absorbent articles

Abstract

To efficiently use an absorption capacity of an absorber.SOLUTION: An absorbent article, which includes a length in a longitudinal direction and a length in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, includes: an absorber having an absorbent core which has a constricted part in a crotch part and has an hourglass shape extending in the longitudinal direction and a core wrap sheet which covers the absorbent core and is bonded to at least the absorbent core on a skin surface side of the absorbent core; a top sheet which is arranged on the skin surface side of the absorber and has a water permeable area; and a water-impermeable back sheet arranged on a non-skin surface side of the absorber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Diapers, which are absorbent articles, are known to have an absorbent body that absorbs excreted liquid (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-140067 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a diaper is worn, the absorbent body extends from the front body region to the back body region along the wearer's midline. However, the position of the wearer's excretion hole is generally fixed, and excreted liquid tends to accumulate in specific parts of the absorbent body. In the areas where excreted liquid accumulates, the amount of excreted liquid may exceed the absorbent body's absorption capacity in those areas, resulting in insufficient absorption or even backflow onto the wearer's skin. Even in such cases, although the absorbent body as a whole has the absorption capacity to adequately absorb excreted liquid, the excreted liquid does not disperse, resulting in the problem of the absorbent body's absorption capacity not being fully utilized.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that can efficiently demonstrate the absorption capacity of the absorbent body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, the absorbent core and the core wrap sheet are bonded to each other on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

[0007] Specifically, the present invention is an absorbent article having a length along the longitudinal direction and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and comprising an absorbent body having an approximately gourd-shaped absorbent core having a constricted portion in the crotch area and extending in the longitudinal direction, and a core wrap sheet covering the absorbent core and adhered to the absorbent core at least on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core, a top sheet having a water-permeable region arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a non-water-permeable back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body.

[0008] The absorbent core has an upper absorbent mat arranged on the skin-facing side and a lower absorbent mat arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat, and the core wrap sheet is adhered to the lower absorbent mat at least on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core, covers the absorbent core, and when the absorbent body is viewed in a plane, the lower absorbent mat may be contained within the upper absorbent mat in the width direction.

[0009] In most of the area where the core wrap sheet and the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat directly face each other, they do not need to be bonded together.

[0010] When a force is applied to separate the core wrap sheet from the absorbent core, the core wrap sheet may be more easily separated from the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core than from the skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

[0011] The diaper may further comprise a first elastic member that is arranged in a region overlapping with the absorbent core and biases the absorbent core from the end portions in the width direction to conform to the skin surface of the wearer.

[0012] The water-permeable region of the top sheet may be wider at the longitudinal end of the absorbent body than the widthwise end of the lower-layer absorbent mat and narrower than the widthwise end of the upper-layer absorbent mat.

[0013] The absorbent core contains particles of SAP, which is a highly absorbent polymer, and the basis weight of the SAP particles in the lower-layer absorbent mat may be lower than that of the upper-layer absorbent mat.

[0014] The upper absorbent mat may contain particles of SAP, which is a superabsorbent polymer, and the lower absorbent mat may be substantially free of particles of SAP, which is a superabsorbent polymer.

[0015] The upper absorbent mat may have a narrowed shape in the width direction in the crotch region, and the lower absorbent mat may be rectangular, with the width of the lower absorbent mat being equal to or less than the width of the narrowed portion of the upper absorbent mat.

[0016] The absorbent body may further include an outer body arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet, and may include a second elastic member that stretches in the width direction, on the non-skin-facing side of the core wrap sheet, on the widthwise outer side of the portion of the outer body where the absorbent body widens from the crotch region toward the longitudinal end.

[0017] The second elastic member is not provided in the widthwise center of the absorbent body on the rear body region side, and is provided across the absorbent body in the widthwise direction on the front body region side, and the extending region of the second elastic member on the front body region side may correspond to the pubic area of ​​the wearer when worn.

[0018] The absorbent body may further include a side sheet covering the widthwise side surface thereof, and the side sheet may have a third stretchable member arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body that stretches in the longitudinal direction to form three-dimensional gathers.

[0019] The back sheet may cover the widthwise end portions of the absorbent body from the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body through the side portions of the absorbent body to the skin-facing side.

[0020] The second stretchable member biases the outer body so as to abut against the wearer's legs and lower abdomen, and the third stretchable member biases the absorbent body so as to abut against the wearer's front and rear, and in the constricted portion of the absorbent core, a flow guide hole may be formed on the widthwise outer side of the absorbent core and between the absorbent core and the outer body due to the difference in the stretching directions of the second stretchable member and the third stretchable member.

[0021] At least one of the top sheet and the side sheets may be a nonwoven fabric sheet, and the back sheet may be covered with the nonwoven fabric sheet at the side portions of the absorbent body.

[0022] The core wrap sheet and the upper absorbent mat may be bonded together, the core wrap sheet and the lower absorbent mat may be bonded together, and the upper absorbent mat and the lower absorbent mat may be non-bonded together.

[0023] The present invention also provides a package of absorbent articles including the above-described absorbent articles, the package including a first package including a first absorbent article having a first size, and a second package including a second absorbent article having a second size. It may also be a multiple absorbent article package in which the shape and size of the absorbent body is substantially the same between the second package containing the second absorbent article. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, an absorbent article having an absorbent body that can efficiently exhibit its absorption capacity can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the diaper according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a gap formed when the diaper according to the embodiment is worn. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the diaper according to the second embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the diaper according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the longitudinal end of the absorbent body as seen from the non-skin facing side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a diaper in which a force is applied to the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the absorber when worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Diapers according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0027] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper") according to an embodiment. In the diaper, the direction connecting the front body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's back, is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion, which is placed between the wearer's crotch (placed opposite the crotch), is located. When the diaper is worn by a wearer, the side facing the wearer's skin is defined as the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side is defined as the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and thickness directions is defined as the width direction. In addition, a view from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The diaper 1 has a length along the longitudinal direction and a width along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, terms relating to directions used in the present application refer to directions that correspond to the front, back, left, and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer. For example, the left-right direction in the present application refers to the direction that corresponds to the left and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer.

