absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which hardly causes a skin trouble around a waist.SOLUTION: A surface sheet 3 provided in a diaper 1 has a higher hydrophilic property on a non skin facing surface relative to that on a skin facing surface side. The diaper 1 comprises: a high absorption speed region 11; and low absorption speed regions 12 whose body fluid absorption speed is slow relative to that on the high absorption speed region 11. On both sides of a vertical direction X sandwiching the high absorption speed region 11 therebetween, the low absorption speed regions 12 are provided. A boundary between the high absorption speed region 11 and the low absorption speed region 12, overlaps with a part on a leg periphery elastic member 8 which is stretchable in the vertical direction X, in the vertical direction X.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that can be used to absorb and retain bodily exudates such as urine. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers typically include an absorbent core that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, a hydrophilic topsheet disposed closer to the wearer's skin than the absorbent core, and a hydrophobic backsheet disposed farther from the wearer's skin than the absorbent core. Patent Document 1 describes a disposable diaper having such a configuration, in which the longitudinal ends of the topsheet and backsheet are joined together with a horizontally continuous band-like hydrophobic adhesive layer. According to the diaper described in Patent Document 1, the hydrophobic adhesive layer prevents leakage of body waste from the longitudinal ends of the diaper. The vertical direction here refers to the direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article, and the horizontal direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an absorbent article is worn for a relatively long period of time, the wearer's skin covered by the absorbent article becomes hydrated by the moisture in the surrounding area, raising concerns about the occurrence of skin problems such as eczema, heat rash, and rashes. In particular, the waist end of an absorbent article is often made stretchable by providing an elastic member or the like to enhance its adhesion to the skin, and therefore the skin around the wearer's waist where the waist end is located is relatively prone to skin problems. An absorbent article that has excellent excrement absorption and leak prevention properties, which are the basic performance of an absorbent article, and that also suppresses skin problems around the waist has not yet been provided.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that is less likely to cause skin troubles around the waist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides an absorbent article comprising an absorbent body having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen through the crotch region to the back and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the absorbent body including an absorbent core that absorbs and retains bodily fluids, a top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a pair of side flap portions extending outward in the horizontal direction from each of the two side edges of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, and leg elastic members arranged in the portions of the side flap portions that are arranged around the wearer's legs so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet has a higher hydrophilicity than the skin-facing side. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the absorbent article has a high absorption rate region and a low absorption rate region that has a relatively slower body fluid absorption rate than the high absorption rate region, and the low absorption rate region is located on both sides of the high absorption rate region in the longitudinal direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the boundary between the high absorption rate region and the low absorption rate region overlaps in the longitudinal direction with the portion of the leg elastic members that is arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an absorbent article that is less likely to cause skin troubles around the waist is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a developed plan view schematically showing the skin-facing side (topsheet side) of an open-type disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, in an open and maximally stretched state. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 1 (a cross section along the thickness direction of the crotch portion). [Figure 3] 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views each schematically showing the skin-facing side of an embodiment of an absorbent core according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual ones.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "diaper 1"), which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, i.e., the direction extending from the ventral side through the crotch region to the dorsal side, and a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The diaper 1 also has a crotch region M which is arranged in the crotch region of the wearer and includes an excretory region-facing region (not shown) which faces an excretory region such as the penis, a ventral region F which is arranged closer to the ventral side (front side) of the wearer than the crotch region M, and a dorsal region R which is arranged closer to the dorsal side (rear side) of the wearer than the crotch region M.

[0011] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side across the lateral centerline CLy in the unfolded and maximally stretched state. The ventral portion F is a part of the front body of the diaper 1, and the back portion R is a part of the rear body of the diaper 1. The crotch portion M straddles the longitudinal centerline CLx in the longitudinal direction X and extends across both the front and rear body portions of the diaper 1. In the present invention, the ventral region F, the crotch region M and the back region R may be each of the regions obtained by dividing the diaper 1 in the unfolded and maximally stretched state into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X. The horizontal centerline CLy is an imaginary line extending in the longitudinal direction X, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the horizontal direction Y. The vertical centerline CLx is an imaginary line extending in the horizontal direction Y, dividing the diaper 1 in its unfolded and maximally stretched state into two equal parts in the vertical direction X.

[0012] In this specification, the "unfolded and maximum stretched state" refers to a state in which the object (such as an absorbent article) is spread out flat to an unfolded state, and the elastic members of each part of the unfolded object are stretched to their designed dimensions, i.e., the dimensions when the object is unfolded flat in a state in which the influence of the elastic members is completely eliminated. If the object is an absorbent article having side seals, the absorbent article is separated at the side seals and spread out flat to the unfolded state.

[0013] The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 5 including an absorbent core 50 that absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine, a top sheet 3 arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 5, and a pair of side flap portions 20, 20 extending outward in the horizontal direction Y from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5 along the vertical direction X, and leg-around elastic members 8 are arranged in the vertical direction X at portions of the side flap portions 20 that are arranged around the legs of the wearer.

[0014] The diaper 1 of this embodiment is a so-called flat-type disposable diaper, and as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with fastening members 21 having fastening portions (not shown) on both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the back side portion R of the diaper 1, and is provided with fastening regions (not shown) on the non-skin-facing surface of a sheet (outer sheet 6 in this embodiment) that forms the non-skin-facing surface of the ventral side portion F of the diaper 1, to which the fastening portions can be fastened.

[0015] In this specification, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of an absorbent article or a component thereof (e.g., an absorbent body) that faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and the "non-skin-facing side" refers to the side of an absorbent article or a component thereof that faces the opposite side from the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, appropriate wearing position, i.e., a state in which the absorbent article is maintained in the correct wearing position.

