Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that never impairs design property such as patterns or designs for displaying an exterior appearance, and can inform timing of replacement at a stage of absorbing liquid by sufficiently utilizing absorptive capacity of an absorbent body.SOLUTION: An absorbent article of the present invention has: a crotch part 10C comprising a lengthwise absorbent body 5, and arranged at a wearer's crotch side; a ventral part 10F arranged at the ventral side and a back side part 10R arranged at the back side. The absorbent body 5 has at least one pair of bending guide parts 61 becoming a starting point of bending, and extends along a longitudinal direction. In the crotch part 10C, marking parts 41 along wearer's legs are arranged at the non-skin surface side from the absorbent body 5, and is positioned at an outer side in a width direction from the position of the bending guide part 61. By using the bending guide part 61 as the starting point, it is broken to the wearer's skin surface and can be sandwiched in between the wearer's crotch part, and thereby the marking part 41 hides. As the absorbent body 5 absorbs excreted liquid to increase weight, the crotch part 10C suspends from the wearer's crotch part, and thereby the breaking comes loose, and the marking part 41 appears.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as diapers. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some absorbent articles such as diapers have designs applied to their outer surfaces, and techniques have been proposed for adding functionality from a visual standpoint through the designs. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wearable article with a waist graphic and a crotch graphic. In this article, the difference in opacity between the outer cover layer that covers the crotch graphic and the belt that includes the waist graphic is set to less than 20% in order to approximate the appearance of underwear. Patent Document 2 describes a diaper in which markers are provided near or overlapping the fold guide parts of the absorbent body so as to be visible from the outer surface side. There are three of the fold guide parts and markers near the center in the width direction of the crotch part, and they extend linearly toward the ventral side and the dorsal side. Therefore, the markers are not hidden by the crotch part of the wearer when the diaper is worn, and are always easily visible from the outer surface side. By looking at the shape of the diaper at the position of the markers, it is possible to check whether the absorbent body is deformed into a W-shape at the positions of the three fold guide parts and whether the diaper is worn correctly. In addition, some diapers are provided with so-called notification signs that visually indicate the presence or absence of urination (excretion) to the outside. The notification signs are made of, for example, water-sensitive materials, and some change color when they react with moisture such as urine. This color change allows the outside to recognize the presence or absence of excretion, that is, it makes it possible to notify the outside that the diaper is being changed. Such a notification sign is usually placed in the center of the crotch part of the diaper to reliably notify the wearer of urination, etc. For example, it is often placed in a similar position to the three markers described in Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-513462 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-115378 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The notification sign is located in the widthwise center of the crotch part of an absorbent article such as a diaper, and is provided as one or more notice signs, which are easy to see and allow the presence or absence of urination, etc. to be easily recognized. However, because notification signs are located in conspicuous locations, they can disrupt the harmony with other pictures and patterns, and detract from the appearance and aesthetic appeal of the item. In addition, the widthwise center where the warning sign is located is close to the wearer's excretion point. Therefore, the warning sign may discolor when the absorbent body has just absorbed urine and is not yet at the stage where leakage is imminent. This means that the diaper is changed before the absorbent body's absorption capacity has been fully utilized, resulting in frequent changes and short change intervals. Furthermore, such an increase in the number of changes leads to increased costs and waste. Therefore, it is desirable for the warning sign to be displayed when the absorbent body has absorbed liquid up to the widthwise end and the absorbent capacity has been fully utilized.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention relates to an absorbent article that can fully utilize the absorption capacity of the absorbent body to indicate the time to replace the absorbent article at the stage when the absorbent article has absorbed liquid, without compromising the design of patterns or designs that decorate the appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an absorbent article having a vertically long absorbent body and having a crotch portion arranged on the crotch side of a wearer, a ventral portion arranged on the ventral side, and a dorsal portion arranged on the dorsal side, The absorbent body is disposed with its longitudinal direction directed toward the abdominal portion, the crotch portion, and the back portion, and has at least a pair of fold guide portions, which are the starting points for folding the absorbent body, at positions inward from both side edges in the longitudinal direction in the crotch portion, and the fold guide portions extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body; In the crotch portion, a marking portion that follows the circumference of the wearer's legs is arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and the marking portion is located in a side crotch portion that is located outward in the width direction from the position of the folding guide portion when the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion is viewed in a plan view, The present invention provides an absorbent article in which, when the absorbent article is worn, the side crotch portions fold from the fold guide portion toward the wearer's skin and are sandwiched between the wearer's crotch portions, thereby hiding the marking portions, and as the absorbent body absorbs excretory fluid while the absorbent article is being worn and its weight increases, the crotch portions hang down from the wearer's crotch portions and the folds in the side crotch portions loosen, revealing the marking portions. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The absorbent article of the present invention can fully utilize the absorption capacity of the absorbent body without compromising the design such as patterns or designs that decorate the appearance, and can inform the user when it is time to replace the absorbent article at the stage when the absorbent body has absorbed liquid. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a pants-type diaper, which is a preferred embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention, in an unfolded state immediately before being worn. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing the pants-type diaper shown in FIG. 1 after being torn at a side seal portion, developed, and stretched, as viewed from the non-skin-facing side. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pants-type diaper shown in FIG. 2 taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a side crotch portion of the crotch portion shown in FIG. 3 is folded starting from a folding guide portion when the pants-type diaper shown in FIG. 1 is worn. FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic state of the pants-type diaper shown in FIG. 1 when worn before liquid is absorbed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a schematic state of the pants-type diaper in FIG. 5 in which the crotch portion has sagged due to liquid absorption, and the marking portions arranged on the side absorbent portions have appeared. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred embodiment of the configuration of the crotch portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In this specification, the side that contacts the wearer's skin is referred to as the skin-facing side, front side, or inner side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-skin-facing side, back side, or outer side. These terms are also used to indicate the relative positional relationship in the component configuration of the absorbent article for members that do not have a surface that contacts the wearer's skin. Furthermore, the direction that is located in front of the wearer when worn is referred to as the front or front side, and the direction that is located behind is referred to as the rear or rear side. The normal direction to the front or back side of the absorbent article is referred to as the thickness direction.

