Absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article that is good in comfort and appearance during wearing and has superior leakage prevention performance.SOLUTION: An absorbent body 5 is divided, in the lengthwise direction X, into a high-stiffness region 51 and a low-stiffness region 52 that have differing stiffness in the lengthwise direction X, and the high-stiffness region 51 includes a region having higher stiffness in the lengthwise direction X in comparison to the low-stiffness region 52. Elastic members 53 extending in the lengthwise direction X are disposed, so as to be capable of stretching and contracting in the lengthwise direction X, on opposing side portions of the absorbent body 5 along the lengthwise direction X in at least a crotch section M. In an unfolded and fully-extended absorbent article 1, of both ends 53F, 53R, in the lengthwise direction X, of the portions of the elastic members 53 that can stretch and contract in the lengthwise direction X, one end is present in the high-stiffness region 51 or outside the region 51 in the transverse direction Y, and the other end is present in the low-stiffness region 52 or outside the region 52 in the transverse direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article configured so that both side portions of an absorbent body can stand up when worn. [Background technology]

[0002] As an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper, one having an absorbent body that has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer and a horizontal direction perpendicular thereto, and that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, is known. Patent Document 1 describes a disposable diaper having such a configuration, in which elastic members are arranged in a stretchable manner on both sides along the vertical direction of the absorbent body, and both sides of the absorbent body are configured to rise toward the wearer's skin by contracting the elastic members when worn. By having both sides of the absorbent body rise when worn, the appearance of the diaper when worn is neat, and it is expected that the wearer's ease of movement is improved and comfort when worn is increased. The absorbent body of the diaper described in Patent Document 1 is made of a fiber aggregate made of pulp fibers or the like, which holds a water-absorbing polymer, and the diaper has a two-layer structure from the abdominal side to the crotch part and a single-layer structure in the back side, and the layer structure is different in the vertical direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-341061 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an elastic member is arranged in a contractible manner near the absorbent body in an absorbent article in order to make both sides along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body stand up, there is a concern that irregular wrinkles will occur in the absorbent body due to contraction of the elastic member, which will cause inconveniences such as a deterioration in the appearance of the absorbent article when worn and unexpected leakage due to a decrease in fit. In particular, when a relatively thin, flexible, and low-rigidity absorbent body is introduced into the absorbent article for the purpose of improving wearing comfort, etc., the occurrence of irregular wrinkles due to the contraction of the elastic member tends to be significant, making it difficult to reduce the thickness of the absorbent body in an absorbent article configured so that both sides of the absorbent body can stand up when worn. In addition, conventional absorbent articles also have room for improvement in terms of leakage prevention performance.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article which is comfortable to wear, has a good appearance when worn, and has excellent leakage prevention performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an absorbent article having a ventral side portion that is arranged on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal side portion that is arranged on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located therebetween, and also having a vertical direction that extends from the ventral side portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal side portion and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and comprising an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the absorbent body is divided in the vertical direction into a high stiffness region and a low stiffness region having different vertical stiffness, and the high stiffness region includes a region having a higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged on both sides of the absorbent body in at least the crotch portion along the longitudinal direction so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, in the absorbent article in an unfolded and maximally stretched state, one of the two longitudinal ends of the longitudinally stretchable portion of the elastic member is located in the high stiffness region or laterally outside the high stiffness region, and the other is located in the low stiffness region or laterally outside the low stiffness region. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The absorbent article of the present invention is comfortable to wear and has a good appearance when worn. That is, the absorbent article of the present invention is configured so that both sides of the absorbent body can stand up when worn, and the occurrence of irregular wrinkles in the absorbent body due to contraction of the elastic member introduced to enable the absorbent body to stand up is suppressed, so that the wearer can move comfortably without being hindered, and the appearance when worn is neat and no irregular wrinkles are observed in the absorbent body, and the appearance when worn is good. In addition, the absorbent article of the present invention has excellent leakage prevention performance, and the action of the pocket structure capable of containing excrement, which is generated by the contraction of the elastic member, prevents leakage of excrement, especially from the longitudinal ends. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical natural state of a pants-type disposable diaper which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing a schematic view of the skin-facing side (top sheet side) of the diaper shown in FIG. 1 in a developed and maximum stretched state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of the diaper shown in FIG. 2 taken along line II (a cross section along the thickness direction and the lateral direction). [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the natural state of the diaper illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view that illustrates a schematic positional relationship between the absorbent body and the elastic members in FIG. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views showing schematic cross sections along the thickness direction and the vertical direction of the area enclosed by the dotted line frame in FIG. 5, in which FIG. 6(a) shows the diaper shown in FIG. 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, and FIG. 6(b) shows the diaper in its natural state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 of another embodiment of the absorbent body according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing still another embodiment of the absorbent body according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[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 denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

[0010] 1 to 5 show a pants-type disposable diaper 1, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a ventral portion F that is disposed on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal portion R that is disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion M that is located between the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R, and also has a longitudinal direction X that extends from the ventral portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal portion R, corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of the wearer, and a lateral direction Y that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The diaper 1 also includes an absorbent body 5 that absorbs and retains bodily fluids.

[0011] The crotch portion M extends in the longitudinal direction X across the longitudinal centerline CLx of the diaper 1. The longitudinal centerline CLx is an imaginary straight line extending in the transverse direction Y, dividing the diaper 1 in the fully stretched and unfolded state as shown in FIG. The crotch portion M includes an excretory part facing portion (not shown) that faces the wearer's excretory part such as the penis, and typically includes a portion of the diaper 1 whose length (width) in the lateral direction Y is the shortest. In the present invention, the abdominal portion F, the crotch portion M and the back portion R may be each of the regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article in an unfolded and maximally stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X.

[0012] In this specification, the term "unfolded and maximally stretched state" refers to a state in which the absorbent article is spread out flat to an unfolded state, and the elastic members of each part of the absorbent article in the unfolded state are stretched to their maximum extent until the absorbent article is unfolded to the designed dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when unfolded flat in a state completely free of the influence of the elastic members. In the case of an absorbent article having side seals, the absorbent article is cut at the side seals and unfolded flat to the unfolded state.

