absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article capable of easily raising a gather sheet.SOLUTION: An absorbent article 1 comprises an absorption member 10, and an outer wrapper sheet 20 covering a non-skin-side surface of the absorption member 10 and extending in a longitudinal direction L, where the outer wrapper sheet 20 includes leg-opening stretchable members 25 stretchable in a width direction W, and the absorption sheet 10 includes gather sheets 30 disposed on both sides in the width direction W thereof. Each gather sheet 30 includes a first side end portion 31 clamped between the absorption member 10 and the outer wrapper sheet 20, is bent at a folding position 32 to cause a second side end 33 to rise, and is overlapped with the leg-opening stretchable member 25 in a plan view, where a stationary area R from the first side end 31 to the folding position 32 is fixed to the outer wrapper sheet 20. The stationary area R includes a first rigid portion R1 set in a prescribed range in the width direction W from the folding position 32, and a rigidity changing portion R3 having rigidity different from that of the first rigid portion R1, is set on the first side end 31 side with respect to the first rigid portion R1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an absorbent article in which a gathered sheet that forms three-dimensional gathers is disposed on both widthwise sides of an absorbent member that absorbs the wearer's bodily fluids (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Here, one widthwise side edge of the gathered sheet is fixed to the back surface (non-skin side) of the absorbent member, and the other widthwise side edge stands up to form three-dimensional gathers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-171400 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-043326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional absorbent articles, the other widthwise side edge of the gathered sheet at both longitudinal ends is folded back toward the absorbent member and fixed to the surface (skin side) of the absorbent member, which causes a problem that both longitudinal ends of the gathered sheet cannot stand up, particularly near both longitudinal ends.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an absorbent article in which the gathered sheet can be easily raised. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an absorbent article comprising an absorbent member that absorbs bodily fluids of a wearer, and an exterior sheet that covers the non-skin side of the absorbent member and extends in a longitudinal direction from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch region to the back side, wherein the exterior sheet is provided with a stretchable member that stretches in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a gathered sheet that extends along the longitudinal direction is disposed on both sides of the absorbent member in the width direction. The gathered sheet has a first side end that is one side end in the width direction sandwiched between the absorbent member and the exterior sheet, is bent at a folding position set in the middle of the width direction, and a second side end that is the other side end in the width direction stands up and overlaps the stretchable member in a plan view, and is fixed to the exterior sheet at a fixing region that is a region between the first side end and the folding position. In the fixed region, a first rigidity portion is set in a predetermined range in the width direction from the folded-back position, and a rigidity change portion having a different rigidity from the first rigidity portion is set on the first side end side of the first rigidity portion. A second rigid portion having a rigidity that does not contract when the elastic member contracts is set in a region from the rigidity changing portion to the tip of the first side end portion. The structure is as follows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This allows the absorbent article of the present invention to easily stand up the gathered sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a development view showing an absorbent article of Example 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line CC in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing part D in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing part E in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the elastic members are contracted in the absorbent article of Example 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of an absorbent article according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of an absorbent article according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention will be described based on Example 1 shown in the drawings. In this specification, the direction from the abdominal side of a wearer wearing the absorbent article 1 through the crotch region to the back side is defined as the longitudinal direction L, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is defined as the width direction W. In addition, in this specification, terms such as "up and down," "left and right," and "front and back" are used relative to the wearer.

[0010] The absorbent article 1 of Example 1 is, for example, a disposable pants-type disposable diaper, and is used to absorb body fluids such as urine of a wearer. As shown in Fig. 1, the absorbent article 1 includes an absorbent member 10, an outer sheet 20, and a gathered sheet 30.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 2 etc., the absorbent member 10 has a top sheet 11, a back sheet 12, and an absorbent core 13, and absorbs bodily fluids of the wearer. Here, the absorbent member 10 is formed by sandwiching the absorbent core 13 between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12, and bonding the peripheral edges of the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the top sheet 11 of the absorbent member 10 faces the wearer, and the back sheet 12 faces the exterior sheet 20.