[0011] 1 shows a pants-type diaper 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the diaper 10) according to a preferred embodiment. The diaper 10 of this embodiment comprises a ventral portion 10F arranged on the ventral side of a wearer, a crotch portion 10C arranged on the crotch side, and a dorsal portion 10R arranged on the dorsal side, and has a waist circumference direction X and a body length direction Y. The diaper 10 also comprises a waist opening 12 arranged above the ventral portion 10F and the dorsal portion 10R in the body length direction Y, and a pair of leg openings 13, 13 arranged on the left and right sides of the crotch portion 10C.

[0012] The diaper 10 has an absorbent body 1 and an exterior body 2 as components. The exterior body 2 has a ventral exterior body 21 and a rear exterior body 22 which form the outer surface main body of each of the ventral portion 10F and the rear portion 10R. The ventral exterior body 21 and the rear exterior body 22 are joined at the side seal portion 11 by overlapping both side edges of each of them. This forms the annular waist portion 10D of the diaper 10. The joining at the side seal portion 11 can be performed by various methods used for this type of article. For example, it can be a joining method for compacting and integrating, such as fusion joining and pressure joining (e.g., embossing). The absorbent body 1 forms the crotch portion 10C in the portion extending further from the skin-facing side of the exterior body 2 in the ventral portion 10F and the rear portion 10R. In the diaper 10 having such a configuration, the upper open portion of the waist portion 10D becomes the waist opening 12 described above. The open portions on both the left and right sides of the crotch portion 10C constitute the pair of leg openings 13, 13 described above.

[0013] 2 shows the diaper 10 after breaking at the side seal portions 11, 11, unfolding and stretching it, as viewed from the non-skin facing side. The unfolded state here refers to the state in which each portion of the diaper 10 is stretched and spread out flat. In the unfolded state, the waist circumference direction X and body length direction Y are also referred to as the width direction X and the length direction Y. In the unfolded state of the diaper 10, the horizontally long ventral exterior body 21 and the rear exterior body 22 are arranged correspondingly to the ventral portion 10F and the rear portion 10R, respectively. The vertically long rectangular absorbent main body 1 is arranged on the skin-facing sides of the ventral exterior body 21 and the rear exterior body 22 with its longitudinal direction directed toward the ventral portion 10F, the crotch portion 10C, and the rear portion 10R of the diaper 10. At the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent main body 1, the ventral exterior body 21 and the rear exterior body 22 arranged on the non-skin-facing side are folded back and joined to the skin-facing side of the absorbent main body 1. As a result, the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side of the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent main body 1 are covered with the ventral exterior body 21 and the rear exterior body 22.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, the absorbent body 1 has a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 on the skin-facing side, a leakproof back sheet 4 on the non-skin-facing side, and a liquid-retentive absorbent body 5 disposed between the top sheet 3 and the back sheet 4. The absorbent body 1 also has a pair of side sheets 9 on both sides in the longitudinal direction Y. The leading edge of the side sheet 9 has a stretchable elastic body 91 stretched along the longitudinal direction Y, forming a three-dimensional gather section. By providing the elastic body 91 in this three-dimensional gather section, when the diaper is worn, the side sheet 9 stands up like a side wall on the top sheet 3 side due to contraction of the elastic body 91, thereby preventing liquid from flowing out from the absorbent body 5 in the width direction X.

