absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of inhibiting urine leakage.SOLUTION: An absorbent article has a length along a longitudinal direction, and a breadth along a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article comprises an absorber that has a pair of grooves extended in the longitudinal direction, and a first stretchable part that has a first stretchable member arranged in an extended state on the width-direction outsides of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves and that is expanded / contracted in the width direction. The pair of grooves is arranged on a crotch side with respect to a region corresponding to the male sex organ. A distance between the center lines of the respective grooves can also be in the range of 20-50 nm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence pads, and sanitary products are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-175885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some absorbent articles have grooves in the absorbent body that extend from the abdomen, through the crotch area, and toward the back when worn by a wearer. Absorbent articles with such a structure can distribute urine excreted by the wearer throughout the absorbent body by channeling it into the grooves. However, depending on the wearer's posture and the direction of urination, it may be impossible to introduce urine into the grooves. If urine cannot be introduced into the grooves, the absorbent body as a whole will not be able to absorb and retain it, which may result in urine leakage.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of suppressing urine leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, a pair of longitudinally extending grooves are positioned on the crotch side of the male genitalia corresponding area, and a first stretchable portion is provided on the widthwise outer side of the abdominal end of the pair of grooves.

[0007] In detail, the present invention relates to an absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a width along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and comprising an absorbent body having a pair of grooves extending in the longitudinal direction, and a first stretchable portion having a first stretchable member arranged in a stretched state on the outer side of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves in the width direction, and stretching in the width direction, wherein the pair of grooves are arranged on the crotch side of the area corresponding to the male genitalia, and the distance between the center lines of each of the grooves is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

[0008] The absorbent article may be for infants and young children whose weight is in the range of 5 kg to 13 kg, and whose length from the longitudinal center to the ventral end of the pair of grooves is in the range of 90 mm to 100 mm when the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other.

[0009] The absorbent article may be for infants and young children whose weight is in the range of 8 kg to 15 kg, and whose length from the longitudinal center to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves is in the range of 85 mm to 95 mm when the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other.

[0010] The absorbent article may be for infants and young children whose weight is in the range of 11 kg to 23 kg, and whose length from the longitudinal center to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves is in the range of 110 mm to 120 mm when the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other.

[0011] The absorbent article may be for infants and young children whose weight is in the range of 12 kg to 29 kg, and whose length from the longitudinal center to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves is in the range of 100 mm to 110 mm when the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other.

[0012] The male genitalia corresponding region may be the ventral adjacent portion of the absorbent article.

[0013] The stretchable member may not be disposed in the area corresponding to the male genitalia.

[0014] The first stretchable portions may be formed on both sides in the width direction of the male genitalia corresponding region, and on the outer side in the width direction of the extension lines of the ventral sides of the pair of grooves.

[0015] The length of the male genitalia corresponding area in the longitudinal direction may be 50 mm, and the first stretchable portion may have a greater stretching force on the outer side of the width direction of the male genitalia corresponding area than on the outer side of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves in the width direction.

[0016] The absorbent article is provided on the ventral side of the male genital area, and has a waist opening where the waist of the wearer is placed, and a stretchable material stretchable along at least a part of the waist opening. long The waist opening may also include a second stretchable section having a second stretchable member arranged in a stretched state, which stretches and contracts the waist opening.

[0017] The absorbent article comprises an outer layer sheet that forms the outer surface of the absorbent article, and when the absorbent article is viewed in a plane, the ventral end of the absorbent body is located inside the longitudinal end of the outer layer sheet, and a portion of the second stretchable portion may overlap the absorbent body. 11. The absorbent article of claim 10.

[0018] The widthwise length of the overlapping portion of the absorbent body that overlaps with the second stretchable portion may be shorter than the widthwise length of the portion of the absorbent body on the crotch side of the overlapping portion.

[0019] When the absorbent article is viewed in plan, the ends of the first stretchable members in the width direction may overlap the absorbent body and be directly or indirectly bonded to the absorbent body.

[0020] The pair of grooves may penetrate the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

[0021] The pair of grooves may be formed so as to become gradually shallower toward both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] The absorbent body may have another groove formed between the pair of grooves and extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] The pair of grooves may be located on the crotch side of the anus corresponding region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, urine leakage can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the diaper according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the absorbent core when only the absorbent core is extracted from the diaper according to the first modified embodiment and cut at a cross section including the groove. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a diaper according to the second modification of the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following describes embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following aspects.

[0027] <Embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper") according to an embodiment. Terms relating to directions used in this application refer to directions that correspond to the front, back, left, and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "worn state"). For example, when referring to left and right directions in this application, this refers to directions that correspond to the left and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn.

