Diapers

Abstract

To improve air permeability of a diaper while preventing leakage of excrement.SOLUTION: A diaper 2 has an absorber 21 on the side not facing a wearer's skin, not on the skin facing side. The diaper 2 has first grooves 3, second grooves 4 and recesses 6. The first grooves 3 are formed by creasing an edge area 20 including an edge 2r of the diaper 2 in longitudinal direction so as to be stretchable in width direction and sink to the non-skin-facing side in the skin facing side of the edge area 20. The second grooves 4 lie inside the edge area 20 in longitudinal direction and overlap at least partially the absorber 21 when seen in thickness direction, and are remote from the first grooves 3 and sink to the non-skin-facing side in the skin facing side. The recesses 6 extend in width direction on the skin facing side between the first grooves 3 and second grooves 4, and bring the first grooves 3 and second grooves 4 into communication with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to a diaper having grooves on the skin-facing surface. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, diapers have been known that have grooves, also called embossing, on the skin-facing surface that faces the wearer's skin in order to improve breathability. For example, a grooved diaper has been proposed in which unevenness is provided in a staggered pattern on the top sheet that forms the skin-facing surface (skin-contacting surface) (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-034341 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the grooves (recesses) arranged in a staggered pattern on the skin-facing surface do not communicate with the outside when the diaper is worn, and so there is a risk that the air inside the diaper cannot be discharged to the outside. On the other hand, if the grooves communicate with the outside from the places where the wearer can excrete urine, feces, and other waste materials when worn, there is a risk that the waste materials will easily leak together with the air. Thus, conventional diapers have room for improvement in terms of improving breathability while suppressing leakage of waste materials.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as one of its objects to improve the breathability of a diaper while suppressing leakage of body excrement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The diaper in question is a diaper having an absorbent body on the non-skin side of the skin-facing surface that faces the wearer's skin, and is characterized in that it has an end region including a longitudinal end portion that is wrinkled so as to be stretchable in the width direction, and has a first groove that is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface of the end region, a second groove that is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface, and is located longitudinally inward from the end region, at least a portion of which overlaps with the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction and is spaced from the first groove, and a recess that is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface between the first groove and the second groove, and extends in the width direction, connecting the first groove and the second groove to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the breathability of the diaper can be improved while preventing leakage of body excrement. [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 rear body part of a diaper with wrinkled end regions as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a first groove. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a first groove, a second groove, and a recess. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of the first groove, in which (a) shows the downstream portion and (b) shows the upstream portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of a second groove which is a joining groove. [Figure 8] 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining modified examples of the second groove, where (a) shows a compressed groove and (b) shows a depressed groove. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a recess. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining modified examples of the recessed portion. [Figure 11]FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view (corresponding to FIG. 5) of a first groove, a second groove and a recessed portion of a diaper according to a first modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a diaper according to a second modified example. [Figure 13] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view comparing the widthwise dimensions of the skin side member and the non-skin side member in the end region. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the diaper in a worn state. 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, the side facing the wearer's skin in the worn state 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 that absorbs and retains moisture. The absorbent body 21 is formed 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, and has a larger dimension in the thickness direction (hereinafter also referred to as "thickness dimension") than the tape 1 and the sheets 22 to 26. 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 provided on the non-skin side of the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 that faces the wearer's skin. That is, a member forming a skin-facing surface (a top sheet 22 described later in this embodiment) is superimposed on the skin side of the absorbent body 21.

[0014] <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 is disposed on the skin side of the absorbent body 21. The top sheet 22 in this embodiment forms the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2. The top sheet 22 is formed to be 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 is formed of, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric.

[0015] Here, a top sheet 22 is illustrated that is provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the diaper 2. That is, the top sheet 22 extends from one longitudinal end 2f to the other longitudinal end 2r of the diaper 2 as shown in Fig. 2. Hereinafter, of the longitudinal end 2f and the other longitudinal end 2r of the diaper 2, the one on the front body 2A side is also referred to as the "ventral end 2f," and the other on the back body 2B side is also referred to as the "dorsal end 2r."

[0016] 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 formed of, for example, an SMS (Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond) nonwoven fabric or an SMMS (Spunbond Meltblown Meltblown Spunbond) nonwoven fabric. An inner portion 23a (wall portion) in the width direction of each side sheet 23 is disposed so as to overlap with the top sheet 22 when viewed in the thickness direction. Hereinafter, this inner portion 23a is also referred to as a "side inner portion 23a."

[0017] The side inner portion 23a is provided closer to the skin than the top sheet 22 and extends in the longitudinal direction. The outer end of the side inner portion 23a in the width direction is fixed to the top sheet 22, and the inner end in the width direction forms a free end. Therefore, the side inner portion 23a is provided protruding in a flap shape from the top sheet 22 toward the skin side. The side inner portion 23a in this embodiment has a longitudinal elastic member 7 (second elastic member) that elastically deforms in the longitudinal direction, and forms a three-dimensional gather 27 described below.

[0018] 1, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 24 is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 21 in order to prevent liquid leakage from the absorbent body 21 to the non-skin side. The back sheet 24 is formed of, for example, a film. A cover sheet 25 is disposed on the non-skin side of the back sheet 24 to reinforce the back sheet 24 and improve the tactile sensation (e.g., touch). The cover sheet 25 is formed of, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. Note that a tape 1 is sandwiched between the cover sheet 25 and the side sheet 23.

[0019] A patch sheet 26, which forms a target zone to which the tape 1 is fastened, is attached to the non-skin side of the cover sheet 25. In this embodiment, the patch sheet 26 provided on the front body 2A is illustrated. The patch 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.

[0020] <Gather> The gathers 27-29 are formed by puckering the side sheet 23, the cover sheet 25, etc. with an elastic member 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 wrinkles of the gathers 27-29 smoothed out.

[0021] The three-dimensional gathers 27 are formed by crinkling the side inner portions 23a in a longitudinally stretchable manner by the longitudinal elastic members 7. 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. The vertical elastic members 7 are attached to the inner end of each side inner portion 23a in the width direction. Here, an example is shown in which multiple thread-like vertical elastic members 7 extending along the longitudinal direction are provided at intervals in the width direction. The three-dimensional gathers 27 (i.e., the side inner portion 23a) stand up against the skin side as the vertical elastic members 7 contract in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] 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 sheet 23, the back sheet 24, and the cover sheet 25. The waist gathers 29 are provided in the diaper 2 at locations facing the waist (above the buttocks) of the wearer. In this embodiment, the waist gathers 29 are formed by crinkling the sheets 22-25 so as to be stretchable in the width direction by lateral elastic members 9 (first elastic members) that elastically deform in the width direction. Here, a sheet-like lateral elastic member 9 arranged along the longitudinal and width directions is exemplified. The lateral elastic member 9 is sandwiched between the top sheet 22 and the back sheet 24.