[0015] The absorbent body 5 has a vertically elongated shape similar to the absorbent main body 1, and is disposed such that its longitudinal direction faces the abdominal side portion 10F, the crotch portion 10C, and the back side portion 10R of the diaper 10. The absorbent body 5 also has an absorbent core 6 in which absorbent materials are accumulated, and a core wrap sheet 7 that covers the outer periphery of the absorbent core 6. With regard to the core wrap sheet 7, in FIG. 3, one core wrap sheet 7 is wound in the width direction while covering the entire absorbent core 6 in the longitudinal direction Y, and covers the skin-facing side (front side), both sides, and non-skin-facing side (rear side) of the absorbent core 6. Both ends of the wound core wrap sheet 7 in the width direction X are overlapped and joined on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6. Both ends of the core wrap sheet 7 in the width direction X may be joined at different positions. The core wrap sheet 7 may also be made up of two or more sheets.

[0016] The absorbent body 5 has at least a pair of fold guide portions 61, which serve as starting points for folding the absorbent body 5, located inward from both side edges 5E, 5E in the longitudinal direction Y (both ends in the width direction X) in the crotch portion 10C. The fold guide portions 61 extend along the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent body 5. It is preferable that the fold guide portions 61 are arranged within the crotch portion 10C with a length in the longitudinal direction Y that does not reach the ventral portion 10F and the dorsal portion 10R. This makes it possible to achieve a balance between the liquid absorption and liquid diffusion properties of the absorbent core 6 and the comfortable fit of the diaper 10.

[0017] The fold guide portion 61 is a portion of the absorbent body 5 where folding stress is relatively likely to concentrate. For example, the fold guide portion 61 can be formed as a portion where the basis weight of the absorbent body is made lower than that of portions other than the fold guide portion 61. In this case, it is preferable that the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 6 described above has a lower basis weight than that of the portion surrounding the fold guide portion 61. In the fold guide portion 61, the basis weight of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 6 is, for example, 50 g / m 2 The following is preferred:

[0018] The folding guide portion 61 may be a slit portion arranged in the absorbent body 5. The slit portion is a space portion in the thickness direction formed by partially separating the accumulated layer of the absorbent material of the absorbent core 6 constituting the absorbent body 5. The slit portion may be a cut-like portion or a groove having a predetermined width. This slit portion may be a through hole in the thickness direction that extends to both the front and back sides of the absorbent core 6 (see FIG. 3), or may be a partial hole. The slit portion is preferably a hole formed in the thickness direction from at least the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 6. Such a folding guide portion 61 can be formed, for example, by making a cut in the accumulated layer of the absorbent material. In addition, when accumulating the absorbent material to form the absorbent core 6, a non-accumulated portion that is not partially accumulated may be formed, and this may be the folding guide portion 61. If the folding guide portion 61 is a slit portion, the excreted liquid can be drawn in more easily at that portion. This allows the excreted liquid to be accurately taken in from the topsheet as it diffuses from the central absorbent portion 5L to the side absorbent portions 5H, thereby improving the prevention of leakage of the excreted liquid.

[0019] As described above, two fold guide portions 61 are arranged inwardly from both left and right side edges 5E, 5E of the absorbent body 5 in the crotch portion 10C, spaced apart from each other in the width direction. In the crotch portion 10C, the absorbent body 5 has a central absorbent portion 5L divided into two fold guide portions 61 and lateral absorbent portions 5H, 5H on the left and right outer sides of the central absorbent portion 5L. The central absorbent portion 5L has a length in the width direction X that covers the crotch area of ​​the wearer. The length in the width direction X of the central absorbent portion 5L is preferably 10% or more, and more preferably 15% or more, of the width direction length of the absorbent body 5 in the crotch portion 10C. The length in the width direction X of the central absorbent portion 5L is preferably 60% or less, and more preferably 55% or less, of the width direction length of the absorbent body 5 in the crotch portion 10C.

[0020] The number of the fold guide portions 61 is not limited to two as shown in Fig. 3, and may be three or more. In that case, it is preferable that the space between the fold guide portions 61 located most outward in the width direction X becomes the central absorbent portion 5L.

[0021] In the diaper 10, the crotch portion 10C of the absorbent body 5 having the above-mentioned structure is divided into a central crotch portion 10CL located widthwise inward from the position of the folding guide portion 61 and side crotch portions 10CH, 10CH located widthwise outward from the position of the folding guide portion 61 in a plan view. The central crotch portion 10CL includes the central absorbent portion 5L and has a length in the width direction X that covers the crotch portion of the wearer. The side crotch portions 10CH include the side absorbent portions 5H and are folded toward the skin of the wearer from the folding guide portion 61 as shown in Fig. 4 when the diaper 10 is worn.

