Absorbent panty-type items

Abstract

Regarding easy-to-wear, pant-type absorbent items. [Solution] A pant-type absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an absorbent body and an outer casing. The outer casing has a ventral portion, a dorsal portion and a pair of side seals. The dorsal portion has a dorsal extension portion that extends longitudinally from the ventral waist end to the dorsal waist end, and a dorsal main body portion obtained by removing the dorsal extension portion from the dorsal portion. The dorsal extension portion has a pair of dorsal extension side edges that face each other in the transverse direction and each extends longitudinally, and a pair of side reinforcing portions that extend longitudinally and are provided on each of the pair of dorsal extension side edges. When the pant-type absorbent article is laid flat on a flat surface in its natural state with the dorsal portion facing upward, the pair of side reinforcing portions stand up on the non-skin-facing side and form a gripping portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article such as a disposable diaper.

Background Art

[0002] A pants-type absorbent article generally includes an absorbent main body, an exterior body, and side seals where the ventral exterior body and the dorsal exterior body are joined at side end portions. The waist portion of the pants-type absorbent article is formed by joining the ventral exterior body and the dorsal exterior body via the side seals.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose pants-type absorbent articles having a dorsal extension portion on the dorsal waist side of the exterior body. With such a configuration, for example, excrement is prevented from leaking from the dorsal side. Furthermore, the pants-type absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 has side reinforcing portions provided at a pair of laterally opposed dorsal extension side edge portions of the dorsal extension portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When putting on a pants-type absorbent article having a dorsal extension portion to a wearer such as an infant or toddler lying supine on a floor, there is a problem that the dorsal side of the wearer is difficult to see, and friction acts between the pants-type absorbent article and the floor, making it difficult to pull up the pants-type absorbent article.

[0006] The present invention relates to a pants-type absorbent article that is easy to put on.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention comprises an absorbent pant-type article, an absorbent body, and an outer casing. The above-mentioned pant-type absorbent article has a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's abdominal side through the crotch area to the back, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The outer casing described above is positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body and has a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. The above exterior body is A ventral portion positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and having an ventral waist end that constitutes the waist opening, A back portion positioned on the back of the wearer, having a back waist end that constitutes the waist opening, A pair of side seals, each joined to the lateral edge of the ventral portion and the lateral edge of the dorsal portion in the lateral direction, It holds. The dorsal waist end is located further from the pair of leg openings in the longitudinal direction than the ventral waist end. The rear side portion of the above exterior body is A dorsal extension extending from the ventral waist end to the dorsal waist end in the longitudinal direction, The dorsal main body portion obtained by removing the dorsal extension portion from the dorsal portion, It holds. The above dorsal extension is, A pair of dorsal extensions that are opposite each other in the lateral direction and extend in the vertical direction, A pair of vertically extending side reinforcing portions are provided on each of the pair of dorsal extension side edges mentioned above, It holds. When the above-mentioned dorsal portion is facing upward and the object is placed flat on a flat surface in its natural state, the pair of side reinforcing portions form upright gripping portions on the non-skin-facing side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The absorbent pants-type article of the present invention is easy to put on. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view showing the pants-type absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) is a schematic side view showing the above pants-type absorbent article, and (B) is an enlarged view of the portion enclosed by circle IIB in (A). [Figure 3] It is a schematic plan view showing the skin side surface of the above pants-type absorbent article, and is a view showing a state in which the above pants-type absorbent article is unfolded, and the elastic members of each part are stretched to spread it out into a planar shape. [Figure 4] It is a view showing a state in which a wearer is putting on the above pants-type absorbent article, and is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the back side extending portion. [Figure 5] It is a plan view of the above pants-type absorbent article in a natural state, which is placed flat on a flat placement surface with the ventral side facing upward. [Figure 6] (A) is a view showing a state where the above pants-type absorbent article is placed flat on a flat placement surface in a natural state with the back side facing upward, and (B) is a view in which a first point, a second point, a first virtual line and a second virtual line are added to the view of (A). [Figure 7] It is a schematic side view of the back side waist end portion of the back side extending portion when the back side extending portion of the pants-type absorbent article is viewed from the direction of arrow VII in Fig. 6(A). [Figure 8] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side seal and the side reinforcing portion of the above pants-type absorbent article. [Figure 9] It is a schematic plan view showing the side seal and the side reinforcing portion of the above pants-type absorbent article. [Figure 10] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the side seal and the side reinforcing portion of another pants-type absorbent article of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a schematic perspective view showing a pants-type absorbent article according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that components that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of Pants-Type Absorbent Article> FIG. 1, FIG. 2(A) and FIG. 3 show a pants-type disposable diaper 1 as the pants-type absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pants-type disposable diaper 1 is hereinafter referred to as the diaper 1. FIG. 2(A) schematically shows the diaper 1 when worn, and also illustrates the wearer's torso 13 and legs 14.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 includes a waist opening 1W and a pair of leg openings 1L, and is worn around the wearer's waist and crotch portion when in use. The waist opening 1W has a waist opening end Wa. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X and a lateral direction Y. The longitudinal direction X extends from the wearer's ventral side through the crotch portion to the dorsal side. The lateral direction Y is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and corresponds to the left-right direction of the wearer. Further, as shown in FIG. 2(A) and the like, the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X and the lateral direction Y of the diaper 1 is defined as a thickness direction Z.

[0013] In the present specification, "waist side" and "upper side" mean the side closer to the waist opening end Wa of the waist opening 1W and the side farther from the leg openings 1L in the longitudinal direction X. "Leg side" and "lower side" mean the side farther from the waist opening end Wa and the side closer to the leg openings 1L in the longitudinal direction X. In the present specification, "laterally inward in the lateral direction Y" means the side closer to the longitudinal center line CL that bisects the diaper (pants-type absorbent article) in the lateral direction Y, and "laterally outward in the lateral direction Y" means the side farther from the longitudinal center line CL. In this specification, with respect to the thickness direction Z, the side of the diaper closer to the wearer's skin when worn is referred to as the "skin side," and the side closer to the clothing is referred to as the "non-skin side." Furthermore, "skin-facing surface" means the surface of the diaper or its components that faces the wearer's skin, i.e., the surface that is relatively close to the wearer's skin. "Non-skin-facing surface" means the surface of the diaper or its components that faces the opposite side (clothing side) from the skin-facing surface, i.e., the surface that is relatively far from the wearer's skin.

[0014] When an infant or toddler puts on diaper 1, they first put their legs through the pair of leg openings 1L, pull up diaper 1, and position diaper 1 around the wearer's waist and groin. In this specification, this series of actions is referred to as the "wearing action." The movement of pulling up diaper 1 to the waist is referred to as the "pulling action." Wearing actions, including the pulling action, may be performed by a caregiver rather than the wearer of diaper 1. For this reason, in this specification, the primary performer of the wearing action is referred to as the "caregiver." In this specification, the state in which diaper 1 is positioned in the normally expected and appropriate wearing position for the wearer is referred to as "wearing."

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification, "natural state" means a state in which no external force is applied to the diaper 1 to cause it to stretch.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1, 2(A), and 3, the diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 4 and an outer casing 5 positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4. The diaper 1 also comprises first to fourth elastic members 71 to 74, a leg elastic member 11, and an elastic member 25 for forming a leak-proof cuff. The first to fourth elastic members 71 to 74 form the waist gathers. The leg elastic member 11 forms the leg gathers. The elastic member 25 for forming a leak-proof cuff forms the three-dimensional gathers. Figure 3 shows the diaper 1 unfolded, with the elastic bodies of each part extended, and spread out flat to achieve the design dimensions, completely eliminating the influence of the elastic bodies. This form is also referred to as the "unfolded and extended state" of the diaper 1. Unfolding the diaper 1 means separating the ventral part 3 and the dorsal part 6 of the side seal 8, which will be described later.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(A), the diaper 1 further includes a disposal tape 12 having a handle portion, which is positioned on the back side 6 so as to overlap with the absorbent body 4 in a plan view.