[0023] [1-2.Main part configuration] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the rear body 2B seen from the skin side, in which the sheets 22-25 are gathered at the waist gathers 29. As shown in Fig. 3, the diaper 2 is provided on its skin-facing surface with a plurality of grooves 3-5 and a recess 6 recessed toward the non-skin side. The grooves 3 to 5 are provided with a gap between the wearer's skin and the diaper 2 when worn, and serve as air passages. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 described later, the grooves 3 to 5 are shown diagrammatically by thick lines, and only some of them are labeled with reference numerals.

[0024] In the diaper 2, the first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recess 6 are arranged in the center in the width direction, and the third groove 5 is arranged outside the first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recess 6 in the width direction. The first groove 3 is formed on the skin-facing surface of the end region 20, which is formed by crimping the end region 20 including the back end 2r of the diaper 2 so as to be stretchable in the width direction and contracting the end region 20 so as to be stretchable in the width direction. The second grooves 4 are provided longitudinally inward (towards the crotch portion 2C) of the end regions 20 and are formed on the skin-facing surface regardless of the widthwise stretch state of the diaper 2. The second grooves 4 are disposed in an area including a place where excrement such as urine and feces can be excreted from the wearer. The first groove 3 and the second groove 4 are spaced apart from each other. In other words, the second groove 4 is spaced apart from the first groove 3.

[0025] The third groove 5 extends from the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 to the back end 2r. In this embodiment, the third groove 5 is wrinkled in the end region 20 similarly to the first groove 3, and is formed on the skin-facing surface in the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 (the crotch portion 2C side) similarly to the second groove 4 regardless of the stretch state of the diaper 2 in the width direction. The end region 20 is set longitudinally outboard of the absorbent body 21. Here, an example is shown of the end region 20 set as a region between the back end 3r and the longitudinal inner end 9c of the transverse elastic member 9 in the rear body 2B. The end region 20 is separated from the absorbent body 21 in a plan view.

[0026] The recess 6 is disposed between the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, and extends in the width direction. The recess 6 is a portion recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface between the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, and connects the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 to each other. The recess 6 defines a space for trapping excrement moving from the second groove 4 to the first groove 3. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned three-dimensional gathers 27 are provided to protrude toward the skin side on both sides in the width direction of the recess 6. In other words, the recess 6 is sandwiched from both sides in the width direction by two three-dimensional gathers 27 standing toward the skin side due to contraction of the vertical elastic members 7.

[0027] The first groove 3 is provided between the pair of tapes 1 in the back body 2B. In this embodiment, the first groove 3 is formed by waist gathers 29. That is, the first groove 3 is formed by crinkling the top sheet 22, which forms the skin-facing surface, with the lateral elastic member 9. The lateral elastic members 9 in this embodiment are fixed (joined) intermittently in the width direction to the planar top sheet 22 in a state stretched in the width direction.

[0028] 4, the transverse elastic member 9 is fixed to the topsheet 22 at a plurality of joint parts 9a extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, and non-joint parts 9b between the joint parts 9a are not fixed to the topsheet 22. When the transverse elastic member 9 is released (or relaxed) from stretch in the width direction, the part of the topsheet 22 that is fixed to the joint parts 9a of the transverse elastic member 9 forms the bottom 31 of the first groove 3, and a part of the part that is not fixed to the transverse elastic member 9 forms the side part 32 of the first groove 3. In this way, the transverse elastic member 9 is fixed to the bottom 31 of the first groove 3, and is provided without being fixed to the side part 32 of the first groove 3.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the first groove 3 and the second groove 4. As shown in Fig. 5, the first groove 3 of this embodiment extends straight along the longitudinal direction in a region overlapping with the transverse elastic member 9 as viewed in the thickness direction due to the above-mentioned joint portion 9a extending along the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the first groove 3 also extends straight along the longitudinal direction to the back end portion 2r forming the free end, even on the longitudinal outer side (downstream portion 33 described later) of the transverse elastic member 9. Therefore, each of the first grooves 3 in this embodiment extends straight along the longitudinal direction as a whole. In this manner, each of the first grooves 3 in this embodiment is a first straight groove 3A extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0030] Moreover, each first groove 3 in this embodiment is also an extension groove 3E extending from an extension line L of the second groove 4 to the rear end 2r. The extension line L here is a virtual line extending the second groove 4 outward in the longitudinal direction along its extension direction in an area overlapping with the recess 6 in a plan view. The extension line L corresponds to an area assumed as a passage for air flowing from the second groove 4 to the recess 6. The extension groove 3E is extended from a starting point P1 on the extension line L to the rear end 2r.

[0031] The position of the extension groove 3E relative to the extension line L is preferably set based on the worn state of the diaper 2. Specifically, the extension groove 3E is preferably provided so as to extend from the extension line L of the second groove 4 in a state in which the transverse elastic members 9 are stretched or contracted to fit the wearer's torso. Air from the second groove 4 is more likely to directly flow into the extension groove 3E in the worn state in this manner, which is advantageous in terms of improving breathability. On the other hand, the position of the extension groove 3E relative to the extension line L may be set based on the developed state of the diaper 2. Even in this case, air from the second groove 4 flows into the extension groove 3E, which communicates with the second groove 4 via the recess 6, through the recess 6, thereby contributing to improved breathability.

[0032] Here, in each first groove 3, a portion located on the longitudinal outer side (the back end 2r side) of the transverse elastic member 9 is also referred to as a downstream portion 33, and the other portion (a portion overlapping with the transverse elastic member 9 as viewed in the thickness direction) is also referred to as an upstream portion 34. In each first groove 3, the downstream portion 33 and the upstream portion 34 are continuous (communicate with each other). The upstream portion 34 extends outward in the longitudinal direction from the recess 6. The downstream portion 33 extends from the upstream portion 34 to the back end 2r.

[0033] 6(a) and 6(b), in each first groove 3 of this embodiment, the cross-sectional area A1 of the downstream portion 33 is set to be larger than the cross-sectional area A2 of the upstream portion 34 (A1>A2). The cross-sectional areas A1 and A2 referred to here are the areas of the spaces defined by the first groove 3 in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the first groove 3.

[0034] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the cross-sectional area A1 of the downstream portion 33, which has a rectangular cross section, is calculated or approximated as the product (A1=W1×H1) of the width dimension W1 (groove width) of the bottom portion 31 in the downstream portion 33 and the height dimension H1 (groove depth) of the side portion 32 in the downstream portion 33. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the cross-sectional area A2 of the upstream portion 34, which has a rectangular cross section, is calculated or approximated as the product (A2=W2×H2) of the width dimension W2 (groove width) of the bottom portion 31 in the upstream portion 34 and the height dimension H2 (groove depth) of the side portion 32 in the upstream portion 34. Note that the downstream portion 33 of this embodiment is formed to have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area A1 regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the upstream portion 34 is formed to have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area A2.

