absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article having excellent side leakage prevention performance. [Solution] The topsheet (3) has a portion that overlaps the absorber (5) in a plan view, and has extensions (32E) that extend outward in the transverse direction (Y) from the side edges (5S) of the absorber (5). A hydrophobic cuff sheet (70) that forms the main part of each leak-proof cuff (7) has a region in at least the crotch region (M) where an outer side in the transverse direction (Y) is fixed to another member and an inner side in the transverse direction (Y) is a free portion (72) that is not fixed to another member. A sealed region (10) where the skin-side hydrophobic sheets (22, 23, 70) and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet (4) are joined is located in the hydrophobic sheet overlapping region (24) of each side flap (20). The sealed region (10) passes between the extensions (32E) of the topsheet (3) and the leg-hole elastic members (8) that are arranged at the outermost positions in the transverse direction (Y) and is continuous in the longitudinal direction (X) over the entire length of the diaper (1) in the longitudinal direction (X).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles that can be used to absorb and retain bodily exudates such as urine. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers typically include an absorbent core that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, a hydrophilic topsheet that is positioned closer to the wearer's skin than the absorbent core, and a hydrophobic backsheet that is positioned farther from the wearer's skin than the absorbent core. Conventionally, absorbent articles with such a configuration have been designed to prevent lateral leakage of excrement such as urine and loose stools (so-called lateral leakage) by providing leak-proof cuffs that stand up toward the wearer's skin on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, or by arranging stretchable leg elastic members in areas of the absorbent article that will be placed around the wearer's legs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The longitudinal direction here refers to the direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the lateral direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-99301 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an absorbent article equipped with leak-proof cuffs is worn and a wearer lies on their side and excretes urine or other body waste toward the longitudinal center region of the absorbent article, the body waste flows downward on the topsheet due to gravity and reaches the base end of the lowest leak-proof cuff. The base end of the leak-proof cuff is the part where the cuff is fixed to another component (e.g., the topsheet) and serves as the starting point for standing up. Because this base end is typically located laterally outward of the absorbent core, body waste that reaches this base end is likely to accumulate between the leak-proof cuff and the other component rather than being absorbed inside the absorbent article. The excrement that accumulates at the base end of the leak-proof cuff in the longitudinal center region of the absorbent article then spreads longitudinally via the other component, potentially causing lateral leakage at the longitudinal edges of the absorbent article. A technology that provides excellent lateral leakage prevention performance and can effectively prevent "lateral leakage at the longitudinal edges of the absorbent article," which is unique to absorbent articles equipped with such leak-proof cuffs, has not yet been provided.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that has excellent side leakage prevention performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen through the crotch region to the back, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and having a crotch region that is located in the crotch region when worn, a abdominal region that is located closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch region, and a back region that is located closer to the wearer's back than the crotch region.The absorbent article comprises an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, a topsheet that is located on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, a pair of leak-proof cuffs that extend in the vertical direction so as to cover both side edges of the topsheet along the vertical direction, and a pair of side flap portions that extend laterally outward from each of the vertically aligned side edges of the absorbent body, and leg elastic members that are arranged in the portions of the side flap portions that are located around the wearer's legs so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the top sheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a planar view, and has an extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from the side edge of the absorbent body along the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the top sheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a planar view, and has an extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from the side edge of the absorbent body along the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the topsheet has a laminated structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated in the thickness direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the top sheet includes a first layer arranged relatively close to the wearer's skin, and a second layer arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the first layer and having a higher hydrophilicity than the first layer. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the second layer has the overlapping portion and, as the extension portion, a second layer extension portion extending outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the first layer along the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the second layer extension portions are arranged on both sides of the first layer in the lateral direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the leakage-preventing cuffs include a hydrophobic cuff sheet, and the cuff sheet has, at least in the crotch region, a fixed portion on the outer side in the horizontal direction that is fixed to another member, and a free portion on the inner side in the horizontal direction that is not fixed to another member. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the side flap portions include a skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the topsheet or the absorbent body, and a non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and have hydrophobic sheet overlapping portions between the absorbent body and the leg elastic members arranged at the outermost sides in the horizontal direction, in which the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are arranged opposite each other, and the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portions extend in the vertical direction over the entire length of the absorbent article. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the hydrophobic sheet overlap portion has a sealed portion where the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are joined, and the sealed portion passes between the extension portion of the top sheet and the leg elastic member arranged at the outermost side in the horizontal direction, and is continuous in the vertical direction over the entire length of the absorbent article. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article with excellent side leakage prevention performance is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a developed plan view schematically showing the skin-facing side (topsheet side) of an open-type disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention, in an open and maximally stretched state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 1 (a cross section along the thickness direction of the crotch portion). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual product.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1"), which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the ventral side through the crotch region to the dorsal side, and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The diaper 1 also has a crotch region M which is arranged in the crotch region of the wearer and includes an excretory region-facing region (not shown) which faces an excretory region such as the penis, a ventral region F which is arranged closer to the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch region M, and a dorsal region R which is arranged closer to the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch region M.

[0011] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side across the lateral centerline CLy in the unfolded and maximally stretched state. The ventral portion F is a part of the front body of the diaper 1, and the back portion R is a part of the rear body of the diaper 1. The crotch portion M straddles the longitudinal centerline CLx in the longitudinal direction X and extends across both the front and rear body portions of the diaper 1. In the present invention, the abdominal region F, the crotch region M, and the back region R may be each of the regions obtained by dividing the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximum stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X. The horizontal centerline CLy is an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction X, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the horizontal direction Y. The vertical centerline CLx is an imaginary line extending in the horizontal direction Y, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the vertical direction X.

[0012] In this specification, the "unfolded and maximum stretched state" refers to a state in which the object (such as an absorbent article) is spread out flat to an unfolded state, and the elastic members of each part of the unfolded object are stretched to their designed dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when the object is unfolded flat in a state in which the influence of the elastic members is completely eliminated. If the object is an absorbent article having side seals, the absorbent article is separated at the side seals and spread out flat to the unfolded state.

[0013] The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 5 that absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine, a top sheet 3 arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 5, a pair of leakage prevention cuffs 7, 7 extending in the longitudinal direction X and arranged to cover both side edges of the top sheet 3 along the longitudinal direction X, and a pair of side flap portions 20, 20 extending outward in the transverse direction Y from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5 along the longitudinal direction X, and leg elastic members 8 are arranged in the side flap portions 20 so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X at portions that will be arranged around the legs of a wearer.

