absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of suppressing falling of three-dimensional gathers inward in a width direction.SOLUTION: An absorbent article comprises an absorber, a top sheet, a pair of right and left leakage prevention sheets, an exterior body, and a non-adhesive area where the absorber and the exterior body are not adhered to each other. The leakage prevention sheets have: base end part side pieces; folded parts; free end part side pieces extending outside in a width direction from the folded parts; a base end fixing part where each of both end parts in a longitudinal direction of the base end part side pieces is fixed to the top sheet; free end fixing parts where both end parts in the longitudinal direction of the free end part side pieces are fixed to the base end part side pieces; and a plurality of elastic members adhered to the free end part side pieces in an elongated state, and extending in the longitudinal direction. Regarding distances between the free end fixing parts on both sides in the longitudinal direction, the distance outside in the width direction is longer than the distance inside in the width direction, and among the plurality of elastic members, the elongation rate of the elastic member located outside in the width direction is lower than the elongation rate of the elastic member located inside in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinence pads, and sanitary products have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a diaper with standing gathers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-115459 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Absorbent articles generally have three-dimensional gathers to prevent side leakage of exudates. The three-dimensional gathers rise toward the wearer's skin due to the contraction force of the elastic thread, making contact with the skin and preventing side leakage of exudates. However, if the three-dimensional gathers do not rise toward the skin but collapse inward in the width direction, a gap will form between them and the skin, and exudates may leak through this gap.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of preventing three-dimensional gathers from collapsing inward in the width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides free end fixing parts that fix both longitudinal ends of the free end piece of the leak-barrier sheet to the base end piece.

[0007] In detail, the absorbent article according to the present invention is an absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and includes an absorbent body provided at a position including the crotch area and capable of absorbing liquid discharged by a wearer, a top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a pair of left and right protective layers extending in the longitudinal direction and positioned outside the center in the width direction. Leakage a sheet; an outer body arranged on the side of the absorbent body that faces away from the wearer's skin; and a non-adhesive region in the crotch area where the absorbent body and the outer body are not adhered, the non-adhesive region being provided at least at both end portions in the width direction, wherein the leak-barrier sheet is a water-impermeable sheet arranged on the side of the skin of the top sheet and is joined to the top sheet. a base end side piece attached to the top sheet; a folding portion that folds the base end side piece toward the skin side and outward in the width direction; a free end side piece extending outward in the width direction from the folding portion; a base end fixing portion that fixes each of the longitudinal end ends of the base end side piece to the top sheet; a free end fixing portion that fixes each of the longitudinal end ends of the free end side piece to the base end side piece; and a plurality of elastic members that are adhered to the free end side piece in a stretched state and extend in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of elastic members being arranged at intervals in the width direction, wherein the distance between the free end fixing portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction is longer on the outer side in the width direction than on the inner side in the width direction, and the elongation rate of the elastic member that is arranged on the outer side in the width direction among the plurality of elastic members is lower than the elongation rate of the elastic member that is arranged on the inner side in the width direction.

[0008] In the absorbent article, the stretchable region of the stretchable member arranged most inward in the width direction among the plurality of stretchable members may be shorter than the stretchable region of the stretchable member arranged most outward in the width direction.

[0009] In the absorbent article, the stretch rate of the stretch member arranged most inward in the width direction among the plurality of stretch members is greater than the stretch rate of the stretch member arranged most outward in the width direction, and the stretch member arranged most inward in the width direction is Bent section Fold along the Bent sectionIt may be arranged so as to be in contact with the

[0010] In the above absorbent article, the non-adhesive region may be provided in a region of the crotch portion corresponding to the urethral opening of the wearer.

[0011] In the absorbent article, the adhesive layer is disposed adjacent to the non-adhesive region in the width direction, and the adhesive layer is disposed adjacent to the absorbent body and the outer body in the width direction. Leakage The sheet may have an adhesive portion that is approximately parallel to the rising line on the skin-facing side.

[0012] In the absorbent article, the non-adhesive region is provided continuously from one end side to the other end side in the width direction, and is provided adjacent to the non-adhesive region on at least one side in the longitudinal direction, and includes an adhesive portion that adheres the absorber and the exterior body, the adhesive portion being provided in the center part in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction are adjacent to the protective layer when viewed in a plane. Leakage The sheet may extend substantially parallel to the line of rise toward the skin side of the sheet.

[0013] The absorbent article is formed by including the crotch portion in the absorbent body, Leakage In front of the seat The sheet may have a groove provided substantially parallel to the rising line toward the surface side.

[0014] In the absorbent article, the grooves are formed on the left and right sides of the pair of protective Leakage The adhesive tape may be provided substantially parallel to each of the rising lines toward the skin-facing side of the sheet.

[0015] In the absorbent article, the grooves may be compressed grooves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the standing gathers from collapsing inward in the width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a 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 development view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper according to the embodiment taken along line AA in FIG. 3 in the width direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the backsheet, absorbent core, topsheet, and sidesheets extracted from the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper according to the embodiment taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment as viewed from the skin-facing side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the embodiment as viewed from the skin-facing side. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the backsheet, absorbent core, topsheet, and sidesheets extracted from the diaper according to the first modified embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the standing gathers of the diaper according to the second modification of the embodiment, cut in the width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] <Embodiment> Diapers according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper") according to an embodiment. In the diaper, the direction connecting the front body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's back, is defined as the longitudinal direction (also referred to as the front-to-back direction). Between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion is located, which is placed between the wearer's crotch (facing the crotch). When the diaper is worn by a wearer, the side facing the wearer's skin is defined as the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side 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 (also referred to as the left-right direction). In addition, a view from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The diaper 1 has a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, terms relating to directions used in the present 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. For example, the left-right direction in the present application refers to the direction that corresponds to the left and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer.

[0020] In this embodiment, as an example of an absorbent article, a pants-type disposable diaper having a tubular structure having a waist opening through which the abdominal circumference of a wearer can be inserted and a pair of leg openings through which the left and right lower limbs of the wearer can be inserted is exemplified. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pants-type disposable diaper for adults is exemplified, but the "absorbent article" referred to in this application is not limited to pants-type disposable diapers for adults. The "absorbent article" referred to in this application also includes pants-type disposable diapers for children.

[0021] The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which corresponds to the crotch region covering the wearer's pubic region (crotch area) 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 in 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, the diaper 1 defines a waist opening 2T (waist opening) formed 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 (leg opening) formed in a portion on the left side of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed, and a right leg opening 2R (leg opening) formed in a portion on the right side of the crotch region 1B. When the diaper 1 is worn 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 move freely while wearing the diaper 1.

