Absorbent article

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which can be adjusted in a product width according to a body type, and prevent occurrence of leakage caused by a body type difference.SOLUTION: An absorbent article comprises: an absorber 4; flap parts F extending outward from outer edges of the absorber 4; and a pair of left and right wing-shaped flap parts W fixed on both side parts of a region corresponding to a body fluid discharge part H of a wearer of the flap parts F so as to catch up a crotch part of an underwear in mounting. An easily breakable part 20 extending from an outer edge of the flap part F to the absorber 4 is provided on each of front and rear parts of the wing-shaped flap part W. In the absorbent article, a first mounting form for folding the wing-shaped flap parts W at base end parts and mounting the absorbent article to the underwear, and a second mounting form for breaking the absorbent article at the easily breakable parts 20 and folding the wing-shaped flap parts W at inside positions in a width direction relative to the base end parts for mounting the absorbent article to the underwear, can be selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, kotex sheets, incontinence pads, etc., and more particularly to absorbent articles that can be worn with an appropriately changed product width according to the body shape of the wearer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as the absorbent article, an absorbent body made of cotton-like pulp or the like is interposed between a liquid-impermeable back sheet made of polyethylene laminated nonwoven fabric or the like and a liquid-permeable front sheet made of nonwoven fabric or a perforated plastic sheet. Such an article is known.

[0003] In this type of absorbent article, depending on individual body shape differences and physiological conditions, those with different lengths such as 21 cm, 23 cm, 25 cm, etc., and different sizes and structures such as day use and night use are provided. Also, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, there has been proposed an absorbent article in which the width of the rear side portion of the absorbent article can be adjusted so that it can be used in any scene with one absorbent article. Specifically, it is an absorbent article provided with rear flaps that can extend outward on both sides of the rear portion, and an absorbent body is disposed on the rear flaps, and the rear flaps are folded on the skin side along a fold line in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and the state is maintained by a temporary fixing means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In households where a person with a small body type (a child), such as a parent and child with a child who has just started menstruation, and a person with a large body type (an adult) share sanitary napkins, since elementary and junior high school students are still in the process of growing, when wearing adult sanitary napkins, there is a problem that the product width is large and the wearing comfort is poor. In the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 above, it can be used according to the usage scenario in both the state where the rear flap is folded and the state where it is unfolded, but it is not for people with different crotch widths such as for adults and children, and it did not improve the wearing comfort when a child wears an adult sanitary napkin.

[0006] Also, when there are multiple women in a family, it is very troublesome to prepare multiple types of sanitary napkins suitable for different body types, and there is also the trouble of always checking to ensure that the sanitary napkin used during wearing is suitable for one's own body type.

[0007] In particular, in an absorbent article provided with a pair of left and right wing-shaped flap portions that are fixed so as to entangle the crotch portion of the underwear during wearing on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer, since the crotch widths of adult and child underwear are different, when trying to wear an adult-oriented sanitary napkin on child underwear, the wing-shaped flap portion may be folded back at a position inside the original folding position. In this case, since it is not the original folding position, wrinkles and creases are likely to occur on the skin contact surface of the main body portion, and there is a problem that it does not fit the body well and leakage is likely to occur.

[0008] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article in which the product width can be adjusted according to the body type and the occurrence of leakage due to the body type difference is eliminated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] As a first aspect for solving the above problems, there is provided an absorbent article including an absorber, a flap portion extending outward from an outer edge of the absorber, and a pair of left and right wing-shaped flap portions fixed on both sides of a region corresponding to a body fluid discharge portion of a wearer of the flap portion so as to entangle a crotch portion of underwear during wearing. Fragile portions extending from the outer edge of the flap portion toward the absorber are provided respectively in front and rear of the wing-shaped flap portions. There is provided an absorbent article characterized in that a first wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion is folded back at a base end portion and worn on underwear, and a second wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion is folded back at a position inside in the width direction from the base end portion after being broken at the fragile portion and worn on underwear are selectable.