[0013] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to a lateral centerline CLy in the unfolded and maximally stretched state as shown in Fig. 2. The lateral centerline CLy is an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction X and dividing the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the lateral direction Y. The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 2 including an absorbent substratum 5, and an exterior body 10 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 2. The absorbent body 2 and the exterior body 10 are joined together by a known joining means such as an adhesive. The exterior body 10 is a member that forms the outer shape of the diaper 1. The peripheral edges of the exterior body 10 form the contour lines of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R of the diaper 1. The exterior body 10 includes a ventral-side exterior body 10F that extends in the lateral direction Y and is located in the ventral portion F, and a dorsal-side exterior body 10R that is separate from the ventral-side exterior body 10F and that extends in the lateral direction Y and is located in the dorsal portion R. In other words, the diaper 1 is a so-called split-type pants-type disposable diaper in which the exterior body is divided into a member disposed on the ventral side and a member disposed on the dorsal side. The absorbent body 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and is positioned in the center of the exterior body 10 in the horizontal direction Y with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1. It extends in the vertical direction X from the ventral portion F to the dorsal portion R, and is bridged between the ventral exterior body 10F and the dorsal exterior body 10R, which are arranged at a predetermined distance in the vertical direction X.

[0014] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member (e.g., absorbent body) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively close to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member that faces the opposite side to the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side relatively far 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.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the diaper 1 has a pair of side seal portions S, S formed by joining both side portions of the ventral exterior body 10F along the longitudinal direction X to both side portions of the rear exterior body 10R along the longitudinal direction X. This allows the exterior bodies 10F, 10R to be connected in a ring shape. The side seal portions S are formed by known joining means such as adhesives, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. The diaper 1 also has a waist opening WH through which the wearer's torso passes, and a pair of leg openings LH, LH through which the wearer's lower legs pass.

[0016] The absorbent body 2 is configured to include a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 arranged relatively close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable or poorly liquid-permeable or water-repellent back sheet 4 arranged relatively far from the wearer's skin, and an absorbent body 5 interposed between the two sheets 3, 4. These members constituting the absorbent body 2 are integrated with each other by a known joining means such as an adhesive. As the top sheet 3 and the back sheet 4, any sheet that is normally used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular limitation. As the top sheet 3, various sheets having liquid permeability can be used, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and paper. As the back sheet 4, a sheet having leakproof properties, specifically a sheet having liquid impermeability (a property that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or poorly liquid permeability (a property that is not liquid impermeable but does not allow liquid to pass through easily), for example, a moisture-permeable resin film or a laminate of the resin film and a nonwoven fabric can be used.

[0017] In this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 has a shape that is elongated in one direction, such as a rectangular shape, in a plan view as shown in Fig. 2, and is arranged so that its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1. The absorbent body 5 is arranged at least in the crotch portion M. In the diaper 1, the absorbent body 5 is continuous from the abdominal portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal portion R. 3 and 4, the topsheet 3 traverses the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 in the horizontal direction Y, and the extending portions of the topsheet 3 from both side edges along the vertical direction X of the absorbent body 5 are wrapped around the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 (more specifically, the second core 7 described below). The pair of extending portions of the topsheet 3 are each fixed to a cuff sheet 80 that constitutes the main part of a leakproof cuff 8 described below, and a pair of fixing portions 83 between the topsheet 3 and the cuff sheet 80 are formed. The topsheet 3 does not cover the entire non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5, and the central portion in the horizontal direction Y of the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 (the portion located between the pair of fixing portions 83, 83) is not covered by the topsheet 3. In this embodiment, the top sheet 3 has a size large enough to cover the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5, covers the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 and both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5, and further covers a predetermined area on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 from both side edges inward in the lateral direction Y. Unlike the illustrated embodiment, the top sheet 3 covers the skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5 but does not necessarily cover the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5.

[0018] As described above, the exterior body 10 of the diaper 1 includes a ventral exterior body 10F and a rear exterior body 10R which are independent members. The ventral exterior body 10F has a rectangular shape that is long in the lateral direction Y when the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and maximally extended state as shown in Fig. 2. In the same state, the rear exterior body 10R has an end region in the longitudinal direction X farther from the longitudinal centerline CLx having a rectangular shape that is long in the lateral direction Y, and an end region in the longitudinal direction X closer to the longitudinal centerline CLx having a shape whose length (width) in the lateral direction Y gradually decreases toward the longitudinal centerline CLx. The exterior body 10 is disposed relatively far from the absorbent body 5 and is configured to include an outer layer sheet 11 which forms the outer surface of the diaper 1, and an inner layer sheet 12 which is disposed relatively close to the absorbent body 5 and forms the inner surface of the diaper 1. Both sheets 11, 12 are joined together and integrated by known joining means such as heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. A plurality of waist-gathering elastic members 13 extending in the width direction Y are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the outer sheet 11 and the inner sheet 12 in the abdominal portion F and the back portion R. In addition, leg gather-forming elastic members 14 are arranged between the outer sheet 11 and the inner sheet 12 at the opening edges of each of the pair of leg openings LH, LH. Both elastic members 13, 14 are fixed in a stretched state at predetermined positions and arranged to be stretchable. The sheets 11 and 12 constituting the exterior body 10 may be the same type of sheets or different types of sheets. The sheets 11 and 12 may have stretchability, particularly in the lateral direction Y. As the sheets 11 and 12, nonwoven fabrics produced by various methods, laminates of nonwoven fabrics and resin films, etc. can be used.