[0022] 4, a marking portion 41 is provided along the leg circumference of the crotch portion 10C of the diaper 10, on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 5. The marking portion 41 is provided in a lateral crotch portion 10CH that is located widthwise outward of the fold guide portion 61 when the non-skin facing side of the crotch portion 10C is viewed in plan.

[0023] The marking portion 41 is a linear or band-like design arranged to be visible from the non-skin-facing side, i.e., the outer side, of the lateral crotch portion 10CH along the leg circumference. More specifically, the marking portion 41 extends toward the ventral portion 10F and the dorsal portion 10R in the lateral crotch portion 10CH while curving along the leg circumference of the leg opening 13. The extension range of the marking portion 41 may be limited to the lateral crotch portion 10CH, or may extend from the lateral crotch portion 10CH to the ventral portion 10F and the dorsal portion 10R. The marking portion 41 may be a continuous line, or an intermittent line such as a broken line. It may also be a group of lines such as double or triple lines, a pattern such as a figure or a design arranged in a line with a predetermined width, or a character, for example, a character string such as "Exchange." Furthermore, it may be an arrangement in which characters and patterns are combined.

[0024] The marking portion 41 is colored in a color different from the basic color (e.g., white) of the material constituting the outer surface of the diaper 10 so that the side crotch portion 10CH can be recognized when viewed from the outer surface side of the diaper 10. The color may be either a chromatic color or an achromatic color. The color may be changed depending on the state in which the diaper 10 is worn, or may be made to remain unchanged. From the viewpoint of the operation of the side crotch portion 10CH and the marking portion 41 when the diaper 10 is worn and the function of notifying the wearer of the timing of diaper change thereby, as described below, it is preferable that the color remain unchanged. The marking portion 41 may be disposed in various layers of the component configuration of the crotch portion 10C, so long as it is on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 5 and is visible from the outer surface side of the diaper 10. For example, the marking portion 41 may be disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 4 or on the skin-facing side of the back sheet 4. The back sheet 4 may be made of multiple layers, with the marking portion 41 disposed between the layers. It is preferable that the multiple layers are made of a film sheet and a light-transmitting nonwoven fabric disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the film sheet, and the marking portion 41 is disposed between the film sheet and the nonwoven fabric. Such markings 41 can be formed by a method commonly used for this type of article, for example, by printing on the non-skin-facing side or skin-facing side of the backsheet 4 or the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 3 using ink, pigment, dye, or the like.

[0025] From the standpoint of more effectively notifying the wearer when it is time to change the diaper 10, as described below, and from the standpoint of more accurately notifying the wearer when it is time to change the diaper at the stage when leakage is imminent, it is preferable that the marking portion 41 be in the following range at the position where it is most constricted on the inner side of the crotch portion 10C in the width direction X. That is, in a plan view of the crotch portion 10C, the marker portions 41 are preferably located within a range of 95% or less, and more preferably within a range of 90% or less, from both side edges 5E, 5E in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent body 5 (both edges in the width direction X) with respect to the widthwise length of each of the lateral absorbent portions 5H, 5H divided by the folding guide portions 61. In particular, the marker portions 41 are preferably located 0% from both side edges 5E, 5E in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent body 5 (both edges in the width direction X), that is, at the positions of both side edges 5E, 5E in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent body 5 (both edges in the width direction X).

[0026] When the diaper 10 is worn, the side crotch portions 10CH are folded toward the wearer's skin starting from the folding guide portions 61 and are sandwiched between the wearer's crotch portions, thereby hiding the markings 41. When the diaper 10 is worn, as the absorbent body 5 absorbs urine and other excretory fluids and its weight increases, the crotch portions 10C hang down from the wearer's crotch portions. As a result, the folds in the side crotch portions 10CH loosen, and the markings 41 become visible. This point will be described in more detail below with reference to an example.

[0027] First, when the diaper 10 is worn, as shown in Fig. 5, the central crotch portion 10CL is disposed between the thighs of the wearer W so as to cover the entire width of the crotch portion. The side crotch portions 10CH on both sides of the central crotch portion 10CL are folded toward the skin of the wearer and raised up to fit into the boundaries between the wearer's crotch and the inner surfaces of the thighs. As a result, the markings 41 arranged in the lateral crotch parts 10CH are hidden between the crotch and inner thighs of the wearer W. When the diaper 10 is first worn, there is little or no increase in the weight of the absorbent 5 due to urination, etc., so the bent state is maintained and the markings 41 are not easily visible. This allows a person (e.g., a guardian or caregiver) who sees the wearer W wearing the diaper 10 to recognize that no excretion has occurred.

