Absorbent articles

Abstract

The present invention provides an absorbent article equipped with a closing mechanism using a bonding agent, which prevents the skin-side edges from opening when the article is disposed of with the skin-side edges closed. [Solution] An absorbent article (1) having a liquid-absorbing absorbent core (10) having longitudinal, width, and thickness directions that are mutually orthogonal in an unfolded state, wherein the skin-facing side has an adhesive (30) that can be bonded to a part of the absorbent article (1) when discarded, and when the absorbent article (1) is folded in half longitudinally with the skin-facing side inward and dropped from a predetermined height (h) onto the floor (FL) with the adhesive (30) bonded to a part (30') of the absorbent article, at least a part of the adhesive (30) maintains a state of being bonded to a part (30') of the absorbent article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an absorbent article that can be easily removed after use and can be kept in a small bundled state after removal. Specifically, when the used absorbent article is rolled up from one end in the longitudinal direction for disposal, it is said that it can be held in a rolled-up state by a belt-like region near the outer peripheral edge of the absorbent article.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, when the absorbent article absorbs a large amount of excrement, the swelling in the thickness direction increases, so it may be difficult to roll it up from the end. In that case, an absorbent article provided with a closing mechanism that closes in a state of being folded with the skin side facing inward is desired. The closing mechanism is provided such that, for example, when the absorbent article is folded in half with the skin side facing inward, joining means such as an adhesive or a self-adhesive face each other at both ends of the absorbent article. In such an absorbent article provided with a closing mechanism, after use, by closing the skin side surface to which excreted liquid has adhered, it can be hygienically discarded while confining the excreted liquid and its odor.

[0005] Furthermore, when disposing of such absorbent items after use, it is highly likely that the absorbent item will be dropped into a trash can (sanitary box, etc.) from a predetermined height with the skin-side of the absorbent item closed. At this time, if the closing mechanism opens due to the impact of the fall, the skin-side will be exposed, and the odor of excretory fluids, etc., may spread, making hygienic disposal impossible.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an absorbent article equipped with a closing mechanism using a bonding agent, which prevents the skin-side from opening when disposed of with the skin-side closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The main invention for achieving the above objective is an absorbent article having a liquid-absorbing core, having longitudinal, width, and thickness directions that are mutually orthogonal in an unfolded state, wherein the skin-facing side has an adhesive that can be bonded to a part of the absorbent article when discarded, and when the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward and dropped from a predetermined height onto the floor in a drop test with the adhesive bonded to a part of the absorbent article, at least a part of the adhesive remains bonded to a part of the absorbent article.

[0008] 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, it is possible to provide an absorbent article equipped with a closing mechanism using a bonding agent, which prevents the skin-side from opening when the article is disposed of with the skin-side closed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view of pad 1 in its unfolded and extended state, as seen from the skin side. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of pad 1. [Figure 3] Figures 3A and 3B show the state when pad 1 is folded in half along its longitudinal direction. [Figure 4] This is a magnified section illustrating the details of the configuration of pad 1. [Figure 5] Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30'. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the joining means 30 and 30'. [Figure 7] This diagram illustrates the operation and effect of the pad 1 to which joining means 30, 30' are applied. [Figure 8] Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the operation of pad 1 during disposal. [Figure 9] This is a diagram explaining the method of the drop test. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the case where one joining means 30 and the other joining means 30' are joined in a state where they are offset in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the absorbent core 10 and the joining means 30, 30'. [Figure 12] Figures 12A and 12B illustrate the action of opening the skin side when starting to use pad 1. [Figure 13] This diagram illustrates the case where pad 1 is attached to a disposable diaper 100 for use. [Figure 14] Figures 14A and 14B illustrate the state in which the pad 1 is attached to the inside of the diaper 100. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the joining means 30, 30' of pad 1. [Figure 16] This is a diagram illustrating the adjacent layer 40. [Figure 17] This is a schematic plan view of pad 1 in its unfolded and extended state, as seen from the non-skin side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following at least will be made clear from the description of this specification and the attached drawings. (Aspect 1) An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other in the unfolded state, and having a liquid-absorbent absorbent core, wherein the skin side surface has an adhesive that can be joined to a part of the absorbent article at the time of disposal, and the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction so that the skin side surface faces inward, and when a drop test is performed by dropping the absorbent article from a predetermined height onto a floor surface in a state where the adhesive is joined to a part of the absorbent article, at least a part of the adhesive maintains a state of being joined to a part of the absorbent article. An absorbent article characterized by this.

[0012] According to the absorbent article of Aspect 1, when an operation of closing the skin side surface of the used absorbent article and discarding (dropping) it into a trash can is performed, even when receiving the impact of dropping, the joined state of the adhesive is likely to be maintained, and it is difficult for the skin side surface to open. Therefore, it is possible to discard the absorbent article hygienically and it is possible to make it difficult to cause discomfort to the user.

[0013] (Aspect 2) The absorbent article according to Aspect 1, wherein when the drop test is performed with 300 ml of artificial urine contained in the absorbent core, at least a part of the adhesive maintains a state of being joined to a part of the absorbent article.

[0014] According to the absorbent article of Aspect 2, when a drop test is performed on an absorbent article whose weight has increased by absorbing artificial urine, if the joined state of the adhesive can be maintained, when discarding the absorbent article that has actually absorbed excrement into a trash can, it becomes easier to maintain the state where the skin side surface is closed. Therefore, it is possible to discard the absorbent article hygienically and it is possible to make it difficult to cause discomfort to the user.

[0015] (Aspect 3) An absorbent article according to embodiment 1 or 2, having a top sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent core, wherein the adhesive is tacky, and when the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction with the skin side facing inward, and the top sheet facing the adhesive is joined together, the drop test is performed, and at least a portion of the adhesive remains joined to a portion of the absorbent article.

[0016] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 3, by using an adhesive as a bonding agent, the bonding state when the bonding agent and the opposing top sheet are pressed together is more easily maintained, and even when the absorbent article is disposed of in a trash can, the skin-facing side is less likely to open.

[0017] (Aspect 4) The adhesive comprises a one-sided adhesive provided on one side in the longitudinal direction and a other-sided adhesive provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction, wherein the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are self-adhesive, and when the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the drop test is performed with the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive joined to each other, at least a portion of the one-sided adhesive remains joined to a portion of the other-sided adhesive, as described in embodiment 1 or 2.

[0018] According to the absorbent article of Embodiment 4, even if the self-adhesive adhesive comes into contact with the wearer's skin during wear, it is less likely to adhere to the skin and less likely to cause discomfort to the wearer. Furthermore, when the adhesive on one side and the adhesive on the other side are pressed together, the bond between the adhesives is easily maintained, making it less likely for the skin-facing side to open when the absorbent article is disposed of in a trash can.

[0019] (Aspect 5) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein, in a state in which the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are joined to each other, the central position of the one-sided adhesive in the longitudinal direction and the central position of the other-sided adhesive in the longitudinal direction are misaligned.

[0020] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 5, even when the adhesive on one side and the adhesive on the other side are joined in a misaligned state, the bond between the adhesives is easily maintained. Therefore, when disposing of the absorbent article in a trash can, it is less likely to open the skin-facing side.

