Absorbent articles

Abstract

The present invention provides an absorbent article equipped with an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer that can reliably absorb bodily fluids while suppressing discomfort caused by swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. [Solution] The absorbent article 1 comprises a surface sheet 2, a first absorbent 4 made of an SAP sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer, a second absorbent 5, and a pair of side sheets 6. The inner edges in the width direction W of each of the pair of side sheets 6 are laminated to the skin side of each of the ends in the width direction W of the surface sheet 2. At the center in the longitudinal direction L, the length in the width direction W of the first absorbent 4 is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the second absorbent 5. Each of the pair of side sheets 6 is positioned outside the width direction W of the first absorbent 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles containing a superabsorbent polymer and having a two-layer absorber are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article. The absorbent article has a liquid-permeable surface sheet, a liquid-impermeable leakage-preventing sheet, and a liquid-retaining absorber disposed between the surface sheet and the leakage-preventing sheet. The absorber is composed of at least two layers, and at least one of them is a first absorber layer made of a hydrophilic sheet and a superabsorbent polymer. In the longitudinal middle part of the absorbent article, the width of the first absorber layer is larger than the width of the other absorber layers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, the absorbent article in Patent Document 1 includes an absorbent body that is located on the skin side and contains a superabsorbent polymer, a first absorbent body (upper absorbent layer (6)), and a second absorbent body (lower absorbent layer (5)) located on the non-skin side. In the longitudinal center of the absorbent body (groin area), the width of the first absorbent body is greater than the width of the second absorbent body. When an absorbent article is equipped with such an absorbent body, when the first absorbent body absorbs bodily fluids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood), the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer may cause, for example, both ends of the first absorbent body in the width direction to easily come into contact with the legs in the groin area, potentially causing discomfort in the groin area. Furthermore, since there is no structure at both ends of the first absorbent body in the width direction that would resist the diffusion of liquid, it may be difficult to prevent leakage of bodily fluids from diffusing outward from both ends of the absorbent body, i.e., lateral leakage.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that includes an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer, which can reliably absorb body fluids while suppressing discomfort caused by swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising: a surface sheet having mutually orthogonal longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions; a first absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the surface sheet and composed of an SAP sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer; a second absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the first absorbent; and a pair of hydrophobic side sheets located on both sides of the surface sheet in the widthwise direction, wherein the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets in the widthwise direction is laminated on the skin side of each of the ends of the surface sheet in the widthwise direction, and at the center of the longitudinal direction, the length of the first absorbent in the widthwise direction is shorter than the length of the second absorbent in the widthwise direction, and each of the pair of side sheets is disposed further outward in the widthwise direction than the first absorbent. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article comprising an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer can be provided that reliably absorbs bodily fluids while suppressing discomfort caused by swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a light incontinence pad according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a light incontinence pad along the CW line. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the CW line in the first absorber. [Figure 4] This is a plan view illustrating the relationship between the first absorbent material and the embossed portion of a light incontinence pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a partial plan view illustrating an example of the configuration of the high-rigidity part of a light incontinence pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration of the anti-slip joint of a light incontinence pad according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The disclosure of this invention relates to the following aspects. [Aspect 1] An absorbent article comprising: a surface sheet having mutually orthogonal longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions; a first absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the surface sheet and composed of an SAP sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer; a second absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the first absorbent; and a pair of hydrophobic side sheets located on both sides of the surface sheet in the widthwise direction, wherein the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets in the widthwise direction is laminated on the skin side of each of the ends of the surface sheet in the widthwise direction, wherein at the center of the longitudinal direction, the length of the first absorbent in the widthwise direction is shorter than the length of the second absorbent in the widthwise direction, and in plan view, each of the pair of side sheets is positioned further outward in the widthwise direction than the first absorbent.

[0010] In this absorbent article, the widthwise length of the first absorbent is shorter than the widthwise length of the second absorbent. Therefore, even when the first absorbent absorbs bodily fluids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood) and the superabsorbent polymer swells, the wide second absorbent prevents the ends of the first absorbent in the widthwise direction from touching the legs in the groin area. This suppresses discomfort caused by the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer in the groin area. Furthermore, the first absorbent is positioned inside the pair of side sheets in the widthwise direction, i.e., in the center in the widthwise direction. Therefore, when the first absorbent absorbs excreted bodily fluids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood), it can efficiently absorb them at least in the central part of the first absorbent in the widthwise direction. At that time, the central part of the first absorbent bulges in the thicknesswise direction due to swelling from the absorption of bodily fluids. On the other hand, the area between the part outside the bulging central part in the widthwise direction and the inner ends of the side sheets in the widthwise direction is relatively lower in the thicknesswise direction compared to the central part and the side sheets. Furthermore, the raised central portion of the first absorbent is made more rigid due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. As a result, a difference in rigidity occurs between this raised central portion and the portion outside of it in the width direction (the end of the first absorbent 4 and the portion outside of it), making it easier for the material to deform by bending at the boundary. Due to the relative lower thickness and ease of bending, a concave groove is easily formed in the region between the central portion and the inner end in the width direction of the side sheet. This makes the region more likely to function as a concave leak-proof groove extending in the longitudinal direction. Also, the inner end in the width direction of the hydrophobic side sheet is higher than the concave groove and therefore more likely to function as a leak-proof wall. Thus, bodily fluids that leak out to the outside of the first absorbent in the width direction can be blocked by the aforementioned leak-proof wall and guided and diffused in the longitudinal direction by the aforementioned leak-proof groove. In other words, lateral leakage can be prevented. Furthermore, since the aforementioned leak-proof groove is in contact with the second absorbent material, bodily fluids can easily transfer to the second absorbent material as well. This ensures that bodily fluids are absorbed reliably.

[0011] [Aspect 2] The absorbent article according to Embodiment 1, wherein, in a plan view, the region containing the first absorbent further comprises an embossed portion formed from the surface sheet toward the first absorbent and reaching at least the non-skin side surface of the first absorbent, wherein the embossed portion is located in the regions at both ends in the width direction when the first absorbent is divided into three equal parts in the width direction, and extends along the longitudinal direction.