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

[0029] The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which corresponds to the crotch region covering the wearer's pubic region (crotch area) when worn; a front body region 1F, which corresponds to the front body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's abdominal side; and a back body region 1R, which corresponds to the back body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's back side. The front body region 1F is located in front of the crotch region 1B, and the back body region 1R is located behind the crotch region 1B. Since the diaper 1 in this embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper, the left edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the left edge of the rear body region 1R, and the right edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the right edge of the rear body region 1R. Thus, a waist opening 2T is formed in the diaper 1 by the upper edge of the front body region 1F and the upper edge of the back body region 1R. The diaper 1 also has a left leg opening 2L formed in a portion of the left side of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed, and a right leg opening 2R formed in a portion of the right side of the crotch region 1B. When the wearer's left leg is inserted through the left leg opening 2L, the wearer's right leg is inserted through the right leg opening 2R, and the wearer's torso is placed within the torso opening 2T, the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body with the front body region 1F positioned toward the wearer's abdomen and the back body region 1R positioned toward the wearer's back, and the left leg opening 2L and right leg opening 2R surrounding the wearer's thighs. Because the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can move freely while wearing the diaper 1.

[0030] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body, capable of absorbing and retaining liquid, mainly located near the crotch region 1B. To prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid leakage path, the diaper 1 also has a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the left leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's left lower leg, a three-dimensional gather 3BR at the right leg opening 2R surrounding the thigh of the wearer's right lower leg, and a waist gather 3R around the wearer's abdominal circumference. Leg gathers 3LL and 3LR are also provided around the base of the wearer's legs. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR and the waist gather 3R adhere closely to the wearer's skin due to the elasticity of the elastic thread. The leg gathers 3LL and 3LR also prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the base of the wearer's legs. Therefore, liquid excreted from the wearer's genitals is absorbed by the absorbent body of the diaper 1 with almost no leakage from the diaper 1.

[0031] The diaper 1 can be used in combination with an inner pad (not shown). The inner pad is a generally rectangular absorbent article with an absorbent body that absorbs exudates. When the diaper 1 and inner pad are used in combination, the inner pad is placed on the skin-facing side of the diaper 1 so that it abuts the wearer's exudate hole. The exudate is first absorbed by the inner pad, and only the exudate that cannot be absorbed by the inner pad reaches the absorbent body of the diaper 1 and is further absorbed. This prevents the exudate from leaking from the diaper 1 even when the amount of exudate is large. Furthermore, if the amount of exudate is small and can be absorbed entirely by the inner pad, only the inner pad needs to be replaced, reducing care costs. Furthermore, the diaper 1 can be used for a long period of time.

[0032] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment. The diaper 1 comprises a cover sheet 4 and an inner cover sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 are roughly hourglass-shaped (gourd-shaped) sheets that are bonded together to form the outer surface of the diaper 1, and are identical in shape except for the end portion on the front body region 1F side and the end portion on the back body region 1R side. When worn by a wearer, the cover sheet 4 faces away from the wearer's skin, and the inner cover sheet 5 faces the wearer's side. Elastic threads are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 to form the waist gathers 3R and leg gathers 3LL, 3LR. Note that elastic members such as strip-shaped elastic can be appropriately selected instead of the elastic threads.

[0033] The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 can be made of a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin, for example, to prevent leakage of excrement. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Hereinafter, the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5, on which the rubber threads are arranged, may be collectively referred to as an exterior body, as a concept corresponding to the absorbent body 8 and the combination of the absorbent body 8 with the back sheet 6, the top sheet 9, and the side sheets 10L and 10R.

[0034] The diaper 1 comprises a backsheet 6, an absorbent body 8, and a topsheet 9, which are layered in this order on the wearer-facing surfaces of the coversheet 4 and the inner coversheet 5. The backsheet 6 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped sheet that extends longitudinally from the front body of the wearer, passing through the crotch area and reaching the back body, and has a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent body 8 and the topsheet 9 are both sheet-like members with a roughly rectangular appearance, similar to the backsheet 6, and are layered in this order on the backsheet 6 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the backsheet 6. The backsheet 6 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of excrement. The topsheet 9 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the wearer's skin side so as to cover the absorbent surface of the absorbent body 8. The topsheet 9 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 9, which comes into contact with the wearer's skin, and penetrates into the absorbent body 8, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. The top sheet 9 may also be hydrophilic.

[0035] The absorbent body 8 includes an absorbent core 8c made of one or more mats and a core wrap sheet 7 encasing the absorbent core 8c. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 8c has a generally hourglass shape with a constricted portion. The absorbent core 8c has a structure in which granular absorbent resin (high-molecular-weight water-absorbing material) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a crosslinked structure that can absorb and retain water, is held in the gaps between staple fibers, such as cellulosic staple fibers such as pulp, rayon, or cotton, or synthetic staple fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been hydrophilically treated. When the absorbent core 8c absorbs liquid excreted by the wearer, the absorbent resin held in the gaps between the staple fibers swells, thereby retaining the liquid within the staple fibers. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 8c has a generally hourglass shape with a constricted portion near the center. The absorbent core 8c can have any shape suitable for the purpose. Examples of the shape of the absorbent core 8c include rectangular, elliptical, and various other shapes.

[0036] The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin, liquid-permeable sheet. By wrapping the absorbent core 8c with the core wrap sheet 7, the SAP of the absorbent core 8c described above is less likely to be mixed with other structures. It also prevents the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. The core wrap sheet can be made of pulp fiber, and tissue paper can be used as an example. The core wrap sheet 7 may be a single sheet, or it may be composed of two sheets: an upper sheet placed on the wearer's skin side and a lower sheet placed on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer and wrapping around the sides and skin-facing side of the absorbent core. When the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets, the widthwise ends of the upper sheet may be wrapped in other sheets (e.g., side sheets 10L and 10R, back sheet 6, and top sheet 9, which will be described later). Since the absorbent body 8 is wrapped in the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9, and these sheets also help prevent the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape, the core wrap sheet 7 may not be provided.

[0037] The back sheet 6, the absorbent body 8, and the top sheet 9 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. When the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are covered over the wearer's genitals (below the crotch), both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are positioned on the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides. In other words, the wearer's genitals are covered by the absorbent body 8 from the ventral to dorsal sides of the wearer. Therefore, whether the wearer is in a ventral or dorsal position when excreting fluid, the excreted fluid will come into contact with the absorbent body 8 via the top sheet 9.

[0038] The diaper 1 also has elongated, strip-shaped side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the above-mentioned three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The side sheets 10L, 10R are provided along the long sides of the top sheet 9. Elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 are adhered to the side sheets 10L, 10R along the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the cover sheet 4 is joined at its left edge 4F4 of the front body region 1F to its left edge 4R4 of the back body region 1R, and at its right edge 4F5 of the front body region 1F to its right edge 4R5 of the back body region 1R, the diaper 1 is completed as shown in FIG. 1. The contractile force of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 pulls the side sheets 10L, 10R in the longitudinal direction, causing them to rise from the top sheet 9 along the fold-back lines 10L2, 10R2. As a result, three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed to prevent liquid from leaking from the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R. The joining method for the edges 4F4 and 4R4, and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 is not particularly limited, and can be performed by, for example, heat sealing, high-frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.