[0016] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 2. The absorbent body 2 is configured to include a topsheet 3 and an absorbent body 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent body 2 further includes an intermediate sheet 10 disposed between the topsheet 3 and the absorbent body 5, a backsheet 4 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 5, and an outer sheet 6 disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the backsheet 4. The absorbent body 2 (absorbent body 5) extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral side F to the dorsal side R, and its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X. The topsheet 3, together with a cuff sheet 70 described below, forms the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the diaper 1, and the outer sheet 6 forms the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the diaper 1. The components of the absorbent body 2 are joined to each other by known joining means such as adhesives.

[0017] As the constituent components of the absorbent body 2, those components that are normally used in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular restrictions, provided that if any explanation about the components is given later, that explanation can be applied. Various types of liquid-permeable sheets can be used as the topsheet 3, including, for example, nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, and paper. The topsheet 3 is typically hydrophilic. The backsheet 4 may be a leakproof sheet, specifically a liquid-impermeable sheet (i.e., a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or a sheet that is hardly liquid-permeable (a sheet that is not liquid-impermeable but does allow liquid to pass through with difficulty), such as a moisture-permeable resin film or a laminate of such a resin film and a nonwoven fabric. The backsheet 4 is typically hydrophobic. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent body 5 includes an absorbent core 50 mainly made of a water-absorbent material and a core wrap sheet 51 covering the outer surfaces (skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces) of the absorbent core 50. The water-absorbent material is typically one or more selected from fibrous materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbent polymers. The absorbent core 50 may be, for example, a stacked fiber type mainly made of an aggregate of fibrous materials, with water-absorbent polymer particles optionally supported on the aggregate, or a sheet type in which water-absorbent polymer particles are fixed to the interior or surface of a fiber sheet. The sheet type is thinner and more flexible than the stacked fiber type. The core wrap sheet 51 is liquid-permeable and typically made of paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like. The absorbent body 5 may be composed of only the absorbent core 50 without the core wrap sheet 51. The outer sheet 6 is preferably one that feels good against the skin, and from that point of view, various nonwoven fabrics are preferably used. Note that the absorbent article of the present invention does not necessarily have to be provided with the outer sheet 6.

[0018] The intermediate sheet 10 is a component also known as a sublayer in this technical field, and plays a role in improving the permeability of liquid from the top sheet 3 to the absorbent body 5 and preventing liquid backflow (the phenomenon in which excrement absorbed by the absorbent body 5 moves to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 3). In this embodiment, the intermediate sheet 10 extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral portion F through the crotch portion M to the dorsal portion R, and as shown in FIG. 2, covers almost the entire skin-facing surface of the absorbent body 5, and does not extend outward from the periphery of the absorbent body 5. The intermediate sheet 10 may have a single-layer structure or a laminated structure. The intermediate sheet 10 may be a hydrophilic and liquid-permeable sheet, such as paper, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or a composite sheet containing two or more of these. Nonwoven fabric is particularly preferred as the intermediate sheet 10, as it has sufficient strength for practical use and excellent flexibility. The nonwoven fabric that is the material for the intermediate sheet 10 may be made of nonwoven fabrics manufactured by various methods, such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, point-bonded nonwoven fabrics, resin-bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, and air-laid nonwoven fabrics. The basis weight of the intermediate sheet 10 is preferably 20 g / m 2 More preferably, 30 g / m2 or more, and preferably 60 g / m 2 Less than 50 g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0019] 2, the topsheet 3 in this embodiment includes a first layer 31 disposed relatively closer to the wearer's skin, and a second layer 32 disposed on the non-skin-facing surface of the first layer 31. The first layer 31 forms the skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3, and the second layer 32 forms the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3.

[0020] In this embodiment, the topsheet 3 has an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of convex portions 33 that protrude toward the wearer's skin are scattered on the skin-facing surface of the first layer 31, thereby forming an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3, consisting of each convex portion 33 and concave portions (non-convex portions) located around them. The second layer 32, which forms the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3, is substantially flat and does not have an uneven shape. When the surface of the topsheet 3 has an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface, the feel of the topsheet 3 against the skin, cushioning properties, and surface dryness are improved, and therefore, the wearing comfort of the diaper 1 can be expected to be improved. More specifically, in this embodiment, the topsheet 3 has multiple joints between the first layer 31 and the second layer 32, and portions of the first layer 31 other than the joints protrude toward the side opposite the second layer 32 to form protrusions 33. The protrusions 33 may have a solid structure filled with the constituent fibers of the topsheet 3, or a hollow structure not filled with the constituent fibers. The means for joining the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 at the joints is not particularly limited and may be any known joining means such as adhesive or fusion. The fusion of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 can be achieved, for example, by subjecting the layers 31 and 32 to a forming material melting process such as heat treatment or ultrasonic treatment while applying pressure in the thickness direction to the layers 31 and 32 in a stacked state. In one preferred embodiment of the topsheet 3, the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 each comprise a nonwoven fabric, and the layers 31, 32 are fused together at their joints. The nonwoven fabrics constituting the layers 31, 32 can be made from nonwoven fabrics produced by various methods without any particular restrictions, and examples thereof include air-through nonwoven fabrics, heat-rolled nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, and spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) nonwoven fabrics. The first layer 31 does not need to have an uneven shape on the skin-facing surface. The present invention also encompasses an embodiment in which both the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet are flat surfaces that are substantially free of protrusions.

[0021] The non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 is more hydrophilic than the skin-facing side. The meanings of "skin-facing side of the topsheet" and "non-skin-facing side of the topsheet" here differ depending on whether the topsheet has a single-layer structure or a laminated structure. That is, in the case of a single-layer topsheet, "skin-facing side of the topsheet" refers to the side containing the skin-facing surface when the topsheet is divided into two equal parts in the thickness direction (the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin), and "non-skin-facing side of the topsheet" refers to the opposite side (the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin). On the other hand, in the case of a laminated topsheet, "skin-facing side of the topsheet" refers to the outermost layer of the skin-facing side of the laminated structure (first layer 31 in this embodiment), and "non-skin-facing side of the topsheet" refers to the outermost layer of the non-skin-facing side of the laminated structure (second layer 32 in this embodiment).

