absorbent articles

Abstract

The restoring force is absorbed in the compressed portions formed in the absorbent body to make it easier to fold, thereby suppressing buckling of the compressed portions. [Solution] The absorbent article (10) of the present invention comprises a band-shaped easy-to-fold processed section (20) provided in an absorbent body (13) and consisting of a compressed section (21) and multiple resilience absorbing sections (22), the easy-to-fold processed section (20) extending in a predetermined direction in the absorbent body (13), the compressed section (21) being formed by sequentially compressing the absorbent body (13) in the predetermined direction with an embossing roll, and all of the multiple resilience absorbing sections (22) are formed so as not to extend over the entire width of the easy-to-fold processed section (20), but to protrude inward from the widthwise edges of the easy-to-fold processed section (20), and to connect to the side walls and bottom walls of the compressed section (21) which is formed continuously from one edge to the other edge in the extension direction of the easy-to-fold processed section (20), and the widthwise length of the easy-to-fold processed section (20) is greater than 1 mm and less than 20 mm.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. [Background technology]

[0002] Disposable diapers (hereinafter simply referred to as "diapers") and other absorbent articles have been widely known. These absorbent articles guide and absorb excreted body fluids (hereinafter simply referred to as "body fluids") into an absorbent body. The absorbent body is made by depositing absorbent materials such as pulp or super absorbent polymer (hereinafter simply referred to as "SAP") and wrapping them in a core wrap. This absorbent body is thicker than the top sheet or back sheet, and may be difficult to bend to fit snugly against the wearer's skin.

[0003] It is necessary for excreted body fluids to be efficiently absorbed by an absorbent body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article in which the absorbent body is compressed to form elongated band-like compressed portions, and the body fluid is diffused in the compressed portions, thereby achieving efficient absorption of body fluids. Furthermore, such an absorbent article is prone to bending in the width direction of the compressed portions formed in the absorbent body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-165834 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the absorbent body is compressed, the elements (mainly pulp) that make up the absorbent body are pressed and stretched, causing the parts of the absorbent body where the compressed sections are formed and their surrounding areas to stretch in the direction in which the compressed sections extend. Therefore, after compression, a restoring force is generated that counteracts this stretching force, and this restoring force causes the compressed sections to contract, potentially causing the compressed sections to buckle and wrinkles to form in and around the compressed sections. However, the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the generation of restoring force in the compressed sections, and therefore wrinkles may form in the top sheet joined to the compressed sections of the absorbent body and their surrounding areas, which could result in a poor texture for the top sheet and an uncomfortable wearing experience for the absorbent article.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that absorbs the restoring force of compressed portions formed in an absorbent body to make it easier to fold, and suppresses buckling of the compressed portions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The absorbent article according to the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and is provided with a band-shaped easy-to-fold processed portion provided on the absorbent body and consisting of a compressed portion and a plurality of resilience absorbing portions, the easy-to-fold processed portion extending in a predetermined direction in the absorbent body, the compressed portion being formed by sequentially compressing the absorbent body in the predetermined direction in which the easy-to-fold processed portion extends with an embossing roll, and all of the plurality of resilience absorbing portions are formed so as not to extend over the entire width of the easy-to-fold processed portion, and so as to protrude inward from the widthwise edge of the easy-to-fold processed portion of the band, and to be connected to the side wall and bottom wall of the compressed portion which is formed continuously from one edge to the other edge in the extension direction of the easy-to-fold processed portion of the band, and the length in the width direction of the easy-to-fold processed portion of the band is greater than 1 mm and less than 20 mm. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, since the restoring force absorbing portion is provided in the direction of extension of the easy-to-bend processed portion, the restoring force of the easy-to-bend processed portion is absorbed, making it possible to suppress buckling of the compressed portion. Furthermore, since the compressed portion is formed continuously, it becomes possible to make it easier to fold the absorbent body in the width direction of the band-shaped easy-to-bend processed portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an example of a diaper according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view of a diaper in a stretched state according to a first embodiment, viewed from the top sheet side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent core according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the top sheet side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an absorbent core according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the top sheet side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an absorbent core according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the top sheet side. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of the formation pattern of easy-to-bend processed sections according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view of the absorbent body as seen from the top sheet side, and (b) is a cross-sectional view in the Xb-Xb direction in (a), showing an example of the absorbent body bent when worn. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of forming patterns of easy-to-bend processed portions according to another embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a V-shaped pattern and (b) shows an X-shaped pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the description of this specification and Figures 3 to 11, direction A represents the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, and direction B represents the width direction of the absorbent body, which is perpendicular to direction A.