[0028] When the wearer W urinates while wearing the diaper 10, the absorbent body 5 absorbs the excreted liquid and increases in weight. At the same time, the absorbent body 5 also increases in volume. When the wearer urinates repeatedly and the absorbent body 5 absorbs more liquid, the excreted liquid is diffused and absorbed from the central absorbent portion 5L in the central crotch portion 10CL to the side absorbent portions 5H in the side crotch portions 10CH through the partitions of the folding guide portions 61. In this way, the absorbent body 5 approaches a state where the absorption capacity is fully utilized. Then, not only the central absorbent portion 5L but also the left and right side absorbent portions 5H, 5H increase in weight and volume, and the entire absorbent body 5 sags (hangs down) in the direction of gravity. At this time, the side absorbent portions 5H loosen their folds starting from the folding guide portions 61 due to the increase in weight, and try to return to a flat state. As a result, the side crotch portion 10CH on which the marking portion 41 is provided is released from the state where it is sandwiched between the crotch portion and the inner side of the thigh portion at the position around the leg. 6, the markings 41 in the lateral crotch portions 10CH are detached from the inner surfaces of the thighs and become visible from the outer surface of the diaper 10. As a result, when the diaper 10 is viewed from the outside, the line of the markings 41 in the crotch portion 10C that was not visible when the diaper 10 was first worn appears, indicating that the diaper should be changed.

[0029] In this way, the diaper 10 can notify the user when it is time to change the diaper 10 when the diaper 10 has fully absorbed the liquid by utilizing the absorption capacity of the absorbent body 5. This can extend the interval between changes, reduce the labor required, and lead to cost savings. In addition, when the diaper 10 is first worn, the markings 41 in the side crotch portions 10CH are made difficult to see, so that the design, such as the pattern or picture that adorns the diaper's appearance, is not marred. Also, the central crotch portion 10CL becomes more noticeable, so that the design therein is more clearly visible. At the same time, the shape of the crotch portion 10C is made neat, so that the appearance of the diaper 10 itself when worn is improved. Furthermore, in the diaper 10, the fold guide portions 61 allow the absorbent body 5 to easily conform to the skin surface of the wearer when worn. This allows the crotch portion 10C of the diaper 10 to fit snugly against the wearer's crotch, providing a comfortable fit.

[0030] In the diaper 10, from the viewpoint of improving the above-mentioned wearing state and the subsequent deformation of the crotch portion 10C, it is preferable that the rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L is greater than that of the side absorbent portions 5H. This difference in rigidity also allows the central absorbent portion 5L to easily retain its shape, firmly covering and supporting the crotch portion of the wearer, while the side absorbent portions 5H on both sides softly fit the crotch portion and the inner surfaces of the thighs. This rigidity means bending rigidity measured by the following method. The difference in rigidity can be imparted, for example, by making the absorbent cores 6 constituting the central absorbent portion 5L and the lateral absorbent portions 5H different in basis weight, material, or hardness. The difference may also be imparted by making the absorbent core 6 of the central absorbent portion 5L a laminate of two or more layers and making the number of layers of the absorbent core 6 of the lateral absorbent portions 5H less than that. When the absorbent core 6 of the central absorbent portion 5L is a laminate of two or more layers, it is preferable that the folding guide portion 61 is disposed in the vicinity of the central absorbent portion 5L of the lateral absorbent portions 5H, which have a relatively smaller number of layers.

[0031] From the above-mentioned viewpoint, the difference between the rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L and the rigidity of the lateral absorbent portions 5H (the former-the latter) is preferably 10kgf / 25mm or more, more preferably 15kgf / 25mm or more, and even more preferably 20kgf / 25mm or more. In addition, the difference between the rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L and the rigidity of the lateral absorbent portions 5H (the former - the latter) is preferably 50kgf / 25mm or less, more preferably 45kgf / 25mm or less, and even more preferably 40kgf / 25mm or less, in order to avoid increasing the rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L too much.

[0032] (Method of measuring the rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L and the lateral absorbent portions 5H) The rigidity of the central absorbent portion 5L and the lateral absorbent portions 5H can be measured as bending rigidity in the width direction of the diaper, for example, by a handle-o-meter in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard "JIS L-1096 (General Fabric Testing Method)". A square test piece measuring 25 mm x 25 mm is cut out from each of the central absorbent portion 5L and the side absorbent portion 5H. The test piece is placed on a support table with a groove of 10 mm width so that the groove and the direction corresponding to the width direction of the diaper of the test piece are perpendicular to each other. The center of the test piece is pressed with a blade of 2 mm thickness, and the resistance value (g) when the absorbent body is pressed 8 mm is measured with a load cell. The measurement is carried out three times using different test pieces, and the average value is taken as the measured value. The test pieces are cut out so as not to include the folding guide portion 61. If a test piece measuring 25 mm x 25 mm cannot be cut out, a smaller test piece may be used. In that case, the same size test pieces obtained from the central absorbent portion 5L and the side absorbent portions 5H are used, and the results of measurement with the groove width of the support base set at 5 mm are compared.