[0039] The diaper 1 further comprises an end sheet 11F laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the front body region 1F, and an end sheet 11R laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the back body region 1R, sandwiching the back sheet 6, absorber 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R. The end sheets 11F, 11R are strip-shaped sheets laminated on the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 at one end of the top sheet 9 in the longitudinal direction. The end sheets 11F, 11R are impermeable nonwoven fabrics, and mainly reinforce the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 in the waist-contacting portions of the diaper 1. The end sheets 11F, 11R are coated with adhesive, which bonds them to the inner cover sheet 5. The end sheets 11F, 11R are arranged closer to the skin than the laminate formed by the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R, and prevent the ends of the laminate from directly touching the skin, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a diaper 1 according to an embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. FIG. 3(A) shows the internal structure of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the left side. FIG. 3(B) shows a schematic plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. Note that the side sheets 10L, 10R and end sheets 11F, 11R are not shown in FIG. 3(B). One end of the cover sheet 4 is folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF shown in FIG. 2. The waist gather 3R is formed by adhering elastic threads (thread-like rubber) 4F1, 4F2 to the front body region of the cover sheet 4 and adhering elastic threads (thread-like rubber) 4R1, 4R2 to the back body region of the cover sheet 4. The elastic threads 4F1, 4F2 are arranged in this order from the fold line 4FF side along a fold line 4FF that will form the upper edge of the front body region 1F when folded back. Similarly to the elastic threads 4F1, 4F2, the elastic threads 4R1, 4R2 are arranged in this order from the fold line 4RF side along a fold line 4RF that will form the upper edge of the back body region 1R when folded back.

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

[0042] The rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are provided to extend laterally along the upper edges of the front and back body regions 1F and 1R shown in FIG. 1 . The rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are provided parallel to each other at a predetermined distance. When the diaper 1 is worn, the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 relatively tightly tighten the wearer's abdominal circumference above the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. The rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer, preventing it from shifting and preventing leakage of excreted fluid from the abdomen or back. The rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 alleviate the pressure felt by the wearer due to the contractile force of the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1. Furthermore, when an inner pad is used, they prevent the inner pad from shifting. The rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, 4R1, and 4R2 are an example of a first elastic member in the present disclosure.

[0043] Furthermore, rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are adhered to the cover sheet 4. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are elastic members provided in a region of the cover sheet 4 closer to the crotch region 1B than the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. However, unlike other rubber threads that are adhered without bending from the left end to the right end of the cover sheet 4, the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are curved toward the crotch region 1B. Because the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are curved, the regions where the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are arranged function as leg gathers 3LL and 3LR, which bring the peripheries of the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R into contact with the wearer's skin. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are an example of a second elastic member in the present disclosure.

[0044] The rubber thread 4F3 in the front body region 1F traverses the extending region of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction and is continuous in the width direction. The part where the rubber thread 4F3 traverses the extending region of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction corresponds to the vicinity of the wearer's pubic bone. The wearer's urethral opening contacts the skin-facing side of the diaper 1, further towards the crotch than the part where the rubber thread 4F3 traverses the extending region of the absorbent body 8.

[0045] On the other hand, the rubber thread 4R3 in the rear body region 1R overlaps the widthwise outer side of the absorbent core 8c at the constricted portion of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core, but does not cross the extending region of the absorber 8 in the width direction. The region where the rubber thread 4R3 is located contacts the wearer's buttocks near the absorber 8. In the rear body region 1R, the diaper 1 is pressed more strongly by the pressure exerted on the wearer's buttocks than in the front body region 1F. For this reason, by not providing the rubber thread 4R3 in the widthwise center of the absorber 8 but instead biasing the widthwise ends of the absorber 8 apart, the diaper 1 can be brought into contact with the wearer with an appropriate adhesive force.

[0046] The cover sheet 4 is folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF and extends to the areas where the rubber threads 4F1, 4R1 are disposed, reinforcing the areas where the rubber threads 4F1, 4R1 are disposed with the folded back portions. The end sheets 11F, 11R are provided in the areas where the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 are disposed and not extended by the cover sheet 4 folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF, reinforcing the areas where the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 are disposed.

[0047] In the present application, the state in which sheets are overlapped is not limited to a state in which the overlapping sheets are in full contact with each other, but includes a state in which only a portion of the sheets overlaps with each other. For example, the end sheet 11F is overlapped in such a manner that a portion of one end of the back sheet 6 in the longitudinal direction touches a portion of the cover sheet 4. The diaper 1 is In addition to the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9 sandwiching the absorbent body 8, the cover sheet 4, end sheets 11F, 11R, inner cover sheet 5, and side sheets 10L, 10R are stacked one on top of the other, so it can be said to have a laminate made up of these multiple sheets stacked on top of each other.

[0048] When the diaper 1 is for an adult, the wearer's physique varies greatly compared to that of an infant. For this reason, the diaper 1 can be provided in multiple sizes to fit the wearer's physique. Diapers 1 of different sizes are realized mainly by changing the sizes of the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R of the outer body. The structure of the human crotch area and the positional relationship of the excretory opening do not change significantly depending on the wearer's physique. It is also known that the amount of excretion of elderly people, who are the consumers of adult diapers, does not correlate with their physique. For this reason, by adjusting the structure of the outer body as described below, it is possible to provide multiple sizes of diapers 1 equipped with substantially the same absorbent body 8.

[0049] For example, a package of diapers for adults with a long waist circumference (a first package containing a first absorbent article having a first size) and a package of diapers for adults with a short waist circumference (a second package containing a second absorbent article having a second size) may bear the same brand logo, and multiple absorbent article packages may be sold at the same time. It is also possible to increase the number of package types to suit different wearer sizes, and to sell packages of sizes suitable for three or more different sizes at the same time. Even in this case, since substantially the same absorbent core 8 can be used, it is possible to provide diapers 1 that fit the wearer's size while suppressing increases in manufacturing costs, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the wearer and their caregivers.

[0050] Such a package of multiple absorbent articles can be realized by changing the longitudinal length of the exterior body and by changing the width of the exterior body in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Furthermore, by changing the length of the elastic thread according to the width of the exterior body, the contractile force per unit area can be made the same for exterior bodies of multiple waist sizes, and the wearing comfort can be made the same for diapers of different sizes.