[0011] First, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a flat-type disposable diaper will be described below.

[0012] First Embodiment <Configuration> Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a diaper according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front. The diaper 10 according to this embodiment is a flat-type disposable diaper having a front body region 10F, a back body region 10R, and a crotch region 10C connecting the front body region 10F and the back body region 10R. The front body region 10F and the back body region 10R form a waist opening 10W that surrounds the wearer's waist when worn. Similarly, the lower ends of the front body region 10F and the back body region 10R and the crotch region 10C form a pair of leg openings 10L that surround the wearer's thighs.

[0013] When worn, the front body region 10F is located on the wearer's stomach side, and the back body region 10R is located on the wearer's back side. When worn, the crotch region 10C covers the wearer's crotch, and the wearer's legs are passed through the pair of leg openings 10L. Therefore, the leg openings 10L are located somewhere between the base of the wearer's legs and the thighs.

[0014] A pair of fastening tapes 10A, one on each side, are adhered to the left and right edge portions of the rear body region 10R of the cover sheet 11 located on the outside of the diaper 10. When worn, these tapes overlap and connect the left and right edge portions of the front body region 10F to form leg openings 10L. The fastening tapes 10A are releasably joined to a front patch sheet 10B adhered to the cover sheet 11 of the front body region 10F.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the diaper 10 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the diaper 10 according to the first embodiment in an extended state, as viewed from the top sheet 14 side. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3. For ease of explanation, the diaper 10 in Fig. 2 and the absorbent core 13 in Fig. 3 are shown in a partially cutaway state.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the diaper 10 of this embodiment has a laminated structure in which, from the outside, a cover sheet 11 made of a thin nonwoven fabric to provide a pleasant feel, a liquid-impermeable back sheet (rear surface sheet) 12, an absorbent body 13, a liquid-permeable top sheet (surface sheet) 14, and a pair of side sheets 15 are stacked.

[0017] In the present invention, the absorbent body 13 is provided with an easily foldable section 20 in the shape of a long, thin strip that has been processed to make the absorbent body 13 easier to fold. The easily foldable section 20 is composed of a compressed section 21 and a plurality of non-compressed sections (hereinafter also referred to as "restoring force absorbing sections") 22, and extends in a predetermined direction in the absorbent body 13 (in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13, i.e., direction A).

[0018] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the compressed sections 21 are formed by compressing a laminate of the absorbent body 13 and the top sheet 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the "absorbent portion"). An adhesive is applied to the surface where the top sheet 14 and the absorbent body 13 come into contact, and the compression is carried out, for example, by an embossing roll. As a result, the top sheet 14 and the absorbent body 13 interlock and are integrally bonded throughout the entire compressed section 21, from the bottom surface (bottom wall) to the wall surfaces (side walls) of the compressed section 21. The thickness of the top sheet 14 and the absorbent body 13 at the bottom of the compressed section 21 (thickness of the absorbent portion) is preferably about 1 / 2 to 1 / 9 of the thickness without compression, and more preferably about 1 / 4 to 1 / 9. With this configuration, the top sheet 14 and the absorbent body 13 are integrally formed, so the top sheet 14 and the absorbent body 13 are firmly bonded together, making the top sheet 14 less likely to peel off, and the top sheet 14 conforms to the grooves, maintaining the grooves. Furthermore, since the absorbent core 17 is fixed at the compression section 21, the absorbent core 17 itself is less likely to lose its shape when the diaper 10 is worn, and it is easier to bend when worn, improving the fit to the body.

[0019] In this embodiment, the non-compressed portions 22 are portions that are not compressed, and are represented by hatching with multiple diagonal lines in Figure 3 and Figures 5, 7, and 9, which will be described later. The multiple non-compressed portions 22 have the function of absorbing the restoring force in the easily bendable portion 20, and details will be described later.

[0020] A pair of notches 11N that become leg openings 10L are formed on both the left and right sides of the crotch region 10C of the cover sheet 11. A pair of elastic threads 16 for forming leg gathers is bonded in a stretched state between the cover sheet 11 and the pair of side sheets 15.