[0022] In the present invention, "hydrophilicity" refers to the contact angle of the constituent fibers of the sheet (fiber layer) measured by the method described below, and is determined based on this contact angle. Specifically, high hydrophilicity is synonymous with a small contact angle, and low hydrophilicity is synonymous with a large contact angle. Therefore, in a topsheet 3 in which the non-skin-facing side is more hydrophilic than the skin-facing side, the relationship "contact angle on the skin-facing side (first layer 31) > contact angle on the non-skin-facing side (second layer 32)" holds. Unless otherwise specified, "contact angle" in this specification refers to the contact angle measured by the method described below. In this specification, if the contact angle is 90 degrees or less, the sheet is hydrophilic, and if the contact angle is more than 90 degrees, the sheet is hydrophobic.

[0023] <Contact angle measurement method> Fibers were removed from the sheet to be measured, and the contact angle of water with the fibers was measured. Scissors and tweezers were used to remove the fibers. The fibers were removed from both surfaces of the sheet (both surface layers) and the area sandwiched between them (the center in the thickness direction). An automatic contact angle meter, MCA-J, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd., was used as the measurement device. Deionized water was used to measure the contact angle. The ink-jet water droplet ejection unit (CTC-25 pulse injector with a 25 μm nozzle diameter, manufactured by Cluster Technology Co., Ltd.) was set to 20 picoliters, and a water droplet was dropped directly onto the fiber. The droplet was recorded on a high-speed video recorder connected to a horizontally mounted camera. For later image analysis, a personal computer equipped with a high-speed capture device is recommended. Images were recorded every 17 msec during this measurement. The first image of the water droplet landing on the fiber in the recorded video was analyzed using the accompanying software FAMAS (software version 2.6.2, measurement method: sessile drop method, analysis method: θ / 2 method, image processing algorithm: anti-reflection, image processing image mode: frame, threshold level: 200, curvature correction: no), and the angle between the surface of the water droplet in contact with the air and the fiber was calculated, which was taken as the contact angle. The fibers removed from the sheet to be measured were cut to a length of 1 mm and placed on the sample stage of the contact angle meter and maintained horizontally. The contact angle was measured at two different locations for each fiber. The contact angles of N=5 fibers were measured to one decimal place, and the average value (rounded to two decimal places) of the measured values ​​at a total of 10 locations was defined as the contact angle of the fiber with water. The measurement environment was a room temperature of 22±2°C and a humidity of 65±2% RH. A smaller contact angle value indicates higher hydrophilicity. In addition, when the sheet to be measured in the absorbent article is joined to another member by adhesive, fusion, or the like, the adhesive force is removed from the joined portion by a method such as spraying cold air from a cold spray to an extent that does not affect the contact angle of the fibers, and then the sheet is removed. This method of removing the sheet to be measured from the disposable diaper can also be used for other measurements.

[0024] The basis weight of the topsheet 3 is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of more reliably achieving the desired effects of the present invention, the basis weight of each of the first layer 31 and the second layer 32 is preferably 10 g / m 2 More preferably, 12 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 30 g / m 2 Less than 25 g / m 2 The first layer 31 and the second layer 32 may have the same or different basis weights. When the topsheet 3 has a single layer structure, the basis weight is preferably 5 g / m 2 More preferably, 10 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 45 g / m 2 Less than 40 g / m 2 The following is the result.

[0025] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 includes a pair of leakage preventing cuffs 7, 7 extending in the longitudinal direction X and arranged to cover both side edges of the topsheet 3 along the longitudinal direction X. The leakage preventing cuffs 7 include a hydrophobic cuff sheet 70 that forms the main part of the leakage preventing cuffs 7. As shown in FIG. 1 , the leakage preventing cuffs 7 (cuff sheet 70) are continuous in the longitudinal direction X over the entire length of the diaper 1. Both side edges of the skin-facing surface of the diaper 1 along the longitudinal direction X are each formed by the cuff sheet 70. As the cuff sheet 70, any material that can be used as a leakage preventing cuff in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular limitation, and for example, a material that can be used as the backsheet 4 can be used.