[0014] The diaper 1 of this embodiment is a so-called flat-type disposable diaper, and as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with fastening members 21 having fastening portions (not shown) on both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the back side portion R of the diaper 1, and is provided with fastening regions (not shown) on the non-skin-facing surface of a sheet (outer sheet 6 in this embodiment) that forms the non-skin-facing surface of the ventral side portion F of the diaper 1, to which the fastening portions can be fastened.

[0015] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of an absorbent article or a component thereof (e.g., an absorbent body) that faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of an absorbent article or a component thereof that faces the opposite side from the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, appropriate wearing position, i.e., a state in which the absorbent article is maintained in the correct wearing position.

[0016] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 includes an absorbent main body 2, which is composed of a topsheet 3 and an absorber 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent main body 2 further includes a backsheet 4 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorber 5, and an outer sheet 6 arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the backsheet 4. The absorbent main body 2 (absorbent body 5) extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral side F to the dorsal side R, and its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X. The topsheet 3, together with a cuff sheet 70 described below, forms the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the diaper 1, and the outer sheet 6 forms the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the diaper 1. The components of the absorbent main body 2 are joined to each other by known joining means such as adhesives.

[0017] As the constituent components of the absorbent body 2, those components that are normally used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restrictions, provided that if any explanation about the components is given later, that explanation can be applied. Various types of liquid-permeable sheets can be used as the topsheet 3, including, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and paper. The topsheet 3 is typically hydrophilic. The backsheet 4 may be a leakproof sheet, specifically a liquid-impermeable sheet (i.e., a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or a sheet that is hardly liquid-permeable (a sheet that is not liquid-impermeable but does allow liquid to pass through with difficulty), such as a moisture-permeable resin film or a laminate of such a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The backsheet 4 is typically hydrophobic. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent body 5 includes an absorbent core 50 mainly made of a water-absorbent material and a core wrap sheet 51 covering the outer surfaces (skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces) of the absorbent core 50. The water-absorbent material is typically one or more selected from fibrous materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbent polymers. The absorbent core 50 may be, for example, a stacked fiber type mainly made of an aggregate of fibrous materials, with water-absorbent polymer particles optionally supported on the aggregate, or a sheet type in which water-absorbent polymer particles are fixed to the interior or surface of a fiber sheet. The sheet type is thinner and more flexible than the stacked fiber type. The core wrap sheet 51 is liquid-permeable and typically made of paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like. The absorbent body 5 may be composed of only the absorbent core 50 without the core wrap sheet 51. The outer sheet 6 is preferably one that feels good against the skin, and from that point of view, various nonwoven fabrics are preferably used. However, the absorbent article of the present invention does not necessarily have to be provided with the outer sheet 6.

[0018] The top sheet 3 has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body 5 (absorbent core 50) in a planar view, and also has an extension portion (hereinafter also referred to as the "top sheet lateral extension portion") that extends outward in the lateral direction Y from the side edge 5S of the absorbent body 5. In this embodiment, the top sheet 3 has a laminated structure in which multiple layers are stacked in the thickness direction, as described below, and a portion of the multiple layers (second layer 32) constitutes the top sheet lateral extension portion.

[0019] 2, the topsheet 3 includes a first layer 31 disposed relatively close to the wearer's skin, and a second layer 32 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface of the first layer 31. The topsheet 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32.

[0020] In this embodiment, the topsheet 3 has an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of convex portions 33 that protrude toward the wearer's skin are scattered on the skin-facing surface of the first layer 31, thereby forming an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3, consisting of each convex portion 33 and concave portions (non-convex portions) located around them. The second layer 32, which forms the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3, is substantially flat and does not have an uneven shape. When the surface of the topsheet 3 has an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface, the feel of the topsheet 3 against the skin, cushioning properties, and surface dryness are improved, and therefore, the wearing comfort of the diaper 1 can be expected to be improved. More specifically, in this embodiment, the topsheet 3 has multiple joints between the first layer 31 and the second layer 32, and portions of the first layer 31 other than the joints protrude toward the side opposite the second layer 32 to form protrusions 33. The protrusions 33 may have a solid structure filled with the constituent fibers of the topsheet 3, or a hollow structure not filled with the constituent fibers. The means for joining the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 at the joints is not particularly limited and may be any known joining means such as adhesive or fusion. The fusion of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 can be achieved, for example, by subjecting the layers 31 and 32 to a forming material melting process such as heat treatment or ultrasonic treatment while applying pressure in the thickness direction to the layers 31 and 32 in a stacked state. In one preferred embodiment of the topsheet 3, the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 each comprise a nonwoven fabric, and the layers 31, 32 are fused together at their joints. The nonwoven fabrics constituting the layers 31, 32 can be made from nonwoven fabrics produced by various methods without any particular restrictions, and examples thereof include air-through nonwoven fabrics, heat-rolled nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, and spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) nonwoven fabrics. The first layer 31 does not have to have an uneven surface on the skin-facing surface. The present invention also encompasses a configuration in which both the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet are flat surfaces with substantially no protrusions.

[0021] The second layer 32 has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body 5 (absorbent core 50) in a plan view, and has second layer extensions 32E that extend outward in the lateral direction Y from side edges 31S along the longitudinal direction X of the first layer 31. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, a pair of second layer extensions 32E are arranged on both sides of the first layer 31 in the lateral direction Y. Each of the pair of second layer extensions 32E extends in the same direction over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. In the present invention, the second layer extension portion 32E may be disposed on only one of both sides of the first layer 31 in the lateral direction Y.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second layer 32 is made up of a single sheet (e.g., nonwoven fabric), and both side edges 32S, 32S of the single sheet along the longitudinal direction X are located outward in the lateral direction Y from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5 along the longitudinal direction X. To explain further, in this embodiment, both the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 have a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction X in a plan view. Furthermore, the second layer 32 has a longer length (width) in the transverse direction Y than the first layer 31. The relatively narrow first layer 31 is disposed in the central region in the transverse direction Y of the relatively wide second layer 32, and second-layer extensions 32E extend from both side edges 31S, 31S of the first layer 31. The width of the second layer 32 is longer than the maximum width of the absorbent body 5 (absorbent core 50), and the second-layer extensions 32E extend from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5. In this embodiment, the topsheet transverse extensions are made of the second layer 32. The central region in the transverse direction Y of the topsheet 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32, and second-layer extensions 32E are provided on both sides in the transverse direction Y, sandwiching the two-layer structure. In the present invention, the second layer extension portion 32E does not need to extend from the side edge 5S of the absorbent body 5. In other words, the present invention includes a configuration in which the entire second layer 32 overlaps the absorbent body 5 in a planar view.

