Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide absorbent materials that can easily be flushed down the toilet after absorbing excrement. [Solution] An absorbent article 1 having a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and being folded in the center of the width direction toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction and brought into contact with the wearer, comprising a surface layer 11 that can come into contact with the wearer's skin, and a non-skin side layer 12 provided on the non-skin side of the surface layer, wherein the liquid diffusion properties of the adjacent skin side layer 11 adjacent to the non-skin side layer from the skin side are higher than those of the non-skin side layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] As one of feminine hygiene products, an interlabial pad that is worn by adhering to the labia minora is known. Patent Document 1 discloses that it can be easily and cleanly discarded by dropping it into the toilet and flowing it away after use.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the interlabial pad is dropped into the toilet, there is a risk that the interlabial pad will sink and stick to the bottom of the toilet bowl and cannot be washed away by the toilet water flow.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article that can easily flow an absorbent article that has absorbed excrement in a toilet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and being brought into contact with a wearer in a state of being bent toward the non-skin side along the longitudinal direction at a central portion in the width direction, the absorbent article having a surface layer capable of contacting the skin of the wearer and a non-skin side layer provided on the non-skin side of the surface layer, wherein the liquid diffusibility of the skin side adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin side layer from the skin side is higher than the liquid diffusibility of the non-skin side layer.

[0007] Furthermore, an absorbent article having a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and having an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, and in the central part in the width direction, it is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction and is brought into contact with the wearer, wherein, in the absorbent article, the central part in the front-to-back direction and the central part in the width direction of the absorbent layer are considered as the absorbent layer center, and in the folded state in which the non-skin sides are in contact toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction, 4cc of distilled water is dropped onto the skin side of the absorbent layer center, and after standing for 60 seconds, the absorbent article is placed with one end in the front-to-back direction facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, with the water surface in the beaker and the absorbent article The absorbent article is characterized in that, when the absorbent article is fixed at a height such that the distance from the other end in the front-to-back direction is 10 cm, the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker is time T1, and when the absorbent article is bent, left for 60 seconds without adding distilled water, and then placed in the upper part of the beaker containing 2 L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the absorbent article is fixed at a height such that the distance from the water surface in the beaker to the other end of the absorbent article is 10 cm, the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker is time T2, then time T1 is longer than time T2.

[0008] Furthermore, the absorbent article has a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, and is brought into contact with the wearer in a state where it is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction at the center of the width direction, wherein, when viewed in the thickness direction, the center of the absorbent layer in the front-to-back direction and the center of the width direction are considered to be the absorbent layer center, and the absorbent article is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction so that the non-skin sides are in contact with each other, and 4cc of distilled water is dropped onto the skin side of the absorbent layer center, left for 60 seconds, and then the absorbent article is fixed at a height of 10cm above the top of a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the distance between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction being 10cm, and the absorbent article is not in contact with the bottom of the beaker after 1 minute has elapsed since the fixing was released. Other features of the present invention will be made clearer by description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, absorbent articles that have absorbed excrement can be easily flushed down the toilet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of pad 1 in its unfolded state. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of pad 1. [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of pad 1. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the process of dripping distilled water onto pad 1. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates how to measure the time it takes for pad 1 to reach the bottom of the beaker. [Figure 7] These are the measurement results for sample A at time T1 and sample B at time T2. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B, showing the state of blue water being dropped onto pad 1. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of the pad 1 in Figure 1 with the surface layer 11 removed. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following matters become clear from this specification and the accompanying drawings: An absorbent article having a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and having an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, wherein the absorbent article is brought into contact with the wearer in a state where it is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction at the center in the width direction, wherein, when viewed in the thickness direction, the center of the absorbent layer in the front-to-back direction and the center in the width direction are the center of the absorbent layer, and in a folded state where a force is applied toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction so that the non-skin sides are in contact with each other, 4cc of distilled water is dropped onto the skin side of the center of the absorbent layer, left for 60 seconds, and then the absorbent article is fixed at a height of 10cm above the top of a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the distance between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction being 10cm, wherein the absorbent article is not in contact with the bottom of the beaker after 1 minute has elapsed since the fixing was released.

[0012] With such absorbent materials, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it tends to float in the water, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it, making it easier to flush.

[0013] An absorbent article having a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and having an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, and in the central part in the width direction, it is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction and is brought into contact with the wearer, wherein, in the absorbent article, when viewed in the thickness direction, the central part in the front-to-back direction and the central part in the width direction of the absorbent layer are the central part of the absorbent layer, and in the folded state in which a force is applied toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction so that the non-skin sides are in contact with each other, 4cc of distilled water is dropped onto the skin side of the central part of the absorbent layer, and after standing for 60 seconds, the absorbent article is placed with one end in the front-to-back direction facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, with the water surface in the beaker and the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article The absorbent article is characterized in that, when the absorbent article is fixed at a height of 10 cm from the other end, the time T1 is the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker, and when the absorbent article is bent, distilled water is not dripped onto it, and then the bending force is released and it is left for 60 seconds, and then the absorbent article is fixed at the top of the beaker containing 2 L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the up-to-down direction of the beaker, and the time T2 is the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker, then time T1 is longer than time T2.

[0014] With such absorbent materials, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it tends to float in the water, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it, making it easier to flush.

[0015] An absorbent article having a front-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, and being configured to contact a wearer in a state of being bent toward the non-skin side along the front-back direction at a central portion in the width direction, the absorbent article comprising a surface layer capable of contacting the skin of the wearer and a non-skin side layer provided on the non-skin side of the surface layer, wherein a liquid diffusibility of a skin side adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin side layer from the skin side is higher than a liquid diffusibility of the non-skin side layer.

[0016] According to such an absorbent article, when excrement is absorbed during wearing, diffusion to the non-skin side layer is reduced, and an air layer is likely to form in the non-skin side layer. Therefore, when the absorbent article is placed in a toilet bowl, it is likely to float in water in the toilet bowl, and when the absorbent article is flushed in the toilet, the risk that the absorbent article adheres to the bottom of the toilet bowl is reduced, making it easier to flush the absorbent article.

[0017] Regarding such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the skin side adjacent layer is the surface layer.

[0018] According to such an absorbent article, it is easy to promote the diffusion of excrement in the surface layer, reduce the diffusion to the non-skin side layer when excrement is absorbed during wearing, and an air layer is likely to form in the non-skin side layer. Therefore, when the absorbent article is placed in a toilet bowl, it is likely to float in water in the toilet bowl, and when the absorbent article is flushed in the toilet, the risk that the absorbent article adheres to the bottom of the toilet bowl is reduced, making it easier to flush the absorbent article.

[0019] Regarding such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the non-skin side layer has a non-skin side adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin side layer from the non-skin side, and a liquid diffusibility of the non-skin side adjacent layer is higher than a liquid diffusibility of the non-skin side layer.

[0020] According to such an absorbent article, when excrement is absorbed during wearing, diffusion to the non-skin side layer is reduced, and an air layer is likely to form in the non-skin side layer between the skin side adjacent layer and the non-skin side adjacent layer. Therefore, when the absorbent article is placed in a toilet bowl, it is likely to float in water in the toilet bowl, and when the absorbent article is flushed in the toilet, the risk that the absorbent article adheres to the bottom of the toilet bowl is reduced, making it easier to flush the absorbent article.