[0021] (Aspect 6) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, having a top sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent core, wherein the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are applied to the skin side of the top sheet, and the force required to peel off the one-sided adhesive from a state in which it is bonded to the other-sided adhesive is smaller than the force required to peel off the one-sided adhesive from a state in which it is applied to the skin side of the top sheet.

[0022] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 6, when opening the skin-side of the absorbent article in a folded state, the bond between the adhesive on one side and the top sheet can be released while maintaining the bond between the adhesive on one side and the top sheet. Therefore, the operation of opening the skin-side when starting to use the absorbent article and the operation of closing the skin-side when disposing of it can be performed smoothly.

[0023] (Aspect 7) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, having a top sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent core, and having a locking means on the non-skin side that can be locked to the skin side of a disposable diaper, wherein the force required to peel off the one-sided adhesive from a state in which the one-sided adhesive is locked to the other-sided adhesive is smaller than the force required to peel off the locking means from a state in which the locking means is locked to the top sheet.

[0024] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 7, when used attached to the skin side of a disposable diaper, the bond between one adhesive and the other adhesive can be released while maintaining the engagement between the skin side of the diaper and the locking means. Therefore, it is possible to easily open the waist opening of the disposable diaper while the absorbent article is attached.

[0025] (Pattern 8) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the adhesive is provided across the end of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction, and when the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction with the skin side facing inward, and the portion of the adhesive that overlaps with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction is bonded to a part of the absorbent article, the drop test is performed, and at least a portion of the overlapping portion remains bonded to a part of the absorbent article.

[0026] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 8, when the portion of the one-sided adhesive that overlaps with the absorbent core is pressed from the non-skin side, the pressing force is efficiently applied due to the thickness of the absorbent core, making it easier to firmly bond the one-sided adhesive to the opposing surface. As a result, the skin side of the absorbent article is less likely to open when it is disposed of after use.

[0027] (Aspect 9) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the adhesive is provided across the end of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction, and when the absorbent article is folded in half in the longitudinal direction with the skin side facing inward, and the portion of the adhesive that does not overlap with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction is bonded to a part of the absorbent article, the drop test is performed, and at least a portion of the non-overlapping portion remains bonded to a part of the absorbent article.

[0028] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 9, by pressing the portion of the one-sided adhesive that does not overlap with the absorbent core from the non-skin side, the excretory fluid absorbed by the absorbent core is less likely to seep out (rewetting is less likely to occur). Therefore, the bonding means is less likely to get wet with excretory fluid and the bonding strength will decrease, and the one-sided adhesive can be more easily bonded firmly to the opposing surface. As a result, the skin side of the absorbent article is less likely to open when it is disposed of after use.

[0029] (Aspect 10) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein, in either the longitudinal direction or the width direction, when the adhesive is divided into three equal parts into a first adjacent region, a central region, and a second adjacent region, the bonding force of the first adjacent region or the second adjacent region is weaker than the bonding force of the central region.

[0030] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 10, when the absorbent article is folded in half lengthwise, one end of the absorbent article comes into contact with the other, making it easier to maintain the state in which the excrement on the skin side is covered by the absorbent article. As a result, when disposing of the absorbent article after use, the skin side is less likely to open.

[0031] (Aspect 11) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, comprising a top sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent core and a back sheet provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core, having an adjacent layer adjacent to the top sheet in the thickness direction, on the skin side of the back sheet and on the non-skin side of the adhesive, and having a portion where the adhesive and the adjacent layer overlap when viewed in the thickness direction in an unfolded and stretched state.

[0032] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 11, even if moisture such as excretory fluid absorbed by the absorbent core penetrates (re-wets) the top sheet from the non-skin side toward the skin side, the presence of an adjacent layer on the non-skin side of the bonding means makes it easier to suppress the moisture from reaching the bonding means. Therefore, the bonding means is less likely to get wet and its bonding strength reduced, making it easier to maintain the absorbent article in a closed state (with the bonding means joined). As a result, the skin side of the absorbent article is less likely to open when disposing of it after use.

[0033] (Aspect 12) An absorbent article according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, having a mark visible from the non-skin side, and having a portion where the adhesive and the mark overlap when viewed in the thickness direction in an unfolded and extended state.

[0034] According to the absorbent article of embodiment 12, when the absorbent article is folded with the skin side inward for disposal, pressing on the mark visible from the non-skin side presses the joining means at the overlapping part with the mark, making it easier to press the joining means together. As a result, the skin side of the absorbent article is less likely to open when disposed of after use.

[0035] ===First Embodiment=== As an example of the absorbent article according to the first embodiment, a urine pad (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "pad") will be used for explanation. However, the absorbent article according to this embodiment is not limited to a urine pad, and can also be applied to, for example, sanitary napkins, disposable panty-type diapers, shorts-type sanitary napkins, disposable tape-type diapers, pet diapers, absorbent sheets for nursing care or pets, etc.

[0036] <Basic configuration of urine absorption pad 1> First, let's explain the basic structure of the urine absorption pad 1. Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the pad 1 in its unfolded and extended state, as seen from the skin side. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pad 1. The urine absorption pad 1 can be used by placing it inside a pant-type or tape-type disposable diaper, or it can be used as a standalone pad by placing it directly inside the wearer's underwear (pants or shorts).

[0037] When unfolded, pad 1 has a roughly rectangular shape in plan view and has mutually perpendicular longitudinal, width, and thickness directions. The longitudinal direction follows the front-to-back direction from the wearer's abdomen to the back when pad 1 is worn. In the thickness direction, the side that contacts the wearer's skin is called the skin side, and the opposite side is called the non-skin side. Since pad 1 in this embodiment has a symmetrical configuration in the longitudinal direction, either side of pad 1 in the longitudinal direction may correspond to the wearer's abdomen. Also, unlike tape-type or pant-type diapers, pad 1 is worn without one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction being connected along the wearer's waist.

[0038] The unfolded state of pad 1 refers to the state in which the entire pad 1 is unfolded flat. The extended state of pad 1 refers to the state in which pad 1 is extended to the point in which wrinkles that were present on pad 1 are virtually invisible, and pad 1 is extended until the dimensions of each component constituting pad 1 (for example, the side sheet 4 described later) match or are close to the dimensions of the individual component.

[0039] The pad 1 comprises a liquid-absorbing core 10, a liquid-permeable surface sheet 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "top sheet 2") (e.g., nonwoven fabric) located on the skin side of the absorbent core 10, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3 (e.g., a resin film such as polyethylene or polypropylene) located on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 10, and a pair of side sheets 4 provided on both sides of the pad 1 in the width direction. As shown in Figure 2, the pair of side sheets 4 are folded inward in the width direction from the width direction side of the non-skin side of the back sheet 3 toward the skin side of the top sheet 2, so as to wrap around the absorbent core 10.

[0040] An example of the absorbent core 10 is a liquid-absorbing fiber, such as pulp fiber containing SAP (superabsorbent polymer), molded into a predetermined shape. The absorbent core 10 is covered with a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 11 (e.g., tissue). However, the absorbent core 10 is not limited to the above, and may be an SAP sheet in which an SAP layer is attached to a hydrophilic sheet, or an airlaid sheet in which liquid-absorbing fibers are molded into a sheet by the airlaid method, or it may be a configuration of two or more layers. Furthermore, the absorbent core 10 does not have to be covered with the core wrap sheet 11.