[0012] The top sheet 11 is made of a liquid-permeable sheet material that allows bodily fluids to pass through, and can be, for example, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, etc. The material fibers that make up the nonwoven fabric can be synthetic fibers such as olefin-based fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester-based fibers, and amide-based fibers, as well as regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton.

[0013] The back sheet 12 is made of a liquid-impermeable sheet material that does not allow body fluids to pass through, and for example, a polyethylene film or the like can be used. Note that, in order to prevent stuffiness, the back sheet 12 may be made of a sheet material that is moisture-permeable without impairing its liquid-impermeability (water-blocking properties). Such a liquid-impermeable / moisture-permeable sheet material can be, for example, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in a uniaxial or biaxial direction.

[0014] The absorbent core 13 has a long, strip-like shape in plan view, with a narrow, constricted region in the middle in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent core 13 is formed from materials capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, including pulp fiber stacks, filament aggregates such as cellulose acetate, and nonwoven fabrics. The absorbent core 13 may be formed by mixing, fixing, or otherwise incorporating particulate or other superabsorbent polymers, as needed. The absorbent core 13 may also contain superabsorbent polymer fibers, polymer particles other than superabsorbent polymer particles, inorganic particles, or the like. The absorbent core 13 may be composed of a single layer or a laminate of multiple layers. The absorbent core 13 is preferably wrapped in a wrapping sheet such as a nonwoven fabric or crepe paper. An intermediate sheet may be interposed between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent core 13. The provision of the intermediate sheet can prevent backflow of body fluids absorbed by the absorbent core 13. Therefore, it is preferable to use a material with low water retention and high liquid permeability, such as various nonwoven fabrics and mesh films, as the intermediate sheet.

[0015] 1, the exterior sheet 20 has a long, narrow, strip-like shape in a plan view when the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, and extends along the longitudinal direction L. The exterior sheet 20 has a front region FR at one end 20a in the longitudinal direction L that faces the wearer's abdomen, and a rear region BK at the other end 20b in the longitudinal direction L that faces the wearer's back. Furthermore, a constricted region CO that is narrower than the front region FR and the rear region BK is defined in the middle of the exterior sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0016] The outer covering sheet 20 is folded at the center in the longitudinal direction L, and both side edges (both ends in the width direction W) 20c, 20d of the front region FR and the back region BK are joined together to form a waistline portion that covers the waist of the wearer. In addition, the waistband region CO of the outer covering sheet 20 is formed into a ring shape by joining both side edges 20c, 20d of the front region FR and the back region BK, and forms a leg-line portion into which the wearer's legs are inserted.

[0017] The exterior sheet 20 also has an exterior back sheet 21 (see FIG. 2, etc.), an elastic member 22, and an exterior top sheet 23.

[0018] The exterior backsheet 21 is made of a liquid-impermeable sheet material that does not allow body fluids to pass through, and can be made of, for example, the same material as the backsheet 12 of the absorbent member 10. The exterior backsheet 21 extends along the longitudinal direction L and forms the entire exterior sheet 20. The non-skin side of the exterior backsheet 21 (the side that comes into contact with clothing or the side that faces clothing) may be covered with a sheet material such as nonwoven fabric.

[0019] The elastic members 22 are stretchable in the width direction W, and are provided in the front region FR and the rear region BK of the outer covering sheet 20. As shown in Fig. 1 etc., the elastic members 22 of Example 1 include waist elastic members 24 arranged on both end edges (at the opening of the waistline portion) in the longitudinal direction L of the outer covering sheet 20, and leg elastic members 25 arranged between the waist elastic members 24 and the constricted region CO.

[0020] The waist elastic member 24 is made up of a plurality of thread-like first elastic materials 24a extending in the width direction W and spaced at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L. The first elastic materials 24a constituting the waist elastic member 24 are made of natural or synthetic rubber and are elastic in the longitudinal direction. Each first elastic material 24a extends over its entire length parallel to both end edges of the outer covering sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L (the opening of the waistband portion).