[0035] The stretch state of the waist gathers 29 (horizontal elastic members 9) changes depending on the waist circumference of the wearer (the circumference of the torso). Specifically, the waist gathers 29 stretch more in the width direction (the left-right direction for the wearer) as the waist circumference of the wearer increases. In the end region 20 of this embodiment, the relationship in size between the skin side member forming the first groove 3 and the non-skin side member arranged on the non-skin side of the skin side member in the stretched state (hereinafter, also referred to as "width dimension") is specified so that the first groove 3 is reliably formed (the first groove 3 remains in the end region 20) even if the transverse elastic member 9 is stretched in the width direction in the worn state. In this embodiment, the top sheet 22 corresponds to the above-mentioned skin side member. The non-skin side member here refers to a member forming a non-skin facing surface that does not face the wearer's skin in the end region 20 (arranged on the non-skin side of the skin facing surface). Examples of this non-skin side member include the transverse elastic member 9, the back sheet 24, and the cover sheet 25, which are arranged on the non-skin side of the top sheet 22.

[0036] More specifically, in the end regions 20, the width dimension when the skin side member is virtually stretched in the width direction to make it flat is larger than the width dimension when the non-skin side member is fully stretched in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 13, in this embodiment, the end regions 20 are formed so that the width dimension Wi when the top sheet 22 is virtually stretched in the width direction (until the first grooves 3 disappear) to make it flat is larger than the width dimension Wo when the portion of the lateral elastic member 9 overlapping the top sheet 22 is fully stretched in the width direction (Wi>Wo).

[0037] If the relationship between the width dimensions Wi and Wo is reversed (Wo>Wi), the top sheet 22 will fully stretch into a flat state before the lateral elastic members 9 are stretched to their fullest in the width direction, and the first grooves 3 may disappear from the skin-facing surface depending on how the diaper 2 is worn. In contrast, if the relationship between the width dimensions Wi and Wo (Wi>Wo) is specified as above, even if the lateral elastic members 9 are stretched to their fullest in the width direction, the top sheet 22 will remain in a wrinkled state, and the first grooves 3 will remain formed on the skin-facing surface. Note that the width dimension Wo may be determined by the width of the back sheet 24 or the cover sheet 25 when the portions of the end regions 20 that overlap the top sheet 22 are stretched to their fullest in the width direction, instead of the lateral elastic members 9.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 14, in the diaper 2 worn by a wearer with a large waist length (hereinafter also referred to as the "maximum wearing state"), a pair of tapes 1 are fastened to both ends in the width direction of the patch sheet 26. More specifically, in the maximum wearing state, the tape 1 is fastened to the outermost part in the width direction of the patch sheet 26 within a range where the entire fastening material provided on the tape 1 overlaps the patch sheet 26. As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 14, when a plurality of marks 10 (designs, symbols, letters, etc.) indicating the fastening destinations (target positions) of the tape 1 are arranged side by side on the patch sheet 26 in the width direction, the maximum wearing state corresponds to a state in which the tape 1 is fastened to the outermost mark 10 in the width direction. In FIG. 14, the first grooves 3 are shown typically by thick lines, as in FIG. 3, and only some of them are labeled with reference numerals.

[0039] When the magnitude relationship between the width dimensions Wi and Wo (Wi>Wo) is specified as described above, even when the transverse elastic members 9 (waist gathers 29) are stretched to their maximum in the width direction in the maximum wearing state, the first grooves 3 are maintained on the skin-facing surfaces of the end regions 20. Therefore, in the diaper 2 of this embodiment in the maximum wearing state, when the elastic members 9 are stretched to their maximum in the width direction, the perimeter Ci along the skin-facing surface (the inner surface of the top sheet 22) at a position corresponding to the end regions 20 is greater than the perimeter Co along the non-skin-facing surface (e.g., the cover sheet 25) at a position corresponding to the end regions 20 (Ci>Co). In other words, the above-mentioned perimeter Ci along the skin-facing surface is greater than the above-mentioned perimeter Co along the non-skin-facing surface where the first grooves 3 are not provided, because the first grooves 3 form unevenness in the thickness direction. In addition, in a diaper in which the tape 1 or the side sheet 23 is formed to be stretchable in the width direction instead of (or in addition to) the waist gathers 29, the above-mentioned relationship between the circumferences Ci and Ci (Ci>Co) is satisfied even when the tape 1 or the side sheet 23 is stretched to its maximum in the width direction in the maximum wearing state.

[0040] 3 and 5, the second groove 4 is provided on the inside of the first groove 3 and the recess 6 in the longitudinal direction, and is connected to the first groove 3 via the recess 6. That is, in the diaper 2, the recessed portions of the first groove 3, the recess 6, and the second groove 4, which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, are connected in the longitudinal direction. The second groove 4 is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0041] The second grooves 4 in this embodiment include second straight grooves 4A extending along the longitudinal direction and inclined grooves 4D extending in a direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction and the width direction (hereinafter also referred to as the "inclined direction"). The second straight groove 4A extends straight in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the extension lines L of the second straight groove 4A are all straight lines along the longitudinal direction. Here, the second straight groove 4A extending from the recess 6 to a region overlapping the middle of the absorbent body 21 in the longitudinal direction as viewed in the thickness direction is illustrated.

[0042] The inclined grooves 4D are provided in a region overlapping the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction, for diffusing the excrement and enhancing breathability so that moisture from the excrement can be absorbed over a wide range of the absorbent body 21. Here, the inclined grooves 4D provided as part of a groove forming a lattice shape (grid pattern) as viewed in the thickness direction are illustrated. That is, the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 is provided with not only the inclined grooves 4D as the second grooves 4 that communicate with the first grooves 3 via the recesses 6, but also a plurality of non-communicating grooves 8 that extend in the inclined direction and are not connected to the recesses 6, and these inclined grooves 4D and the non-communicating grooves 8 form a lattice shape as viewed in the thickness direction. The lattice shape formed by the inclined grooves 4D and the non-communicating grooves 8 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center line O in the width direction in the region overlapping the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction.

[0043] 5, the inclined groove 4D is connected to the second straight groove 4A and also to the recess 6 at a position overlapping with the longitudinal end 21r of the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction. Thus, the second straight groove 4A in this embodiment is arranged so as to include a region in which the longitudinal end of the inclined groove 4D exists. Note that the widthwise position where the longitudinal end of the inclined groove 4D is arranged is arranged so as to overlap with the widthwise positions of the first groove 3 and the second straight groove 4A extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0044] Although the specific structure of the second grooves 4 is not particularly limited, the second straight grooves 4A in this embodiment are formed by embossing the top sheet 22. Moreover, the inclined grooves 4D and the non-communicating grooves 8 in this embodiment are formed by compressing the top sheet 22 and the absorbent body 21 together in the thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 7, here, the second linear groove 4A is exemplified by a joining groove 4X formed by intermittently bonding together two base materials 22A, 22B that constitute the top sheet 22.

[0045] The joining groove 4X is formed by a sheet-like surface material 22A provided on the skin side of the substrates 22A and 22B that are stacked in the thickness direction. The surface material 22A is stacked on the skin side of the base material 22B that is arranged along the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and then intermittently fixed to the base material 22B. The materials of the surface material 22A and the base material 22B are not particularly limited, but the surface material 22A and the base material 22B formed of nonwoven fabric may be fixed to each other by pressure bonding or welding.