[0041] Furthermore, a fixing member 20 is provided on the non-skin side of the pad 1 to attach the pad 1 to the inner surface of a pant-type diaper or underwear (outer garment). Fixing members 20 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pad 1. The fixing member 20 is, for example, a rectangular member, and its long side is provided so as to be aligned with the width direction of the pad 1. The fixing member 20 is preferably a member that can be peeled off from the inner surface of the outer garment without damaging the outer garment and can be reattached. In this embodiment, the fixing member 20 is a tape with a hook material (for example, the male part of a hook-and-loop fastener). Other examples of fixing members 20 include tape coated with adhesive. Note that the fixing member 20 may not be provided.

[0042] Furthermore, the pad 1 has a pair of leg-circumference elastic members 5 provided along the longitudinal direction on both sides in the width direction. In Figure 2, the leg-circumference elastic members 5 are fixed in an extended state in the longitudinal direction between the back sheet 3 and the side sheet 4. This makes it easier for both sides of the pad 1 in the width direction to conform closely to the wearer's legs.

[0043] Furthermore, the pad 1 has a pair of leak-proof wall portions 6 on both sides in the width direction that can be raised toward the skin. The leak-proof wall portion 6 comprises a side sheet 4 and a leak-proof wall elastic member 7. Both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the surface sheet 2 by adhesive areas 8. The leak-proof wall elastic member 7 is fixed to the inner end of the side sheet 4 in the width direction in an extended state along the longitudinal direction of the pad 1. When the pad 1 is worn, the tip of the leak-proof wall portion 6 rises toward the skin based on the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member 7, and the lateral leakage of excretory fluids, etc. is suppressed by the raised leak-proof wall portion 6.

[0044] Furthermore, the pad 1 has joining means 30, 30' at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The details of their configuration will be described below.

[0045] <Joining means 30, 30'> As shown in Figure 1, a one-sided joining means 30 is provided on the skin-facing side (surface sheet 2) of the pad 1 as a joining means. Furthermore, a other-sided joining means 30' is provided on the skin-facing side (surface sheet 2) of the pad 1 at the other end in the longitudinal direction. When the pad 1 is to be discarded, the one-sided joining means 30 can be joined to the other-sided joining means 30', which is part of the pad 1, as a closing mechanism. In this embodiment, the joining means 30 and 30' are regions in which at least a portion is provided with an adhesive (such as a self-adhesive adhesive described later).

[0046] Figure 3 shows the state when pad 1 is folded in half along its longitudinal direction. Specifically, the folded state is the state in which pad 1 is folded along the center line (center position) CL in the longitudinal direction, that is, the pad 1 is divided into two equal parts along its longitudinal direction and folded along the center line CL (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the fold line FL) along the width direction. This state is, for example, the state of pad 1 before use or the state when it is disposed of after use. Figure 3A is a plan view of pad 1 in the state when folded in half along its longitudinal direction, and Figure 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view of pad 1 when folded in half with the ends of pad 1 closed and viewed from the width direction. As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, when pad 1 is folded in half along its longitudinal direction, one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30' are arranged to overlap and face each other in the thickness direction, so that they can be joined.

[0047] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the details of the structure of pad 1, and shows a part of pad 1 in its unfolded and extended state. The position of the one-sided joining means 30 in the longitudinal direction will be described, but since pad 1 is symmetrical in the longitudinal direction, the structure of the other-sided joining means 30' is the same as that of the one-sided joining means 30. The one-sided joining means 30 is provided at the end of pad 1 in the longitudinal direction, and at a predetermined distance d from the end of pad 1 in the longitudinal direction. The area extending in the width direction at a predetermined distance d from the end of pad 1 in the longitudinal direction to the one-sided joining means 30 is also called the dry edge D. The dry edge D is the non-adhesive area from the end of pad 1 to the one-sided joining means 30 where no adhesive is provided.

[0048] The one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' each have a self-adhesive adhesive 31 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as self-adhesive or self-adhesive bonding agent) as a joining portion. Note that the bonding agent in this embodiment is not limited to a self-adhesive bonding agent, but may also be an adhesive.

[0049] Figures 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30'. The adhesive 31, which serves as a joining portion provided on the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30', has low tackiness (adhesion) of its own, but exhibits adhesive force (hereinafter referred to as bonding force) when the adhesive 31s are pressed together with relatively weak pressure. As shown in Figure 5A, when the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are pressed together, the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' stick together (bonding force is exhibited) due to their respective adhesives 31. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5B, when the adhesive 31 comes into contact with a nonwoven fabric provided on the pad 1 or with a material other than the adhesive 31, such as skin, the one-sided joining means 30 does not easily stick to the material it comes into contact with.

[0050] The bonding force between the adhesive 31 and other members is preferably 1 / 4 or less of the bonding force between the adhesive 31s themselves. More preferably, the bonding force between the adhesive 31 and other members is 1 / 10 or less of the bonding force between the adhesive 31s themselves. Furthermore, when the adhesive 31s are brought into contact with each other, they can be separated without damaging the adhesive 31s, and can be re-bonded by bringing them into contact again after separation.

[0051] The adhesive 31 is not particularly limited as long as it is safe to come into contact with the wearer's skin, and examples include emulsion-type self-adhesives (emulsion inks) and hot-melt self-adhesives (HMAs). As the main component of the emulsion-type self-adhesive, it can be used by mixing natural rubber, synthetic rubber, etc. with emulsifiers, etc., and those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2589307 and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-095381 may be used. As the main component of the hot-melt self-adhesive, it can be used by heating and melting thermoplastic resins such as polyolefins and polyamides, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 7476348 and Japanese Patent No. 7543716. In this embodiment, an emulsion-type self-adhesive is used.

[0052] Next, the specific configurations of the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' will be explained in detail using Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the joining means 30 and 30'. As shown in Figure 6, the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are quadrilateral regions that circumscribe the portion to which the self-adhesive adhesive 31 is applied as the joining area. In Figure 6, the region to which the self-adhesive adhesive 31 is applied is shown as a lightly filled area.

[0053] As mentioned above, in this embodiment, an emulsion-based self-adhesive agent is used as the bonding agent 31. Furthermore, one application is defined as applying the bonding agent 31 uniformly in a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the width direction (so-called solid coating), and in the example shown in Figure 6, it is applied repeatedly three times. By applying the bonding agent 31 in multiple layers in the thickness direction, the bonding strength when bonding agents 31 are joined together can be increased compared to the case of a single application. Note that although three applications are used in this embodiment, it is not limited to this.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the application positions of the adhesive 31 are offset in the longitudinal and width directions. Therefore, as shown in the thickness direction diagrams (lower side view and right side view) of Figure 6, the amount of adhesive 31 applied per unit area (basis weight or basis weight) in the first adjacent regions L1 and W1 adjacent to one of the central regions Lc and Wc, and in the second adjacent regions L2 and W2 adjacent to the other, is less than the amount of adhesive 31 applied per unit area in the central regions Lc and Wc. In other words, since the amount of adhesive 31 applied per unit area is less than in the central regions Lc and Wc, the bonding strength is also lower than in the central regions Lc and Wc.