[0021] The leg-hole elastic members 25 extend in the width direction W and are composed of a plurality of thread-like second elastic materials 25a arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L. The second elastic materials 25a constituting the leg-hole elastic members 25 are made of natural or synthetic rubber and are stretchable in the length direction. Both ends of each second elastic material 25a in the width direction W are arranged to be curved in an arc along the periphery of the constricted region CO, and the middle portion in the width direction W extends parallel to both end edges of the exterior sheet 20 in the longitudinal direction L (the opening of the waistband portion).

[0022] The waist elastic member 24 and the leg elastic member 25 are sandwiched and fixed between the exterior back sheet 21 and the exterior top sheet 23 with the plurality of first elastic materials 24a and the plurality of second elastic materials 25a respectively stretched to a predetermined length.

[0023] The exterior topsheet 23 is a liquid-impermeable sheet material that does not allow bodily fluids to pass through, and can be made of, for example, the same material as the exterior backsheet 21. The exterior topsheet 23 is fixed to the exterior backsheet 21 via, for example, a linear pattern adhesive or a hot melt adhesive applied onto the elastic members 22.

[0024] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the first elastic material 24a and the second elastic material 25a contract to their natural state (unstretched state), causing the exterior sheet 20 to contract integrally along the width direction W. In other words, the exterior sheet 20 is stretchable along the width direction W.

[0025] The gathered sheet 30 is a strip-shaped sheet material that is arranged on both sides of the absorbent member 10 in the width direction W and extends along the longitudinal direction L. The gathered sheet 30 is made of a liquid-impermeable sheet material that does not allow body fluids to pass through, and for example, a plastic sheet or nonwoven fabric can be used. From the perspective of a good feel on the wearer's skin, the gathered sheet 30 is preferably made of nonwoven fabric that has been treated with a water-repellent material such as silicone.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the gathered sheet 30 has a first side end 31, which is one side end in the width direction W, sandwiched between the absorbent member 10 and the outer sheet 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the gathered sheet 30 is bent at a folding position 32 set in the middle in the width direction W, and a second side end 33, which is the other side end in the width direction W, stands up toward the skin (wearer's side). The standing up of the second side end 33 of the gathered sheet 30 forms a three-dimensional gather that fits along the wearer's groin when the absorbent article 1 is worn, preventing leakage of bodily fluids from between the wearer and the absorbent article 1 (so-called side leakage).

[0027] 3, in the gathered sheet 30, in the front-side fixing regions K (shown surrounded by dashed lines in FIG. 1) set at both end portions 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction L, the second side end portions 33 are folded back toward the center in the width direction W. The folded back second side end portions 33 are fixed to the skin side of the absorbent member 10 (the surface of the top sheet 11) via a hot melt adhesive 41.

[0028] Furthermore, the gathered sheet 30 is provided with an elastic gathering member 34 at least in the region from the folding position 32 to the tip of the second side edge 33. The elastic gathering member 34 extends in the longitudinal direction L and is composed of a plurality of thread-like elastic material arranged at predetermined intervals along the width direction W. The elastic material constituting the elastic gathering member 34, like the first elastic material 24a and the second elastic material 25a, is made of natural rubber or synthetic rubber and is elastic in the length direction. In other words, the elastic gathering member 34 is elastic in the longitudinal direction L. The elastic gathering member 34 is fixed by being sandwiched between the gathered sheet 30 folded in half in the width direction W.

[0029] 1, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the absorbent member 10 and the gathered sheets 30 arranged on both sides of the absorbent member 10 in the width direction are arranged in positions where they overlap at least partially with the leg-hole stretchable members 25 in a plan view. In contrast, the leg-hole stretchable members 25 extend in the width direction W in a plan view at positions where they overlap with the absorbent member 10 and the gathered sheets 30, making the exterior sheet 20 stretchable along the width direction W.