[0012] When the absorbent material is divided into three equal parts in the width direction, the embossed portions located at both ends of the width direction and extending along the length direction guide and diffuse bodily fluids along the length direction, allowing the entire length of the first absorbent material to be used for absorbing bodily fluids. This suppresses discomfort caused by localized swelling of the superabsorbent polymer in the first absorbent material. On the other hand, the portion of the first absorbent material outside the embossed portion in the width direction absorbs bodily fluids passing through the embossed portion and swells, becoming more prone to swelling. This makes the formed leak-proof grooves deeper, allowing bodily fluids that leak outwards along the width direction of the first absorbent material to be blocked by the leak-proof walls and guided further along the length direction by the leak-proof grooves, thus enabling more reliable absorption of bodily fluids.

[0013] [Aspect 3] The absorbent article according to embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising a high-rigidity portion that joins the widthwise end of the surface sheet with the widthwise inner end of each of the pair of side sheets.

[0014] In this absorbent article, in the width direction, a highly rigid portion such as a side seal exists between the end of the surface sheet and the inner end of the side sheet. Due to this highly rigid portion, the inner end in the width direction of the side sheet has higher strength against body fluids and is more likely to function as a leak prevention wall. Further, a rigidity difference occurs between the highly rigid portion in the side sheet and the region inside thereof in the width direction (however, the region outside the first absorber). Therefore, it is easily deformed so as to bend at the boundary, making it easier to deform so that the leak prevention wall becomes higher or the leak prevention groove becomes deeper. Thereby, body fluids leaking outside the width direction of the first absorber along the first absorber can be blocked by the leak prevention wall and diffused in the longitudinal direction by the leak prevention groove, further suppressing leakage to the outside.

[0015] [Aspect 4] The absorbent article according to aspect 3, wherein each of the pair of side sheets has a dry edge provided inside the highly rigid portion, which is the inner end in the width direction.

[0016] In this absorbent article, as described above, due to the presence of a highly rigid portion between the surface sheet and the side sheet, the region between the end of the side sheet and the end of the first absorber can be easily deformed so that a leak prevention groove is formed. In addition, in this absorbent article, the side sheet has a dry edge (a protruding portion of the sheet) provided inside the highly rigid portion, which is the inner end in the width direction. Therefore, by the dry edge separating from the surface sheet and rising, the leak prevention wall can be substantially heightened. Thereby, the dry edge can function as a part of the leak prevention wall, and body fluids leaking outside the width direction of the first absorber along the first absorber can be more effectively blocked by the leak prevention wall and diffused in the longitudinal direction by the leak prevention groove, further suppressing leakage to the outside.

[0017] [Aspect 5] The absorbent article according to aspect 3, wherein the highly rigid portion is formed by embossing, and the density of the embossing pattern in the inner region in the width direction is higher than the density of the embossing pattern in the outer region.

[0018] In this absorbent article, in the high-rigidity section, the density of the embossed pattern in the inner region in the width direction is higher than the density of the embossed pattern in the outer region. That is, in the high-rigidity section, the inner side in the width direction is more rigid. Therefore, it is possible to easily create a difference in rigidity between the high-rigidity section and the region further inward in the width direction. As a result, it becomes easier to deform the article so that it bends at the boundary between the high-rigidity section and the region further inward in the width direction, making it easier to deform the leak-proof wall to become higher or the leak-proof groove to become deeper. Then, leakage to the outside can be further suppressed by damming the leak-proof wall of bodily fluids or by diffusion in the longitudinal direction in the leak-proof groove.

[0019] [Aspect 6] The absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, further comprising: a back sheet located on the non-skin side of the second absorbent; a region on the non-skin side of the back sheet having a shear-preventing joint provided in a position overlapping with the first absorbent in a plan view; wherein the positions of both ends in the width direction of the shear-preventing joint region are the same as or further inward in the width direction of both ends of the first absorbent in the width direction.

[0020] In this absorbent article, the positions of both ends in the width direction of the region where the anti-slip joint exists are the same as, or further inward in the width direction of, the positions of both ends in the width direction of the first absorbent. Therefore, in a plan view, the outer regions of the first absorbent in the width direction W (including the side sheets) are not fixed to the underwear, allowing each side region to be freely deformed. This makes the side sheets easier to deform and improves the wearing comfort.

[0021] [Aspect 7] The absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the first absorbent comprises the superabsorbent polymer, an upper sheet and a lower sheet covering the superabsorbent polymer from above and below in the thickness direction, and a joining portion located at both ends of the upper sheet and the lower sheet in the width direction, extending along the longitudinal direction, and joining the upper sheet and the lower sheet.

[0022] In this absorbent article, the first absorbent material includes a superabsorbent polymer, an upper sheet and a lower sheet, and a joint located at both ends of the upper and lower sheets in the width direction and extending along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, swelling at the width direction ends of the first absorbent material can be suppressed. This reduces discomfort when the absorbent material absorbs bodily fluids.

[0023] [Aspect 8] The absorbent article according to embodiment 7, further comprising a sealing portion located outside in the width direction of the joint portions located at both ends of the first absorbent in the width direction, which joins the end in the width direction of the surface sheet with the inner end in the width direction of each of the pair of side sheets, wherein the sealing portion overlaps with the second absorbent in the thickness direction.

[0024] In this absorbent article, in the width direction, a sealing portion is provided that joins the surface sheet and a pair of side sheets outside the joint portions at both ends of the first absorbent, and the sealing portion overlaps with the second absorbent in the thickness direction. Therefore, even if the central part of the first absorbent absorbs bodily fluids and swells, increasing in thickness, the joint portion and sealing portion make it difficult for this thickness increase to be transmitted to the second absorbent. This reduces discomfort caused by a sudden increase in thickness in the first absorbent.

[0025] [Aspect 9] The absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising a diffusion sheet located between the surface sheet and the first absorbent, wherein the length of the diffusion sheet in the width direction is longer than the length of the first absorbent in the width direction.

[0026] In this absorbent article, the widthwise length of the diffusion sheet located between the surface sheet and the first absorbent is longer than the widthwise length of the first absorbent, allowing the excreted bodily fluids to diffuse throughout the entire first absorbent. This enables the absorption performance of the first absorbent to be used over a wide range of applications.