[0055] <Regarding the joining force of joining means 30 and 30'> Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation and effect of the pad 1 to which the joining means 30, 30' are applied. Figure 7A is a view from the thickness direction of the pad 1 when it is folded in half along the fold line FL so that the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' face each other, and the two halves are bonded together. Figure 7B is a diagram showing the process of separating the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' when unfolding the pad 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the pad 1 is folded in half along the center line CL (fold line FL), as shown in Figure 7A, at least a portion of the central region Lc of the one-sided joining means 30 and the central region Lc' of the other-sided joining means 30' overlap in the thickness direction. Although not shown, in the width direction, similar to the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the central region Wc of the one-sided joining means 30 and the central region Wc' of the other-sided joining means 30' also overlap.

[0057] The one-sided joining means 30 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction and the width direction. In the longitudinal direction, these are the first longitudinal adjacent region L1, the longitudinal central region Lc, and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2, starting from one side. In the width direction, these are the first width adjacent region W1, the width central region Wc, and the second width adjacent region W2. (See Figure 6) There are differences in joining strength among these regions. In this embodiment, the joining strength of the first adjacent regions L1 and W1, which are adjacent to one side of the central regions Lc and Wc, is weaker than the joining strength of the central regions Lc and Wc in the longitudinal and width directions. Furthermore, the joining strength of the second adjacent regions L2 and W2, which are adjacent to the other side of the central regions Lc and Wc, is weaker than the joining strength of the central regions Lc and Wc.

[0058] The magnitude of the bonding force in each region, such as the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 and the longitudinal central region Lc, can be evaluated by the amount (basis weight) of the bonding agent 31 per unit area provided in each region. In each region, the greater the amount (basis weight) of the bonding agent 31 per unit area, the greater the bonding force.

[0059] Alternatively, the magnitude of the bonding force in each region may be evaluated using a measuring instrument.

[0060] When measuring the magnitude of the bonding force in the first longitudinal adjacent region L1, the longitudinal central region Lc, and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2, two sample pieces are prepared. The first sample piece is a cut-out of the region to be measured from the first longitudinal adjacent region L1, the longitudinal central region Lc, etc. The second sample piece is a nonwoven fabric to which a uniform amount of bonding agent 31 has been applied.

[0061] By attaching masking tape to the end of the sample piece, a holding portion (grasping portion) is formed at the end of the sample piece. Next, the two sample pieces are placed on top of each other, and the two sample pieces are joined together by rolling a 2kg roller at 5mm / second from the opposite side of the holding portion.

[0062] Next, the sample piece is held in the chuck of a tensile testing machine (for example, an Instron universal material testing machine), and the two sample pieces are separated by pulling the two holding parts apart in the longitudinal direction. The tensile load at the time of separation is then measured. The average value of the tensile load represents the magnitude of the bonding force in the area being measured.

[0063] The joint strength can be measured in the same manner for the first adjacent width region W1, the central width region Wc, and the second adjacent width region W2.

[0064] Before use (during packaging), the pad 1 is closed, and for example, as shown in Figure 7A, the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are in contact. When using the pad 1, as shown in B, the user grasps the areas of the dry edges D provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pad 1 and pulls it apart toward the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0065] In this case, if the bonding force at the point where the peeling begins is strong, it may be difficult to open when unfolding, and this may be particularly difficult for elderly users with reduced dexterity in their fingers. However, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, the bonding force of the first longitudinal adjacent regions L1 and L1' in the one-side bonding means 30 is weaker than the bonding force of the longitudinal central regions Lc and Lc'. Therefore, it can be peeled and unfolded with relatively less force compared to when the bonding force of the first longitudinal adjacent regions L1 and L1' in the one-side bonding means 30 is stronger than, or the same as, the bonding force of the longitudinal central regions Lc and Lc'. Furthermore, because a dry edge D is provided, it is easier for the user to grasp and even easier to peel off.

[0066] In this embodiment, since the second adjacent region L2 with weak bonding force is located on the longitudinal centerline CL side, the pad 1 can also be peeled away from the leg-around elastic member 5 toward the end. In this case as well, the same effects as described above are achieved. Furthermore, since a dry edge D is provided over a predetermined distance d from the end in the width direction of the pad 1, the ease of peeling can be improved even when performing such peeling.

[0067] Furthermore, the central region (first portion 34) of both the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' has a stronger joining force than the adjacent region. As a result, when the pad 1 is folded in half along the fold line FL after use or disposal, it is easier to maintain the state in which the pad 1 covers the excrement on the side of the skin by bringing one end of the pad 1 into contact with the other end.

[0068] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to the above. The coating amount in either the first adjacent region L1, W1 or the second adjacent region L2, W2 may be less than that in the central region Lc, Wc. Alternatively, the difference in coating amount may be in only one of the directions, either the longitudinal or the width. For example, the coating amount in the second adjacent region L2 (second longitudinal adjacent region) in the longitudinal direction may be less than that in the central region Lc. In this case, when the user peels off the pad 1, they can easily unfold it by peeling it off from the second adjacent region L2, which has weaker bonding force.

[0069] Furthermore, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, when the pad 1 is folded in half along the center line CL (fold line FL), the central regions Lc and Wc of the one-sided joining means 30 and the central regions Lc' and Wc' of the other-sided joining means 30' overlap in the thickness direction. Because the central regions overlap, when disposing of the pad 1, it is easier to maintain the state in which the pad 1 is folded in half and covers the excrement on the side of the skin with the pad 1.

[0070] Furthermore, the same effect and benefits can be achieved even when the pad 1 is folded in half at the center position in the width direction (a fold line along the center line in the width direction). In this case, two joining means should be provided on one side and the other side in the width direction, with the center line in the width direction as the reference.

[0071] Alternatively, the joining means 30 on one side may have varying degrees of joining force, while the joining means 30' on the other side may have a uniform joining force.

[0072] Furthermore, regarding the magnitude of the joining force in the longitudinal and width directions of the one-sided joining means 30, the value obtained by dividing the difference between the joining force of the longitudinal central region Lc and the joining force of the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 by the longitudinal length of the longitudinal central region Lc is greater than the value obtained by dividing the difference between the joining force of the width central region Wc and the joining force of the first width adjacent region W1 by the width direction length of the width central region Wc. In other words, the difference in joining force per unit length is greater in the longitudinal direction than in the width direction.

[0073] In the longitudinal direction, the difference in bonding force per unit length between the central region Lc(Lc') and the adjacent region L1(L1') is large. Therefore, even when the pad 1 is folded along the fold line FL in the width direction before use, and the one-sided bonding means 30 and the other-sided bonding means 30' of the pad 1 are joined, it is possible to easily separate the one-sided bonding means 30 and the other-sided bonding means 30' and unfold the pad in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, as shown in the configuration of Figure 6, in the width direction, the difference in bonding force per unit length between the central region Wc(Wc') and the adjacent region W1(W1') is small. Therefore, when discarding the pad 1, it is possible to easily maintain the state in which the excrement on the skin side is covered by the pad 1 by joining the one-sided bonding means 30 and the other-sided bonding means 30' provided on the skin side.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pad 1 is made possible by providing a first portion 34 and a second portion 35 that is thinner than the first portion 34 on the joining means 30 and 30', thereby forming convex and concave portions. As a result, when the joining means 30 on one side and the joining means 30' on the other side of the pad 1 are joined before use, the joining means 30 on one side and the joining means 30' on the other side can be easily separated and unfolded in the longitudinal direction. In other words, by forming irregularities with the adhesive 31, the concave portion 33, which is thinner in the thickness direction, can be made easier to separate.