[0018] As will be described in more detail later, as shown in Figure 1, the dorsal portion 6 of the outer casing 5 of the diaper 1 has a dorsal extension 60 that protrudes vertically X upward from the ventral portion 3. Furthermore, the diaper 1 has a pair of side reinforcing portions 105 provided on the lateral opposing side edges of the dorsal extension 60. When the diaper 1 is placed flat on a flat surface P such as a floor, table, shelf, or desk with the dorsal portion 6 facing upward, the pair of side reinforcing portions 105 stand up toward the non-skin-facing side, forming a gripping portion 65. In this embodiment of the diaper 1, by forming a gripping portion 65 that stands up toward the non-skin-facing side, as shown in Figure 4, when pulling up the diaper, the caregiver can easily grasp the gripping portion 65 and pull up the diaper 1, making it easy to put on the diaper 1.

[0019] <Exterior structure> The outer casing 5 includes a plurality of thermoplastic sheets 50. The outer casing 5 is configured, for example, as a laminate of a plurality of thermoplastic sheets 50. The thermoplastic sheet 50 is a sheet material mainly composed of thermoplastic resin. The thermoplastic sheet 50 preferably contains 90% by mass or more of thermoplastic resin, and more preferably consists of 100% by mass of thermoplastic resin. In addition, multiple thermoplastic sheets 50 may also contain cellulosic fibers in addition to thermoplastic fibers. Examples of thermoplastic resins include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate; polyamides such as nylon 6 and nylon 66; polyacrylic acid, polyalkyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinylidene chloride. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more. The thermoplastic fibers may be short or long fibers. As thermoplastic fibers, composite fibers such as core-sheath type or side-by-side type, split fibers, irregularly shaped cross-section fibers, and heat-shrinkable fibers can also be used. Examples of cellulose fibers include natural cellulose fibers such as cotton and pulp, and regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon and cupro. These can be used individually or in combination of two or more types.

[0020] The outer casing 5 preferably includes, for example, an outer layer sheet 51 and an inner layer sheet 52 as a plurality of thermoplastic sheets 50, as shown in Figure 8. The outer layer sheet 51 is positioned on the non-skin side of the inner layer sheet 52 and constitutes the non-skin facing surface of the outer casing 5. It is preferable that first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 are arranged between the inner layer sheet 52 and the outer layer sheet 51.

[0021] In Figure 8, a schematic cross-sectional view of the side seal 8 and the side reinforcement portion 105, the absorbent body 4 is not present in the side seal 8. However, the absorbent body 4 is shown for convenience to explain the arrangement relationship between the absorbent body 4 and the outer casing 5 in the article thickness direction (Z-axis direction). Furthermore, although the diaper 1 is joined at the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal portion 6 by the side seal 8, in Figure 8, the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal portion 6 are shown separated for convenience to facilitate the explanation of each component.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1, 2(A), and 3, the outer garment 5 comprises at least an abdominal portion 3 positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and a dorsal portion 6 positioned on the wearer's back side. The outer garment 5 of this embodiment further includes a crotch portion 9 located between the abdominal portion 3 and the dorsal portion 6 and positioned in the wearer's crotch area. In this example, the abdominal portion 3, the crotch portion 9, and the dorsal portion 6 are arranged along the longitudinal direction X. The outer garment 5 also has a shape that is constricted inward in the transverse direction Y at the crotch portion 9. This forms a leg opening 1L (see Figure 1) that follows the wearer's leg opening. The outer edge of the exterior body 5 is preferably constructed to be symmetrical (left-right symmetrical) with respect to the vertical center line CL.

[0023] The ventral portion 3 of the outer casing 5 has a ventral waist end 101 that constitutes the waist opening end Wa of the waist opening 1W. The dorsal portion 6 of the outer casing 5 has a dorsal waist end 102 that constitutes the waist opening end Wa of the waist opening 1W. The dorsal waist end 102 is located further from the pair of leg openings 1L in the longitudinal direction X than the ventral waist end 101. The dorsal waist end 102 is the end (dorsal extension end) of the dorsal extension portion 60. In the illustrated example, the dorsal waist end 102 is a straight line extending in the transverse direction Y, but is not limited to this, and may be a curved shape (rounded shape) that gently bulges upward in the longitudinal direction X, for example.

[0024] Furthermore, the outer casing 5 has a pair of side seals 8, which are formed by joining the lateral edge 54 of the ventral portion 3 in the lateral direction Y and the lateral edge 55 of the dorsal portion 6 in the lateral direction Y. In other words, the right side seal 8 has a configuration in which the right lateral edge 54 of the ventral portion 3 and the right lateral edge 55 of the dorsal portion 6 are joined together with the thickness direction Z overlapping. The left side seal 8 has a configuration in which the left lateral edge 54 of the ventral portion 3 and the left lateral edge 55 of the dorsal portion 6 are joined together with the thickness direction Z overlapping. The side seals 8 are preferably joined by heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. The lateral edge portion 54(55) is a portion having a predetermined width that includes the lateral edge 540(550) in the lateral direction Y of the ventral portion 3.

[0025] [Dorsal structure] The dorsal portion 6 of the outer casing 5 has a dorsal extension 60 and a dorsal main body portion 61. The dorsal extension 60 extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral waist end 101 to the dorsal waist end 102. In diaper 1, the dorsal extension 60 is the portion that protrudes upward from the ventral waist end 101. The dorsal main body portion 61 is the portion of the dorsal portion 6 excluding the dorsal extension 60. In other words, the dorsal main body portion 61 is the portion that is in the same position as the ventral portion 3 in the longitudinal direction X, and the dorsal extension 60 is the portion that does not face the ventral portion 3 and protrudes upward in the longitudinal direction X. When the ventral portion and the dorsal portion are said to be "in the same position in the longitudinal direction X", it means that in the stretched state of diaper 1, the ventral portion and the dorsal portion coincide in position and length in the longitudinal direction X and are adjacent to each other.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the boundary between the dorsal extension 60 and the dorsal main body 61 (shown by a hypothetical dashed line) is denoted by reference numeral 103. The length of the dorsal extension 60 in the vertical direction X (i.e., the length from the boundary 103 to the dorsal waist end 102) is preferably, for example, 10 mm to 40 mm, from the viewpoint of good pulling-up operation of the diaper 1, effective suppression of the dorsal extension 60 rolling up, and effective suppression of leakage of excrement from the dorsal side. The length of the dorsal extension 60 in the vertical direction X refers to the minimum length. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, when the dorsal waist end 102 is a straight line parallel to the transverse direction Y, the dorsal extension 60 has a rectangular shape when unfolded and extended, and the length of the dorsal extension 60 in the vertical direction X (the length from the dorsal waist end 102 to the boundary 103 in the vertical direction X) is equal across the entire width in the transverse direction Y. However, if, for example, the dorsal waist end 102 is a curved shape that is convex upward in the vertical direction X, the length of the dorsal extension 60 in the vertical direction X is not equal across the entire width in the transverse direction Y. In such a configuration, the length of the part of the dorsal extension 60 where the length in the vertical direction X is smallest (minimum length) is defined as the "length of the dorsal extension 60 in the vertical direction X". The longer the dorsal extension 60, the better it can prevent loose stools and other excrement from leaking out. However, if it is too long, it becomes difficult to pull up the diaper 1, so it is preferable that the length of the dorsal extension 60 be 40 mm or less. On the other hand, if the dorsal extension 60 is too short, it becomes difficult to grasp the gripping part 65 with your fingers when pulling up the diaper 1, making it difficult to pull up. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the dorsal extension 60 be 10 mm or more.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2(A) and 7, the dorsal extension 60 is divided into two regions by being bisected in the longitudinal direction X, and has a first dorsal extension R1 and a second dorsal extension R2 located sequentially in the longitudinal direction X from the dorsal waist end 102 side toward the leg opening 1L side. The first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2 extend in the transverse direction Y and have a band shape that spans the entire width of the dorsal portion 6 in the transverse direction Y.

[0028] The dorsal extension portion 60 has a pair of dorsal extension side edges 104 and a pair of vertically extending side reinforcing portions 105 provided on each of the pair of dorsal extension side edges 104. The dorsal extension lateral edge portion 104 is a portion having a predetermined width that includes the dorsal extension lateral edge 1040, which is the lateral edge (lateral edge located on the left and right sides) of the dorsal extension portion 60 in the lateral direction Y.