[0019] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the diaper 1 includes a pair of leakage preventing cuffs 8, 8 arranged from the ventral side portion F to the dorsal side portion R along both side portions along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5. The leakage preventing cuffs 8 include a cuff sheet 80 forming the main portion of the leakage preventing cuffs 8, and one or more cuff elastic members 81 fixed to the cuff sheet 80 and stretchable in the longitudinal direction X. The leakage preventing cuffs 8 (cuff sheet 80) are arranged continuously along the side portions of the absorbent body 2 along the longitudinal direction X, over substantially the entire length of the absorbent body 2 in the longitudinal direction X. Each of the pair of leak-proof cuffs 8, 8 has, at least in the crotch portion M, a standing portion 82 that stands toward the wearer's skin when worn. The standing portion 82 stands toward the wearer's skin from a fixed portion 83 as a standing point. The standing portion 82 is a portion of the cuff sheet 80 that is not fixed to another member. The fixed portion 83 is a portion where the cuff sheet 80 is fixed to another member by a known joining means such as an adhesive or fusion. As the cuff sheet 80, any material that is used as a leak-proof cuff in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restriction, and for example, a single-layer or multi-layer water-repellent nonwoven fabric, a laminate of a resin film and a nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, at both ends of the leakage preventing cuff 8 in the longitudinal direction X, there are formed upright inhibition parts 84, which are parts where the uprighting of the cuff sheet 80 is inhibited. The upright inhibition parts 84 are formed at the ventral side part F and the dorsal side part R, and the part along the longitudinal direction X sandwiched between the upright inhibition parts 84, 84 is the upright part 82. Typically, the upright inhibition parts 84 are formed by fixing the cuff sheet 80 to the skin-facing surface (top sheet 3) of the absorbent body 2, and the fixing parts can be formed by known joining means such as adhesives and fusion. Since a pair of upright inhibition parts 84, 84 is formed at both ends of the leakage preventing cuff 8 in the longitudinal direction X, when the diaper 1 is worn, the upright part 82, which is the part sandwiched between the upright inhibition parts 84, 84, rises toward the wearer's skin from the fixing part 83 as a rising starting point due to contraction of the cuff elastic member 81, as shown in FIG. 4. In such an upright state of the leakage-preventing cuffs 8, the upright portions 82 block the outward movement of bodily fluids such as urine excreted by the wearer in the lateral direction Y, thereby effectively preventing outward leakage (lateral leakage) of the bodily fluids in the lateral direction Y. In addition, although not shown, in the upright state of the leakage-preventing cuffs 8, contraction of the cuff elastic members 81 causes the entire diaper 1 to curve and deform so that the central portion of the absorbent main body 2 in the longitudinal direction X is convex toward the non-skin-facing side (the backsheet 4 side), thereby making it easier for the diaper 1 to fit the body shape of the wearer.

[0021] The absorbent body 5, which is one of the characteristic components of the diaper 1, will now be described. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 is configured to include an absorbent sheet 70. The absorbent sheet 70 includes a base sheet 71 and a water-absorbing polymer 72 disposed on the surface of the base sheet 71. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 also includes the absorbent sheet 70 and an auxiliary absorbent layer 60 disposed so as to overlap a portion of the absorbent sheet 70 in the thickness direction. More specifically, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 has a laminated structure of a first core 6 and a second core 7 that is arranged farther from the wearer's skin than the first core 6 and covers a portion of the skin-facing surface of the first core 6, the first core 6 being made of an auxiliary absorbent layer 60, and the second core 7 being made of an absorbent sheet 70.

[0022] In this embodiment, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) is mainly made of a fiber aggregate and contains two or more types selected from synthetic fibers, absorbent natural fibers, and absorbent polymers. The first core 6 is thus configured, so that the absorbent body 5 can have sufficient liquid absorption performance for practical use. Such an auxiliary absorbent layer 60 mainly made of a fiber aggregate can be manufactured by a conventional method using a conventionally known fiber stacking device. The synthetic fibers may be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Hydrophilic synthetic fibers are useful for improving the liquid absorption performance of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, and hydrophobic synthetic fibers are useful for improving the shape retention of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 after absorbing liquid. Examples of hydrophilic synthetic fibers include polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers, and hydrophobic synthetic fibers that have been subjected to a hydrophilization treatment. Examples of hydrophobic synthetic fibers include polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polyester fibers. The water-absorbent natural fibers include cellulose fibers, which include natural fibers such as wood pulp, such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, non-wood pulp, such as cotton pulp and hemp pulp, modified pulp, such as cationic pulp and mercerized pulp, and regenerated fibers, such as cupra and rayon. The water-absorbing polymer may be any of those conventionally used in this type of absorbent body without any particular limitation, and may be, for example, a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid. The water-absorbing polymer contained in the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 is typically a small piece of water-absorbing polymer in the form of particles, fibers, or the like. The basis weight of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 200 g / m from the viewpoint of the balance between the liquid absorption performance of the diaper 1 and the wearing comfort. 2 More preferably, 250 g / m 2 More than 450 g / m 2 Less than 400 g / m 2 The "basis weight of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60" referred to here refers to the basis weight including all of the materials forming the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (fibers, water-absorbent polymers, etc.).

[0023] The absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) has a configuration in which particulate absorbent polymer 72 is interposed between base material sheets 71, 71 arranged opposite each other in the thickness direction, and is characterized by being thinner and more flexible than the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) which is mainly composed of a fiber aggregate. The base sheet 71 is preferably a liquid-permeable sheet, and for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, etc. can be used. The absorbent polymer 72 may be any absorbent polymer that has been used in the absorbent body of this type without any particular limitation, and may be the same as that used in the first core 6. In the second core 7, the base sheets 71, 71 may be bonded to each other, and the base sheet 71 may be bonded to the absorbent polymer 72 with an adhesive. The content of the absorbent polymer in the second core 7 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 80% by mass or more with respect to the total mass of the second core 7 from the viewpoint of further enhancing the above-mentioned characteristics.

[0024] The cores 6, 7 (auxiliary absorbent layer 60, absorbent sheet 70) constituting the absorbent body 5 may each have a skin-facing surface and / or a non-skin-facing surface covered with a core wrap sheet (not shown). In this case, the cores 6, 7 may each be individually covered with a core wrap sheet, or the cores 6, 7 may be integrally covered with a core wrap sheet. The core wrap sheet is preferably a liquid-permeable sheet, and for example, paper, nonwoven fabric, etc. may be used. The core wrap sheet is a constituent member of the absorbent body 5.

[0025] 5, in this embodiment, the ventral end 6F and the dorsal end 6R in the longitudinal direction X of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) are disposed between the ventral end 7F and the dorsal end 7R in the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7), and the length of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the longitudinal direction X is shorter than that of the absorbent sheet 70. In this embodiment, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 is biased toward the ventral part F.

[0026] 5, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) has a narrow portion 62 having a relatively short length (width) in the lateral direction Y in the crotch portion M, and a wide portion 61 having a relatively long length (width) in the lateral direction Y on the wearer's abdominal side relative to the narrow portion 62. The width of the portion of the wide portion 61 closer to the narrow portion 62 (variable width portion 61B) gradually increases from the back side to the abdominal side of the wearer. More specifically, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) has a wide portion 61 on the abdominal end 6F side and a narrow portion 62 on the dorsal end 6R side. The wide portion 61 has a constant width portion 61A having a constant width over the entire length in the longitudinal direction X on the abdominal end 6F side, and a variable width portion 61B having a non-constant width on the narrow portion 62 side.