[0075] Furthermore, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, since the joining means 30 and 30' are provided at the ends of the pad 1, it is easier to peel off and more difficult to open when disposing of the pad than when the joining means 30 and 30' are provided in the center.

[0076] <Regarding the operation when Pad 1 is discarded> After use, as explained in Figure 3B, the pad 1 is folded in half at the longitudinal center position CL so that the skin-facing side (the side on which the top sheet 2 is attached) is facing inward, and the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are joined to each other, and the pad is disposed of with the skin-facing side closed. In this way, the pad 1 can be disposed of hygienically without exposing the skin-facing side to which excrement is attached.

[0077] Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the procedure for disposing of pad 1. When disposing of pad 1 after use, the user (wearer) of pad 1 typically folds the pad 1 in half lengthwise to close the skin-facing side, and then, as shown in Figure 8A, grasps the top end and drops it into a trash can (sanitary box, etc.) from a predetermined height. However, at this time, the impact of the fall may cause the skin-facing side of pad 1 to open. For example, the connection between the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' may detach, causing the folded pad 1 to unfold and expose the top sheet 2, etc., as shown in Figure 8B. In this case, the odor of the excrement attached to the skin-facing side may easily spread into and outside the trash can, potentially causing discomfort to the user.

[0078] Therefore, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are configured such that even when the pad 1 is disposed of in a trash can, the skin-facing side does not easily open. Specifically, when the pad 1 is folded in half and the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are joined to each other, and a drop test is performed in which it is dropped onto the floor from a predetermined height, the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' are configured such that they remain joined at least partially.

[0079] Here, we will explain the "drop test". Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the method of the drop test. First, a pad 1 is prepared as the test subject, with the skin-side closed and the one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30' joined to each other. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3B, the pad 1 is folded in half at the central position CL in the longitudinal direction, so that the one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30' face each other. Then, the folded pad 1 is pressed from the thickness direction to press the one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30 together. The pressing is performed by moving a roller with a mass of 2 kg back and forth along the width direction of the pad 1 at a speed of 5 mm / sec from the one-side joining means 30 or the non-skin side of the one-side joining means 30.

[0080] Next, after pressing down on the pad 1 and leaving it for about one minute, grasp the upper end (the outer end in the longitudinal direction in Figure 1) and stop the pad 1 at a position where the height from the floor surface (FL) to the lower end of the pad 1 (the central position CL in the longitudinal direction) is h. The floor surface should be a surface with generally low shock absorption, such as concrete, tile, or stone. The height h is set to 500 mm, assuming the average height at which the pad 1 is thrown into the trash can (see Figure 8A).

[0081] Next, the hand holding the upper end of pad 1 is released, and pad 1 is allowed to freefall from a height h. Then, pad 1 is checked on the floor and it is recorded whether the entirety of the one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' are separated from each other, or whether at least a portion of the one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' are joined. This test is repeated multiple times (for example, N=20 times), and if at least a portion of the one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' are joined in 90% or more of the tests, it is considered that the joined state between the one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' is maintained during the drop test.

[0082] In the pad 1 of this embodiment, the connecting means 30, 30' are configured such that the connection between one side connecting means 30 and the other side connecting means 30' is maintained even after the above drop test is performed with the skin-side sides closed. Therefore, even when the skin-side sides of the used pad 1 are closed and the pad is disposed of (dropped) into a trash can, the skin-side sides are difficult to open, allowing for hygienic disposal of the pad 1 and minimizing discomfort for the user.

[0083] Furthermore, after actual use, the pad 1 is likely to have increased in weight compared to before use because the absorbent core 10 has absorbed urine and other excretions. If the weight of the pad 1 has increased, the amount of motion required when dropping the pad 1 into a trash can (floor) will be greater, resulting in a greater impact and potentially causing the skin side to open more easily. Therefore, it is preferable that the above drop test be conducted in a state closer to that of actual use, by allowing a predetermined amount of liquid to be absorbed into the absorbent core 10.

[0084] Specifically, 300 ml of artificial urine is injected (absorbed) into the absorbent core 10 using a cylinder or the like, and then a drop test is performed according to the procedure described above. Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting means 30, 30' are configured such that the connection between one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' is maintained even after the drop test. As artificial urine, for example, a liquid prepared by dissolving 200 g of urea, 80 g of sodium chloride, 8 g of magnesium sulfate, 3 g of calcium chloride, and approximately 1 g of Blue No. 1 dye in 10 L of deionized water can be used. The amount of artificial urine injected into the absorbent core 10 should be determined based on the intended use of the pad 1. In this embodiment, assuming an average single urination volume of 150 ml, the drop test was performed assuming that the absorbent core 10 had absorbed two urinations (150 ml x 2 times) after use. Furthermore, if pad 1 is used (worn) for an extended period and repeatedly absorbs urine, the amount of artificial urine injected into the absorbent core 10 should be increased as appropriate before conducting the drop test. For example, if the pad 1 is intended to absorb up to eight urinations, the drop test may be performed after the absorbent core 10 has absorbed approximately 150 ml x 8 = 1200 ml of artificial urine.

[0085] A drop test is performed on pad 1, whose weight has increased due to absorbing artificial urine. If the result shows that the connection between one-sided connecting means 30 and the other-sided connecting means 30' is maintained, then there is a high probability that the skin-side of pad 1, which has actually absorbed excrement, will remain closed when discarded in a trash can. Therefore, pad 1 can be disposed of hygienically, and it is less likely to cause discomfort to the user.

[0086] Furthermore, an adhesive adhesive may be used as the bonding agent 31 that constitutes the bonding means 30, 30' of the pad 1. Generally, adhesives are semi-solid and viscous, and exert a strong bonding force when pressed against the surface to be bonded. Therefore, by using an adhesive as the bonding agent 31, the bonded state when one bonding means 30 and the other bonding means 30' are pressed together is more easily maintained, and even when the pad 1 is disposed of in a trash can (see Figure 8A), the skin side is less likely to open.

[0087] Furthermore, if the one-sided bonding means 30 is composed of an adhesive, it is not necessarily required that the other-sided bonding means 30' also be an adhesive. That is, since the one-sided bonding means 30 (adhesive) alone can bond to the opposing surface, the one-sided bonding means 30 and the other-sided bonding means 30' can be bonded even if the other-sided bonding means 30' does not have adhesive properties. For example, even if the other-sided bonding means 30' is composed of a top sheet 2 (nonwoven fabric) instead of a bonding agent 31, it is still possible to press the one-sided bonding means 30 (adhesive) to the top sheet 2. In this case as well, when the pad 1 is disposed of and thrown into a trash can (see Figure 8A), it is difficult to open the skin-side surface. Also, since there is no need to provide a bonding agent 31 as the other-sided bonding means 30', the manufacturing cost of the pad 1 can be reduced.