[0046] The base material 22B is fixed to the surface material 22A at joints 22c extending along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart in the width direction, and non-jointed portions 22d between the joints 22c are not fixed to the surface material 22A. As a result, the portions of the surface material 22A that are fixed to the joints 22c of the base material 22B form the bottoms 41 of the second straight grooves 4A, and parts of the portions that are not fixed to the base material 22B form the sides 42 of the second straight grooves 4A. Note that, although a sheet-like base material 22B is illustrated here, the shape of the base material 22B is not particularly limited. The grooves formed in the surface material 22A as described above may be provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the top sheet 22. In this case, grooves having a structure similar to that of the second linear grooves 4A are also provided extending into the top sheet 22 in the end regions 20.

[0047] As shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), the second grooves 4 may include, instead of (or in addition to) the above-mentioned joining grooves 4X, compressed grooves 4Y formed by compressing the top sheet 22 in the thickness direction, and sunken grooves 4Z formed by a portion of the top sheet 22 penetrating into the absorbent body 21'. As shown in Fig. 8(a), the compressed grooves 4Y are formed, for example, by pressing the top sheet 22 from the skin side to the non-skin side. Also, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the depressed grooves 4Z are formed when an absorbent 21' having at least one of an inner groove 21a recessed toward the non-skin side and a slit 21b penetrating in the thickness direction is used. Specifically, the depressed grooves 4Z are formed by inserting a part of the top sheet 22 provided on the skin side of such an absorbent 21' into at least one of the inner groove 21a and the slit 21b. Note that the inclined grooves 4D of this embodiment are formed by integrally squeezing the top sheet 22 and the absorbent 21 as described above, and therefore are both compressed grooves 4Y and depressed grooves 4Z.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, each first groove 3 in this embodiment is a first straight groove 3A and an extension groove 3E, so that the second straight groove 4A and the first straight groove 3A extending from the extension line L are provided on a straight line along the longitudinal direction.

[0049] 3, the third grooves 5 are provided widthwise outboard of the recessed portions 6. In this embodiment, the third grooves 5 are provided widthwise outboard of the absorbent body 21 and widthwise inboard of the roots of the three-dimensional gathers 27 standing on the skin side (the widthwise outer ends of the top sheet 22 and the side inner portions 23). The number of third grooves 5 is not particularly limited, but an example is shown here in which one third groove 5 is provided on each side of the diaper 2 widthwise (a total of one pair).

[0050] Each of the third grooves 5 is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface on the outer side in the width direction than the recessed portions 6. The third grooves 5 are configured by connecting the first grooves 3 and the second grooves 4. Specifically, the third grooves 5 are configured by connecting a groove formed by crinkling the end regions 20 with the lateral elastic members 9 to a groove formed by embossing the top sheet 22. Here, a third groove 5 extending over the entire length of the diaper 2 in the longitudinal direction is shown as an example.

[0051] The recess 6 is formed to be longer in the width direction than each of the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 so as to block the flow of excrement from the first groove 3 to the second groove 4. The recess 6 in this embodiment is recessed more than the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 in the thickness direction. Here, a recess 6 is illustrated that is provided in the rear body 2B on the longitudinal outer side of the absorbent body 21 and along the longitudinal end 21r of the absorbent body 21. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the recess 6 is formed as a step in the thickness direction formed by the absorbent body 21 in the rear body 2B. The recess 6 in this embodiment is provided in a portion between the absorbent body 21 and the transverse elastic member 9, where the thickness dimension is relatively small.

[0052] Instead of (or in addition to) the recess 6 provided longitudinally outboard of the absorbent body 21 as described above, a recess 6' may be provided in the area overlapping with the absorbent body 21", as shown in Figure 10. When this recess 6' is applied, an absorbent body 21" having at least two regions with different thickness dimensions is applied.

[0053] Specifically, the absorbent body 21" has a main portion 21c that forms the middle portion in the longitudinal direction, and a thin portion 21d that extends in the width direction longitudinally outer than the main portion 21c and has a thickness dimension smaller than that of the main portion 21c. When such an absorbent body 21" is used, the recess 6' is provided in an area of ​​the skin-facing surface that overlaps with the thin portion 21d when viewed in the thickness direction. In addition, when the above-mentioned two types of recesses 6, 6' are used in combination, a recess may be formed by combining a recess provided on the outer side of the absorbent body 21'' in the longitudinal direction with a recess provided in a region overlapping with the thin-walled portion 21d when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0054] [2. Actions and Effects] (1) According to the diaper 2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the first groove 3 provided in the end region 20 including the back end 2r and the second groove 4 provided on the inside of the end region 20 in the longitudinal direction communicate with each other via the recess 6, so that air inside the diaper 2 in the worn state can be discharged from the second groove 4 through the recess 6 and the first groove 3 in that order to the outside. In particular, the second groove 4 is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction, so that air near the absorbent body 21, which is highly humid, can be discharged from the second groove 4 through the recess 6 and the first groove 3 to the outside. This improves the breathability of the diaper 2. This suppresses the diaper 2 from becoming stuffy, improving the comfort of wearing the diaper 2.

[0055] On the other hand, since the recess 6 is interposed between the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, the recess 6 can capture excrement moving from the second groove 4 to the first groove 3. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of excrement from the first groove 3 to the outside (back leakage in this embodiment). Therefore, the diaper 2 can achieve both improved breathability and reduced leakage of excrement. In addition, the first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recess 6 recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 reduce the contact area with the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the burden on the wearer's skin. Furthermore, the first groove 3 formed by creasing the end region 20 to be stretchable in the width direction improves the fit of the diaper 2 to the wearer.

[0056] (2) According to the extension groove 3E extending from the extension line L of the second groove 4 to the back end 2r, air flowing from the second groove 4 along the extension line L can be guided into the extension groove 3E and can be discharged to the outside from the extension groove 3E. Therefore, the air flowing from the second groove 4 to the recess 6 can be smoothly guided to the outside of the diaper 2 through the extension groove 3E. This further improves the breathability of the diaper 2.

[0057] (3) The transverse elastic member 9, which elastically deforms in the width direction, is fixed to the bottom 31 of the first groove 3 but not to the side portion 32 of the first groove 3, so that the first groove 3 can be formed using the transverse elastic member 9. This ensures ease of molding of the first groove 3. In addition, the first groove 3 formed using the transverse elastic member 9 can improve breathability by communicating with the second groove 4 via the recess 6, and can further improve fit to the wearer by elastic deformation of the transverse elastic member 9 in the width direction.

[0058] (4) The third groove 5 extending from the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 to the back end 2r is provided on the outside of the recess 6 in the width direction, so that air can be guided from the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 to the back end 2r through the third groove 5. This further improves the breathability of the diaper 2. In addition, the third groove 5 recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface of the diaper 2 reduces the contact area with the wearer's skin, thereby reducing the burden on the wearer's skin.

