Diapers

Abstract

To suppress slip-down while increasing air permeability of a diaper.SOLUTION: A diaper 2 includes a soft area 3, a hard area 4 which is harder than the soft area 3, and a middle area 5 which is harder than the soft area 3 and is softer than the hard area 4. The soft area 3 includes an abdominal side end part 2f or a back side end part 2r and extends in a width direction. The hard area 4 is provided on a crotch part side relative to the soft area 3. The middle area 5 lies between the soft area 3 and the hard area 4 and extends in the width direction. In the middle area 5, a first reinforcing part 6C which forms a beam structure which extends in a longitudinal direction and is reinforced compared to the other parts is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a diaper having improved breathability. [Background technology]

[0002] Various techniques for improving the breathability of diapers have been proposed in the past. For example, a technique has been proposed in which the entire periphery of the diaper surrounding the waterproof film in a plan view of the unfolded diaper is made of only nonwoven fabric, thereby improving the breathability of the waist and crotch area of ​​the wearer (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-95838 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the ventral and dorsal ends of a diaper are made of only nonwoven fabric without the waterproof film as described above, they are more flexible and more easily bent than the parts with the waterproof film, and may roll up to the outside (non-skin side) when the diaper is worn by a wearer. If the ventral or dorsal ends roll up significantly, the contact area with the outer garment (e.g., pants) increases, causing the diaper to slip down. Conventional diapers have room for improvement in terms of preventing such slipping down.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its objects is to improve the breathability of the diaper while suppressing slipping down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The diaper in question comprises a soft region including a ventral end or a dorsal end and extending in the width direction, a hard region located closer to the crotch portion than the soft region and harder than the soft region, and a middle region extending between the soft region and the hard region and in the width direction and being harder than the soft region and softer than the hard region, and is characterized in that the middle region is provided with a first reinforcing portion that extends in the longitudinal direction and is reinforced more than other portions to form a beam structure. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the breathability of the diaper can be improved and slipping down can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the diaper seen from the skin side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the front body of the diaper, viewed from the non-skin side. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main portion of the rear body of the diaper as viewed from the non-skin side. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front body of the diaper (a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3). [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views illustrating the function of a diaper, in which (a) shows a state in which the soft region is rolled up, and (b) shows a state in which not only the soft region but also the middle region is rolled up. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a front body according to a modified example (corresponding to FIG. 5). [Figure 8] 8 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which the soft region and the middle region of the front body of FIG. 7 are rolled up. FIG. [Figure 9] 1(a) is a front view (front view) of a diaper according to a modified example, and FIG. 1(b) is a back view (rear view) thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment for carrying out the diaper of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is merely an example, and is not intended to exclude various modifications or application of techniques not specified in the following embodiment. Each configuration of this embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, they can be selected or combined as necessary.

[0010] [1. Configuration] [1-1. Overall composition] First, the overall configuration of a diaper 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. The diaper 2 of this embodiment is a tape-type diaper in which a front body portion 2A facing the wearer's abdomen and a rear body portion 2B facing the wearer's back are connected to each other by a fastening tape 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "tape 1") when the diaper 2 is worn by a wearer. Here, a paper diaper (a so-called disposable diaper) is exemplified as the diaper 2. In addition to the front body portion 2A and the rear body portion 2B, the diaper 2 is provided with a crotch portion 2C that faces the wearer's crotch when the diaper 2 is worn. The crotch portion 2C is located between the front body portion 2A and the rear body portion 2B when the diaper 2 is in a flat, unfolded state.

[0011] Hereinafter, the direction connecting the front body 2A and the back body 2B in the unfolded state is referred to as the "longitudinal direction". In addition, in the normal wearing state where there is no rolling up, the side facing the wearer's skin is referred to as the "skin side" and the opposite side is referred to as the "non-skin side". Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin side is referred to as the "thickness direction", and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is referred to as the "width direction". In addition, the view from the thickness direction is referred to as the "planar view". The diaper 2 of this embodiment is formed symmetrically with respect to a center line O in the width direction. The diaper 2 includes a tape 1, an absorbent body 21, various sheets 22 to 26, and various gathers 27 to 29. The components will be described below in order.

[0012] <Tape> The tapes 1 are non-detachably provided on both sides in the width direction of one of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B, and are detachably provided on the other of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B. In this embodiment, the tapes 1 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the rear body 2B (one of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B) and are fastened to the front body 2A (the other of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B) when the diaper 2 is worn. The number of tapes 1 is not particularly limited, but an example in which one tape 1 is provided on each side in the width direction of the back body 2B (a total of one pair) is shown here.

[0013] <Absorbent> The absorbent body 21 is a mat-like member having liquid-absorbing properties. The absorbent body 21 is formed, for example, by wrapping a mat in which super absorbent polymer (SAP) is mixed with fluff pulp with a core wrap sheet such as hydrophilic nonwoven fabric or tissue paper. The absorbent body 21 has a larger dimension in the thickness direction (thickness dimension) than the tape 1 and the sheets 22 to 26.

[0014] The absorbent body 21 extends in the longitudinal direction across the front body 2A, the crotch portion 2C, and the back body 2B. The absorbent body 21 is disposed in an area including a place where excrement such as urine and feces can be excreted from the wearer. In this example, the absorbent body 21 is disposed on the non-skin side and in the center in the width direction of the top sheet 22, which forms the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 that faces the skin of the wearer and will be described later.

[0015] <Sheet> Each of the sheets 22 to 26 is a sheet-like member that spreads in the longitudinal and width directions when in an unfolded state. A liquid-permeable top sheet 22 (surface sheet, skin-facing sheet) is disposed on the skin side of the absorbent body 21. The top sheet 22 is formed longer than the absorbent body 21 in the longitudinal and width directions, and is provided so as to cover the absorbent body 21 from the skin side. The top sheet 22 extends on the skin-facing surface (front surface) of the diaper 2. The top sheet 22 is formed of, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. Here, a top sheet 22 having a rectangular shape in a plan view is shown as an example.