[0028] In this embodiment, as an example of an absorbent article, a pants-type disposable diaper having a tubular structure having an opening for receiving the wearer's abdominal circumference and a pair of left and right openings through which the wearer's left and right lower limbs are inserted is exemplified, but the "absorbent article" referred to in this application is not limited to pants-type disposable diapers. The "absorbent article" referred to in this application includes various types of absorbent articles that can encase the abdominal circumference and crotch area, such as a tape-type disposable diaper in which a tubular structure is formed by attaching a tape fixed near one end of a sheet-like member that covers the wearer's crotch area (genitals) from the front to the back, to the other end of the sheet-like member.

[0029] In addition, the direction connecting the front body and the back body of the diaper 1 when worn is defined as the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side when worn) is defined as the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side (the outer side when worn) is defined as the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. Additionally, the view from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view.

[0030] The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which corresponds to the crotch region covering the wearer's crotch area (genitals) when worn; a front body region 1F, which corresponds to the front body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's abdominal side; and a back body region 1R, which corresponds to the back body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's back side. The front body region 1F is located in front of the crotch region 1B, and the back body region 1R is located behind the crotch region 1B. Since the diaper 1 according to this embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper, the left edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the left edge of the rear body region 1R, and the right edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the right edge of the rear body region 1R. Thus, a waist opening 2T is formed in the diaper 1 by the upper edge of the front body region 1F and the upper edge of the back body region 1R. The diaper 1 also has a left leg opening 2L formed in a portion of the left side of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed, and a right leg opening 2R formed in a portion of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed. When the diaper 1 is put on with the wearer's left leg inserted through the left leg opening 2L, the wearer's right leg inserted through the right leg opening 2R, and the wearer's torso inserted into the torso opening 2T, the front body region 1F is positioned toward the wearer's abdomen, the back body region 1R is positioned toward the wearer's back, and the left leg opening 2L and right leg opening 2R are secured to the wearer's body so that they surround the wearer's thighs. Because the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can stand and walk while wearing the diaper 1.

[0031] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body that can absorb and retain liquid, mainly located near the crotch region 1B. To prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid outflow path, the diaper 1 also has a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the left lower leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's left lower leg, a three-dimensional gather 3BR at the right lower leg opening 2R surrounding the thigh of the wearer's right lower leg, and a waist gather 3R (an example of the "second stretchable portion" in this application) at a portion surrounding the wearer's abdominal circumference. Furthermore, a tummy gather 3T (an example of the "first stretchable portion" in this application) is formed on the crotch region 1B side of the waist gather 3R. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR, waist gather 3R, and tummy gather The elasticity of the elastic member allows the diaper to adhere closely to the wearer's skin. Therefore, excrement discharged from the wearer's genitals is absorbed into the absorbent body of the diaper 1 with almost no leakage from the diaper 1. The elastic member may be selected from thread-like or strip-like rubber, and in this embodiment, thread-like rubber is used.

[0032] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the diaper 1 according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. Fig. 3(A) shows a schematic view of the internal structure of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the left side. Fig. 3(B) shows a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state.

[0033] The diaper 1 comprises cover sheets 4F and 4R that form the outer surface of the diaper 1 when worn, and a pad cover sheet 6 (an example of the "outer layer sheet" in this application). The cover sheet 4F mainly forms the outer surface of the front body region 1F of the diaper 1. The pad cover sheet 6 mainly forms the outer surface of the crotch region 1B of the diaper 1. The cover sheet 4R mainly forms the outer surface of the back body region 1R of the diaper 1. The cover sheets 4F and 4R and the pad cover sheet 6 are provided to reinforce the outer surface of the diaper 1 and improve the feel. For example, to prevent leakage of excrement, nonwoven fabrics made of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins can be used as their materials. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The liquid-impermeable sheets may have numerous fine pores of about 0.1 to several μm in size to achieve liquid impermeability and moisture permeability. The cover sheets 4F, 4R may have a plurality of holes formed in part or all over the cover sheets 4F, 4R in order to improve the breathability around the waist.

[0034] The diaper 1 also has an inner coversheet 5F laminated on the skin-facing side of the coversheet 4F, and an inner coversheet 5R laminated on the skin-facing side of the coversheet 4F. The inner coversheet 5F is a sheet-like member having a shape that matches the portion of the coversheet 4F that is closer to the crotch region 1B than a perforation 4F6 (described later). Like the inner coversheet 5F, the inner coversheet 5R is also a sheet-like member having a shape that matches the portion of the inner coversheet 5R that is closer to the crotch region 1B than a perforation 4R6 (described later).