[0021] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, and that the adjacent non-skin side layer is the absorbent layer.

[0022] Such absorbent materials reduce the diffusion of waste into the non-skin layer when absorbed during wear, and create an air layer between the skin-side adjacent layer and the absorbent layer. As a result, when the absorbent material is placed in the toilet bowl, it tends to float in the water, reducing the risk of it sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushed, making it easier to flush.

[0023] The absorbent article has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer, and it is desirable that, when the absorbent layer is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction at the center in the width direction, the density of the fibers of the non-skin side layer at the center in the width direction is higher than the density of the fibers of the non-skin side layer at the ends in the width direction.

[0024] With such absorbent articles, the article is worn folded towards the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction, bringing the center in the width direction closer to the wearer's anus to absorb waste. As a result, waste that reaches the non-skin side layer is more easily absorbed by the center in the width direction than by the edges due to capillary action, thus making it easier to maintain an air layer in the non-skin side layer.

[0025] The absorbent article has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer, and it is desirable that the length in the thickness direction from the skin side of the surface layer to the skin side of the absorbent layer at the central part of the absorbent layer in the front-to-back direction and at the central part of the absorbent layer in the width direction is shorter than the length in the thickness direction from the skin side of the surface layer to the skin side of the absorbent layer at the end of the absorbent layer in the width direction.

[0026] With such absorbent articles, the absorbent article is worn folded towards the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction, bringing the central part in the width direction closer to the wearer's excretory opening to absorb waste. As a result, waste that has reached the non-skin side layer is more easily transferred to the absorbent layer at the central part in the width direction than at the edges in the width direction, and the air layer in the non-skin side layer is more easily maintained.

[0027] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that an absorbent layer for absorbing liquid is located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer, the absorbent layer has a low-weight portion of the absorbent layer where the fiber basis is lower than the surrounding area, and that the low-weight portion of the absorbent layer is provided in at least a part of the central portion of the absorbent layer in the width direction.

[0028] With such absorbent articles, having a low-weight portion of the absorbent layer makes the absorbent layer more flexible than when it does not have a low-weight portion, allowing it to more easily follow the wearer's movements and facilitating the transfer of excrement from the skin side to the absorbent layer.

[0029] In such an absorbent article, the non-skin-facing layer has a non-skin-facing layer low-weight portion in which the fiber basis is lower than that of the surrounding area, and it is desirable that the non-skin-facing layer low-weight portion is provided in at least a part of the central portion in the width direction of the non-skin-facing layer.

[0030] With such absorbent articles, having a low-weight portion on the non-skin side makes the non-skin side more flexible than when there is no low-weight portion on the non-skin side, allowing it to follow the wearer's movements more easily, and facilitating the transfer of excrement to a component located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side via the low-weight portion on the non-skin side.

[0031] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that there be a portion between the surface layer and the non-skin layer where no adhesive is provided.

[0032] Such absorbent materials make it easier to create an air layer containing more air in the non-skin layer.

[0033] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that an absorbent layer for absorbing liquid is located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer, and that there is a portion between the non-skin side layer and the absorbent layer where no adhesive is provided.

[0034] Such absorbent materials make it easier to create an air layer containing more air in the non-skin layer.

[0035] Such an absorbent article does not necessarily have to have a finger insertion portion on the non-skin side of the absorbent article that allows for the insertion of a finger.

[0036] With such absorbent materials, even if the absorbent material does not have a finger insertion part, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it will float more easily in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it down the toilet, making it easier to flush the absorbent material.

[0037] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that the non-skin side of the absorbent article has a finger insertion portion into which a finger can be inserted.

[0038] Such absorbent materials improve the handling and usability of the absorbent material.

[0039] In such an absorbent article, it is desirable that at least a portion of the sheet forming the finger insertion portion is made of a water-repellent material.

[0040] With such absorbent materials, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it tends to float in the water, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it, making it easier to flush.

[0041] In such absorbent articles, it is desirable that a water-repellent material be provided on at least a portion of the part of the absorbent article that is visible from the non-skin side.

[0042] With such absorbent materials, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it tends to float in the water, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it, making it easier to flush.

[0043] Such an absorbent article does not necessarily have to have a water-repellent component.

[0044] With such absorbent materials, even if the absorbent material does not have a water-repellent component, when the absorbent material that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, it can easily float in the water, reducing the risk of the absorbent material sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl when flushing it down the toilet, making it easier to flush. In addition, because it does not have a water-repellent component, the absorbent material becomes more compatible with water, and when flushed down the toilet, it decomposes more easily.

[0045] ===Implementation Method=== Hereinafter, the absorbent article according to the present invention is referred to as the interlabial pad 1 (hereinafter also called "pad 1"). The embodiments will be described using the example of the interlabial pad. The interlabial pad is a sanitary product that is placed between a woman's labia to absorb menstrual blood and other excretions (body fluids). However, the absorbent article according to the present invention is not limited to the interlabial pad, and may also be, for example, a urine pad that is placed in contact with the urethra to absorb urine, or an absorbent pad that is placed in contact with the anus to absorb feces.

[0046] <<Basic configuration of interlabial pad 1>> Figure 1 is a plan view of the unfolded pad 1. Figure 1 is a view of the pad 1 from the skin side. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating the structure of the pad 1. In each figure (Figures 1 to 6), the center CC indicates the center in the width direction, and the center CL indicates the center in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent layer 13 (described later) when the pad 1 is viewed in the thickness direction. Figures 1 and 2 also show the state in which the finger insertion sheet 15 (described later) is cut at the center CC and the pad 1 is laid flat on a plane.

[0047] Pad 1 has a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other. In the front-to-back direction of Pad 1, the side that is on the wearer's abdominal side when worn is referred to as the "front side," and the side that is on the wearer's back side is referred to as the "back side." In this embodiment, the front side in the front-to-back direction is referred to as "one side," and the back side in the front-to-back direction is referred to as "the other side." In the thickness direction of Pad 1, the side that is in contact with the wearer's skin is referred to as the "skin side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "back side." As shown in Figures 1 to 4, Pad 1 has a substantially elliptical shape in plan view, with a length in the front-to-back direction being longer than the length in the width direction, and is symmetrical with respect to the center C-C in the width direction, and has a portion that is narrowed in the width direction at the center CL in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, in plan view, the pad 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the front-to-back direction. Specifically, the central CL (the center of the absorbent layer 13 in the front-to-back direction) is located behind the center of the pad 1 in the front-to-back direction, and the distance from the front end of the pad 1 to the front end of the absorbent layer 13 is longer than the distance from the rear end of the pad 1 to the rear end of the absorbent layer 13. In other words, in the front-to-back direction of the pad 1, the absorbent layer 13 is positioned towards the rear. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the pad comprises a surface layer 11, a non-skin side layer 12, an absorbent layer 13, a back layer 14, and a finger insertion sheet 15.