[0023] The second layer 32 has a higher hydrophilicity than the first layer 31. In the present invention, "hydrophilicity" is an index of the contact angle of the constituent fibers of the sheet (fiber layer) measured by the method described below, and is determined based on this contact angle. Specifically, high hydrophilicity is synonymous with a small contact angle, and low hydrophilicity is synonymous with a large contact angle. Therefore, in the topsheet 3, the relationship "contact angle of the first layer 31 > contact angle of the second layer 32" holds. In this specification, "contact angle" refers to the contact angle measured by the method described below, unless otherwise specified. In this specification, if the contact angle is 90 degrees or less, the sheet is hydrophilic, and if the contact angle is more than 90 degrees, the sheet is hydrophobic.

[0024] <Contact angle measurement method> Fibers were removed from the sheet to be measured, and the contact angle of water with the fibers was measured. Scissors and tweezers were used to remove the fibers. The fibers were removed from both surfaces of the sheet (both surface layers) and the area sandwiched between them (the center in the thickness direction). An automatic contact angle meter, MCA-J, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., was used as the measurement device. Deionized water was used to measure the contact angle. The ink-jet water droplet ejection unit (CTC-25 pulse injector with a 25 μm nozzle diameter, manufactured by Cluster Technology Co., Ltd.) was set to 20 picoliters, and a water droplet was dropped directly onto the fiber. The droplet was recorded on a high-speed video recorder connected to a horizontally mounted camera. For later image analysis, a personal computer equipped with a high-speed capture device is recommended. Images were recorded every 17 msec during this measurement. The first image of the water droplet landing on the fiber in the recorded video was analyzed using the accompanying software FAMAS (software version 2.6.2, measurement method: sessile drop method, analysis method: θ / 2 method, image processing algorithm: anti-reflection, image processing image mode: frame, threshold level: 200, curvature correction: no), and the angle between the surface of the water droplet in contact with the air and the fiber was calculated, which was taken as the contact angle. The fibers removed from the sheet to be measured were cut to a length of 1 mm and placed on the sample stage of the contact angle meter and maintained horizontally. The contact angle was measured at two different locations for each fiber. The contact angles of N=5 fibers were measured to one decimal place, and the average value (rounded to two decimal places) of the measured values ​​at a total of 10 locations was defined as the contact angle of the fiber with water. The measurement environment was a room temperature of 22±2°C and a humidity of 65±2% RH. A smaller contact angle value indicates higher hydrophilicity. In addition, when the sheet to be measured in the absorbent article is joined to another member by adhesive, fusion, or the like, the adhesive force is removed from the joined portion by a method such as spraying cold air from a cold spray to an extent that does not affect the contact angle of the fibers, and then the sheet is removed. This method of removing the sheet to be measured from the disposable diaper can also be used for other measurements.

[0025] The basis weight of the topsheet 3 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of more reliably achieving the desired effects of the present invention, the basis weight of each of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 is preferably 10 g / m 2 More preferably, 12 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 30 g / m 2 Less than 25 g / m 2 The first layer 31 and the second layer 32 may have the same basis weight or different basis weights.

[0026] The leakage preventing cuffs 7 include hydrophobic cuff sheets 70. As shown in Fig. 1, the leakage preventing cuffs 7 (cuff sheets 70) are continuous in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. Both side edges of the skin-facing surface of the diaper 1 along the longitudinal direction X are each formed by the cuff sheets 70. As the cuff sheet 70, any material that can be used as a material for leakage preventing cuffs in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular limitation, and for example, a material that can be used as the backsheet 4 can be used.