[0059] Generally, excrement is excreted in an area of ​​the skin-facing surface that overlaps with the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction, whereas the third grooves 5 of the present embodiment are provided on the outer side in the width direction than the absorbent body 21 (areas that do not overlap with the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction), and therefore, it is possible to prevent excrement from reaching the third grooves 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent excrement from leaking through the third grooves 5. On the other hand, the third grooves 5 provided in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 21 allow the highly humid air around the absorbent body 21 to be discharged to the outside through the third grooves 5. In this case, therefore, the breathability of the diaper 2 can be further improved.

[0060] (5) Since the recess 6 is provided on the longitudinal outer side of the absorbent body 21 and along the longitudinal end portion 21r of the absorbent body 21, the recess 6 can be formed by utilizing the absorbent body 21, which has a larger thickness dimension compared to other configurations. That is, the recess 6 can be formed by utilizing a step in the thickness direction caused by the absorbent body 21. Therefore, the recess 6 can suppress leakage of excrement while preventing the configuration of the diaper 2 from becoming complicated.

[0061] (6) As shown in FIG. 10, by employing an absorbent 21″ having a main portion 21c and a thin portion 21d having a thickness dimension smaller than that of the main portion 21c, and providing a recess 6′ in an area overlapping with the thin portion 21d when viewed in the thickness direction, the thin portion 21d of the absorbent 21″ can be used to form the recess 6′. In this case, not only can the recess 6′ capture excrement, but the thin portion 21d ensures the liquid absorbency of the recess 6′, thereby further preventing leakage of excrement. (7) As shown in Fig. 3, a pair of side inner portions 23a are provided on both sides of the recess 6 in the width direction so as to protrude toward the skin side, and thus the side inner portions 23a can block excrement that moves outward in the width direction in the recess 6. This can prevent excrement from leaking in the width direction (lateral leakage).

[0062] (8) Since the side inner portion 23a forms the upright gathers 27 that stand up on the skin side due to the longitudinal contraction of the longitudinal elastic members 7, the upright gathers 27 can more reliably block the excrement that moves outward in the width direction at the recess 6. This can further prevent the excrement from leaking in the width direction. In addition, the diaper 2 in which the longitudinal elastic members 7 have shrunk longitudinally closer to the skin than the recess 6 bends with the skin side facing inward, so that the recess 6 can be more appropriately depressed. This can more reliably allow the recess 6 to capture the excrement.

[0063] (9) As shown in Fig. 7, in the top sheet 22 forming the skin-facing surface, the surface material 22A is intermittently fixed to the base material 22B to form a joint groove 4X, and the second groove 4 can be formed by partially floating the surface material 22A relative to the base material 22B. Such a joint groove 4X can improve the shape retention performance of the second groove 4 while ensuring the flexibility of the skin-facing surface. This improves the feel of the skin-facing surface and more reliably increases the breathability.

[0064] (10) As shown in FIG. 8(a), the compressed grooves 4Y formed by compressing the top sheet 22 ensure ease of forming the second grooves 4. (11) As shown in Fig. 8(b), according to the recessed groove 4Z formed by a part of the top sheet 22 entering at least one of the inner groove 21a and the slit 21b of the absorbent body 21', the second groove 4 can be formed in the absorbent body 21' by utilizing the inner groove 21a and the slit 21b which diffuse the excrement. Therefore, the second groove 4 can be provided without applying any special processing to the top sheet 22 itself. This makes it possible to prevent the structure of the top sheet 22 from becoming complicated.

[0065] (12) As shown in FIG. 5, the first linear grooves 3A extending along the longitudinal direction can guide air to the outside of the diaper 2 over the shortest distance in the end regions 20, thereby further improving breathability. (13) Similarly, according to the second straight grooves 4A extending along the longitudinal direction, air can be guided to the recesses 6 in the region where the second grooves 4 are provided over the shortest distance, thereby further improving breathability.

[0066] (14) The second groove 4 includes the inclined groove 4D extending in the inclined direction in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction, so that the excrement is diffused over a wide range of the absorbent body 21 through the inclined groove 4D, and more moisture is absorbed by the absorbent body 21. This can suppress liquid leakage. In addition, air inside the diaper 2 in the worn state is discharged to the outside through the inclined groove 4D and the recess 6 and the first groove 3, further improving the breathability of the diaper 2.

[0067] Furthermore, since the inclined grooves 4D of the present embodiment are formed by compressing the absorbent body 21 and the top sheet 22 integrally in the thickness direction, the above-mentioned effects of suppressing liquid leakage and enhancing breathability can be more effectively achieved.

[0068] (15) As shown in Fig. 6, in the first groove 3, the cross-sectional area A1 of the downstream portion 33 extending from the upstream portion 34 to the back end 2r is larger than the cross-sectional area A2 of the upstream portion 34 extending from the recess 6, so that air passes through the downstream portion 33 more easily than through the upstream portion 34. As a result, the air flowing through the upstream portion 34 is pulled by the air flowing through the downstream portion 33, thereby further improving breathability. In addition, since the upstream section 34, which has a smaller cross-sectional area A2 than the downstream section 33, is more difficult for excrement to pass through than the downstream section 33, leakage of excrement can be suppressed compared to when the cross-sectional area A2 of the upstream section 34 is set equal to the cross-sectional area 1 of the downstream section 33.

[0069] (16) Since the first groove 3 is provided between the tapes 1 provided on both sides of the back body 2B in the width direction, the breathability in the area between the tapes 1 is improved by the first groove 3, the second groove 4, and the recess 6, and the fit in the area between the tapes 1 is improved by the end region 20 that is stretchable in the width direction.

[0070] (17) In the end regions 20, as shown in Fig. 13, the width dimension Wi when the skin-side member (top sheet 22 in this embodiment) forming the first groove 3 is virtually stretched in the width direction to a flat shape is larger than the width dimension Wo when the non-skin-side member (transverse elastic member 9 in this embodiment) is fully stretched in the width direction (Wi>Wo). According to such a regulation of the width dimensions Wi and Wo, even if the end regions 20 are stretched in the width direction in accordance with the waist length of the wearer when worn, the first groove 3 can be reliably formed on the skin-facing surface. Therefore, even when the diaper 2 is worn by a wearer with a large waist length, air inside the diaper 2 can be reliably discharged to the outside through the second groove 4, the recess 6, and the first groove 3 in this order. This makes it possible to more reliably improve the breathability of the diaper 2.

[0071] 14, when the sized relationship (Ci>Co) between the circumferences Ci and Co in the maximum wearing state is satisfied, the first grooves 3 can be reliably formed on the skin-facing surface when the diaper 2, the size of which is variable depending on the fastening position of the tape 1, is set to the maximum size. Therefore, as described above, the breathability of the diaper 2 can be more reliably improved when worn by a wearer with a large waist length.

[0072] [3. Modifications] [3-1. First modified example] A diaper 2' according to a first modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 11. In this modified example and the second and third modified examples described later, the same reference numerals are used to designate elements that are the same as or correspond to elements described in the above embodiment, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 described later, similarly to Figs. 3 and 5, grooves including the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 are shown in bold lines, and only some of them are labeled with reference numerals.