[0048] The pad 1 of this embodiment is stored and distributed as a product folded towards the non-skin side along the fold line F. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the state in which the pad 1 is disassembled into its individual components. As shown in Figure 3A, the pad 1 of this embodiment is folded towards the non-skin side along the fold line F in the center in the width direction, and a finger insertion sheet 15 for forming the finger insertion portion 20 is fixed with adhesive or the like at the most non-skin side. The fold line F is a fold portion provided in the center in the width direction, along the front-to-back direction. The fold line F is a portion with a predetermined width, and the skin-side vertex of the fold line F (the part that protrudes most towards the skin) is at approximately the same position as the center CC in the width direction. Figure 3B shows the state in which the finger insertion sheet 15 has been separated from the non-skin side layer 14, and Figure 3C shows the state in which the pad 1 with the finger insertion sheet 15 removed has been moved from the folded state along the fold line F to a horizontal state. Then, as shown in Figure 4, the surface layer 11, non-skin side layer 12, absorbent layer 13, and back surface layer 14 are stacked in order from the skin side in the thickness direction, and each component is fixed with adhesive or the like as appropriate.

[0049] The surface layer 11 is located closest to the skin and is the component that comes into contact with the wearer's skin (between the labia) when worn; therefore, it is preferable to use a soft sheet that is less likely to irritate the skin. The surface layer 11 forms the outer shape of the pad 1 and is a liquid-permeable sheet material. Examples of materials for the surface layer 11 include nonwoven fabrics obtained by manufacturing methods such as meltblown, spunbond, point bond, through-air, needle punch, dry / wet spunlace, and foam film, either alone or in combination thereof. Sheet materials made of rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate: PET) can be used alone or in combination with other materials that form a core-sheath structure. The pad 1 in this embodiment uses a sheet material made of rayon and polyethylene terephthalate.

[0050] The non-skin layer 12 is located on the non-skin side of the surface layer 11 and on the skin side of the absorbent layer 13. Between the surface layer 11 and the absorbent layer 13, the non-skin layer 12 flexibly follows the wearer's movements, changes in the behavior of the labia, and pressure from clothing, changing its own shape and acting as a cushioning layer to reduce discomfort to the wearer. The shape of the non-skin layer 12 is approximately oval, smaller than the surface layer 11, and located approximately in the center of the pad 1 (more precisely, towards the rear). Furthermore, the non-skin layer 12 is narrowed in the width direction at the center CL in the front-to-back direction. For the non-skin layer 12, for example, pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, and synthetic fibers can be used individually or in mixtures. In this embodiment, fibers mainly composed of pulp fibers, rayon fibers, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are used.

[0051] The absorbent layer 13 is located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer 12 and on the skin side of the back layer 14, and is an absorbent material that absorbs bodily fluids such as excrement. The absorbent layer 13 is approximately elliptical in shape and is located approximately in the center of the pad 1 (more precisely, towards the rear). The absorbent layer of the pad 1 in this embodiment comprises, in order from the skin side in the thickness direction, a skin-side sheet 131, an absorbent core 132, and a non-skin-side sheet 133.

[0052] The absorbent core 132 is a component that absorbs and retains bodily fluids such as excrement. For example, the absorbent core 132 can be made from pulp, chemical pulp, rayon, acetate, natural cotton, synthetic fibers, cellulose foam, or continuous foam of synthetic resin, either alone or in mixtures. It may also be a mixture of particulate polymer absorbents and fibrous polymer absorbents, or a sheet-like polymer absorbent may be used. Furthermore, to maintain the bulk of the absorbent core and enhance its ability to retain bodily fluids, it may be mixed with crosslinked and crimped chemical pulp, acetate, or synthetic fibers. The pad 1 uses pulp fibers molded into a predetermined shape.

[0053] The skin-side sheet 131 is a component that covers the absorbent core 132 from the skin side, and the non-skin-side sheet 133 is a component that covers the absorbent core 132 from the non-skin side. Examples of materials for the skin-side sheet 131 and the non-skin-side sheet 133 include crushed pulp, cellulose such as cotton, regenerated cellulose such as rayon and fibrilrayon, semi-synthetic cellulose such as acetate and triacetate, and thermoplastic hydrophobic chemical fibers that have been treated to make them hydrophilic. The skin-side sheet 131 and the non-skin-side sheet 133 of the pad 1 are sheets made of pulp and rayon spunlace.

[0054] Furthermore, by providing the skin-facing sheet 131, the excrement that reaches the absorbent layer 13 can be more easily dispersed horizontally, and the horizontally spread excrement can be absorbed by the absorbent core 132. This makes it easier for the excrement to be quickly absorbed by the absorbent core 132, thus reducing discomfort to the wearer's skin.

[0055] The back layer 14 is a sheet material located on the non-skin side of the absorbent layer 13. The back layer 14 forms the outer shape of the pad 1 and, in plan view, has approximately the same shape and size as the surface layer 11. As the back layer 14, sheet materials such as liquid-permeable sheets and liquid-impermeable sheets can be used. For example, sheet-like films of synthetic resin, breathable films, pulp, paper, nonwoven fabrics, breathable liquid-blocking sheets, or sheet materials combining these can be used. In this embodiment, a sheet-like material made by mixing rayon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and pulp is used.

[0056] The finger insertion sheet 15 is a sheet member for forming the finger insertion portion 20. The finger insertion portion 20 is the space between the finger insertion sheet 15 and the back layer 14, and is the space for the wearer to insert their finger when attaching the pad 1. The finger insertion sheet 15 is shorter in length in the front-to-back direction and shorter in length in the width direction than the back layer 14. It is also located on the non-skin side of the back layer 14 and on the rear side in the front-to-back direction. The widthwise end of the finger insertion sheet 15 is fixed to the widthwise end of the back layer 14 with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. The front end and the rear end of the finger insertion sheet 15 each have openings where the finger insertion sheet 15 and the back layer 14 are not fixed with adhesive. The front opening is larger than the rear opening. The wearer can attach the pad 1 by inserting their finger (for example, index finger) through the front opening of the finger insertion portion 20, thereby supporting the pad 1 and bringing it into contact with the labia.

[0057] The finger insertion sheet 15 can be made from the same material as the surface layer 11 and the back layer 14. For example, nonwoven fabrics such as spunlace nonwoven fabric, shrink-type nonwoven fabric, and stretchable spunbond made from composite synthetic fibers such as PE / PP, PE / PET, and PP / PP can be used as raw materials, as can sheet members made from rayon, acetate, cotton, pulp, or synthetic resin (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate: PET) fibers, or sheet members such as breathable films, paper, and breathable liquid-blocking sheets can be used. Alternatively, for example, films made from synthetic rubber or amorphous olefin resins, perforated foam films, nets, woven fabrics, or fabrics in which spun filaments made from synthetic rubber are woven into woven fabrics, or stretchable sheets such as spunbond nonwoven fabrics or meltblown nonwoven fabrics mainly made from synthetic rubber, or foamed foam sheets may be used. In this embodiment, a sheet member mainly made of pulp and rayon is used.

[0058] In this embodiment, the pad 1 is folded towards the non-skin side along the fold line F when unused, but it is not limited to this. For example, when unused, it may not have a fold line F and may not be folded, and the wearer may fold it towards the non-skin side when putting it on. It may also have multiple fold lines F. The fold line F may have a so-called crease from being folded, or it may not have a crease. Furthermore, the finger insertion sheet 15 may not be included.