[0022] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body that can absorb and retain liquid, which is mainly disposed near the crotch region 1B. In addition, the diaper 1 has a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the left lower leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's left lower leg and a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the right lower leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's right lower leg, in order to prevent the formation of a gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid outflow path. Three-dimensional gathers (not shown) are provided at the leg openings 2R, and waist gathers 3R and tummy gathers 12 are provided around the wearer's abdominal circumference. Leg gathers 3LF and 3LR (leg gathers 3LR are not shown in Figure 1) are provided around the wearer's groin. The leg gathers 3LF are provided in the front body region 1F, and the leg gathers 3LR are provided in the back body region 1R. Only the leg gathers 3LF are shown in Figure 1. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR and the waist gathers 3R contract due to the elasticity of the stretchable members, thereby adhering closely to the wearer's skin. The leg gathers 3LF and 3LR also prevent gaps from forming between the wearer's groin and the diaper 1. Therefore, fluid excreted from the wearer's genitals is absorbed by the absorbent body of the diaper 1 with almost no leakage from the diaper 1.

[0023] The diaper 1 can be used in combination with an inner pad (not shown). The inner pad is a generally rectangular absorbent article with an absorbent body that absorbs the wearer's excretion. When the diaper 1 and inner pad are used in combination, the inner pad is placed on the skin-facing side of the diaper 1 so that it abuts the wearer's excretion hole. The excretion liquid is first absorbed by the inner pad, and only the excretion liquid that cannot be absorbed by the inner pad reaches the absorbent body of the diaper 1 and is further absorbed. This prevents the excretion liquid from leaking from the diaper 1, even when the amount of excretion liquid is large. Furthermore, if the amount of excretion liquid is small and can be absorbed entirely by the inner pad, only the inner pad needs to be replaced, reducing care costs. This also reduces the frequency of changing the diaper 1, allowing the diaper 1 to be used for a longer period of time.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded perspective view of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment. The diaper 1 comprises a cover sheet (outer cover sheet) 4 and an inner cover sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 are roughly hourglass-shaped (gourd-shaped) sheets that are bonded together to form the outer surface of the diaper 1. They are identical in shape and size except for the end portion on the front body region 1F side and the end portion on the back body region 1R side. When worn by a wearer, the cover sheet 4 faces away from the wearer's skin, and the inner cover sheet 5 faces the wearer's skin. Elastic members are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 to form the waist gathers 3R, tummy gathers 12, and leg gathers 3LF and 3LR. In this embodiment, elastic thread is used as the elastic member. Note that elastic members such as strip-shaped elastic members can be appropriately selected instead of elastic thread.

[0025] The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 can be made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of exudates. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Hereinafter, the absorbent body 8 and the combination of the absorbent body 8 with the back sheet 6, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L and 10R will be referred to as an inner body, and the cover sheet 4 and inner cover sheet 5 with rubber threads disposed therein will be collectively referred to as an outer body as a concept corresponding to the inner body (an example of an "outer body" in the present disclosure).

[0026] The diaper 1 comprises a backsheet 6, an absorbent body 8, and a topsheet 9, which are layered in this order on the wearer-facing surfaces of the coversheet 4 and the inner coversheet 5. The backsheet 6 is a substantially rectangular sheet having a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the front body of the wearer through the crotch area to the back body, and a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent body 8 and the topsheet 9 are both sheet-like members having a substantially rectangular appearance like the backsheet 6, and are layered in this order on the backsheet 6 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the backsheet 6. The backsheet 6 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of exudates. The backsheet 6 is also provided with minute holes 66. The holes 66 allow air to pass through while preventing liquid from passing through. The holes 66 are provided, for example, in the area that overlaps with the absorbent body 8. The topsheet 9 covers the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent body 8. The top sheet 9 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the skin-facing side of the wearer so as to penetrate the absorbent core 8. The top sheet 9 is partially or entirely liquid-permeable. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 9, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and penetrates into the absorbent core 8, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. The top sheet 9 may also be hydrophilic.

[0027] The absorbent body 8 includes an absorbent core 8c made of one or more mats and a core wrap sheet 7 (water-permeable sheet) encasing the absorbent core 8c. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent core 8c includes an upper absorbent mat 8a and a lower absorbent mat 8b. The upper absorbent mat 8a is roughly hourglass-shaped with a waisted portion, while the lower absorbent mat 8b is rectangular. The width of the lower absorbent mat 8b is roughly the same as the width of the waisted portion of the upper absorbent mat 8a. The absorbent core is constructed by retaining granular absorbent resin (polymer absorbent material) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a crosslinked structure that can absorb and retain water, in gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp, rayon, or cotton, or short fibers made by hydrophilizing synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate. When the absorbent core 8c absorbs fluid excreted by the wearer, the absorbent resin held in the gaps between the staple fibers swells to retain the fluid within the staple fibers. In this embodiment, the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a is roughly hourglass-shaped with a narrowed central portion. The absorbent core 8c can have any shape suitable for the purpose. Examples of the shape of the absorbent core 8c include rectangular, elliptical, and various other shapes.

[0028] The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin, liquid-permeable sheet. By wrapping the absorbent core 8c with the core wrap sheet 7, the SAP of the absorbent core 8c described above is less likely to be mixed with other structures. It also prevents the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. The core wrap sheet 7 can be made of pulp fiber, and tissue paper can be used as an example. The core wrap sheet 7 may be a single sheet, or it may be composed of two sheets: an upper sheet placed on the wearer's skin side and a lower sheet placed on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer and wrapping around the sides and skin-facing side of the absorbent core. When the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets, the widthwise ends of the upper sheet may be wrapped in other sheets (e.g., side sheets 10L and 10R, back sheet 6, and top sheet 9, which will be described later). Since the absorbent body 8 is wrapped in the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9, and these sheets also help prevent the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape, the core wrap sheet 7 may not be provided.

[0029] The back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are layered together to cover the wearer's genitals (below the crotch), both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 6, 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 liquid, the excreted liquid will come into contact with the absorbent body 8 via the top sheet 9.

[0030] Furthermore, rubber thread 4F7 is provided in the widthwise center between the back sheet 6 and the core wrap sheet 7 from the front body region 1F to the crotch region 1B in a longitudinally stretched state. The rubber thread 4F7 is adhered to the back sheet 6, and is adhered to the inner cover sheet 5 and the cover sheet 4 via the back sheet 6. The rubber thread 4F7 exerts a force that causes the inner cover sheet 5 and the cover sheet 4 to contract in the longitudinal direction. The region where the rubber thread 4F7 is provided is preferably a region where the absorber 8 and the inner cover sheet 5 are not adhered, but may also be a region where the absorber 8 and the inner cover sheet 5 are adhered. The rubber thread 4F7 may also be provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. good.

[0031] A rubber thread cover sheet 13 (elastic member cover sheet) is disposed on the skin-facing side of the rubber thread 4F7. The rubber thread cover sheet 13 covers the rubber thread 4F7 from the skin-facing side and is adhered to the back sheet 6. The rubber thread cover sheet 13 is disposed between the rubber thread 4F7 and the absorbent body 8. The rubber thread cover sheet 13 is not adhered to the core wrap sheet 7 of the absorbent body 8. The rubber thread 4F7 is disposed between the absorbent body 8 and the back sheet 6, and is adhered to the back sheet 6 but not to the absorbent body 8. This prevents the elastic force (contractile force) of the rubber thread 4F7 from acting on the absorbent body 8, thereby preventing deformation of the absorbent body 8. If a strip-shaped elastic member is used instead of the rubber thread 4F7, the rubber thread cover sheet 13 can be omitted, and the elastic member and the core wrap sheet 7 can be made non-adherent. In this embodiment, the rubber thread cover sheet 13 is formed to have the same length as the back sheet 6. The rubber thread cover sheet 13 may be formed to have a length that matches the extension area of the rubber thread 4F7, or may be formed to be longer than the extension area of the rubber thread 4F7 and shorter than the back sheet 6.