[0010] In the first aspect described above, fragile portions extending from the outer edge of the flap portion toward the absorber are provided respectively in front and rear of the wing-shaped flap portions. To wear such an absorbent article, it can be used in the following two wearing forms. The first wearing form is to fold back the wing-shaped flap portion at the base end portion and wear it on underwear. This wearing form is used when wearing on relatively wide underwear such as for adults.

[0011] The second wearing form is to break at the fragile portion and fold back the wing-shaped flap portion at a position inside in the width direction from the base end portion and wear it on underwear. Since the fragile portion is formed to extend from the outer edge of the flap portion toward the absorber, by breaking at the fragile portion, the folding position of the wing-shaped flap portion can be changed to a position inside in the width direction from the outer edge of the flap portion. Therefore, this wearing form is suitable when wearing on relatively narrow underwear such as for children.

[0012] Thus, in the absorbent article according to the present invention, the folding position of the wing-shaped flap portion can be appropriately adjusted according to the body type and worn, thereby improving the fit and making it less likely to leak due to the body type difference.

[0013] As a second aspect, a second easily breakable portion is provided which can form a flap portion bulging portion bulging outward in the width direction inside the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion by breaking. In the second wearing form, the absorbent article according to claim 1 is provided, wherein by breaking at the easily breakable portion and the second easily breakable portion and folding back the wing-shaped flap portion, the flap portion bulging portions are formed on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer.

[0014] In the above second aspect, a second easily breakable portion is provided inside the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion. In the second wearing form, by breaking at the second easily breakable portion and folding back the wing-shaped flap portion, flap portion bulging portions bulging outward in the width direction are formed on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer. Thereby, in the second wearing form for wearing on relatively narrow underwear, by raising the flap portion bulging portions like three-dimensional gathers and wearing them, a sense of security against lateral leakage can be obtained.

[0015] As a third aspect, the absorbent article according to claim 2 is provided, wherein an embossed portion recessing the non-skin side surface of the absorber or a low basis weight portion of the absorber is provided along the base end portion of the flap portion bulging portion.

[0016] In the above third aspect, in order to make it easy to bend the flap portion bulging portion at the base end portion and make it easy to stand it up on the skin side like three-dimensional gathers during wearing, an embossed portion recessing the non-skin side surface of the absorber or a low basis weight portion of the absorber is provided along the base end portion of the flap portion bulging portion.

[0017] As a fourth aspect, side sheets are respectively arranged on both side portions on the skin contact surface side. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 and 3 is provided, wherein the base end portion of the flap portion bulging portion is arranged along the inner end in the width direction of the side sheet.

[0018] In the above-described fourth aspect, in the absorbent article in which side sheets are respectively disposed on both side portions on the skin contact surface side, by disposing the inner ends in the width direction of the side sheets along the base end portions of the flap portion bulging portions, the flap portion bulging portions can be easily bent at the base end portions due to the change in rigidity between the outer portion where the side sheets are disposed and the inner portion where the side sheets are not disposed.

[0019] As a fifth aspect, there is provided an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein an embossed portion is provided along the second easily breakable portion at a position adjacent to the second easily breakable portion.

[0020] In the above-described fifth aspect, by providing an embossed portion along the second easily breakable portion at a position adjacent to the second easily breakable portion, it becomes easier to grip by hand when tearing the second easily breakable portion.

[0021] As a sixth aspect, notch portions are provided on both side portions of the absorbent body corresponding to the ends of the easily breakable portion and the second easily breakable portion, in the absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 ~5.

[0022] In the above-described sixth aspect, by providing notch portions on both side portions of the absorbent body corresponding to the ends of the easily breakable portion and the second easily breakable portion, the easily breakable portion and the second easily breakable portion are prevented from overlapping with the absorbent body, and pulp and polymer particles constituting the absorbent body are prevented from spilling out from these breakable portions.

[0023] As a seventh aspect, there is provided an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein absorbent body bulging portions are provided on both side portions of a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer, with the side edges of the absorbent body bulging outward in the width direction.