[0026] 2, the cuff sheet 70 has a region (hereinafter also referred to as the "standing region") in at least the crotch region M, in which the outer side in the lateral direction Y is fixed to other members (the topsheet 3 and the backsheet 4 in this embodiment) and the inner side in the lateral direction Y is a free portion 72 that is not fixed to other members. The free portion 72 of the cuff sheet 70 is movable in a direction away from the topsheet 3, with the part of the fixed portion 71 that is located most inward in the lateral direction Y being a base end 71P. More specifically, at the inner end of the free portion 72 of the cuff sheet 70 in the transverse direction Y (the inner edge along the longitudinal direction X of the cuff sheet 70), the cuff elastic members 73 are fixed in a stretched state in the longitudinal direction X and are arranged so as to be stretchable in the same direction. In this embodiment, the standing regions are located near the crotch portion M and the ventral portion F and dorsal portion R, and both ends of the leakage preventing cuff 7 in the longitudinal direction X are standing-inhibiting portions that inhibit the standing of the free portion 72. In other words, the standing regions of the cuff sheet 70 are sandwiched between the standing-inhibiting portions located at both ends of the cuff sheet 70 in the longitudinal direction X. The standing-inhibiting portions are typically formed by fixing the cuff sheet 70 to the skin-facing surface (topsheet 3) of the absorbent main body 2 by known joining means such as adhesive or fusion bonding. When the diaper 1 is worn, the free portions 72 of the cuff sheet 70 in the upright regions of the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 are caused to rise toward the wearer's skin from the base ends 71P (moving in a direction away from the topsheet 3) due to the contractile force of the cuff elastic members 73. This prevents excrement, such as urine, from flowing outward in the lateral direction Y. In the illustrated embodiment, two cuff elastic members 73 are disposed in the free portions 72, but the number of cuff elastic members is not particularly limited and may be one, three, or more. In the illustrated embodiment, the base ends 71P are positioned outward in the lateral direction Y from the absorbent core 5, but may overlap the absorbent core 5 in a plan view. Note that, for ease of explanation, FIG. 2 shows the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 in an upright position; however, this does not necessarily mean that the leakage-preventing cuffs 7 will rise as shown in FIG. 2 when the diaper 1 is deployed and fully extended as shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 includes flap portions located outward from the periphery of the absorbent body 5. The flap portions are composed of members arranged to straddle the periphery of the absorbent body 5, and in this embodiment, include a topsheet 3, a backsheet 4, an outer sheet 6, and a cuff sheet 70. As shown in FIG. 1 , the flap portions at the end of the longitudinal direction X on the ventral side F of the diaper 1 include, in addition to the sheets 3, 4, 6, and 70, a ventral end sheet 22. At the end of the longitudinal direction X on the dorsal side R of the diaper 1, the flap portions include, in addition to the sheets 3, 4, 6, and 70, a dorsal end sheet 23. Both sheets 22 and 23 are employed for the purposes of reinforcing the diaper 1, preventing leakage, and providing anchors for elastic members such as the waist-surrounding elastic members 9 described below. These sheets are disposed between the topsheet 3 (second layer 32) and the absorbent body 5 (core wrap sheet 51). Both sheets 22 and 23 are hydrophobic, and can be made of materials that can be used for the back sheet 4. The multiple members that make up the flap portion are joined to each other by known joining means such as adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc. Note that both sheets 22 and 23 may be omitted. The portions of the flap portion located outward in the transverse direction Y from both side edges 5S, 5S of the absorbent body 5 and from imaginary extensions of each side edge 5S are the side flap portions 20. The side flap portions 20 extend over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the side flap portion 20 has a constricted portion in the central region in the longitudinal direction X (the region located in the crotch portion M). The constricted portion is the portion of the diaper 1 that is arranged around the legs of the wearer (leg surrounding portion), and the leg surrounding elastic members 8 are arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X.

[0028] In this embodiment, the leg elastic members 8 are interposed between the cuff sheet 70 and the backsheet 4, as shown in Fig. 2. The leg elastic members 8 are fixed to both sheets 4, 70 with an adhesive in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction X at the portions of the side flap portions 20 that will be disposed around the legs of the wearer. As a result, when the diaper 1 is worn, contraction of the leg elastic members 8 causes leg gathers to be formed in the leg portions of the side flap portions 20, and these portions can fit closely to the legs (thighs) of the wearer. In this embodiment, two leg elastic members 8 are arranged in each of a pair of side flap portions 20, 20, but the number of leg elastic members 8 arranged in each side flap portion 20 is not particularly limited and may be one or three or more. In this embodiment, the leg elastic members 8 extend parallel to the longitudinal direction X (their extending direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X), but they may be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X, for example, they may be curved along the constricted portion of the central region of the side flap portion 20 in the longitudinal direction X. In the present invention, if the angle between the extending direction of the leg elastic members 8 and the longitudinal direction X is 45 degrees or less, it can be said that the leg elastic members 8 are arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X. The leg elastic members 8 may be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X at least in the portions of the side flap portions 20 that are arranged around the legs of the wearer, and may also be arranged to be stretchable in the longitudinal direction X in other portions (for example, portions of the ventral portion F and / or the dorsal portion R that are arranged around the waist). For example, the leg elastic members 8 may be arranged to be stretchable in the same direction over the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0029] In this embodiment, a plurality of waist elastic members 9 are arranged in a manner stretchable in the transverse direction Y on the flap portion at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the back side R of the diaper 1 (the back waist end portion), and the plurality of waist elastic members 9 are arranged intermittently in the longitudinal direction X. The waist elastic members 9 are fixed to the back end sheet 23 with an adhesive in a stretched state in the transverse direction Y. As a result, when the diaper 1 is worn, contraction of the waist elastic members 9 forms waist gathers in the portion of the diaper 1 that will be disposed around the waist of the wearer, allowing the diaper 1 to fit closely around the waist of the wearer. Similar to the back side R side, waist elastic members may also be arranged on the flap portion at the end in the longitudinal direction X on the ventral side F of the diaper 1 (the ventral waist end portion).

[0030] The shape of each of the aforementioned elastic members 8, 9, 73 is not particularly limited, and for example, thread-like or string-like members (such as flat rubber) with a rectangular, square, circular, or polygonal cross section, or multifilament type thread-like members can be used.

[0031] One of the main features of the diaper 1 is that, as shown in Figure 1, it has a high absorption rate region 11 and a low absorption rate region 12 which has a bodily fluid absorption rate relatively slower than that of the high absorption rate region 11, with the low absorption rate regions 12 located on either side of the high absorption rate region 11 in the longitudinal direction X. That is, the diaper 1 is divided into three regions in the longitudinal direction X, with the high absorption rate region 11 located in the center of the longitudinal direction X and the low absorption rate regions 12 located on both ends of the longitudinal direction X. When the diaper 1 is worn properly, the high absorption rate region 11 is located in the crotch area of ​​the wearer and the low absorption rate regions 12 are located around the waist of the wearer. The bodily fluid absorption rate is measured by the following method.