[0051] When changing the longitudinal length of the outer casing, the spacing between the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 may be standardized to the same spacing, and the number of threads may be changed depending on the longitudinal length of the outer casing. Standardizing the spacing between the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 ensures that the contractile force per unit area of ​​the rubber threads overlapping with and near the absorbent body 8 is the same across diapers of multiple sizes. This allows for diapers 1 with a consistent wearing feel. Furthermore, by standardizing the area of ​​the overlapping region between the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 and the absorbent body 8 across multiple sizes, the contractile force applied to the absorbent body 8 can be consistent. This allows diapers 1 with multiple sizes of outer casing to use absorbent bodies 8 of the same size without changing the wearing feel.

[0052] In addition, the distance between the longitudinal crotch-side ends of the elastic threads 4F2, 4R2 and the right leg opening 2R and left leg opening 2L, which are leg holes through which the wearer's legs pass, may be the same across multiple sizes of outer bodies. Furthermore, at the narrowest point in the crotch region 1B, the distance between the widthwise end of the outer body and the widthwise end of the absorber 8 can be the same regardless of the size of the outer body. It is known that the structure of a person's groin and crotch area is not affected by physique. Therefore, by making the distance between the elastic threads 4F2, 4R2 that make up the waist gather 3R and the leg openings the same across multiple sizes of diapers 1, it is possible to provide diapers 1 that have a consistent fit across multiple sizes.

[0053] 4 is a diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional structure of a diaper. The absorbent body 8 includes a core wrap sheet 7 and an absorbent core 8c wrapped in the core wrap sheet 7. When viewed from above, the absorbent core 8c has a generally gourd or hourglass shape with a narrowed portion in the crotch region.

[0054] The crotch region is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, so it is subjected to compressive pressure inward in the width direction. On the other hand, in the front and back body regions, the wearer's weight exerts pressure on the absorbent core 8c in the thickness direction. For this reason, in the crotch region, the absorbent core 8c is constricted to prevent it from losing its shape. Furthermore, in the front and back body regions, the width of the absorbent core 8c is widened to increase the area on which the wearer's weight is applied, thereby preventing it from losing its shape in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable that the absorbent core 8c be roughly gourd-shaped or hourglass-shaped.

[0055] The absorbent core 8c contains cellulosic staple fibers or hydrophilically treated resin staple fibers (hereinafter referred to as staple fibers), as well as granular absorbent resin (SAP particles) such as a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water. When fluid is excreted from the wearer and penetrates the absorbent core 8c, the SAP particles absorb the water and gradually expand, immobilizing the excreted fluid and preventing it from flowing back to the skin side.

[0056] In this figure, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which is positioned on the skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which is positioned on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with an adhesive HM such as hot melt. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with an adhesive HM such as hot melt.

[0057] The adhesive strength between the absorbent core 8c and the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7a is stronger than the adhesive strength between the absorbent core 8c and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. Specifically, the width of the adhesive HM bonding the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7a and the absorbent core 8c may be wider than the width of the absorbent core 8c, and the width of the adhesive HM bonding the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c may be narrower than the width of the absorbent core 8c. Furthermore, the amount of adhesive HM applied to bond the absorbent core 8c and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b may be reduced, or an adhesive HM with lower adhesive strength may be used. Alternatively, the application area of ​​the adhesive HM for this purpose may be limited. Therefore, when a force is applied to separate the absorbent core 8c and the core wrap sheet 7, the absorbent core 8c and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are relatively easily separated.

[0058] The adhesive HM easily peels off and forms the flow channels 8s when a force is applied to separate the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c, such as when the absorbent core 8c absorbs water and expands, or when excreted liquid flows between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c. If the flow channels 8s are formed even when the diaper 1 has not absorbed water and the flow channels 8s are not needed, the flow channels 8s could cause the absorbent core 8c to lose its shape. If the flow channels 8s are formed only when the absorbent core 8c absorbs water, the flow channels 8s can be formed only when needed.

[0059] The backsheet 6 is a water-impermeable film laminated on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, and prevents discharged liquid that has penetrated the absorbent body 8 from leaking out to the cover sheet 4. The backsheet 6 is wider than the absorbent core 8c, enveloping the sides of the absorbent core 8c and reaching the skin-facing side.

[0060] The top sheet 9 is a water-permeable sheet that contacts the wearer's skin. When the wearer exudes liquid, the exudate passes through the top sheet 9 and penetrates into the absorbent core 8c, where it is absorbed. The top sheet 9 is also wider than the absorbent core 8c, and wraps around the sides of the absorbent core 8c, reaching the non-skin-facing side. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the top sheet 9 is laminated closer to the skin than the back sheet 6.

[0061] The side sheets 10L, 10R are non-permeable nonwoven fabric sheets arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction, and constitute a pair of side sheets that cover the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction. The sheets 10L, 10R are provided at the skin-facing end of the absorbent body 8 and rise toward the skin-facing side of the wearer due to the contractile force of the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 extending in the longitudinal direction, forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR that prevent lateral leakage of excreted liquid in the front-to-back direction of the wearer. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the side sheets 10L, 10R are layered closer to the skin than the top sheet 9. The rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are an example of a third stretchable member in the present disclosure.

[0062] A water-impermeable adhesive HM, such as hot melt, is continuously applied in the longitudinal direction to the skin-facing widthwise edge of the top sheet 9, and the side sheets 10L, 10R are bonded thereto. This forms a pair of upright lines, forming the upright lines of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The adhesive HM is hydrophobic, and the widthwise edge of the top sheet 9 permeated with the adhesive HM is a water-impermeable region. This prevents discharged liquid from migrating from the applied region toward the widthwise edge and leaking out of the widthwise edge. On the other hand, the widthwise inside of the water-impermeable region is a water-permeable region, allowing discharged liquid to pass toward the absorbent core 8c. A top sheet 9 made of a material that is water-impermeable at both widthwise edges may also be used. The adhesive HM itself is hydrophobic, and can impede the migration of discharged liquid toward the widthwise edge to a degree that prevents leakage from the widthwise edge, but does not completely prevent it. Using a top sheet 9 made of a material that is water-impermeable at both widthwise edges can more effectively suppress the migration of discharged liquid toward the widthwise edge. On the other hand, at both longitudinal ends, the widthwise inner sides of the impermeable regions are permeable regions that allow exudate to pass through to the absorbent core 8c, allowing the absorbent core 8c to easily absorb and retain exudate.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a gap formed when the diaper according to the embodiment is worn. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the front body region of the diaper 1 is in contact with the wearer's abdominal side when the diaper 1 is worn. A rubber thread 4F3 is arranged in the front body region. The rubber thread 4F3 is arranged in a position that contacts the bulging portion of the wearer's lower abdomen, more specifically, the pubic bone. The rubber thread 4F3 is arranged so as to cross the absorber 8 laterally, and its extending region functions to firmly press the absorber 8 against the wearer's pubic bone. The urethral opening is located below the pubic bone, and the rubber thread 4F3 firmly contacts the absorber 8, thereby preventing excretions such as urine from leaking from the urethral opening to the abdominal side. In this embodiment, the rubber thread 4F3 not only biases the outer body so as to contact the wearer's legs, but also biases the outer body so as to contact the wearer's lower abdominal region.