[0029] [Structure of the ventral region] As shown in Figures 2(A), 3, and 8, the ventral portion 3 has a ventral upper portion F1 which is a region including the ventral waist end 101. In the unfolded and extended state, the ventral upper portion F1 has a rectangular shape including the ventral waist end 101, with a longitudinal length X being the same as the longitudinal length X of the first dorsal extension R1 and a transverse length Y being the same as the transverse length Y of the ventral portion 3. The ventral upper portion F1 is a band that spans the entire transverse width Y of the ventral portion 3.

[0030] In the longitudinal direction X, the ventral portion 3 is in the same position as the dorsal main body portion 61. In the diaper 1, the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal main body portion 61 are joined by a side seal 8 to form a tubular shape. On the other hand, the dorsal extension portion 60 is not tubular because there is no portion of the ventral portion in the same position in the longitudinal direction X, and is provided with a pair of dorsal extension side edges 104 that serve as free ends on both sides in the transverse direction Y.

[0031] <Composition of the absorbent body> The absorbent body 4 is fixed to the skin-facing side of the outer casing 5. The absorbent body 4 has at least an absorbent 40 and may further have a surface sheet 2, a back sheet 7, etc. For example, the absorbent body 4 has a configuration in which the back sheet 7, the absorbent 40 and the surface sheet 2 are laminated in the thickness direction Z (see Figure 8). The absorbent 40 includes a liquid-retaining absorbent core and may further include a core wrap sheet that covers the absorbent core. The absorbent body 4 has a dorsal end 106 located on the dorsal side 6, which is the end in the longitudinal direction X, and a ventral end 107 located on the ventral side 3, which is the end in the longitudinal direction X. The materials used in each component of the absorbent body 4 (back sheet 7, absorbent material 40, front sheet 2, etc.) can be any material used in the relevant art without any particular limitations.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the absorbent body 4 comprises a liquid-permeable surface sheet 2 that forms the skin side, a liquid-impermeable (including water-repellent) back sheet 7 that forms the non-skin side, and a liquid-retaining absorbent 40 positioned between the surface sheet 2 and the back sheet 7. The absorbent 40 and the surface sheet 2 are bonded together with an adhesive (not shown). The absorbent 40 and the back sheet 7 are bonded together with an adhesive (not shown).

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, each side of the absorbent body 4 along the longitudinal direction X is provided with a leak-proof cuff 24, which has an elastic body 25 for forming a leak-proof cuff that is stretched in the longitudinal direction X. The leak-proof cuff 24 is made of a material that is impermeable to liquid or water-repellent and breathable. The elastic body 25 for forming the leak-proof cuff is provided near the free end 24a of the leak-proof cuff 24. When the diaper 1 is worn, the contraction of the elastic body 25 causes the free end 24a side of the leak-proof cuff to stand up, forming a three-dimensional gather 15, which prevents the leakage of bodily fluids in the lateral direction Y. In addition, when the diaper 1 is pulled up, the contraction force of the elastic body 25 makes it easier to pull the absorbent body 4 up to the vicinity of the wearer's crotch.

[0034] In diaper 1, the total length of the absorbent body 4 in the vertical direction X is slightly longer than the total length of the absorbent material 40 in the vertical direction X. The dorsal end 106 and ventral end 107 of the absorbent body 4, which are the ends of the absorbent body 4 in the vertical direction X, are located closer to the waist than the ends of the absorbent material 40 in the vertical direction X. As shown in Figure 8, the outer casing 5 is folded inward at the ventral waist end 101 and the dorsal waist end 102. This folded portion (referred to as the folded portion 80) is positioned to cover the dorsal end 106 and the ventral end 107 of the absorbent body.

[0035] The absorbent body 40 of the absorbent main body 4 has an absorbent core (not shown) and a core wrap sheet (not shown).

[0036] A core wrap sheet is a liquid-permeable sheet that covers at least the skin-facing side of an absorbent core. Typically, the core wrap sheet is configured to cover the entire surface of the absorbent core, including both the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides. Examples of core wrap sheets include tissue paper made of hydrophilic fibers and liquid-permeable nonwoven fabrics.

[0037] The absorbent core contains a superabsorbent polymer and pulp fibers. Specifically, the absorbent core is composed of, for example, an aggregate of hydrophilic fibers such as cellulose including pulp fibers, an aggregate of the hydrophilic fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, or a laminated structure in which a superabsorbent polymer is supported between two absorbent sheets.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the dorsal end 106 of the absorbent body is located closer to the leg opening 1L in the longitudinal direction X than the boundary 103. In other words, the absorbent body 4 is not positioned on the dorsal extension 60. This prevents the soft stool absorbed by the absorbent body 4 from moving to the dorsal extension 60, and prevents the soft stool from leaking from the dorsal waist end 102 of the outer casing 5.

[0039] <Configuration of side seal and side reinforcement section> A pair of side seals 8, each extending in the vertical direction X, cause the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal main body portion 61 to form a tubular shape that conforms to the wearer's waist, creating the waist opening 1W and leg openings 1L of the diaper 1. As shown in Figure 9, the side seals 8 typically include multiple sealing portions S.

[0040] The pair of side reinforcements 105 are provided on the pair of dorsal extension side edges 104 of the dorsal extension 60 and are continuous with the side seal 8. As shown in Figure 9, the side reinforcements 105, like the side seal 8, typically include a plurality of sealing portions S. Since the pair of side reinforcements 105 are continuous with the side seal 8 and have a similar configuration including a plurality of sealing portions S, the diaper 1 can be easily manufactured without increasing the manufacturing process or materials.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the side reinforcement located at the first dorsal extension R1 is denoted by reference numeral 1051, and the side reinforcement located at the second dorsal extension R2 is denoted by reference numeral 1052.

[0042] In the side seal 8, the seal portion S is the part where the thermoplastic sheets 50 of both the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal main body portion 61 are fused and joined together. In the side reinforcement portion 105, the seal portion S is a highly rigid part where multiple thermoplastic sheets 50 constituting the dorsal extension portion 60 are fused and joined together. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, four sheets are laminated and joined in the first dorsal extension portion R1, and three sheets are laminated and joined in the second dorsal extension portion R2.

[0043] The sealing portion S is joined, for example, by pressurizing means and / or heating means, specifically by heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. In diaper 1, the multiple sealing portions S are spaced apart in the vertical direction X and extend in the horizontal direction Y. By arranging the multiple sealing portions S spaced apart in the vertical direction X, if one sealing portion S peels off, it is possible to prevent the entire side seal 8 from peeling off along the vertical direction X.

[0044] In the example shown in Figure 9, the sealing portion S has a rectangular shape with a longitudinal direction in the lateral direction Y. Multiple sealing portions S are intermittently arranged along the vertical direction X. In the side seal 8 (side reinforcement portion 105), the rectangular region surrounding the overall contour of the multiple seal portions S is referred to as the seal region B. The seal region B is a region with higher rigidity compared to the region without seal portions S. Thus, the side seal 8 (side reinforcement portion 105) includes a rectangular, relatively rigid seal region B. The rigidity of the side reinforcement portion 105 is increased by the inclusion of the seal region B, and the dorsal extended side edge portion 104 is reinforced.

[0045] As shown in Figure 9, the width range of the rectangular side reinforcement portion 105, which extends in a band shape in the vertical direction, is defined as extending from the inner side edge in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B to the dorsal extension side edge 1040 of the dorsal extension portion 60. The side edge located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the side reinforcement portion 105 is referred to as the inner side reinforcement portion side edge 105d. This inner side reinforcement portion side edge 105d coincides with the side edge located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B. The side edge located on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the side reinforcement portion 105 is referred to as the outer side reinforcement portion side edge 105c. This outer side reinforcement portion side edge 105c coincides with the dorsal extension side edge 1040. As shown in Figure 9, each seal portion S does not reach the dorsal extension side edge 1040 in the lateral direction Y, and the side edge located on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B is located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y than the dorsal extension side edge 1040. In other words, in the dorsal extension portion 60, the range of each of the left and right pair of side reinforcing portions 105 is the region extending from the side edge (inner side reinforcing portion side edge 105d) that extends in the vertical direction X and is located inside the rectangular sealing region B in the lateral direction Y, to the region outside in the lateral direction Y.