[0032] <Method for measuring body fluid absorption rate> The absorbent article to be measured (e.g., diaper 1) is laid out flat with the skin-facing surface (topsheet side) facing upward and in its natural state (no external force is applied). A 2 μl droplet of saline is placed on the topsheet of the area to be measured (e.g., high absorption rate region 11 or low absorption rate region 12) using a micropipette. Once the saline droplet is absorbed into the absorbent article via the topsheet within one minute of placement, another 2 μl droplet of saline is placed on a different location using a micropipette. This series of operations (placing the droplet and observing for one minute) is repeated 30 times, and the number of droplets absorbed into the absorbent article (hereinafter also referred to as the "absorbed droplet count") is counted. If no droplets are absorbed within one minute, the number of droplets absorbed up to that point is the absorbed droplet count. If all 30 droplets are absorbed within one minute, the absorbed droplet count is 30. The greater the number of absorbed droplets, the faster the body fluid absorption rate of the measurement site is evaluated as high absorbency, and the fewer the number of absorbed droplets, the slower the body fluid absorption rate of the measurement site is evaluated as low absorbency.

[0033] 1, the boundary between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12 overlaps with a portion 80 of the leg-hole elastic members 8 that is stretchable in the vertical direction X (hereinafter also referred to as "stretchable portion") in the vertical direction X. In other words, the boundary between the two regions 11, 12 overlaps with the projection of the stretchable portion 80 in the horizontal direction Y. 1 is the stretchable portion 80, which is continuous in the longitudinal direction X in the crotch portion M and in the portions of the abdominal portion F and the dorsal portion R near the crotch portion M. The fact that the boundary between the regions 11, 12 overlaps with the stretchable portion 80 in the longitudinal direction X means that at least the high absorption rate region 11 overlaps with the stretchable portion 80 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0034] Typically, at least a portion of the crotch portion M (the central region in the longitudinal direction X of the crotch portion M) is the high absorption rate region 11, and at least a portion of each of the abdominal portion F and the back portion R (the end regions in the longitudinal direction X of each of the abdominal portion F and the back portion R) is the low absorption rate region 12. The present invention includes a configuration in which the boundary between the abdominal portion F and the crotch portion M and the boundary between the back portion R and the crotch portion M respectively coincide with the boundary between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12. In such a configuration, the entire crotch portion M is the high absorption rate region 11, and the entire abdominal portion F and the back portion R are each the low absorption rate region 12.

[0035] In the present invention, the stretchable portions 80 need only be arranged along substantially the entire length of the leg-surrounding portions of the side-flap portions 20 so as to be able to form leg gathers, and may be arranged only along the leg-surrounding portions, or may extend from the leg-surrounding portions toward the ventral portion F and / or the dorsal portion R. The stretchable portions 80 may also be arranged along the entire leg-hole elastic members 8. For example, the stretchable portions 80 may extend along the entire length of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction X, in which case the entire leg-hole elastic members 8 are the stretchable portions 80.

[0036] The stretchable portions 80 are typically fixed portions of the leg elastic members 8 to other members (in this embodiment, the backsheet 4 and the cuff sheet 70). The stretchable portions 80 are formed by fixing the leg elastic members 8 in a stretched state to other members with a fixing means and then releasing the stretched state. The fixing means is not particularly limited, and known fixing means such as adhesives and fusion bonding can be used, but typically an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive is used. The stretchable portions 80 can also be referred to as "fixed portions of the leg elastic members 8 to other members" (portions where adhesive is applied).

[0037] One of the problems that the present invention aims to solve is the prevention of skin troubles around the waist of a wearer of an absorbent article. One of the main causes of skin troubles around the waist is liquid return at the region of the absorbent article that corresponds to the waist of the wearer (waist end). The waist end of the diaper 1 described above is the outer end in the longitudinal direction X of each of the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R. Liquid return is well known. Taking the diaper 1 as an example, it is a phenomenon in which excrement absorbed and retained in the absorbent core 5 via the topsheet 3 migrates from the absorbent core 5 to the skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 when the absorbent core 5 is pressurized, for example, by the wearer's body pressure. Most of the excrement that returns at the waist end is urine or feces excreted from the wearer's crotch region toward the crotch region M. In other words, one of the main causes of skin troubles around the waist of a wearer is excrement absorbed in the portion of the absorbent core 5 located in the crotch region M, which diffuses to the ventral portion F and the dorsal portion R and returns to the waist end. To address these issues, as described above, the diaper 1 has the following features: 1) the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 is more hydrophilic than the skin-facing side, i.e., the relationship "contact angle on the skin-facing side (first layer 31) > contact angle on the non-skin-facing side (second layer 32)" holds; 2) the waist end portion is a low absorption rate region 12 that has a relatively slow rate of bodily fluid absorption and is excellent at preventing fluid return; and 3) the boundary between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12 overlaps with the stretchable portion 80 of the leg elastic member 8 in the longitudinal direction X, thereby effectively reducing the amount of moisture around the skin around the wearer's waist, making it less likely for skin problems to occur around the waist. The above 1) and 2) are necessary to suppress liquid backflow throughout the diaper 1. The above 2) is necessary to suppress liquid backflow particularly around the wearer's waist and prevent skin troubles around the waist. If the above 1) is not adopted in the diaper 1 and the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 has a lower hydrophilicity than the skin-facing side, excrement may not be sufficiently absorbed into the absorbent core, and skin troubles around the waist may not be prevented even if the above 2) is adopted. The adoption of the above 3) is particularly effective in preventing skin troubles around the waist. If the above 3) is not adopted in the diaper 1 and the boundary between the two regions 11, 12 does not overlap with the stretchable portion 80 in the longitudinal direction X, i.e., if the high absorption rate region 11 has a portion that does not overlap with the stretchable portion 80 in the longitudinal direction X, that portion may come into close contact with the wearer's skin, causing skin troubles. On the other hand, the low absorption rate region 12 has a slower bodily fluid absorption rate than the high absorption rate region 11, and therefore cannot be expected to have the same excrement absorption performance as the high absorption rate region 11. However, the amount of excrement (mainly sweat) excreted from the skin around the wearer's waist is significantly smaller than the amount of excrement such as urine and feces excreted from the crotch area toward the high absorption rate region 11 (crotch area M). Therefore, even if the excrement absorption performance of the low absorption rate region 12 corresponding to the waist area is somewhat lower, the high absorption rate region 11 can fully compensate for this, and there is no substantial problem in terms of the leakproof performance of the diaper 1 as a whole. Therefore, the diaper 1 has excellent excrement absorption and leak prevention, which are the basic properties of an absorbent article, and also reduces skin troubles around the waist.