[0027] [Aspect 10] The absorbent article according to embodiment 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of wing portions extending from the central portion in the longitudinal direction to both outer sides in the width direction, wherein the wing portions include a front base portion located on the front side in the longitudinal direction and a rear base portion located on the rear side at the inner end in the width direction, the wing portions comprising wing material disposed on the non-skin side of the side sheet, and the inner end in the width direction of the wing material extends inward in the width direction beyond a fold line connecting the front base portion and the rear base portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] In this absorbent article, the inner end of the wing material in the width direction extends (protrudes) inward in the width direction beyond the fold line that connects the front and rear bases in the longitudinal direction. That is, when this absorbent article is attached to underwear, the inner end of the wing material is inward in the width direction beyond the fold line that is used when the wing portion is folded back to the non-skin side of the underwear. In this way, the longitudinal central part of the absorbent article, which is prone to deformation in the width direction, is reinforced by the wing material. Therefore, when this absorbent article is attached to underwear, the longitudinal central part is less likely to deform unintentionally even if it comes into contact with the inner surface of the wearer's thigh. This helps to suppress discomfort for the wearer.

[0029] [Aspect 11] The absorbent article according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the surface sheet includes a plurality of protrusions extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, and a plurality of recesses extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, wherein each of the plurality of protrusions and each of the plurality of recesses are arranged alternately, and in a plan view, a portion of the plurality of protrusions and / or the plurality of recesses are arranged between each of the pair of side sheets and the first absorbent.

[0030] This absorbent article has a surface sheet that extends along the longitudinal direction and includes multiple convex and concave portions spaced apart in the width direction, thus suppressing the diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction. Furthermore, because the surface sheet of this absorbent article includes multiple convex and concave portions and is easy to fold along the concave and / or convex portions, it is easy to form a leak-proof groove along the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The absorbent articles according to the embodiments will be described below, with light incontinence pads as an example. However, the types of absorbent articles are not limited to this example, and other types of absorbent articles may be used as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. Examples of such absorbent articles include pull-up diapers, tape-type diapers, sanitary napkins, and panty liners.

[0032] Figures 1 and 2 show examples of the configuration of a light incontinence pad 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a light incontinence pad 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the light incontinence pad 1 in Figure 1 along the CW line. Figure 2(a) is an overall view, and Figure 2(b) is a partial enlarged view.

[0033] The light incontinence pad 1, in its unfolded state as shown in Figure 1, has a longitudinal direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are all perpendicular to each other. It has a longitudinal centerline CL that passes through the center of the width direction W and extends in the longitudinal direction L, and a width centerline CW that passes through the center of the longitudinal direction L and extends in the width direction W. Here, the direction and side approaching the longitudinal centerline CL are defined as the inward and inner sides of the width direction W, respectively, and the direction and side moving away from the longitudinal centerline CL are defined as the outward and outer sides of the width direction W, respectively. On the other hand, the direction and side approaching the width centerline CW are defined as the inward and inner sides of the longitudinal direction L, respectively, and the direction and side moving away from the width centerline CW are defined as the outward and outer sides of the longitudinal direction L, respectively. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction L, the side of the light incontinence pad 1 that faces the ventral edge of the wearer is also called the front side of the longitudinal direction L, and the side of the light incontinence pad 1 that faces the dorsal edge of the wearer is also called the rear side of the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, "plan view" refers to viewing the light incontinence pad 1, unfolded on a plane containing the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W, from above in the thickness direction T, and "planar shape" refers to the shape perceived in the planar view. "Planar direction" refers to any direction parallel to the plane containing the width direction W and the longitudinal direction L. "Skin side" and "non-skin side" refer to the side that is relatively closer to and further away from the wearer's skin surface in the thickness direction T when the light incontinence pad 1 is worn by the wearer. A direction being aligned with the longitudinal direction L is not limited to being parallel to the longitudinal direction L, but includes a range of ±45° with respect to the longitudinal direction L. A direction being aligned with the width direction W is not limited to being parallel to the width direction W, but includes a range of ±45° with respect to the width direction W. For curves, the determination is made by the tangents at each point constituting the curve. These definitions are common not only to the light incontinence pad 1, but also to the absorbent material of the light incontinence pad 1 and the materials placed on them.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the light incontinence pad 1 has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view, with the longitudinal direction L being long and the width direction W being short, and both ends of the longitudinal direction L bulging out in a roughly arc shape. The shape of the light incontinence pad 1 is not particularly limited as long as the length of the longitudinal direction L is longer than the width direction W. Examples of such shapes include a rounded rectangle, an ellipse, a gourd shape, and an hourglass shape. In this embodiment, the light incontinence pad 1 includes a pair of wing portions 10 that extend outwards from the roughly rectangular portion in the width direction W. The wing portions 10 have a roughly trapezoidal shape. However, their shape may be, for example, a semicircle or a semi-ellipse. The winged incontinence pad 1 does not necessarily have wing portions.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2(a), the light incontinence pad 1 comprises a surface sheet 2 located on the skin side and having liquid permeability, a back sheet 3 located on the non-skin side and having liquid impermeability, and a first absorbent 4 and a second absorbent 5 located between the surface sheet 2 and the back sheet 3, which absorb and retain bodily fluids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood). The first absorbent 4 is located on the surface sheet 2 side, and the second absorbent 5 is located on the back sheet 3 side. The surface sheet 2 constitutes a part of the skin-side surface of the light incontinence pad 1 and extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L. The back sheet 3 constitutes the non-skin-side surface of the light incontinence pad 1 and extends from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L. In this embodiment, the pad further comprises a liquid-permeable diffusion sheet 8 located between the surface sheet 2 and the first absorbent 4, which diffuses bodily fluids in a planar direction. Preferably, the length in the width direction W of the diffusion sheet 8 is greater than the length in the width direction W of the first absorbent 4.

[0036] Examples of materials for the surface sheet 2 include liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric, synthetic resin film with liquid-permeable pores, and combinations of the same or different types thereof. Examples of materials for the back sheet 3 include liquid-impermeable and breathable nonwoven fabric, synthetic resin film with ventilation pores, and combinations of the same or different types thereof. Examples of materials for the diffusion sheet 8 include the same type of material as the surface sheet 2.

[0037] The first absorbent body 4 contains a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) as an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining bodily fluids. The first absorbent body 4 is composed of an SAP sheet containing the superabsorbent polymer. However, an SAP sheet refers to an absorbent body in which the proportion of superabsorbent polymer contained in the absorbent material within the SAP sheet is 90% by mass or more, and this proportion is preferably 95% by mass or more. The remainder of the absorbent material in the first absorbent body 4 is, for example, cellulose fiber. In this embodiment, the proportion of superabsorbent polymer is 100% by mass. The first absorbent body 4 includes a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric that encapsulates the superabsorbent polymer. Details of the composition of the first absorbent body 4 will be described later.