[0027] 2, the cuff sheet 70 has, at least in the crotch region M, a fixed portion 71 on the outer side in the lateral direction Y that is fixed to other members (in this embodiment, the backsheet 4 and the second layer 32) including the second-layer extension 32E of the topsheet 3, and a region (hereinafter also referred to as the "standing region") on the inner side in the lateral direction Y that is a free portion 72 that is not fixed to other members. The free portion 72 of the cuff sheet 70 is movable in a direction away from the topsheet 3, with a base end 71P being the portion of the fixed portion 71 that is fixed to the skin-facing surface of the second-layer extension 32E and is located in the innermost position in the lateral direction Y. More specifically, at the inner end of the free portion 72 of the cuff sheet 70 in the transverse direction Y (the inner edge along the longitudinal direction X of the cuff sheet 70), the cuff elastic members 73 are fixed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X and are arranged so as to be stretchable in the same direction. In this embodiment, the standing regions are located near the crotch portion M and the ventral portion F and dorsal portion R, and both ends of the leakage preventing cuff 7 in the longitudinal direction X are standing-inhibiting portions that inhibit the standing of the free portion 72. In other words, the standing regions of the cuff sheet 70 are sandwiched between the standing-inhibiting portions located at both ends of the cuff sheet 70 in the longitudinal direction X. The standing-inhibiting portions are typically formed by fixing the cuff sheet 70 to the skin-facing surface (topsheet 3) of the absorbent main body 2 by known joining means such as adhesive or fusion bonding. When the diaper 1 is worn, the free portions 72 of the cuff sheet 70 in the upright regions of the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 are caused to stand up toward the wearer's skin from the base ends 71P (moving in a direction away from the topsheet 3) due to the contractile force of the cuff elastic members 73. This prevents urine and other excrement from leaking outward in the lateral direction Y. In the illustrated embodiment, two cuff elastic members 73 are disposed in the free portions 72, but the number of cuff elastic members is not particularly limited and may be one, three, or more. For ease of explanation, the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 are shown in an upright state in FIG. 2, but this does not necessarily mean that the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 will stand up as shown in FIG. 2 when the diaper 1 is deployed and fully extended as shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 includes flap portions located outward from the periphery of the absorbent body 5. The flap portions are composed of members arranged to straddle the periphery of the absorbent body 5. In this embodiment, the flap portions include a topsheet 3, a backsheet 4, an outer sheet 6, and a cuff sheet 70. As shown in FIG. 1 , the flap portions at the end of the longitudinal direction X on the ventral side F of the diaper 1 include, in addition to the sheets 3, 4, 6, and 70, a ventral end sheet 22. At the end of the longitudinal direction X on the dorsal side R of the diaper 1, the flap portions include, in addition to the sheets 3, 4, 6, and 70, a dorsal end sheet 23. The sheets 22 and 23 are employed for reinforcing the diaper 1, preventing leakage, and providing anchors for elastic members such as the waist-circumference elastic members 9 (described later), and are disposed between the topsheet 3 (second layer 32) and the absorbent body 5 (core wrap sheet 51). Both sheets 22 and 23 are hydrophobic, and each may be made of a material suitable for use as the backsheet 4. The plurality of members constituting the flap portion are joined together by known joining means such as adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. Both sheets 22 and 23 may be omitted. The portions of the flap portion located outward in the transverse direction Y from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5 and from imaginary extensions of each side edge 5S are the side flap portions 20. The side flap portions 20 extend over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the side flap portion 20 has a constricted portion in the central region in the longitudinal direction X (the region located in the crotch portion M). The constricted portion is the portion of the diaper 1 that is arranged around the legs of the wearer (leg surrounding portion), and the leg surrounding elastic members 8 are arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0029] The side flap portion 20 includes a skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 3 or the absorbent body 5, and a non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 5, and has a hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 between the absorbent body 5 and the leg-hole elastic member 8 arranged at the outermost side in the lateral direction Y, where the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are arranged opposite each other. 1, the entire portion located outward in the transverse direction Y from the second layer extension portion 32E (the side edge 32S of the second layer 32) is the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24. The hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 extends in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0030] In this embodiment, the skin-side hydrophobic sheets are the cuff sheet 70, the ventral end sheet 22, and the dorsal end sheet 23, and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet is the back sheet 4. These sheets 4, 22, 23, and 70 are all hydrophobic. The meaning of "hydrophobic" here is as described above. Assuming that the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are both hydrophobic, the contact angles measured by the above method may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the combination of sheets constituting the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 (the combination of two hydrophobic sheets arranged facing each other between the absorbent core 5 and the outermost leg elastic members 8 in the transverse direction Y) is partially different. That is, the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 is composed of a ventral end sheet 22 and a back sheet 4 at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the ventral region F of the diaper 1, a back end sheet 23 and a back sheet 4 at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the back region R of the diaper 1, and a cuff sheet 70 and a back sheet 4 at other portions (the crotch region M and the regions of the ventral region F and back R near the crotch region M). In the present invention, the combination of sheets constituting the hydrophobic sheet overlap portion 24 may be the same throughout the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X, and an example of such a combination is the combination of the cuff sheet 70 and the back sheet 4.

[0031] In this embodiment, the leg elastic members 8 are interposed between the cuff sheet 70 (skin-side hydrophobic sheet) and the backsheet 4 (non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet) as shown in Fig. 2. The leg elastic members 8 are fixed to the side-flap sheets 4, 70 with an adhesive in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction X at the portions of the side-flap portions 20 that will be placed around the legs of the wearer. As a result, when the diaper 1 is worn, contraction of the leg elastic members 8 causes leg gathers to be formed in the portions of the side-flap portions 20 that will be placed around the legs of the wearer, and these portions can fit closely to the legs (thighs) of the wearer. In this embodiment, two leg elastic members 8 are arranged in each of a pair of side flap portions 20, 20, but the number of leg elastic members 8 arranged in each side flap portion 20 is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more. In this embodiment, the leg elastic members 8 extend parallel to the longitudinal direction X (their extending direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X), but they may be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, for example, they may be curved along the constricted portion of the central region of the side flap portion 20 in the longitudinal direction X. In this invention, if the angle between the extending direction of the leg elastic members 8 and the longitudinal direction X is 45 degrees or less, it can be said that the leg elastic members 8 are arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X. The leg elastic members 8 may be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X at least in the portions of the side flap portions 20 that are arranged around the legs of the wearer, and may also be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X in other portions (for example, portions of the ventral portion F and / or the dorsal portion R that are arranged around the waist). For example, the leg elastic members 8 may be arranged to be stretchable in the same direction over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0032] In this embodiment, a plurality of waist elastic members 9 are arranged in a manner stretchable in the transverse direction Y on the flap portion at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the back side R of the diaper 1 (the back waist end portion), and the plurality of waist elastic members 9 are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction X. The waist elastic members 9 are fixed to the back end sheet 23 with an adhesive in a stretched state in the transverse direction Y. As a result, when the diaper 1 is worn, contraction of the waist elastic members 9 forms waist gathers in the portion of the diaper 1 that will be disposed around the waist of the wearer, allowing the diaper 1 to fit closely around the waist of the wearer. Similar to the back side R side, waist elastic members may also be arranged on the flap portion at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the ventral side F of the diaper 1 (the ventral waist end portion).

[0033] The shape of each of the aforementioned elastic members 8, 9, 73 is not particularly limited, and for example, thread-like or string-like members (such as flat rubber) with a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or multifilament type thread-like members can be used.

[0034] One of the main features of the diaper 1 is that, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 has a sealed portion 10 where the skin-side hydrophobic sheet (in this embodiment, the cuff sheet 70, the ventral end sheet 22, or the dorsal end sheet 23) and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet (in this embodiment, the back sheet 4) are joined, and the sealed portion 10 passes between the laterally extending portion of the top sheet and the leg-hole elastic members 8 arranged at the outermost positions in the lateral direction Y, and is continuous in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0035] In this embodiment, the topsheet laterally extending portion is a part of the second layer 32 (second-layer extending portion 32E) of the two-layer topsheet 3. However, as described above, the present invention is not particularly limited to the configuration of the topsheet, as long as it is an "extending portion of the topsheet extending laterally outward from the side edge of the topsheet along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body." The topsheet in the absorbent article of the present invention may have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure of three or more layers. When the topsheet has a single-layer structure, the topsheet laterally extending portion is an extending portion of the topsheet that extends laterally outward from the side edge of the topsheet along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body. When the topsheet has a laminated structure of two or more layers, the topsheet laterally extending portion may be composed of some of the layers constituting the laminated structure, as in this embodiment, or may be composed of all of the layers constituting the laminated structure.