[0033] In addition, in order to improve the above-mentioned wearing state and the subsequent deformation of the crotch portion 10C of the diaper 10, it is preferable that the absorption capacity of the central absorbent portion 5L is larger than that of the lateral absorbent portions 5H. This makes it easier for the excreted liquid to reach the lateral absorbent portions 5H when it is about to leak, and makes it easier to promptly inform the user of the timing of replacement at a stage when the absorption capacity of the absorber 5 has been fully utilized. This difference in absorption capacity can be achieved, for example, by varying the basis weight of the absorbent cores 6 constituting the central absorbent portion 5L and the lateral absorbent portions 5H, for example, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer material contained in the absorbent cores 6.

[0034] From the viewpoint of making the above-mentioned stiffness and absorption capacity effects more pronounced, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer material contained in the central absorbent portion 5L is preferably 143% or more, more preferably 170% or more, of the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer material contained in the lateral absorbent portions 5H. Also, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer material contained in the central absorbent portion 5L is preferably 900% or less, more preferably 615% or less, of the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer material contained in the lateral absorbent portions 5H. In the above ratio range, the basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer material contained in the central absorbent portion 5L is 100 g / m 2 More than 120g / m is preferable. 2More preferably, the basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer material contained in the central absorbent portion 5L is 450 g / m 2 Less than 430 g / m is preferred. 2 The following is more preferred: In the above ratio range, the basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer material contained in the side absorbent portion 5H is 50 g / m 2 More than 70g / m is preferable. 2 More preferably, the basis weight of the highly absorbent polymer material contained in the lateral absorbent portions 5H is 200 g / m 2 Less than 180 g / m 2 The following is more preferred:

[0035] Furthermore, in the diaper 10, it is preferable that the portions covering the front and back of the folding guide portion 61 of the core wrap sheet 7 covering the absorbent core 6 are joined on the front and back sides, so that the lateral absorbent portions 5H can be more easily folded from the folding guide portion 61 and returned to a flat state thereafter. The form of this joining may vary depending on the form of the fold guide portion 61 of the core wrap sheet 7. For example, when the fold guide portion 61 is a through hole, it means that the portions covering the front and back of the absorbent core 6 are joined together. Also, when the fold guide portion 61 is a partial hole and is a portion with reduced basis weight so that the absorbent core 6 remains, it means that the core wrap sheet 7 is joined to the portion of the absorbent core 6 in the fold guide portion 61.

[0036] In the diaper 10, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the foldability of the side absorbent portions 5H, it is preferable that a stretchable elastic body 62 is fixed in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction Y at the side edge of the side absorbent portion 5H as shown in Fig. 7. The elastic body 62 is arranged in a stretched state between the absorbent core 6 and the core wrap sheet 7, and causes the side absorbent portion 5H to contract along the longitudinal direction Y. This imparts a biasing force in a direction curving the crotch portion 10C of the diaper 10 in the longitudinal direction Y, so that the side crotch portion 10CH is lifted up more strongly against the boundary between the crotch portion and the inner side of the thigh portion. As long as the above-mentioned effects are satisfactorily exhibited, the elastic body 62 may be disposed not only between the absorbent core 6 and the core wrap sheet 7 but also on the outer surface of the core wrap sheet 7. Moreover, together with or instead of the elastic body 62, an elastic body may be disposed on the outer side of the absorbent body 5, for example, between the top sheet 3 and the side sheet 9.

[0037] As described above, the diaper 10 has the marking portion 41 arranged in the side crotch portion 10CH including the side absorbent portion 5H, so that the diaper 10 can notify the wearer that it is time to change the diaper when the absorbent body 5 has fully absorbed liquid. It is preferable that the indication 41 notifies the purchaser of the diaper of the timing of replacement when the diaper has absorbed more liquid than the liquid absorption performance claimed for the diaper purchaser. For example, it is preferable that the indication 41 appears when the diaper 10 exceeds the usage limit indicated on the package in which the diaper 10 is stored. Examples of the usage limit include upper limits for the number of urinations, the amount of urination, and the duration of wearing the diaper.

[0038] Next, the components constituting the diaper 10 may be any components commonly used in various absorbent articles without any particular limitations.