[0032] 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. Three rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 (an example of the "plurality of elastic members" in the present disclosure) are adhered to the side sheets 10L, 10R in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the cover sheet 4 is joined at its left edge 4F4 of the front body region 1F to its left edge 4R4 of the back body region 1R and at its right edge 4F5 of the front body region 1F to its right edge 4R5 of the back body region 1R, the diaper 1 is completed as shown in Fig. 1. The side sheets 10L, 10R are pulled longitudinally by the contractile forces of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 and rise from the top sheet 9 along the fold lines 10L2, 10R2. As a result, three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed to prevent fluid from leaking from the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R.

[0033] Here, when the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed, the widthwise spacing between the standing lines of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR of the side sheets 10L, 10R is set to be large enough to accommodate an inner pad. The joining method of the edges 4F4 and 4R4, and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 is not particularly limited, and can be performed by, for example, heat sealing, high-frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, or the like.

[0034] The diaper 1 further comprises an end sheet 11F laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the front body region 1F, and an end sheet 11R laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the back body region 1R, sandwiching the back sheet 6, absorber 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R. The end sheets 11F, 11R are strip-shaped sheets laminated on the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 at one end of the top sheet 9 in the longitudinal direction. The end sheets 11F, 11R are impermeable nonwoven fabrics, and mainly reinforce the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 in the waist-contacting portions of the diaper 1. The end sheets 11F, 11R are coated with adhesive, which bonds them to the inner cover sheet 5. The end sheets 11F, 11R are arranged closer to the skin than the laminate formed by the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R, and prevent the ends of the laminate from directly touching the skin, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0035] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an example of a schematic view of the diaper 1 according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. FIG. 3A shows the internal structure of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the left side. 3(B) is a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3 , the elastic threads 4F3 forming the leg gathers 3LF are arranged along the edges of the right and left lower leg openings 2R and 2L on the front body region 1F side, through which the wearer's legs are inserted when the diaper 1 is assembled. The elastic threads 4F3 are adhered under tension to the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. The elastic threads 4F3 are arranged in a transverse manner in the crotch region 1B on the front body side. Where the elastic threads 4F3 are arranged transversely in the transverse direction, the elastic threads 4F3 and the absorbent body 8 overlap in the thickness direction of the diaper 1. The widthwise center of such a transverse region corresponds to the urethral opening of the wearer when the diaper 1 is worn. Note that the arrangement of the elastic threads 4F3 in the region where the absorbent body 8 overlaps in the thickness direction is not limited to the transverse arrangement shown in FIG. 3 . It is sufficient that the extending direction of the rubber thread 4F3 has a widthwise component, and it is preferable that the widthwise component of the extending direction of the rubber thread 4F3 is larger than the longitudinal component.

[0037] On the other hand, the elastic threads 4R3 forming the leg gathers 3LR are provided along the edges of the right and left lower leg openings 2R and 2L on the back body region 1R side. The elastic threads 4R3 are bonded in a stretched state to the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. In the crotch region 1B on the back body side, the tip ends of the elastic threads 4R3 face in the width direction. However, the elastic threads 4R3 are cut in the center in the width direction, and the left elastic threads 4R3 and the right elastic threads 4R3 are not connected.

[0038] The inner cover sheet 5 and the absorbent body 8 are appropriately bonded with an adhesive via the back sheet 6 from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. However, as shown in Fig. 3, in the region of the front body region 1F where the rubber thread 4F3 crosses, the inner cover sheet 5 and the absorbent body 8 are not bonded (this region is designated as a non-bonded region 15). In fact, the inner cover sheet 5 and the back sheet 6 are not bonded in the non-bonded region 15. In this embodiment, the non-bonded region 15 is provided throughout the entire overlapping region of the crotch region 1B where the rubber thread 4F3 and the absorbent body 8 overlap.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the rubber thread 4F7 is provided in the widthwise central portion between the back sheet 6 and the core wrap sheet 7 while being stretched in the longitudinal direction from the front body region 1F to the crotch region 1B. In reality, the rubber thread 4F7 is provided between the back sheet 6 and the rubber thread cover sheet 13 (not shown in FIG. 3). The portion of the crotch region 1B closer to the rubber thread 4F7 corresponds to the wearer's anus when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer. The absorbent body 8 is compressed linearly to surround the rubber thread 4F7, and is shown as line 14 in FIG. 3. The line 14 is provided in the widthwise direction at the end on the crotch region 1B side. The line 14 is bent outward in the widthwise direction at the end on the front body region 1F side. The compression of the absorbent body 8 is achieved, for example, by embossing with a roller.

[0040] One end of the cover sheet 4 is folded back at fold lines 4FF and 4RF shown in Figure 2. The waist gather 3R described above is formed by adhering elastic thread (elastic thread) 4F1 in a stretched state to the front body region 1F of the cover sheet 4, and adhering elastic thread (elastic thread) 4R1 in a stretched state to the back body region 1R of the cover sheet 4. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 are provided in this order from the fold line 4FF side along the fold line 4FF, which will form the upper edge of the front body region 1F when folded back. Similarly, the tummy gather 12 is formed by adhering elastic thread 4F2 in a stretched state to the front body region 1F of the cover sheet 4, and adhering elastic thread 4R2 in a stretched state to the back body region 1R of the cover sheet 4. The elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2, like the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2, are folded back to form the upper edge of the back body region 1R. Along the folding line 4RF, the rubber thread 4R1 and the rubber thread 4R2 are provided in this order from the folding line 4RF side.

[0041] Therefore, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. The elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. When the edges 4F4 and 4R4 are joined together and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 are joined together, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 form a substantially annular elastic member that runs around the waist opening 2T, thereby contracting the waist opening 2T in the waist direction. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 exert a contractile force to fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer and prevent a gap from forming between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdominal circumference. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 overlap the absorbent core 8 in a portion of the crotch region 1B.

[0042] The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 are provided to extend laterally along the upper edges of the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R shown in FIG. 1. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 are provided parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. When the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 tightly tighten the wearer's abdominal circumference above the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer, preventing it from shifting position and preventing leakage of excreted fluid from the abdomen or back. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 alleviate the feeling of pressure on the wearer caused by the contractile force of the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1.

[0043] The cover sheet 4 is folded back at fold lines 4FF and 4RF to extend to the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed, and the folded back portions reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed. The end sheets 11F and 11R (see FIG. 2) are provided in the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed, where the cover sheet 4 folded back at fold lines 4FF and 4RF does not extend, and reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed.