[0036] The means for joining the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet in the sealed portion 10 is not particularly limited, and may be an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive, fusion, or the like. Fusion joining of the two hydrophobic sheets can be achieved, for example, by subjecting the two hydrophobic sheets (specifically, the cuff sheet 70 and the back sheet 4, for example) to a forming material melting treatment such as heat treatment or ultrasonic treatment while applying pressure in the thickness direction while the two hydrophobic sheets are stacked together. Fusion is particularly effective when at least one of the two hydrophobic sheets is primarily made of a resin such as a thermoplastic resin. The joining means is preferably a hot melt adhesive from the viewpoint of improving joining strength and operability. The hot melt adhesive as the joining means is preferably applied in a line shape (bead shape) along the extension direction (longitudinal direction X) of the sealing portion 10.

[0037] As mentioned above, in absorbent articles equipped with leakage-preventing cuffs, when the wearer lies on their side, excrement such as urine tends to accumulate at the base ends of the leakage-preventing cuffs in the longitudinal central region (crotch area) of the absorbent article, and the accumulated excrement spreads in the longitudinal direction through other members such as the topsheet connected to the leakage-preventing cuffs at the base ends, causing side leakage at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. Therefore, in the diaper 1, there is a concern that excrement will accumulate at the base ends 71P of the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 and spread in the longitudinal direction X through the topsheet 3, causing side leakage in the ventral region F and the dorsal region R. However, in the diaper 1, as described above, the topsheet 3 has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body 5 in a plan view and has the topsheet laterally extending portion, which is provided with the base end 71P. Therefore, even if a relatively large amount of body waste flows and accumulates at the base end 71P, for example when the wearer lies on their side, the body waste that accumulates at the base end 71P is absorbed by the absorbent body 5 via the topsheet laterally extending portion. Therefore, even if the body waste temporarily accumulates at the base end 71P, it is unlikely that the body waste will accumulate there for a long period of time. In addition, in the diaper 1, the sealed portion 10, where two hydrophobic sheets that constitute the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion 24 are joined together, is located at an appropriate position outward in the transverse direction Y from the base end 71P and is continuous in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. This makes it difficult for side leakage to occur throughout the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0038] In particular, in this embodiment, the laterally extending portions of the topsheet include the second layer 32, which has a relatively high hydrophilicity in the topsheet 3, and therefore the aforementioned "function of the absorber 5 to absorb excrement present at the base end 71P via the laterally extending portions of the topsheet (second layer 32)" is easily achieved. Furthermore, as described above, the laterally extending portions of the topsheet (second layer extending portions 32E) are arranged in pairs on both sides of the first layer 31 in the lateral direction Y, and therefore side leakage is effectively prevented regardless of whether the wearer of the diaper 1 is lying on their right or left side. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the second layer 32 is formed of a single sheet, and the side edges 32S, 32S of the single sheet along the longitudinal direction X are located outward in the lateral direction Y from the side edges 5S, 5S of the absorber 5 along the longitudinal direction X, so that the aforementioned "absorption function of the absorber 5 via the laterally extending portions of the top sheet (second layer 32) of the body exudates present at the base end 71P" can be more reliably achieved. The present invention includes a configuration in which "the second layer 32 is formed of a first sheet and a second sheet arranged at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction Y, and the first sheet and the second sheet each have a second-layer extending portion 32E," and the present embodiment has superior side leakage prevention performance compared to such a configuration in which the second layer 32 is formed of a plurality of sheets arranged intermittently in the lateral direction Y.

[0039] As mentioned above, the topsheet in the absorbent article of the present invention may have a single layer structure, but in that case, in order to ensure that the absorbent body can absorb body waste at the base ends of the leakage-proof cuffs via the laterally extending portions of the topsheet, it is preferable that the topsheet of the single layer structure is hydrophilic, i.e., that the contact angle measured by the above method is 90 degrees or less. From the same perspective, when the topsheet in the absorbent article of the present invention has a laminated structure of three or more layers, it is preferable that at least some of the layers constituting the laminated structure are hydrophilic.

[0040] To ensure that the desired effect of the present invention (the effect of preventing side leakage) is more reliably achieved, the distance D1 (see FIG. 2 ) in the lateral direction Y between the side edge 5S of the absorbent body 5 and the sealed portion 10 is preferably 12 mm or more, more preferably 15 mm or more, and even more preferably 18 mm or more. When the absorbent body 5 is subjected to external pressure such as body pressure while absorbing and retaining body exudates, the body exudates may leak out of the absorbent body 5. To ensure that the sealed portion 10 retains the exudates that have leaked out of the absorbent body 5, it is preferable to set the lower limit of the distance D1 within the above-mentioned preferred range, thereby minimizing the chances of the body exudates coming into contact with the sealed portion 10. On the other hand, if the distance D1 is too long, the distance between the absorbent body 5 and the leg-hole elastic members 8 in the lateral direction Y will necessarily be long, which may reduce the effect of the leg-hole elastic members 8 in fitting the absorbent body 5 to the body of the wearer of the diaper 1. Considering this point, the upper limit of the separation distance D1 is preferably 28 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 23 mm or less.

[0041] Regarding the topsheet, in order to achieve the desired effects of the present invention, as described above, it is important that the topsheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a planar view and has the above-mentioned topsheet laterally extending portion. In addition to this, it is also preferable that the topsheet be hydrophilic (the contact angle of the topsheet is less than 90 degrees) (hereinafter also referred to as "Point 1"), that the topsheet have a two-layer structure (hereinafter also referred to as "Point 2"), and that in the two-layer structure, the second layer (the layer relatively farther from the wearer's skin) has a higher hydrophilicity than the first layer (the layer relatively closer to the wearer's skin) (i.e., the relationship "contact angle of the first layer > contact angle of the second layer 32" holds) (hereinafter also referred to as "Point 3"). Regarding point 1, if the top sheet 3 is hydrophobic (the contact angle of the top sheet is 90 degrees or more), it becomes difficult for excrement to diffuse in the surface direction of the top sheet 3, and therefore excrement accumulating at the base end 71P of the leak-proof cuff 7 cannot be transferred to the absorber 5, and excrement tends to accumulate at the base end 71P. Regarding point 2 above, when the topsheet 3 has a single-layer structure, if the single-layer structure is hydrophobic, excrement tends to accumulate at the base end 71P for the same reason as above. Furthermore, if the topsheet 3 has a single-layer structure and is hydrophilic, or if there is no difference in hydrophilicity between the layers 31, 32, when pressure is applied to the absorbent body 5 due to the wearer's body pressure or the like, so-called liquid backflow (a phenomenon in which excrement once absorbed and held in the absorbent body 5 seeps out to the skin-facing side of the topsheet 3) may occur, and the backflowing excrement may leak sideways. Regarding point 3, if the first layer 31 is more hydrophilic than the second layer 32, excrement excreted on the skin-facing surface of the first layer 31 may leak out sideways without being absorbed by the second layer 32.