[0030] In contrast, at least the portions of the gathered sheet 30 that overlap the elastic members 22 (leg opening elastic members 25) in a plan view (hereinafter referred to as "fixed region R") are fixed to the exterior sheet 20 with a hot melt adhesive 42, as shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, in the fixed region R, the gathered sheet 30 is fixed to the exterior sheet 20 with the hot melt adhesive 42 from the tip of the first side end 31 to the folded-back position 32 along the width direction W, as shown in Fig. 2. In other words, the gathered sheet 30 overlaps the elastic members 22 (leg opening elastic members 25) of the gathered sheet 30 in a plan view, and the fixed region R from the first side end 31 to the folded-back position 32 along the width direction W is fixed to the exterior sheet 20.

[0031] The entire surface of the absorbent member 10 facing the exterior sheet 20 is fixed to the exterior sheet 20 via a hot melt adhesive 42 .

[0032] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, as shown in FIG. 5, a first rigid portion R1, a second rigid portion R2, and a rigidity change portion R3 are set in the fixed region R along the width direction W.

[0033] The first rigid portion R1 is an area set within a predetermined range in the width direction W from the folding position 32. The first rigid portion R1 is set to have a rigidity that can withstand the stress of the leg-hole elastic members 25 arranged on the exterior sheet 20. In other words, the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1 is set to a degree that causes almost no deformation (contraction) when the leg-hole elastic members 25 expand and contract. The predetermined range within which the first rigid portion R1 is set is set arbitrarily depending on the rigidity of the gathered sheet 30, etc.

[0034] The rigidity change portion R3 is a region that is set closer to the first side end portion 31 than the first rigid portion R1. In Example 1, the rigidity change portion R3 is set in the middle of the fixed region R in the width direction W, at a position that does not overlap the absorbent member 10 in a plan view. In Example 1, the first rigid portion R1 is formed between the rigidity change portion R3 and the folded-back position 32. The rigidity change portion R3 is set to a different rigidity from the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1. In Example 1, the rigidity of the rigidity change portion R3 is weaker than that of the first rigid portion R1, and is set to a rigidity that allows the rigidity change portion R3 to easily deform (contract) due to the contraction force of the stretchable member 22 (leg-hole stretchable member 25). That is, here, the rigidity of the rigidity change portion R3 is set to a rigidity that allows the rigidity change portion R3 to contract more than the first rigid portion R1 when the leg-hole stretchable member 25 contracts.

[0035] The second rigid portion R2 is a region between the rigidity changing portion R3 and the tip of the first side end portion 31. The second rigid portion R2 in Example 1 is set at a position where the gathered sheet 30 overlaps the absorbent member 10 in a plan view. The second rigid portion R2 is set to have a rigidity stronger than that of the rigidity changing portion R3, and further stronger than that of the first rigid portion R1. Here, the rigidity of the second rigid portion R2 is set to a rigidity that does not contract at all when the leg-hole elastic members 25 contract.

[0036] That is, in the fixing region R where the gathered sheet 30 is adhered to the exterior sheet 20, a first rigid portion R1, a rigidity changing portion R3, and a second rigid portion R2 are set in this order from the folding position 32 side toward the center in the width direction W. The rigidity is set so that the second rigid portion R2 > the first rigid portion R1 > the rigidity changing portion R3.

[0037] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the rigidity of the rigidity changing portion R3 is made weaker than the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1 and the second rigid portion R2 by loosening the sheet material (nonwoven fabric) forming the gathered sheet 30 and reducing the amount of hot melt adhesive 42 applied in the rigidity changing portion R3. In addition, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the rigidity of the second rigid portion R2 is made stronger than the first rigid portion R1 by sandwiching the gathered sheet 30 between the absorbent member 10 and the exterior sheet 20.