[0038] To ensure the above-mentioned effects, the boundary between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12 is preferably located at a distance of 27 to 40%, more preferably 30 to 35%, of the total length in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1 from the longitudinal end 1F of the ventral region F or the longitudinal end 1R of the dorsal region R (see FIG. 1) of the diaper 1 toward the crotch region M, provided that the boundary overlaps the stretchable portion 80 of the leg-hole elastic member 8 in the longitudinal direction X. The "total length in the longitudinal direction X of the diaper 1" referred to here refers to the length along the longitudinal direction X between the longitudinal front end 1F and the longitudinal rear end 1R of the diaper 1 in its natural state (when no external force is applied).

[0039] In order to ensure the above-mentioned effects, it is preferable that the bodily fluid absorption rate of each of the regions 11 and 12 is within the following ranges. Assuming that the body fluid absorption rate of the high absorption rate region 11 is faster than that of the low absorption rate region 12, the number of absorbed droplets is preferably 15 or more, more preferably 18 or more. There is no particular upper limit to the body fluid absorption rate of the high absorption rate region 11, but the number of absorbed droplets is preferably 27 or less, more preferably 24 or less. Assuming that the body fluid absorption rate of the low absorption rate region 12 is slower than that of the high absorption rate region 11, the number of absorbed droplets is preferably 15 or less, more preferably 12 or less. There is no particular lower limit to the body fluid absorption rate of the low absorption rate region 12, but from the viewpoint of more reliably absorbing body waste such as sweat excreted from around the waist of the wearer, the number of absorbed droplets is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 6 or more.

[0040] The body fluid absorption rate can be adjusted by appropriately adjusting the constituent components of each region 11, 12, specifically, for example, the absorbent body 5 and the components arranged on its skin-facing side (in this embodiment, the top sheet 3 and intermediate sheet 10), as well as the adhesive that joins the constituent components together. For example, one method is to make the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 3 different between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12. In this method, the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 3 in the high absorption rate region 11 is made relatively high (the contact angle is made relatively low), and the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 3 in the low absorption rate region 12 is made relatively low (the contact angle is made relatively high). One example of such a method for controlling the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 3 is to change the material of the topsheet 3 in both regions 11, 12. Another example of such a method for controlling the hydrophilicity of the topsheet 3 is to use the same material (e.g., air-through nonwoven fabric) for the topsheet 3 in both regions 11, 12, but to subject the topsheet 3 in the high absorption rate region 11 to a hydrophilic treatment and / or the topsheet 3 in the low absorption rate region 12 to a hydrophobic treatment.

[0041] It is preferable that the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides of the topsheet 3 each have a contact angle of 90 degrees or less, i.e., are hydrophilic. It is particularly preferable that the low absorption rate region 12 satisfy this requirement. In this embodiment, the topsheet 3 has a two-layer structure consisting of a first layer 31 and a second layer 32, and it is therefore preferable that both layers 31, 32 have a contact angle of 90 degrees or less. This structure improves the excrement absorbency of the skin-facing surfaces of the diaper 1, including the waist end portion, and further reliably prevents skin troubles around the wearer's waist.

[0042] In order to ensure the above-mentioned effects, it is preferable to set the contact angles of each part of the surface sheet 3 as follows, assuming that the above-mentioned relationship of "contact angle on the skin-facing side (first layer 31) > contact angle on the non-skin-facing side (second layer 32)" holds true. The contact angle of the skin-facing surface (first layer 31) of the topsheet 3 is preferably 75 degrees or more, more preferably 78 degrees or more, and preferably 90 degrees or less, more preferably 87 degrees or less. The contact angle of the non-skin-facing side (second layer 32) of the topsheet 3 is preferably 60 degrees or more, more preferably 65 degrees or more, and preferably 85 degrees or less, more preferably 80 degrees or less. The hydrophilicity of each part of the topsheet 3 can be adjusted by the type of constituent fiber, the use of a hydrophilizing agent and / or a hydrophobic agent, and the like.

[0043] When an adhesive is applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3 and the topsheet 3 is joined to another member (the intermediate sheet 10 in this embodiment) via the adhesive, it is preferable that the basis weight of the adhesive be greater in the low absorption rate region 12 than in the high absorption rate region 11. Since adhesives such as hot melt adhesives used to join members together in this type of absorbent article are usually hydrophobic, areas of the absorbent article where the amount of adhesive applied (basis weight) is relatively large have a slower body fluid absorption rate and a greater effect of preventing fluid return than areas where the amount of adhesive applied is relatively small. Therefore, it is preferable that the basis weight of the adhesive on the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet 3 be greater than that of the high absorption rate region 11. The basis weight of the adhesive can be adjusted, for example, by changing the adhesive application pattern between the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12. In this case, it is preferable to apply the adhesive intermittently to at least the high absorption rate region 11, which has a relatively low basis weight of adhesive, so that there are areas where no adhesive is applied in this region 11. Specific examples of intermittent adhesive application patterns include spiral, summit, omega, curtain, and stripe patterns. The ratio A12 / A11 of the adhesive basis weight A12 on the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 in the low absorption rate region 12 to the adhesive basis weight A11 on the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 3 in the high absorption rate region 11, assuming A12>A11, is preferably 1.2 or more, more preferably 1.4 or more, and preferably 4 or less, more preferably 3 or less. The basis weight A12 is preferably 2.5 g / m, assuming that it is larger than the basis weight A11. 2 More preferably, 3 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 8 g / m 2 Less than 6.5 g / m 2 The following is the result. The basis weight A11 is preferably 1 g / m 2 on the assumption that it is smaller than the basis weight A12. 2 More preferably, 1.5 g / m 2 or more, and preferably 5 g / m 2 Less than 4g / m, more preferably2 The following is the result.