[0064] The groin area is located between the wearer's lower abdomen and the groin. The top sheet 9 of the diaper 1 is biased toward the groin area by the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR provided on the side sheets 10L, 10R, while the elastic thread 4F3 is biased toward the outside of the wearer's thighs. In the groin area, the skin-facing side of the diaper 1 is biased to come into close contact with the wearer, and the non-skin-facing side of the diaper 1 is biased away from the wearer.

[0065] Therefore, in the groin area, a space is formed between the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side of the diaper 1 at the widthwise outer sides of the widthwise ends of the absorbent core 8c, and this space functions as a flow path 8s.

[0066] On the back side of the wearer, the rubber thread 4R3 extends to the widthwise outer side of the absorbent core 8c. The skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c is pressed by the wearer's buttocks. Meanwhile, the widthwise outer side of the non-skin-facing side is biased outward by the rubber thread 4R3. Therefore, even on the back side of the wearer, the space formed between the widthwise end of the absorbent core 8c and the widthwise end of the absorber 8 is maintained, and this space functions as a flow path 8s.

[0067] In the crotch area, the biasing force of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR causes the skin-facing side to come into contact with the wearer's skin. The absorbent core 8c is in contact with the skin, while the non-skin-facing side hangs down away from the skin due to the weight of the waste. As already mentioned, the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are easily separated. As a result, a space is formed between the absorbent core 8c and the lower core wrap sheet 7b in the crotch area, and this space functions as a flow path 8s, allowing waste to move quickly.

[0068] The flow channels 8s function as guide holes for excreted liquid, and excreted liquid that flows into the flow channels 8s flows along the flow channels 8s into the wider portions of the absorbent core 8c on the front or rear region side, where it is absorbed. In this manner, the flow channels 8s are formed in the constricted portions of the absorber 8 of the diaper 1 according to this embodiment in the front, crotch, and rear regions, allowing excreted liquid to move efficiently and quickly absorb in areas that have not yet absorbed excreted liquid, such as the ears at the ends of the front or rear regions.

[0069] Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a diaper 1 according to a second embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate equivalent components in each figure, and redundant explanations are omitted where appropriate. In the second embodiment, rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are adhered to the cover sheet 4. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are elastic members provided in a region of the cover sheet 4 closer to the crotch region 1B than the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. In the second embodiment, the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are curved toward the crotch region 1B. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 overlap a portion of the core wrap sheet 7 at the constricted portion of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core, do not extend to a region corresponding to the widthwise center of the absorber 8, and bias the absorber 8 from the widthwise ends of the absorber 8. The regions where the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are provided function as leg gathers 3LL and 3LR, as in the first embodiment.

[0070] The cover sheet 4 is folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF and extends to the areas where the rubber threads 4F1, 4R1 are disposed, reinforcing the areas where the rubber threads 4F1, 4R1 are disposed with the folded back portions. The end sheets 11F, 11R are provided in the areas where the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 are disposed and not extended by the cover sheet 4 folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF, reinforcing the areas where the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 are disposed.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of a diaper according to a second embodiment. The absorbent body 8 includes a core wrap sheet 7 and an absorbent core 8c made up of multiple absorbent mats wrapped in the core wrap sheet 7. In the second embodiment, the absorbent core 8c has a laminated structure of absorbent mats, including an upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and a lower-layer absorbent mat 8b. The upper-layer absorbent mat 8a is the absorbent mat that faces the wearer's skin when worn, and has an hourglass shape with a narrowed portion in the crotch region in plan view. The upper-layer absorbent mat 8a extends near the longitudinal ends to the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8. In contrast, the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is the absorbent mat that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The lower-layer absorbent mat 8b extends only to the center of the absorbent body 8, a portion corresponding to the wearer's midline, and its overall width is less than the narrowed portion of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. That is, the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is layered on the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a so that the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is entirely hidden by the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a when viewed from the skin-facing side.

[0072] The crotch region is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, so it is subjected to compressive pressure inward in the width direction. Meanwhile, in the front and back body regions, the wearer's weight exerts pressure in the thickness direction of the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, by providing a constriction in the crotch region of the absorbent core 8c and stacking the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b, the absorbent core 8c in the crotch region has a high basis weight, preventing it from losing its shape inward in the width direction. Furthermore, by widening the width of the absorbent core in the front and back body regions, the area on which the wearer's weight is applied is increased, preventing it from losing its shape in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable to make the absorbent core 8c hourglass-shaped.

[0073] The upper-layer absorbent mat 8a contains cellulosic staple fibers or hydrophilically treated resin staple fibers (hereinafter referred to as staple fibers) as well as granular absorbent resin (SAP particles) such as a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water. When fluid is excreted from the wearer and penetrates the absorbent core 8c, the SAP particles absorb the water and gradually expand, immobilizing the excreted fluid and preventing it from flowing back to the skin-facing side. On the other hand, the basis weight (amount of SAP particles per unit area) of the SAP particles contained in the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b is lower than that of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. Alternatively, the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b may be formed solely from staple fibers without containing SAP particles.

[0074] In this figure, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which faces the wearer's skin when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b. However, the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are not bonded in most areas where they directly face each other. Therefore, in the absorbent body 8, a flow path 8s is formed between the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b and the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a, further outside the widthwise ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b, where the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a extends.

[0075] Furthermore, when a force is applied to separate the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c, the non-skin-facing side of the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a may be more easily separated than the non-skin-facing side of the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the lower absorbent mat 8b. Specifically, the width of the adhesive bonding the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the lower absorbent mat 8b may be wider than the width of the lower absorbent mat 8b, so that only the edge of the adhesive is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 8a. Furthermore, the amount of adhesive applied to bond the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 8a to the lower core wrap sheet 7b may be reduced, or an adhesive with lower adhesive strength may be used. Alternatively, the area of ​​application of the adhesive used for this purpose may be limited. The adhesive easily peels off when a force is applied to separate the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c, such as when the lower absorbent mat 8b absorbs water and expands, or when excreted liquid flows between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a, forming the flow channels 8s. If the flow channels 8s are formed even when the diaper 1 has not absorbed water and the flow channels 8s are not needed, the flow channels 8s could cause the absorbent core 8c to lose its shape. If the flow channels 8s are formed only when the absorbent core 8c absorbs water, the flow channels 8s can be formed only when needed.