[0027] 5, the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) has a rectangular shape in plan view in this embodiment, and its length (width) in the lateral direction Y is longer than that of the wide portion 61 of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60. In this embodiment, the second core 7 forms the contour line of the absorbent body 5 in plan view. The second core 7 has a pair of extensions 7E, 7E extending outward in the horizontal direction Y from side edges of the first core 6 along the vertical direction X. The extensions 7E of the second core 7 rise toward the wearer's skin when the diaper 1 is worn due to contraction of an elastic member for absorber 53 described later. From the viewpoint of ensuring that the effects of the rising of the extensions 7E of the second core 7 (such as improved wearing comfort and appearance when worn) are achieved, it is preferable that the extensions 7E are present at least in the crotch portion M, and in this embodiment, the extensions 7E are present not only in the crotch portion M but also in the portions of the abdominal portion F and the dorsal portion R near the crotch portion M.

[0028] 2 and 5, the absorbent body 5 is divided in the vertical direction X into a high stiffness region 51 and a low stiffness region 52 having different stiffness in the vertical direction X (hereinafter also referred to as "vertical stiffness"). The boundary between the high stiffness region 51 and the low stiffness region 52 is a single imaginary straight line extending parallel to the horizontal direction Y. The high stiffness region 51 includes a region having a higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region 52. When the vertical stiffness of the low stiffness region 52 varies partially, the high stiffness region 51 includes a region having a higher vertical stiffness than the region in the low stiffness region 52 having the highest vertical stiffness. In the present invention, the high stiffness region 51 may be an area having a higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region 52 over its entirety, or may be an area having a higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region 52 only in part. The high stiffness region 51 may include an area having a vertical stiffness equal to or lower than that of the low stiffness region 52, provided that the high stiffness region 51 includes an area having a higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region 52.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 includes the absorbent sheet 70 as the second core 7 and the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 as the first core 6 arranged to overlap a part of the absorbent sheet 70 in the thickness direction, and the high stiffness region 51 is "a region overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in a plan view" and "a region located outside the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the lateral direction Y in the absorbent body 5", and the low stiffness region 52 is "a region not overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the longitudinal direction X in the absorbent body 5". In other words, in the absorbent body 5, the high stiffness region 51 is a region overlapping with a projected image of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the lateral direction Y, and the low stiffness region 52 is a region not overlapping with the projected image. The "region having higher vertical stiffness than the low stiffness region 52" of the high stiffness region 51 is a region overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in a plan view, and includes a laminated structure of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) and the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7), and therefore has a higher basis weight than the low stiffness region 52 made of the absorbent sheet 70. Therefore, the vertical stiffness is higher than that of the low stiffness region 52, and the region is less likely to bend in the vertical direction X. In addition, the region located outside the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the horizontal direction Y in the high stiffness region 51 is made of the absorbent sheet 70 (extension 7E), and therefore the vertical stiffness of the region is the same as that of the low stiffness region 52. That is, in this embodiment, the high stiffness region 51 includes both a region having a higher vertical stiffness than that of the low stiffness region 52 and a region having the same vertical stiffness. In addition, in this embodiment, the vertical stiffness of the low stiffness region 52 is substantially uniform throughout its entire region. In the present invention, a through hole penetrating the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in the thickness direction may be provided. In that case, the area overlapping with the through hole in a planar view is not the area overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 in a planar view, and is not an area having higher vertical rigidity than the low rigidity area 52 (the area consisting of the absorbent sheet 70).

[0030] As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, absorber elastic members 53 extending in the longitudinal direction X are arranged stretchably in the longitudinal direction X on both sides of at least the crotch portion M of the absorber 5 along the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the elastic member 53 for the absorbent body is disposed on both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the second core 7 (absorbent sheet 70) forming the contour line of the absorbent body 5 in a plan view or in the vicinity thereof (specifically, for example, in a region within 10 mm from the side edge along the longitudinal direction X of the second core 7). The elastic member 53 for the absorbent body is disposed between the second core 7 and the top sheet 3, or, when the skin-facing surface of the second core 7 is covered with the core wrap sheet, between the core wrap sheet and the top sheet 3, and is disposed so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, and is fixed to at least the second core 7 or the core wrap sheet covering the skin-facing surface thereof, and further to the top sheet 3 by a known fixing means such as an adhesive. The elastic member 53 for the absorbent body may be one or more per one side edge of the absorbent body 5 as shown in the figures. In addition, when the outer surface of the second core 7 is covered with the core wrap sheet, the elastic member 53 for the absorbent body may be arranged between the second core 7 and the core wrap sheet so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction X, in which case the elastic member 53 for the absorbent body may be fixed to one or both of the second core 7 and the core wrap sheet by a known fixing method such as an adhesive. Unless otherwise specified, various known elastic materials that are usually used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restriction as materials for the various elastic members in the diaper 1, including the aforementioned absorbent body elastic member 53 and cuff elastic member 81. As the form of the elastic member, a thread-like (e.g., rubber thread) or string-like (e.g., flat rubber) member having a rectangular, square, circular or polygonal cross section, or a multifilament type thread-like member can be preferably used.

[0031] In the diaper 1, the absorber elastic members 53 are fixed in a stretched state to both sides (both ends in the lateral direction Y) of the absorber 5 (more specifically, the second core 7) along the longitudinal direction X, so that in the natural state of the diaper 1, as shown in FIG. 4, both sides of the absorber 5, more specifically, a pair of extensions 7E, 7E of the absorbent sheet 70 as the second core 7, at least in the crotch portion M, become absorber standing parts standing up toward the wearer's skin due to contraction of the absorber elastic members 53. At this time, the second core 7 is tray-shaped with a bottom at the center in the lateral direction Y overlapping with the first core 6 (auxiliary absorbent layer 60) and a pair of extensions 7E, 7E (absorber standing parts) extending obliquely from the bottom toward the wearer's skin as sides. The second core 7 deforms in the same manner as in the relaxed state when the diaper 1 is worn. In this specification, the term "natural state" refers to a state in which an absorbent article such as a diaper 1 is not stretched (relaxed state) without applying external force to each elastic member arranged in the absorbent article.