[0016] The top sheet 22 of this embodiment is provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the diaper 2. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, the top sheet 22 extends between one longitudinal end 2f and the other longitudinal end 2r of the diaper 2. Hereinafter, of the one longitudinal end 2f and the other longitudinal end 2r of the diaper 2, the edge extending in the width direction on one side of the front body 2A is also referred to as the "ventral end 2f," and the edge extending in the width direction on the other side of the back body 2B is also referred to as the "dorsal end 2r."

[0017] The top sheet 22 of this embodiment is provided with groove-shaped recesses 6 (reinforcement portions) extending in the longitudinal direction. The recesses 6 are recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-side surface of the top sheet 22, and are formed, for example, by embossing the top sheet 22. Here, an example is shown in which a large number of recesses 6 extending linearly over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the top sheet 22 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The recesses 6 are reinforced more than other portions of the top sheet 22 other than the recesses 6, forming a beam structure. The recesses 6 extending in the longitudinal direction resist bending along a line (for example, a line along the width direction) that intersects with the longitudinal direction in a plan view.

[0018] A liquid-impermeable side sheet 23 is disposed on the outer side in the width direction of the top sheet 22 to prevent liquid leakage from the absorbent body 21 to the outer side in the width direction. The side sheet 23 is preferably formed of a material that is breathable and flexible. Examples of materials used for the side sheet 23 include SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) nonwoven fabric and SMMS (Spunbond Meltblown Meltblown Spunbond) nonwoven fabric. The side sheets 23 are provided in pair on both widthwise sides of the top sheet 22 and extend in the longitudinal direction. Similar to the top sheet 22, the side sheets 23 in this embodiment are provided over the entire area of ​​the diaper 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] 1, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 24 is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 21 to prevent liquid leakage from the absorbent body 21 to the non-skin side. The back sheet 24 in this embodiment is formed to be shorter in the longitudinal direction than the top sheet 22, and is located longitudinally inside the ventral end 2f and the dorsal end 2r. The back sheet 24 is formed, for example, from a film.

[0020] A cover sheet 25 (top sheet, non-skin-facing sheet) is disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 24 to reinforce the back sheet 24 and improve the tactile sensation (e.g., feel). The cover sheet 25 extends on the non-skin-facing surface (reverse surface) of the diaper 2. The cover sheet 25 extends between the ventral end 2f and the dorsal end 2r of the diaper 2. The cover sheet 25 is formed, for example, from a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. In addition, the tape 1 is sandwiched between the cover sheet 25 and the side sheet 23.

[0021] A target sheet 26 (functional material) to which the tape 1 is attached is attached to the non-skin side surface of the cover sheet 25. Here, the target sheet 26 provided on the front body 2A (the other of the front body 2A and the back body 2B) is illustrated. The target sheet 26 is a sheet-like member that functions as a fastening destination for the tape 1. In a plan view, the target sheet 26 of this embodiment is rectangular in shape with a width dimension greater than a length dimension, and extends in the width direction. The target sheet 26 constitutes a fastening mechanism together with a fastening material (not shown) provided on the tape 1. As this fastening mechanism, for example, a surface fastener that mechanically bonds with a hook material (male member) and a loop material (female member) can be applied.

[0022] <Gather> The gathers 27-29 are formed by puckering the side sheet 23, the cover sheet 25, etc. with the elastic members 7-9, such as rubber, a stretch film, or polyurethane. The gathers 27-29 function to improve the fit of the diaper 2 to the wearer. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 show the diaper 2 with the gathers 27-29 smoothed out.

[0023] The three-dimensional gathers 27 are formed by crinkling the inner widthwise portion of the side sheet 23 by the elastic members 7 so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction. A pair of three-dimensional gathers 27 are provided on both widthwise sides of the top sheet 22 on the skin side, and extend in the longitudinal direction. Here, an example is shown in which a plurality of thread-like elastic members 7 extending along the longitudinal direction are provided at intervals in the width direction. The three-dimensional gathers 27 stand up on the skin side as the elastic members 7 contract in the longitudinal direction. The leg gathers 28 are provided at locations along the legs of the wearer in the diaper 2. The leg gathers 28 are formed, for example, by crinkling the side sheets 23, the back sheet 24, and the cover sheet 25 in the longitudinal direction by elastic members 8 extending in the longitudinal direction so as to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] The waist gathers 29 are provided in the diaper 2 at locations facing the waist (above the buttocks) of the wearer. Here, the waist gathers 29 are exemplified by elastic members 9 (functional materials) that elastically deform in the width direction, causing the sheets 22-25 to be wrinkled so as to be stretchable in the width direction. The elastic members 9 forming the waist gathers 29 in this manner have the function of improving the fit of the back body 2B to the waist of the wearer. Here, the elastic members 9 are in the form of a sheet that is disposed in both the longitudinal and width directions. The elastic members 9 in this embodiment are laminated between the top sheet 22 and the back sheet 24.

[0025] [1-2. Main part configuration] The three types of regions 3 to 5 provided in the diaper 2 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The diaper 2 has three types of regions 3 to 5 with different hardness (softness). In this embodiment, a diaper 2 having the three types of regions 3 to 5 provided in each of a front body 2A shown in Fig. 3 and a back body 2B shown in Fig. 4 is exemplified.