[0042] In order to ensure the aforementioned effects of the present invention, it is preferable to set the contact angles of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 constituting the surface sheet 3 as follows, assuming that the relationship "contact angle of the first layer 31 > contact angle of the second layer 32" is established. The contact angle of the first layer 31 is preferably 75 degrees or more, more preferably 78 degrees or more, and preferably 90 degrees or less, more preferably 87 degrees or less. The contact angle of the second layer 32 is preferably 60 degrees or more, more preferably 65 degrees or more, and preferably 85 degrees or less, more preferably 80 degrees or less. The hydrophilicity of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 can be adjusted by the type of constituent fiber, the use of a hydrophilizing agent and / or a hydrophobic agent, and the like.

[0043] Regarding the sealing portion 10, in order for the intended effect of the present invention to be achieved, as described above, it is important that the sealing portion 10 passes between the laterally extending portion of the topsheet (in this embodiment, the second layer extending portion 32E (the side edge 32S of the second layer 32)) and the leg elastic member 8 arranged at the outermost position in the lateral direction Y (hereinafter also referred to as "Point 4"), and that the sealing portion 10 is continuous in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X (hereinafter also referred to as "Point 5").

[0044] Regarding point 4, according to the inventor's findings, the closer the sealed portion 10 is located in the transverse direction Y to the side edge of the laterally extending portion of the topsheet along the longitudinal direction X (in this embodiment, the side edge 32S of the second layer 32 (second-layer extending portion 32E)), the closer the hydrophobic sheets joined at the sealed portion 10 to each other (in this embodiment, the cuff sheet 70, the ventral end sheet 22 or the dorsal end sheet 23 and the backsheet 4), thereby improving the side leakage prevention effect. On the other hand, if the sealed portion 10 is located outward in the transverse direction Y from the outermost leg elastic members 8, the side leakage prevention effect will not be sufficient even if the sealed portion 10 is continuous over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0045] The separation distance D2 (see FIG. 2 ) in the lateral direction Y between the laterally extending portions of the topsheet (the second-layer extending portions 32E in this embodiment) and the sealing portion 10 is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and even more preferably 3 mm or more, from the viewpoint of further improving the side leakage prevention effect. When the absorbent core 5 is subjected to external pressure such as body pressure while absorbing and retaining body exudates, the body exudates may seep out of the absorbent core 5 and diffuse through the topsheet 3 (the laterally extending portions of the topsheet). To ensure that the body exudates diffused from the absorbent core 5 through the topsheet 3 are retained by the sealing portion 10, it is preferable to set the lower limit of the separation distance D2 within the above-mentioned preferred range, thereby minimizing the contact of the body exudates with the sealing portion 10. On the other hand, if the separation distance D2 is too long, the separation distance in the lateral direction Y between the absorbent core 5 and the leg-hole elastic members 8 will necessarily be long, which may reduce the effect of the leg-hole elastic members 8 in fitting the absorbent core 5 to the body of the wearer of the diaper 1. Considering this point, the upper limit of the separation distance D2 is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, and even more preferably 5 mm or less.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the base end 71P of the leakage-preventing cuff 7 (the portion of the fixed portion 71 that serves as the starting point for the leakage-preventing cuff 7 when it stands up) is located a distance D3 inward in the lateral direction Y (closer to the lateral centerline CLy of the diaper 1) from the side edge 32S of the second-layer extension 32E (the laterally extending portion of the topsheet 3). The present invention also includes an embodiment in which this distance D3 is zero, i.e., an embodiment in which the base end 71P overlaps the side edge 32S of the topsheet 3 in the thickness direction. However, from the perspective of further improving the side leakage prevention effect, it is preferable that the distance D3 be greater than zero. The distance D3 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and even more preferably 8 mm or more. On the other hand, if the separation distance D3 is too long, the separation distance in the lateral direction Y between the absorber 5 and the leg-hole elastic members 8 will inevitably become long, which may reduce the effect of the leg-hole elastic members 8 in fitting the absorber 5 to the body of the wearer of the diaper 1. In consideration of this point, the upper limit of the separation distance D3 is preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less, and even more preferably 13 mm or less.

[0047] In the present invention, the sealing portion 10 may be continuous from the proximal end 71P of the leakage-proof cuff 7 outward in the transverse direction Y, provided that the sealing portion 10 is continuous in the transverse direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1, passing between the laterally extending portion of the topsheet and the outermost leg elastic member 8 in the transverse direction Y. In other words, the distance from the proximal end 71P in the transverse direction Y (the distance D2+D3 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2) may be zero. However, from the viewpoint of preventing side leakage, it is preferable that the sealing portion 10 be discontinuous from the proximal end 71P, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2. By disposing the sealing portion 10 discontinuously in the transverse direction Y with respect to the proximal end 71P, where body waste is likely to accumulate, the opportunity for body waste to come into contact with the sealing portion 10 is further reduced, thereby further improving the prevention of side leakage.

[0048] One preferred form that is excellent in preventing side leakage is one in which the sealed portion 10 passes between the laterally extending portion of the topsheet and the leg elastic member 8 arranged most inward in the lateral direction Y. This embodiment is such a preferred form, and as shown in Fig. 2, the sealed portion 10 passes between the second layer extending portion 32E (the laterally extending portion of the topsheet) and the leg elastic member 8 arranged most inward in the lateral direction Y, and does not overlap with the leg elastic member 8 in the thickness direction.