[0088] On the other hand, a self-adhesive adhesive (self-adhesive agent) may be used as the adhesive agent 31 that constitutes the joining means 30, 30' of the pad 1. When a self-adhesive agent is used, as described above, a large bonding force is exhibited when self-adhesive agents are joined to each other, while the bonding force is small when a self-adhesive agent is joined to a member other than the self-adhesive agent. Therefore, even if the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive agent) and the other-sided joining means 30' (other-sided adhesive agent), which are composed of the self-adhesive agent, come into contact with the wearer's skin when the pad 1 is worn, the joining means 30, 30' (one-sided adhesive agent, other-sided adhesive agent) are unlikely to adhere to the skin and are unlikely to cause discomfort to the wearer. Conversely, since the bonded state when the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive agent) and the other-sided joining means 30' (other-sided adhesive agent) are pressed together is easily maintained, it is possible to make it difficult to open the skin side when the pad 1 is disposed of in a trash can (see Figure 8A).

[0089] Furthermore, when the pad 1 is folded in half and the skin-side closure is made, the one-side joining means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the other-side joining means 30' (other-side adhesive) may be joined in a state where they are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. Even in such cases, it is preferable that the skin-side closure is less likely to open when the pad 1 is discarded. Figure 10 shows a case where the one-side joining means 30 and the other-side joining means 30' are joined in a state where they are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 10, in the longitudinal direction, the central position C30 of the one-side joining means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the central position C30 of the other-side joining means 30' (other-side adhesive) of the folded pad 1 are offset from each other, and a portion of the joining means 30 and 30' are joined to each other.

[0090] The act of disposing of used pad 1 may be performed in a public restroom or other public place. In such an environment, it is difficult to accurately align and join the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) and the other-sided joining means 30' (the other-sided adhesive), and there is a risk that their opposing positions may become misaligned as shown in Figure 10. In the pad 1 of this embodiment, even in such a case, the results of the drop test described above show that the joined state between the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' is maintained. Therefore, even if the joining means 30 and 30' are joined with some misalignment when disposing of pad 1, it is difficult to open the skin side. This allows for safe disposal of pad 1 even in public restrooms or other public places.

[0091] Figure 11 illustrates the positional relationship between the absorbent core 10 and the joining means 30, 30'. Figure 11 shows the cross-sectional state of the pad 1 when it is folded in half at the central position CL in the longitudinal direction.

[0092] As shown in Figure 11, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) and the other-sided joining means 30' (other-sided adhesive) are arranged to straddle the end of the absorbent core 10 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) has an overlapping portion 30r that overlaps with the absorbent core 10 in the longitudinal direction, and a non-overlapping portion 30n that does not overlap with the absorbent core 10 in the longitudinal direction. When the joining means 30 and 30' are pressed against each other in the thickness direction in this state, the force pressing in the thickness direction tends to act strongly on the joining means 30 in the overlapping portion 30r based on the thickness of the absorbent core 10. Therefore, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, when the above drop test (see Figure 9) is performed with the overlapping portion 30r of the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) joined to the opposing surface (other-sided joining means 30'), the joining state of the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) is more easily maintained.

[0093] In other words, when the overlapping portion 30r of the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) that overlaps with the absorbent core 10 is pressed from the non-skin side, the pressing force is efficiently applied due to the thickness of the absorbent core, making it easier to firmly bond the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) to the opposing surface. As a result, when closing the skin side of the pad 1 after use for disposal, the skin side becomes less likely to open, allowing for hygienic disposal of the pad 1.

[0094] Furthermore, it is preferable that the bonded state of the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) is maintained even when the above drop test (see Figure 9) is performed with the non-overlapping portion 30n of the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) bonded to the opposing surface (the other-sided bonding means 30').

[0095] In Figure 11, when the joining means 30, 30' are pressed against each other in the thickness direction, the absorbent core 10 is not pressed in the non-overlapping portion 30n, making it difficult for excretory fluids such as urine absorbed by the absorbent core 10 to seep out. In other words, rewetting by urine, etc., which would wet the one-sided joining means 30 (one-sided adhesive) is suppressed, making it easier to join the joining means 30, 30' even with weak force.

[0096] In other words, when the non-overlapping portion 30n of the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) that does not overlap with the absorbent core 10 is pressed from the non-skin side, the leakage of excretory fluid absorbed by the absorbent core 10 is suppressed, and the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) can be firmly bonded to the opposing surface. As a result, when the skin side of the pad 1 is closed and disposed of after use, the skin side is less likely to open, and the pad 1 can be disposed of hygienically.

[0097] Furthermore, it is preferable that the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (the other-sided bonding agent) is smaller than the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the top sheet 2 (surface sheet 2). In other words, it is preferable that the force required to peel the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) away from the other-sided bonding means 30' (the other-sided bonding agent) is smaller than the force required to peel the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) provided on the skin side (top sheet 2) of the pad 1 away from the skin side (top sheet 2).

[0098] Figures 12A and 12B illustrate the process of opening the skin-facing side of pad 1 when starting to use it. When pad 1 is shipped from the manufacturing plant, it is packaged with the bonding means 30, 30' joined together and the skin-facing side closed, as shown in Figure 3B, and distributed to the market. When a user purchases pad 1 and starts using it, they need to separate the bonding means 30, 30' and open the skin-facing side. Figure 12A shows the skin-facing side of pad 1 in a properly opened state. When opening the skin-facing side of pad 1 in a folded state, the end 1ef on one side in the longitudinal direction and the end 1eb on the other side are grasped and pulled in the opposite direction in the thickness direction to separate the bonding means 30 (bonding agent on one side) and the bonding means 30' (bonding agent on the other side).

[0099] In this case, if the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) applied to the top sheet 2 and the top sheet 2 is greater than the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent), then the bond between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent) is more likely to peel off first. That is, The bond between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the top sheet 2 is maintained, while the bond between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent) is released. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12A, it becomes possible to open the skin side of the pad 1, and when the pad 1 is to be discarded, the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent) can be bonded again to close the skin side.

[0100] In contrast, Figure 12B shows a state where the skin-side of pad 1 does not open properly. In the case of Figure 12B, the bonding force between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the top sheet 2 is smaller than the bonding force between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side adhesive), and the bond between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the top sheet 2 peels off first. That is, the bonding state between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side adhesive) is maintained, while the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) peels off from the top sheet 2. In this case, it is possible to open the skin-side of pad 1, but it becomes impossible to maintain the skin-side in a closed state when disposing of pad 1. Also, there is a risk that the top sheet 2 will tear when the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side adhesive) peels off from the top sheet 2.

[0101] In the pad 1 of this embodiment, the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent) is made smaller than the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the top sheet 2 (surface sheet 2). This allows for smooth operation of opening the skin-side when starting use and closing the skin-side when discarding the pad. Furthermore, tearing of the top sheet 2 is suppressed.

[0102] Next, we will describe how to use the pad 1 by attaching it to a disposable diaper. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating how to use the pad 1 by attaching it to a disposable diaper 100. As described above, the pad 1 of this embodiment can be used by attaching it to the inside (skin side) of a pant-type or tape-type disposable diaper. For example, in Figure 13, the pad 1 is inserted from above the waist opening of the pant-type disposable diaper 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 100"), and the fixing member 20 (hook-and-loop fastener, etc.), which serves as a locking means provided on the non-skin side of the pad 1, is locked to the skin side of the diaper 100. Generally, the skin side of a disposable diaper is made of nonwoven fabric (the same nonwoven fabric as the top sheet 2), just like the skin side of the pad 1. Therefore, by locking the fixing member 20 (hook-and-loop fastener, etc.) of the pad 1 to the nonwoven fabric that makes up the skin side of the disposable diaper, the pad 1 can be securely fixed to the inside (skin side) of the diaper 100.