[0021] The top sheet 14 is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric or the like. The back sheet 12 is joined to the cover sheet 11, the absorbent body 13 is disposed between the back sheet 12 and the top sheet 14, and the top sheet 14 is joined to the back sheet 12 via the absorbent body 13. An elastic sheet 10D that extends along the width direction of the back sheet 12 and provides a comfortable fit around the waist of the wearer is joined to a region of the back sheet 12 that corresponds to the upper end of the back body region 10R.

[0022] The absorbent body 13 of this embodiment, located below the top sheet 14, has an absorbent core 17 made mainly of pulp and SAP covered with a covering member (core wrap) 18 such as tissue or nonwoven fabric. The seam formed by wrapping the absorbent core 17 with the covering member 18 is formed on the upper surface of the absorbent body 13 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The absorbent body 13 of this embodiment has an elongated shape spanning the front body, crotch area, and back body. Here, if the front body portion to the back body portion is defined as the front-to-back (up-to-down) direction and the direction perpendicular to this is defined as the left-to-right direction, the absorbent body 13 of this embodiment is rectangular in shape with different front-to-back (up-to-down) and left-to-right lengths (in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front-to-back (up-to-down) length is longer than the left-to-right length). The shape of the absorbent body 13 of this embodiment is not limited to this, and may include various shapes such as a substantially square shape with approximately equal front-to-back (top-to-bottom) and left-to-right lengths, a shape with rounded corners at the front-to-back (top-to-bottom) ends, an oval shape extending front-to-back (top-to-bottom), and a circular shape. A pair of arc-shaped cutouts may be formed in the crotch portion of the absorbent body 13 to correspond to the pair of leg openings 10L. While the diaper 10 of this embodiment uses the absorbent body 13 wrapped in the covering member 18, the absorbent article of the present invention may use an absorbent core 17 that is not wrapped in the covering member 18.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, compressed portions 21 are continuously formed on the surface of the absorbent body 13 and arranged in a shape resembling a combination of a U-shape and an inverted U-shape (a substantially rectangular wave shape). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the continuous formation of compressed portions 21 allows the elongated, strip-shaped, easily foldable portion 20 to function as a folding line, making it easier to bend in the width direction of the easily foldable portion 20 and improving the fit of the diaper. Additionally, the tendency to form creases in the same positions improves the ease of putting on the diaper 10 when worn again. Furthermore, the continuous formation of compressed portions 21 allows air to pass through to the ventral or dorsal side, ensuring breathability. Furthermore, excreted bodily fluids are rapidly diffused, allowing the entire absorbent body 13 to be used and efficiently absorbed by the absorbent body 13.

[0024] In this embodiment, a pair of hydrophobic side sheets 15 that form three-dimensional gathers are provided on both left and right edge portions of the top sheet 14 in the width direction. The pair of side sheets 15 stand up along both left and right edge portions of the absorbent body 13 when worn, preventing lateral leakage of excreted bodily fluids. The outer edge portions of the pair of side sheets 15 are formed with notches 15N similar in shape to the pair of notches 11N of the cover sheet 11. Each of the pair of side sheets 15 has a stretched elastic thread 19 serving as a three-dimensional gather elastic material, with its inner edge folded back toward the absorbent body 13 and gripped. When the elastic thread 19 contracts, the pair of side sheets 15 rise toward the wearer's skin. The three-dimensional gathers can be formed using a known structure used in conventional disposable diapers. For example, they can be formed by sandwiching and securing a stretched three-dimensional gather elastic material between layers of a water-repellent sheet.

[0025] <Easy-to-bend processing part> Fig. 5 is a plan view of the absorbent body 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the top sheet 14 side, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5. For ease of explanation, the seams between the cover sheet 11, the side sheet 15, and the covering member 18 are omitted from Figs. 5 and 6.

[0026] As described above, the band-shaped easy-folding section 20 is composed of a compressed section 21 and a plurality of non-compressed sections 22. As shown in Fig. 5, the plurality of non-compressed sections 22 are square-shaped, and are each formed so as not to extend across the entire width of the easy-folding section 20 (in this embodiment, the width direction of the absorbent body 13, i.e., direction B). Here, the easy-folding section 20 is referred to as the region that includes the compressed section 21 and the plurality of non-compressed sections 22 so as to contact the outermost end of the compressed section 21. This configuration makes it possible to make the absorbent body 13 easier to bend in the width direction of the easy-folding section 20, compared to a configuration in which the non-compressed sections 22 are formed so as to extend across the entire width of the easy-folding section 20.