[0038] 1, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the front-side fixing regions K set at both end portions 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction L of the gathered sheet 30 do not overlap the leg opening stretchable members 25 in a plan view. Furthermore, the front-side fixing regions K are located closer to both end portions 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction L than the leg opening stretchable members 25 in a plan view. In other words, the leg opening stretchable members 25 are located closer to the center in the longitudinal direction L than the front-side fixing regions K.

[0039] The tension of the multiple second elastic materials 25a of the leg opening stretchable member 25 is set to gradually weaken from the ends 20a, 20b in the longitudinal direction L of the exterior sheet 20 toward the center in the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the multiple second elastic materials 25a positioned closer to the front-side fixing region K have stronger tension, and the tension gradually weakens with increasing distance from the front-side fixing region K.

[0040] Specifically, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the leg opening stretchable members 25 are configured with four second elastic materials 25a. The four second elastic materials 25a are designated as a first rubber thread 26a, a second rubber thread 26b, a third rubber thread 26c, and a fourth rubber thread 26d, in that order from the ends 20a and 20b in the longitudinal direction L of the outer sheet 20 toward the center in the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, when the tension of the first rubber thread 26a is "T1," the tension of the second rubber thread 26b is "T2," the tension of the third rubber thread 26c is "T3," and the tension of the fourth rubber thread 26d is "T4," the following formula (1) is established. T1>T2>T3>T4 (1)

[0041] In addition, the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 generates differences in tension among the multiple second elastic materials 25a that make up the leg-around elastic member 25 by adjusting the tension when fixing the second elastic materials 25a to the outer back sheet 21, the thickness of each second elastic material 25a, the spacing between the second elastic materials 25a, etc.

[0042] The function of the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 will be described below.

[0043] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the outer sheet 20 is provided with leg-hole stretchable members 25 that stretch in the width direction W, and gathered sheets 30 are arranged on both sides of the absorbent member 10 in the width direction W. Here, the gathered sheet 30 has a first side edge 31 sandwiched between the absorbent member 10 and the outer sheet 20, and is bent at a folding-back position 32 set in the middle in the width direction W, so that a second side edge 33 stands up. Furthermore, the gathered sheet 30 is fixed to the outer sheet 20 via a hot melt adhesive 42 in a fixed region R between the first side edge 31 and the folding-back position 32, which is located so as to overlap the leg-hole stretchable members 25 in a plan view.

[0044] 7, when the outer covering sheet 20 shrinks in the width direction W due to the contraction force of the leg hole elastic members 25, the fixed region R of the gathered sheet 30 fixed to the outer covering sheet 20 is pulled toward the center of the width direction W. In other words, a force F1 acting toward the center of the width direction W acts on the fixed region R.

[0045] Here, in the fixed region R, a first rigid portion R1 is set in a predetermined range in the width direction W from the folding position 32. In addition, a rigidity change portion R3 having a rigidity different from that of the first rigid portion R1 is set closer to the first side end portion 31 than the first rigid portion R1, and here the rigidity of the rigidity change portion R3 is weaker than the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1.

[0046] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, the force F1 acting on the fixed region R causes the rigidity varying portion R3 to deform (contract) more than the first rigid portion R1. As a result, the portion of the gathered sheet 30 from the folded-back position 32 to the tip of the second side end portion 33 (the portion not fixed to the exterior sheet 20) (hereinafter referred to as the "standing portion R4") deforms in a direction rotating outward in the width direction W, starting from the rigidity varying portion R3, as shown by arrow F2. As a result, the standing portion R4 stands up, and the absorbent article 1 can easily raise the standing portion R4.

[0047] If the first rigidity portion R1 and the rigidity varying portion R3 are not provided in the fixed region R and the rigidity of the fixed region R is set constant throughout the entire region, when a force F1 is applied to the fixed region R, the entire fixed region R will deform (contract) in the same manner. Since the entire fixed region R deforms (contracts) almost uniformly toward the center in the width direction W, it is not possible to create a location that is partially significantly deformed (contracted) inside the width direction of the folded-back position 32. As a result, the standing portion R4 cannot be deformed in a direction that rotates outward in the width direction W, and the gathered sheet 30 will not stand up easily.