[0024] In the above-described seventh aspect, by forming absorbent body bulging portions on both side portions of a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer, the absorbency of body fluid in this region is ensured even when worn in relatively narrow underwear.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention as described in detail above, the width of the product can be adjusted according to the body type, and leakage due to body type differences can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a sanitary napkin will be described as an example of an absorbent article, but other absorbent articles such as panty liners, diaper sheets, incontinence pads, etc. may also be used.

[0028] 〔Basic Structure of Sanitary Napkin 1〕 The sanitary napkin 1 according to the present invention includes a liquid-impermeable back sheet 2 made of a polyethylene sheet, a polypropylene sheet, etc., a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 that quickly permeates menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as body fluid), and an absorber 4 made of cotton-like pulp or synthetic pulp interposed between these two sheets 2 and 3. A wrapper sheet 5 made of crepe paper or non-woven fabric that surrounds the absorber 4 for maintaining the shape of the absorber 4 and improving diffusibility, and side sheets 7 arranged along the front-rear direction on both sides of the skin-contact surface side. And around the absorber 4, at the front and rear edge portions, the outer edge portions of the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 are joined by joining means such as an adhesive like hot melt, heat seal, ultrasonic seal, etc. Also, at both side edge portions, the back sheet 2 extending laterally beyond the absorber 4 and the side sheet 7 are joined by joining means such as an adhesive like hot melt, heat seal, ultrasonic seal, etc., whereby a flap portion F extending outward from the outer edge of the absorber 4 is formed. Note that a second sheet made of a porous plastic film or non-woven fabric, etc. may be arranged between the top sheet 3 and the absorber 4 and adjacent to the non-skin side of the top sheet 3.

[0029] Hereinafter, the structure of the sanitary napkin 1 will be described in further detail. The back sheet 2 is made of a sheet material having at least water barrier properties such as polyethylene. However, it is desirable to use a material having moisture permeability from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness. As this water barrier and moisture permeable sheet material, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, forming a sheet, and then stretching it in one or two axial directions is preferably used. As the back sheet 2, a polylaminate nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a plastic film and a nonwoven fabric may be used. On the non-skin side (outer surface) of the back sheet 2 of the main body portion where the absorber 4 is interposed, one or a plurality of adhesive layers (not shown) are formed along the front-rear direction of the napkin so that the sanitary napkin 1 is fixed to the inner surface of the underwear when worn on the body.

[0030] Next, as the top sheet 3, a porous or non-porous nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, etc. are preferably used. As the material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric, in addition to synthetic fibers such as olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester-based fibers, and polyamide-based fibers, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used. A nonwoven fabric obtained by an appropriate processing method such as the spunlace method, the spunbond method, the thermal bond method, the meltblown method, or the needle punch method can be used. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is excellent in terms of flexibility and drapability, and the thermal bond method is excellent in terms of bulkiness and high compression resilience. When a large number of through holes are formed in the top sheet 3, body fluids can be quickly absorbed, and the top sheet 3 has excellent dry touch properties. The fibers of the nonwoven fabric may be either long fibers or short fibers, but short fibers are preferably used to give a towel-like texture. Also, in order to facilitate embossing, it is preferable to use one made of an olefin-based fiber such as polyethylene or polypropylene having a relatively low melting point. Also, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers, side-by-side type fibers, and split type fibers having a high melting point fiber as the core and a low melting point fiber as the sheath can be preferably used.

[0031] The absorber 4 interposed between the back sheet 2 and the front sheet 3 is composed of, for example, cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. The water-absorbent polymer is mixed, for example, as granular powder, into the pulp constituting the absorber. Examples of the pulp include those made of cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp and dissolving pulp obtained from wood, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Coniferous pulp having a longer fiber length than hardwood pulp is preferably used in terms of function and cost.