[0038] There are no particular restrictions on the shape of the first absorber 4, but for example, a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W when viewed from above. However, it is preferable that the first absorber 4 is smaller than the surface sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W, and is also preferable that it is smaller than the second absorber 5. In this embodiment, the first absorber 4 has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L, and is smaller than the second absorber 5 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W. Therefore, at least at the center in the longitudinal direction L, the length in the width direction W of the first absorber 4 is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the second absorber 5. Furthermore, both end edges of the first absorber 4 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W are located inside the end edges of the second absorber 5 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W.

[0039] The second absorbent body 5 may contain cellulose fibers as an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, or it may contain cellulose fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, or it may be composed of the SAP sheet described above. The proportion of cellulose fibers in the second absorbent body 5 can be, for example, in the range of 0 to 90% by mass of the absorbent material. In this embodiment, it includes an absorbent core 5a composed of an absorbent material containing a superabsorbent polymer and pulp fibers, and a core wrap sheet 5b composed of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric that encloses the absorbent core 5a.

[0040] There are no particular restrictions on the shape of the second absorber 5, but for example, in a plan view, it may have a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction L and short in the width direction W, and further, a shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction L bulge out in a roughly arc shape. However, it is preferable that the second absorber 5 is smaller than the surface sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W, and larger than the first absorber 4. In this embodiment, the second absorber 5 is long in the longitudinal direction L and has a roughly arc shape at both ends, and is smaller than the surface sheet 2 and larger than the first absorber 4 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W. Therefore, both ends of the second absorber 5 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W are located inside the both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W.

[0041] It should be noted that the light incontinence pad 1 is not limited to having a two-layer structure (first absorbent 4 and second absorbent 5) as shown in Figure 2(a). The light incontinence pad 1 may have a multilayer structure of three or more layers, in which absorbent materials having a configuration like the first absorbent 4 or absorbent materials having a configuration like the second absorbent 5 are further stacked.

[0042] In this embodiment, the non-skin side of the surface sheet 2 and the skin-side surfaces of a portion of the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5 are joined with an adhesive (for example, a hot melt adhesive, the same applies hereinafter). However, if a diffusion sheet 8 is provided, the non-skin side of the surface sheet 2 and the skin-side surface of the diffusion sheet 8 are joined with an adhesive, and the non-skin side of the diffusion sheet 8 and the skin-side surfaces of a portion of the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5 are joined with an adhesive. Also, the non-skin side of the first absorbent 4 and the skin-side surface of the second absorbent 5 are joined with an adhesive. Also, the non-skin side of the second absorbent 5 and the skin-side surface of the back sheet 3 are joined with an adhesive. The peripheral portion of the non-skin side of the surface sheet 2 or the diffusion sheet 8 and the peripheral portion of the skin-side surface of the back sheet 3 are joined with an adhesive. At both ends in the longitudinal direction L of the light incontinence pad 1, the surface sheet 2, the diffusion sheet 8, and the back sheet 3 are joined by a heat seal 15.

[0043] Examples of surface sheet 2 include a flat sheet without irregularities. However, surface sheet 2 is not limited to this example, and is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a surface sheet for an absorbent article. Surface sheet 2 may be, for example, a sheet that includes a plurality of protrusions extending along the longitudinal direction L and spaced apart in the width direction W, and a plurality of recesses extending along the longitudinal direction L and spaced apart in the width direction W, with each of the plurality of protrusions and each of the plurality of recesses arranged alternately, or a sheet in which a plurality of substantially circular protrusions (hollow or solid) in plan view are arranged in a checkerboard pattern in plan view. In this embodiment, surface sheet 2 is a sheet having the above-described plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses extending along the longitudinal direction L and spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0044] The type of nonwoven fabric used for the surface sheet 2, back sheet 3, diffusion sheet 8, and the nonwoven fabric enclosing the absorbent material of the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a nonwoven fabric for absorbent articles. Examples include meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, airlaid nonwoven fabric, and air-through nonwoven fabric.

[0045] The nonwoven fabric material is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a material for absorbent articles, and examples include synthetic resin fibers and cellulose fibers. The synthetic resin is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a material for absorbent articles, and examples include olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamide resins such as 6-nylon and 6,6-nylon, and polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. The cellulose fiber is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a material for absorbent articles, and examples include pulp fibers, regenerated cellulose, and semi-synthetic cellulose. Examples of pulp fibers include wood pulp, cross-linked pulp, and non-wood pulp.

[0046] The type of synthetic resin film used in the surface sheet 2 and back sheet 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a film for absorbent articles, and known film materials can be used. The material of the synthetic resin film is not particularly limited as long as it can be used as a material for absorbent articles, and the synthetic resins mentioned above can be used.

[0047] The type of superabsorbent polymer used in the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5 is not particularly limited as long as it is a polymer that can absorb and retain water. Examples include polyacrylate-based, polysulfonate-based, and maleate-based superabsorbent polymers. The type of cellulose fiber used in the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5 is as previously described.

[0048] As shown in Figure 2(a), in this embodiment, the light incontinence pad 1 further comprises a pair of side sheets 6 and a shear-resistant joint 9. The pair of side sheets 6 are located on both sides of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W. The pair of side sheets 6 constitute another portion of the skin-facing surface of the light incontinence pad 1 and extend from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L. The inner ends of each of the pair of side sheets 6 in the width direction W are joined to the skin-facing ends of the surface sheet 2 so as to cover the respective surfaces of both ends in the width direction W. The joint extends in the longitudinal direction L from one end of the side sheets 6 and the surface sheet to the other end.

[0049] The joint between the side sheet 6 and the surface sheet 2 is formed by compressing and fusing the inner edges of each side sheet 6 in the width direction W with one edge of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W using embossing or ultrasonic processing. As a result, this joint constitutes a high-rigidity section 7 that is more rigid than other parts of the side sheet 6. The high-rigidity section 7 is formed in an arbitrary pattern during embossing or ultrasonic processing and is located at the inner edges of the side sheet 6 in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the high-rigidity section 7 is a heat-fused section with a floral pattern arranged along the longitudinal direction L. Note that in Figure 2, the high-rigidity section 7 is depicted as having thickness for clarity, but the high-rigidity section 7 is a fused portion of the laminated part of the side sheet 6 and surface sheet 2, and is included in the side sheet 6 and surface sheet 2, so it does not actually have the thickness shown in Figure 2.