[0026] Here, of the three types of regions 3 to 5, the softest (easiest to bend) is also referred to as the "soft region 3," the hardest (hardest to bend) is also referred to as the "hard region 4," and the region that is harder than the soft region 3 and softer than the hard region 4 is also referred to as the "middle region 5." These regions 3 to 5 are set in the order of the soft region 3, middle region 5, and hard region 4 so that the diaper 2 becomes gradually harder from the ventral end portion 2f or the dorsal end portion 2r toward the crotch portion 2C. Hereinafter, the regions 3 to 5 provided in the front body 2A will also be referred to as the "front soft region 3A," the "front hard region 4A," and the "front middle region 5A," and the regions 3 to 5 provided in the back body 2B will also be referred to as the "back soft region 3B," the "back hard region 4B," and the "back middle region 5B."

[0027] The recess 6 in this embodiment extends across the soft region 3, the middle region 5, and the hard region 4. More specifically, the recess 6 extends across the front soft region 3A, the front middle region 5A, and the front hard region 4A, and also across the rear soft region 3B, the rear middle region 5B, and the rear hard region 4B. Hereinafter, the portion of the recess 6 provided in the soft region 3 is also referred to as a soft recess 6A (second reinforcing portion), the portion provided in the hard region 4 is also referred to as a hard recess 6B, and the portion provided in the middle region 5 is also referred to as a middle recess 6C (first reinforcing portion).

[0028] First, the explanation will be focused on the front body 2A. 3 and 5, the front body 2A is provided with a front soft region 3A, a front middle region 5A, and a front hard region 4A arranged in this order with no gaps between them from the abdominal end 2f toward the crotch portion 2C (the inner side in the longitudinal direction, the lower side in FIG. 3). In this embodiment, the front soft region 3A, the front middle region 5A, and the front hard region 4A are arranged in the center of the diaper 2 in the width direction.

[0029] The front soft region 3A includes the abdominal end 2f and extends in the width direction. In the front soft region 3A of this embodiment, a top sheet 22 and a cover sheet 25 are laminated, and a back sheet 24 and an absorbent body 21 are not provided. That is, the front soft region 3A is a region in which the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25 are laminated in the thickness direction on the abdominal end 2f side of the back sheet 24. In addition, side sheets 23 are also provided on both sides in the width direction of the front soft region 3A. The front soft region 3A of this embodiment is provided with a soft recess 6A. The front soft region 3A provided with the soft recess 6A is less likely to curl around an axis intersecting the longitudinal direction in a plan view than a region without the soft recess 6A. This makes it easier for the front soft region 3A to be folded back relative to the front middle region 5A while maintaining a substantially planar posture.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the front soft region 3A has a longitudinal dimension L1 of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less from the viewpoint of appropriately setting the folding mode. That is, the front soft region 3A is set as a region within a range of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less from the abdominal end 2f to the crotch portion 2C side. In addition, in the front soft region 3A of this embodiment, the skin-side surface has a smaller friction coefficient (both the static friction coefficient and the kinetic friction coefficient) than the non-skin-side surface. Therefore, in the front soft region 3A, the skin-side surface has a tendency to be more slippery than the non-skin-side surface.

[0031] In the front soft region 3A of this embodiment, the non-skin side surface is composed of the cover sheet 25, and the majority of the skin side surface is composed of the top sheet 22. For this reason, in this embodiment, the skin side surface of the top sheet 22 is configured to be more slippery than the non-skin side surface of the cover sheet 25, and the friction coefficients of the skin side and non-skin side surfaces in the front soft region 3A are different from each other. Note that such a friction coefficient (slipperiness) can be set by using a lubricant or by appropriately adjusting the material and surface shape of the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25. For example, by providing the recess 6 in the top sheet 22, the contact area of ​​the skin side surface with an object is smaller than when the recess 6 is not provided, and therefore the skin side surface can be made more slippery.

[0032] The front hard region 4A is provided closer to the crotch portion 2C than the front soft region 3A, and is separated from the front soft region 3A. In the front hard region 4A of this embodiment, in addition to the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25, a back sheet 24 and a target sheet 26 are provided. That is, the front hard region 4A is a region in which the top sheet 22, the cover sheet 25, the back sheet 24 and the target sheet 26 are layered (laminated) in the thickness direction.

[0033] In the front hard region 4A of this embodiment, in addition to these sheets 22, 24 to 26, the absorbent body 21 is also arranged (laminated). As described above, the absorbent body 21 is arranged (laminated) between the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25. More specifically, the absorbent body 21 is sandwiched between the top sheet 22 and the back sheet 24 in the thickness direction. In addition, side sheets 23 are also provided on both sides in the width direction of the front hard region 4A. Here, an arrangement is illustrated in which the edge 21a on the ventral end 2f side of the absorber 21 and the edge 26a on the ventral end 2f side of the target sheet 26 overlap each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0034] The front hard region 4A of this embodiment is formed harder by setting the number of components (number of laminated sheets) in the thickness direction to be larger than that of the front soft region 3A. The front hard region 4A is harder than the front soft region 3A, so it is less likely to bend and is less likely to roll up when worn. In addition, the front hard region 4A of this embodiment is provided with a hard recess 6B that extends in the same straight line as the soft recess 6A.

[0035] The front middle region 5A spans between the front soft region 3A and the front hard region 4A and extends in the width direction. In the front middle region 5A of this embodiment, in addition to the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25, the back sheet 24 is laminated, and the absorbent body 21 and the target sheet 26 are not provided. That is, the front middle region 5A is a region in which the top sheet 22, the cover sheet 25, and the back sheet 24 are laminated in the thickness direction on the ventral end 2f side of the absorbent body 21 and the target sheet 26. In addition, side sheets 23 are also provided on both sides in the width direction of the front middle region 5A.

[0036] The front middle region 5A of this embodiment is formed harder by setting a larger number of components in the thickness direction than the front soft region 3A. Also, the front middle region 5A is formed softer by setting a smaller number of components in the thickness direction than the front hard region 4A. The front middle region 5A is harder than the front soft region 3A and therefore is less likely to bend and roll up when worn. On the other hand, the front middle region 5A is softer than the front hard region 4A and therefore is more likely to bend and roll up when worn.