[0046] As shown in Figure 9, the width range of the rectangular side seal 8, which extends in a band shape in the vertical direction, is defined as extending from the inner side edge in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B to the side edge 540 (550) of the ventral portion 3 (dorsal portion 6). The side edge located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the side seal 8 is referred to as the inner side seal side edge 8d. This inner side seal side edge 8d coincides with the side edge located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B. The side edge located on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the side seal 8 is referred to as the outer side seal side edge 8c. This outer side seal side edge 8c coincides with the side edges 540 and 550. As shown in Figure 9, each seal portion S does not reach the side edges 540 and 550 in the lateral direction Y, and the side edge located on the outer side in the lateral direction Y of the seal region B is located on the inner side in the lateral direction Y than the side edges 540 and 550. In other words, the respective ranges of the left and right side seals 8 are the areas extending from the side edge (inner side seal side edge 8d) that is located inside the rectangular seal area B in the lateral direction Y, to the area outside in the lateral direction Y.

[0047] As shown in Figures 2(B) and 5, the pair of side reinforcement portions 105 each have an upper end portion 105a and a lower end portion 105b, which constitute both ends in the vertical direction X. The upper end portion 105a and the lower end portion 105b face each other in the vertical direction X and each extends in the horizontal direction Y. Each side reinforcement portion 105 has an outer side reinforcement portion edge 105c and an inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d, which form both sides of the lateral Y direction. The outer side reinforcement portion edge 105c and the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d face each other in the lateral Y direction and extend in the vertical X direction. The upper end portion 105a of the side reinforcement is located at the back waist end portion 102. The lower end portion 105b of the side reinforcement corresponds to the boundary portion 110 between the side seal 8 and the side reinforcement portion 105, and is located in the same position as the upper end portion 8a of the side seal, which will be described later. In Figures 2(B), 5, and 6(A), the boundary portion 110 is virtually shown with a thick solid line.

[0048] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B) and Figure 5, the pair of side seals 8 each have an upper end portion 8a and a lower end portion 8b, which constitute both ends in the vertical direction X. The upper end portion 8a and the lower end portion 8b of the side seals face each other in the vertical direction X and each extends in the horizontal direction Y. Each side seal 8 has an outer side seal edge 8c and an inner side seal edge 8d, which form both sides of the lateral Y direction. The outer side seal edge 8c and the inner side seal edge 8d are opposite each other in the lateral Y direction and each extends in the vertical X direction. Each of the pair of side seals 8 is continuous with a side reinforcing portion 105 provided on each of the pair of dorsal extension side edges 104. In the continuous side seal 8 and side reinforcing portion 105, the upper end 8a of the side seal is located at the boundary between the side seal 8 and the side reinforcing portion 105. The upper end 8a of the side seal is the waist end of the side seal 8. The lower end 8b of the side seal is the leg end of the side seal 8.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5 and 6(B), a first point P1 is set on the lower end 105b of the side reinforcement. More specifically, the first point P1 is the innermost point in the lateral direction Y of the lower end 105b of the side reinforcement. The first point P1 is located on the inner side edge 105d of the side reinforcement. A second point P2 is set on the upper end portion 105a of the side reinforcement section. More specifically, the second point P2 is the outermost point in the lateral direction Y of the upper end portion 105a of the side reinforcement section. The second point P2 is located on the outer side edge 105c of the outer side reinforcement section. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(B), when the diaper 1 is placed flat on a flat surface P with its back side 6 facing upwards in its natural state, the line segment connecting the first point P1 and the second point P2 is referred to as the "first virtual line L1" (shown as a dashed line in the figure). In addition, a "reference plane" is set which is a plane parallel to the surface P and passes through the first point P1.

[0050] Let θ be the angle that indicates the inclination of the first virtual line L1 with respect to the above reference plane (the angle between the reference plane and the first virtual line L1). In Figure 6(B), a second virtual line L2 is set on the reference plane, passing through the first point P1, and its direction coincides with the line obtained by projecting the first virtual line L1 onto the reference plane. The value of the angle θ between the reference plane and the first virtual line L1 is the same as the value of the intersection angle between the first virtual line L1 and the second virtual line L2. The angle θ is measured when the diaper 1 is laid flat on a flat surface P with its back side 6 facing upwards in its natural state, and the diaper is viewed from the side (viewed from a direction parallel to the reference plane).

[0051] The angle θ of the first virtual line L1 with respect to the reference plane (the angle of intersection between the first virtual line L1 and the second virtual line L2) indicates the degree to which the gripping portion 65 of the diaper 1 in its natural state is raised toward the non-skin-facing side (degree of uprightness).

[0052] <Grip part> As described above, the side reinforcement portion 105 is composed of a seal region B, which is a high-rigidity region with higher rigidity than the surrounding area. In the dorsal extension portion 60, the side reinforcement portion 105 is more rigid than the region inside the lateral direction Y. Therefore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the dorsal extension portion 60, a difference in rigidity occurs on the left and right sides of the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d, which is the lateral edge in the lateral direction Y of the side reinforcement portion 105 that extends in a band shape in the vertical direction X. Due to this difference in rigidity, the side reinforcement portion 105 is more likely to stand upright along the rising line 67 near the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d (more specifically, the low-rigidity region near the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d). In Figure 6(B), the rising line 67 is shown as a thick solid line. Furthermore, in diaper 1, there is no portion of the ventral portion 3 that connects to the dorsal extension portion 60 where the side reinforcement portion 105 is provided. Also, the dorsal main body portion 61, which is continuously connected to the dorsal extension portion 60, is joined to the ventral portion 3 by the side seal 8. As a result, the layering configuration of diaper 1 changes in the region from the side seal 8 to the side reinforcement portion 105, that is, it changes from a region with both the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal portion 6 to a region with only the dorsal portion 6. As a result, the side reinforcement portion 105 is more likely to stand up near the boundary portion 110.

[0053] In this way, by providing the dorsal extension portion 60 and the side reinforcement portion 105, the side reinforcement portion 105 is made more likely to stand upright. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, the side reinforcement portion 105 naturally stands upright on the non-skin-facing side, forming a gripping portion 65.

[0054] The statement that the gripping portion 65 stands upright on the non-skin-facing side in its natural state means, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), that when the diaper 1 is laid flat on a flat surface P with the back side 6 facing upwards, the gripping portion 65 (side reinforcement portion 105) rises upward (towards the non-skin-facing side) away from the reference surface, starting from the vicinity of the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d.

[0055] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, an elastic material is provided in the dorsal extension portion 60, so in its natural state, the dorsal extension portion 60 is wrinkled, and the shape (contour) of the dorsal waist end portion 102 has fine irregularities. As shown in Figure 6(B), a dorsal waist end line L3 (shown as a dashed line) is virtually drawn, roughly tracing the shape of the dorsal waist end portion 102 of the dorsal extension portion 60. As shown in Figure 6(B), the gripping portion 65 (side reinforcement portion 105) of the dorsal extension portion 60 is raised away from the reference plane, and the portion of the dorsal waist end line L3 corresponding to the gripping portion 65 is positioned at an angle to the reference plane. On the other hand, the area near the lateral Y-center of the dorsal waist end portion 102 is not raised but is positioned almost parallel to the reference plane, and the portion of the dorsal waist end line L3 corresponding to the area near the lateral Y-center of the dorsal waist end portion 102 is almost parallel to the reference plane.

[0056] By providing a gripping portion 65 that stands upright on the non-skin-facing side, as shown in Figure 4, when pulling up the diaper, the caregiver can easily grasp the left and right side reinforcing portions 105 provided on the left and right side edges 104 of the dorsal extension portion 60 in the lateral direction Y with the fingers of both hands, allowing the diaper 1 to be pulled up smoothly and making it easier to put on. Furthermore, by grasping the pair of left and right side reinforcing portions 105 and pulling up the diaper 1, the dorsal extension portion 60 is less likely to wrinkle, and the diaper 1 can be put on so that the dorsal extension portion 60 conforms to the wearer's back in the correct shape, and the effect of preventing excrement from folding from the back by providing the dorsal extension portion 60 can be effectively demonstrated.