[0073] 11, in the diaper 2' of this modification, the second straight groove 4A is omitted and inclined grooves 4B, 4C having a lattice shape different from the inclined groove 4D are applied to the diaper 2 of the above embodiment. Specifically, the inclined grooves 4B, 4C of this modification are arranged such that their extension lines L are connected to each other at positions overlapping with the inner end portions 9c of the transverse elastic members 9 in the longitudinal direction when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0074] The lattice-shaped grooves formed by the inclined grooves 4B, 4C and the non-communicating grooves 8 in this modified example are also formed symmetrically with respect to the center line O' in the width direction in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction. Similarly to the above embodiment, the inclined grooves 4B, 4C and the non-communicating grooves 8 in this modified example are also formed, for example, by squeezing the top sheet 22 and the absorbent body 21 together. Here, the inclined grooves 4B and 4C are divided into an inner inclined groove 4B that extends in an inclined direction toward the back end 2r side and toward the inside in the width direction, and an outer inclined groove 4C that extends in an inclined direction toward the back end 2r side and toward the outside in the width direction. Note that the extension lines L of the inclined grooves 4B and 4C both extend in the inclined direction as described above, similar to the inclined grooves 4B and 4C.

[0075] The first groove 3 of this modified example includes an extension groove 3E extending from the extension line L of the two inclined grooves 4 to the back end 2r, and an air ventilation groove 3D extending from a starting point other than on the extension line L of the second groove 4 to the back end 2r. The extension groove 3E extends from a starting point P2 where the extension lines L of the inner inclined groove 4B and the outer inclined groove 4C are connected to each other, or from a starting point P3 where the extension lines L of the two inner inclined grooves 4B arranged on either side of the center line O' are connected to each other. In contrast, the ventilation groove 3D is arranged regardless of the position of the extension line L of the second groove 4. The first grooves 3 (extension grooves 3E and ventilation grooves 3D) are both connected to the inclined grooves 4B, 4C via the recesses 6. Here, as the first grooves 3, the first straight grooves 3A extending along the longitudinal direction, as in the above embodiment, are exemplified.

[0076] According to the diaper 2', the inclined grooves 4B, 4C extending in the inclined direction are provided in the region overlapping with the absorbent body 21 as viewed in the thickness direction, so that the excrement is diffused over a wide range of the absorbent body 21 through the inclined grooves 4B, 4C, and more moisture is absorbed by the absorbent body 21. This makes it possible to suppress liquid leakage. In addition, since the first groove 3 communicates with the inclined grooves 4B, 4C via the recess 6, air inside the diaper 2' can be discharged to the outside through the inclined grooves 4B, 4C, the recess 6 and the first groove 3 in that order, thereby improving the breathability of the diaper 2'. Meanwhile, since the recess 6 is interposed between the first groove 3 and the inclined grooves 4B, 4C, the excrement moving from the inclined grooves 4B, 4C toward the first groove 3 can be captured by the recess 6. This makes it possible to prevent the excrement from leaking out from the first groove 3 to the outside.

[0077] The extension groove 3E extending from the extension line L of the inclined grooves 4B, 4C to the back end 2r allows the air flowing along the extension line L from the inclined grooves 4B, 4C to be smoothly guided to the outside of the diaper 2', further improving the breathability of the diaper 2'. The extension groove 3E of this modification extends from the starting points P2, P3 where the extension lines L of the two second grooves 4 are connected, so that the air flowing along the two extension lines L can be collected and made to flow into the single extension groove 3E. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for the extension groove 3 while still ensuring ventilation, compared to a case where one extension groove 3 is provided extending from the extension line L of one second groove 4. In addition, according to the diaper 2' of this modified example, the same functions and effects can be obtained from the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

[0078] [3-2. Second modified example] With reference to FIG. 12, a diaper 2'' according to a second modified example will be described. The diaper 2'' of this modified example is a pants-type diaper having an annular waist portion 2D formed by connecting both widthwise ends of a front body portion 2A and a rear body portion 2B to each other. The diaper 2" is in the above-mentioned unfolded state when the connections at both widthwise ends of the front body portion 2A and the back body portion 2B are released and the diaper 2" is spread out flat. The back end portion 2r and the ventral end portion 2f of the diaper 2" correspond to the annular edges of the waist portion 2D.

[0079] In the diaper 2", an end region 20' which includes both the dorsal end portion 2r and the ventral end portion 2f and is spaced apart from the absorbent body 21 is wrinkled so as to be stretchable in the width direction. The end region 20' of the diaper 2" is provided with a lateral elastic member (not shown) which elastically deforms in the width direction. As a result, a waist gather 29' is provided around the entire circumference of the waist portion 2D.

[0080] The diaper 2" has a first groove 3 formed by crimping an end region 20' to be stretchable in the width direction, a second groove 4 provided longitudinally inward of the end region 20' and spaced apart from the first groove 3, and a recess 6 connecting the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 to each other. The first groove 3 in this modification is provided in the waistband portion 2D. Here, the first groove 3 provided on the skin-facing surfaces of both the front body portion 2A and the back body portion 2B is illustrated. The first groove 3 in this modification is an extension groove 3E that extends from an extension line L of the second groove 4 to the ventral end portion 2f or the dorsal end portion 2r. The recesses 6 are provided on the skin-facing surfaces of both the front body piece 2A and the back body piece 2B. The recesses 6 of this modification connect the first grooves 3 and the second grooves 4 to each other in both the front body piece 2A and the back body piece 2B.

[0081] According to the diaper 2″, the first groove 3 is provided in the waist region 2D, and therefore the breathability in the waist region 2D is improved by the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, and the fit in the waist region 2D is improved by the end region 20′ which is stretchable in the width direction. Furthermore, since the first grooves 3 provided in both the front body portion 2A and the back body portion 2B communicate with the second grooves 4 via the recesses 6, the breathability and fit of both the front body portion 2A and the back body portion 2B can be improved. In addition, according to the diaper 2'' of this modified example, the same functions and effects can be obtained from the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

[0082] [3-3.Third modified example] The diaper of this modification is the same as the diaper 2 of the above embodiment except that it does not include the inclined grooves 4D and the non-communicating grooves 8. That is, the diaper of this modification is the same as the diaper 2 of the above embodiment except that the grooves having a lattice shape when viewed in the thickness direction are omitted from the diaper 2 of the above embodiment.

[0083] In this modified diaper, the first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recess 6 are also arranged in the center in the width direction, and the third groove 5 is arranged on the outside of the first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recess 6 in the width direction. The first groove 3 is formed on the skin-facing surface of the end region 20 which is formed by crimping the end region 20 including the back end 2r of the diaper so as to be stretchable in the width direction and contracted so as to be stretchable in the width direction. The second grooves 4 are provided longitudinally inward (towards the crotch portion 2C) of the end regions 20 and are formed on the skin-facing surface regardless of the state of stretch of the diaper in the width direction. The second grooves 4 are disposed in an area including a place where excrement such as urine and feces can be excreted from the wearer. The first groove 3 and the second groove 4 are spaced apart from each other. In other words, the second groove 4 is spaced apart from the first groove 3.