[0037] The front middle region 5A is provided with a center recess 6C. The front middle region 5A provided with the center recess 6C is less likely to curl around an axis intersecting the longitudinal direction in a plan view than a region without the center recess 6C. This makes it easier for the front middle region 5A to be folded back relative to the front hard region 4A while maintaining a substantially planar posture. Although the central recess 6C connected to each of the soft recess 6A and the hard recess 6B is illustrated here, the central recess 6C may be provided separated from (not connected to) at least one of the soft recess 6A and the hard recess 6B.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the front middle region 5A has a longitudinal dimension L2 of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less from the viewpoint of appropriately setting the folding mode. That is, the front middle region 5A is set as a region within a range of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less from the front soft region 3A to the crotch portion 2C side. The front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction have a total longitudinal dimension La (=L1+L2) of 25 mm or less in order to prevent the front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A from rolling up together. That is, the front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A are set as regions within a range of 25 mm or less from the abdominal end 2f toward the crotch portion 2C.

[0039] In the front middle region 5A of the present embodiment, similarly to the front soft region 3A, the skin-side surface of the front middle region 5A has a smaller friction coefficient (both static and kinetic friction coefficients) than the non-skin-side surface. Therefore, in the front middle region 5A, the skin-side surface has a tendency to be more slippery than the non-skin-side surface. Like the front soft region 3A, the front middle region 5A of this embodiment has a non-skin side surface formed of the cover sheet 25, and most of the skin side surface formed of the top sheet 22. For this reason, in this embodiment, the skin side surface of the top sheet 22 is configured to be more slippery than the non-skin side surface of the cover sheet 25 as described above, and therefore the friction coefficients of the skin side and non-skin side surfaces in the front middle region 5A are also different from each other.

[0040] 5, in the front body piece 2A of this embodiment, the cover sheet 25 extends in a plane across the front soft region 3A, the front middle region 5A, and the front hard region 4A. In contrast, the top sheet 22 is stepped and protruding toward the skin side from the front soft region 3A to the front hard region 4A. Specifically, the top sheet 22 is stepped and protruding toward the skin side from the front soft region 3A to the front middle region 5A in accordance with the thickness dimension of the back sheet 24, and is stepped and protruding toward the skin side from the front middle region 5A to the front hard region 4A in accordance with the thickness dimension of the absorbent body 21. In this manner, in the front body piece 2A of the present embodiment, the skin-side top sheet 22 is formed to have a stepped shape in the thickness direction in accordance with the different numbers of components in the thickness direction in the three regions 3A, 4A, 5A. In this manner, in the front body piece 2A of the present embodiment, the cover sheet 25 on the non-skin side is flat, whereas the skin-side top sheet 22 is uneven.

[0041] Next, the back body 2B will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear body 2B is provided with a rear soft region 3B, a rear middle region 5B, and a rear hard region 4B arranged in this order with no gaps between them from the rear end 2r toward the crotch portion 2C (the inside in the longitudinal direction, the lower side in Fig. 4). In this embodiment, the rear soft region 3B, the rear middle region 5B, and the rear hard region 4B are arranged in the center of the diaper 2 in the width direction.

[0042] The rear soft region 3B is different from the front soft region 3A in that it includes the back end 2r, but has other points in common. That is, the rear soft region 3B is a region where the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25 are overlapped in the thickness direction on the back end 2r side of the back sheet 24, and extends in the width direction. The rear soft region 3B is provided with a soft recess 6A. The rear soft region 3B also has a longitudinal dimension L3 of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and has a smaller friction coefficient (both static and dynamic friction coefficients) on the skin side surface than on the non-skin side surface.

[0043] The rear hard region 4B is provided closer to the crotch portion 2C than the rear soft region 3B and is spaced apart from the rear soft region 3B. The rear hard region 4B is different from the above-mentioned front hard region 4A in that it has a waist gather 29 instead of the absorbent body 21 and the target sheet 26 as components, but is the same in other respects. That is, the rear hard region 4B of this embodiment is provided with a back sheet 24 and a waist gather 29 in addition to the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25. More specifically, the rear hard region 4B is a region in which the back sheet 24 and the elastic member 9 are layered (laminated) in the thickness direction in addition to the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25. The rear hard region 4B of this embodiment is formed harder by setting a larger number of components in the thickness direction than the rear soft region 3B. The rear hard region 4B is harder than the rear soft region 3B, so it is less likely to bend and less likely to roll up when worn. The rear hard region 4B is provided with a hard recess 6B.

[0044] The rear middle region 5B is different from the above-mentioned front middle region 5A in that it spans between the rear soft region 3B and the rear hard region 4B, but has other points in common. That is, the rear middle region 5B is a region where the top sheet 22, the cover sheet 25, and the back sheet 24 are layered (laminated) in the thickness direction on the back end 2r side of the waist gather 29, and extends in the width direction. In addition, the longitudinal dimension L4 of the rear middle region 5B is 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and the friction coefficient (both static and kinetic friction coefficients) is smaller on the skin side surface than on the non-skin side surface.

[0045] The rear middle region 5B of this embodiment is formed harder by setting a larger number of components in the thickness direction than the rear soft region 3B. Also, the rear middle region 5B is formed softer by setting a smaller number of components in the thickness direction than the rear hard region 4B. The rear middle region 5B is harder than the rear soft region 3B and therefore is less likely to bend and roll up when worn. On the other hand, the rear middle region 5B is softer than the rear hard region 4B and therefore is more likely to bend and roll up when worn.

[0046] The rear middle region 5B also has a central recess 6B. The rear middle region 5B having the central recess 6C is less likely to curl around an axis intersecting the longitudinal direction in a plan view than a rear middle region 5B without the central recess 6C. This makes it easier for the rear middle region 5B to be folded back relative to the rear hard region 4B while maintaining a substantially planar posture.