[0050] Each of the pair of side sheets 6 is positioned outside the width direction W of the first absorber 4. Therefore, in the width direction W, the inner edge of each side sheet 6 is located outside the edge of the first absorber 4. On the other hand, the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets 6 in the width direction W overlaps with the end of the second absorber 5 in the width direction W. Therefore, in the width direction W, the inner edge of each side sheet 6 is located inside the edge of the second absorber 5. In this embodiment, the high-rigidity portion 7, which is the joint between the side sheet 6 and the surface sheet 2, is also a sealing portion that joins the end of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W with the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets 6 in the width direction W. The sealing portion (high-rigidity portion 7) overlaps with the second absorber 5 in the thickness direction T, but does not overlap with the first absorber 4.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2(b), each of the pair of side sheets 6 has a dry edge 6a at its inner end in the width direction W, located inside the high-rigidity portion 7. The dry edge 6a is a portion of the inner end of the side sheet 6 in the width direction W that protrudes inward from the high-rigidity portion 7 by a predetermined width (e.g., 0.5 to 2 mm) and extends along the longitudinal direction L. The dry edge 6a is not joined to the surface sheet 2 located on the non-skin side. The dry edge 6a constitutes a pair of leak-proof walls extending in the longitudinal direction L. In the pair of leak-proof walls, the inner edges in the width direction W are left as free ends so as to cover a portion of the surface on both sides in the width direction W of the surface sheet 2.

[0052] In this embodiment, the peripheral edges of the non-skin-facing sides of the pair of side sheets 6 and the peripheral edges of the skin-facing side of the back sheet 3 are joined with adhesive. At both ends of the width direction W of the light incontinence pad 1, the pair of side sheets 6 and the back sheet 3 are joined by heat sealing 16.

[0053] The anti-slip joint 9 is an elongated rectangular adhesive tape attached to the non-skin side of the back sheet 3, extending along the longitudinal direction L and spaced apart in the width direction W. In this embodiment, there are six adhesive tapes spaced apart in the width direction W. The anti-slip joint 9 secures the light incontinence pad 1 to the packaging sheet (not shown) via a separator when the light incontinence pad 1 is individually packaged, and secures the light incontinence pad 1 to the wearer's underwear or the like when the light incontinence pad 1 is in use.

[0054] The wing portion 10 is formed from a side sheet 6 on the skin side and a back sheet 3 on the non-skin side. The wing portion 10 is located on the non-skin side of the side sheet 6 and further includes reinforcing wing material 11 between the side sheet 6 and the back sheet 3, and the non-skin side of the back sheet 3 is provided with a wing slip-preventing joint portion 12.

[0055] In this embodiment, the wing portion 10 includes a front portion 10FE located on the front side in the longitudinal direction L and a rear base portion 10BE located on the rear side at the inner end in the width direction W. In the wing portion 10, the inner end portion 11E in the width direction W of the wing material 11 positioned on the non-skin side of the side sheet 6 extends inward in the width direction W beyond the fold line WFL that connects the front base portion 10FE and the rear base portion 10BE in the longitudinal direction L. However, the fold line WFL is a linear portion that indicates the folding position when the wing portion 10 is folded back to the non-skin side of the underwear when the light incontinence pad 1 is attached to the underwear.

[0056] The basis weights of the surface sheet 2, back sheet 3, diffusion sheet 8, the absorbent material of the first absorbent 4, the nonwoven fabric enclosing it, the absorbent material of the second absorbent 5, and the nonwoven fabric enclosing it are appropriately adjusted according to the absorption performance required for the absorbent article. For example, the basis weights of the surface sheet 2 and diffusion sheet 8 are 5 to 200 g / m². 2 For example, the basis weight of the backing sheet 3 is 5 to 200 g / m². 2 For example, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer of the first absorbent material 4 is 50 to 500 g / m². 2 For example, the basis weight of the absorbent core 5a in the second absorbent body 5 is, for example, 0 to 600 g / m² for the superabsorbent polymer. 2 For example, the basis weight of the pulp fibers is 50-700 g / m². 2 For example, the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric enclosing the absorbent material of the first absorbent 4 and the nonwoven fabric (core wrap sheet 5b) enclosing the absorbent material of the second absorbent 5 is, for example, 5 to 100 g / m². 2 It can be listed.

[0057] The light incontinence pad 1 comprises a pair of embossed portions 13 extending in the longitudinal direction L and arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the light incontinence pad 1 further comprises a pair of embossed portions 14a extending in the width direction W and arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction L, and a pair of embossed portions 14b located outside the longitudinal direction L of the pair of embossed portions 14a and connecting the edges Q of the pair of embossed portions 13. Each embossed portion is formed by compression (e.g., embossing) of the surface sheet 2 and at least the first absorbent 4 of the first absorbent 4 and the second absorbent 5.

[0058] The pair of embossed portions 13 and 14a are formed at least from the surface sheet 2 toward the first absorbent 4 and reach the non-skin side of the first absorbent 4, but may also extend through the first absorbent 4 into the interior of the second absorbent 5. The widthwise ends W of the pair of embossed portions 13 and the pair of embossed portions 14b are formed at least from the surface sheet 2 toward the second absorbent 5 in a region that does not overlap with the first absorbent 4 in the thicknesswise T direction, and extend into the interior of the second absorbent 5. The width of each embossed portion may be, for example, 0.5 to 5 mm.

[0059] In the light incontinence pad 1 described above, the width W of the first absorbent material 4 is shorter than the width W of the second absorbent material 5. Therefore, even when the first absorbent material 4 absorbs bodily fluids (e.g., urine, menstrual blood) and the superabsorbent polymer swells, the wide second absorbent material 5 prevents both ends of the first absorbent material 4 in the width W from touching the wearer's legs in the groin area. This suppresses discomfort in the groin area caused by the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer.