[0044] In the present application, the term "overlapping of sheets" does not necessarily mean that the overlapping sheets are in full contact with each other, but rather includes a concept that includes a configuration in which only portions of the sheets overlap. For example, the end sheet 11F is overlapped such that a portion of one longitudinal end of the back sheet 6 touches a portion of the cover sheet 4. The diaper 1 is formed by stacking the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9 with the absorbent body 8 sandwiched therebetween, as well as the cover sheet 4, end sheets 11F and 11R, inner cover sheet 5, and side sheets 10L and 10R, and can therefore be said to have a laminate formed by stacking these multiple sheets.

[0045] Next, the side sheets 10L and 10R ("protective sheets" in the present disclosure) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. Leakage The sheet (an example of the sheet) will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along line AA in FIG.

[0046] The side sheets 10L, 10R are impermeable nonwoven fabric sheets arranged on both widthwise sides of the absorbent body 8, and are a pair of left and right sheets covering the widthwise sides of the absorbent body 8. The side sheets 10L, 10R rise further toward the skin-facing side at the skin-facing end of the absorbent body 8, forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR that prevent side leakage of exudates. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the side sheets 10L, 10R are layered closer to the skin-facing side than the top sheet 9.

[0047] The side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are arranged outside the widthwise center of the diaper 1 and closer to the skin than the top sheet 9. A hot melt adhesive is applied between the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R. The adhesive is applied so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed using a water-impermeable hot melt adhesive. The water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R prevent exuded liquid from penetrating between the side sheets 10L, 10R and the top sheet 9, thereby preventing liquid from leaking from the widthwise ends of the diaper 1. The water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed from the front body region to the back body region so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent side leakage from any position at the widthwise ends. The side sheets 10L, 10R also cover the widthwise ends of the top sheet 9 and the back sheet 6. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent side leakage even if liquid penetrates toward the widthwise ends beyond the water-impermeable portions 31L, 31R.

[0048] The three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR rise toward the skin-facing side across fold lines 10L2, 10R2 (see Figure 4) formed at positions where they overlap the top sheet 9. The fold lines 10L2, 10R2 are formed along the widthwise inner edges of the impermeable portions 31L, 31R, and are located widthwise inward of the impermeable portions 31L, 31R. In other words, the impermeable portions 31L, 31R are located widthwise outward of the diaper 1 from the fold lines 10L2, 10R2. Because the impermeable portions 31L, 31R are formed from a hot melt adhesive, the areas where these impermeable portions are formed are harder than if no impermeable portions were provided. In the diaper 1 of this embodiment, the side sheets 10L, 10R are arranged closer to the skin than the non-permeable portions 31L, 31R, so that these non-permeable portions do not come into direct contact with the wearer's skin, thereby preventing the non-permeable portions from coming into contact with the skin and causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0049] Furthermore, when the side sheets 10L, 10R are folded toward the top sheet 9 as shown in Figure 4, they have base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1 that include fold lines 10L2, 10R2 and extend widthwise inward of the diaper 1, folding portions 3BL2, 3BR2, free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3 that are folded widthwise outward from the base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1 by the folding portions 3BL2, 3BR2 and extend widthwise outward of the diaper 1, and free end portions 3BL4, 3BR4 provided at the tips of the free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3. The base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1, the bent portions 3BL2, 3BR2, the free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3, and the free ends 3BL4, 3BR4 are provided across the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R.

[0050] A plurality of rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are attached in a stretched state to the free end side pieces 3BL, 3BR of the side sheets 10L, 10R and extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The plurality of rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are spaced apart from one another across the width of the diaper 1. The elasticity of the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 causes the side sheets 10L, 10R to rise toward the skin side at the folding lines 10L2, 10R2, thereby forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The folding lines 10L2, 10R2 are the lines along which the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR rise. The side sheets 10L, 10R come into contact with the wearer's skin from the folding portions 3BL2, 3BR2 to the free end portions 3BL4, 3BR4. Of the side sheets 10L, 10R, the base end side pieces 3BL1, 3BR1, the bent portions 3BL2, 3BR2, the free end side pieces 3BL3, 3BR3, the free ends 3BL4, 3BR4, and the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 form the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the back sheet 6, absorbent core 8c, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R extracted from the diaper 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a section including the top sheet 9 and side sheet 10L taken along line BB in Fig. 5. The free end fixing portions of the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR provided at the longitudinal ends of the diaper 1 will be described using Fig. 6 with reference to Fig. 5. Note that, while the free end fixing portion of the side sheet 10L will be described below, the same applies to the free end fixing portion of the side sheet 10R, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] The diaper 1 includes, at its longitudinal ends, a proximal end adhesive section 35 (an example of a "proximal end fixed section" in the present disclosure) that bonds the proximal end side piece 3BL1 to the top sheet 9, and a free end adhesive section 36 (an example of a "free end fixed section" in the present disclosure) that bonds the free end side piece 3BL3 to the proximal end side piece 3BL1. The sidesheet 10L is fixed to the topsheet 9 by the proximal end adhesive sections 35 at each longitudinal end of the diaper 1 so that the sidesheet 10L stands up toward the skin side at portions other than the longitudinal ends. The upright gathers 3BL rise up toward the skin side in areas where the proximal end adhesive section 35 is not formed, with the fold line 10L2 shown in FIG. 4 as a boundary. The proximal end adhesive section 35 constitutes the longitudinal end side of the non-water permeable sections 31L, 31R. The proximal end adhesive section 35 is formed wider than the non-water permeable sections 31L, 31R located closer to the longitudinal center than the proximal end adhesive section 35.

[0053] The free end adhesive portions 36 are provided at each longitudinal end of the diaper 1. The distance between the free end adhesive portions 36 on both sides (front and rear) in the longitudinal direction is longer on the outer widthwise side than on the inner widthwise side. In Fig. 5, the distance on the outer widthwise side is indicated by D1, and the distance on the inner widthwise side is indicated by D2. Hereinafter, the distance D1 will be referred to as the "outer distance D1," and the distance D2 will be referred to as the "inner distance D2."

[0054] The free end adhesive portion 36 is formed so that the widthwise outer side is shorter at the longitudinal center than the widthwise inner side, so that the outer distance D1 is longer than the inner distance D2. This makes it easier for the free end 3BL4 side of the side sheet 10L, which is the widthwise outer side, to stand up toward the skin side in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. This makes it easier for the free end 3BL4 of the upright gather 3BL to stand up in the diaper according to this embodiment.

[0055] Furthermore, of the three rubber threads 10L1, the elongation rate of the rubber threads 10L1 located on the outer side in the width direction of the diaper 1 is lower than the elongation rate of the rubber threads 10L1 located on the inner side in the width direction of the diaper 1. Here, the elongation rate refers to the draft rate. The draft rate (%) of a rubber thread is calculated by dividing the length (cut length) of the rubber thread when incorporated into the diaper by the natural length of the rubber thread, expressed as a percentage. The rubber threads 10L1 are incorporated into the diaper 1 in an elongated state to exert contractile force. Therefore, the draft rate is greater than 100%. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the elongation rate of the rubber threads 10L1 located on the outer side in the width direction is lower than the elongation rate of the rubber threads 10L1 located on the inner side in the width direction, thereby causing the inner region of the side sheet 10L to contract more than the outer region, and preventing the outer region from collapsing more inward in the width direction than the inner region. In other words, preventing the free end portions 3BL4 of the upright gathers 3BL from collapsing toward the top sheet 9.