[0035] The diaper 1 also has a backsheet 7, an absorbent body 8, and a topsheet 9, which are layered in this order on the skin-facing side of the pad coversheet 6. The pad coversheet 6 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped sheet that has a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the wearer's front body to the back body via the crotch area and a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The backsheet 7, absorbent body 8, and topsheet 9 are all sheet-like members that have a roughly rectangular appearance, like the pad coversheet 6, and are layered in this order on the pad coversheet 6 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the pad coversheet 6. The longitudinal directions of the pad coversheet 6, backsheet 7, absorbent body 8, and topsheet 9 coincide with the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1, and the width directions of the pad coversheet 6, backsheet 7, absorbent body 8, and topsheet 9 coincide with the width direction of the diaper 1.

[0036] The backsheet 7 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of excrement. The topsheet 9 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the wearer's skin side so as to cover the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent body 8. The topsheet 9 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the topsheet 9, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and penetrates into the absorbent body 8, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. The topsheet 9 may also be hydrophilic.

[0037] The absorbent body 8 is made of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers. The absorbent body 8 has a structure in which granular absorbent resin, such as a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linked structure capable of absorbing and retaining water, is held in the gaps between short fibers of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been hydrophilized. Thus, when the absorbent body 8 absorbs liquid excreted by the wearer, the absorbent resin held in the gaps between the short fibers swells, retaining the liquid within the short fibers. The absorbent body 8 may have a single-layer structure consisting of a single mat, or a laminated structure in which multiple mats are stacked. The absorbent body 8 may have any suitable shape depending on the purpose. Examples of the shape of the absorbent body 8 include a rectangular shape, an hourglass shape with a narrowed center, and various other shapes.

[0038] The back sheet 7, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the wearer's genitals (below the crotch) are covered with the pad cover sheet 6, on which the back sheet 7, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are laminated, both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 7, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are located on the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides. In other words, the wearer's genitals are covered by the absorbent body 8 from the wearer's ventral to dorsal sides. Therefore, whether the wearer is in a ventral or dorsal position when excreting fluid, the excreted fluid comes into contact with the absorbent body 8 via the top sheet 9.

[0039] The diaper 1 also has long, strip-like side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the above-mentioned upright gathers 3BL, 3BR. The side sheets 10L, 10R are provided on the long sides of the top sheet 9. Elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 are adhered to the side sheets 10L, 10R along the longitudinal direction. Thus, in the completed diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1, the side sheets 10L, 10R are joined together at an edge 4F7 of the cover sheet 4F forming the left edge of the front body region 1F and an edge 4R7 of the cover sheet 4R forming the left edge of the back body region 1R, and at an edge 4F8 of the cover sheet 4F forming the right edge of the front body region 1F and an edge 4R8 of the cover sheet 4R forming the right edge of the back body region 1R, so that the side sheets 10L, 10R are pulled longitudinally by the contractile force of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 and rise from the top sheet 9 along the fold lines 10L2, 10R2, forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR that prevent fluid from leaking from the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R. The method for joining edge 4F7 of cover sheet 4F and edge 4R7 of cover sheet 4R, and edge 4F8 of cover sheet 4F and edge 4R8 of cover sheet 4R is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, heat sealing, high-frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.

[0040] The diaper 1 also includes an air passage-forming sheet 11F laminated on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4F, with the pad cover sheet 6, back sheet 7, absorbent core 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L and 10R sandwiched therebetween, and an air passage-forming sheet 11R laminated on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4R. The air passage-forming sheet 11F is laminated on the cover sheet 4F at one longitudinal end of the top sheet 9. The air passage-forming sheet 11R is laminated on the cover sheet 4R at the other longitudinal end of the top sheet 9. In the present application, the term "sheet overlap" does not necessarily mean that the overlapping sheets are in full contact with each other, but also encompasses a state in which only portions of the sheets overlap. For example, the air passage-forming sheet 11F is laminated such that a portion of one longitudinal end of the pad cover sheet 6 touches a portion of the cover sheet 4F.

[0041] The air passage forming sheet 11F has a large number of minute ventilation holes 11F1 arranged in an area extending in the left-right direction along the upper edge of the front body region 1F. The air passage forming sheet 11R also has a large number of ventilation holes 11R1 arranged therein, similar to the air passage forming sheet 11F. Here, the ventilation hole means an opening that connects the space on one side of the sheet with the space on the other side, and its shape is not particularly limited. Therefore, the ventilation holes 11F1, 11R1 may be, for example: Openings of circular, elliptical, polygonal (triangle, square, etc.) shapes, etc., can be applied. The formation of the ventilation holes 11F1, 11R1 in the ventilation path-forming sheets 11F, 11R does not mean that the ventilation path-forming sheets 11F, 11R are made of a material that is not breathable, and the ventilation path-forming sheets 11F, 11R may be made of a material that is either breathable or not breathable. The ventilation path-forming sheets 11F, 11R are preferably made of a material that is breathable and liquid-permeable, but may also be made of, for example, a non-breathable material. The size and number of the ventilation holes 11F1, 11R1 are not particularly limited, but for example, an opening area of 0.5 to 10 mm 2 It is preferable that about 5 to 200 holes are formed.