[0032] Also, synthetic fibers may be mixed into the absorber 4. Examples of the synthetic fibers include polyolefin-based such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester-based such as polyethylene terephthalate or polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide-based such as nylon, and copolymers thereof. A mixture of two of these may also be used. Further, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers having a high-melting fiber as the core and a low-melting fiber as the sheath, side-by-side type fibers, and split-type fibers can also be used. It is desirable to use the synthetic fibers that have been surface-treated with a hydrophilizing agent in the case of hydrophobic fibers so as to have an affinity for body fluids.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the width dimension of the front sheet 3 is slightly longer than the width of the absorber 4 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, and it only covers the absorber 4. The outer side thereof is provided with a side sheet 7 different from the front sheet 3. Specifically, a side sheet 7 made of a non-woven fabric material subjected to an appropriate water-repellent treatment or hydrophilic treatment according to the purpose of preventing penetration of menstrual blood, urine, etc., or enhancing the tactile sensation is provided. As such a side sheet 7, those formed by an appropriate processing method using natural fibers, synthetic fibers, recycled fibers, etc. as materials can be used. Preferably, a non-woven fabric with a suppressed basis weight and breathability is used to eliminate the feeling of stiffness and prevent stuffiness.

[0034] The side sheet 7 is adhered by an adhesive such as hot melt over a range from the outer portion of the middle portion in the width direction to the outer edge of the back sheet 2 from a predetermined inner position, and the laminated sheet portion of the side sheet 7 and the back sheet 2 forms side flap portions SF where the absorber 4 is not interposed on both sides of the absorber 4. The side flap portion SF forms a part of the flap portion F.

[0035] This side flap portion forms a pair of left and right wing-shaped flap portions W, W that expand the amount of extension from the side edge of the absorber 4 more than the front and rear portions at side positions substantially corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion H of the wearer. As shown in FIG. 1, a wing adhesive layer 10 is provided on the lower wearing surface side (the outer surface side of the back sheet 2) of the wing-shaped flap portions W, W. When wearing the underwear, the wing-shaped flap portions W, W are folded back to the opposite side (the back sheet 2 side) at the folding line R1 or R2 (see FIG. 1) of the base end portion and wound around the crotch portion of the underwear, and the wing adhesive layer 10 is fixed to the outer surface of the crotch portion of the underwear.

[0036] 〔First Embodiment Example〕 The sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment example of the present invention will be described in detail. In the sanitary napkin 1 according to the first embodiment example, as shown in FIG. 1, breakable portions 20 extending from the outer edge of the flap portion F toward the absorber 4 are provided before and after each of the wing-shaped flap portions W.

[0037] The breakable portion 20 is one that facilitates breakage of the laminated sheet body of the side sheet 7 and the back sheet 2 constituting the side flap portion SF (including a part of the side portion of the surface sheet 3). The breakable portion 20 can be formed by a perforation, a fine groove and thin portion, or the like.

[0038] The breakable portion 20 is formed within a width direction range that does not reach the absorber 4 from the outer edge of the flap portion F, that is, within the range of the flap portion F. The breakable portion 20 is provided independently one by one on each of the front and rear side flap portions SF with respect to the wing-shaped flap portion W, for a total of four.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the breakable portion 20 is provided at a position immediately before the width dimension is enlarged by the wing-shaped flap portion W in a plan view in which the wing-shaped flap portion W is expanded outward in the width direction. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, it is provided at both ends of the folding line R1 that folds the wing-shaped flap portion W at the base end portion during normal wearing.