[0027] Furthermore, on the band-shaped easy-folding processed section 20, the plurality of non-compressed sections 22 are arranged so that when an imaginary line is arbitrarily drawn so as to extend in a predetermined direction in which the easy-folding processed section 20 extends, at least one of the plurality of non-compressed sections 22 overlaps with the imaginary line. In this embodiment, the predetermined direction is the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13, i.e., direction A, and the imaginary line is represented by X in Figure 5. The imaginary line X is a line that extends in the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent body 13 and is parallel to the central axis of the absorbent body 13. By forming the easy-folding processed section 20 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13, it is possible to absorb the restoring force of the compressed parts in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13.

[0028] Conventionally, it has been required that excreted body fluids be efficiently absorbed by the absorbent body 13. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article in which the absorbent body is compressed to form long, thin band-like compressed parts, and the body fluid is diffused in the compressed parts, thereby achieving efficient absorption of body fluids. Furthermore, such absorbent articles are prone to bending in the width direction of the compressed parts formed in the absorbent body.

[0029] However, the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the possibility that the restoring force resulting from squeezing the absorbent body may cause the compressed parts of the absorbent body to buckle and wrinkle in the top sheet joined to the compressed parts of the absorbent body and their surroundings, which could result in a poor texture of the top sheet and an uncomfortable wearing experience for the absorbent article. This phenomenon is made more pronounced by the restoring force of the top sheet that occurs when the top sheet is attached to the absorbent body and the laminate of the absorbent body and top sheet is squeezed, or when the top sheet is attached to the absorbent body after it has been squeezed.

[0030] According to this embodiment, by providing non-compressed portions 22 in the direction in which the easy-folding sections 20 extend, the restoring force acting on the easy-folding sections 20 is absorbed and dispersed in the multiple non-compressed portions 22, thereby suppressing buckling of the compressed sections 21 and, in turn, making it less likely for wrinkles to form in the top sheet 14 joined to the compressed sections 21 and their surroundings. This improves the texture of the top sheet 14 and makes it possible to improve the wearing comfort of the diaper 10. Furthermore, because the compressed sections 21 are formed continuously, it becomes easier to fold the absorbent body 13 in the width direction of the band-shaped easy-folding sections 20, thereby improving the fit of the diaper 10.

[0031] In addition, the configuration of this embodiment prevents wrinkles from forming in the compressed portion 21, making it less likely that the covering member 18 (or top sheet 14) will peel off starting from the compressed portion 21, and making it less likely that the absorbent core 17 will lose its shape even when the diaper 10 is re-put on.

[0032] Furthermore, since the absorbent core 17 does not lose its shape, the SAPs are less likely to move within the absorbent core 17 when the diaper 10 is worn, which results in a stable position of the SAPs in the absorbent core 17 and stable absorption performance of the SAPs.

[0033] From the viewpoints of liquid dispersibility and breathability, the width of the easily foldable section 20 is preferably greater than about 1 mm and less than about 20 mm. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ease of folding, it is more preferably greater than about 3 mm and less than about 5 mm. If it is greater than about 5 mm, the compressed portion of the easily foldable section 20 becomes too wide, making it difficult to fold in the width direction. If it is less than about 3 mm, the opposing side walls of the compressed section 21 will come into contact with each other when the absorbent body 13 is folded, making it difficult to fold.

[0034] From the viewpoint of ease of folding, it is preferable that the length of the easy-to-fold section 20 in the longitudinal direction is greater than approximately 170 mm and that it be provided over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the absorbent body 13. If it is less than approximately 170 mm, there is a risk that parts other than the compressed section 21 will hinder the folding of the absorbent body 13.

[0035] From the viewpoint of achieving both ease of folding and diffusion (preventing leakage of bodily fluids), the easily foldable section 20 is disposed in a region including the central region of the absorbent body 13, and its longitudinal length is preferably greater than approximately 170 mm and less than approximately 240 mm. This configuration makes it easier for the easily foldable section 20 extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13 to bend in the width direction, and the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 13 to bend toward the skin side, thereby preventing side leakage of bodily fluids while also preventing rear leakage. Here, the central region of the absorbent body 13 refers to the region that first comes into contact with liquids, such as urination, and the region nearby. The central region of the absorbent body 13 can be changed depending on the physique and gender of the wearer of the absorbent article.