[0056] In this way, in the diaper according to the present embodiment, the outer distance D1 is longer than the inner distance D2, and the elongation rate of the rubber thread 10L1 arranged on the outer side in the width direction is lower than the elongation rate of the rubber thread 10L1 arranged on the inner side in the width direction, so that the free end 3BL4 side can be easily raised. Bent section The three-dimensional gathers 3BL can be raised so that the area from the 3BL2 side to the free end 3BL4 side comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0057] The base end adhesive portion 35 and the free end adhesive portion 36 are formed by applying a hot melt adhesive. Although the base end adhesive portion 35 is not shown in Fig. 5, the longitudinal extension range of the base end adhesive portion 35 is generally the same as the longitudinal extension range of the free end adhesive portion 36 on the inner side in the width direction.

[0058] <Adhesion form 1> Next, the bonding mode between the absorbent body 8 and the outer body in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10. First, bonding mode 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the skin-facing side. As shown in Fig. 7, in the crotch region 1B, the absorbent body 8 is bonded to the outer body. The diaper 1 has a non-adhesive region 15 where the absorbent body 8 and the inner coversheet 5 are not adhered to each other. The non-adhesive region 15 is provided continuously from one end to the other end in the width direction of the diaper 1. On the front body region 1F side of the non-adhesive region 15 is provided an adhesive region 16 where the absorbent body 8 and the inner coversheet 5 are adhered to each other, and on the back body region 1R side of the non-adhesive region 15 is provided an adhesive region 17 where the absorbent body 8 and the inner coversheet 5 are adhered to each other. In Figure 7, the adhesive regions 16 and 17 are shown as solid and detailed illustration is omitted, but the adhesive regions 16 and 17 are formed by stripe-shaped adhesive portions extending in the width direction.

[0059] The non-adhesive region 15 includes a region corresponding to the wearer's urethral opening (hereinafter referred to as the "urethral opening-corresponding region"). The urethral opening-corresponding region is the region where the wearer's urethral opening is located when the diaper 1 is worn. As shown in FIG. 7 , elastic threads 4F3 run across the non-adhesive region 15. The contractile force of the elastic threads 4F3 lifts the cover sheet 4 and inner cover sheet 5 toward the skin side of the diaper 1. Generally, the absorbent core in the crotch region becomes heavy as it absorbs urine and tends to move away from the wearer's skin. This movement of the absorbent core away from the skin side can potentially cause the three-dimensional gathers to separate from the skin side. In contrast, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment uses the elastic threads 4F3 to lift the absorbent core 8 in the crotch region 1B toward the skin side, thereby preventing the absorbent core 8 and the three-dimensional gathers from separating from the skin side.

[0060] <Adhesion form 2> Next, adhesive configuration 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side. As shown in FIG. 8, adhesive regions 18L, 18R are provided adjacent to the non-adhesive region 15 in the width direction. In FIG. 8, the adhesive regions 18L, 18R are shown as solid. The adhesive regions 18L, 18R are regions where the absorbent body 8 and the outer body are adhered, and in plan view, extend approximately parallel to the folding lines 10L2, 10R2 that form the rising lines of the side sheets 10L, 10R shown in FIG. 5. Note that "approximately parallel" includes completely parallel and slightly deviated from parallel. In adhesive configuration 2, the adhesive regions 18L, 18R have high rigidity, making it easier to fold the absorbent body 8 along the adhesive regions 18L, 18R so that the widthwise cross section thereof is W-shaped.

[0061] <Adhesion form 3> Next, adhesion mode 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side. As shown in Fig. 7, a non-adhesive region 15 is provided in the crotch region 1B, where the absorbent 8 and the inner coversheet 5 are not adhered to each other. The non-adhesive region 15 is provided continuously from one end to the other end in the width direction of the diaper 1. On the rear body region 1R side of the non-adhesive region 15, an adhesive region 19 is provided, where the absorbent 8 and the inner coversheet 5 are adhered to each other. The adhesive region 19 is provided in the widthwise center, and in plan view, both widthwise ends extend approximately parallel to the fold lines 10L2, 10R2, which are the rising lines of the side sheets 10L, 10R. In adhesion mode 3, the adhesive region 19 has high rigidity, making it easy to fold the absorbent 8 along each widthwise end of the adhesive region 19 so that the widthwise cross section is W-shaped. The adhesive region 19 may be provided on the non-adhesive region 15 on the front body region 1F side.

[0062] In each of Adhesion Types 1 to 3, the non-adhesive regions are provided at least at both widthwise ends. This allows the widthwise end sides of the absorbent body 8 to bend toward the skin. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the widthwise end sides of the absorbent body 8 bend toward the skin, making it easier for the rubber thread 4F3 to lift the absorbent body 8 toward the skin. Each of the adhesive regions in Adhesion Types 1 to 3 is a region where the inner cover sheet 5 and the back sheet 6 are adhered with a hot melt adhesive. In each adhesive region, the absorbent body 8 is adhered to the inner cover sheet 5 via the back sheet 6.

[0063] Next, the lines 14 formed on the absorbent body 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the absorbent body 8, parts of the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3, and the rubber thread 4F7 extracted from the diaper 1. Note that Fig. 10 illustrates the above-mentioned bonding type 1, but any of bonding types 1 to 3 may be used.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10 , the line 14 has five grooves. The five grooves are grooves 14AL, 14AR, grooves 14BL, 14BR (examples of "groove" in the present disclosure), and groove 14C. The grooves 14AL, 14AR are formed in the absorbent body 8 and are a pair of left and right grooves extending from the widthwise center of the diaper 1 outward toward the lateral end of the crotch region 1B toward the lateral end of the front body region 1F in the region corresponding to the wearer's groin. The grooves 14AL, 14AR are compressed grooves formed by compressing the absorbent body 8. The grooves 14AL, 14AR may be formed by compressing only the absorbent core 8c, or may be formed by compressing the absorbent body 8 including the core wrap sheet 7. In this embodiment, the grooves 14AL, 14AR are formed by compressing the core wrap sheet 7 and the absorbent core 8c from the skin-facing side. The formation of the grooves 14AL, 14AR allows the absorbent body 8 to bend along the wearer's groin.