[0060] Furthermore, the first absorbent material 4 is positioned inside the pair of side sheets 6 in the width direction W, i.e., in the center of the width direction W. Therefore, when the first absorbent material 4 absorbs excreted bodily fluids, it can efficiently absorb them at least in the central part of the first absorbent material 4 in the width direction W. At that time, the central part of the first absorbent material 4 swells due to the absorption of bodily fluids and bulges in the thickness direction T. On the other hand, the region GA between the part outside the bulging central part in the width direction and the inner edge of the side sheet in the width direction is relatively lower in the thickness direction compared to the central part and the side sheet. Moreover, the bulging central part of the first absorbent material 4 has increased rigidity due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. Therefore, a difference in rigidity occurs between the bulging central part and the part outside the central part (the edge of the first absorbent material 4 and the part outside of it), making it easier for it to deform and bend at the boundary. Due to their relative lower thickness and ease of deformation such as bending, a concave groove is easily formed in the region GA between the central part and the inner edge of the side sheet. As a result, this region GA easily functions as a concave leak-proof groove extending in the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the inner edge in the width direction of the hydrophobic side sheet is at a higher position than the concave groove, and therefore easily functions as a leak-proof wall. Thus, bodily fluids that leak outward in the width direction W of the first absorbent 4 can be blocked by the aforementioned leak-proof wall and guided and diffused in the longitudinal direction L by the aforementioned leak-proof groove. In other words, lateral leakage can be prevented. Moreover, since the aforementioned leak-proof groove is located on the upper surface of the second absorbent 5, bodily fluids can easily be transferred to the second absorbent 5 as well. This ensures reliable absorption of bodily fluids.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the light incontinence pad 1 further includes a high-rigidity portion 7 that joins the end of the surface sheet 2 in the width direction W with the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets 6 in the width direction W. That is, in the width direction W, a high-rigidity portion 7, such as a side seal, exists between the end of the surface sheet 2 and the inner end of the side sheet 6. Due to this high-rigidity portion 7, the inner end of the side sheet 6 in the width direction W has increased resistance to bodily fluids and functions more effectively as a leak-proof barrier.

[0062] Furthermore, a difference in rigidity occurs between the high-rigidity portion 7 of the side sheet 6 and the region further inward in the width direction W (generally region GA). As a result, deformation becomes easier, causing the above-mentioned leak-proof wall to become higher and / or the above-mentioned leak-proof groove to become deeper. This further suppresses leakage to the outside by blocking the bodily fluid that has leaked outward in the width direction of the first absorber 4 through the above-mentioned leak-proof wall and diffusing it in the longitudinal direction L through the above-mentioned leak-proof groove.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of this design, each of the pair of side sheets 6 has a dry edge 6a (a protruding portion of the side sheet) located at its inner end in the width direction W, and positioned inside the high-rigidity portion 7. Therefore, the high-rigidity portion makes the leak-proof wall higher and the leak-proof groove deeper in the region GA, and the dry edge lifts up and separates from the surface sheet 2, thereby substantially raising the leak-proof wall even further. As a result, the dry edge 6a can function as (part of) the leak-proof wall, so that bodily fluids that leak out to the outside in the width direction W of the first absorbent 4 can be better blocked by the leak-proof wall and diffused in the longitudinal direction L by the leak-proof groove. Thus, leakage of bodily fluids to the outside can be further suppressed.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of this product, the light incontinence pad 1 further comprises a diffusion sheet 8 positioned between the surface sheet 2 and the first absorbent 4, wherein the length of the diffusion sheet 8 in the width direction W is longer than the length of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W. In this way, since the length of the diffusion sheet 8 in the width direction W is longer than the length of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W, the excreted bodily fluids can be diffused throughout the entire first absorbent 4. This allows the absorbent performance of the first absorbent 4 to be used over a wide range.

[0065] Next, the first absorbent 4 will be described further. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first absorbent 4 in Figure 1 along the CW line. The first absorbent 4 comprises a first nonwoven fabric 41, a second nonwoven fabric 42 disposed on the non-skin side of the first nonwoven fabric 41, and a first superabsorbent polymer 40a disposed between the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the second nonwoven fabric 42. In this embodiment, the first absorbent 4 further comprises a second superabsorbent polymer 40b disposed on the non-skin side of the second nonwoven fabric 42, and a third nonwoven fabric 43 provided on the non-skin side of the second superabsorbent polymer 40b.

[0066] Furthermore, at least two of the first nonwoven fabric 41, the second nonwoven fabric 42, and the third nonwoven fabric 43 may be made by folding a single nonwoven fabric. For example, the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the third nonwoven fabric 43 may be made by folding a single nonwoven fabric.

[0067] In this embodiment, the ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the second nonwoven fabric 42 in the width direction W are joined together by a joint 44 that extends along the longitudinal direction L. Furthermore, the ends of the third nonwoven fabric 43 and the second nonwoven fabric 42 in the width direction W are joined together by a joint 44 that extends along the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, the ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41, the second nonwoven fabric 42, and the third nonwoven fabric 43 in the width direction W are joined together by a joint 44 that extends along the longitudinal direction L. In this example, both ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41, the second nonwoven fabric 42, and the third nonwoven fabric 43 in the width direction W are joined together by a joint 44.

[0068] The ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41, the second nonwoven fabric 42, and the third nonwoven fabric 43 in the longitudinal direction L may or may not be joined by a joint (not shown) extending along the width direction W.

[0069] The first superabsorbent polymer 40a is bonded to at least one of the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the second nonwoven fabric 42 with an adhesive (e.g., a hot melt adhesive), and it is preferable that the amount of adhesive placed on the first nonwoven fabric 41 is greater than the amount of adhesive placed on the second nonwoven fabric 42. Similarly, the second superabsorbent polymer 40b is bonded to at least one of the third nonwoven fabric 43 and the second nonwoven fabric 42 with an adhesive, and it is preferable that the amount of adhesive placed on the third nonwoven fabric 43 is greater than the amount of adhesive placed on the second nonwoven fabric 42. In both cases, this is from the viewpoint of suppressing the leakage of particles of the first superabsorbent polymer 40a and the second superabsorbent polymer 40b from the gaps between the constituent fibers of the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the third nonwoven fabric 43.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the first absorbent material 4 includes a first superabsorbent polymer 40a, a first nonwoven fabric 41 (upper sheet), a second nonwoven fabric 42 (lower sheet), and a joint 44 located at both ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the second nonwoven fabric 42 in the width direction W and extending along the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, swelling at the ends of the first absorbent material 4 in the width direction W can be suppressed. This reduces discomfort when the first absorbent material 4 absorbs bodily fluids.