[0036] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the compressed portion 21 and the multiple non-compressed portions 22 that make up the easy-to-bend processing portion 20 is different from that of the first embodiment, but as in the first embodiment, the restoring force in the easy-to-bend processing portion 20 generated by compression is absorbed, thereby suppressing buckling of the compressed portion 21.

[0037] Fig. 7 is a plan view of an absorbent body 13 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the top sheet 14 side, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the VIII-VIII direction in Fig. 7. Of the elements constituting the absorbent article according to this embodiment, those having similar functions are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, compressed portions 21 are continuously formed on the surface of the absorbent body 13, and the compressed portions 21 are arranged in a zigzag pattern so as to extend in a first direction that intersects with direction A and extend in a second direction that intersects with direction A and is different from the first direction. The non-compressed portions 22 are triangular in shape to correspond to the shape of the compressed portions 21.

[0039] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the restoring force in the easily bending section 20 is absorbed, which suppresses buckling of the compressed section 21 and, in turn, makes it possible to make wrinkles less likely to occur in the compressed section 21 and the top sheet 14 joined to the periphery thereof. Also, as in the first embodiment, because the compressed section 21 is formed continuously, it becomes possible to make it easier to fold the absorbent body 13 in the width direction of the band-shaped easily bending section 20.

[0040] Furthermore, with this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, the absorbent core 17 is less likely to lose its shape, and the absorption performance of the SAP is stabilized.

[0041] <Third embodiment> 9 is a plan view of an absorbent body according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the top sheet side. Of the elements constituting the absorbent article according to this embodiment, those having similar functions are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0042] In a third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 9, compressed sections 21, each consisting of an X-shape connected vertically, are formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13 on the surface of the absorbent body 13. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of non-compressed sections 22 are arranged so that at least one of the plurality of non-compressed sections 22 overlaps with the imaginary line X. The plurality of non-compressed sections 22 are made up of right-angled isosceles triangles and squares to correspond to the shapes of the compressed sections 21.

[0043] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the restoring force in the easily bending section 20 is absorbed, which suppresses buckling of the compressed section 21 and, in turn, makes it possible to make wrinkles less likely to occur in the compressed section 21 and the top sheet 14 joined to the periphery thereof. Also, as in the first embodiment, because the compressed section 21 is formed continuously, it becomes possible to make it easier to fold the absorbent body 13 in the width direction of the band-shaped easily bending section 20.

[0044] Furthermore, with this configuration, similar to the first embodiment, the absorbent core 17 is less likely to lose its shape, and the absorption performance of the SAP is stabilized.

[0045] <Other> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or the modifications described throughout, and appropriate changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0046] For example, the structure of the diaper according to each of the above-described embodiments and their modifications is not limited to the flat type as described above, and may be of any structure as long as it is a diaper that includes the structure of an absorbent article as defined in the claims. For example, the present invention is also applicable to pants-type disposable diapers, urine pads, etc.

[0047] In addition, the above-described embodiments and their modifications are not limited to diapers for babies, but can also be applied to various absorbent articles such as diapers for adults and urine pads.

[0048] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments or their variations, the compression portion 21 is formed by compressing the laminate of the absorbent body 13 and the top sheet 14, but in the present invention, the top sheet 14 may be attached to the absorbent body 13 after the absorbent body 13 has been compressed.

[0049] In each of the above embodiments or their variations, the easy-to-fold processed portion 20 is formed on the top sheet 14 side of the absorbent body 13, but this is not limited to this, and the easy-to-fold processed portion 20 may be formed on the back sheet 12 side of the absorbent body 13, or on the top sheet 14 side and back sheet 12 side of the absorbent body 13.

[0050] Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments or their variations, the easy-to-bend processing section 20 extends in a single line in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13, but within the range in which the effects of the present invention are manifested, it is also acceptable for the easy-to-bend processing section 20 to extend in various directions, for example, to extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13 (for example, in the width direction of the absorbent body 13), or to be provided in multiple lines.

