive elements 421) arranged in a stripe pattern extending in the longitudinal direction outside the width direction of the pair of joined areas 281, then substantially the same effect as above is achieved. Specifically, when the absorbent article 1 shifts relative to the outer article, peeling of the fastening member 5 from the outer article can be suppressed, and the possibility of damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5 can be suppressed.

[0103] As described above, in the main body 2, it is also preferable that the region where the back sheet 23 and the absorbent 22 are not joined extends in the longitudinal direction from the non-jointed region 282 of the fastening member overlapping region 28 to the entire length of the absorbent 22 in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to provide a non-jointed region 282 in the fastening member overlapping region 28 while reducing the amount of adhesive required to manufacture the absorbent article 1. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the absorbent article 1 can be reduced.

[0104] Preferably, the absorbent 22 (second absorbent core 262 in the above example) comprises a fiber aggregate 264 and a core wrap sheet 265 that encloses the fiber aggregate 264. The back sheet 23 and the core wrap sheet 265 of the absorbent 22 are joined in a pair of joining regions 281. As described above, in the absorbent article 1 in which the non-joining region 282 is provided in the fastening member overlapping region 28, the possibility of damage to the main body 2 near the fastening member 5 can be suppressed. Therefore, the structure of the absorbent article 1 is particularly suitable when the back sheet 23 is joined to the core wrap sheet 265, which is relatively easily damaged in the absorbent 22.

[0105] Various modifications are possible to the absorbent material 1 described above.

[0106] For example, the adhesive layer 42 that joins the backsheet 23 and the absorbent 22 does not necessarily have to be coated by stripe coating, but may be coated by other coating methods such as dot coating or spiral coating.

[0107] In the main body 2 described above, the region where the backsheet 23 and the second absorbing core 262 are not joined extends from the non-jointed region 282 over approximately the entire length of the absorber 22, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1, the length of the region where the backsheet 23 and the second absorbing core 262 are not joined may be shorter than the entire length of the absorber 22. Furthermore, this region does not have to extend longitudinally from the non-jointed region 282.

[0108] In absorbent article 1, the structure of the absorbent 22 joined to the backsheet 23 is not limited to the above example and can be modified in various ways. For example, the second absorbent core 262 does not necessarily have to have a structure in which the fiber aggregate 264 is wrapped in a core wrap sheet 265; for example, the core wrap sheet 265 may be omitted. Also, the absorbent core 26 is not limited to a laminated structure of the first absorbent core 261 and the second absorbent core 262, and may consist of only a single absorbent core. In absorbent article 1, the absorbent sheet 25 is not necessarily required and may be omitted. Alternatively, the absorbent core 26 may be omitted, and the backsheet 23 and the absorbent sheet 25 may be joined by an adhesive layer 42.

[0109] In the absorbent article 1, if the pair of joining regions 281 and non-joining regions 282 described above are provided in the overlapping region 28 of the fastening members at one end 205 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2, then the overlapping region 28 of the fastening members at the other end 205 is not limited to this. Also, in the absorbent article 1, the fastening members 5 may be provided at only one of the two ends 205 in the longitudinal direction of the main body 2. In the absorbent article 1, the fastening members 5 may also be provided at parts other than the longitudinal ends 205 of the main body 2.

[0110] The fastening member 5 does not necessarily have to be a hook-and-loop fastener; it may have other structures such as adhesive tape.

[0111] Absorbent article 1 does not necessarily have to be an auxiliary absorbent device attached to the inside of a disposable diaper, etc., but may be an absorbent article attached to the inside of underwear, etc.

[0112] The configurations in the above embodiments and each modified example may be combined as appropriate, as long as they do not contradict each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1. Absorbent articles 2 Main body 5 Fastening member 21 Top Sheet 22 absorbent 23 Backseat 28 Overlapping area of ​​fastening members 42 Adhesive layer 205 End 264 Fiber aggregates 265 Core Wrap Sheet 281 Junction area 282 Non-bonded area 421 Adhesive element

Claims

1. An absorbent article attached to the wearer's side of an outer garment worn by the wearer to receive excrement from the wearer, The main body and A fastening member is provided on the side of the main body opposite to the wearer's side at the longitudinal end of the main body, and is capable of fastening to an outer article. Equipped with, The main body is, A permeable top sheet, A liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable backsheet, An absorbent disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, Equipped with, In the main body portion, in the overlapping region of the fastening member where the fastening member and the absorbent overlap in the thickness direction, the back sheet and the absorbent are joined in a pair of joining regions spaced apart in the width direction of the main body portion, and the region between the pair of joining regions is a non-jointed region where the back sheet and the absorbent are not joined over the entire surface. An absorbent article wherein the width of the non-joined region in the width direction is 50% or more of the width of the fastening member in the width direction.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, The backsheet and the absorbent are joined together by an adhesive layer applied using a stripe coating method. An absorbent article wherein the width of the non-bonded region in the width direction is greater than the pitch of adhesive strips arranged in the longitudinal direction, extending outward in the width direction from the pair of bonded regions.

3. An absorbent article attached to the wearer's side of an outer garment worn by the wearer to receive excrement from the wearer, The main body and A fastening member is provided on the side of the main body opposite to the wearer's side at the longitudinal end of the main body, and is capable of fastening to an outer article. Equipped with, The main body is, A permeable top sheet, A liquid-repellent and / or liquid-impermeable backsheet, An absorbent body is placed between the top sheet and the back sheet and is bonded to the back sheet by an adhesive layer coated with a stripe coating, Equipped with, In the main body portion, in the overlapping region of the fastening member where the fastening member and the absorbent overlap in the thickness direction, the back sheet and the absorbent are joined in a pair of joining regions spaced apart in the width direction of the main body portion, and the region between the pair of joining regions is a non-jointed region where the back sheet and the absorbent are not joined over the entire surface. An absorbent article wherein the width of the non-bonded region in the width direction is greater than the pitch of adhesive strips arranged in the longitudinal direction, extending outward in the width direction from the pair of bonded regions.

4. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An absorbent article in which, in the main body portion, the region in which the back sheet and the absorbent are not joined extends in the longitudinal direction from the non-joined region of the overlapping region of the fastening member to the entire length of the absorbent in the longitudinal direction.

5. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The absorbent body is Fiber aggregates and, A core wrap sheet enclosing the aforementioned fiber aggregate, Equipped with, An absorbent article in which the back sheet and the core wrap sheet of the absorbent are joined together in the pair of joining regions.

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