[0103] In this case, it is preferable that the bonding force between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent) is smaller than the bonding force (engaging force) between the fixing member 20 and the top sheet 2 (nonwoven fabric). In other words, it is preferable that the force required to separate the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) from the state in which it is bonded to the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent) is smaller than the force required to separate the fixing member 20 (locking means) from the state in which it is locked to the top sheet 2 (nonwoven fabric).

[0104] Figures 14A and 14B illustrate the state in which the pad 1 is attached to the inside of the diaper 100. Figure 14A shows the state in which the pad 1 is properly attached to the inside of the diaper 100. That is, it shows the state in which the fixing member 20 of the pad 1 is locked to the nonwoven fabric on the skin side of the diaper 100. In Figure 14A, if the one-side joining means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the other-side joining means 30' (other-side adhesive) are joined, the waist opening of the diaper 100 will close, so it is necessary to separate the one-side joining means 30 (one-side adhesive) and the other-side joining means 30' (other-side adhesive). At this time, if the bonding force between the fixing member 20 (locking means) of pad 1 and the nonwoven fabric (a nonwoven fabric equivalent to the top sheet 2) that constitutes the skin-facing side of diaper 100 is greater than the bonding force between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent), the bonding between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent) will be more likely to detach first. In other words, the bonding state between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent) is released while the fixing member 20 of pad 1 remains engaged with the skin-facing side of diaper 100. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14A, the waist opening of diaper 100 can be opened and worn with pad 1 attached.

[0105] In contrast, Figure 14B shows a state where the pad 1 has come off from the inside of the diaper 100. In Figure 14B, the bonding force between the fixing member 20 (locking means) of the pad 1 and the nonwoven fabric (top sheet 2) that makes up the skin side of the diaper 100 is smaller than the bonding force between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent). In this case, the bond between the fixing member 20 (locking means) of the pad 1 and the skin side (top sheet 2) of the diaper 100 comes undone first. That is, the fixing member 20 (locking means) of the pad 1 comes undone from the skin side (top sheet 2) of the diaper 100 while the bond between the one-side bonding means 30 (one-side bonding agent) and the other-side bonding means 30' (other-side bonding agent) remains intact. As shown in Figure 14B, with the fixing member 20 of the pad 1 detached, the diaper 100 cannot be worn properly.

[0106] In the pad 1 of this embodiment, the bonding force between the one-sided bonding means 30 (one-sided bonding agent) and the other-sided bonding means 30' (other-sided bonding agent) is made smaller than the bonding force (engaging force) between the fixing member 20 and the top sheet 2 (nonwoven fabric), making it easier to open the waist opening of the diaper 100 when the pad 1 is attached. As a result, the user can wear the diaper 100 normally.

[0107] <Modified examples of joining means 30, 30'> Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing modified examples of the joining means 30 and 30' of the pad 1. Figures 15A and 15B show self-adhesive quadrilateral joining means 30 and 30', respectively. The area to which the adhesive 31 is applied corresponds to the region where the joining portion is provided in the modified example of this embodiment.

[0108] In the modified example shown in Figure 15A, the longitudinal central region Lc is an area on the skin-side surface sheet 2 where the adhesive 31 is applied uniformly in a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the width direction (so-called solid coating). In addition, the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2 are coated with the adhesive 31 in a wave-like pattern, as shown in Figure 15A.

[0109] In this case, the bonding force of the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2, which have margins due to the application of the bonding agent 31 in a wave-like pattern, is weaker than that of the longitudinal central region Lc, which is coated solidly. As a result, while ensuring ease of peeling when unfolding the pad 1, the bonding force of the longitudinal central region Lc is stronger than that of the adjacent regions, so that when the pad 1 is folded for disposal, the excrement on the side of the skin can be kept covered by the pad 1.

[0110] Next, in the modified example shown in Figure 15B, the longitudinal central region Lc is a uniformly coated area, similar to the modified example in Figure 15A. Then, as shown in Figure 15B, the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2 have the adhesive 31 partially applied in the width direction, leaving a blank area.

[0111] In this case, the bonding force of the first longitudinal adjacent region L1 and the second longitudinal adjacent region L2, which have a margin due to the bonding agent 31 being applied only to a portion of the width direction, is weaker than that of the longitudinal central region Lc, which is fully coated. As a result, while ensuring ease of peeling when unfolding the pad 1, the bonding force of the longitudinal central region Lc is stronger than that of the adjacent regions, so that when the pad 1 is folded for disposal, the excrement on the side of the skin can be kept covered by the pad 1.

[0112] In these modified examples, the amount of coating per unit area and the arrangement pattern of the bonding means 30 using margins in the central regions Lc and Wc differ from the arrangement pattern of the bonding means 30 in the first adjacent regions L1 and W1 or the second adjacent regions L2 and W2.

[0113] ===Other=== The embodiments described above are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention may be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that equivalents thereof are included.

[0114] <Regarding adjacent layer 40> The pad 1 may have an adjacent layer 40 (40') on the non-skin side of the bonding means 30 (30') and on the non-skin side of the back sheet 3 and absorbent core 10. Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the adjacent layer 40. Figure 16A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pad 1 when folded in half in the longitudinal direction and the bonding means 30, 30' are pressed together. Figure 16B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bonding means 30 and adjacent layer 40 in Figure 16A.

[0115] The adjacent layer 40 is a hydrophobic layer with low affinity for moisture (it repels moisture easily), and this hydrophobic layer is composed of, for example, a colored ink applied to the top sheet 2. However, the configuration is not limited to the above, and the adjacent layers 40 and 40' may be composed of a nonwoven fabric, or of a nonwoven fabric and ink applied to the nonwoven fabric. Alternatively, it may be a hydrophobic layer formed from a different material, or a hydrophobic layer composed of a hot melt adhesive applied to the surface sheet 2.

[0116] When using (wearing) the pad 1, moisture such as excretory fluid absorbed by the absorbent core 10 may penetrate from the non-skin side to the skin side of the top sheet 2, a phenomenon known as rewetting. In particular, if the bonding means 30, 30' are composed of a bonding agent 31 such as a self-adhesive or adhesive, if moisture that has penetrated the skin side of the top sheet 2 due to rewetting reaches one bonding means 30 or the other bonding means 30', the bonding agent 31 may become wet, potentially reducing the bonding strength. In contrast, as shown in Figures 16A and 16B, by providing adjacent layers 40, 40' on the non-skin side of the bonding means 30, 30' (bonding agent 31), it becomes easier to suppress moisture from reaching the bonding means 30, 30'. That is, it is suppressed that the mechanism that closes the absorbent core 10 (i.e., the self-adhesive bonding agent 31 in the bonding means 30, 30') becomes wet. Therefore, even after a drop test is performed with the skin-side closed, the bond between the one-side connecting means 30 and the other-side connecting means 30' is more easily maintained. This makes it less likely for the odor of excrement to leak out to the outside (non-skin side) of the pad 1 when the pad 1 is disposed of, and makes it easier to suppress the odor of excrement.