[0032] 2, the diaper 1 is characterized in that, as shown in Fig. 5, one of both ends 53F, 53R in the longitudinal direction X of the portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorber that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X of the absorber is located outside the high stiffness region 51 or the high stiffness region 51 in the lateral direction Y, and the other is located outside the low stiffness region 52 or the low stiffness region 52 in the lateral direction Y. In other words, one of both ends 53F, 53R in the longitudinal direction X of the portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorber that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X of the absorber overlaps with the projected image of the high stiffness region 51 in the lateral direction Y, and the other overlaps with the projected image of the low stiffness region 52 in the lateral direction Y. The aforementioned "portion of the elastic member for absorber 53 stretchable in the longitudinal direction X" is typically a fixed portion of the elastic member for absorber 53 fixed to another member in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X, and both ends 53F, 53R of the elastic member for absorber 53 are both ends in the longitudinal direction X of the fixed portion. The elastic member for absorber 53 may have a non-fixed portion that is not fixed to another member outside the longitudinal direction X of both ends 53F, 53R, but the non-fixed portion is not a portion stretchable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0033] If the absorber elastic members 53 are arranged in a contractible manner near both side portions (extension portions 7E of the second core 7) along the longitudinal direction X of the absorber 5 for the purpose of standing them up, there is a concern that contraction of the absorber elastic members 53 will cause irregular wrinkles in the absorber 5, resulting in problems such as a deterioration in the appearance of the diaper 1 when worn. In particular, when a relatively thin, flexible and low-rigidity absorbent sheet 70 is used as the absorber 5 (second core 7) as in this embodiment, the occurrence of irregular wrinkles due to contraction of the absorber elastic members 53 is likely to become noticeable. However, in the diaper 1, one of the end portions 53F, 53R in the longitudinal direction X of the portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorbent body that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X overlaps with a projection image in the transverse direction Y of a high rigidity region 51 in the absorbent body 5 that has a relatively high longitudinal rigidity and is difficult to bend in the longitudinal direction X, and the other end portion overlaps with a projection image in the transverse direction Y of a low rigidity region 52 in the absorbent body 5 that has a relatively low longitudinal rigidity and is easy to bend in the longitudinal direction X. The elastic member 53 for the absorbent body is disposed so as to straddle the boundary between the high rigidity region 51 and the low rigidity region 52 in the longitudinal direction X. This causes wrinkles in the absorbent body 5 to be concentrated at and near the boundary, thereby suppressing the occurrence of irregular wrinkles throughout the absorbent body 5. Even when the absorbent body 5 is configured to include an absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) as in this embodiment, irregular wrinkles are unlikely to occur throughout the absorbent body 5. Therefore, the diaper 1 is able to suppress the inconveniences that may arise from the introduction of the elastic member 53 for the absorbent body, while achieving the effects expected from its introduction (improved appearance when worn by raising both sides of the absorbent body 5, improved fit, prevention of side leakage, etc.), and is excellent in terms of comfort when worn and appearance when worn. In particular, in the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the absorbent body 5 is configured to include the absorbent sheet 70, and this, combined with the effect of the upright sides of the absorbent body 5, provides even better wearing comfort and appearance when worn.

[0034] In this embodiment, the elastic member for absorber 53 is disposed from the crotch portion M to the back portion R so as to straddle the high stiffness region 51 and the low stiffness region 52 in the longitudinal direction X. Therefore, in this embodiment, the boundary between the high stiffness region 51 and the low stiffness region 52, where the elastic member for absorber 53 straddles in the longitudinal direction X, is the back end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6). Fig. 6 shows a cross section along the thickness direction and the longitudinal direction X of the back end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 and its vicinity (the region surrounded by the dotted line frame in Fig. 5).

[0035] When the diaper 1 is in an unfolded and stretched state, i.e., when the elastic members 53 for the absorber are stretched, as shown in Fig. 6(a), substantially no irregular wrinkles are observed in the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7), but when the diaper 1 is in its natural state or when it is worn, as shown in Fig. 6(b), contraction of the elastic members 53 for the absorber generates irregular wrinkles Q due to the difference in rigidity between the low-rigidity region 52 and the high-rigidity region 51 in the absorbent sheet 70 at or near the boundary between the low-rigidity region 52 and the high-rigidity region 51, thereby forming a pocket structure P having an opening on the skin-facing side along the back end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 that forms the boundary. The pocket structure P has the function of blocking and temporarily storing excrement such as urine and feces that leaks outward in the longitudinal direction X from the back end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, and the excrement stored in the pocket structure P is absorbed and retained in the absorbent sheet 70 that forms the pocket structure. The diaper 1 thus has a pocket structure P capable of containing excrement, which is generated by contraction of the absorbent elastic member 53 when the diaper 1 is worn, and therefore has excellent leakage prevention performance, and in particular can effectively prevent excrement from leaking outward in the longitudinal direction X. In particular, in this embodiment, the pocket structure P is formed on the rear end 6R side of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, and therefore is excellent in preventing leakage of feces, which is excrement, from the excretory part (anus) located closer to the rear of the wearer.

[0036] 5, in this embodiment, the ventral end 6F and the dorsal end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) are disposed between the ventral end 7F and the dorsal end 7R of the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7), and it is preferable that the separation distance La in the longitudinal direction X between the ventral end 6F of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 and the ventral end 7F of the absorbent sheet 70 is shorter than the separation distance Lb in the longitudinal direction X between the dorsal end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 and the dorsal end 7R of the absorbent sheet 70. Establishment of such a magnitude relationship "separation distance La<separation distance Lb" means that the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 is biased toward the ventral side. Generally, in an absorbent article, the excretory part facing portion of the wearer is biased toward the ventral side from the vertical center line CLx, and therefore, by establishing the above-mentioned size relationship, a laminated structure of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 and the absorbent sheet 70 is disposed in the excretory part facing portion and its periphery, and therefore, the liquid absorption performance of the diaper 1 can be further improved. Meanwhile, when the diaper 1 is not used (distributed in the market) or when it is disposed after use, the diaper 1 may be folded in half in the vertical direction X. However, since the above-mentioned size relationship is established and the non-arrangement region of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 is relatively large on the rear end 7R side of the second core 7, when the diaper 1 is folded in half, folding the diaper 1 in the non-arrangement region of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 makes it possible to perform the folding operation more smoothly and to obtain neater creases than when the diaper 1 is folded in half in the arrangement region of the laminated structure. In addition, since the size relationship is satisfied, there is an advantage that the diaper 1 folded in half has a relatively small thickness and is not bulky.

[0037] The ratio of the separation distance La to the separation distance Lb, assuming that the former is smaller than the latter, is preferably 0.10 or more, more preferably 0.15 or more, and is preferably 0.45 or less, more preferably 0.35 or less, as the former / latter. The separation distance La is provided to be shorter than the separation distance Lb, and is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and is preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. The separation distance Lb is provided to be longer than the separation distance La, and is preferably 100 mm or more, more preferably 120 mm or more, and is preferably 150 mm or less, more preferably 135 mm or less.