[0042] As described above, the diaper 1 is formed by stacking the back sheet 7 and top sheet 9 sandwiching the absorbent body 8 therebetween, as well as the cover sheets 4F, 4R, the air passage forming sheets 11F, 11R, the pad cover sheet 6, and the side sheets 10L, 10R, and can therefore be said to have a laminate formed by stacking these multiple sheets.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, one end of the cover sheet 4F is folded back at the perforation 4F6. The perforation 4F6 is a dotted line of ventilation holes formed by small linear slits in the cover sheet 4F along the edge of the waist opening 2T. The dotted ventilation holes forming the perforation 4F6 are sized to prevent a wearer's fingers from entering. For example, ventilation holes formed by slits 5 mm or less in length are not suitable for the fingers of an average infant. The perforations 4F6 are spaced a predetermined distance apart to prevent the cover sheet 4F from tearing at the perforation 4F6 during normal use of the diaper 1. Depending on the strength of the material constituting the cover sheet 4F, a basis weight of 8 to 50 g / m2 is recommended to ensure the required stretchability and comfort around the waist. 2 For a sheet of this size, the distance between the cuts is preferably 2 mm or more.

[0044] The waist gather 3R is formed by stretching the elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3 (an example of the "second stretchable member" in the present application) relative to the cover sheet 4F. long The rubber threads 4R2 and 4R3 are bonded together in a stretched state relative to the cover sheet 4R. longThe elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3 are bonded to the cover sheet 4F in this state. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3 are bonded along the perforation 4F6, which will form the upper edge of the front body region 1F when folded back, in the order of elastic thread 4F2, elastic thread 4F3, from the perforation 4F6 side. Similarly to the elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3, the elastic threads 4R2 and 4R3 are bonded to the cover sheet 4R in this order, from the perforation 4R6 side, along the perforation 4R6, which will form the upper edge of the back body region 1R when folded back. Therefore, the elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3 are bonded to the cover sheet 4F so that the waist circumference direction, which is the stretch direction, coincides with the width direction (left-right direction) of the diaper 1. The elastic threads 4R2 and 4R3 are bonded to the cover sheet 4R so that the longitudinal direction, which is the stretch direction, coincides with the width direction (left-right direction) of the diaper 1. Therefore, when the edges 4F7 and 4R7 (see FIG. 2) are joined together and the edges 4F8 and 4R8 (see FIG. 2) are joined together, the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3 and 4R2, 4R3 form a substantially annular stretchable member that runs around the waist opening 2T and functions to contract the waist opening 2T in the waist-circumference direction. That is, the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3 and 4R2, 4R3 exert a contractile force to fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer and prevent the formation of a gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdominal circumference. The rubber threads 4F2, 4F3 and 4R2, 4R3 are discretely bonded to the cover sheets 4F, 4R by adhesive that is discretely applied in the longitudinal direction of the rubber threads. The adhesive that joins the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3, 4R2, and 4R3 to the cover sheets 4F and 4R may be applied to the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3, 4R2, and 4R3, or may be applied to the cover sheets 4F and 4R. The rubber threads 4F2, 4F3, 4R2, and 4R3 may be joined to the cover sheets 4F and 4R by ultrasonic welding instead of using an adhesive. Since the length of the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3, 4R2, and 4R3 is such that the wearer's fingers do not pass through the slits of the perforations 4F6, the rubber threads will not break when the wearer's fingertips come into contact with the rubber threads 4F2, 4F3, etc.

[0045] Furthermore, the cover sheet 4F is provided with elastic threads 4F4 and 4F5 (an example of the "first elastic member" in the present application). longThe cover sheet 4R is bonded in a stretched state, and the rubber threads 4R4 and 4R5 are stretched. long The elastic threads 4F4 and 4F5 are bonded in a state that they are tighter than the elastic thread 4F3 of the cover sheet 4F. The elastic member is provided in the region on the crotch region 1B side. The diaper 1 has tummy gathers 3T formed by elastic threads 4F4, 4F5, 4R4, and 4R5 on the crotch region 1B side of the waist gathers 3R. Unlike the elastic threads 4F2 and 4F3, which extend from the left end to the right end of the cover sheet 4F, the elastic threads 4F4 and 4F5 have their widthwise central portions cut by a predetermined width. The cover sheet 4F has the elastic threads 4F4 and 4F5 cut at their widthwise central portions, which allows the absorbent body 8 to expand upon absorption of water without being hindered, and provides a comfortable fit to the wearer's lower abdomen. The cover sheet 4R is similar to the cover sheet 4F, and the elastic threads 4R4 and 4R5, which have their widthwise central portions cut by a predetermined width and are bonded to the cover sheet 4R, provide a comfortable fit to the wearer's lower abdomen.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent body 8 has a pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR extending in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR penetrates the absorbent body 8 in the thickness direction and extends centered around the crotch region 1B. The grooves 8SL, 8SR have the same length and width and are located at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The grooves 8SL, 8SR are located symmetrically with respect to the center of the diaper 1 in the width direction and are formed parallel to each other. Urine excreted by the wearer is introduced into the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR and dispersed throughout the absorbent body 8.