[0084] The third groove 5 extends from the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 to the back end 2r. The third groove 5 of this modification is also wrinkled in the end region 20 like the first groove 3, and is formed on the skin-facing surface in the inside in the longitudinal direction of the end region 20 (the crotch portion 2C side) like the second groove 4 regardless of the stretch state of the diaper in the width direction. The end region 20 is set longitudinally outboard of the absorbent body 21. The end region 20 of this modified example is also set as a region in the rear body 2B between the back end 3r and the longitudinally inner end 9c of the transverse elastic member 9. The end region 20 is separated from the absorbent body 21 in a plan view.

[0085] The recess 6 is disposed between the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, and extends in the width direction. The recess 6 is a portion recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface between the first groove 3 and the second groove 4, and connects the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 to each other. The recess 6 defines a space for trapping excrement moving from the second groove 4 to the first groove 3. In the diaper of this modification, the three-dimensional gathers 27 are also provided to protrude toward the skin side on both widthwise sides of the recessed portion 6. In other words, the recessed portion 6 is sandwiched from both widthwise sides by the two three-dimensional gathers 27 that stand toward the skin side due to contraction of the longitudinal elastic members 7.

[0086] The first groove 3 is provided between the pair of tapes 1 in the back body 2B. The first groove 3 in this modified example is also formed by waist gathers 29. That is, the first groove 3 is formed by crinkling the top sheet 22 forming the skin-facing surface with the lateral elastic member 9. The lateral elastic members 9 of this modified example are also intermittently fixed (joined) in the width direction to the planar top sheet 22 in a state stretched in the width direction. As a fixing structure of the lateral elastic members 9 to the top sheet 22, for example, the method described in the above embodiment with reference to Fig. 4 can be applied.

[0087] The first groove 3 in this modified example also extends straight along the longitudinal direction in the region overlapping with the transverse elastic member 9 when viewed in the thickness direction, and extends straight along the longitudinal direction to the back end 2r which forms the free end on the longitudinal outer side (downstream portion 33) of the transverse elastic member 9. Therefore, each of the first grooves 3 in this modified example also extends straight along the longitudinal direction as a whole. In this manner, each of the first grooves 3 in this modified example is a first straight groove 3A extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0088] Further, each first groove 3 in this modified example is also an extension groove 3E extending from an extension line L of the second groove 4 to the back end 2r. The extension groove 3E extends from a starting point P1 on the extension line L to the back end 2r. In each first groove 3 of this modified example, the downstream portion 33 and the upstream portion 34 are continuous (communicate) with each other. The upstream portion 34 extends outward in the longitudinal direction from the recess 6. The downstream portion 33 extends from the upstream portion 34 to the back end 2r.

[0089] In each first groove 3, the cross-sectional area A1 of the downstream portion 33 and the cross-sectional area A2 of the upstream portion 34 are set to be A1>A2, as described in the above embodiment with reference to Figures 6(a) and (b). Note that in this modification, the downstream portion 33 is also formed to have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area A1 regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction, and the upstream portion 34 is also formed to have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area A2.

[0090] The second groove 4 is provided on the inside in the longitudinal direction of the first groove 3 and the recess 6, and is connected to the first groove 3 via the recess 6. That is, in the diaper of this modification, the recessed portions of the first groove 3, the recess 6, and the second groove 4, which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction, are connected in the longitudinal direction. The second groove 4 is provided so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction. All the second grooves 4 in this modification are second linear grooves 4A extending along the longitudinal direction. The second linear grooves 4A extend straight along the longitudinal direction as a whole. Therefore, the extension lines L of all the second linear grooves 4A are straight lines along the longitudinal direction. The second linear grooves 4A extend from the recesses 6 to a region overlapping the middle of the absorbent body 21 in the longitudinal direction as viewed in the thickness direction, for example, as in the above embodiment.

[0091] The second straight grooves 4A of this modified example are also formed by embossing the top sheet 22. As the second straight grooves 4A, the joining grooves 4A, the compressed grooves 4Y, the depressed grooves 4Z, and the like described in the above embodiment with reference to Fig. 7 and Figs. 8(a) and (b) can be adopted. In this modified example, each first groove 3 is a first straight groove 3A and an extension groove 3E, so that the second straight groove 4A and the first straight groove 3A extending from the extension line L are arranged on a straight line along the longitudinal direction.

[0092] The third grooves 5 are provided widthwise outboard of the recessed portions 6. The third grooves 5 of this modified example are also provided widthwise outboard of the absorbent body 21 and widthwise inboard of the root portions of the three-dimensional gathers 27 standing on the skin side (the outer widthwise ends of the top sheet 22 and the side inner portions 23). Each of the third grooves 5 is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface on the outer side in the width direction than the recessed portions 6. The third grooves 5 are configured to connect the first grooves 3 and the second grooves 4. Specifically, the third grooves 5 are configured by connecting a groove formed by crinkling the end regions 20 with the transverse elastic members 9 to a groove formed by embossing the top sheet 22. Here again, a third groove 5 extending over the entire longitudinal length of the diaper 2 is illustrated.

[0093] The recess 6 is formed to be longer in the width direction than each of the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 so as to block the flow of excrement from the first groove 3 to the second groove 4. The recess 6 of this modification is also recessed in the thickness direction to a greater extent than the first groove 3 and the second groove 4. The recess 6 is provided in the rear body 2B, longitudinally outboard of the absorbent body 21, along the longitudinal end 21r of the absorbent body 21. As the recess 6, as described in the above embodiment with reference to Figs. 9 and 10, the recess 6 may be provided on the outer side of the absorbent body 21 in the longitudinal direction, or in a region overlapping with the absorbent body 21" (recess 6').

[0094] In the diaper of this modification, the first groove 3 provided in the end region 20 including the back end 2r and the second groove 4 (second straight groove 4A in this modification) provided longitudinally inward from the end region 20 communicate with each other via the recess 6, so that air inside the diaper in a worn state can be discharged from the second groove 4 through the recess 6 and the first groove 3 in this order. In particular, the second groove 4 (second straight groove 4A in this modification) is provided so as to overlap at least a part of the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction, so that air near the absorbent body 21, which is highly humid, can be discharged from the second groove 4 through the recess 6 and the first groove 3 to the outside. Therefore, similarly to the above embodiment, the breathability of the diaper can be improved. In addition, according to the diaper of this modification, the same functions and effects can be obtained from the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

[0095] [3-4.Other] The first groove 3, the second groove 4 and the recesses 6, 6' may be formed in a structure other than the top sheet 22 as long as they are recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface of the diaper. The number of each of the grooves 3 to 5 provided in the diaper is not particularly limited. The diaper may be provided with only one first groove 3 and one second groove 4. Even in this case, the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 communicate with each other via the recess 6, thereby improving the breathability of the diaper and suppressing leakage of excrement. The third groove 5 may be provided on only one side in the width direction of the diaper, or may be omitted from the diaper.