[0057] Furthermore, because the gripping portion 65 is upright, when putting the diaper 1 on the wearer, the presence of the left and right dorsal extension side edges 104 of the dorsal extension portion 60 is easily visible from the ventral side, making it easier to quickly pull up the diaper 1. Also, as shown in Figure 4, because the gripping portion 65 is upright, it is easy to touch with the fingers, making the position of the left and right dorsal extension side edges 104 of the dorsal extension portion 60 easier to feel by touch. For this reason, even when putting on the diaper 1 in a dark place such as at night while sleeping, it is easier to quickly pull up the diaper 1, making it easier to put on the diaper 1.

[0058] <Configuration to facilitate raising the gripping portion on the non-skin-facing side> To facilitate the raising of the gripping portion 65 on the non-skin-facing side, it is preferable to arrange an elastic body 71 on the dorsal extension portion 60, as in the diaper 1 of this embodiment. The elastic body 71 is positioned between a pair of dorsal extension side edges 104, extends in the lateral direction Y, and is expandable and contractible in the lateral direction Y.

[0059] The dorsal extension 60 has no ventral portion to join to it, and the dorsal extension side edge 104 is a free end. Therefore, the dorsal extension 60 is easily contracted in the lateral direction Y by the elastic body 71, and furthermore, the first dorsal extension R1, which is above the second dorsal extension R2, is more easily contracted inward in the lateral direction Y than the second dorsal extension R2. As a result, the side reinforcing portion 105 that forms the gripping portion 65 is more likely to stand upright toward the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, by providing an elastic body 71 in the region between the pair of side reinforcement portions 105, when worn, the region of the dorsal extension portion 60 where the elastic body 71 is positioned and where the elastic force of the elastic body 71 can be exerted is more easily conformed to the shape of the wearer's skin. As a result, large gaps are less likely to form between the dorsal extension portion 60 and the skin, and the leakage suppression effect is more easily achieved.

[0060] In diaper 1, from the viewpoint of making it easier for the gripping portion 65 to stand upright towards the non-skin-facing side, it is preferable that the first dorsal extension R1 has a higher contraction rate in the lateral direction Y than the second dorsal extension R2. The contraction rates of the first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2 can be adjusted by the fineness of the elastic material, the elongation rate of the elastic material, the number of elastic materials, the spacing between the elastic materials, etc. The method for measuring the contraction rate will be described later. Details of the elastic material will also be described later.

[0061] By configuring the first dorsal extension R1 to have a higher contraction rate in the lateral direction Y than the second dorsal extension R2, the first dorsal extension R1 is more likely to contract in the lateral direction Y than the second dorsal extension R2, thereby increasing its rigidity. As a result, the difference in rigidity between the first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2 makes it easier for an upright starting point (standing starting point) to form in the area with relatively lower rigidity near the boundary between the first side reinforcement 1051 and the second side reinforcement 1052, making it easier for the gripping portion 65 to stand up on the non-skin-facing side, thus making the gripping portion 65 easier to grip.

[0062] [Method for measuring the shrinkage rate of the first and second dorsal extensions] Diapers are used for measurement immediately after being removed from their packaging. After cutting out the dorsal extension from the diaper, the dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction X, and the first and second dorsal extensions are cut out to obtain a strip-shaped sample. Next, in its natural state, the sample is sandwiched between two transparent acrylic plates, taking care to prevent it from bending or overlapping. In this state, the length between a pair of side reinforcements (the length between the side edges 105d of a pair of inner side reinforcements) is measured at the center of the sample in the longitudinal direction (the width direction of the strip-shaped sample). If the sample is curved, the length of the curve is measured. This measurement value is denoted as L. Next, the side reinforcement section of the sample, which was removed from between the two acrylic plates, is clamped in the chuck of a tensile testing machine (SHIMADU "Autograph AG-X"). At this time, the sample is clamped in the chuck so that the side edges 105d of the pair of inner side reinforcements align with the ends of the chuck of the tensile testing machine. Next, the distance between the chucks is increased at a speed of 300 mm / min, and the length between the side reinforcements is measured when the tensile load reaches 19 N. This measured value is denoted as M. Next, divide L by M and multiply by 100 to calculate the shrinkage rate (%). The shrinkage rates of the first and second dorsal extensions were calculated for five diapers taken from the same packaging pack, and the average values ​​were taken as the shrinkage rates of the first and second dorsal extensions, respectively.

[0063] <Example of a laminated structure for an exterior body> As shown in Figure 8, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the outer casing 5 includes an outer layer sheet 51 and an inner layer sheet 52. First to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 are arranged between the inner layer sheet 52 and the outer layer sheet 51.

[0064] In this embodiment, the disposable pant-type diaper 1 has a folded structure in which at least a portion of the outer casing 5 is folded back towards the skin from the waist opening end Wa. In the dorsal portion 6 of the diaper 1 shown in Figure 8, the laminated outer layer sheet 51 and inner layer sheet 52 are folded back towards the skin from the dorsal waist end 102, and the ventral portion 3 has a folded portion 80. At the folded portion 80, the outer layer sheet 51 is longer in the vertical direction X than the inner layer sheet 52, and the end of the outer layer sheet 51 in the vertical direction X is located inward in the vertical direction X than the end of the inner layer sheet 52 in the vertical direction X. In the dorsal portion 6, where the outer casing 5 is folded back and two layers of outer casing 5 are laminated, the two layers of outer casing 5 are bonded together with an adhesive (typically a hot melt adhesive) 19. In the ventral portion 3 of diaper 1, the laminated outer layer sheet 51 and inner layer sheet 52 are folded back towards the skin from the ventral waist end 101. In this folded portion, the outer layer sheet 51 is longer in the vertical direction X than the inner layer sheet 52, and the end of the outer layer sheet 51 in the vertical direction X is located inward in the vertical direction X than the end of the inner layer sheet 52 in the vertical direction X. In the ventral portion 3, where the outer casing 5 is folded back and two layers of outer casing 5 are laminated, the two layers of outer casing 5 are bonded together with adhesive 19.

[0065] In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the amount of fold of the outer layer sheet 51 and the inner layer sheet 52 at the folded portion 80 of the back portion 6 is different. Specifically, the amount of fold of the outer layer sheet 51 is greater than the amount of fold of the inner layer sheet 52. As a result, the number of layers of sheets constituting the outer body 5 of the first back extension R1, which includes the first side reinforcement portion 1051, is 4, while the number of layers of sheets constituting the outer body 5 of the second back extension R2, which includes the second side reinforcement portion 1052, is 3, making the first back extension R1 thicker than the second back extension R2. The folded portion 80 of the first back extension R1 has two sheets, the outer layer sheet 51 and the inner layer sheet 52, while the folded portion 80 of the second back extension R2 has only one outer layer sheet 51.

[0066] Thus, it is preferable that the number of layers of the first back extension R1 including the first side reinforcement 1051 is greater than the number of layers of the second back extension R2 including the second side reinforcement 1052. This configuration allows the first side reinforcement portion 1051 to have higher rigidity than the second side reinforcement portion 1052 in the side reinforcement portion 105. As a result, the difference in rigidity between the first dorsal extension portion R1 and the second dorsal extension portion R2 makes it easier for an upright starting point (upright starting point) to form in the area with relatively lower rigidity near the boundary between the first side reinforcement portion 1051 and the second side reinforcement portion 1052. Therefore, the first dorsal extension portion R1 becomes more prone to curving toward the non-skin-facing surface, making it easier for the gripping portion 65 to stand up toward the non-skin-facing surface, resulting in a gripping portion 65 that is easier to grip.

[0067] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the multiple sheets (thermoplastic sheets 50) constituting the dorsal extension portion 60 be made of spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven fabric (SMS nonwoven fabric). SMS nonwoven fabric is a relatively rigid nonwoven fabric. By using such a relatively rigid SMS nonwoven fabric, the rigidity of the dorsal extension portion 60 can be increased, making the gripping portion 65 easier to grasp. Alternatively, in the diaper 1 shown in Figure 8, SMS nonwoven fabric may be used only for the inner layer sheet 52, and a nonwoven fabric with lower rigidity than SMS nonwoven fabric may be used for the outer layer sheet 51. With this configuration, compared to the case where a relatively low-rigidity nonwoven fabric is used instead of SMS nonwoven fabric for the outer layer sheet 51 and inner layer sheet 52, it becomes easier to create a difference in rigidity between the first dorsal extension portion R1 and the second dorsal extension portion R2, making it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 towards the non-skin-facing side, and resulting in a gripping portion 65 that is easier to grasp.