[0047] The elastic threads 4F4, 4F5 are arranged in a stretched state on the outer side of the end (belly end) of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR on the front body region 1F side of the diaper 1 in the width direction of the diaper 1. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment is suitable for men, and particularly for male infants. When the wearer is a male, the region 20 shown by the elliptical dotted line in FIG. 3 corresponds to the male genitalia of the wearer (hereinafter referred to as the "male genitalia corresponding region 20"). The male genitalia corresponding region 20 is an area that overlaps in the thickness direction with the position where the wearer's male genitalia abuts on the top sheet 9 when the diaper 1 is normally worn. The male genitalia corresponding region 20 is arranged on the front body region 1F side of the diaper 1, and the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR are arranged closer to the crotch region 1B than the male genitalia corresponding region 20. The male genitalia corresponding region 20 is adjacent to the abdominal side of the diaper 1. Here, the abdominal portion is the front body region 1F side of the waist gathers 3R, and is the region where the elastic threads 4F2, 4F3 are arranged. In other words, the male genitalia corresponding region 20 is adjacent to the waist gathers 3R on the front body region 1F side.

[0048] When the diaper 1 is worn, the rubber threads 4F5 press the diaper 1 toward the skin on the outer side of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR in the width direction, while the area between the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is not pressed toward the skin on the outer side, forming a space between the top sheet 9 and the skin. This is because the force of the rubber threads 4F5 pulling the diaper 1 outward in the width direction between the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is inhibited by the grooves 8SL, 8SR, and the area between the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is more likely to separate from the skin on the outer side than the area between the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR in the width direction. When worn, the diaper 1 is oriented so that the male genitalia faces the crotch region 1B, and by containing the male genitalia in this space, the diaper 1 can be kept facing the crotch region 1B when worn.

[0049] When the wearer is an infant, the male genitalia is short, making it difficult for the male genitalia to be oriented in a constant direction within the diaper. If the wearer urinates with the male genitalia facing the width direction of the diaper or toward the abdominal side, side leakage (urine leaking from the sides) or abdominal leakage (urine leaking from the abdominal side) is likely to occur. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment accommodates the male genitalia within the space, so that the male genitalia can be kept facing the crotch region 1B when worn, and therefore the wearer's urination direction can be kept constant. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment can thus prevent urine leakage from the sides and abdomen by maintaining the urinary orientation in the crotch region 1B.

[0050] In FIG. 3, the dashed-dotted line CL indicates the center line of the groove 8SL, and the dashed-dotted line CR indicates the center line of the groove 8SR. The distance between the center lines of the grooves 8SL and 8SR is W. Taking into consideration the size of an infant's male genitalia, the distance W is set to 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less so as to provide a space to accommodate the male genitalia when the diaper is worn. This provides a space that corresponds to the size of the infant's male genitalia. Furthermore, because the grooves 8SL and 8SR are located closer to the crotch region 1B than the male genitalia-accommodating region 20, the grooves 8SL and 8SR are less likely to come into contact with the male genitalia even through the top sheet 9. This prevents the grooves 8SL and 8SR from irritating the male genitalia and preventing skin problems associated with the male genitalia.

[0051] Preferably, the ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR on the front body region 1F side are closer to the crotch region 1B than the male genitalia corresponding region 20, and the ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR on the back body region 1R side are closer to the crotch region 1B than the anus corresponding region 30 corresponding to the wearer's anus as shown in Figure 3. The anus corresponding region 30 is an area that overlaps in the thickness direction with the position where the wearer's anus abuts on the top sheet 9 when the diaper 1 is normally worn. The grooves 8SL, 8SR in the diaper 1 prevent irritation to the male genitalia and anus, thereby preventing skin problems around the male genitalia and anus.