[0096] The extending directions of the grooves 3 to 5 are merely examples. The first groove 3 and the second groove 4 may extend in a curved shape, as long as they have a component extending in the longitudinal direction. In addition, either one of the second straight groove 4A and the inclined groove 4D shown in the above embodiment may be omitted, or either one of the inner inclined groove 4B and the outer inclined groove 4C shown in the first modified example may be omitted, or the second straight groove 4A may be provided in addition to the inclined grooves 4B and 4C.

[0097] The second straight grooves 4A and the inclined grooves 4D shown in the above embodiment may be spaced apart from each other at positions overlapping the longitudinal ends 21r of the absorbent body 21 when viewed in the thickness direction. The second linear grooves 4A may extend to the abdominal end 2f of the diaper. If the first grooves 3, the recesses 6 and the second grooves 4 aligned in the longitudinal direction extend over the entire longitudinal length of the diaper, the breathability of the diaper can be further improved.

[0098] The first groove 3 may be formed by creasing the end region 20 so as to be stretchable in the width direction, and is not limited to being formed by contraction of the above-mentioned transverse elastic member 9. The first groove 3 may be formed so that the cross-sectional areas of the downstream portion 33 and the upstream portion 34 are equal to each other, and may extend beyond the inner end portion 9c in the longitudinal direction of the transverse elastic member 9 toward the absorber 21 depending on the position of the recess 6. The first groove 3 may include grooves other than the above-mentioned first straight groove 3A, ventilation groove 3D, and extension groove 3E.

[0099] The second grooves 4 may include grooves other than the joining grooves 4X, the compressed grooves 4Y, and the depressed grooves 4Z. Depending on the position of the recess 6, the second grooves 4 may extend beyond the absorbent body 21 in the longitudinal direction. The first groove 3 and the second groove 4 may be disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction with the recess 6 sandwiched therebetween.

[0100] The recesses 6, 6' may be recessed smaller than the first groove 3 and the second groove 4 in the thickness direction, or may be formed to the same depth as the first groove 3 and the second groove 4. The end region may include at least one of the back end 2r and the ventral end 2f, and may be set, for example, only in the front body portion 2A. The vertical elastic member 7 may be omitted, thereby omitting the three-dimensional gathers 27 standing on the skin side. Even in this case, if the side inner portion 23a is provided, the excrement that moves outward in the width direction in the recess 6 is blocked by the side inner portion 23a in the same manner as in the above embodiment, so that the lateral leakage of the excrement can be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Tape (fastening tape) 2,2′,2″ Diapers 2A Front 2B back 2C Inseam 2D waist circumference 2f Ventral end (longitudinal end) 2r Back end (longitudinal end) 3 First groove 3A First straight groove 3D Ventilation Channel 3E extension groove 4 Second groove 4A Second straight groove 4B Inner slope groove (slope groove) 4C Outside inclined groove (slanted groove) 4D inclined groove 4X joint groove 4Y Compression groove 4Z Sinkhole 5 Third groove 6,6′ Recess 7. Vertical elastic member (second elastic member) 8 Non-communicating groove 9 Transverse elastic member (first elastic member, non-skin side member) 9a Joint 9b Non-joint part 9c Inner longitudinal end 10 Landmark 20,20′ end area 21,21',21" absorber 21a Inner groove 21b Slit 21c Main Section 21d Thin section 21r Longitudinal end 22 Top sheet (skin side material) 22A Surface material 22B Base material 22c joint 22d Non-joint part 23 Side seat 23a Inner side (wall) 24 Back Seat 25 Cover Sheet 26 Patch Sheet 27 Three-dimensional gathers 28 Leg Gathers 29,29′ waist gather 31 Bottom 32 Side 33 Downstream 34 Upper reaches 41 Bottom 42 Side Ci Circumference along the skin-facing surface Co Circumference along the non-skin facing surface H1 Height dimension of the side portion 32 at the downstream portion 33 H2 Height dimension of the side portion 32 at the upstream portion 34 L extension line O,O' Center line in width direction P1,P2,P3 starting point W1: Width dimension of the bottom 31 at the downstream portion 33 W2: Width dimension of bottom 31 at upstream portion 34 Wi: The width dimension when the skin side material is virtually stretched in the width direction to make it flat. Wo: Width dimension when non-skin side material is stretched to the maximum in the width direction

Claims

1. A diaper having an absorbent body on the non-skin side of a skin-facing surface that faces the skin of a wearer, An end region including an end in a longitudinal direction is wrinkled so as to be stretchable in a width direction, and a first groove is recessed toward a non-skin side on the skin-facing surface of the end region; a second groove that is at least partially overlapping with the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction and is spaced apart from the first groove and is recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface, the second groove being located inside the end region in the longitudinal direction; a recessed portion recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin facing surface between the first groove and the second groove and extending in the width direction, the recessed portion connecting the first groove and the second groove to each other; The absorbent body has a main portion forming a longitudinal intermediate portion, and a thin portion extending in the width direction on the longitudinal outer side of the main portion and having a smaller dimension in the thickness direction than the main portion, The recess is provided in a region overlapping with the thin portion when viewed in the thickness direction. A diaper characterized by the above.

2. The end region has a first elastic member that is fixed to a bottom portion of the first groove and is provided free from a side portion of the first groove and elastically deforms in a width direction.

2. The diaper according to claim 1 .

3. a third groove recessed toward the non-skin side on the skin-facing surface on the outer side of the recess in the width direction and extending from the inner side of the end region in the longitudinal direction to the end The diaper according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The recess is provided along an end portion of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction and on the outer side of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A pair of walls are provided on both sides of the recess in the width direction so as to protrude toward the skin and extend in the longitudinal direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The wall portion has a second elastic member that is elastically deformed in a longitudinal direction, and the second elastic member stands up on the skin side by contracting in the longitudinal direction.

6. The diaper according to claim 5.

7. The garment has a base material arranged along the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and a surface material overlapped on the skin side of the base material, and is provided with a top sheet forming the skin-facing surface; The second groove includes a joining groove in which the surface material is intermittently fixed to the base material. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second grooves include compressed grooves formed by compressing the top sheet forming the skin-facing surface.

9. The absorbent body has at least one of an inner groove recessed toward the non-skin side and a slit penetrating in the thickness direction. Has The second groove includes a recessed groove formed by a portion of the top sheet forming the skin-facing surface entering at least one of the inner groove and the slit. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The first groove includes a first linear groove extending along the longitudinal direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The second groove includes a second linear groove extending along the longitudinal direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The second groove includes an inclined groove extending in an inclined direction intersecting both the longitudinal direction and the width direction in a region overlapping with the absorbent body as viewed in the thickness direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The first groove has an upstream portion extending from the recess, and a downstream portion extending from the upstream portion to the end portion and having a larger cross-sectional area than the upstream portion. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 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 first groove is provided between the fastening tapes on one of the front body and the rear body. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The garment has a circular waistband formed by connecting both widthwise ends of the front body and the back body to each other, The first groove is provided in the waist portion. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. In the end region, the width dimension of the skin side member forming the first groove when it is virtually stretched in the width direction to make it flat is larger than the width dimension of the non-skin side member disposed on the non-skin side of the skin side member when it is stretched to the maximum in the width direction. The diaper according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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