[0068] Preferably, the first side reinforcement portion 1051 and the second side reinforcement portion 1052 have different bonding strengths between the sheets. With this configuration, the rigidity of the first side reinforcement portion 1051 and the second side reinforcement portion 1052 differs, and the first side reinforcement portion 1051 becomes more prone to bending at the point where the rigidity changes, making it easier to curl up the gripping portion 65 and resulting in a gripping portion 65 that is easier to grip. Methods for varying the bonding strength between the first side reinforcement 1051 and the second side reinforcement 1052 include methods for varying the fusion strength between sheets and methods for varying the amount of adhesive, which will be explained below.

[0069] As shown in Figure 8, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the outer casing 5 includes an outer layer sheet 51 and an inner layer sheet 52 as a plurality of thermoplastic sheets 50, and in the side reinforcement portion 105 and side seal 8, the plurality of thermoplastic sheets 50 are joined by heat fusion at the seal portion S.

[0070] By forming the side reinforcements by heat fusion with a different number of layers of thermoplastic sheets in the first side reinforcement section 1051 and the second side reinforcement section 1052, the fusion strength of the first side reinforcement section 1051 and the second side reinforcement section 1052 can be made different. The more layers of thermoplastic sheets there are, the lower the fusion strength can be. Specifically, by increasing the number of layers of thermoplastic sheets in the first side reinforcement portion 1051 compared to the second side reinforcement portion 1052, the fusion strength (joining strength) of the first side reinforcement portion 1051 due to thermal fusion between sheets can be made lower than that of the second side reinforcement portion 1052. With this configuration, the first side reinforcement portion 1051 becomes easier to peel off, making it easier to stand up the gripping portion 65, and thus making the gripping portion 65 easier to grip. Furthermore, when forming a side reinforcement by joining multiple thermoplastic sheets by heat fusion with adhesive placed between them, the bonding strength between the sheets can be adjusted by the amount of adhesive used. The more adhesive placed between the multiple thermoplastic sheets, the lower the bonding strength between the thermoplastic sheets will be.

[0071] <A method of using different amounts of adhesive in the first and second side reinforcement sections.> As shown in Figure 8, the amount of adhesive applied to the first side reinforcement portion 1051 may be less than the amount of adhesive applied to the second side reinforcement portion 1052. In detail, the amount of adhesive is the amount of adhesive 19 applied between the two layers of exterior body 5 formed by folding back the exterior body 5 of the back extension portion 60.

[0072] This configuration creates a difference in rigidity between the first side reinforcement 1051 and the second side reinforcement 1052, making the first side reinforcement 1051 more prone to curling, which in turn makes it easier to raise the gripping portion 65, resulting in a gripping portion 65 that is easier to grip. Furthermore, when the seal portion of the side reinforcement is formed by applying adhesive between the sheets and applying pressure, rather than by fusion bonding, as shown in Figure 8, the bonding strength of the first side reinforcement 1051 can be made lower than that of the second side reinforcement 1052 by reducing the amount of adhesive applied to the first side reinforcement 1051 compared to the amount of adhesive applied to the second side reinforcement 1052. Note that "reducing the amount of adhesive applied to the first side reinforcement compared to the amount of adhesive applied to the second side reinforcement" includes configurations in which no adhesive is applied to the first side reinforcement.

[0073] <Degree of uprightness of the gripping part> Referring to Figure 6(B), the preferred degree of uprightness of the gripping portion 65 in the diaper 1 in its natural state will be explained using the first imaginary line L1 and a reference plane. From the viewpoint of making the gripping portion 65 easier to grasp and facilitating the lifting operation, the angle θ between the first virtual line L1 and the second virtual line L2 is preferably 5 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, and more preferably 15 degrees or more and 75 degrees or less.

[0074] <Detailed structure of the dorsal extension> In diaper 1, the dorsal extension portion 60 has a plurality of elastic bodies 71 that extend in the lateral direction Y and are expandable and contractible in the lateral direction Y, positioned between a pair of dorsal extension side edges 104. In diaper 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of elastic bodies 71 have equal fineness and elongation ratio.

[0075] From the viewpoint of making it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 on the non-skin-facing side, it is preferable to have more elastic bodies 71 in the first dorsal extension portion R1 than in the second dorsal extension portion R2, so that the shrinkage rate of the first dorsal extension portion R1 is higher than that of the second dorsal extension portion R2.

[0076] As shown in Figure 8, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, elastic bodies 71 to 74 are arranged between the outer layer sheet 51 and the inner layer sheet 52. In the diaper 1, the outer covering 5 is folded back towards the skin-facing side at the back waist end 102. This folded portion of the outer covering 5 is called the folded portion 80. The back extension 60 includes the folded portion 80. In the back extension 60, the portion of the outer covering 5 that constitutes the folded portion 80 is called the first portion 60a, and the portion facing the first portion 60b in the thickness direction Z is called the second portion 60b.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 8, in the first part 60a, an elastic body is placed in the first dorsal region R1, but not in the second dorsal region R2. On the other hand, in the second part 60b, elastic bodies are placed in both the first dorsal region R1 and the second dorsal region R2. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, one elastic body 71 is placed in the first part 60a, and three elastic bodies 71 are placed in the second part 60b. The one elastic body 71 placed in the first part 60a is placed in the first dorsal extension R1. The three elastic bodies 71 placed in the second part 60b are, one in the first dorsal extension R1, one at the boundary between the first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2, and one in the second dorsal extension R2. As a result, there are approximately 2.5 elastic bodies 71 in the first dorsal extension R1 and approximately 1.5 elastic bodies 71 in the second dorsal extension R2. The number of elastic bodies 71 in the first dorsal extension R1 is greater than the number of elastic bodies 71 in the second dorsal extension R2, and the shrinkage rate of the first dorsal extension R1 is higher than that of the second dorsal extension R2. In the example of diaper 1 shown in Figure 8 and Figure 10 described later, one elastic body 71 is located on the boundary between the first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2. Therefore, the number of elastic bodies is counted by assuming that 0.5 of the elastic bodies 71 are located in the first dorsal extension R1 and the remaining 0.5 elastic bodies 71 are located in the second dorsal extension R2.

[0078] In this way, by increasing the number of elastic bodies 71 in the first dorsal extension R1 compared to the number of elastic bodies 72 in the second dorsal extension R2, the contraction rate and, consequently, the rigidity of the first dorsal extension R1 can be increased compared to the second dorsal extension R2. This difference in rigidity makes it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 (side reinforcement portion 105).

[0079] Furthermore, as in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable to provide an elastic body in the first portion 60a of the first dorsal extension R1, and not provide an elastic body in the first portion 60a of the second dorsal extension R2. With this configuration, the first dorsal extension R1 tends to be thicker than the second dorsal extension R2 due to the presence of the elastic body provided in the first portion 60a, thereby increasing the rigidity of the first dorsal extension R1 compared to the second dorsal extension R2, and making it easier to create a difference in rigidity between the first dorsal extension R1 and the second dorsal extension R2. This makes it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 more upright on the non-skin-facing side.

[0080] Furthermore, as in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, when the dorsal extension portion 60 has a laminated structure of multiple outer casings 5 ​​(two layers of outer casings 5 ​​in this embodiment), it is preferable that the number of elastic bodies arranged in the second portion 60b is greater than the number of elastic bodies arranged in the first portion 60a, making it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 on the non-skin-facing side. Note that "the number of elastic bodies arranged in the second portion 60b is greater than the number of elastic bodies arranged in the first portion 60a" also includes the case where the number of elastic bodies arranged in the first portion 60a is 0.

[0081] <Lateral dimensions of the side reinforcement section> Refer to Figure 9. From the viewpoint of making the gripping portion 65 easier to grasp and ensuring sufficient width of the dorsal extension portion 60 to improve the leak suppression effect, the lateral dimension d of the side reinforcement portion 105 in the Y direction is preferably 2 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Dimension d corresponds to the distance between the inner side reinforcement portion edge 105d and the dorsal extension portion edge 1040 (outer side reinforcement portion edge 105c).