[0040] The breakable portion 20 is formed in a linear shape extending substantially in the width direction from the outer edge of the side flap portion SF. The breakable portion 20 in the illustrated example is formed by a straight line substantially parallel to the width direction line of the sanitary napkin 1, but may be formed by an inclined straight line in which the inner end in the width direction is inclined in the front-rear direction, or may be formed by a curve, a combination of a straight line and a curve, or the like.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, the breakable portion 20 is formed within a range of the length A in the width direction of the sanitary napkin 1 from the outer edge of the flap portion F. This length A can be about 5 to 20 mm. The value obtained by doubling the length A generally corresponds to the difference between the crotch width of adult underwear in the first wearing form and the crotch width of children's underwear in the second wearing form, which will be described later.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the sanitary napkin 1 according to the present invention has a first wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion W is folded back at the folding line R1 (see FIG. 1) at the base end portion and worn on underwear, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is broken at the breakable portion 20, and the wing-shaped flap portion W is folded back at the folding line R2 (see FIG. 1) at a position inside the width direction from the folding line R1 at the base end portion and worn on underwear. The second wearing form is appropriately selectable.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the first wearing form is folded back and worn on underwear at the position of the folding line R1 at the base end portion in the same manner as the normal wearing form of the sanitary napkin 1 provided with the wing-shaped flap portion W without breaking at the breakable portion 20. Therefore, it can be worn in appropriate correspondence with the crotch width of relatively wide adult underwear or the like.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the second wearing form, the breakable portion 20 provided at the base end portion of the wing-shaped flap portion W is broken, the folding position of the wing-shaped flap portion W is shifted inward in the width direction, and then the wing-shaped flap portion W is folded back at the position of the folding line R2 extending in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 passing through the end portions of the front and rear breakable portions 20 and worn on the underwear. For this reason, it can be worn in appropriate correspondence with the crotch width of relatively narrow children's underwear or the like.

[0045] Thus, in this sanitary napkin 1, since the folding position of the wing-shaped flap portion W can be appropriately adjusted according to the body type, that is, the crotch width of the underwear, in a family where people with a small body type (children) and people with a large body type (adults) share the sanitary napkin, both children and adults can feel comfortable, eliminating the need to check one by one whether it fits the target users of the sanitary napkin, and preventing leakage and the like caused by a decrease in fitness when wearing a napkin that does not fit the body type forcibly.

[0046] In this sanitary napkin 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a second breakable portion 21 capable of forming a flap portion bulging portion 22 bulging outward in the width direction is provided inside the wing-shaped flap portion W in the width direction by breaking. The edge of the second breakable portion 21 is arranged at a width direction position substantially equivalent to the inner end in the width direction of the breakable portion 20, and is arranged at a position on the center side in the front-rear direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W with a predetermined separation distance B in the front-rear direction from the breakable portion 20. This separation distance B becomes the connection length between the wing-shaped flap portion W and the main body portion when the wing-shaped flap portion W is folded back in the second wearing form. Therefore, if it is made too small, there is a risk that the fixation by the wing-shaped flap portion W will become unstable, so it is preferably 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more.

[0047] The second easily breakable part 21 is arranged separately from the easily breakable part 20 without connecting to the easily breakable part 20, and is arranged independently of the flap part F and the wing-shaped flap part W without connecting to the outer edges of the flap part F and the wing-shaped flap part W. The second easily breakable parts 21 are arranged one by one on the left and right flap parts respectively.

[0048] The second easily breakable part 21 is formed in a shape that bulges outward in the width direction from the above-mentioned end position. Specifically, it is preferably formed in an arc shape as shown in the illustrated example, but it may also be formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially U-shaped shape, or the like.

[0049] Similar to the easily breakable part 20, the second easily breakable part 21 is formed by integrally facilitating the breakage of the laminated sheet body of the side sheet 7 and the back sheet 2 that constitute the side flap part SF (including a part of the side part of the front sheet 3). It can be formed by means of a perforation, a narrow groove and thin part, or the like.

[0050] By breaking at the easily breakable part 20 and the second easily breakable part 21 and folding back the wing-shaped flap part W, the flap part bulging parts 22 are formed on both sides of the main body part. The flap part bulging parts 22 form flap parts that bulge outward in the width direction on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge part H of the wearer in the second wearing form. The outer edge of the flap part bulging part 22 may be formed to extend outward in the width direction of the folding line R1, or may be arranged at a position substantially equivalent to this folding line R1 or inside in the width direction thereof.

[0051] In the second wearing form, when breaking at the easily breakable part 20 and breaking at the second easily breakable part 21 and folding back the wing-shaped flap part W, the flap part bulging parts 22 are formed on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge part H of the wearer. Thereby, in the second wearing form for wearing on relatively narrow-width children's underwear or the like, by raising the flap part bulging part 22 like a three-dimensional gather and wearing it, a sense of security against lateral leakage can be obtained even if the width of the crotch part is narrow.