[0047] In the rear body 2B, the rear soft region 3B and the rear middle region 5B adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction have a total longitudinal dimension Lb (=L3+L4) of 25 mm or less. That is, the rear soft region 3B and the rear middle region 5B are set as a region within a range of 25 mm or less from the back end 2r toward the crotch portion 2C. In addition, in each of the rear soft region 3B, the rear hard region 4B and the rear middle region 5B, side sheets 23 are provided on both sides in the width direction.

[0048] [2. Actions and Effects] (1) When the diaper 2 is worn, the soft region 3 including the ventral end 2f or the dorsal end 2r is softer than the hard region 4 and the middle region 5 and therefore moves more easily, which tends to create gaps between the soft region 3 and the wearer's skin. The gaps created between the soft region 3 and the wearer's skin serve as paths for air to pass through, so the diaper 2 including the soft region 3 described above can improve breathability.

[0049] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6(a) taking the front body 2A as an example, the soft region 3 is softer than the hard region 4 and the middle region 5, and therefore may be rolled up (folded back) from the middle region 5 to the outside (non-skin side) when worn. For example, when removing outer clothing (such as pants) over the diaper 2, if a force F (hereinafter also referred to as "drag force F") is applied in a direction that slides the diaper 2 down and the abdominal end 2f or dorsal end 2r of the diaper 2 is significantly rolled up, the contact area with the outer clothing increases, causing the diaper 2 to slide down.

[0050] Furthermore, if the soft region 3 and the middle region 5, which are softer than the hard region 4, are curled up, for example, around an axis along the width direction, the thickness of this portion increases, and pressure from the elastic members or belts of the outer garment may cause the wearer's abdomen to be pressed or dug into, causing the wearer to feel uncomfortable. This may cause the wearer (especially babies and small children) to voluntarily move the diaper 2 from the correct wearing position.

[0051] In contrast, in the diaper 2, the hard region 4 closer to the crotch portion 2C than the soft region 3 is harder than the soft region 3 and therefore less likely to move, and is more likely to be kept in contact with the wearer's skin. In addition, the middle region 5 between the soft region 3 and the hard region 4 is harder than the soft region 3, so it is less likely to be rolled up than the soft region 3, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the contact area with the outer clothing. Furthermore, since the middle region 5 is softer than the hard region 4, when it is folded back outward from the hard region 4 as shown in Fig. 6(b), it is possible to release (eliminate) the drag force F. In this manner, in the diaper 2, the gradual (two-stage in this embodiment) folding back of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 can prevent the ventral end 2f and the dorsal end 2r from being significantly turned up or shifted out of position, thereby preventing the diaper 2 from slipping down.

[0052] Furthermore, the middle recess 6C extending in the longitudinal direction in the middle region 5 and forming a beam structure can effectively prevent the middle region 5 from rolling up or curling up as described above. By preventing the middle region 5 from rolling up, an increase in the contact area with the outer clothing is further prevented, and the diaper 2 can be further prevented from slipping down. Furthermore, by preventing the middle region 5 from curling up, it becomes easier for the middle region 5 to be properly folded back from the hard region 4, and the drag force F can be more appropriately released. In this way, by folding the middle region 5 against the hard region 4 without rolling up, the diaper 2 can be further prevented from slipping down.

[0053] However, a wearer who is an infant or small child may unintentionally roll up the soft region 3 or the middle region 5 with their hands. In contrast, in the diaper 2, the drag force F is released by the stepwise folding back of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 as described above, and the hard region 4 is kept in a state conforming to the wearer's skin, so that even if the wearer unintentionally rolls up the soft region 3 or the middle region 5, the diaper 2 can be prevented from slipping down. Although the front body 2A is shown as an example in Figs. 6(a) and (b), the same action and effect can be obtained with the back body 2B.

[0054] (2) In the soft region 3, a top sheet 22 extending on the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 and a cover sheet 25 extending on the non-skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 are laminated, and in addition to these sheets 22, 25, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 24 is laminated in the middle region 5. In this way, by making the number of laminated sheets of the sheets 22, 24, 25 normally provided in the diaper 2 different between the soft region 3 and the middle region 5, it is possible to make the middle region 5 harder than the soft region 3. This makes it possible to prevent the structure of the diaper 2 from becoming complicated and to reduce costs.

[0055] (3) The hard region 4 is provided with a sheet-like functional material (the target sheet 26 or the elastic member 9 in this embodiment) having a predetermined function, and the functional material that imparts the predetermined function to the diaper 2 can be used to make the hard region 4 harder than the soft region 3 and the medium region 5. This also makes it possible to prevent the structure of the diaper 2 from becoming complicated and to reduce costs.

[0056] (4) The functional material provided in the rear hard region 4B is the elastic member 9 that elastically deforms in the width direction to form the waist gathers 29, so that the elastic member 9 of the waist gathers 29 normally provided in the diaper 2 can be used to make the hard region 4 harder than the soft region 3 and the intermediate region 5. Therefore, as described above, the structure of the diaper 2 can be prevented from becoming complicated, and costs can be reduced.

[0057] (5) The functional material provided in the front hard region 4A is the target sheet 26 to which the tape 1 is attached, so that the front hard region 4A can be made harder than the front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A by utilizing the target sheet 26 that is normally provided in the tape-type diaper 2. Therefore, as described above, the structure of the diaper 2 can be prevented from becoming complicated and the cost can be reduced.

[0058] (6) Since the cover sheet 25 extends in a plane from the front middle region 5A to the front hard region 4A, it is possible to prevent the outer clothing from getting caught on the cover sheet 25, as compared to the case where the cover sheet 25 is stepped in these regions 5A, 4A. This prevents the cover sheet 25 from being dragged when the outer clothing is raised or lowered, thereby preventing the diaper 2 from shifting or slipping off. Furthermore, when the cover sheet 25 extends in a plane from the front soft region 3A to the front hard region 4A as in this embodiment, it is possible to further prevent the outer clothing from getting caught on the cover sheet 25, thereby further preventing the diaper 2 from shifting or slipping off.