[0071] In a more preferred embodiment of this design, the first absorbent 4 includes a first superabsorbent polymer 40a and a second superabsorbent polymer 40b, a first nonwoven fabric 41 (upper sheet) and a third nonwoven fabric 43 (lower sheet), and joint portions 44 located at both ends of the first nonwoven fabric 41 and the third nonwoven fabric 43 in the width direction W and extending along the longitudinal direction L. Therefore, swelling at the ends of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W can be suppressed. This reduces discomfort when the first absorbent 4 absorbs bodily fluids.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of this product, the light incontinence pad 1 further includes a sealing portion located outside the widthwise W of the joint portions 44 located at both ends of the widthwise W of the first absorbent body 4, and which joins the end of the surface sheet 2 in the widthwise W with the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets 6 in the widthwise W. In the example shown in Figure 2(a), the sealing portion is a high-rigidity portion 7 that joins the pair of side sheets 6 and the second absorbent body 5 via a diffusion sheet 8. The sealing portion (high-rigidity portion 7) overlaps with the second absorbent body 5 in the thickness direction T. By providing the sealing portion, i.e., the high-rigidity portion 7, even if the central part of the first absorbent body 4 absorbs bodily fluids and swells, increasing in thickness, the joint portions 44 and the sealing portion make it difficult for both ends of the surface sheet 2 in the widthwise W to bulge, thus making it difficult for the increase in thickness to be transmitted to the second absorbent body 5. In other words, the presence of the joint 44 and the sealing portion makes it difficult for the thickness of the first absorber to increase (bulge) even if the thickness of the first absorber increases, as is the thickness outside the joint 44 in the width direction W (where the second absorber 5 and the high-rigidity portion 7 overlap). This reduces the discomfort caused by a sudden increase in the thickness of the first absorber 4.

[0073] Next, the pair of embossed portions 13, 14a, and 14b will be described further. Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration of a light incontinence pad according to this embodiment. In this figure, the first absorbent body 4 is virtually divided into three equal parts in the width direction W (from left to right in the width direction W) into regions W1, W2, and W3. In a preferred embodiment of this design, the pair of embossed portions 13 are located in regions W1 and W3 at both ends of the width direction W and extend along the longitudinal direction.

[0074] The embossed portion 13 is formed by compressing the surface sheet 2 and the nonwoven fabric on the skin side, the superabsorbent polymer, and the nonwoven fabric on the non-skin side of the first absorbent 4 while they are overlapping in the thickness direction T. Therefore, at the bottom of the embossed portion 13, the surface sheet 2 and the nonwoven fabric on the skin side, the superabsorbent polymer, and the nonwoven fabric on the non-skin side of the first absorbent 4 are considered to be pressed together. Alternatively, at the bottom of the embossed portion 13, the surface sheet 2 and the nonwoven fabric on the skin side and the nonwoven fabric on the non-skin side of the first absorbent 4 are considered to be mechanically fitted together while being deformed into a concave shape by heat, with the superabsorbent polymer sandwiched between the fitted skin-side and non-skin-side nonwoven fabrics. Therefore, since the skin-side and non-skin-side nonwoven fabrics of the first absorbent 4 are hardly heat-fused together, they are considered to be relatively weakly bonded. Therefore, when the amount of bodily fluids excreted increases and the amount of bodily fluids to be absorbed increases, the superabsorbent polymer present at the bottom and around the embossed portion 13 swells, pushing up the nonwoven fabric on the skin side of the embossed portion 13 and pushing down the nonwoven fabric on the non-skin side. As a result, the nonwoven fabrics on the skin side and the non-skin side of the embossed portion 13 can separate from each other. This is also true even when the embossed portion 13 reaches the second absorbent material 5.

[0075] As a result, when the amount of bodily fluid is small, the embossed portion 13 can suppress any unevenness in the shape of the first absorbent 4, thus maintaining wearability. On the other hand, when the amount of bodily fluid excreted is large and the amount of bodily fluid to be absorbed increases, the embossed portion 13 detaches from the non-skin side due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer (including that located within the embossed portion 13), expanding the area of ​​the superabsorbent polymer and increasing the amount of bodily fluid that the superabsorbent polymer can absorb. As a result, when the amount of bodily fluid is large, the superabsorbent polymer swells even more easily when the embossed portion 13 detaches from the non-skin side, ensuring that the absorbent material can absorb a sufficient amount of bodily fluid.

[0076] This embossed section 13 configuration can be achieved by adjusting the magnitude of the pressure, the rate at which the pressure is applied, and the temperature when embossing the SAP sheet (first absorbent 4) so ​​that the degree of fusion of each sheet and nonwoven fabric is reduced.

[0077] In this light incontinence pad 1, the pair of embossed portions 13 are located in regions W1 and W3 at both ends in the width direction W and extend along the longitudinal direction L. This allows bodily fluids to be guided and diffused along the longitudinal direction L, so that the first absorbent material 4 can be used to absorb bodily fluids over its entire length in the longitudinal direction L. This suppresses discomfort caused by localized swelling of the superabsorbent polymer in the first absorbent material 4.

[0078] On the other hand, the portion of the first absorbent 4 that is outside the embossed portion 13 in the width direction W absorbs bodily fluids passing through the embossed portion 13 and swells, becoming more prone to swelling. As a result, the formed leak-proof groove becomes deeper, so that bodily fluids that leak out to the outside of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W are blocked by the leak-proof wall and guided in the longitudinal direction L by the leak-proof groove, allowing for greater diffusion. This enables more reliable absorption of bodily fluids.

[0079] In Figure 4, the first absorbent material 4 is further virtually divided into three equal parts along its longitudinal direction L (in order from the front of the longitudinal direction L): regions L1, L2, and L3. In this case, the pair of embossed portions 14a are located in regions L1 and L3 at both ends of the longitudinal direction L and extend along the width direction W. This allows body fluids to be guided and diffused along the width direction W, so that the first absorbent material 4 can be used to absorb body fluids over its entire width direction W. This suppresses discomfort caused by localized swelling of the superabsorbent polymer in the first absorbent material 4.