[0038] 5, in the crotch portion M in which the elastic member for absorber 53 is arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) has a narrow portion 62 having a relatively short length (width) in the transverse direction Y, and a part of the absorbent sheet 70 (extending portion 7E of the second core 7) extending outward in the transverse direction Y from the narrow portion 62 is configured to stand up due to contraction of the elastic member for absorber 53. Therefore, compared with a case in which the narrow portion 62 does not exist and the laminated structure of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 and the absorbent sheet 70 is configured to stand up, both side portions along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5 are excellent in standing up, and the effect of such standing up can be more reliably achieved. Also, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 has a wide portion 61 having a relatively long length (width) in the transverse direction Y closer to the abdomen of the wearer than the narrow portion 62, and therefore the wide portion 61 is arranged in the excretory part facing portion and its periphery, and the liquid absorption performance of the diaper 1 is ensured.

[0039] From the viewpoint of further enhancing the upstanding property of both side portions (a pair of extension portions 7E, 7E of the second core 7 in this embodiment) along the longitudinal direction X of the absorber 5 due to contraction of the elastic member for absorber 53, it is preferable that the length L62 of the narrow width portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X is longer than the length L61 of the wide width portion 61 (constant width portion 61A and variable width portion 61B) in the longitudinal direction X in the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) with reference to FIG. 5. Specifically, the length L62 of the narrow width portion 62 is preferably 1.5 times or more, more preferably 2.0 times or more, the length L61 of the wide width portion 61. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of ensuring the liquid absorption performance of the diaper 1, the length L62 of the narrow width portion 62 is preferably 3.5 times or less, more preferably 3.0 times or less, the length L61 of the wide width portion 61.

[0040] In the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximum stretched state as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that, as shown in FIG. 5, 60% or more, more preferably 80% or more of the total length L53 in the longitudinal direction X of the elastic member 53 for the absorber, which is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, is present outside the low stiffness region 52 or the lateral direction Y of the low stiffness region 52. In other words, it is preferable that the length in the longitudinal direction X of the overlapping portion between the projected image of the low stiffness region 52 in the lateral direction Y and the elastic member 53 for the absorber, which is stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, is 60% or more of the total length L53 in the longitudinal direction X of the elastic member 53 for the absorber. This makes it easier to form the pocket structure P described above. The total length L53 is typically the length in the longitudinal direction X of the fixed portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorber with another member in the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximum stretched state.

[0041] When the portion of the elastic member for absorber 53 that is stretchable in the vertical direction X is present at the wide portion 61 or outside the wide portion 61 in the horizontal direction Y, in other words, when the projected image of the wide portion 61 in the horizontal direction Y overlaps with the portion of the elastic member for absorber 53 that is stretchable in the vertical direction X, both side portions of the absorber 5 along the vertical direction X (the pair of extending portions 7E, 7E of the second core 7) are less likely to stand up than when the projected image of the narrow portion 62 in the horizontal direction Y overlaps with the portion of the elastic member for absorber 53 that is stretchable in the vertical direction X. In addition, since the region where the wide portion 61 is disposed (the region biased toward the abdominal side from the vertical center line CLx of the diaper 1) is the portion facing the excretory part where the body fluid of the wearer of the diaper 1 is excreted intensively, it is preferable that the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 has a length (width) in the horizontal direction Y as long as possible at this region. From this viewpoint, the length in the vertical direction X of the overlapping portion between the projected image of the wide portion 61 when projected in the horizontal direction Y and the portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorber that is stretchable in the vertical direction X is preferably 15% or less of the total length L53 in the vertical direction X of the portion of the elastic member 53 for the absorber that is stretchable in the vertical direction X, and the length in the vertical direction X of the overlapping portion may be zero.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 5, the ratio of the width W61 of the constant width portion 61A in the wide portion 61 of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60 (first core 6) to the width W62 of the narrow width portion 62, assuming that width W61 > width W62, is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and preferably 2.5 or less, more preferably 2.0 or less, in terms of width W61 / width W62. The ratio of the width W61 of the constant width portion 61A (i.e., the maximum width of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60) to the maximum length (width) of the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) in the horizontal direction Y, as the former / latter, is preferably 0.8 or more, and preferably 1.0 or less. The ratio of the width W62 of the narrow portion 62 (i.e., the minimum width of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60) to the maximum length (width) of the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) in the lateral direction Y is < Assuming the latter, the former / latter is preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 0.7 or less.

[0043] 7 and 8 show other embodiments of the absorbent body according to the present invention. In the other embodiments described below, configurations different from the above-mentioned embodiment will be described, and configurations similar to those in the above-mentioned embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described. For configurations not specifically described in the other embodiments described below, the description of the above-mentioned embodiment will be applied as appropriate.

[0044] The absorbent body 5A shown in FIG. 7 differs from the absorbent body 5 described above in that the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A forming the first core 6 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. AThe absorbent body 5 differs from the absorbent body 5 in that the low stiffness region 52 is substantially not present on the abdominal side of the high stiffness region 51 in that the low stiffness region 52 is present on the abdominal side of the high stiffness region 51. Although an absorbent article including the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A basically achieves the same effect as the diaper 1, from the viewpoint of enhancing the standing ability of both side portions (the pair of extension portions 7E, 7E of the second core 7) along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5A due to contraction of the absorber elastic member 53 in the crotch portion M and enhancing the liquid absorption performance of the portion facing the excretory part, thereby more reliably achieving the predetermined effect of the present invention, an auxiliary absorbent layer 60 having a narrow portion 62 in the crotch portion M and a wide portion 61 on the abdominal side of the wearer (the portion facing the excretory part) rather than the narrow portion 62.

[0045] In the absorbent body 5B shown in Fig. 8, the separation distance La between the ventral end 6F of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A and the ventral end 7F of the absorbent sheet 70 in the longitudinal direction X is longer than the separation distance Lb between the dorsal end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A and the dorsal end 7R of the absorbent sheet 70 in the longitudinal direction X. The establishment of such a relationship "separation distance La>separation distance Lb" means that the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A is biased toward the dorsal side. In the absorbent body 5B, the absorber elastic member 53 is disposed from the crotch portion M to the ventral portion F so as to straddle the high stiffness region 51 and the low stiffness region 52 in the longitudinal direction X. The above-mentioned pocket structure P is formed along the dorsal end 6R of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A in the absorber 5A, similarly to the absorber 5 (see FIG. 5), whereas in the absorber 5B, it is formed along the ventral end 6F of the auxiliary absorbent layer 60A. Therefore, an absorbent article including the absorber 5B is particularly excellent in preventing leakage of urine, which is an excrement, from excretory parts such as the penis located closer to the ventral side of the wearer.