[0059] (7) The soft recesses 6A extending in the longitudinal direction in the soft region 3 and forming a beam structure can effectively prevent the soft region 3 from rolling up or curling. By preventing the soft region 3 from rolling up, the contact area with the outer garment is further prevented from increasing, so that the diaper 2 is further prevented from slipping down. In addition, by preventing the soft region 3 from curling up, the soft region 3 is more easily folded back from the middle region 5, and the middle region 5 adjacent to the soft region 3 is also more easily folded back from the hard region 4 because the curling of the middle region 5 is also prevented. As a result, the drag force F can be more appropriately released. In this way, the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 can be folded without rolling up, so that the diaper 2 is further prevented from slipping down.

[0060] In addition, the recesses 6 extending across the soft region 3, the middle region 5, and the hard region 4 can suppress bending along a line along the width direction throughout the entire soft region 3, the middle region 5, and the hard region 4. This suppresses rolling up in all of the soft region 3, the middle region 5, and the hard region 4, further preventing the diaper 2 from slipping down due to an increase in the contact area with outer clothing. Furthermore, the hard regions 4 reinforced with the recesses 6 are more likely to be kept in conformity with the wearer's skin than those without the recesses 6, which further prevents the diaper 2 from shifting out of position. This also further prevents the diaper 2 from slipping down.

[0061] (8) As shown in FIG. 6(a), when the soft region 3 is rolled outward as described above while being worn, the skin-side surface faces outward and the non-skin-side surface faces inward (skin-side). In this regard, since the friction coefficient of the skin-side surface of the soft region 3 is smaller than that of the non-skin-side surface, when the diaper 2 is rolled outward as described above, the skin-side surface facing outward is more slippery than the non-skin-side surface facing inward. This reduces friction between the soft region 3 rolled outward and the outer clothing of the diaper 2. This reduces drag of the soft region 3 when the outer clothing is raised or lowered, and further reduces the diaper 2 from shifting position or slipping off.

[0062] The same is true for the middle region 5. That is, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when the middle region 5 is rolled outward as described above while worn, the skin-side surface faces outward and the non-skin-side surface faces inward (skin side). In this regard, since the friction coefficient of the skin-side surface of the middle region 5 is smaller than that of the non-skin-side surface, when the middle region 5 is rolled outward as described above, the skin-side surface facing outward is more slippery than the non-skin-side surface facing inward. This can reduce friction between the middle region 5 rolled outward and the outer clothing of the diaper 2. This can reduce drag of the soft region 5 caused by lifting and lowering the outer clothing, thereby further reducing the displacement and slipping of the diaper 2.

[0063] (9) By ensuring that the longitudinal dimension of each of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 is 5 mm or more, the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 can be folded up in stages, and the above-mentioned staged folding can be more appropriately achieved. This folding mode reliably prevents the ventral end 2f and the dorsal end 2r of the diaper 2 from being significantly turned up or shifted, and therefore the diaper 2 can be reliably prevented from slipping down. Furthermore, the longitudinal dimension of each of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 is restricted to 15 mm or less, thereby reducing the contact area with the outer garment. This reduces drag of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 when the outer garment is pulled up or down, thereby further preventing the diaper 2 from shifting or slipping off.

[0064] (10) The total longitudinal dimension of the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 is kept at 25 mm or less, which can prevent the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 from rolling up together. This can increase the reliability of the above-mentioned two-stage folding, thereby further preventing the diaper 2 from slipping down.

[0065] (11) Since the three types of regions 3-5 are provided in each of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B, the breathability of both the front body 2A and the rear body 2B can be improved as described above while preventing the diaper 2 from slipping down. Therefore, compared to a case in which the three types of regions 3-5 are provided in only one of the front body 2A and the rear body 2B, the breathability of the diaper 2 can be further improved and the diaper 2 can be further prevented from slipping down.

[0066] (12) Since the front hard region 4A is provided with a mat-like absorbent body 21 having liquid-absorbing properties, the front hard region 4A can be made harder by making it thicker than the front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A using the absorbent body 21 that is normally provided in the diaper 2. This makes it possible to prevent the structure of the diaper 2 from becoming complicated and to reduce costs.

[0067] (13) Since the recesses 6 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the skin-side surface of the soft region 3, friction with an object moving in the longitudinal direction along the skin-side surface of the soft region 3 can be reduced compared to when the recesses 6 are not provided. Therefore, when the soft region 3 is rolled outward as described above while the diaper is being worn, the recesses 6 can facilitate smooth movement along the longitudinal direction of the outer garment. This prevents the soft region 3 from being dragged when the outer garment is raised or lowered, thereby preventing the diaper 2 from shifting position or slipping off.

[0068] Similarly, since the recess 6 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided on the skin-side surface of the middle region 5, friction with an object moving in the longitudinal direction along the skin-side surface of the middle region 5 can be reduced compared to when the recess 6 is not provided. Therefore, when the middle region 5 is rolled outward as described above while being worn, the recess 6 can facilitate smooth movement along the longitudinal direction of the outer garment. This prevents the middle region 5 from being dragged when the outer garment is raised or lowered, thereby preventing the diaper 2 from shifting position or slipping off.