[0048] Furthermore, when the wearer puts on the absorbent article 1, the leg elastic members 25 are pulled and stretched. Therefore, no force F1 toward the center in the width direction W acts on the fixed region R. Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is worn, the standing portion R4 of the gathered sheet 30 does not deform in a direction rotating outward in the width direction W, and the gathered sheet 30 does not stand up. In other words, the second side end portion 33 of the gathered sheet 30 is in a state where it is collapsed toward the absorbent member 10. As a result, the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 can prevent the wearer's feet from getting caught on the gathered sheet 30 when worn, and can prevent the gathered sheet 30 from collapsing outward in the width direction W.

[0049] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1 is set to a rigidity capable of resisting the stress of the leg-hole elastic members 25. Therefore, when a force F1 acts on the fixing region R, the first rigid portion R1 of the absorbent article 1 hardly deforms (contracts), and the shape of the periphery of the folded-back position 32 can be maintained. As a result, the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 can prevent the rising height of the standing portion R4 from decreasing due to contraction of the first rigid portion R1.

[0050] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the rigidity varying portion R3 is set in the middle of the fixing region R in the width direction W, and is set to have a rigidity weaker than that of the first rigid portion R1. Furthermore, in the fixing region R, a second rigid portion R2 having a rigidity stronger than that of the rigidity varying portion R3 is set between the rigidity varying portion R3 and the first side end portion 31.

[0051] 7, the absorbent article 1 can deform (shrink) the middle part of the fixing region R in the width direction W more than the parts on either side thereof, while suppressing deformation (shrinkage) on both sides of the fixing region R in the width direction W. This prevents the fixing region R from deforming unnecessarily too much, and allows the rising height of the rising part R4 of the gathered sheet 30 to be set appropriately.

[0052] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the varying rigidity portion R3 is set to have the weakest rigidity, and the second rigidity portion R2 is set to have a rigidity stronger than that of the first rigidity portion R1, which suppresses deformation of the absorbent member 10 due to deformation of the gathered sheet 30, and prevents wrinkles and creases from occurring in the absorbent member 10.

[0053] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, in the front-side fixing regions K set at both ends 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction L of the gathered sheet 30, the second side end portions 33 of the gathered sheet 30 are fixed to the skin side of the absorbent member 10 (the surface of the top sheet 11). Therefore, the closer to the front-side fixing regions K of the gathered sheet 30, the more difficult it is for the upstanding portions R4 to stand up.

[0054] Furthermore, the leg elastic members 25, which are the elastic members 22 that overlap the gathered sheet 30 in a plan view, are made up of a plurality of second elastic materials 25a arranged at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction L. The plurality of second elastic materials 25a are set so that the tension therein gradually weakens from the end sides in the longitudinal direction L toward the center in the longitudinal direction L.

[0055] The leg hole extensible members 25 are located closer to the center in the longitudinal direction L than the front-side fixing region K in a plan view.

[0056] As a result, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the multiple second elastic materials 25a constituting the leg hole elastic members 25 are set to have a stronger tension the closer they are to the front-side fixing region K set at both ends 30a, 30b in the longitudinal direction L. As a result, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the force F1 acting on the fixing region R can be made larger the closer they are to the front-side fixing region K, and the force that deforms the standing portions R4 of the gathered sheet 30 is greater in positions closer to the front-side fixing region K and where it is difficult for the standing portions R4 to stand up. Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the force F1 acting on the fixing region R can be made smaller the further away from the front-side fixing region K the standing portions R4 are from positions where they are more likely to stand up, and the force that deforms the standing portions R4 can be reduced. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can make the standing height of the gathered sheet 30 uniform along the longitudinal direction L.