[0052] In the form example of FIG. 1, the absorber width at the center including the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge part H of the wearer is formed to be substantially equal to the absorber widths at the front and rear parts thereof. However, as shown in FIG. 5, absorber bulging parts 23 in which the side edges of the absorber 4 bulge outward in the width direction may be formed on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge part H of the wearer. The absorber bulging parts 23 are continuously formed from the side edges of the absorber 4 of the main body part, and have a planar shape such as an arc shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a rectangular shape. By forming the absorber bulging parts 23, the absorbency of body fluid in this region is ensured even when worn on relatively narrow underwear. Further, when the flap part bulging part 22 is raised like a three-dimensional gather as described above and worn, since the absorber bulging parts 23 are arranged at the base ends thereof, the absorbency of body fluid is improved.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, the absorber bulging parts 23 are formed in a region inward in the width direction from the fold line R1 in the first wearing form. That is, the absorber bulging parts 23 are formed in a range where they do not overlap the fold line R1. If the absorber bulging parts 23 extend outside across the fold line R1, the rigidity of the absorber bulging parts 23 makes it difficult to fold back the wing-shaped flap part W along the fold line R1.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the flap part bulging part 22 preferably extends outward in the width direction from the fold line R1 in the first wearing form by an extension width C. The extension width C is 5 to 20 mm, and is preferably within 50%, more preferably within 30% of the width dimension D from the fold line R1 of the wing-shaped flap part W. If the width of the flap part bulging part 22 is larger than this, a sense of discomfort is likely to occur when the flap part bulging part 22 is raised and worn.

[0055] From the viewpoint of facilitating the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion to rise toward the skin surface of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 5, a rising facilitation means is provided in a region 24 along the base end portion of the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion. As the rising facilitation means, as shown in FIG. 6, an embossed portion recessed toward the skin side surface may be provided on the non-skin side surface of the absorber 4, or the basis weight of the absorber 4 in this region 24 may be made lower. Using the embossed portion or the lower basis weight portion as a bending end, the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion can easily rise toward the skin surface. Further, by positioning the inner end in the width direction of the side sheet 7 along the base end portion of the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion, due to the rigidity difference caused by the arrangement of the side sheet 7, the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion may be made more easily bendable along the base end portion.

[0056] In this sanitary napkin 1, from the viewpoint of facilitating breakage at the second easily breakable portion 21, as shown in FIG. 7, an embossed portion 25 is provided along the second easily breakable portion 21 at a position adjacent to the second easily breakable portion 21. The embossed portion 25 is a linear embossed portion having a constant width that extends along the second easily breakable portion 21 at an adjacent position spaced a predetermined distance from the second easily breakable portion 21 and extends substantially over the entire length of the second easily breakable portion 21. By providing the embossed portion 25, the rigidity of this portion is increased, and it becomes easier to tear the second easily breakable portion 21 by grasping the embossed portion 25 by hand. In the exemplary form shown in the figure, the embossed portion 25 is provided on both side portions of the second easily breakable portion 21, and the second easily breakable portion 21 is provided in a region sandwiched between the embossed portions 25 on both sides. However, the embossed portion 25 may be provided at least outside the second easily breakable portion 21. The embossed portion 25 may also be provided inside the second easily breakable portion 21, but it is preferable not to provide it because it can prevent a sense of discomfort from occurring when the embossed portion 25 contacts the skin surface when the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion stands up toward the skin surface during wearing. On the other hand, by providing the embossed portion 25 also inside the second easily breakable portion 21, it becomes easier to grasp by hand when raising the bulging portion 22 of the flap portion.

[0057] When the embossed portion 25 intersects with the fold line R1 of the wing-shaped flap portion W, since it may be difficult to bend the wing-shaped flap portion W along the fold line R1, as shown in FIG. 8, the embossed portion 25 may not be provided at the portion intersecting with the fold line R1.