[0069] [3. Modifications] [3-1. First modified example] The configuration of the front body 2A described above is one example. Instead of the front body 2A described above, a front body 2A' shown in Fig. 7 may be used. The front body 2A' according to this modification is different from the front body 2A described above in the shape of the top sheet 22 and the cover sheet 25 in the thickness direction, but is otherwise the same as the front body 2A. In Fig. 7 and Figs. 8 and 9 described later, elements that are the same as or correspond to those described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0070] 7, in the front body 2A' of this modified example, the top sheet 22 extends flatly across the front soft region 3A, front middle region 5A, and front hard region 4A, and the cover sheet 25 forms a stepped shape that protrudes toward the non-skin side from the front soft region 3A to the front hard region 4A. The cover sheet 25 provided in the front body 2A' forms a stepped shape that protrudes toward the non-skin side from the front soft region 3A to the front middle region 5A in accordance with the thickness dimension of the backsheet 24, and forms a stepped shape that protrudes toward the non-skin side from the front middle region 5A to the front hard region 4A in accordance with the thickness dimension of the absorbent body 21. In this way, in the front body piece 2A', the non-skin side cover sheet 25 is formed to have a stepped shape in the thickness direction in accordance with the fact that the number of components in the thickness direction differs among the three regions 3A, 4A, 5A. That is, in the front body piece 2A' of this modification, the skin side top sheet 22 is flat, whereas the non-skin side cover sheet 25 is uneven.

[0071] When the top sheet 22 in contact with the wearer's skin extends in a flat shape as described above, it is possible to impart less stress to the wearer's skin when worn, compared to when the top sheet 22 is stepped. On the other hand, when the skin-side top sheet 22 extends flatly in the front body 2A' in this way, unevenness is generated in the non-skin-side cover sheet 25 due to the different numbers of components in the thickness direction in the three regions 3A, 4A, 5A. When the cover sheet 25 that contacts the outer garment is stepped as described above, the outer garment is more likely to get caught on the cover sheet 25 than when the cover sheet 25 extends flatly, and therefore the cover sheet 25 is more likely to be dragged when the outer garment is raised or lowered.

[0072] In contrast, the front body 2A' of this modified example is provided with the above-mentioned three regions 3A, 4A, 5A, and therefore, as in the above embodiment, the front hard region 4A is kept in line with the wearer's skin, and the front soft region 3A and front middle region 5A are folded back in stages, thereby preventing the abdominal end 2f from being significantly turned up or shifting out of position. Therefore, even if the cover sheet 25 is dragged when the outer garment is pulled up or down, the diaper can be prevented from shifting out of position or slipping down.

[0073] In order to appropriately set the folding mode, the front middle region 5A in the front body 2A' of this modified example has a longitudinal dimension L2' that is larger than the thickness dimension T of the front hard region 4A (L2'>T). As a result, when the front middle region 5A is folded outward from the front hard region 4A as shown in Fig. 8, the front soft region 3A is disposed outward from the front hard region 4A (the absorbent body 21 and the target sheet 26) and tends to follow the outer side of the front hard region 4A. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the front soft region 3A and the front middle region 5A from curling up.

[0074] In addition, the longitudinal dimension L2′ of the front middle region 5A is preferably not more than three times the thickness dimension T of the front rigid region 4A (L2′ ≦ 3 × T), and more preferably not more than twice the thickness dimension T of the front rigid region 4A (L2′ ≦ 2 × T). When the thickness dimensions of the sheets 22 to 26 and the absorber 21 are common values, the dimension L2′ satisfying the above inequality (T < L2′ ≦ 2 × T) is 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0075] If the longitudinal dimension L2′ of the front middle region 5A is set to be not more than the above upper limit value, bending and rounding within the front middle region 5A can be suppressed. For this reason, the front middle region 5A can be folded back more appropriately with respect to the front rigid region 4A. In addition, according to the diaper to which the front body portion 2A′ of this modified example is applied, the same operations and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained from the same configuration.

[0076] [3-2. Second Modified Example] As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the above-described regions 3 to 5 may be applied to a pant-type diaper 2′. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the elements that are the same as or corresponding to the elements described in the above embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The diaper 2′ of this modified example includes an annular body circumferential portion 2D in which both end portions in the width direction of the front body portion 2A and the rear body portion 2B are connected to each other. The back end portion 2r and the front end portion 2f of the diaper 2′ correspond to the annular edge portion of the body circumferential portion 2D. Note that the diaper 2′ is in a deployed state in a state where the connection at both end portions in the width direction of the front body portion 2A and the rear body portion 2B is released and it is spread out flat.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the front soft region 3A of this modified example, a ventral surface material 11 that forms at least the non-skin side surface in the front body portion 2A is provided. In addition, in the front middle region 5A, a back sheet 24 is provided in addition to the ventral surface material 11, and in the front rigid region 4A, a waist gather 29 is provided in addition to the ventral surface material 11 and the back sheet 24. The waist gathers 29 of this modified example are formed by crinkling the ventral surface material 11 and the backsheet 24 in the width direction by thread-like elastic members 9 that elastically deform in the width direction. The waist gathers 29 are provided around the entire circumference of the waist portion 2D.

[0078] 9(b), the rear soft region 3B, the rear middle region 5B, and the rear hard region 4B of this modified example are respectively configured in the same manner as the front soft region 3A, the front middle region 5A, and the front hard region 4A. Specifically, the rear soft region 3B is provided with a back surface material 12 that forms at least the non-skin side surface of the rear body 2B, the rear middle region 5B is provided with a back sheet 24 in addition to the back surface material 12, and the rear hard region 4B is provided with waist gathers 29 in addition to the back surface material 12 and the back sheet 24.

[0079] The diaper 2' of this modification also has three types of regions 3-5 that are gradually harder from the ventral end 2f or the dorsal end 2r toward the crotch portion 2C, so that, like the above embodiment, it is possible to improve breathability and prevent the diaper 2' from slipping down. In addition, the diaper 2' of this modification has the same functions and effects as the above embodiment due to the same configuration.