[0052] Here, we will specify the length from the longitudinal center to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR when the diaper 1 is folded in half with its longitudinal ends overlapping. The two-dot chain line FL in Figure 3 is the fold line when the diaper 1 is folded in half with its longitudinal ends overlapping, and represents the longitudinal center of the diaper 1. When the diaper 1 is folded in half along the two-dot chain line FL, if the length (L1 in Figure 3) from the longitudinal center of the diaper 1 (two-dot chain line FL) to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is within the range of 90 mm to 100 mm, the diaper 1 is suitable for babies weighing 5 kg to 13 kg. Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is folded in half along the two-dot chain line FL, if the length (L1) from the longitudinal center of the diaper 1 (two-dot chain line FL) to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is within the range of 85 mm to 95 mm, the diaper 1 is suitable for babies weighing between 8 kg and 15 kg. Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is folded in half along the two-dot chain line FL, if the length (L1) from the longitudinal center of the diaper 1 (two-dot chain line FL) to the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is within the range of 110 mm to 120 mm, the diaper 1 is suitable for babies weighing between 11 kg and 23 kg. Furthermore, when the diaper 1 is folded in half along the two-dotted line FL, if the length (L1) from the longitudinal center of the diaper 1 (the two-dotted line FL) to the ventral end of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR is within the range of 100 mm or more and 110 mm or less, the diaper 1 is suitable for infants weighing 12 kg or more and 29 kg or less.

[0053] It is desirable that no stretchable material (elastic material) such as rubber thread is disposed in the male genitalia corresponding region 20. By not disposing a stretchable material in the male genitalia corresponding region 20, it is possible to prevent the formation of a space for accommodating the male genitalia from being obstructed. Furthermore, by not disposing a stretchable material in the male genitalia corresponding region 20, it is possible to prevent the male genitalia from being pressed against the skin by the diaper 1. This is to prevent the male genitalia from being pressed against the skin, which would otherwise cause the male genitalia to point in an unexpected direction other than the crotch region 1B. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment prevents the male genitalia from pointing in an unexpected direction, thereby preventing urination from going in an unexpected direction and suppressing urine leakage.

[0054] The space for accommodating the male genitalia is formed by the diaper 1 expanding in a dome shape toward the non-skin-facing side from an imaginary rising line L3, which is shown as a rectangle with a thick dotted line in Figure 3. The position of the rising line L3 will be described below.

[0055] The tummy gathers 3T are formed on both widthwise sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20, and are located widthwise outward of an extension of the ventral side (front body region 1F side) of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR. The tummy gathers 3T on the front body region 1F side are the area where the elastic threads 4F4, 4F5 are located, and the elastic threads 4F4, 4F5 are located on both widthwise sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20, and are located widthwise outward of an extension of the ventral side (front body region 1F side) of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR. When the diaper 1 is worn, it is necessary to form a space that can accommodate the male genitalia, including at least the male genitalia corresponding region 20. However, if this space is too wide, it will not be possible to hold the male genitalia facing toward the crotch region 1B. Therefore, it is necessary to form a space large enough to exert a holding force sufficient to hold the male genitalia. Therefore, in this embodiment, instead of pressing the male genitalia corresponding area 20 toward the skin, the widthwise end of the tummy gathers 3T is pressed toward the skin by the contractile force of the elastic threads 4F4, 4F5, at a position outside the extension line of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR in the widthwise direction, so that the widthwise end of the standing line L3 is defined as the widthwise end of the tummy gathers 3T. This allows the diaper 1 to create a space that envelops the male genitalia, while preventing this space from expanding more than necessary in the widthwise direction, making it possible to continue to hold the male genitalia in a fixed direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the length of the male genitalia corresponding region 20 in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 (L2 in Fig. 3) is preferably 50 mm, taking into consideration the size of an infant's male genitalia. As shown in Fig. 3, the elastic threads 4F4, 4F5 arranged on the outer sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20 in the width direction are arranged at shorter intervals than the elastic threads 4F5 arranged on the outer sides of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR in the width direction. Therefore, the tummy gathers 3T have a greater stretch force on the outer sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20 in the width direction than on the outer sides of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR in the width direction. This is because the ventral ends of the grooves 8SL, 8SR define the standing line L3 on the crotch region 1B side of the space, and therefore, the diaper 1 needs to be pressed against the skin with sufficient force at the widthwise outer sides of the grooves 8SL, 8SR, but if the widthwise outer sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20 have the same or weaker elasticity as the widthwise outer sides of the grooves 8SL, 8SR, the space will expand in the widthwise direction, making it impossible to maintain a space large enough to accommodate and hold the male genitalia. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, by making the widthwise outer sides of the male genitalia corresponding region 20 in the tummy gathers 3T more elastic than the widthwise outer sides of the ventral ends of the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR, the space will not expand too much, and the space to accommodate the male genitalia can be maintained appropriately.