[0076] The backsheet 6 is a water-impermeable film laminated on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, and prevents discharged liquid that has penetrated the absorbent body 8 from leaking out to the cover sheet 4. The backsheet 6 is wider than the absorbent core 8c, enveloping the sides of the absorbent core 8c and reaching the skin-facing side.

[0077] The top sheet 9 is a water-permeable sheet that contacts the wearer's skin. When the wearer exudes liquid, the exudate passes through the top sheet 9 and penetrates into the absorbent core 8c, where it is absorbed. The top sheet 9 is also wider than the absorbent core 8c, and wraps around the sides of the absorbent core 8c, reaching the non-skin-facing side. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the top sheet 9 is laminated closer to the skin than the back sheet 6.

[0078] The side sheets 10L, 10R are non-permeable nonwoven fabric sheets arranged on both sides of the absorbent body 8 in the width direction, and constitute a pair of side sheets covering the width direction side surfaces of the absorbent body 8. The side sheets 10L, 10R are raised further towards the skin side at the skin side end of the absorbent body 8 by the biasing force of rubber threads 10R1, 10L1 arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction on the inner side in the width direction, and prevent lateral leakage of discharged liquid. On the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, the side sheets 10L, 10R are layered closer to the skin-facing side than the top sheet 9.

[0079] A water-impermeable adhesive HM is continuously applied in the longitudinal direction to the skin-facing widthwise edge of the top sheet 9, and the side sheets 10L, 10R are adhered thereto. This forms a pair of upright lines for the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The adhesive HM is hydrophobic, and the widthwise edge of the top sheet 9 permeated with the adhesive HM is a water-impermeable region. This prevents discharged liquid from migrating from the area where the adhesive HM is applied toward the widthwise edge and leaking out from the widthwise edge. On the other hand, the widthwise inside of the water-impermeable region is a water-permeable region, allowing discharged liquid to pass toward the absorbent core 8c. A top sheet 9 made of a material that is water-impermeable at both widthwise edges may also be used. The hot-melt adhesive itself is hydrophobic and can impede the migration of discharged liquid toward the widthwise edge to a degree that prevents leakage from the widthwise edge, but does not completely prevent it. Using a top sheet 9 made of a material that is water-impermeable at both widthwise edges can more effectively suppress the migration of discharged liquid toward the widthwise edge. On the other hand, at both longitudinal end sides, the inside of the impermeable region in the width direction is a permeable region, which allows discharged liquid to pass through to the absorbent core 8c side.

[0080] In this embodiment, a top sheet 9 and side sheets 10L, 10R made of nonwoven fabric are laminated further outside the back sheet 6 at the widthwise side portions of the absorbent body 8. The top sheet 9 and side sheets 10L, 10R at the side portions of the absorbent body 8 correspond to the nonwoven fabric sheets referred to in this application. By covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple nonwoven fabric sheets in this manner, it is possible to prevent the back sheet 6, which is a water-impermeable film, from directly contacting the wearer's skin at the side portions of the absorbent body 8, which would cause discomfort. Furthermore, by covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple sheets, the absorbent body 8 is reinforced, and deformation of the absorbent core 8c is suppressed.

[0081] At both longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, the water-permeable regions of the top sheet 9 are narrower than the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a constituting the absorbent core 8c and wider than the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b. Therefore, discharged liquid that is not completely absorbed near the widthwise center of the top sheet 9 spreads over the top sheet 9 and passes through the water-permeable regions at the longitudinal ends passes through the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and directly reaches the flow paths 8s.

[0082] The discharged liquid that reaches the flow paths 8s passes through the flow paths 8s and spreads over a wide area of ​​the absorbent core 8c, and is sequentially absorbed in areas where the absorbent core 8c can absorb it. This allows the wide area of ​​the absorbent core 8c to be used to efficiently absorb the discharged liquid, and prevents the amount of discharged liquid from exceeding the absorption capacity of the absorbent core locally and causing backflow, for example, when a large amount of discharged liquid is discharged at once.

[0083] On the other hand, the upper absorbent mat 8a and the lower absorbent mat 8b extend across the widthwise center of the absorbent core 8c, i.e., the position corresponding to the wearer's excretory opening, forming a laminated structure of the absorbent core 8c. This structure allows for immediate reception and absorption of excreted fluid unless a large amount is produced.

[0084] When a wearer excretes liquid into the diaper 1 having the above-described characteristics, the excreted liquid passes through the water-permeable region of the water-permeable top sheet 9 and the water-permeable upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, and reaches the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. The upper-layer absorbent mat 8a contains SAP particles, and it takes a certain amount of time for the SAP particles to absorb the liquid. Therefore, most of the excreted liquid passes through the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a first and then reaches the flow channels 8s or the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b.

[0085] Here, the basis weight of the SAP particles contained in the lower absorbent mat 8b is lower than that of the upper absorbent mat 8a, or the lower absorbent mat does not substantially contain SAP particles. In other words, the lower absorbent mat 8b is mainly composed of short fibers and temporarily stores the discharged liquid that has passed through the upper absorbent mat 8a. The lower absorbent mat 8b has the function of gradually returning the discharged liquid to the upper absorbent mat 8a. Therefore, the discharged liquid that reaches the lower absorbent mat 8b is gradually reabsorbed by the SAP particles in the upper absorbent mat 8a or flows out into the flow path 8s. If additional water flows in when the SAP particles have already absorbed and expanded water, the expanded SAP particles may obstruct the flow of water, which is known as gel blocking. The lower absorbent mat 8b contains no SAP particles or only a small amount of SAP particles, so it can decelerate the discharged liquid and guide it to the appropriate absorption position without causing gel blocking.