[0080] Next, the high-rigidity section 7 will be explained further. Figure 5 is a partial plan view illustrating an example of the configuration of the high-rigidity section 7 of the light incontinence pad 1 according to this embodiment.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the high-rigidity portion 7 is formed by embossing, and the density of the embossed pattern in the inner region IS in the width direction W is higher than the density of the embossed pattern in the outer region OS. That is, in the high-rigidity portion 7, the inner region IS in the width direction W is more rigid than the outer region OS. By making the inner region IS of the high-rigidity portion 7 more rigid, it is possible to create a difference in rigidity between the high-rigidity portion 7 and the region further inside in the width direction W from the high-rigidity portion 7. As a result, the high-rigidity portion 7 becomes more easily deformed, bending more at the boundary between it and the region further inside in the width direction W from the high-rigidity portion 7, making it easier to deform the leak-proof wall to become higher or the leak-proof groove to become deeper. Then, leakage to the outside can be further suppressed by damming up bodily fluids at the leak-proof wall or by diffusing bodily fluids in the longitudinal direction L at the leak-proof groove.

[0082] Next, the anti-slip joint 9 will be described further. Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating an example of the configuration of the anti-slip joint 9 of the light incontinence pad 1 according to the embodiment.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment of this product, the light incontinence pad 1 further includes a slip-prevention joint area EA, which has a slip-prevention joint 9 located on the non-skin side of the back sheet 3 and overlapping with the first absorbent 4 in a plan view. The positions of both ends of the slip-prevention joint area EA in the width direction W are the same as, or further inward in the width direction W, the positions of both ends of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W. Therefore, in a plan view, the areas on both outer sides of the first absorbent 4 in the width direction W, excluding the wing portion 10 (including the side sheet 6), are not fixed to the underwear and can be freely deformed. As a result, the side sheet 6 is easily deformed and provides a good fit.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment of this design, in the light incontinence pad 1, the inner end 11E of the wing material 11 in the width direction W extends inward (protrudes) in the width direction W than the fold line WFL that connects the anterior base portion 10FE and the posterior base portion 10BE in the longitudinal direction L. That is, the inner end 11E of the wing material 11 is located inward in the width direction W than the fold line WFL that is used when the wing portion 10 is folded back to the non-skin side of the underwear when the light incontinence pad 1 is attached to underwear. In this way, the central part in the longitudinal direction L of the light incontinence pad 1, which is prone to deformation in the width direction W, is reinforced by the wing material 11. Therefore, when the light incontinence pad 1 is attached to underwear, the central part in the longitudinal direction L is less likely to deform unintentionally even if it comes into contact with the inner surface of the wearer's thigh. This helps to suppress the wearer from feeling discomfort.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the surface sheet 2 of the light incontinence pad 1 extends along the longitudinal direction L and includes a plurality of convex portions (not shown) and a plurality of recesses (not shown) that are spaced apart in the width direction W. Therefore, diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction W can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the surface sheet 2 includes a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of recesses, it is easy to fold along the recesses and / or convex portions, making it easy to form a leak-proof groove along the longitudinal direction L.

[0086] The absorbent article is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate or publicly known technologies can be applied without departing from the purpose and spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1. Absorbent items (light incontinence pads) 2. Surface sheet 4. First absorber 5. Second absorber 6 side seats

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising: a surface sheet having mutually orthogonal longitudinal, width, and thickness directions; a first absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the surface sheet and composed of an SAP sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer; a second absorbent disposed on the non-skin side of the first absorbent; and a pair of hydrophobic side sheets located on both sides of the surface sheet in the width direction, wherein the inner end of each of the pair of side sheets in the width direction is laminated on the skin side of each of the ends of the surface sheet in the width direction, At the center of the longitudinal direction, the length of the first absorbent in the width direction is shorter than the length of the second absorbent in the width direction. In a plan view, each of the pair of side sheets is positioned outside the widthwise direction of the first absorber. Absorbent material.

2. In a plan view, the region including the first absorbent further comprises an embossed portion formed from the surface sheet toward the first absorbent, and reaching at least the non-skin side of the first absorbent. The embossed portion is located in the regions at both ends of the width direction when the first absorbent is divided into three equal parts in the width direction, and extends along the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a high-rigidity portion that joins the widthwise end of the surface sheet with the widthwise inner end of each of the pair of side sheets. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Each of the pair of side sheets has a dry edge at its inner end in the width direction, which is located inside the high-rigidity portion. The absorbent article according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned high-rigidity portion is formed by embossing, The density of the embossed pattern in the inner region in the width direction is higher than the density of the embossed pattern in the outer region. The absorbent article according to claim 3.

6. The back sheet located on the non-skin side of the second absorbent, A region having a shear-preventing joint on the non-skin side of the back sheet, where, in a plan view, the shear-preventing joint is located at a position overlapping with the first absorbent, Furthermore, The positions of both ends in the width direction within the region where the anti-slip joint exists are the same as, or further inward in the width direction than, the positions of both ends in the width direction in the first absorber. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first absorbent is The superabsorbent polymer and, An upper sheet and a lower sheet covering the superabsorbent polymer from above and below in the thickness direction, A joining portion located at both ends of the width direction of the upper sheet and the lower sheet, extending along the longitudinal direction, and joining the upper sheet and the lower sheet, including, The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The first absorbent further comprises a sealing portion located outside the widthwise direction of the joining portion located at both ends of the widthwise edge of the first absorbent, which joins the widthwise end of the surface sheet with the widthwise inner end of each of the pair of side sheets, The sealing portion overlaps with the second absorbent in the thickness direction, The absorbent article according to claim 7.

9. The system further comprises a diffusion sheet located between the surface sheet and the first absorber, The length of the diffusion sheet in the width direction is longer than the length of the first absorber in the width direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of wing portions extending from the central portion in the longitudinal direction to both outer sides in the width direction, The wing portion includes, at its inner end in the width direction, a front base located on the front side in the longitudinal direction and a rear base located on the rear side. The wing portion comprises wing material positioned on the non-skin side of the side sheet. The inner end in the width direction of the wing material extends inward in the width direction beyond the fold line connecting the front base and the rear base in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The aforementioned surface sheet is Multiple protrusions extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, A plurality of recesses extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, Includes, Each of the multiple protrusions and each of the multiple recesses are arranged alternately. In a plan view, the plurality of protrusions and / or parts of the plurality of recesses are arranged between each of the pair of side sheets and the first absorber. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

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