[0049] Another preferred embodiment that provides excellent side leakage prevention is one in which at least a portion of the sealing portion 10 overlaps with the leg elastic members 8 (especially the leg elastic members 8 arranged at the innermost positions in the horizontal direction Y) that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, the stress of the leg elastic members 8 improves the adhesion of the portion of the diaper 1 corresponding to the sealing portion 10 to the wearer's skin, thereby providing excellent side leakage prevention. However, if the overlapping portion of the leg elastic members 8 with the sealing portion 10 is too large, there is a concern that the stretchability of the leg elastic members 8 may be impaired. Therefore, it is preferable that, in a cross-sectional view taken along a direction perpendicular to the extension direction (longitudinal direction X) of the leg elastic members 8, the entire peripheral surface of the leg elastic members 8 does not overlap with the sealing portion 10, but rather only a portion of the peripheral surface of the leg elastic members 8 (for example, an inner side in the horizontal direction Y) overlaps with the sealing portion 10.

[0050] Regarding point 5, the term "continuous" as used herein includes a completely continuous seal 10 with no discontinuities along the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X, and a seal 10 with minor discontinuities but substantially continuous along the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. Even in the latter case, side leakage can be effectively prevented. In the latter case, the length of the discontinuous portion along the longitudinal direction X is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less, and even more preferably 0 mm.

[0051] The side leakage prevention performance of an absorbent article can be evaluated by the following method. The various technical findings described in this specification, including points 1 to 5, were obtained by appropriately using the following evaluation method for side leakage prevention performance. <Evaluation method for side leakage prevention performance> The absorbent article to be evaluated is spread out flat and fixed to a fixing plate (e.g., an acrylic resin plate) with a smooth surface. The absorbent article is fixed so that the skin-facing surface (topsheet side) of the absorbent article is exposed and the non-skin-facing surface faces the fixing plate. The fixing plate to which the absorbent article is fixed is tilted 45 degrees around the lateral centerline of the absorbent article (a virtual line corresponding to the lateral centerline CLy of the diaper 1) with the fixing surface of the absorbent article as the upper surface, so that the upper surface is an inclined surface at an inclination angle of 45 degrees, and the fixing plate is fixed in this state. Then, 30 g of dye-colored saline (0.9% by mass saline) is injected into the center of the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article at an injection rate of 5 g / sec. Five minutes after the start of the saline injection, 30 g of saline is injected into the absorbent article using the same method as described above. After performing this saline injection operation three times (i.e., injecting a total of 90 g of saline), the side portion located below the inclined surface of each of the two longitudinal sides of the absorbent article is visually observed to evaluate the degree of saline retention at the base end of the leak-proof cuff, the presence or absence of lateral leakage, etc.

[0052] It is preferable that the leg elastic members 8 do not have stretchability in areas of the diaper 1 other than those arranged around the legs of the wearer (hereinafter also referred to as "leg portions"). In other words, it is preferable that the leg elastic members 8 have stretchability only in the leg portions. The leg portions are typically the central region in the longitudinal direction X of the side flap portions 20, or the region located in the crotch region M of the side flap portions 20. Therefore, it is preferable that the leg elastic members 8 do not have stretchability in the front and rear end regions of the side flap portions 20 in the longitudinal direction X, or the regions located in the ventral region F and the dorsal region R of the side flap portions 20. The leg elastic members 8 are provided primarily for the purpose of improving the fit around the legs of a wearer of the diaper 1, and therefore, they need only be stretchable in the leg-around portions, and do not necessarily need to be stretchable in other portions. Meanwhile, in the diaper 1, the sealing portion 10 extends over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X, passing near the leg elastic members 8. If leg elastic members 8 stretchable in the longitudinal direction X were provided near the sealing portion 10 in the portion of the diaper 1 that will be disposed around the waist of the wearer (hereinafter also referred to as the "waist portion"), there is a concern that the fit of the waist portion to the wearer's body may be reduced due to the influence of stress from the leg elastic members 8. Therefore, in order to alleviate such concerns, it is preferable that the leg elastic members 8 are not stretchable in portions other than the leg-around portions. The leg elastic members 8 having stretchability only in the leg portions may be, for example, 1) arranged only in the leg portions and having stretchability over their entire length in the longitudinal direction X, or 2) have extension portions extending outward from the leg portions in the longitudinal direction X, and the portions arranged in the leg portions are stretchable but the extension portions are not. The portions of the leg elastic members 8 fixed to other members in a stretched state are stretchable in the stretched direction.

[0053] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the flat-type disposable diaper as in the above embodiment, but broadly includes articles used to absorb bodily fluids (urine, menstrual blood, loose stools, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, including pants-type disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, sanitary shorts, etc. that do not have a fastening structure such as the fastening member 21.

[0054] While the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. All parts that are unique to one embodiment can be used interchangeably as appropriate. For example, the leakage preventing cuffs 7 do not have to include the cuff elastic members 73. In other words, the leakage preventing cuffs 7 do not have to be configured to stand up toward the wearer's skin due to contraction of the elastic members arranged on the cuff sheet 70.

[0055] When the topsheet 3 (first layer 31) has an uneven surface facing the skin, the uneven pattern (shape and arrangement of the protrusions 33) is not particularly limited and can be selected as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. For example, the planar shape of the protrusions 33 may be a circle, ellipse, triangle, or polygon with more than one side. One example of the uneven pattern is a pattern in which multiple protrusions 33 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with recesses surrounding each protrusion 33. Another example of the uneven pattern is a pattern in which first recesses extending in a first direction intersecting both the vertical and horizontal directions and second recesses extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction are arranged in a grid pattern, with protrusions 33 present in each of the multiple sections surrounded by both recesses. Another example of the uneven pattern is a form in which convex portions 33 as ridges extending vertically or horizontally and concave portions as grooves extending in the same direction are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the convex portions 33.