[0046] In the absorbent body 5B shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that the following is satisfied. The ratio of the separation distance La to the separation distance Lb, assuming that the former is greater than the latter, is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 3.0 or more, and is preferably 8.0 or less, more preferably 6.0 or less, as the former / latter. The separation distance La is provided to be longer than the separation distance Lb, and is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 60 mm or more, and is preferably 150 mm or less, more preferably 130 mm or less. The separation distance Lb is provided to be shorter than the separation distance La, and is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and is preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less.

[0047] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the pants-type disposable diaper as in the above embodiment, but broadly includes articles used for absorbing body fluids discharged from the human body (urine, menstrual blood, loose stool, sweat, etc.), and also includes flat-type disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, sanitary shorts, etc. equipped with so-called fastening tapes.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, in the above embodiment, the absorbent sheet 70 (second core 7) is the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, 60A (first core 6). Non The auxiliary absorbent layer 60 was placed on the skin-facing side. skin That is, the first core 6 may be made of the absorbent sheet 70, and the second core 7 may be made of the auxiliary absorbent layers 60, 60A. Furthermore, the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, 60A may have a recess having an opening on at least one of the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface, and the recess may be a through-hole penetrating the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, 60A in the thickness direction. For example, by providing such a recess in the auxiliary absorbent layer 60, 60A in the crotch portion M in the longitudinal direction X, the uprightness of both side portions (the pair of extending portions 7E, 7E of the second core 7) along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent body 5 due to contraction of the absorber elastic member 53 can be further improved. In addition, in the above embodiment, the exterior body 10 was formed separately into a ventral exterior body and a dorsal exterior body, but instead, the exterior body 10 may be formed to extend continuously from the ventral portion F to the dorsal portion R. All parts that are unique to one of the above-described embodiments can be used interchangeably as appropriate.

[0049] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment of the present invention. <1> An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, the absorbent body having a ventral side portion that is disposed on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal side portion that is disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located therebetween, the absorbent body having a longitudinal direction that extends from the ventral side portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal side portion, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent body comprising: The absorbent body is divided in the longitudinal direction into a high-rigidity region and a low-rigidity region having different longitudinal rigidities, and the high-rigidity region includes a region having a higher longitudinal rigidity than the low-rigidity region, Elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged on both sides of the absorbent body in at least the crotch portion so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction; In the absorbent article in an unfolded and maximum stretched state, one of the two longitudinal ends of the longitudinally stretchable portion of the elastic member is located in the high rigidity region or laterally outward of the high rigidity region, and the other is located in the low rigidity region or laterally outward of the low rigidity region. <2> The absorbent body includes an absorbent sheet, and the absorbent sheet includes a base sheet and a water-absorbent polymer disposed on a surface of the base sheet. <1> An absorbent article as described above. <3> The absorbent sheet has a configuration in which the particulate water-absorbent polymer is interposed between two of the base sheets arranged opposite each other in a thickness direction. <2> An absorbent article as described above. <4> When the absorbent article is worn, a pocket structure having an opening on the skin-facing side is formed in a portion of the low-rigidity region located at or near the boundary between the low-rigidity region and the high-rigidity region of the absorbent sheet. <2> or <3> An absorbent article as described above.

[0050] <5> The absorbent body includes the absorbent sheet and an auxiliary absorbent layer arranged so as to overlap a portion of the absorbent sheet in a thickness direction, the high-rigidity region is a region overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer in a plan view and a region of the absorbent body located outwardly of the auxiliary absorbent layer in the lateral direction, The low-rigidity region is a region of the absorbent body that does not overlap with the auxiliary absorbent layer in the longitudinal direction. <2> ~ <4> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <6> The absorbent sheet has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the length of the absorbent sheet in the lateral direction is longer than the maximum length of the auxiliary absorbent layer in the lateral direction (the lateral length of the wide portion). <5> An absorbent article as described above. <7> The absorbent sheet has a pair of extensions in the crotch portion, the extensions extending outward in the lateral direction from side edges of the auxiliary absorbent layer along the longitudinal direction. <5> or <6> An absorbent article as described above. <8> The auxiliary absorbent layer is mainly made of a fiber aggregate and contains two or more types of fibers selected from synthetic fibers, water-absorbent natural fibers, and water-absorbent polymers. <5> ~ <7> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <9> The basis weight of the auxiliary absorbent layer is preferably 200 g / m 2 More preferably, 250 g / m 2 More than 450 g / m 2 Less than 400 g / m 2 The above-mentioned <5> ~ <8> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <10> At least one of the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of each of the absorbent sheet and the auxiliary absorbent layer is covered with a core wrap sheet. <5> ~ <9> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[0051] <11> The longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer are disposed between the longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet, and the longitudinal separation distance (La) between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet is shorter than the longitudinal separation distance (Lb) between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet. <5> ~ <10> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <12> The ratio of the distance La to the distance Lb, as the former / latter, is preferably 0.10 or more, more preferably 0.15 or more, and is preferably 0.45 or less, more preferably 0.35 or less. <11> An absorbent article as described above. <13> The separation distance La is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and is preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less; The distance Lb is preferably 100 mm or more, more preferably 120 mm or more, and is preferably 120 mm or less, more preferably 150 mm or less. <11> or <12> An absorbent article as described above.

[0052] <14> The longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer are disposed between the longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet, and the longitudinal separation distance (La) between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet is longer than the longitudinal separation distance (Lb) between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet. <5> ~ <10> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <15> The ratio of the distance La to the distance Lb, as the former / latter, is preferably 1.5 or more, more preferably 3.0 or more, and is preferably 8.0 or less, more preferably 6.0 or less. <14> An absorbent article as described above. <16> The separation distance La is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 60 mm or more, and preferably 150 mm or less, more preferably 130 mm or less; The separation distance Lb is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and is preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 25 mm or less. <14> or <15> An absorbent article as described above.