[0058] In the second mounting form, after tearing the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21, in order to prevent further tearing inward, the inner edges in the width direction of the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21 are preferably located at the portion where the side edge portion of the surface sheet 3 and the side sheet 7 are laminated and joined or immediately outside in the width direction thereof. By the laminated sheet portion of the surface sheet 3 and the side sheet 7, it is possible to prevent these broken portions from being further torn inward in the width direction.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the absorber 4 is provided with notches 26 that are notched toward the center in the width direction on both sides corresponding to the ends of the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21. The inner edges in the width direction of the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21 are located inside the space notched by the notches 26, so that the edges thereof do not overlap with the absorber 4. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the pulp and polymer constituting the absorber 4 from spilling from the edges of the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21. The notches 26 may be notched in an arc shape as shown in FIG. 1, or may be notched in a triangular or polygonal shape as shown in FIG. 5.

[0060] Further, by arranging the longitudinal folding position when individually packaging the sanitary napkin 1 at the position where the notches 26 are provided, the folding wrinkles during individual packaging may be reduced.

[0061] 〔Second Embodiment Example〕 Next, the sanitary napkin 1A according to the second embodiment example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. For the same configurations as those in the first embodiment example above, the same reference numerals are given in the drawings and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0062] In the sanitary napkin 1A according to the second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, on the front and rear portions of the wing-shaped flap portion W, from the outer edges of the flap portion F respectively, they extend toward the absorber 4 side and also extend in a direction of connecting to each other, and a continuous linear breakable portion 20A is provided in a shape where at least the outer portion in the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W can be cut. The breakable portion 20A extends from the side edge of the side flap portion SF toward the absorber 4 side, and at its tip portion, it bends substantially in a U shape and extends toward the outer side in the width direction, and is connected to an edge extending in the same manner from the opposite side in the front-rear direction at the base end portion of the wing-shaped flap portion W. After bending substantially in a U shape, a flap portion bulging portion 22 is formed by the portion extending toward the outer side in the width direction.

[0063] One breakable portion 20A is provided for each of the left and right flap portions F, and both of its end edges are connected to the outer edge of the flap portion F. Therefore, by breaking at the breakable portion 20A, the portion outside the breakable portion 20A can be separated from the portion inside the breakable portion 20A and removed from the main body portion of the sanitary napkin 1A.

[0064] In the sanitary napkin 1A according to the second exemplary embodiment, there are a first wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion W is folded back along the fold line R1 (see FIG. 9) at the base end portion and worn on underwear, and as shown in FIG. 10, a second wearing form in which it is broken at the breakable portion 20A and at least the outer portion in the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W is cut off and removed and then worn on underwear can be selectively adopted. For this reason, the product width can be appropriately adjusted according to the body shape and worn, and thereby, a decrease in fitness due to differences in body shape can be suppressed and the occurrence of leakage can be eliminated.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the second wearing mode, the flap portion bulging portion 22 can be raised like a three-dimensional gather for wearing. At this time, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, absorber bulging portions 23 in which the side edges of the absorber 4 bulge outward in the width direction may be formed on both sides of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion H of the wearer.

[0066] As a modification of the sanitary napkin 1A according to the second exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a second wing adhesive layer 27 is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 2 at the portion where the flap portion bulging portion 22 is to be formed. In the second wearing mode, as shown in FIG. 12, after breaking at the breakable portion 20A, cutting at least the outer portion in the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W and wearing it on the underwear, as shown in FIG. 13, the flap portion bulging portion 22 may be folded back so as to enclose the crotch portion of the underwear along the fold line R2 at the base end, and the second wing adhesive layer 27 may be fixed to the outer surface of the crotch portion of the underwear. That is, in this exemplary embodiment, by breaking at the breakable portion 20 and removing at least the outer portion in the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W, inside the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W, a wing-shaped flap portion (flap portion bulging portion 22) smaller than the wing-shaped flap portion W is formed with the folding position being inside the width direction from the folding position of the base end portion of the wing-shaped flap portion W. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, even when worn on relatively narrow underwear such as for children, the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion H of the wearer can be firmly fixed to the underwear.