[0056] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments of the present invention. <1> an absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch region to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and having a crotch region that is arranged in the crotch region when worn, a abdominal region that is arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch region, and a back region that is arranged closer to the wearer's back than the crotch region, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids; a topsheet that is arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body; a pair of leakage-proof cuffs that extend in the vertical direction so as to cover both side edges of the topsheet along the vertical direction; and a pair of side flap regions that extend outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, and leg-hole elastic members that are arranged in parts of the side flap regions that are arranged around the legs of the wearer so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction; the topsheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a plan view, and has an extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, The leakage-preventing cuffs include a hydrophobic cuff sheet, and the cuff sheet has, at least in the crotch portion, a fixed portion on an outer side in the lateral direction that is fixed to another member, and a region on an inner side in the lateral direction that is a free portion that is not fixed to another member; the side flap portion includes a skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the topsheet or the absorbent body, and a non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and has a hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion between the absorbent body and the leg-hole elastic member arranged outermost in the lateral direction, in which the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are arranged opposite each other, and the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion extends in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the absorbent article, An absorbent article wherein the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion has a sealed portion where the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are joined, and the sealed portion passes between the extension portion of the top sheet and the leg elastic member arranged at the outermost side in the horizontal direction, and is continuous in the vertical direction over the entire length of the absorbent article. <2> the first layer has a contact angle with water of 75 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, preferably 78 degrees or more and 87 degrees or less; The contact angle of the second layer with water is 60 degrees or more and 85 degrees or less, preferably 65 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. <1> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <3> the sealing portion passes between the extension portion of the topsheet and the leg elastic member disposed most inward in the lateral direction; <1> or <2> The absorbent article according to claim 1.

[0057] <4> The top sheet has a laminated structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated in the thickness direction. <1> ~ <3> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. <5> the topsheet includes a first layer disposed relatively close to the wearer's skin, and a second layer disposed on a non-skin-facing surface of the first layer and having a higher hydrophilicity than the first layer; the second layer has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a plan view, and has a second layer extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the first layer along the vertical direction, The second layer extension portions are arranged on both sides of the first layer in the lateral direction, <4> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <6> the second layer is formed of a single sheet, and both side edges of the single sheet along the longitudinal direction are positioned outward in the lateral direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the longitudinal direction; <5> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <7> the first layer and the second layer each include a nonwoven fabric; a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the wearer's skin are scattered on the skin-facing surface of the first layer; <5> or <6> The absorbent article according to claim 1.

[0058] <8> The distance (D1) in the horizontal direction between the side edge of the absorbent body along the vertical direction and the sealed portion is preferably 28 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 23 mm or less. <1> ~ <7> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. <9> The distance (D2) between the extension portion and the sealing portion of the top sheet in the lateral direction is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less, and even more preferably 3 mm or less. <1> ~ <8> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. <10> a base end portion of the fixing portion, which is a starting point for the standing of the leakage-barrier cuff, is located at a position spaced a predetermined distance (D3) inward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the extension portion of the topsheet along the vertical direction; <1> ~ <9> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. <11> At least a part of the sealing portion overlaps with the leg elastic member. <1> ~ <10> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. <12> The leg elastic members do not have stretchability in areas other than the areas of the side flap portions that are arranged around the legs of the wearer. <1> ~ <11> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is a fibrous material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Disposable diapers (absorbent articles) 2. Absorbent body 20 Side flap section 22 Ventral end sheet (skin side hydrophobic sheet) 23 Back end sheet (skin side hydrophobic sheet) 24 Hydrophobic sheet overlapping part 3 Surface sheet 31 1st layer 32 2nd layer 32E 2nd layer extension 33 Convex part 4 Back sheet (hydrophobic sheet on the non-skin side) 5. Absorbent 50 absorbent core 51 Core Wrap Sheet 7 Leak proof cuff 70 Cuff sheet (skin side hydrophobic sheet) 71 Fixed part 71P proximal end 72 Free section 73 Elastic member for cuff 8 Elastic material around the legs 10 Sealing part F ventral part M Inseam R dorsal part X vertical direction Y horizontal direction

Claims

1. an absorbent article having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch region to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and having a crotch region that is arranged in the crotch region when worn, a abdominal region that is arranged closer to the wearer's abdomen than the crotch region, and a back region that is arranged closer to the wearer's back than the crotch region, the absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids; a topsheet that is arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body; a pair of leakage-proof cuffs that extend in the vertical direction so as to cover both side edges of the topsheet along the vertical direction; and a pair of side flap regions that extend outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, and leg-hole elastic members that are arranged in parts of the side flap regions that are arranged around the legs of the wearer so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction; the topsheet has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in a plan view, and has an extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, The top sheet has a laminated structure in which a plurality of layers are laminated in the thickness direction, the topsheet includes a first layer disposed relatively close to the wearer's skin, and a second layer disposed on a non-skin-facing surface of the first layer and having a higher hydrophilicity than the first layer; the second layer has the overlapping portion and, as the extension portion, a second layer extension portion that extends outward in the horizontal direction from a side edge of the first layer along the vertical direction, the second layer extension portions are arranged on both sides of the first layer in the lateral direction, The leakage-preventing cuffs include hydrophobic cuff sheets, and the cuff sheets have, at least in the crotch region, a fixed portion on an outer side in the lateral direction that is fixed to another member, and a free portion on an inner side in the lateral direction that is not fixed to another member; the side flap portion includes a skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the topsheet or the absorbent body, and a non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and has a hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion between the absorbent body and the leg-hole elastic member arranged outermost in the lateral direction, in which the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are arranged opposite each other, and the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion extends in the longitudinal direction over the entire length of the absorbent article, An absorbent article wherein the hydrophobic sheet overlapping portion has a sealed portion where the skin-side hydrophobic sheet and the non-skin-side hydrophobic sheet are joined, and the sealed portion passes between the extension portion of the top sheet and the leg elastic member arranged at the outermost side in the horizontal direction, and is continuous in the vertical direction over the entire length of the absorbent article.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the sealed portion passes between the extension of the topsheet and the leg elastic member disposed most inward in the lateral direction.

3. 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is composed of a single sheet, and both side edges of the single sheet along the longitudinal direction are positioned outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the longitudinal direction.

4. the first layer and the second layer each include a nonwoven fabric; The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of protrusions protruding toward the wearer's skin are scattered on the skin-facing surface of the first layer.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a distance in the lateral direction between a side edge of the absorbent body along the longitudinal direction and the sealed portion is 28 mm or less.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance between the extension portion and the sealed portion of the topsheet in the lateral direction is 10 mm or less.

7. 3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the base end of the fixing portion, which is the starting point for the standing of the leakage-proof cuff, is located at a position spaced a predetermined distance inward in the horizontal direction from the side edge of the extension portion of the top sheet along the vertical direction.

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