[0057] Additionally, waist gathers 3R are provided on the ventral side of the male genitalia-accommodating region 20. The waist gathers 3R press the diaper 1 in the skin-facing direction, thereby defining the ventral standing line L3 of the space for accommodating the male genitalia. That is, the crotch region 1B side of the waist gathers 3R (the elastic thread 4F3 on the crotch region 1B side) defines the ventral standing line L3 of the space. The waist gathers 3R of the diaper 1 according to this embodiment prevent the space from becoming too wide on the ventral side, thereby appropriately maintaining the space for accommodating the male genitalia.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, in a plan view of the diaper 1, the longitudinal end of the absorber 8 is located inside the ventral end (the end on the front body region 1F side) of the pad cover sheet 6, and a portion of the elastic thread 4F3 forming the waist gathers 3R overlaps the absorber 8. This allows the diaper 1 to define the ventral upright line L3 of the space not as the ventral end of the pad cover sheet 6 or the absorber 8, but as the ventral upright line L3 of the space, but as the end of the waist gathers 3R on the crotch region 1B side. The space for accommodating the male genitalia in this embodiment is not a space designed to prevent the male genitalia from being pressed against the skin, but as a space designed to hold the male genitalia facing in a fixed direction (toward the crotch region 1B). If the ventral upright line of the space is not established, the space will expand more than necessary, making it impossible to form a space that can hold the male genitalia in a fixed orientation. On the other hand, if the abdominal end of the pad cover sheet 6 or the absorbent body 8 is made into a physical standing line in the space, this physical standing line will come into contact with the male genitalia, and problems such as skin troubles of the male genitalia will be prevented. In contrast, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment defines the crotch region 1B side of the waist gathers 3R as the virtual erection line L3 on the ventral side of the space, thereby forming a space that keeps the male genitalia in a fixed orientation and preventing problems such as skin troubles of the male genitalia that may occur when the physical erection line abuts against the male genitalia.

[0059] Furthermore, the widthwise length of the overlapping portion 8A of the absorbent body 8 that overlaps with the waist gathers 3R is shorter than the widthwise length of a portion 8B on the crotch side of the overlapping portion 8A. Here, the overlapping portion 8A is the portion in the absorbent body 8 that overlaps with the elastic thread 4F3, and the crotch side portion 8B is the portion closer to the crotch region 1B than the overlapping portion 8A. By employing an absorbent body 8 having such a shape, the widthwise ends of the overlapping portion 8A shrink inward in the widthwise direction, making it easier to form a space to accommodate the male genitalia.

[0060] 3, in a plan view of the diaper 1, the widthwise ends of the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 overlap the absorbent body 8 and are directly or indirectly bonded to the absorbent body 8. Here, "directly bonded" means that the end is directly joined to the absorbent body 8, and "indirectly bonded" means that the end is joined to the absorbent body 8 via the inner cover sheet 5F, the pad cover sheet 6, and the back sheet 7. In this embodiment, the end is indirectly bonded to the absorbent body 8. If the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 were provided widthwise outward of the absorbent body 8 and were not directly or indirectly bonded to the absorbent body 8, the stretching force of the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 would be exerted widthwise outward of the absorbent body 8, and this contractile force would not contribute to forming a space to accommodate the male genitalia. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the ends of the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 are indirectly bonded to the absorbent body 8, allowing the elastic force of the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 to contribute to space formation. Note that the elastic force of the rubber threads 4F4, 4F5 is exerted when the diaper 1 is worn because the tummy gathers 3T are pulled outward in the width direction more than when the diaper 1 is not worn.

[0061] <Variation 1> Next, a diaper 1 according to a first modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the absorber 8 of the diaper 1 according to this modification, taken along a cross section including the grooves 8SL. In this modification, the grooves 8SL may be formed so that they gradually become shallower toward both longitudinal ends. Such grooves 8SL are formed when the absorber 8 is formed using a forming drum. The grooves 8SR also have a similar shape to the grooves 8SL. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, by forming the pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR so that their longitudinal ends become shallower, the flow rate of urine flowing out of the longitudinal ends of the grooves 8SL, 8SR can be slowed, thereby preventing urine leakage caused by urine flowing out of the grooves 8SL, 8SR at a high flow rate. Furthermore, the diaper 1 according to this modification can reduce the contact of the grooves 8SL, 8SR with the male genitalia, even if the longitudinal ends of the grooves 8SL, 8SR accidentally come into contact with the male genitalia.

[0062] <Variation 2> Next, a diaper 1 according to a second modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the diaper 1 according to this modification in an unfolded and stretched state. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the absorber 8 has a groove 8SM (an example of the "another groove" referred to herein) formed between a pair of grooves 8SL, 8SR and extending in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The groove 8SM is formed parallel to the grooves 8SL, 8SR, has the same shape and length as the grooves 8SL, 8SR, and is positioned in the same longitudinal direction as the grooves 8SL, 8SR. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the presence of the groove 8SM in the absorber 8 makes it easier for the absorber 8 to bend along the groove 8SM, which makes it easier to form a space to accommodate the male genitalia when the diaper 1 is worn.