[0059] <<Regarding the installation of Pad 1>> Pad 1 is worn by folding it in the front-to-back direction towards the non-skin side at the center in the width direction and then bringing it into contact with the wearer's skin (excretory opening). Specifically, Pad 1 in this embodiment is a sanitary product, and it can be worn by folding it in the non-skin side along the fold line F so that it is convex towards the skin, and by tucking the center of Pad 1 in the width direction between the woman's labia. Because Pad 1 has a higher degree of contact with the body (excretory opening) than a sanitary napkin, leakage of excrement (menstrual blood) is less likely to occur, and discomfort during excretion is less likely to occur.

[0060] To put it on, the wearer inserts their finger (index or middle finger) into the finger insertion part 20 from the front of the pad 1, which is folded at the fold part F, and then presses the pad 1 against the labia from the ventral side, sandwiching it in place. After use, the pad 1 can be disposed of by dropping it into the toilet bowl or by picking it up and putting it into the toilet bowl. To facilitate flushing, it is preferable that the components and adhesives of the pad 1 are made of biodegradable, water-dispersible, or water-soluble materials. By flushing the pad 1 down the toilet, the effort of disposing of the pad 1 as garbage is reduced, and the amount of waste is also reduced.

[0061] "Biodegradability" means that a substance is broken down into gases such as carbon dioxide or methane, water, and biomass under anaerobic or aerobic conditions in the presence of bacteria such as actinomycetes and other microorganisms, following natural processes. The biodegradability (biodegradation rate, degree of biodegradation, etc.) of the substance is comparable to that of naturally occurring materials such as fallen leaves, or synthetic polymers generally recognized as biodegradable under the same environmental conditions. "Water dispersibility" means that, while not affected by the limited amount of moisture (menstrual blood) present when worn, the fibers are easily dispersed into small fragments in large amounts of water or water flow, to the extent that they do not clog ordinary toilet pipes. "Water solubility" means that, while not affected by the limited amount of moisture (menstrual blood) present when worn, the material dissolves in large amounts of water or water flow.

[0062] <<Regarding pad 1 in the toilet>> It is preferable that the used interlabial pad placed (dropped) into the toilet bowl floats in the water. If the interlabial pad sinks in the water in the toilet bowl, it may stick to the bottom of the toilet bowl, and even after flushing the toilet, the interlabial pad may remain stuck to the bottom of the toilet bowl.

[0063] In contrast, pad 1 tends to float in the toilet bowl after use. When pad 1 is disposed of in the toilet (toilet bowl), "floating" means that pad 1 is not in contact with the bottom of the toilet bowl and is floating on the water surface or in the water. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of dripping distilled water onto pad 1. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for measuring the time it takes for pad 1 to reach the bottom of the beaker.

[0064] We will examine the buoyancy of sample A, which corresponds to a used pad 1, in water. Pad 1 is folded along a fold line F that runs in the front-to-back direction, and is worn with the top of the folded portion in contact with the wearer's skin (excretory opening). Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, sample A is assumed to be a used pad 1, with 4cc of distilled water dropped onto portion X in the folded state where the non-skin sides of pad 1 are in contact with each other along the fold line F, and left for 60 seconds. In this embodiment, the pad 1 is folded by applying force to it with a fixing device (not shown), etc. When viewing the pad 1 in the thickness direction, the center of the absorbent layer 13 in the front-to-back direction and the center of the absorbent layer 13 in the width direction is the center of the absorbent layer. Furthermore, part X in Figure 5 is the skin-facing part of the center of the absorbent layer, and corresponds to the part that receives excrement when the pad 1 is folded in the front-to-back direction towards the non-skin side at the center in the width direction and is in contact with the wearer. The amount of distilled water to be dripped (4cc) is the typical amount of excrement absorbed by the interlabial pad of pad 1 when worn. The ease with which sample A floats in distilled water corresponds to the ease with which a used pad 1 floats in the water in a toilet bowl. When dripping distilled water onto part X, it is preferable to do so without touching the tip of the pipette to the pad 1, and without moving the tip of the pipette too far away from part X. In this embodiment, a pipette (Nichipet EX2) manufactured by Nichiryo Co., Ltd. is used to drop 4cc of distilled water onto part X, with the distance from the surface (side of the skin) of part X to the tip of the pipette being 5mm.

[0065] To determine how easily sample A floats in distilled water, first, as shown in Figure 6, sample A (pad 1) is fixed at a height of 10 cm between the water surface in the beaker and the rear end of sample A (the other end in the front-to-back direction), with the front end of sample A (one end in the front-to-back direction) facing upwards and the front-to-back direction of sample A aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker. Then, the fixing is released and sample A is dropped into the beaker to observe how easily sample A floats in the distilled water in the beaker.

[0066] Sample A does not touch the bottom of the beaker even after 1 minute has elapsed since releasing the fixation at a height of 10 cm between the water surface in the beaker and the rear end of Sample A. In other words, even after 1 minute of dropping Sample A towards the water surface, Sample A will not sink to the bottom of the beaker but will remain on the water surface or floating in the water. The typical time from dropping Pad 1 into the toilet (toilet bowl) to flushing is 1 minute. Therefore, because Pad 1 does not touch the bottom of the beaker even after 1 minute, as in Sample A, even when used Pad 1 that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, Pad 1 will float more easily in the water, reducing the risk of Pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl and making it easier to flush Pad 1 down the toilet.

[0067] Furthermore, the buoyancy of sample B, which corresponds to unused pad 1, in distilled water is observed and compared with sample A. Sample B is in a folded state, with the non-skin sides of pad 1 touching each other along the fold line F, and 4cc of distilled water has not been added. In this embodiment, the folded state is achieved by applying a bending force to pad 1 using a fixing device (not shown), etc. As shown in Figure 6, when a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water has a front end of sample A (one end in the front-to-back direction) facing upwards, and the front-to-back direction of sample A is aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the time from when the 10cm height between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of sample A (the other end in the front-to-back direction) is released until sample A touches the bottom of the beaker is time T1. As shown in Figure 6, when a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water has a front end of sample B (one end in the front-to-back direction) facing upwards, and the front-to-back direction of sample B is aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the 10cm height between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of sample B (the other end in the front-to-back direction) is released until sample B touches the bottom of the beaker, then time T1 is longer than time T2.

[0068] Sample A, which is assumed to be used, has 4cc of distilled water that is dropped onto it, which remains partially within pad 1. As a result, pad 1 is divided into a portion that has absorbed the distilled water and a portion with an air layer that has not absorbed the distilled water. Therefore, sample A, which has an air layer, tends to float on water because the portion that absorbed the distilled water forms a film over the air layer. On the other hand, sample B, which is assumed to be unused, does not have distilled water dropped onto it beforehand and is dropped directly onto the water surface. As a result, the entire pad 1 is immersed in water, making it difficult for an air layer to form, and it tends to sink. Consequently, time T1 is longer than time T2.

[0069] Because pad 1 has a longer time T1 than time T2, when worn, pad 1, which has absorbed excrement, floats more easily in the toilet bowl than unused pad 1. This reduces the risk of pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl, making it easier to flush pad 1 down the toilet.