[0086] The flow channels 8s extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 8. Exhaust liquid that flows into the flow channels 8s from the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b moves through the flow channels 8s and is gradually absorbed by the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. If the exhaust liquid concentrates in a specific part of the absorbent core 8c and exceeds its absorption capacity, the exhaust liquid flows through the flow channels 8s and can be absorbed in other parts with sufficient absorption capacity. This allows the absorbent core 8c to absorb exhaust liquid throughout its entire area, preventing exhaust liquid from flowing back onto the skin at points where its absorption capacity is exceeded, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0087] The flow channels 8s are covered by the flat upper absorbent mat 8a when viewed from the skin-facing side, and the step caused by the difference in width between the narrower lower absorbent mat 8b and the flow channels 8s is not visible on the skin-facing side of the diaper 1. As a result, the wearer does not notice the step and is unlikely to feel uncomfortable. In addition, the presence of the upper absorbent mat 8a between the flow channels 8s and the top sheet 9 prevents discharged liquid flowing through the flow channels 8s from flowing back onto the wearer's skin.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a view of the longitudinal end of the absorbent body from the non-skin-facing side. While FIG. 8 shows the longitudinal end of the front body region 1F of the diaper 1, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment has the same configuration in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Therefore, the following description focuses on the front body region 1F, and the description of the back body region 1R is omitted. As described above, in this embodiment, the absorbent body 8 includes an absorbent core 8c, which includes an hourglass-shaped upper-layer absorbent mat 8a laminated on the skin-facing side and a rectangular-shaped lower-layer absorbent mat 8b laminated on the non-skin-facing side. A cover sheet 4 and an inner cover sheet 5 are laminated on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, and 4F3 are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. The absorbent body 8 is indirectly biased by the rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, and 4F3 via the inner cover sheet 5. Rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, and 4F3 may be provided between the inner cover sheet 5 and the absorbent body 8. In this case, the absorbent body 8 is directly biased by the rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, and 4F3.

[0089] A portion of the rubber thread 4F2, the region of which constitutes the waist gathers 3R, overlaps with the absorbent body 8, and a portion of this overlaps with the absorbent core 8c. In this embodiment, the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b that constitute the absorbent core 8c both extend to the vicinity of the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, and the vicinity of these longitudinal ends overlaps with the rubber thread 4F2.

[0090] The elastic thread 4F3 has its widthwise outer end located directly below the crotch side of the elastic thread 4F2 in the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R. The elastic thread 4F3 extends in the crotch direction along the constriction of the cover sheet 4. The area where the elastic thread 4F3 is located functions as the leg gathers 3LL, 3LR that fit the diaper 1 closely around the wearer's crotch.

[0091] The widthwise inner end of the rubber thread 4F3 overlaps with a part of the absorber at the widened portion of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core 8c at the intermediate portion between the crotch portion and the longitudinal end. Here, the widthwise inner end of the rubber thread 4F3 overlaps only the core wrap sheet 7 portion of the absorber 8, and does not overlap the absorbent core 8c although it is adjacent to it.

[0092] When a wearer puts on the diaper 1, the absorbent core 8c is biased outward in the width direction by a portion of the elastic threads 4F2, 4R2 constituting the waist gather 3R and the elastic threads 4F3, 4R3 constituting the leg gathers 3LL, 3LR. These elastic threads are an example of the elastic members that bias outward from the widthwise ends in a plan view, as referred to herein. As a result, the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a is strongly biased in the width direction to conform to the wearer's skin and contract in contact with the skin, thereby preventing the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape due to pressure from both legs.

[0093] The difference in width between the upper absorbent mat 8a and the lower absorbent mat 8b mainly appears on the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 8a. As a result, the diaper 1 does not have a difference in width on the skin-facing side, making it comfortable for the wearer. Furthermore, since the flow channels 8s are easily formed on the non-skin-facing side, exudate liquid can be absorbed not only at the location of the flow channel but also over a wide area of ​​the absorbent core 8c.

[0094] Furthermore, near the widthwise inner edges of the leg gathers 3LL and 3LR, the rubber thread 4F3 does not overlap the absorbent core 8c, biasing only the back sheet 6 and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b outward in the widthwise direction. Therefore, a gap is formed between the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b due to the tension of the rubber thread 4F3, allowing for clearer formation of the flow channels 8s. This gap can be further increased by non-adhering any of the sheets or mats constituting the absorbent body. For example, in the absorbent core 8c, the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a may be bonded to the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b may be bonded to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, but the absorbent mats may not be bonded to each other. In this way, the biasing force of the rubber thread 4F3 acts to separate the mats constituting the absorbent core 8c, facilitating the formation of the flow channels 8s. Furthermore, because gaps are more likely to form between the sheets or mats, exudate fluid can be more easily transported along the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a.

[0095] Furthermore, if the wearer's body position changes and pressure is applied to the absorbent core 8c from another direction, a gap may form between the upper absorbent mat 8a and the lower absorbent mat 8b. This gap also functions as a flow path for the exuded liquid, allowing the exuded liquid to be guided to a part of the absorbent core 8c with more available absorption capacity, enabling it to be absorbed efficiently.

[0096] The area where the rubber thread 4F3 overlaps the absorbent body is an important area close to the wearer's excretory opening. If the rubber thread 4F3 were to overlap the absorbent core 8c, the urging force of the rubber thread 4F3 would twist the absorbent body 8 itself, causing the absorbent core 8c to lose its shape and significantly impair its function. For this reason, it is preferable to position the inner end of the rubber thread 4F3 in a position where it does not overlap the absorbent core 8c.

[0097] 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a diaper with stress applied to the absorbent body near its longitudinal end when worn. Rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 near the absorbent body's longitudinal end, and part of these threads overlap the absorbent body 8. When a wearer puts on the diaper 1, the diaper 1 conforms to the wearer's body due to the tension of the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. The non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body is also biased toward the non-skin-facing side due to the tension of the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2.

[0098] On the other hand, side sheets 10L, 10R are provided on the widthwise sides of the absorbent body 8, and rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are provided near the skin-facing ends of the side sheets 10L, 10R. The skin-facing ends of the side sheets 10L, 10R rise due to the biasing force of the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 and function as three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. When a wearer puts on the diaper 1, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR rise due to the biasing force of the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 and come into close contact with the skin of the wearer, preventing lateral leakage of excreted liquid. The biasing force of the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 that constitute the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR is transmitted to the absorbent body 8. As a result, the skin side of the absorbent body 8 is biased toward the skin side.

[0099] Because the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 is biased toward the non-skin-facing side and the skin-facing side is biased toward the skin-facing side, the absorbent body 8 is subjected to forces in opposite directions on the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side during wear. This causes the absorbent body 8 to expand in the thickness direction, making it easier for flow channels 8s to form inside the absorbent body 8. The formation of flow channels 8s allows excreted liquid to move more easily and be efficiently absorbed in the absorbent core 8c's absorbent parts. Furthermore, as the absorbent body 8 expands in the above-mentioned directions, gaps are also formed between the unbonded structures inside the absorbent body 8 (for example, between the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b). The formation of these gaps allows excreted liquid to move more easily and be efficiently absorbed in the absorbent core 8c's absorbent parts.