[0044] 2, in this embodiment, the intermediate sheet 10 is disposed between the topsheet 3 and the absorbent body 5 in the low absorption rate region 12, and therefore the distance between the skin of the wearer of the diaper 1 and the absorbent body 5 is longer than when the intermediate sheet 10 is not disposed. Therefore, the diaper 1 of this embodiment has an excellent effect of suppressing liquid return in the low absorption rate region 12, and is less likely to cause skin troubles around the waist.

[0045] It is preferable that the fiber density of the skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet 10 is lower than that of the non-skin-facing side, which reduces the amount of free water that may be present on the skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet 10, thereby more reliably suppressing liquid return and more reliably preventing skin troubles around the waist. The meanings of "skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" and "non-skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" here differ depending on whether the intermediate sheet has a single-layer structure or a laminated structure. Specifically, in the case of a single-layer intermediate sheet, "skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" refers to the side containing the skin-facing surface when the intermediate sheet is divided into two equal parts in the thickness direction (the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin), and "non-skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" refers to the opposite side (the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin). On the other hand, in the case of a laminated intermediate sheet, "skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" refers to the outermost layer of the skin-facing side in the laminated structure, and "non-skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet" refers to the outermost layer of the non-skin-facing side in the laminated structure. An example of a single-layer intermediate sheet 10 having different fiber densities on the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides is an air-through nonwoven fabric. In a typical method for manufacturing an air-through nonwoven fabric, a fiber web is subjected to an air-through treatment in which hot air is blown onto one side of the web. In the air-through nonwoven fabric manufactured through this air-through treatment, the fiber densities on the side onto which the hot air is blown and the opposite side are different. Furthermore, an intermediate sheet 10 having a laminated structure having different fiber densities on the skin-facing and non-skin-facing sides can be, for example, a sheet obtained by laminating multiple layers having different fiber densities. In the intermediate sheet 10, the ratio of the fiber density of the skin-facing side to the fiber density of the non-skin-facing side, assuming the former is less than the latter, is preferably 0.25 or more, more preferably 0.35 or more, and preferably 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.75 or less. The fiber density is measured by the following method.

[0046] <Method for measuring fiber density> The sheet to be measured (intermediate sheet) is cut along the thickness direction, and the cut surface is observed under magnification using a scanning electron microscope (adjusted to a magnification of 150-500 times so that approximately 30-60 fiber cross sections can be measured). 2 The number of cross sections of the fibers on the cut surface (approximately 1 mm) is counted. 2 The measured fiber density is calculated by converting the number of fiber cross sections per unit area into the number of fiber cross sections per unit area, and the converted value is the fiber density at the measurement location. The above operation is performed at any three locations on the sheet to be measured, and the arithmetic mean value of the fiber densities at the three locations is the fiber density of the sheet to be measured. As the scanning electron microscope, for example, JCM-5100 (product name) manufactured by JEOL Ltd. can be used.

[0047] When an adhesive is applied to the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces of the intermediate sheet 10 and the intermediate sheet 10 is joined to another member via the adhesive (in this embodiment, the skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet 10 is the topsheet 3 and the non-skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet 10 is the absorbent 5), it is preferable that the skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet 10 has a lower adhesive coverage area than the non-skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet 10. The "adhesive coverage area ratio" here refers to the ratio of the area of ​​the skin-facing or non-skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet 10 to the total area of ​​that surface to which the adhesive is applied. Establishing this magnitude relationship for the adhesive coverage area ratio of the intermediate sheet 10 allows excrement absorbed by another member (the topsheet 3 in this embodiment) located on the skin-facing side of the intermediate sheet 10 to be quickly transferred to the intermediate sheet 10. As a result, the amount of free water that may be present on the topsheet 3 is reduced, and liquid return can be more reliably suppressed. As the adhesive, any adhesive that is used to bond members together in this type of absorbent article can be used without any particular limitation, and examples thereof include hot melt adhesives. The adhesive application area ratio can be adjusted, for example, by changing the adhesive application pattern between the skin-facing and non-skin-facing surfaces of the intermediate sheet 10. In this case, it is preferable to apply adhesive intermittently to at least the skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet 10, which has a relatively low adhesive application area ratio, so that there are areas on the skin-facing surface where no adhesive is applied. Specific examples of intermittent adhesive application patterns include spiral, summit, omega, curtain, and stripe patterns. In the intermediate sheet 10, the ratio of the adhesive application area rate on the skin-facing side to the adhesive application area rate on the non-skin-facing side, assuming the former is less than the latter, is preferably 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 2.5 or less, more preferably 2 or less.

[0048] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the absorbent core 50 has a recess 52 in the low absorption rate region 12, the recess 52 having an opening on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 50. The recess 52 is a void space substantially free of absorbent materials and other materials forming the absorbent core 50. The formation of the recess 52 in the absorbent core 50 in the low absorption rate region 12 improves the breathability and bodily fluid absorption rate of the low absorption rate region 12, which, combined with the effects of the above-described configuration, further reliably prevents skin troubles around the wearer's waist. The waist end of the diaper 1, which is included in the low absorption rate region 12, is a region that adheres particularly closely to the wearer's skin. Therefore, improving breathability in such a region that adheres closely to the skin is particularly effective in preventing skin troubles. The recess 52 also enhances the softness and flexibility of the absorbent body 5, thereby improving the absorbent article's ability to conform to the wearer's body.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the recesses 52 include a plurality of vertical recesses that are linear in plan view and extend in the longitudinal direction X, and a plurality of horizontal recesses that are linear in plan view and extend in the transverse direction Y, and these multiple recesses intersect with each other at right angles to form a lattice pattern in plan view. The recesses 52 are formed not only in the low absorption rate region 12 but also in the high absorption rate region 11, and the vertical recesses extend from the high absorption rate region 11 to the low absorption rate regions 12 located on both sides of it in the longitudinal direction X. If the recesses 52 are formed in the high absorption rate region 11, the body fluid absorption rate of the high absorption rate region 11 is improved and the movement of excrement from the high absorption rate region 11 to the low absorption rate region 12 is suppressed, thereby suppressing fluid return in the low absorption rate region 12. Therefore, it is more preferable that the recesses 52 be formed in both the high absorption rate region 11 and the low absorption rate region 12.