[0070] Furthermore, the pad 1 may not have a water-repellent component. Even if the pad 1 is made of a non-water-repellent component, i.e., a hydrophilic component, the pad 1, once it has absorbed waste, will float more easily in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl and making it easier to flush the pad 1 down the toilet. In addition, because the pad 1 is made of a non-water-repellent component, the pad 1 becomes more compatible with water, and the pad 1 will decompose more easily when flushed down the toilet.

[0071] For example, in the case where each component of pad 1 does not have a water-repellent component but is composed of a hydrophilic component, Figure 7 shows the results of observing the buoyancy of sample A (corresponding to the used state, with 4cc of distilled water added) and sample B (corresponding to the unused state, with no distilled water added) in relation to distilled water. Figure 7 shows the measurement results for time T1 of sample A and time T2 of sample B. In the results shown in Figure 7, "-" indicates that the sample was not in contact with the bottom of the beaker after 1 minute had elapsed since the height fixation of the 10cm distance between the water surface in the beaker and the rear ends of samples A and B was released. As shown in Figure 7, the unused sample B was in contact with the bottom of the beaker within approximately 10 seconds, but sample A, which was assumed to be used, was not in contact with the bottom of the beaker even after 1 minute, so it is clear that time T1 is longer than time T2.

[0072] The pad 1 may have a water-repellent component. The water-repellent component can be arbitrarily configured. The water-repellent component may be a component that is already water-repellent, or a hydrophilic component to which a water-repellent agent has been applied. A water-repellent component may also be further coated with a water-repellent agent.

[0073] It is preferable that a water-repellent material be provided on at least a portion of the part of the pad 1 that is visible from the non-skin side. For example, it is preferable that a water-repellent material be provided on at least a portion of the back layer 14 or at least a portion of the finger insertion sheet 15. Furthermore, it is preferable that a water-repellent material be provided on the non-skin side of the back layer 14 or the finger insertion sheet 15. By having a water-repellent material, the pad 1 will float more easily in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the pad 1 sinking and sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl, making it easier to flush in the toilet. In addition, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to at least a portion of the part of the pad 1 that is visible from the non-skin side. For example, if a water-repellent material is provided on the back layer 14 or the finger insertion sheet 15, or if a water-repellent material is not provided, a water-repellent treatment may be applied to at least a portion of the back layer 14 or at least a portion of the finger insertion sheet 15. By improving the water repellency of the non-skin side of pad 1, pad 1 will float more easily in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of it sinking and sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl, and making it easier to flush down the toilet. The water repellency of the non-skin side of pad 1 allows air to be more easily trapped between the water-repellent non-skin side component (layer) and the component (layer) adjacent to it from the skin side. Furthermore, the water repellency of the non-skin side of pad 1 makes it easier for pad 1 to float when the non-skin side is facing upwards (towards the water surface) and the skin side is facing downwards (towards the water), allowing it to be more easily carried away by the water flow when flushing the toilet. It is even more preferable to make the water repellency of the finger insertion sheet 15 higher than that of the back layer 14. This makes pad 1 float even more easily when the non-skin side is facing upwards (towards the water surface) and the skin side is facing downwards (towards the water), allowing it to be more easily carried away by the water flow.

[0074] "Water-repellent" is also known as "hydrophobic," meaning that a liquid does not spread on the surface of a material, and that the surface of the material has a contact angle greater than 90°. The contact angle is the angle between the tangent line to the contour curve of the liquid at the point of intersection of the contour curve and the horizontal surface, when a material having a horizontal surface is in contact with water (a droplet) dropped onto that horizontal surface.

[0075] As in this embodiment, the pad 1 may be equipped with a finger insertion portion 20 to improve its operability, or the pad 1 may not have a finger insertion portion 20. Regardless of whether the pad 1 has a finger insertion portion 20 or not, the operability may be improved by providing an adhesive portion or a gripping portion on the non-skin side of the pad 1. Whether the pad 1 is configured to have a finger insertion portion 20 or not, when the pad 1 that has absorbed excrement is placed in the toilet bowl, the pad 1 can be made to float easily in the toilet bowl, making it easier to flush in the toilet.

[0076] The finger insertion portion 20 is not limited to the space between the finger insertion sheet 15 and the back layer 14, as in this embodiment, where the pad 1 is equipped with a finger insertion sheet 15. For example, the pad 1 may not be equipped with a finger insertion sheet 15, and the rear (or front) end of the pad 1 in the front-rear direction, and both ends in the width direction, may be curved toward the non-skin side, and the non-skin sides of the back layer 14 may be joined together to form a finger insertion portion in the space enclosed by the back layer 14. Even with such a finger insertion portion, the operability of the pad 1 can be improved. Furthermore, when the non-skin sides of the back layer 14 are joined together, the back layer 14 is folded or curved toward the non-skin side, making it easier to maintain the space of the finger insertion portion than when the back layer 14 is flat without joining the non-skin sides of the back layer 14. The space of the finger insertion portion makes it easier for the pad 1 to float in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl and making it easier to flush the pad 1 down the toilet.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pad 1 was fixed at a height of 10 cm above the top of a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water, with the front end (one end in the front-to-back direction) facing upwards, and the distance between the water surface in the beaker and the rear end (the other end in the front-to-back direction) of the pad 1 being 10 cm. The fixing was then released, and the pad 1 was dropped towards the beaker to observe how easily the pad 1 floated in the distilled water in the beaker, but this is not limited to this. If the pad 1 has a shape symmetrical with respect to the center in the front-to-back direction, either one end (front end) or the other end (rear end) of the pad 1 may be positioned upwards above the top of the 2L beaker. In other words, the front and rear ends of the pad 1 in the front-to-back direction can be arbitrarily determined.

[0078] Furthermore, the pad 1, which is folded in the front-to-back direction towards the non-skin side (along the fold line F) at the center in the width direction and brought into contact with the wearer, has a surface layer 11 that can come into contact with the wearer's skin and a non-skin side layer 12 provided on the non-skin side of the surface layer 11, and the liquid diffusion properties of the skin-side adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin side layer 12 from the skin side are higher than those of the non-skin side layer 12. In this embodiment, the pad 1 is folded along the fold line F and brought into contact with the wearer, and the skin-side adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin side layer 12 from the skin side is the surface layer 11. The pad 1 has a surface layer 11 with higher liquid diffusion properties than the non-skin side layer 12.

[0079] As a result, when the pad absorbs excrement (liquid) while being worn, the excrement is more easily diffused within the surface layer 11 than within the non-skin layer 12, reducing the diffusion of liquid excrement in the non-skin layer 12. Therefore, the surface layer 11 becomes a layer where the excrement is diffused, while the non-skin layer 12 tends to become an air layer where the excrement is not diffused. In this way, when the pad 1 is placed in the toilet bowl with the excrement absorbed in the surface layer 11 and an air layer formed in the non-skin layer 12, the air layer makes it easier for the pad 1 to float in the water in the toilet bowl, thus reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl. In addition, because the surface layer 11 is the skin-side adjacent layer to the non-skin layer 12 from the skin side, the excrement is diffused in the surface layer 11, which is in the most contact with the excrement when worn, and an air layer is easily formed in the non-skin layer 12 adjacent to the surface layer 11 from the non-skin side, making it easier for the pad to float in the water in the toilet bowl. Therefore, the pad 1 is easier to flush down the toilet.