[0080] [3-3.Other] The configuration of the regions 3 to 5 is not limited to those shown in the above embodiment and modified examples. The regions 3 to 5 may be gradually hardened as described above. For example, the hardness may be adjusted according to the material and thickness of the constituent elements, regardless of the number of laminated constituent elements. In the tape-type diaper 2 shown in the embodiment, the regions 3 to 5 may be similarly configured in the front body 2A and the rear body 2B. That is, the configuration of the three regions 3A, 4A, and 5A provided in the front body 2A may be applied to the rear body 2B, or the configuration of the three regions 3B, 4B, and 5B provided in the rear body 2B may be applied to the front body 2A. Alternatively, the configurations of the three regions 3 to 5 may be interchanged between the front body 2A and the rear body 2B. The front body 2A' shown in the modified example may be applied to the rear body 2B.

[0081] The recess 6 provided in the top sheet 22 is an example of a reinforcing part that extends in the longitudinal direction and is more reinforced than other parts. This reinforcing part may be configured with a groove (embossment) provided in the cover sheet 25 instead of (or in addition to) the recess 6. The reinforcing part may be provided only in the middle region 5. That is, in the above embodiment, the soft recess 6A and the hard recess 6B may be omitted, and only the middle recess 6C may be provided. The above dimensions L1 to L4, La, and Lb for the soft region 3 and the middle region 5 may be values ​​outside the above ranges.

[0082] The middle region 5 may be configured to become harder in stages from the soft region 3 toward the hard region 4. The diapers 2, 2' may further include a region harder than the hard region 4, located closer to the crotch 2C than the hard region 4. That is, the diapers 2, 2' may be configured to become harder in multiple stages from the ventral end 2f or the dorsal end 2r toward the crotch 2C. In this case, the flexibility of the soft region 3 as described above increases breathability, while the regions other than the soft region 3 are folded back in multiple stages to further prevent the ventral end 2f or the dorsal end 2r from rolling over or shifting significantly, thereby further preventing the diaper from slipping down. It should be noted that the deformation modes shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b) and 8 are all examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Tape (fastening tape) 2,2′ Diapers 2A,2A' Front 2B back 2C Inseam 2D waist circumference 2f ventral end 2r dorsal end 3 Soft region 3A Anterior soft area 3B Posterior soft area 4 Hard area 4A Anterior hard region 4B Posterior hard area 5 Medium area 5A Anterior middle area 5B Posterior middle area 6 Recess (reinforcement) 6A Soft recess (second reinforcement part) 6B Hard recess 6C Middle recess (first reinforcement part) 7 Elastic member 8 Elastic member 9 Elastic materials (functional materials) 11 Ventral surface material 12 Dorsal surface material 21 Absorbent 21a: edge portion on the ventral end 2f side of the absorbent body 21 22 Top sheet (surface sheet) 23 Side seat 24 Back Seat 25 Cover sheet (surface sheet) 26 Target sheet (functional material) 26a: edge of the ventral end 2f side of the target sheet 26 27 Three-dimensional gathers 28 Leg Gathers 29 Waist Gather F Drag force L1 Longitudinal dimension of anterior soft tissue 3A L2, L2': longitudinal dimension of front middle region 5A L3 Longitudinal dimension of posterior soft tissue 3B L4: Longitudinal dimension of rear middle region 5B La Total longitudinal dimension of the anterior soft area 3A and the anterior middle area 5A Lb: The total longitudinal dimension of the posterior soft region 3B and the posterior middle region 5B O Width direction center line T Thickness of front hardened area 4A

Claims

1. A soft region extending in a width direction including a ventral end or a dorsal end; A hard region provided closer to the crotch portion than the soft region and harder than the soft region; A middle region extending between the soft region and the hard region and in the width direction, the middle region being harder and softer than the soft region, The middle region is provided with a first reinforcing portion that extends in the longitudinal direction and is reinforced more than other portions to form a beam structure, The soft region is provided with a second reinforcing portion that extends in the longitudinal direction and is reinforced more than other portions to form a beam structure, The first reinforcing portion and the second reinforcing portion are provided at a distance from each other. A diaper characterized by the above.

2. A top sheet is laminated on the soft region, the top sheet extending on each of the skin side surface and the non-skin side surface, In addition to the surface sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet is laminated in the middle region.

2. The diaper according to claim 1 .

3. The hard region is provided with a sheet-like functional material having a predetermined function. The diaper according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The functional material is an elastic member that elastically deforms in the width direction to form a waist gather.

4. The diaper according to claim 3.

5. The garment is provided with a fastening tape provided on both sides in the width direction of one of the front body and the back body and fastened to the other of the front body and the back body, The functional material is a target sheet to which the fastening tape is attached. The diaper according to claim 3 or 4.

6. In the middle region, a skin-facing sheet extending on a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing sheet extending on a non-skin-facing surface are laminated, In the hard region, in addition to the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet, an absorbent body having a thickness dimension larger than that of the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet is laminated between the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet, The non-skin facing sheet extends in a planar manner across the medium region and the hard region, The skin-facing sheet is stepped from the medium region to the hard region in accordance with the thickness dimension of the absorbent body. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. In the middle region, a skin-facing sheet extending on a skin-facing surface and a non-skin-facing sheet extending on a non-skin-facing surface are laminated, In the hard region, in addition to the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet, an absorbent body having a thickness dimension larger than that of the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet is laminated between the skin-facing sheet and the non-skin-facing sheet, The skin-facing sheet extends in a planar manner across the medium region and the hard region, The non-skin-facing sheet is stepped from the medium region to the hard region in accordance with the thickness dimension of the absorbent body. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. At least one of the soft region and the medium region has a smaller coefficient of friction at the skin side surface than at the non-skin side surface. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Each of the soft region and the middle region has a longitudinal dimension of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The soft region and the middle region have a total longitudinal dimension of 25 mm or less. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the soft region, the hard region and the middle region are provided in the front body and the rear body, respectively.

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