[0039] The absorbent body 5 may be, for example, an absorbent core 6, such as a stack of hydrophilic fibers, a stack of hydrophilic fibers and a superabsorbent polymer material, or a stack of hydrophilic fibers, a superabsorbent polymer material, and a thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber, covered with a core wrap sheet 7. Alternatively, it may be a water-absorbent sheet in which a superabsorbent polymer material is sandwiched between a plurality of fiber sheets. Examples of the hydrophilic fibers include cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers that have been hydrophilized with a surfactant or the like as necessary. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer material include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based polymer compounds that have the ability to absorb and retain 20 times or more of their own weight in water or physiological saline. Examples of the core wrap sheet 7 include thin paper such as tissue paper and hydrophilic nonwoven fabric.

[0040] The topsheet 3 is made of a material that is pleasant to the touch and liquid permeable, and is preferably a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric, such as an air-through nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric, a spun-laced nonwoven fabric, or a sheet material obtained by laminating and integrating these nonwoven fabrics. The fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric are preferably polypropylene monofilaments, polypropylene and polyethylene composite fibers, polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene composite fibers, or the like that have been subjected to a hydrophilic treatment. In addition, in the crotch portion of the topsheet 3, a hydrophilic perforated film or hydrophilic nonwoven fabric may be partially layered on the non-skin contact side of the topsheet 3.

[0041] For the back sheet 4, a moisture-permeable film alone, a composite sheet in which a film and a nonwoven fabric are bonded together, or a water-repellent nonwoven fabric (SMS, SMMS, etc.) is used. From the viewpoint of cost and matching with the anti-slip adhesive, it is preferable to use a moisture-permeable film alone as the leak-proof material. In this case, the film material may be a film in which a thermoplastic resin and an inorganic filler incompatible with the thermoplastic resin are melt-kneaded and extruded, and then stretched to a specified dimension to form micropores, or a non-porous film that is essentially highly compatible with moisture and can release water vapor like a permeable membrane.

[0042] The side sheet 9 is preferably a water-repellent nonwoven fabric, and various nonwoven fabrics that are water-repellent or have been treated to be water-repellent can be used from among spunbond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, heat-rolled nonwoven fabric, needle-punched nonwoven fabric, etc. Particularly preferably, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric, spunbond-meltblown (SM) nonwoven fabric, spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS), spunbond-meltblown-meltblown-spunbond (SMMS), spunbond-spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SSMS) nonwoven fabric, etc. are used.

[0043] The exterior body 2 is composed of a sheet of one or more layers, and examples of the sheet include nonwoven fabrics produced by various manufacturing methods such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, heat-rolled nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbonded nonwoven fabrics, and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and resin films. In particular, from the viewpoint of improving breathability and texture, those formed from nonwoven fabrics are preferred, and from the viewpoint of preventing leakage of excrement, those formed from water-repellent nonwoven fabrics are preferred.

[0044] Examples of the various elastic bodies that may be used in the diaper 10 include synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene, and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, elastic polyolefin, and polyurethane. The shapes of the elastic bodies may include, for example, thread-like or string-like bodies (such as flat rubber) having a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or multifilament type thread-like bodies.

[0045] Although the diaper 10 of this embodiment is shown as a pants-type diaper, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be a tape-type diaper. In addition, although the diaper 10 of this embodiment is shown as having an outer body separated into a front side and a rear side, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be a diaper of various shapes. For example, the outer body may be shaped to cover the entire abdominal side portion 10F, the crotch portion 10C and the rear side portion 10R of the diaper 10, and may be narrowed in the width direction at the crotch portion 10C of the diaper 10. The shape of the absorbent core 6 is also not limited to that of this embodiment and may be various. For example, the planar shape of the absorbent core 6 may be narrowed in the width direction X at the crotch portion 10C.

[0046] The absorbent article of the present invention includes not only the diaper of the above embodiment, but also sanitary shorts, shorts-type napkins, incontinence pants, etc. In addition, other members may be appropriately incorporated into the above configuration according to the purpose and function.

[0047] In relation to the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following absorbent article. <1> An absorbent article comprising a vertically long absorbent body, and having a crotch portion arranged on a wearer's crotch side, a ventral portion arranged on a wearer's ventral side, and a dorsal portion arranged on a wearer's back side, The absorbent body is disposed with its longitudinal direction directed toward the abdominal portion, the crotch portion, and the back portion, and has at least a pair of fold guide portions, which are the starting points for folding the absorbent body, at positions inward from both side edges in the longitudinal direction in the crotch portion, and the fold guide portions extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body; In the crotch portion, a marking portion that follows the circumference of the wearer's legs is arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and the marking portion is located in a side crotch portion that is located outward in the width direction from the position of the folding guide portion when the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion is viewed in a plan view, When the absorbent article is worn, the side crotch portions fold from the fold guide portion toward the wearer's skin and are sandwiched between the wearer's crotch portions, thereby hiding the markings, and as the absorbent body absorbs excretory fluids while the absorbent article is being worn and its weight increases, the crotch portions hang down from the wearer's crotch portions and the folds in the side crotch portions loosen, revealing the markings.