[0080] The difference in liquid diffusion between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12 can be created, for example, by varying the fiber density or by using materials with different liquid diffusion properties. In pad 1, when viewed in the thickness direction, the density of the fibers constituting the surface layer 11 is higher than the density of the fibers constituting the non-skin side layer 12 in the central part of the width direction and the central part in the front-to-back direction (central part of the absorbent layer). Therefore, due to capillary action, the liquid diffusion of the surface layer 11 is higher than that of the non-skin side layer 12.

[0081] Pad 1 is folded along the fold line F that runs in the front-to-back direction, and is worn by bringing the folded top end into contact with the wearer's skin (excretory opening). Therefore, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, with the non-skin sides of Pad 1 in contact with each other along the fold line F, when viewed in the thickness direction, 4cc of blue-colored water (hereinafter also referred to as "blue water") is dropped onto the skin-side portion X of the central part of the absorbent layer 13 in both the front-to-back direction and the width direction of the absorbent layer 13 (central part of the absorbent layer), and the area over which the blue water is diffused (diffusion area) is compared, thereby allowing for a comparison of the liquid diffusion properties of the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12. Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B with blue water dropped onto Pad 1 as shown in Figure 5. Figure 8 shows a cross-section of the pad 1 after it has been folded along the fold line F so that the non-skin sides of the pad 1 are in contact (Figure 5). The cross-section is obtained by dropping 4cc of blue-colored water (distilled water) onto the skin-side portion X of the central part of the absorbent layer 13 in both the front-to-back direction and the width direction (central part of the absorbent layer) when viewing the pad 1 in the thickness direction, and then releasing the folded state and leaving it for 60 seconds. Note that Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the folded pad 1, and in Figure 8, the areas where the blue water has diffused and is colored blue are indicated by dot-like hatching.

[0082] In Figures 5 and 8, portion X is the skin-facing portion of the central part of the absorbent layer, and corresponds to the portion that receives excrement when the pad 1 is folded in the front-to-back direction towards the non-skin side at the center in the width direction and in contact with the wearer. When the pad 1 is folded along the fold line F so that the non-skin sides are in contact, and blue water is absorbed at portion X, the liquid diffusion properties of the surface layer 11 are higher than those of the non-skin side layer 12, so as shown in Figure 8, the blue water diffuses over a wider area on the surface layer 11 than on the non-skin side layer 12.

[0083] Thus, because the liquid diffusion properties of the surface layer 11 are higher than those of the non-skin side layer 12, the diffusion of liquid in the non-skin side layer 12 is reduced, making it easier to create an air layer in the non-skin side layer 12 that has not absorbed liquid. On the skin side of the non-skin side layer 12, a layer containing liquid is formed due to the liquid absorption by the surface layer 11, and since the liquid-absorbing layer covers at least a portion of the non-skin side layer 12 located on the non-skin side, it becomes easier to maintain the air layer. As a result, when the pad 1 is placed in the toilet bowl, the air layer in the non-skin side layer 12 makes it easier for the pad 1 to float in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl and making it easier to flush the pad 1 down the toilet.

[0084] The liquid diffusion properties of the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12 can be compared using the following method. For example, with the pad 1 folded along the fold line F so that the non-skin sides of the pad 1 are in contact, 4cc of colored (e.g., blue) water (distilled water) is dropped onto portion X, which is the skin side of the central part of the absorption layer 13 in both the front-to-back direction and the width direction of the absorption layer 13 (central part of the absorption layer) when the pad 1 is viewed in the thickness direction. The folded state is then released and left for 60 seconds. After that, the diffusion area of ​​the colored water in each layer is compared. This comparison of the diffusion area may be done by comparing the area of ​​the colored area in the cross-section of the pad 1 as described above, or by comparing the area of ​​the colored area in the planar state of the pad 1. When comparing the diffusion area in the planar state of the pad 1, the pad 1 after dropping water and waiting 60 seconds can be placed on a flat surface, with the finger insertion sheet 15 etc. removed as needed, and the surface layer 11 and non-skin side layer 12 removed to obtain the area of ​​the colored area in each component for comparison.

[0085] The colored regions can be compared using well-known methods, such as visual inspection or by comparing captured images. For example, to compare areas using captured images, an optical microscope (VHX-900F (manufactured by KEYENCE)) can be used to observe and photograph the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12. From the obtained images, areas with different hues due to transmitted light are analyzed as diffusion regions of colored water, and the area of ​​each diffusion region is measured for comparison.

[0086] Furthermore, it is preferable that the liquid diffusion properties of the non-skin adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin layer 12 from the non-skin side are higher than those of the non-skin layer 12. In the pad 1 of this embodiment, the non-skin adjacent layer adjacent to the non-skin layer 12 from the non-skin side is the absorbent layer 13, and the liquid diffusion properties of the absorbent layer 13 are higher than those of the non-skin layer 12.

[0087] As a result, when the pad absorbs excrement (liquid) while being worn, the absorbent layer 13 absorbs the excrement more easily than the non-skin side layer 12, reducing the diffusion of liquid excrement in the non-skin side layer 12. Therefore, the absorbent layer 13 becomes a layer that has absorbed the excrement, while the non-skin side layer 12 tends to become an air layer where the excrement has not diffused. In other words, an air layer of the non-skin side layer 12 is more easily formed between the surface layer 11 and the absorbent layer 13. Thus, when the pad 1 is placed in the toilet bowl, the air layer created between the surface layer 11 and the absorbent layer 13 (non-skin side adjacent layer) makes it easier for the pad 1 to float in the water in the toilet bowl, thus reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl. Furthermore, since the non-skin side adjacent non-skin side layer 13 is the absorbent layer, it becomes easier to create an air layer between the surface layer 11 and the absorbent layer 13, making it easier for the pad 1 to float in the toilet bowl and flush down the toilet, while at the same time allowing the absorbent layer 13 to absorb more waste.

[0088] As described above, the difference in liquid diffusion between the non-skin side layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13 can be created by varying the fiber density or by using materials with different liquid diffusion properties. In pad 1, when viewed in the thickness direction of pad 1, the density of the fibers constituting the absorbent layer 13 is higher than the density of the fibers constituting the non-skin side layer 12 in the central part of the absorbent layer 13 in the front-to-back direction and the central part of the absorbent layer 13 in the width direction (central part of the absorbent layer). Therefore, due to capillary action, the liquid diffusion of the absorbent layer 13 is higher than that of the non-skin side layer 12.

[0089] The liquid diffusion properties of the non-skin side layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13 can be compared using the same method as described above. As shown in Figure 8, when 4cc of blue water is dropped onto part X with the pad 1 folded along the fold line F so that the non-skin sides are in contact, the diffusion area of ​​the blue water can be compared, and it can be seen that the absorbent layer 13 diffuses over a wider area than the non-skin side layer 12. The area of ​​the diffusion region can be compared using the same method as described above.