[0057] If the tension of the second elastic materials 25a constituting the leg opening elastic members 25 is set constant, the force F1 acting on the fixing region R will be the same regardless of the ease with which the gathered sheet 30 rises depending on the distance from the front-side fixing region K. Therefore, in the gathered sheet 30, the rising height of the standing portions R4 will be low in positions close to the front-side fixing region K where the standing portions R4 are difficult to rise. Also, in positions away from the front-side fixing region K where the standing portions R4 are easy to rise, the standing portions R4 may rise too much and become inverted. Furthermore, if the tension of the second elastic materials 25a is uniformly reduced to prevent the standing portions R4 from inverting, there is a possibility that the standing portions R4 will not rise at all in areas close to the front-side fixing region K.

[0058] In other words, the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 can make the rising height of the standing portion R4 uniform along the longitudinal direction L by setting the tension of the multiple second elastic materials 25a that make up the leg-around elastic member 25 to differ depending on the distance from the front-side fixing region K.

[0059] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the gathered sheet 30 is provided with elastic gather members 34 that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction L. This allows the gathered sheet 30 to stand up due to the contractile force of the elastic gather members 34, making it even easier for the upstanding portion R4 of the absorbent article 1 to stand up.

[0060] The absorbent article 1 of the present invention has been described above based on Example 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim.

[0061] In the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the rigidity of the rigidity varying portion R3 was set to be weaker than the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1. However, it is sufficient that the rigidity varying portion R3 is located closer to the first side end portion 31 than the first rigid portion R1 and has a different rigidity from the first rigid portion R1. Therefore, the rigidity of the rigidity varying portion R3 may be set to be stronger than the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1.

[0062] That is, as in the absorbent article 1A of the first modified example shown in an enlarged view of a main part in Fig. 8, the gathered sheet 30 may be embossed in the rigidity changing portion R3, and the rigidity of the rigidity changing portion R3 may be set to be stronger than the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1. In this case, when a force F1 is applied to the fixed region R, the standing portion R4 deforms and stands up in a rotational direction starting from the boundary position between the first rigid portion R1 and the rigidity changing portion R3.

[0063] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the rigidity change portion R3 was set at a position that did not overlap the absorbent member 10 in a plan view. However, the position at which the rigidity change portion R3 is set is not limited to this. For example, as in an absorbent article 1B of a second modified example shown in Fig. 9, a slit S that penetrates the absorbent member 10 in the thickness direction is formed in a side end portion in the width direction W of the absorbent member 10 (hereinafter referred to as "width direction end portion 10c"). Then, by weakening the rigidity of the width direction end portion 10c of the absorbent member 10 with the slit S, a rigidity change portion R3 that is weaker in rigidity than the first rigidity portion R1 may be set.

[0064] That is, in this case, the fixed region R has the weakest rigidity at the position overlapping the slit S in plan view, forming a rigidity-varying portion R3 with a different rigidity from the first rigidity portion R1. Therefore, the rigidity-varying portion R3 overlaps the absorbent member 10 in plan view. Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1B of the second modified example, when force F1 is applied to the fixed region R, the gathered sheet 30 is significantly deformed at the position overlapping the absorbent member 10 in plan view (rigidity-varying portion R3) together with the portion of the widthwise end 10c of the absorbent member 10 where the slit S is formed. As a result, the standing portion R4 is deformed in a direction rotating from the rigidity-varying portion R3 as a starting point and stands up.

[0065] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the fixed region R is divided into a first rigid portion R1, a second rigid portion R2, and a rigidity change portion R3, and each portion has a constant rigidity. However, the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1, etc. is not limited to this. For example, the first rigid portion R1 may be configured so that its rigidity gradually decreases from the folded-back position 32 toward the rigidity change portion R3. Furthermore, the rigidity of the rigidity change portion R3 may be configured so that its rigidity gradually decreases from the first rigid portion R1 side toward the second rigid portion R2 side, or conversely, so that its rigidity gradually increases. Furthermore, the second rigid portion R2 may also be configured so that its rigidity gradually increases from the rigidity change portion R3 side toward the first side end portion 31, for example.