[0063] <Other embodiments> Next, other embodiments will be described. In the diaper 1 according to the above embodiment, the grooves 8SL, 8SR penetrate the absorbent body 8 in the thickness direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the grooves 8SL, 8SR may be formed in a concave shape that does not penetrate the absorbent body 8. Furthermore, the groove 8SM in the above-mentioned modification 2 may also be formed in a concave shape that does not penetrate the absorbent body 8.

[0064] Although the grooves 8SL and 8SR are formed to extend linearly in the longitudinal direction, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the grooves 8SL and 8SR may extend so as to curve outward in the width direction at both longitudinal end portions when the diaper 1 is viewed in plan. It is sufficient that the grooves 8SL and 8SR have a longitudinal component. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Diapers 1B...Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back body area 2T··Body opening 2L·Left lower limb opening 2R・Right lower limb opening 3BL, 3BR: 3D gathers 3R Waist Gather 3T··Tummy Gather 4F, 4R Cover Sheet 4F2, 4F3, 4F4, 4F5, 4R2, 4R3, 4R4, 4R5, 10L1, 10R1... Rubber thread 4F6,4R6··Perforation 10L2, 10R2... Folding line 4F7, 4F8, 4R7, 4R8... Edge 5F, 5R··Inner cover sheet 6 Pad cover sheet 7. Back seat 8. Absorber 8SL,8SR,8SM·Groove 9. Top sheet 10L, 10R side seats 11F, 11R: Air passage forming sheet 11F1, 11R1 Ventilation holes 20. Male genital area 30. Anal Corresponding Area FL··Fold line L3...Rise line

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a width along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body having a pair of grooves extending in the longitudinal direction; A first stretchable portion having a first stretchable member arranged in a stretched state on the outer side of the ventral end of the pair of grooves in the width direction and stretching in the width direction; Equipped with The pair of grooves are arranged on the crotch side of the male genital area, and the distance between the center lines of the grooves is 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less, The first stretchable portion has a greater stretching force at the outer side of the male genitalia corresponding region in the width direction than at the outer side of the abdominal end of the pair of grooves in the width direction, When the absorbent article is viewed in a plan view, the end portions of the first stretchable members in the width direction overlap with the absorbent body and are directly or indirectly bonded to the absorbent body. Absorbent articles.

2. When the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other, the length from the longitudinal center to the abdominal ends of the pair of grooves is within a range of 90 mm to 100 mm, and the absorbent article is for infants weighing 5 kg to 13 kg. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. When the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other, the length from the longitudinal center to the abdominal ends of the pair of grooves is within a range of 85 mm to 95 mm, and the absorbent article is for infants weighing within a range of 8 kg to 15 kg. The absorbent article of claim 1.

4. When the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other, the length from the longitudinal center to the abdominal ends of the pair of grooves is within a range of 110 mm to 120 mm, and the absorbent article is for infants weighing within a range of 11 kg to 23 kg. The absorbent article of claim 1.

5. When the absorbent article is folded in half with the longitudinal ends overlapping each other, the length from the longitudinal center to the abdominal ends of the pair of grooves is within a range of 100 mm to 110 mm, and the absorbent article is for infants weighing within a range of 12 kg to 29 kg. The absorbent article of claim 1.

6. The male genital area is the ventral adjacent portion of the absorbent article. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. No stretchable member is arranged in the male genital area. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The first stretchable portion is formed on both sides of the male genitalia corresponding area in the width direction and on the outer side of the extension line of the ventral side of the pair of grooves in the width direction. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The length of the male genital area in the longitudinal direction is 50 mm. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A waist opening is provided on the ventral side of the male genital area and through which the wearer's waist is placed; a second stretchable section having a second stretchable member arranged in a stretched state along at least a portion of the body opening, stretching the body opening; The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:

11. an outer layer sheet that forms the outer surface of the absorbent article; When the absorbent article is viewed from above, The abdominal end of the absorbent body is located inside the longitudinal end of the outer layer sheet, A portion of the second stretchable portion overlaps the absorbent body. The absorbent article of claim 10.

12. a widthwise length of an overlapping portion of the absorbent body that overlaps with the second stretchable portion is shorter than a widthwise length of a portion of the absorbent body that is closer to the crotch than the overlapping portion; The absorbent article according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The pair of grooves penetrate the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The pair of grooves are formed so as to become gradually shallower toward both ends in the longitudinal direction.

14. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The absorbent body has another groove formed between the pair of grooves and extending in the longitudinal direction.

15. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The pair of grooves are arranged on the crotch side of the anus corresponding region.

16. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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