[0090] When the pad 1 is folded in the front-to-back direction toward the non-skin side at the center (fold line F) in the width direction of the absorbent layer 13, it is preferable that the fiber density in the center of the non-skin side layer 12 in the width direction is higher than the fiber density at the edges of the non-skin side layer 12 in the width direction. The pad 1 is placed in contact with the wearer's skin in the front-to-back direction, folded toward the non-skin side, and the center of the pad 1 in the width direction is brought close to the excretory opening to absorb excrement. Therefore, the excrement absorbed in the center of the pad 1 in the width direction and reaching the non-skin side layer 12 is more likely to be held in the center 12c in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12, where the fiber density is higher than at the edges 12e in the width direction, due to capillary action. As a result, when the pad is folded in the front-to-back direction, it is easier to retain the excrement in the center 12c in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12, reducing the risk of it spreading toward the edges 12e in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12. This makes it easier to create an air layer in the non-skin layer 12, and when the pad 1 is placed in the toilet bowl, the air layer in the non-skin layer 12 makes it easier for the pad 1 to float in the water in the toilet bowl, reducing the risk of the pad 1 sticking to the bottom of the toilet bowl and making it easier to flush the pad 1 down the toilet.

[0091] Note that, regarding the difference in the fiber density of the non-skin side layer 12, in the state of being bent at the central portion (fold line F) in the width direction of the pad 1 and at the central portion in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13, it is sufficient that the fiber density at the central portion in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12 is higher than the fiber density at the end portion in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12. For example, during manufacturing, the non-skin side layer 12 having a fiber density higher at the central portion in the width direction than at the end portion in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12 may be used. During manufacturing, a non-skin side layer 12 having a uniform fiber density may be bent along the front-rear direction at the fold line F to make the fiber density at the central portion in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12 higher than the fiber density at the end portion in the width direction.

[0092] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, at the central portion in the front-rear direction of the absorption layer 13 of the pad 1, it is preferable that the length L1 in the thickness direction from the skin side surface of the surface layer 11 to the skin side surface of the absorption layer 13 at the central portion 13c in the width direction of the absorption layer 13 is shorter than the length L2 in the thickness direction from the skin side surface of the surface layer 11 to the skin side surface of the absorption layer 13 at the end portion 13e in the width direction of the absorption layer 13 (L1 < L2). Since the pad 1 is worn in a state of being bent toward the non-skin side along the front-rear direction and the central portion in the width direction of the pad 1 is brought close to the wearer's excretory opening to absorb excrement, by making the length L1 shorter than the length L2, compared to the case where the length L1 is longer than the length L2, during wearing, the excrement that reaches the non-skin side layer 12 can be more easily transferred to the absorption layer 13 at the central portion in the width direction (the central portion 13c in the width direction of the absorption layer 13) of the pad 1 than at the end portion in the width direction (the end portion 13e in the width direction of the absorption layer 13). As a result, it is possible to reduce the diffusion of excrement in the non-skin side layer 12, making it easier to maintain the air layer in the non-skin side layer 12, making it less likely to sink in the toilet bowl, and making it easier to flush down the toilet.

[0093] The non-skin side layer 12 of the pad 1 has a non-skin side low-weight portion where the fiber weight is lower than the surrounding area, and it is preferable that this non-skin side low-weight portion is provided in at least a part of the central part in the width direction of the non-skin side layer 12. Furthermore, the absorbent layer 13 of the pad 1 has an absorbent layer low-weight portion where the fiber weight (weight of fibers per unit area) is lower than the surrounding area, and it is preferable that this absorbent layer low-weight portion is provided in at least a part of the central part in the width direction of the absorbent layer 13.

[0094] As shown in Figure 9, the pad 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of slits 12s, slits 13s and a plurality of compression sections E formed by overlapping the non-skin-side layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13. Figure 9 is a plan view of the pad 1 of Figure 1 with the surface layer 11 removed. In this embodiment, the slits 12s, 13s and the compression sections E are formed by overlapping the non-skin-side layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13. Therefore, when viewed from the skin side, the slits 12s and slits 13s are located in the same position. The slits 12s include a vertical slit 12sa along the front-rear direction, a width slit 12sb along the width direction, and an oblique slit 12sc that has an inclination in the front-rear and width directions. Slit 13s has a longitudinal slit 13sa and a width slit 13sb along the front-to-back direction, and an oblique slit 13sc that is inclined in the front-to-back and width directions. Slits 12s and 13s are portions that penetrate the non-skin layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13 in the thickness direction, respectively, and are portions where the fiber basis weight is 0. In other words, slit 12s in the non-skin layer 12 is the low-basis-weight portion of the non-skin layer, and slit 13s in the absorbent layer 13 is the low-basis-weight portion of the absorbent layer.

[0095] It is preferable that a plurality of slits 12s (low-weight portion of the non-skin layer) are provided in at least a portion of the central part in the width direction of the non-skin layer 12. By providing the slits 12s (low-weight portion of the non-skin layer) of the non-skin layer 12, the rigidity of the non-skin layer 12 can be made lower than when the slits 12s (low-weight portion of the non-skin layer) are not present, making the non-skin layer 12 more flexible and allowing it to follow the wearer's movements, and making it easier to transfer excrement to a member provided on the non-skin side of the non-skin layer 12 via the slits 12s (low-weight portion of the non-skin layer). Furthermore, as in pad 1, it is more preferable that the plurality of slits 12s have vertical slits 12sa along the front-to-back direction, and it is even more preferable that the vertical slits 12sa are provided in the central part in the width direction. As shown in Figure 9, the vertical slits 12sa of pad 1 have a plurality of vertical slits 12sa provided in the central part in the width direction. This allows the excrement to be transferred towards the non-skin side in the thickness direction, making the non-skin layer 12 more flexible, and also making it easier to fold the pad 1 along the front-to-back direction.

[0096] It is preferable that a plurality of slits 13s (low-weight portion of the absorbent layer) are provided in at least a portion of the central part in the width direction of the absorbent layer 13. Having slits 13s (low-weight portion of the absorbent layer) in the absorbent layer 13 makes the rigidity of the absorbent layer 13 lower than when there are no slits 13s (low-weight portion of the absorbent layer), thus making the absorbent layer 13 more flexible, allowing it to follow the wearer's movements and facilitating the transfer of excrement from the skin side (surface layer 11, non-skin side layer 12) to the absorbent layer 13. Furthermore, as in pad 1, it is more preferable that the plurality of slits 13s have vertical slits 13sa along the front-to-back direction, and it is even more preferable that the vertical slits 12sa are provided in the central part in the width direction. In pad 1, a plurality of vertical slits 13sa are provided in the central part in the width direction. This reduces the rigidity of the absorbent layer 13 and makes it more flexible, allowing the absorbent layer 13 and pad 1 to deform more easily. As a result, they conform more easily to the wearer's body, reducing discomfort for the wearer while wearing them.

[0097] Furthermore, the pad 1 of this embodiment includes a compression section E formed by overlapping the non-skin layer 12 and the absorbent layer 13. The compression section E is a part with a higher fiber density than the part without the compression section E. Therefore, during wear, excrement that has reached the non-skin layer 12 is easily transferred to the absorbent layer 13 by capillary action in the compression section E, thereby reducing the risk of excrement spreading within the non-skin layer 12 and making it easier to maintain the air layer in the non-skin layer 12.