[0065] Furthermore, when the area where the grooves 14AL and 14AR are provided is viewed from above, the non-adhesive region 15 is formed, including the area where the grooves 14AL and 14AR overlap, where the absorbent body 8 and the inner cover sheet 5 are not adhered to each other. Note that in FIG. 4, the non-adhesive region 15 is illustrated as being solid. If the non-adhesive region 15 were not formed in the area where the grooves 14AL and 14AR overlap, and the absorbent body 8 and the inner cover sheet 5 were adhered to each other in that area, the outer body would be unfolded and pressed against the wearer's skin. As a result, the state of the outer body would be transmitted to the absorbent body 8, and a force would act on the absorbent body to change it from a state folded along the groin area to a flat state. In contrast, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, configured as described above, allows the absorbent body 8, which is folded along the groin area, to be pressed against the wearer's skin while maintaining its folded state. This allows the diaper 1 to improve the adhesion of the absorbent body 8 to the wearer's skin.

[0066] In addition, when the diaper 1 is viewed from above as shown in FIG. 10, the diaper 1 includes rubber threads 4F3 adhered in a stretched state to the inner cover sheet 5 and the cover sheet 4 in regions overlapping the non-adhesive regions 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the ends of the rubber threads 4F3 are located at the widthwise ends of the left and right lower leg openings 2L and 2R. When the legs are inserted through the left and right lower leg openings 2L and 2R provided in the outer cover, the outer cover is pulled outward in the widthwise direction, and the rubber threads 4F3 are also pulled outward in the widthwise direction. As a result, the outer cover is pushed up toward the skin side in the region across the crotch region 1B where the rubber threads 4F3 extend in the widthwise direction. This region includes a non-adhesive region 15 where the absorber 8 and the outer cover are not adhered. Therefore, the absorber 8 is pushed up by the outer cover toward the skin side while remaining bent along the groin area. In this embodiment, the rubber thread 4F3 for forming the leg gathers extends in the non-adhesive region 15 and is connected on the left and right sides, but the rubber thread provided in the non-adhesive region 15 and crossing the crotch region 1B and the rubber thread for forming the leg gathers may be provided separately. Alternatively, the ends of the rubber thread 4F3 may be adhered to the outer body, and in the non-adhesive region 15, which is the center in the width direction, the rubber thread may be adhered to another sheet material arranged between the outer body and the backsheet. Even with this configuration, the diaper 1 can achieve the above-mentioned effects as long as the backsheet and the other sheet material are not adhered in the non-adhesive region 15.

[0067] Next, the grooves 14BL, 14BR will be described. The grooves 14BL, 14BR are a pair of left and right grooves formed in the absorbent body 8 and extending along the longitudinal direction in the region corresponding to the urethral opening of the wearer. The grooves 14BL, 14BR are compressed grooves formed by compressing the absorbent body 8. Note that the grooves 14BL, 14BR are formed by compressing only the absorbent core 8c. Alternatively, the grooves 14BL, 14BR may be formed by compressing the absorbent body 8 including the core wrap sheet 7. In this embodiment, the grooves 14BL, 14BR are formed by compressing the core wrap sheet 7 and the absorbent core 8c from the skin-facing side. The formation of the grooves 14BL, 14BR causes the absorbent body 8 between the grooves to be raised toward the urethral opening. This allows the diaper 1 to press the absorbent body 8 against the urethral opening, thereby improving the adhesion of the absorbent body 8 to the wearer's skin.

[0068] Furthermore, the rubber thread 4F3 is arranged to include an area overlapping the grooves 14BL, 14BR on the front body region 1F in a plan view. This configuration enhances the effect of the rubber thread 4F3 pressing the absorber 8 in a folded state against the wearer's skin. This is because the non-adhesive region 15 is provided in the area where the rubber thread 4F3 and the absorber 8 overlap, so that the grooves 14BL, 14BR press the absorber 8 in a folded shape against the wearer's skin, rather than deforming the absorber 8 due to the contraction of the rubber thread 4F3. To achieve this effect, it is preferable that the rubber thread 4F3 be pulled laterally when the legs are inserted through the left and right lower leg openings 2L, 2R, thereby pressing the absorber 8 against the wearer's skin. For this reason, the rubber thread 4F3 is preferably a rubber thread for forming leg gathers, the ends of which are located at the widthwise ends of the diaper 1. Furthermore, when viewed in the thickness direction, if the rubber threads 4F3 for forming the leg gathers overlap the grooves 14AL, 14AR, the contractile force of the rubber threads 4F3 is suitable for pressing the absorber 8, bent along the groin, against the skin of the wearer. When the rubber threads 4F3 for forming the leg gathers overlap the grooves 14BL, 14BR, the contractile force of the rubber threads 4F3 is suitable for pressing the absorber 8 against the urethral opening or for pressing an inner pad (urine pad) placed on the top sheet 9 against the urethral opening. The diaper 1 may be configured such that the rubber threads 4F3 overlap the grooves 14AL, 14AR but not the grooves 14BL, 14BR, thereby suitable for pressing the absorber 8, bent along the groin, against the skin of the wearer by the contractile force of the rubber threads 4F3. Alternatively, the diaper 1 may be configured such that the rubber thread 4F3 does not overlap the grooves 14AL, 14AR but overlaps the grooves 14BL, 14BR, so that when the rubber thread 4F3 for forming the leg gathers overlaps the grooves 14BL, 14BR, it is suitable for pressing the absorber 8 against the urethral opening or for pressing an inner pad (urine pad) placed on the top sheet 9 against the urethral opening. As in this embodiment, the diaper 1 may have both of the above-mentioned two suitable configurations in which the rubber thread 4F3 overlaps the grooves 14AL, 14AR and the grooves 14BL, 14BR.

[0069] The grooves 14AL, 14AR and the grooves 14BL, 14BR are not limited to compressed grooves. The grooves 14AL, 14AR and the grooves 14BL, 14BR may be hollowed-out grooves or through-grooves formed by reducing the basis weight of the pulp in the absorbent core 8c only in the groove-forming areas, as long as they can be used as starting points for folding the absorbent body 8. By using the grooves 14AL, 14AR and the grooves 14BL, 14BR as compressed grooves, the groove-forming areas can be made highly rigid, preventing the groove-forming areas from losing their shape.

[0070] In this embodiment, the grooves 14AL and 14BL are connected, and the grooves 14AR and 14BR are connected. This allows the grooves 14AL and 14BL, and the grooves 14AR and 14BR to be integrally formed. The grooves 14AL and 14BL may be adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween, and the grooves 14AR and 14BR may be adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween. Furthermore, when a gap is provided between these grooves, the end of the groove 14BL does not have to be positioned on an extension line of the groove 14AL, and the end of the groove 14BR does not have to be positioned on an extension line of the groove 14AR.

[0071] In addition, the non-adhesive region 15 includes a region that overlaps with the side end of the grooves 14BL, 14BR in the front body region 1F in a plan view. When the legs are inserted through the left and right lower leg openings 2L, 2R provided on the exterior body, the exterior body is pulled outward in the width direction, and the elastic thread 4F3 is also pulled outward in the width direction. The elastic thread 4F3 is pulled outward. As a result, the outer casing is pushed up toward the skin in the region across the crotch region 1B where the elastic thread 4F3 extends in the width direction, but a non-adhesive region 15 is provided where the absorber 8 and the outer casing are not adhered to each other. Therefore, the absorber 8 is pushed up by the outer casing so as to approach the urethral opening while maintaining a state of being raised toward the urethral opening between the grooves 14BL and 14BR. This allows the absorber 8 of the diaper 1 to be pressed against the urethral opening, thereby improving the adhesion of the absorber 8 to the wearer's skin.