[0082] <Contraction stress in the first dorsal extension and the upper ventral portion> As shown in Figures 3 and 8, in the diaper 1, multiple first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 are arranged in the dorsal portion 6 and ventral portion 3, respectively, extending in the transverse direction Y and being expandable and contractible in the transverse direction Y. By appropriately adjusting the fineness and / or elongation rate of the elastic bodies arranged in each part, the number of elastic bodies, the spacing between the elastic bodies, etc., the contraction stress in the transverse direction Y of each part (e.g., the first dorsal extension R1, the second dorsal extension R2, the upper ventral portion F1, etc.) can be adjusted. The method for measuring the contraction stress will be described later. The elastic bodies arranged in each part are fixed to the thermoplastic sheet 50 that constitutes the outer casing 5 in an extended state, and when the extended state is released and the elastic bodies contract, folds are naturally formed in the outer casing 5. The elastic bodies are fixed to the thermoplastic sheet 50 by means of an adhesive, for example.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, a first elastic body 71 is provided in the first dorsal extension R1, and a second elastic body 72 is provided in the ventral upper part F1.

[0084] It is preferable that the first dorsal extension R1 has a higher contractile stress in the lateral direction Y than the ventral upper part F1. With this configuration, the first dorsal extension R1 becomes more easily contracted in the lateral direction Y, making it easier to raise the gripping portion 65 (side reinforcement portion 105). In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the fineness and elongation rate of the first elastic body 71 arranged in the first dorsal extension R1 and the second elastic body 72 arranged in the ventral upper part F1 are made different, so that the contraction stress in the lateral direction Y of the first dorsal extension R1 is higher than that of the ventral upper part F1. Specific examples of the fineness and elongation rate of the first elastic body 71 and the second elastic body 72 will be described later.

[0085] [Examples of contractile stress in the first dorsal extension and the upper ventral portion] Examples of lateral Y-direction shrinkage stress in each part, measured using the shrinkage stress measurement method described later, are given below, but the values ​​listed here are not limited to those given. The shrinkage stress of the first dorsal extension R1 is preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more and 60 cN / 10 mm or less, and more preferably 15 cN / 10 mm or more and 50 cN / 10 mm or less. The contractile stress in the ventral upper portion is preferably 5 cN / 10 mm or more and 50 cN / 10 mm or less, more preferably 10 cN / 10 mm or more and 45 cN / 10 mm or less.

[0086] [Method for measuring contraction stress] The contraction stress in each part is measured as the contraction stress in the Y direction per unit length, as follows:

[0087] (Measurement sample) Peel off the side seal of the diaper, stretch and unfold it as shown in Figure 3 to spread it flat, and cut out the areas of the ventral upper part F1 and the first dorsal extension R1 along a straight line parallel to the width direction of the diaper, obtaining strips or bands of each part that extend across the entire lateral width between the side edges 54 of the ventral part 3 and between the side edges 55 of the dorsal part 6. When cutting out, cut the entire diaper including the absorbent body 4, not just the ventral part 3 and dorsal part 6, and remove the absorbent material 40. Alternatively, the ventral part 3 and dorsal part 6 may be cut into their respective parts after removing the absorbent material 40. If an elastic body exists at the boundary between adjacent parts, the elastic body at the boundary is considered to be placed in the upper part (waist side part), and the cut is made in the part other than the adjacent elastic body. Record the length (mm) in the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y of each cut-out sample.

[0088] (Measurement of contraction stress in the Y direction) The sample is clamped at both ends in the chuck of a tensile testing machine (SHIMADZU "Autograph AG-X"), and stretched at a speed of 300 mm / min. The length between the side seals of the ventral and dorsal sides, measured by the inner dimensions of the ventral and dorsal sides, is set to 100 (e.g., 350 mm). The sample is stretched to a length equivalent to 80 (e.g., 280 mm), and then contracted to a length equivalent to 71 (e.g., 250 mm). The tensile load (cN) at this point is measured. This measured tensile load (cN) is converted to a tensile load (cN) per unit length (10 mm). The value obtained by dividing this converted tensile load (cN) per unit length (10 mm) by the length of the sample in the X direction is defined as the contraction stress P in the Y direction. The reason for defining the return force at a length equivalent to 71 when the inner dimensions of the ventral and dorsal parts are set to 100 is that the waist circumference of infants, who are the primary target of the diaper 1 of this embodiment, is approximately 71% of the inner dimensions of the diaper. The waist circumference referred to here is the average value of the waist circumference measured in standing and sitting positions, taking into account the change in waist circumference when the posture of the infant changes. Each pair of side seals 8 (or side reinforcement parts 105) has an inner side seal edge 8d (inner side reinforcement part edge 105d) located on the inside in the lateral Y direction, and the above "inner dimensions" refers to the distance between the pair of inner side seal edges 8d (inner side reinforcement part edge 105d). Furthermore, the above "inner dimensions" refers to the inner dimensions when the sheet (thermoplastic sheet 50) constituting the outer body 5 is not contracted by the elastic body, in other words, when only the ventral and dorsal parts are stretched without the elastic body.

[0089] <Example of elastic body construction> Multiple first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 extend along the transverse direction Y and are intermittently arranged along the longitudinal direction X between the outer layer sheet 51 and the inner layer sheet 52. These first to fourth elastic members 71 to 74 provide elasticity to the waist of the diaper 1, making it easier to put on and maintaining a good fit when worn. Furthermore, "the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 extend in the lateral direction Y" means that in the unfolded and extended state, the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 extend in the lateral direction Y. However, the above expression is not limited to the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 being parallel to the lateral direction Y in the unfolded and extended state, but also includes the state in which the whole extends in the lateral direction Y. In this embodiment, an example is given in which all of the elastic bodies 71 to 74 are parallel to the lateral direction Y.

[0090] The first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74, the leg elastic body 11, and the leak-proof cuff forming elastic body 25 can preferably be thread-like (e.g., elastic thread) or string-like (e.g., flat elastic) materials with a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross-section, or multifilament type thread-like materials. The materials for the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74, the leg elastic body 11, and the leak-proof cuff forming elastic body 25 can be those conventionally used in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, and are not particularly limited. Examples include synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, stretchable polyolefin, and polyurethane.

[0091] The fineness of the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 may differ, and in Figure 3, elastic bodies with different finenesses are shown with different line types. In the figure, the first elastic body 71 is shown with a dashed line. The second elastic body 72 is shown with a long dashed line. The third elastic body 73 is shown with a short dashed line. The fourth elastic body 74 is shown with a single dashed line.

[0092] From the viewpoint of ensuring the elasticity of the entire girth, the ends of the elastic bodies 71-74 located on the ventral portion 3 and the dorsal portion 6, respectively, on the lateral Y-side, are preferably located on or near the side seal 8 and the side reinforcement portion 105. Specifically, it is preferable that the distance of such ends from the side seal 8 and the side reinforcement portion 105 in the lateral Y-side is 10 mm or less, and it is more preferable that the distance is 0 mm and the ends are located within the side seal 8 and the side reinforcement portion 105.

[0093] The elongation rate of each of the first to fourth elastic bodies 71 to 74 represents the ratio of the length of the elastic body in the unfolded and stretched state of the pant-type absorbent article to the length of the elastic body in the natural length when removed from the pant-type absorbent article. In other words, the lower the elongation rate, the smaller the elastic force when each elastic body is stretched tends to be. The elongation rate of the elastic body can be adjusted during manufacturing by adjusting the degree of elongation of each elastic body placed in the outer casing 5. During manufacturing, for example, the elastic body is stretched to a predetermined length, adhesive is applied to the elastic body using a comb or the like, and the elastic body is fixed to the thermoplastic sheet 50 of the outer casing 5.

[0094] The following are examples of the fineness and elongation of the first and second elastic bodies 72, but the fineness and elongation are not limited to those listed here. The method for measuring the elongation will be described later.

[0095] The first elastic body 71, which is positioned in the first dorsal extension R1, is an elastic body with a fineness of 470 dtex and an elongation ratio of 3.2 times. The second elastic body 72, located in the upper ventral part F1, is an elastic body with a fineness of 310 dtex and an elongation ratio of 2.8 times.