[0066] In this case, the boundary position between the first rigid portion R1 and the rigidity change portion R3 and the boundary position between the rigidity change portion R3 and the second rigid portion R2 are not clearly defined. However, since it is sufficient that the rigidity of the first rigid portion R1 within a predetermined range in the width direction W from the folding position 32 is different from that of the first side end portion 31, the boundary positions do not need to be clearly defined.

[0067] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, the leg-hole elastic member 25 is shown as an example of the elastic member 22 that partially overlaps the absorbent member 10 and the gathered sheet 30. However, any elastic member 22 that is provided on the outer sheet 20 and stretches in the width direction W and overlaps the gathered sheet 30 in a plan view, such as a waist elastic member 24, can also be applied as the elastic member of the present invention.

[0068] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example has been shown in which the gathered sheet 30 is fixed to the outer sheet 20 at a fixing region R, which is a position where the gathered sheet 30 overlaps the leg elastic members 25 in a plan view. However, this is not limiting, and for example, the gathered sheet 30 may be fixed to the outer sheet 20 over the entire length in the longitudinal direction L, from the first side end portion 31 to the folded-back position 32.

[0069] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1 of Example 1, an example was shown in which the front-side fastening region K does not overlap with the leg-holes stretchable members 25 in a plan view. However, the front-side fastening region K may partially overlap with the leg-holes stretchable members 25 in a plan view.

[0070] Furthermore, although the absorbent article 1 of Example 1 is an example of a disposable pants-type paper diaper, it may also be, for example, a tape-type disposable paper diaper. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Absorbent articles 10 Absorbing member 11 Topsheet 12 Back Seat 13 absorbent core 20 Exterior sheet 21 Exterior back seat 22 Elastic member 23 Exterior top sheet 24 Elastic waistband 25 Leg expansion member 25a Second elastic material 30 Gathered Sheet 31 First side end 32 Turning point 33 Second side end 34 Elastic material for gathering 42 Hot melt adhesive R fixed area R1 1st rigid part R2 2nd rigid part R3: Stiffness change section R4 Standing part

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent member that absorbs bodily fluids of a wearer, and an exterior sheet that covers the non-skin side of the absorbent member and extends in a longitudinal direction from the wearer's abdominal side through a crotch region toward the wearer's back side, The exterior sheet is provided with an elastic member that is elastic in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, Gathered sheets extending along the longitudinal direction are disposed on both sides of the absorbent member in the width direction, The gathered sheet has a first side end portion, which is one side end portion in the width direction, sandwiched between the absorbent member and the exterior sheet, and is bent at a folding position set in the middle portion in the width direction, and a second side end portion, which is the other side end portion in the width direction, stands up and overlaps the stretchable member in a plan view, and a fixed region, which is a region between the first side end portion and the folding position, is fixed to the exterior sheet, In the fixed region, a first rigidity portion is set in a predetermined range in the width direction from the folded-back position, a rigidity change portion having a different rigidity from the first rigidity portion is set closer to the first side end portion than the first rigidity portion, and a second rigidity portion having a rigidity that does not contract when the extensible member contracts is set in a region from the rigidity change portion to the tip of the first side end portion. An absorbent article characterized by:

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, The rigidity of the first rigid portion is set to a rigidity capable of resisting the stress of the elastic member. An absorbent article characterized by:

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, The variable rigidity portion is set in a middle portion of the fixed region in the width direction, and is set to have a rigidity weaker than that of the first rigidity portion. An absorbent article characterized by:

4. In the absorbent article described in claim 1, The second rigid portion is set to have a rigidity stronger than that of the first rigid portion. An absorbent article characterized by:

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, At both longitudinal end portions of the gathered sheet, the second side end portions are fixed to the skin side surfaces of the absorbent members, The elastic members are arranged in plurality along the longitudinal direction, and are set so that the tension therein gradually weakens from the end portions in the longitudinal direction toward the center in the longitudinal direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The gathered sheet is provided with a gathering stretchable member that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction. An absorbent article characterized by:

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