[0098] Furthermore, it is preferable that the pad 1 has a portion between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12 where no adhesive is provided. When a soft fibrous material is used for both the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12, as in the pad 1, applying an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive over the entire area between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12 may result in adhesive being applied to a wide area within the non-skin layer 12, potentially narrowing the air layer within the non-skin layer 12. Also, applying an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive over the entire area between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12 can fix the space between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12, making it difficult to form an air layer. Therefore, having a portion between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12 where no adhesive is provided reduces the risk of the non-skin layer 12 being narrowed by the adhesive and the space between the surface layer 12 and the non-skin layer 12 being fixed, making it easier to create an air layer in the non-skin layer 12 that contains more air.

[0099] A configuration in which there is no adhesive between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12 of the pad 1 can be realized, for example, by the following method. During the manufacturing process, areas where adhesive is not applied may be provided between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12. Alternatively, after applying adhesive to substantially the entire area between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12, through-holes such as slits that penetrate the surface layer 11 and the non-skin layer 12 in the thickness direction may be provided to increase the voids, thereby making it easier for air to be contained in the air layer of the non-skin layer 12. By using a non-skin layer 12 containing hydrophobic fibers (plastic fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate), the adhesive is less likely to penetrate the non-skin layer 12 containing hydrophobic fibers with low liquid affinity, making it easier to provide areas where adhesive is not applied.

[0100] It is preferable that there is a portion between the absorbent layer 13, which is located on the non-skin side of the non-skin side layer 12, and the non-skin side layer 12, where no adhesive is provided. If a soft fibrous material is used for the absorbent layer 13 and the non-skin side layer 12, applying an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive over the entire area between the absorbent layer 13 and the non-skin side layer 12 may result in adhesive being provided over a wide area within the non-skin side layer 12, potentially narrowing the air layer within the non-skin side layer 12. Therefore, by having a portion between the absorbent layer 13 and the non-skin side layer 12 of the pad 1 where no adhesive is provided, the risk of the non-skin side layer 12 being narrowed by the adhesive is reduced, making it easier to create an air layer in the non-skin side layer 12 that contains more air. A method for providing a portion between the absorbent layer 13 and the non-skin side layer 12 of the pad 1 where no adhesive is provided can be achieved in the same way as the configuration in which there is a portion between the surface layer 11 and the non-skin side layer 12 where no adhesive is provided.

[0101] ===Other Examples=== The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 1. Interlabial pad (pad, absorbent material), 11. Surface layer (adjacent layer on the skin side), 12 Non-skin side layer, 12s slit (low base portion of non-skin side layer), 13 Absorbent layer (adjacent layer on the non-skin side), 131 Skin-facing sheet, 132 absorbent core, 133 Non-skin side sheet, 13s slit (low basis weight portion of the absorption layer), 14 Back layer, 15. Finger insertion sheet (sheet for forming the finger insertion area), 20 Finger insertion section, E Compression section, F fold line, X portion (central part of the absorption layer)

Claims

1. It has a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, An absorbent article that is folded in the front-to-back direction toward the non-skin side at the central part in the width direction and comes into contact with the wearer, A surface layer that can come into contact with the wearer's skin, It has a non-skin side layer provided on the non-skin side of the surface layer, The liquid diffusion properties of the adjacent skin-side layer adjacent to the non-skin-side layer from the skin side are higher than those of the non-skin-side layer. An absorbent article characterized by the following features.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, An absorbent article characterized in that the adjacent layer on the skin side is the surface layer.

3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The non-skin side layer has a non-skin side adjacent layer adjacent to it from the non-skin side, An absorbent article characterized in that the liquid diffusion properties of the non-skin adjacent layer are higher than those of the non-skin layer.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, The non-skin side of the aforementioned non-skin layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, An absorbent article characterized in that the non-skin adjacent layer is the absorbent layer.

5. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The non-skin side of the aforementioned non-skin layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, In the central part in the width direction, with the object folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction, An absorbent article characterized in that, in the central part of the absorbent layer in the front-to-back direction, the density of the fibers of the non-skin-facing layer in the central part in the width direction is higher than the density of the fibers of the non-skin-facing layer at the edges in the width direction.

6. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The non-skin side of the aforementioned non-skin layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, In the central part of the absorption layer in the front-to-back direction, The length in the thickness direction from the skin surface of the surface layer to the skin surface of the absorbent layer at the central part in the width direction of the absorbent layer is An absorbent article characterized in that the length of the absorbent layer at its widthwise end is shorter than the length in the thickness direction from the skin-facing side of the surface layer to the skin-facing side of the absorbent layer.

7. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The non-skin side of the aforementioned non-skin layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, The absorbent layer has a low-weight portion of the absorbent layer where the fiber weight is lower than that of the surrounding area. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the central part of the absorbent layer in the width direction is provided with the low basis weight portion of the absorbent layer.

8. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The non-skin side layer has a non-skin side layer low basis weight portion in which the fiber basis weight is lower than that of the surrounding area. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the central part of the non-skin side layer in the width direction is provided with a low-weight portion of the non-skin side layer.

9. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An absorbent article characterized by having a portion between the surface layer and the non-skin side layer where no adhesive is provided.

10. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The non-skin side of the aforementioned non-skin layer has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, An absorbent article characterized by having a portion between the non-skin layer and the absorbent layer where no adhesive is provided.

11. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An absorbent article characterized in that it does not have a finger insertion portion on the non-skin side of the absorbent article into which a finger can be inserted.

12. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An absorbent article characterized in that it has a finger insertion portion on the non-skin side of the absorbent article, into which a finger can be inserted.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 12, An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the sheet used to form the finger insertion portion is made of a water-repellent material.

14. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 13, An absorbent article characterized in that a water-repellent material is provided on at least a portion of the part of the absorbent article that is visible from the non-skin side.

15. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The absorbent article is characterized in that it does not have a water-repellent component.

16. It has a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, It has an absorbent layer that absorbs liquid, An absorbent article that is folded in the front-to-back direction toward the non-skin side at the central part in the width direction and comes into contact with the wearer, In the absorbent article, the central portion of the absorbent layer in the front-to-back direction and the central portion in the width direction, when viewed in the thickness direction, In a folded state in which the absorbent article is folded toward the non-skin side along the front-to-back direction so that the non-skin sides are in contact with each other, 4cc of distilled water is dropped onto the skin side of the central part of the absorbent layer, and after standing for 60 seconds, the absorbent article is fixed in the upper part of a 2L beaker containing 2L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction facing upwards and the front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the distance between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction being 10cm, and the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker is time T1. When the absorbent article is folded as described above, left for 60 seconds without adding distilled water, and then fixed in the upper part of a beaker containing 2 L of distilled water, with one end of the absorbent article facing upwards and its front-to-back direction aligned with the vertical direction of the beaker, and the distance between the water surface in the beaker and the other end of the absorbent article being 10 cm, and the time from when the fixing is released until at least a part of the absorbent article touches the bottom of the beaker is time T2, The above time T1 is longer than the above time T2. An absorbent article characterized by the following features.

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