[0067] 〔Other exemplary embodiments〕 (1) In the above first embodiment, the breakable portion 20 and the second breakable portion 21 were provided. However, as shown in FIG. 14, it is also possible that only the breakable portion 20 is provided and the second breakable portion 21 is not provided. In this case, in the second wearing form, by breaking at the breakable portion 20 and folding back the wing-shaped flap portion W along the fold line R2 extending in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1 that connects the edges of the front and rear breakable portions 20, it can be folded back at a position inside the width direction from the base end portion of the wing-shaped flap portion W and attached to the underwear.

[0068] (2) In the above second embodiment, the breakable portion 20A was provided in a shape such that, by breaking, a flap portion bulging portion 22 bulging outward in the width direction was formed inside the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion W. However, as shown in FIG. 15, from the outer edges of the flap portions F at the front and rear portions of the wing-shaped flap portion W, they extend toward the absorber 4 side, and at a position inside the width direction thereof, they extend in a substantially straight line along the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1A or in a curved shape bulging inward in the width direction, and may be formed in a shape that connects to each other. Thereby, in the second wearing form, by breaking at this breakable portion 20A, the wing-shaped flap portion W is cut off, and both side portions of the region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion H of the wearer are formed by a substantially straight line or a curve bulging inward in the width direction toward the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1A, so that it can be worn substantially in line with the side edges of the crotch portion of the underwear.

[0069] (3) In the above embodiment, the wing-shaped flap portion W is provided substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the sanitary napkin 1·1A, and the front portion in front of the wing-shaped flap portion W and the rear portion behind the wing-shaped flap portion W are formed to have substantially the same length in the front-rear direction. However, it can be similarly applied to a sanitary napkin in which the rear portion is formed longer than the front portion, and it can also be similarly applied to a sanitary napkin in which a hip-holding flap portion is formed in the rear portion.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1·1A... Sanitary napkin, 2... Back sheet, 3... Top sheet, 4... Absorbent body, 5... Wrapping sheet, 7... Side sheet, 10... Wing adhesive layer, 20·20A... Easily breakable part, 21... Second easily breakable part, 22... Flap bulging part, 23... Absorbent body bulging part, 24... Region provided with means for facilitating lifting, 25... Embossed part, 26... Notch part, 27... Second wing adhesive layer

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorber, a flap portion extending outward from the outer edge of the absorber, and a pair of left and right wing-shaped flap portions fixed on both sides of a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer of the flap portion so as to entangle the crotch portion of the underwear during wearing, Fragile portions are provided on the front and rear of the wing-shaped flap portion, respectively, extending from the outer edge of the flap portion toward the absorber side, A first wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion is folded back at the base end portion and worn on the underwear, and a second wearing form in which the wing-shaped flap portion is broken at the fragile portion and folded back at a position inside the width direction from the base end portion and worn on the underwear are selectable. An absorbent article characterized by that.

2. A second fragile portion is provided which can form a flap portion bulging portion bulging outward in the width direction inside the width direction of the wing-shaped flap portion by breaking, In the second wearing form, by breaking at the fragile portion and the second fragile portion and folding back the wing-shaped flap portion, the flap portion bulging portions are formed on both sides of a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article is formed.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein an embossed portion recessing the non-skin side surface of the absorber or a low basis weight portion of the absorber is provided along the base end portion of the flap portion bulging portion.

4. Side sheets are respectively arranged on both sides of the skin contact surface side, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the base end portion of the flap portion bulging portion is arranged along the inner end in the width direction of the side sheet.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein an embossed portion is provided along the second fragile portion at a position adjacent to the second fragile portion.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein notch portions are provided on both sides of the absorber corresponding to the ends of the fragile portion and the second fragile portion.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein absorber bulging portions are provided on both sides of a region corresponding to the body fluid discharge portion of the wearer, with the side edges of the absorber bulging outward in the width direction.

Images