[0053] <17> the auxiliary absorbent layer has a narrow portion in the crotch portion, the width of which is relatively short in the lateral direction, and a wide portion on the wearer's abdominal side relative to the narrow portion, the width of which is relatively long in the lateral direction; a portion of the wide portion closer to the narrow portion, the length in the lateral direction gradually increasing from the back side to the ventral side of the wearer; <5> ~ <16> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <18> The length (L62) of the narrow portion in the vertical direction is preferably 1.5 times or more, more preferably 2.0 times or more, and preferably 3.5 times or less, more preferably 3.0 times or less, relative to the length (L61) of the wide portion in the vertical direction. <17> An absorbent article as described above. <19> The length in the vertical direction of the overlapping portion between the horizontal projection image of the wide portion and the vertically stretchable portion of the elastic member is 15% or less of the entire length (L53) in the vertical direction of the vertically stretchable portion of the elastic member. <17> or <18> An absorbent article as described above. <20> The wide portion is a constant width portion having a constant length (W61) in the horizontal direction over the entire length of the vertical direction at the abdominal end side of the auxiliary absorbent layer, and a narrow portion of the auxiliary absorbent layer in the vertical direction having a constant length (W6 1 ) is a width-changing portion in which the width is not constant, The ratio of the length (W61) of the constant width portion in the horizontal direction to the length (W62) of the narrow width portion in the horizontal direction, as the former / latter, is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and is preferably 2.5 or less, more preferably 2.0 or less. <17> ~ <19> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <21> The ratio of the length (W61) of the constant width portion in the lateral direction to the maximum length of the absorbent sheet in the lateral direction, as the former / latter, is preferably 0.8 or more and preferably 1.0 or less. <20> An absorbent article as described above. <22> The ratio of the width (W62) of the narrow portion in the lateral direction to the maximum length of the absorbent sheet in the lateral direction, as the former / latter, is preferably 0.5 or more and preferably 0.7 or less. <20> or <21> An absorbent article as described above.

[0054] <23> The elastic member is disposed across the high stiffness region and the low stiffness region in the vertical direction from the crotch portion to the abdominal side portion. <1> ~ <22> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <24> The elastic member is disposed across the high stiffness region and the low stiffness region in the vertical direction from the crotch portion to the back portion. <1> ~ <22> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <25> In the absorbent article in an unfolded and maximally stretched state, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 80% or more of the total length (L53) of the longitudinally stretchable portion of the elastic member is present in the low stiffness region or laterally outward of the low stiffness region. <1> ~ <24> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. <26> The absorbent article is a disposable diaper, a sanitary napkin, or a sanitary shorts. <1> ~ <25> 13. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Pants-type disposable diapers (absorbent articles) 2. Absorbent body 3 Surface sheet 4 Back sheet 5,5A,5B Absorber 51 High rigidity area 52 Low stiffness region 53 Elastic member for absorbent body 6 First Core 60,60A Auxiliary Absorbing Layer 61 Wide section 61A Constant width part 61B Width change section 62 Narrow part 7 Second Core 70 Absorbent Sheets 71 Base sheet 72 Water-absorbent polymer 8 Leakproof cuff 10 Exterior body X vertical direction Y Horizontal F ventral part M Inseam R dorsal part P pocket construction

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, the absorbent body having a ventral side portion that is disposed on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal side portion that is disposed on the dorsal side of the wearer, and a crotch portion located therebetween, the absorbent body having a longitudinal direction that extends from the ventral side portion through the crotch portion to the dorsal side portion, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent body comprising: The absorbent body is divided in the longitudinal direction into a high-rigidity region and a low-rigidity region having different longitudinal rigidities, and the high-rigidity region includes a region having a higher longitudinal rigidity than the low-rigidity region, Elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged on both sides of the absorbent body in at least the crotch portion so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction; In the absorbent article in an unfolded and maximally stretched state, one of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinally stretchable portion of the elastic member is located in the high stiffness region or on the lateral outer side of the high stiffness region, and the other is located in the low stiffness region or on the lateral outer side of the low stiffness region, The elastic member is disposed across the high stiffness region and the low stiffness region in the vertical direction from the crotch portion to the back portion, The absorbent body includes an absorbent sheet and an auxiliary absorbent layer arranged to overlap a portion of the absorbent sheet in a thickness direction, Between the absorbent sheet and the auxiliary absorbent layer, no other member is interposed except for the core wrap sheet, and the core wrap sheet is a liquid-permeable sheet that covers the skin-facing surface and / or the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent sheet or the auxiliary absorbent layer, the longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer are disposed between the longitudinal ventral end and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet, and the longitudinal separation distance between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet is shorter than the longitudinal separation distance between the longitudinal dorsal end of the auxiliary absorbent layer and the longitudinal dorsal end of the absorbent sheet; The absorbent sheet includes a base sheet and a water-absorbent polymer disposed on a surface of the base sheet, and has a structure in which the particulate water-absorbent polymer is interposed between the base sheets disposed opposite each other in a thickness direction, The content of the water-absorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet is 80% by mass or more based on the total mass of the absorbent sheet, The auxiliary absorbent layer is an absorbent article mainly composed of a fiber aggregate and contains two or more types of fibers selected from synthetic fibers, water-absorbent natural fibers, and water-absorbent polymers.

2. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein in the absorbent sheet, the base sheet and the water-absorbent polymer are joined by an adhesive.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the absorbent article is worn, a pocket structure having an opening on the skin-facing side is formed in a portion of the low stiffness region located at or near the boundary with the high stiffness region of the absorbent sheet.

4. the high-rigidity region is a region overlapping with the auxiliary absorbent layer in a plan view and a region of the absorbent body located outwardly of the auxiliary absorbent layer in the lateral direction, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low stiffness region is a region of the absorbent body that does not overlap with the auxiliary absorbent layer in the longitudinal direction.

5. the auxiliary absorbent layer has a narrow portion in the crotch portion, the width of which is relatively short in the lateral direction, and a wide portion on the wearer's abdominal side relative to the narrow portion, the width of which is relatively long in the lateral direction; The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a portion of the wide portion closer to the narrow portion has a length in the lateral direction that gradually increases from the back side to the stomach side of the wearer.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5 , wherein the length in the longitudinal direction of the narrow width portion is 1.5 times or more as long as the length in the longitudinal direction of the wide width portion.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the unfolded and maximum stretched state, 60% or more of the total length of the vertical direction of the vertically stretchable portion of the elastic member is located in the low stiffness region or laterally outside the low stiffness region.

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