[0072] In addition, when viewed in plan, both widthwise ends of the grooves 14BL, 14BR extend substantially parallel to the folding lines 10L2, 10R2 that are the rising lines of the side sheets 10L, 10R shown in Fig. 5. The diaper 1 can be easily folded along the grooves 14BL, 14BR so that the absorbent body 8 has a W-shaped widthwise cross section.

[0073] Next, the groove 14C will be described. The groove 14C is formed in the absorbent body 8, and is arranged on the rear body region 1R side of the grooves 14BL and 14BR, and extends in the width direction. The groove 14C is a compressed groove formed by compressing the absorbent body 8. The groove 14C may be formed by compressing only the absorbent core 8c, or may be formed by compressing the absorbent body 8 including the core wrap sheet 7. In this embodiment, the groove 14C is formed by compressing the core wrap sheet 7 and the absorbent core 8c from the skin-facing side.

[0074] Because the grooves 14C are compressed grooves, they have a higher rigidity than areas outside the groove formation region. Furthermore, due to the formation of the grooves 14BL and 14BR, when the diaper 1 is worn, the absorber 8 is laterally constricted by the wearer's legs, and the absorber 8 bends so as to be convex toward the skin starting from the grooves 14BL and 14BR, thereby improving its adhesion to the urethral opening. However, if the convex portions of the absorber 8 starting from the grooves 14BL and 14BR extend all the way to the wearer's anus, the absorber 8 may become convex toward the anus, which could cause the absorber 8 to enter the intergluteal cleft (crevice) of the buttocks, resulting in discomfort for the wearer. Furthermore, if the absorber 8 enters the intergluteal cleft of the buttocks, feces excreted from the anus may be pushed up against the skin by the absorber 8, causing the feces to press against the skin. Therefore, it is undesirable for the absorber 8 to become convex toward the anus and enter the intergluteal cleft of the buttocks.

[0075] To prevent this problem from occurring, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a groove 14C. The provision of the groove 14C in the diaper 1 prevents the absorber 8 from protruding toward the skin in the region of the diaper 1 corresponding to the anus (anus-corresponding region 30). The provision of the groove 14C, which is a high-rigidity portion extending laterally in the region corresponding to the anus, in the diaper 1 creates a space between the anus or intergluteal cleft and the absorber 8, thereby preventing the above-mentioned problem from occurring. In FIG. 4, the region corresponding to the anus is the region where the wearer's anus is located when the diaper 1 is worn.

[0076] The grooves 14BL, 14BR allow the absorbent body 8 to be folded into a W-shape when cut in the width direction, enabling the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 to be pressed against the urethral opening. Even if the grooves 14BL, 14BR are provided only in the urethral opening-corresponding region, the grooves will not function as a folding mechanism for the absorbent body 8 if the absorbent body 8 becomes flat in areas other than the groove-forming region. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the grooves longer than the urethral opening-corresponding region. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pair of left and right grooves 14BL, 14BR extending along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 extend from the urethral opening-corresponding region on the ventral side to the anus-corresponding region 30 on the dorsal side. The anus-corresponding region 30 is the region where the wearer's anus is located when the diaper 1 is worn. In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, the grooves 14BL, 14BR extend to the anus-corresponding region 30, thereby folding the absorbent body 8 into a W-shape and improving the adhesion of the absorbent body 8 to the wearer's urethral opening. However, if the grooves 14BL, 14BR are formed up to the anus-corresponding region 30 and the absorbent body 8 is bent along the grooves 14BL, 14BR, there is a risk that the absorbent body 8 will dig into the intergluteal cleft (crevice) of the buttocks of the wearer. If the body digs into the wearer's intergluteal cleft, the wearer feels a sense of pressure and feces excreted by the wearer presses against the skin around the intergluteal cleft, resulting in a decrease in comfort. Therefore, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment is provided with grooves 14C. This prevents the absorber 8 in the anus-corresponding region 30 from bending along the grooves 14BL, 14BR, preventing the absorber 8 from digging into the wearer's intergluteal cleft and thereby suppressing a decrease in comfort.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the grooves 14BL, 14BR are also compressed grooves, so that the grooves 14BL, 14BR, and groove 14C can be formed in the same process. The groove 14C may be connected to the grooves 14BL, 14BR. This allows the grooves 14BL, 14BR, and groove 14C to be formed integrally. Even if the grooves 14C are connected to the grooves 14BL, 14BR, the absorbent body 8 becomes convex toward the skin between the grooves 14BL, 14BR. However, the convex shape of the absorbent body 8 is suppressed in the region where the groove 14C is formed, which is on the back side of the grooves 14BL, 14BR. The grooves 14BL, 14BR are positioned closer to the front body region 1F than the region corresponding to the wearer's anus (anus-corresponding region 30). This prevents the absorbent body 8 from becoming convex in the region corresponding to the anus (anus-corresponding region 30).

[0078] The diaper 1 also includes rubber thread 4F7 adhered in a longitudinally stretched state to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. The rubber thread 4F7 is located in the overlapping area between the pair of grooves 14BL, 14BR and stretches longitudinally. The rubber thread 4F7 contracts the inner cover sheet 5 and cover sheet 4, which form the outer body, and pushes the absorbent body 8 toward the skin-facing side. This allows the outer body to lift the portion of the absorbent body 8 that is convex toward the urethral opening between the pair of grooves 14BL, 14BR toward the skin-facing side. The diaper 1 can press the absorbent body 8 against the urethral opening, thereby improving the adhesion of the absorbent body 8 to the wearer's skin.

[0079] The elastic thread 4F7 extends between the pair of left and right grooves 14AL, 14AR when the diaper 1 is viewed in plan. In the region where the absorber 8 is bent around the grooves 14AL, 14AR and extends along the groin, the outer body contracts longitudinally and floats away from the skin, facilitating deformation along the groin. This improves the wearing comfort of the diaper 1.

[0080] As described above, the elastic thread 4F7 extends between the grooves 14AL, 14AR and the grooves 14BL, 14BR. As shown in FIG. 3, in a plan view of the diaper 1, the elastic thread 4F7 does not overlap the elastic thread 4F2 for the tummy gathers. This configuration of the diaper 1 creates a space between the crotch region 1B side of the tummy gathers and the wearer's skin, making it easier for urine that reaches the front body region 1F (abdominal side) in the left-right direction to flow in the other direction. For example, if the wearer is a man and the tip of his penis is facing either left or right when he urinates, the urine will tend to flow in the other direction, making it easier for the diaper 1 to prevent urine leakage.