[0048] <2> The folding guide portion is a portion in which the basis weight of the absorbent body is made lower than that of a portion other than the folding guide portion. <1> An absorbent article as described above. <3> The folding guide portion is a slit portion disposed in the absorbent body. <1> An absorbent article as described above. <4> In the crotch portion, the absorbent body has a central absorbent portion divided by the folding guide portion and side absorbent portions on the left and right outer sides of the central absorbent portion, and the rigidity of the central absorbent portion is greater than the rigidity of the side absorbent portions. <1> ~ <3> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <5> In the crotch portion, the absorbent body has a central absorbent portion divided by the folding guide portion and side absorbent portions on the left and right outer sides of the central absorbent portion, and the absorption capacity of the central absorbent portion is larger than that of the side absorbent portions. <1> ~ <4> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <6> The absorbent body has an absorbent core in which an absorbent material is accumulated and a core wrap sheet covering the front and back surfaces of the absorbent core, and the portions of the core wrap sheet covering the front and back surfaces of the folding guide portion are joined on the front and back. <1> ~ <5> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <7> The absorbent body has a side edge of a side absorbent portion that is outward in the width direction from the folding guide portion, and a stretchable elastic body is fixed in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. <1> ~ <6> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <8> The absorbent article is configured such that the indicator appears only when the absorbent article exceeds a usage limit standard indicated on a package that contains the absorbent article. <1> ~ <7> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 Absorbent body 11 Side seal part 12 Waist opening 13 Leg opening 2 Exterior body 21 Ventral exterior 22 Dorsal exterior body 3 Surface sheet 4 Back sheet 41 Sign 5. Absorber 5L central absorbent 5H Side absorption part 5E: Longitudinal side edge of absorbent body (widthwise edge) 6 Absorbent Core 61 Bending guide part 62 Elastic Body 7 Core wrap sheet 9 Side seat 91 Elastic Body 10. Diapers 10F Abdominal part of diaper 10C Crotch area of ​​diaper 10CL center crotch 10CH Lateral crotch 10R Back side of diaper 10D Diaper waist area X Width direction (or width direction of absorbent body, waist circumference direction) Y Longitudinal direction (length direction or longitudinal direction of absorbent body)

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a vertically long absorbent body, and having a crotch portion arranged on a wearer's crotch side, a ventral portion arranged on a wearer's ventral side, and a dorsal portion arranged on a wearer's back side, The absorbent body is disposed with its longitudinal direction directed toward the abdominal portion, the crotch portion, and the back portion, and has at least a pair of fold guide portions, which are the starting points for folding the absorbent body, at positions inward from both side edges in the longitudinal direction in the crotch portion, and the fold guide portions extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body; In the crotch portion, a marking portion that follows the circumference of the wearer's legs is arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and the marking portion is located in a side crotch portion that is located outward in the width direction from the position of the folding guide portion when the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion is viewed in a plan view, When the absorbent article is worn, the side crotch portions fold from the fold guide portion toward the wearer's skin and are sandwiched between the wearer's crotch portions, thereby hiding the markings, and as the absorbent body absorbs excretory fluids while the absorbent article is being worn and its weight increases, the crotch portions hang down from the wearer's crotch portions and the folds in the side crotch portions loosen, revealing the markings.

2. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the fold guide portion is a portion in which the basis weight of the absorbent body is made lower than that of a portion other than the fold guide portion.

3. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the folding guide portion is a slit portion disposed in the absorbent body.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the crotch portion, the absorbent body has a central absorbent portion divided by the fold guide portion and side absorbent portions on the left and right outer sides of the central absorbent portion, and the rigidity of the central absorbent portion is greater than the rigidity of the side absorbent portions.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the crotch portion, the absorbent body has a central absorbent portion divided by the fold guide portion and side absorbent portions on the left and right outer sides of the central absorbent portion, and the absorption capacity of the central absorbent portion is larger than that of the side absorbent portions.

6. An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core in which absorbent material is accumulated and a core wrap sheet covering the front and back surfaces of the absorbent core, and the portions of the core wrap sheet covering the front and back surfaces of the fold guide portion are joined on the front and back surfaces.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a stretchable elastic body is fixed in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction to a side edge of a lateral absorbent portion that is widthwise outward from the fold guide portion of the absorbent body.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the indicator portion appears only when the absorbent article exceeds a usage limit standard indicated on a package that contains the absorbent article.

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