[0050] In the present invention, the recessed portion 52 is not limited to the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as long as it has an opening on at least one of the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 50 . For example, the recessed portion 52 of the absorbent core 50A shown in Fig. 3(a) includes only the horizontal recessed portion, and the recessed portion 52 of the absorbent core 50B shown in Fig. 3(b) includes only the vertical recessed portion. Either form is encompassed by the present invention. The recessed portion 52 includes a non-penetrating type that does not penetrate the absorbent core 50 in the thickness direction, and a penetrating type that penetrates the absorbent core 50 in the thickness direction. The recessed portions 52 provided in the absorbent cores 50, 50A, and 50B described above are all the former type, and as shown in Fig. 2, have an opening on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 50 and a bottom on the opposite side to the opening. The non-penetrating type recessed portion 52 may have an opening on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent core 50 and a bottom on the opposite side to the opening. The recessed portions 52 can be formed by inhibiting the supply of the material for forming the absorbent core 50 to the areas where the recessed portions 52 are to be formed during the manufacture of the absorbent core 50. Alternatively, the recessed portions 52 may be formed by subjecting an absorbent core 50 that does not have a recessed portion 52 to a compression process such as embossing. The recessed portions 52 formed by the latter method have a higher density than the surrounding areas (non-recessed portions).

[0051] The absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the flat-type disposable diaper as in the above embodiment, but broadly includes articles used to absorb body fluids (urine, menstrual blood, loose stools, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and also includes pants-type disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, sanitary shorts, etc. that do not have a fastening structure such as the fastening member 21.

[0052] While the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, the absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. All parts that are included in only one of the above-described embodiments can be used interchangeably as appropriate. For example, the leakage preventing cuffs 7 do not have to include the cuff elastic members 73. In other words, the leakage preventing cuffs 7 do not have to be configured to stand up toward the wearer's skin due to contraction of the elastic members arranged on the cuff sheet 70.

[0053] When the topsheet 3 (first layer 31) has an uneven surface on its skin-facing surface, the uneven pattern (shape and arrangement of the protrusions 33) is not particularly limited and can be selected as appropriate within the spirit of the present invention. For example, the planar shape of the protrusions 33 may be a circle, ellipse, triangle, or polygon with more than one side. One example of the uneven pattern is a pattern in which multiple protrusions 33 are arranged in a staggered pattern, with recesses surrounding each protrusion 33. Another example of the uneven pattern is a pattern in which first recesses extending in a first direction intersecting both the vertical and horizontal directions and second recesses extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction are arranged in a grid pattern, with protrusions 33 present in each of the multiple sections surrounded by both recesses. Another example of the uneven pattern is a form in which convex portions 33 as ridges extending vertically or horizontally and concave portions as grooves extending in the same direction are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the convex portions 33. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1. Disposable diapers (absorbent articles) 2. Absorbent body 20 Side flap section 3 Surface sheet 31 1st layer 32 2nd layer 33 Convex part 4 Back sheet 5. Absorbent 50, 50A, 50B absorbent core 51 Core Wrap Sheet 52 Depression 7 Leak proof cuff 8 Elastic material around the legs 10 Middle seat 11 High absorption rate region 12 Low absorption rate region F ventral part M Inseam R dorsal part X vertical direction Y horizontal direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body having a vertical direction extending from the wearer's abdomen side through the crotch region to the back side and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, the absorbent body including an absorbent core for absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, a topsheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a pair of side flap portions extending outward in the horizontal direction from both side edges of the absorbent body along the vertical direction, and leg-hole elastic members arranged in the side flap portions at portions arranged around the legs of the wearer so as to be stretchable in the vertical direction, The topsheet has a non-skin-facing side that is more hydrophilic than the skin-facing side, The absorbent article has a high absorption rate region and a low absorption rate region having a bodily fluid absorption rate relatively slower than that of the high absorption rate region, and the low absorption rate regions are located on both sides of the high absorption rate region in the longitudinal direction, the boundary between the high absorption rate region and the low absorption rate region overlaps in the longitudinal direction with the portion of the leg elastic member that is stretchable in the longitudinal direction; The high absorption rate region has a higher hydrophilicity than the low absorption rate region of the topsheet, an adhesive is applied to the non-skin-facing surface of the topsheet, and the topsheet is joined to another member via the adhesive; The low absorption rate region has a larger basis weight of the adhesive than the high absorption rate region, an intermediate sheet is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body in the low absorption rate region; the intermediate sheet has a lower fiber density on the skin-facing side than on the non-skin-facing side; an adhesive is applied to the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet, and the intermediate sheet is joined to another member via the adhesive; The absorbent article has a lower adhesive application area ratio on the skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet than on the non-skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet.

2. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the topsheet comprises a first layer disposed relatively close to the wearer's skin and a second layer disposed on the non-skin-facing surface of the first layer.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent core has a recessed portion in the low absorption rate region, the recessed portion having an opening on at least one of the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent core.

4. An absorbent article described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the skin-facing side and non-skin-facing side of the surface sheet in the low absorption rate region each have a contact angle of 90 degrees or less.

Images