[0100] The absorber 8 is biased at the longitudinal ends and undergoes a shape change inward in the longitudinal direction, which makes it easier for flow channels 8s to be formed in areas other than near the longitudinal ends.

[0101] Furthermore, the absorbent body 8 may shrink inward and lose its shape due to the wearer's weight, pressure from both legs, and the biasing force of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The biasing force of the waist gathers 3R and the leg gathers 3LL, 3LR biases the absorbent body 8 outward in the width direction, thereby preventing the absorbent body 8 from shrinking and losing its shape. The biasing force of the waist gathers 3R and the leg gathers 3LL, 3LR extends not only to the areas directly overlapping the absorbent body 8 but also to other nearby areas, preventing the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape over a wide area.

[0102] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the second embodiment, the absorbent core 8c is described as a laminate of the upper absorbent mat 8a and the lower absorbent mat 8b, but the absorbent core 8c may be formed by laminating three or more absorbent mats. Also, the absorbent core 8c may be formed as a single unit with a convex shape on the non-skin-facing side.

[0103] In the second embodiment, the SAP particles contained in the absorbent core 8c have been described as being mainly contained inside the stacked absorbent mats, but they can also be arranged between the stacked absorbent mats.

[0104] In each embodiment, rubber thread is used to apply a biasing force to the diaper 1 to make it adhere closely to the wearer's skin, but elastic resin fibers may also be used.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1. Diapers 1F: Front body area 1B...Inseam area 1R: Back area 2R・Right lower limb opening 2L·Left lower limb opening 3BL, 3BR: 3D gathers 3R Waist Gather 3LL, 3LR Leg Gathers 4. Cover sheet 4F1, 4F2, 4F3, 4R1, 4R2, 4R3... Elastic thread 4F4,4R4,4F5,4R5...edge 4FF, 4RF... Folded line 5. Inner cover sheet 6. Back seat 7. Core wrap sheet 7f··Upper layer core wrap sheet 7b Lower core wrap sheet 8. Absorber 8a··Upper layer absorbent mat 8b Lower layer absorbent mat 8c absorbent core 8s··Flow path 9. Top sheet 10L, 10R side seats 10L1, 10R1... Rubber thread 10LB,10RB·Adhesive area 11F, 11R End seat 11F1, 11R1 Adhesive HM Adhesive

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent core having a generally hourglass shape extending in the longitudinal direction and having a constricted portion in the crotch area; a core wrap sheet that covers the absorbent core and is bonded to the absorbent core at least on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core; an absorber having a top sheet having a water-permeable region and disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body; a non-water-permeable back sheet disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body; an exterior body disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet; With On the outer side in the width direction of the portion of the exterior body where the absorber widens from the crotch region toward the end in the longitudinal direction, A second elastic member that stretches in the width direction is provided on the non-skin-facing side of the core wrap sheet, Absorbent articles.

2. The absorbent core comprises: The absorbent mattress has an upper layer absorbent mat arranged on the skin side and a lower layer absorbent mat arranged on the non-skin side of the upper layer absorbent mat, The core wrap sheet is the absorbent core is adhered to the lower absorbent mat at least on the non-skin-facing side thereof, and the absorbent core is covered; When the absorbent body is viewed in plan, the lower-layer absorbent mat is fitted into the upper-layer absorbent mat in the width direction. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. The core wrap sheet and the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat are not bonded in the area where they directly face each other, forming a flow path. The absorbent article of claim 2.

4. When a force is applied to separate the core wrap sheet from the absorbent core, the core wrap sheet and the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core are more easily separated from each other than the skin-facing side of the absorbent core. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The absorbent article further includes a first elastic member arranged in an area overlapping the absorbent core, and biasing the absorbent core from the end portion in the width direction to conform to the skin surface of the wearer. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The water-permeable region of the top sheet is wider at the longitudinal end of the absorbent body than the widthwise end of the lower-layer absorbent mat and narrower than the widthwise end of the upper-layer absorbent mat. The absorbent article of claim 2.

7. The absorbent core contains particles of SAP, which is a superabsorbent polymer; The basis weight of the SAP particles in the lower-layer absorbent mat is lower than that of the upper-layer absorbent mat. The absorbent article of claim 2.

8. The upper absorbent mat contains particles of SAP, which is a superabsorbent polymer; The lower absorbent mat is substantially free of particles of SAP, which is a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent article of claim 2.

9. The upper-layer absorbent mat has a narrowed shape in the width direction in the crotch region, The lower absorbent mat is rectangular, The width of the lower absorbent mat is equal to or less than the width of the constricted portion of the upper absorbent mat. The absorbent article of claim 2.

10. the second stretchable member is not provided in the widthwise center of the absorbent body on the rear body region side, On the front body region side, the absorbent body is provided so as to cross the width direction, an extension region of the second elastic member on the front body region side corresponds to a pubic bone portion of a wearer when worn; The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

11. Further provided is a side sheet covering the width direction side surface of the absorbent body, The side sheet has a third stretchable member that stretches in the longitudinal direction disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body to form three-dimensional gathers. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The back sheet covers the widthwise end portions of the absorbent body from the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body through the side portions of the absorbent body to the skin-facing side. The absorbent article of claim 11.

13. the second stretchable member biases the outer body so as to contact the wearer's legs and lower abdomen; the third stretchable member biases the absorbent body so as to contact the absorbent body in the front-rear direction of the wearer, In the constricted portion of the absorbent core, and a flow guide hole is formed on the outer side of the absorbent core in the width direction and between the absorbent core and the outer casing due to the difference in the stretching direction of the second stretchable member and the third stretchable member. The absorbent article of claim 11.

14. At least one of the top sheet and the side sheet is a nonwoven fabric sheet, The back sheet is covered with the nonwoven fabric sheet at the side portions of the absorbent body. The absorbent article of claim 11.

15. The core wrap sheet and the upper absorbent mat are bonded together, The core wrap sheet and the lower absorbent mat are bonded together, The upper absorbent mat and the lower absorbent mat are not bonded to each other. The absorbent article of claim 2.

16. A package of multiple absorbent articles comprising the absorbent articles of claim 1 or 2, The shape and size of the absorbent body are substantially the same between a first package containing a first absorbent article having a first size and a second package containing a second absorbent article having a second size. A package of multiple absorbent articles.

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