[0051] Figure 10 shows an example of a formation pattern of an easy-to-bend processing section 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention, where Figure 10(a) is a plan view of the absorbent body seen from the top sheet side, and Figure 10(b) is a cross-sectional view in the Xb-Xb direction in (a), showing an example of an absorbent body bent when worn.

[0052] In this embodiment, the easy-folding sections 20 are arranged in two parallel lines in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13 on the top sheet 14 side of the absorbent body 13. This configuration not only provides the same effects as the above-described embodiments, but also makes it easier to bend like a W in cross section as shown in Figure 10(b), making it possible to fit the wearer's body and to diffuse bodily fluids in the continuous compressed sections 21. To achieve this effect more reliably, the easy-folding sections 20 may be formed on the back sheet 12 side of the absorbent body 13 in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 13 so as to pass through the center of the width of the absorbent body 13.

[0053] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of formation patterns of easy-to-bend sections 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention, with (a) showing a V-shaped pattern and (b) showing an X-shaped pattern. In this embodiment, the easy-to-bend sections 20 are arranged in a V-shape or an X-shape so as to include the central region of the absorbent body 13. The compressed sections 21 and non-compressed sections 22 that make up the easy-to-bend sections 20 according to this embodiment may be any of the above-described embodiments or their modified examples.

[0054] According to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, since the easily foldable portion 20 can be easily folded into a V-shape or an X-shape in the central region of the absorbent body 13, the diaper 10 can be easily folded to create a gap between the diaper 10 and the wearer's skin under the crotch, thereby preventing chafing. Furthermore, since the diaper 10 can be easily folded into a V-shape or an X-shape when being re-put on the wearer, the person putting it on does not need to reshape the diaper 10, thereby improving workability.

[0055] Furthermore, the shape of the non-compressed portion 22 is not limited to a square or triangle as in the above-described embodiments or their modifications, but may include polygons and curves.

[0056] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and their modifications can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10. Diapers 10A Fastening Tape 10B Front Patch Seat 10F Front body area 10R Back area 10C Inseam area 10W Waist opening 10L leg opening 11 Cover Sheet 11N, 15N notch 12 Back Seat 13 Absorbent 14 Topsheet 15 Side seat 16, 19, 23 Rubber thread (elastic material) 17 absorbent core 18 Covering material (core wrap) 20 Easy-to-bend processing section 21 Compression section 22 Non-compressed section

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, The absorbent body is provided with a band-shaped easy-to-fold processed portion that is composed of a compressed portion and a plurality of restoring force absorbing portions, and the easy-to-fold processed portion extends in a predetermined direction in the absorbent body, the compressed portion is formed by sequentially compressing the absorbent body in the predetermined direction in which the easy-folding processed portion extends using an embossing roll, All of the plurality of restoring force absorbing portions are formed so as to be connected to the side walls and the bottom wall of the compressed portion, all of the plurality of restoring force absorbing portions are formed so as not to extend over the entire width direction of the easy-to-bend processed portion, and protrude inward from width direction edges of the band-shaped easy-to-bend processed portion, and the compressed portions are formed continuously from one end edge to the other end edge in the extension direction of the band-shaped easy-to-bend processed portion, Each of the plurality of restoring force absorbing parts has a square or triangular shape on the surface of the absorber, The length of the belt-shaped easy-bending processed portion in the width direction is greater than 1 mm and less than 20 mm, An absorbent article, wherein the predetermined direction is the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body.

2. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of restoring force absorbing sections are arranged so as to be asymmetrical on the left and right sides in the width direction of the easily bendable section.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the multiple restoring force absorbing sections each have approximately the same size and shape, and are arranged so that the numbers are approximately the same or the same on both the left and right sides of the easy-to-bend processing section in the width direction.

4. An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the left and right resilience absorbing sections in the width direction of the easy-bending processed section are each arranged at approximately equal intervals, and an area in which the compressed section is provided is provided between the resilience absorbing sections in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of restoring force absorbing sections are arranged such that the left and right shapes in the width direction of the easy-folding processed section are staggered.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the absorbent article is used by folding the easy-to-fold processed portion along a virtual straight line defined by the central axis of the band-shaped easy-to-fold processed portion as a folding line.

7. 7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the easily foldable portion is configured to be folded toward the skin side when in use.

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