[0117] In Figure 16B, the adjacent layer 40 is positioned adjacent to the top sheet 2 in the thickness direction between the bonding means 30 (bonding agent 31) and the top sheet 2, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the adjacent layer 40 may be positioned between the absorbent core 10 and the top sheet 2 in the thickness direction. That is, the adjacent layer 40 may be provided adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 2. Even in such a case, by positioning the adjacent layer 40 on the non-skin side of the bonding means 30, moisture is prevented from reaching the bonding means 30 from the absorbent core 10, the bonding force of the bonding means 30 is less likely to decrease, and the pad 1 is easier to maintain in a closed state.

[0118] <About landmark 50> The pad 1 may have a marker 50 that is visible from the non-skin side and overlaps with the joining means 30 in at least part when viewed in the thickness direction. Figure 17 is a schematic plan view of the pad 1 as seen from the non-skin side in the unfolded and extended state. In Figure 17, the pad 1 has markers 50, 50' that are visible from the non-skin side. Also, when viewed in the thickness direction in the unfolded and extended state of the pad 1, there is a portion where the joining means 30 (30') and the marker 50 (50') overlap.

[0119] The marker 50 is formed, for example, by printing a predetermined design on the non-skin side of the back sheet 3. Preferably, the marker 50 is an indicator that prompts the user to press the pad 1, and in Figure 17, the word "Press" is printed on it. However, the marker 50 is not limited to the example in Figure 17 and may be other designs (colors, shapes, text information, etc.).

[0120] As described above, when disposing of a used pad 1, the pad 1 is folded in half lengthwise with the skin-side facing inward, and the fastening means 30(30') are placed opposite each other and pressed from the non-skin side (see Figure 3B). At this time, because the fastening means 30(30') is located on the skin-side, it is difficult to recognize the position of the fastening means 30(30') from the outside (non-skin side), and it was sometimes difficult to sufficiently press the fastening means 30(30') into place. In addition, when attempting to open the skin-side to check the position of the fastening means 30(30'), hygiene and odor problems arose.

[0121] In contrast, if a marker 50(50') visible from the non-skin side is provided as shown in Figure 17, when the pad 1 is folded with the skin side inward for disposal, pressing the portion of the marker 50(50') from the non-skin side in the thickness direction will press the joining means 30(30') at the portion overlapping with the marker 50,50', causing the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' to be pressed together. Therefore, even after a drop test is performed with the skin side closed, the joining state between the one-sided joining means 30 and the other-sided joining means 30' is more easily maintained. As a result, when the pad 1 is disposed of, the odor of excrement is less likely to leak to the outside (non-skin side) of the pad 1, making it easier to suppress the odor of excrement. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 1. Urine pads (pads, absorbent items), 2. Surface sheet (top sheet), 3. Back sheet, 4 side seats, 5 leg-around elastic members, 6 Leakage prevention wall part, 7 Leakage prevention wall elastic member, 8 Adhesion area, 10 absorbent cores, 11 core wrap sheets, 20 Fixing member (locking means), 30 One-sided joining means, 30r overlapping part, 30n non-overlapping part, 30' other side joining means, 31 Bonding agent, 40 adjacent layers, 50,50' Landmark, 100 disposable diapers (diapers), Lc Long central region, Wc Width central region, L1 is the first longitudinal adjacent region, W1 is the first width adjacent region, L2 is the second longitudinal adjacent region, and W2 is the second width adjacent region.

Claims

1. In its unfolded state, it has longitudinal, widthwise, and thicknesswise directions that are mutually orthogonal to each other. An absorbent article having a liquid-absorbing core, The skin-facing side has an adhesive that can be attached to a part of the absorbent article when discarded. When the absorbent article is folded in half along its longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the adhesive is attached to a portion of the absorbent article, and then dropped onto the floor from a predetermined height, An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the bonding agent remains bonded to a portion of the absorbent article.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, When the drop test is performed with the absorbent core containing 300 ml of artificial urine, An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the bonding agent remains bonded to a portion of the absorbent article.

3. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, It has a top sheet located on the skin side of the absorbent core, The aforementioned bonding agent has adhesive properties. When the absorbent article is folded in half along its longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the top sheet opposite the adhesive is joined together, the drop test is performed. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the bonding agent remains bonded to a portion of the absorbent article.

4. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The bonding agent comprises a one-side bonding agent provided on one side in the longitudinal direction and a other-side bonding agent provided on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The aforementioned one-sided adhesive and the aforementioned other-sided adhesive each possess self-adhesive properties. When the absorbent article is folded in half along its longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are joined together, the drop test is performed. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the adhesive on one side maintains a state of being bonded with a portion of the adhesive on the other side.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, An absorbent article characterized in that, when the one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are joined to each other, the central position of the one-sided adhesive in the longitudinal direction and the central position of the other-sided adhesive in the longitudinal direction are misaligned.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 4, It has a top sheet located on the skin side of the absorbent core, The one-sided adhesive and the other-sided adhesive are applied to the skin side of the top sheet. The magnitude of the force required to separate the one-sided adhesive from the other-sided adhesive, given that the one-sided adhesive is bonded to the other-sided adhesive, is: An absorbent article characterized in that the force required to peel off the one-sided adhesive from the skin-side surface of the top sheet is less than the force required to peel off the one-sided adhesive from the skin-side surface of the top sheet.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 4, It has a top sheet located on the skin side of the absorbent core, The disposable diaper has a locking mechanism on the non-skin side that can be attached to the skin side, The magnitude of the force required to separate the one-sided adhesive from the other-sided adhesive, given that the one-sided adhesive is bonded to the other-sided adhesive, is: An absorbent article characterized in that the force required to detach the locking means from the state in which it is locked to the top sheet is less than the force required to detach the locking means.

8. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the longitudinal direction, the bonding agent is provided across the end of the absorbent core, When the absorbent article is folded in half along its longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the portion of the adhesive that overlaps with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction is bonded to a part of the absorbent article, the drop test is performed. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the overlapping portion remains joined to a portion of the absorbent article.

9. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, In the longitudinal direction, the bonding agent is provided across the end of the absorbent core, When the absorbent article is folded in half along its longitudinal direction with the skin-facing side facing inward, and the portion of the adhesive that does not overlap with the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction is bonded to a part of the absorbent article, the drop test is performed. An absorbent article characterized in that at least a portion of the non-overlapping portion remains in a state of being joined to a portion of the absorbent article.

10. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, When the adhesive is divided into three equal parts in either the longitudinal direction or the width direction, into a first adjacent region, a central region, and a second adjacent region, An absorbent article characterized in that the bonding force of the first adjacent region or the second adjacent region is weaker than the bonding force of the central region.

11. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, It has a top sheet provided on the skin side of the absorbent core, and a back sheet provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core, The top sheet has an adjacent layer adjacent to it in the thickness direction, and is on the skin side of the back sheet and on the non-skin side of the adhesive, An absorbent article characterized in that, when viewed in the thickness direction in an unfolded and extended state, it has a portion in which the adhesive and the adjacent layer overlap.

12. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, It has a marker that is visible from the non-skin side, An absorbent article characterized in that, when viewed in the thickness direction in an unfolded and extended state, it has a portion where the adhesive and the mark overlap.

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