[0096] [Method for measuring the elongation rate of an elastic material] Diaper 1 is separated at the side seal 8 and unfolded, then extended. In the area not including the side reinforcement portion 105 or the side seal 8, two marks are made on the first elastic body 71 located on the first dorsal extension portion R1 and the second elastic body 72 located on the ventral upper portion F1, with a distance La in the direction of extension of each elastic body, using an oil-based pen. Next, each elastic body is peeled off from diaper 1, and the length Lb between the two marks on each elastic body in its natural state (contracted state) is measured. This measurement is performed three times for each elastic body, and the elongation rate is determined by the arithmetic mean of the values ​​calculated using the formula "La / Lb". The distance La can be, for example, 100 mm, but if the stretchable range is less than 100 mm, the distance La should be made as wide as possible.

[0097] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0098] For example, in the diaper 1 of the above embodiment, the inner layer sheet 52 is present in the first dorsal extension R1 but not in the second dorsal extension R2 at the folded portion 80 of the dorsal extension 60. However, as shown in Figure 10, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the inner layer sheet 52 is present in the second dorsal extension R2 as well.

[0099] Furthermore, while the above embodiment of diaper 1 shows an example in which the outer casing 5 has a configuration in which the ventral portion 3, the dorsal portion 6, and the crotch portion 9 are integrated, the invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the outer casing may be divided into a ventral portion 3A and a dorsal portion 6A. Diaper 1A consists of a rectangular ventral portion 3A positioned on the wearer's ventral side, a rectangular dorsal portion 6A positioned on the wearer's dorsal side, and a crotch portion 9A including an absorbent body fixed across the ventral portion 3A and the dorsal portion 6A. The dorsal portion 6A has a dorsal extension 60. The side edges of the dorsal portion 6A and the side edges of the ventral portion 3A are joined to form a pair of side seals 8. In diaper 1A, as with diaper 1, the pair of side reinforcement parts 105 stand upright on the non-skin-facing side when the diaper is laid flat on a flat surface with the back side 6 facing upwards in its natural state, forming a gripping part 65.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which a side reinforcing portion 105 is provided to reinforce the dorsal extension side edge portion 104 by providing a sealing portion S on the dorsal extension side edge portion 104, but the means of reinforcement are not limited to sealing. For example, the dorsal extension side edge portion 104 may be reinforced by arranging sheet pieces other than the sheets that make up the outer casing as multiple sheets that make up the dorsal extension side edge portion 104.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which an elastic body is placed on the dorsal extension portion 60 to make it easier for the side reinforcement portion 105 to stand up on the non-skin-facing side. However, a crease may also be made near the dorsal extension side edge portion 104 of the dorsal extension portion 60 so that the side reinforcement portion 105 stands up on the non-skin-facing side. In this case as well, it is preferable that an elastic body that expands and contracts in the lateral direction Y is provided in the region between the pair of side reinforcement portions of the dorsal extension portion 60. By providing such an elastic body, the dorsal extension portion 60 can easily conform to the shape of the wearer's skin when worn, making it less likely for a large gap to occur between the dorsal extension portion 60 and the skin, and thus the leakage suppression effect is more easily achieved.

[0102] Furthermore, the pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention does not have to be a disposable diaper for infants; for example, it may be a disposable diaper for adults or children. Moreover, the pant-type absorbent article according to the present invention does not have to be a disposable diaper, as long as it is an absorbent article of the type worn on the lower body. Examples of such pant-type absorbent articles include pant-type sanitary napkins. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1, 1A, 1B...Panty-type absorbent items (disposable diapers, diapers) 1W…Waist opening 1L... Leg opening 3...ventral part 4… Absorbent body 5…Exterior 6…Dorsal part 8... Side seal 54...Lateral margin of the ventral part 55...Lateral edge of the dorsal portion 60...Dorsal extension part 61...Dorsal body part 65...Grip part 101...Ventral waist end 102...Rear waist end 104...Dorsal extension side edge 105...Side reinforcement P... Mounting surface

Claims

1. A pant-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent body and an outer body positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, having a longitudinal direction extending from the wearer's abdominal side through the crotch to the back, and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The exterior body is, A ventral portion positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and having an ventral waist end that constitutes the waist opening, A back portion positioned on the back of the wearer, having a back waist end that constitutes the waist opening, A pair of side seals, each joined to the lateral edge of the ventral portion and the lateral edge of the dorsal portion in the lateral direction, It has, The dorsal waist end is located further from the pair of leg openings in the longitudinal direction than the ventral waist end, The rear side portion of the exterior body is A dorsal extension extending from the ventral waist end to the dorsal waist end in the longitudinal direction, The dorsal main body portion obtained by removing the dorsal extension portion from the dorsal portion, It has, The dorsal extension is, A pair of dorsal extensions that are opposite each other in the lateral direction and extend in the vertical direction, A pair of vertically extending side reinforcing portions are provided on each of the pair of dorsal extending side edges, It has, When the object is placed flat on a natural surface with the aforementioned back portion facing upwards, the pair of side reinforcements form upright gripping portions on the non-skin-facing side. Absorbent pants.

2. The dorsal extension has a laterally extending and laterally expandable elastic body positioned between the pair of dorsal extension side edges. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. The dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a first dorsal extension and a second dorsal extension, which are located sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the dorsal waist end side toward the leg opening side. The first dorsal extension has a higher lateral shrinkage rate than the second dorsal extension. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 2.

4. The dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a first dorsal extension and a second dorsal extension, which are located sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the dorsal waist end side toward the leg opening side. The exterior body is constructed by laminating multiple sheets, The aforementioned dorsal extension has a folded portion formed by folding the sheet constituting the outer casing back toward the skin-facing side along the dorsal waist end, The number of sheets stacked in the first dorsal extension is greater than the number of sheets stacked in the second dorsal extension. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a first dorsal extension and a second dorsal extension, which are located sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the dorsal waist end side toward the leg opening side. The side reinforcement portion comprises a first side reinforcement portion located on the first dorsal extension portion and a second side reinforcement portion located on the second dorsal extension portion. The aforementioned side reinforcement section is formed by joining together multiple sheets. The first side reinforcement portion has lower joint strength than the second side reinforcement portion. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The aforementioned side reinforcement portion has an upper end and a lower end that are opposite to each other in the vertical direction and extend in the horizontal direction, A first virtual line is defined, which is a line segment connecting the first point, the innermost point in the lateral direction of the lower end of the side reinforcement portion, and the second point, the outermost point in the lateral direction of the upper end of the side reinforcement portion. When the object is placed flat on the aforementioned surface in its natural state with the back portion facing upward, the angle between the reference plane passing through the first point parallel to the aforementioned surface and the first imaginary line is between 5 degrees and 85 degrees. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a first dorsal extension and a second dorsal extension, which are located sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the dorsal waist end side toward the leg opening side. The exterior body is composed of laminated outer sheets and inner sheets, The aforementioned dorsal extension has a folded portion formed by folding the sheet constituting the outer casing back toward the skin-facing side along the dorsal waist end, In the aforementioned folded portion, The first dorsal extension comprises the outer layer sheet, the inner layer sheet, and the elastic body disposed between the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet. No elastic material is provided in the second dorsal extension. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The dorsal extension side edge portion is a portion having a predetermined width including the dorsal extension side edge in the lateral direction of the dorsal extension portion, The side reinforcement portion extending in the vertical direction has an outer side reinforcement portion edge located on the lateral side and an inner side reinforcement portion edge located on the lateral side, which are opposite each other in the lateral direction. The distance between the inner side reinforcement edge and the dorsal extension edge is 2 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The aforementioned dorsal extension is constructed by laminating multiple sheets. At least one of the multiple sheets constituting the dorsal extension is a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven fabric. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The dorsal extension is divided into two equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a first dorsal extension and a second dorsal extension, which are located sequentially in the longitudinal direction from the dorsal waist end side toward the leg opening side. The ventral portion includes the ventral waist end and has a ventral upper portion that extends across the entire lateral width of the ventral portion, with a longitudinal length equal to the longitudinal length of the first dorsal extension. The first dorsal extension has higher lateral contraction stress than the ventral upper portion. The pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

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