[0081] Furthermore, the rubber thread 4F7 is positioned closer to the front body region 1F than the region corresponding to the wearer's anus (anus-corresponding region 30). In other words, the rubber thread 4F7 is positioned closer to the front body region 1F than the groove 14C. With this configuration, the contractile force of the rubber thread 4F7 lifts the outer body toward the skin side of the diaper 1, thereby lifting the convex portion of the absorber 8 between the grooves 14BL and 14BR toward the skin side, but preventing the absorber 8 from lifting toward the skin side in the region corresponding to the anus (anus-corresponding region 30). The diaper 1 makes it easier for the anus to separate from the skin side of the diaper 1.

[0082] <Variation 1> Next, a diaper according to Modification 1 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 shows the back sheet 6, the absorbent core 8c, the top sheet 9, the side sheets 10L, the 10R. In this modification, the elastic region of the innermost rubber thread of the multiple rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 is shorter than the elastic region of the outermost rubber threads 10L1, 10R1. The elastic region of the rubber thread can be adjusted by the length of the rubber thread and the adhesive region of the rubber thread. In the diaper 1 according to this modification, the inner side of the free end side piece contracts within a shorter range than the outer side, which makes it easier for the outer region to stand up and prevents the free end of the upright gather from collapsing toward the top sheet 9.

[0083] <Variation 2> Next, a diaper according to a second modification of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical gather 3BL at the longitudinal center of the diaper, cut in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 12, the elastic thread 10L1 arranged on the innermost side in the width direction among the plurality of elastic threads 10L1 has a larger elongation rate than the elastic member arranged on the outermost side in the width direction, and the elastic thread 10L1 arranged on the innermost side in the width direction has a larger elongation rate than the elastic member arranged on the outermost side in the width direction. Bent section Fold along 3BL2 Bent section The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are arranged so as to contact the inner fold in the width direction. Bent section From the viewpoint of preventing leakage, it is desirable that the elastic thread 10L1 located at the innermost side in the width direction contacts the skin. Bent section Fold along 3BL2 Bent section It is positioned adjacent to 3BL2.

[0084] Furthermore, if the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR have a stronger contractile force on the outer widthwise side and a stronger contractile color on the inner widthwise side, the outer widthwise side will be more likely to come closer to the skin when standing up. By making the inner widthwise sides of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR more likely to stand up than the outer widthwise sides, the diaper 1 can make the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR stand up from the inner widthwise side, which also makes the outer widthwise sides of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR more likely to stand up. By making the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR stand up from the inner widthwise side and bringing the outer widthwise sides into contact with the skin from the inner widthwise side, the diaper 1 can suppress leakage of excrement.

[0085] As mentioned above, the elongation rate refers to the draft rate. In the diaper according to this modification, the elongation rate of the elastic thread 10L1 located at the innermost side in the width direction is set to be greater than the elongation rate of the elastic thread 10L1 located at the outermost side in the width direction, thereby preventing the free end portions 3BL4 of the standing gathers 3BL from collapsing toward the top sheet 9. The same applies to the standing gathers 3BR.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the outer body on the front body region side and the outer body on the back body region side are formed as a single unit, but the outer body on the front body region side and the outer body on the back body region side may also be provided as separate bodies.

[0087] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1B: Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back area 2L:Left lower limb opening 2R: Right lower limb opening 2T: Body opening 3BL, 3BR: 3D gathers 3BL1,3BR1: Base end side piece 3BL2, 3BR2: Fold Bent section 3BL3,3BR3: Free end side piece 3BL4,3BR4:Free end 3LF, 3LR: Leg gathers 3R: Waist Gather 4: Cover sheet 4F1, 4F2, 4F3, 4F7: Elastic thread 4F4,4F5: Edge 4FF: Fold line 4R1, 4R2, 4R3, 4R3: Rubber thread 4R4, 4R5: Edge 4RF: Fold line 5: Inner cover sheet 6: Back seat 7: Core wrap sheet 8: Absorbent 8c: Absorbent core 9: Top sheet 10L, 10R: Side seats 10L1, 10R1: Rubber thread 10L2, 10R2: Turn-around line 11F, 11R: End seat 12: Tammy Gather 13: Thread rubber cover sheet 14: Line 14AL, 14AR, 14BL, 14BR, 14C: Groove 15: Non - adhesion area 16, 17, 18L, 18R, 19: Adhesion area 35: Base - end adhesion part 36: Free - end adhesion part 66: Hole

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body provided at a position including the crotch area and capable of absorbing liquid excreted by the wearer; a top sheet having a water-permeable region provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body; A pair of left and right leak-proof sheets extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged outside the center in the width direction; an exterior body arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer relative to the absorbent body; a non-adhesive region in the crotch portion where the absorbent body and the outer body are not adhered to each other, the non-adhesive region being provided at least at both ends in the width direction; Equipped with The leak-proof sheet is a water-impermeable sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the top sheet, a base end side piece joined to the top sheet; a folding portion that folds from the base end side piece toward the skin surface side and outward in the width direction; a free end piece extending from the bent portion to the outside in the width direction; a base end fixing portion that fixes each of the longitudinal end portions of the base end side piece to the top sheet; a free end fixing portion that fixes each of the longitudinal ends of the free end piece to the base end piece; a plurality of elastic members that are bonded in a stretched state only to the free end side pieces that are located outside the bent portions in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction, the elastic members being arranged at intervals in the width direction; and a distance between the free end fixing portions on both sides in the longitudinal direction is longer on the outer side in the width direction than on the inner side in the width direction; Among the plurality of elastic members, the elastic members arranged on the outer side in the width direction have a lower elongation rate than the elastic members arranged on the inner side in the width direction. Absorbent articles.

2. Among the plurality of elastic members, the elastic region of the elastic member arranged most inward in the width direction is shorter than the elastic region of the elastic member arranged most outward in the width direction. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. Among the plurality of elastic members, the elastic member arranged most inward in the width direction has a larger elongation rate than the elastic member arranged most outward in the width direction, and the elastic member arranged most inward in the width direction is arranged along the bending portion so as to contact the bending portion. The absorbent article of claim 1.

4. The non-adhesive region is provided in a region of the crotch portion corresponding to the urethral opening of the wearer. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an adhesive portion between the absorbent body and the outer body, the adhesive portion being arranged adjacent to the non-adhesive region in the width direction and being approximately parallel to the rising line on the skin-facing side of the leak-barrier sheet in a plan view; The absorbent article of claim 1 , comprising:

6. The non-adhesive region is provided continuously from one end side to the other end side in the width direction, an adhesive portion provided adjacent to the non-adhesive region and at least one of the longitudinal directions, and adhering the absorbent body and the outer body; the adhesive portion is provided in the center in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction extend substantially parallel to a rising line of the leak-barrier sheet toward the skin-facing side in a plan view; The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. a groove formed in the absorbent body including the crotch portion and provided approximately parallel to the rising line of the leak-barrier sheet toward the skin-facing side; The absorbent article of claim 1 , comprising:

8. The grooves are provided substantially parallel to the upright lines of the pair of left and right leak-barrier sheets toward the skin side. The absorbent article of claim 7.

9. The groove is a compressed groove. The absorbent article according to claim 7 or 8.

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