absorbent articles
The absorbent article's innovative compressed groove design enhances fit and prevents leakage by allowing multi-stage bending and flexible adhesion to the buttocks, addressing issues with conventional absorbent articles.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022088307
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-05-31
AI Technical Summary
Conventional absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, face issues with leakage along the intergluteal cleft during nighttime or long-term use due to inadequate fit around the buttocks, particularly the area behind the intergluteal cleft.
The absorbent article features elongated main body with compressed grooves, including a first rear compressed groove with three arc-shaped portions and a second rear compressed groove, allowing for multi-stage bending to conform to the buttocks' shape, and a flexible region between the grooves to enhance adhesion and prevent leakage.
The design provides a superior fit around the buttocks, effectively preventing leakage by conforming to the buttocks' curve and ensuring adhesion to the intergluteal cleft area, even during movement.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins have been known that have a longer rear region of the main body to accommodate use during nighttime sleep or long-term use. Various designs have been studied for such absorbent articles to prevent leakage of bodily fluids from the rear region. These designs include the shapes of compressed grooves (embossments) formed in the top sheet and absorbent body (e.g., Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-100846 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-223215 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, with conventional configurations, when an absorbent article is used at night or for a long period of time, there is still a concern that bodily fluids may leak along the intergluteal cleft behind or behind the intergluteal cleft depending on how the article is worn, the wearer's movements while wearing the article, etc. Therefore, there is a need to improve the fit to the buttocks, particularly the fit around the end of the intergluteal cleft or the area behind it, to prevent leakage along the cleft.
[0005] In view of the above, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that has a good fit around the buttocks and can prevent leakage. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention has an elongated main body comprising a skin-side top sheet, a non-skin-side back sheet opposite the skin side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein at least the top sheet and the absorbent body have compressed grooves formed that are recessed from the top sheet side to the back sheet side, and the compressed grooves include a first rear compressed groove formed in an area that faces the wearer's buttocks when worn, and a second rear compressed groove formed rearward and spaced apart from the first rear compressed groove, wherein the first rear compressed groove has a first arc-shaped portion that convex rearward, a second arc-shaped portion located left forward of the first arc-shaped portion and convex left rearward, and a third arc-shaped portion located right forward of the first arc-shaped portion and convex right rearward, and the second rear compressed groove has a shape that convex rearward.
[0007] Due to the shapes of the first and second rear compressed grooves in the first embodiment, the apexes of the first, second, and third arc-shaped portions of the first rear compressed groove and the apex of the second rear compressed groove are positions (bending base points) that can be easily bent in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when viewed in the longitudinal direction, the main body is easily bent in at least three stages from front to rear at the apexes of the second and third arc-shaped portions, the apex of the first arc-shaped portion, and the apex of the second rear compressed groove. This allows the main body to be bent in the longitudinal direction toward the skin, easily conforming to the shape of the rear portion of the buttocks. Furthermore, when viewed in the lateral direction, the main body is easily bent in at least three stages at the apexes of the second, first, and second rear compressed grooves, and the apex of the third arc-shaped portion. This allows the main body to be bent in the lateral direction toward the skin, easily conforming to the shape of the rear portion of the buttocks. According to this aspect, the region facing the buttocks can be easily bent both longitudinally and laterally, and a three-dimensional curve can be easily formed. This allows the rear region of the absorbent article to fit closely to the curve of the buttocks, particularly the rear part, and prevents bodily fluids from leaking behind or to the rear sides of the buttocks.
[0008] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first rear compressed groove and the second rear compressed groove are spaced apart, thereby creating a flexibly deformable region without any compressed areas between the two compressed grooves. Therefore, when the main body is bent toward the skin along the first rear compressed groove and the second rear compressed groove, the region between the two compressed grooves may bulge toward the skin due to the compressive force. This bulge improves adhesion to the rear region of the wearer's buttocks, i.e., the region where the gluteal cleft is shallow near the end of the gluteal cleft, or the region further posterior from the end of the gluteal cleft, thereby preventing leakage.
[0009] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the front end of the second rear compressed groove is located rearward of the apex of the first arc-shaped portion of the first rear compressed groove.
[0010] According to the second aspect, the first rear compressed groove and the second rear compressed groove do not overlap in the longitudinal direction, which reduces the possibility of a decrease in flexibility between the two compressed grooves. As a result, when a compressive force is applied to the area between the two compressed grooves when the main body is bent, this area can be raised toward the skin, further improving the aforementioned effect of increasing the fit to the rear part of the buttocks.
[0011] In a third aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion between the first arc-shaped portion and the second arc-shaped portion, and the connecting portion between the first arc-shaped portion and the third arc-shaped portion each include a point where the slope of the tangent changes discontinuously.
[0012] According to the third aspect, the first rear compressed groove has at least two relatively sharp forward depressions formed on both sides of the first arc-shaped portion, which can serve as starting points for bending, making the main body easier to bend and achieving a more natural curve that conforms to the shape of the buttocks.
[0013] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first arc-shaped portion has a pair of extensions that extend the arc of the first arc-shaped portion forward.
[0014] According to the fourth aspect, the main body can be easily bent along the direction of extension of each of the pair of extensions. Furthermore, the area surrounded by the left extension and the second arc-shaped portion and the area surrounded by the right extension and the third arc-shaped portion have slightly higher rigidity, making these areas less prone to creases and wrinkles. These areas correspond to the rear portion of the wearer's intergluteal cleft or both sides near the end of the intergluteal cleft when worn. Since these areas are less prone to creases and wrinkles, these areas can be fitted closely to the smooth surfaces of the buttocks on both sides of the intergluteal cleft. This prevents leakage of bodily fluids that have traveled along the intergluteal cleft.
[0015] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the pair of extensions is inclined so as to approach the lateral center as it moves forward, and imaginary lines drawn along the pair of extensions each pass through the front end of the second rear compression groove.
[0016] According to the fifth aspect, bending is facilitated around a line that extends along the extension of the first rear compressed groove and to the front end of the second rear compressed groove, which further promotes the formation of a natural curve that conforms to the shape of the buttocks and further improves the fit to the buttocks. [Effects of the Invention]
[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, an absorbent article can be provided that has a good fit around the buttocks and can prevent leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the skin side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the skin side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 6]FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.
[0020] [First embodiment] <Basic structure of absorbent articles> First, the basic structure of an absorbent article will be described using an overnight or long-lasting sanitary napkin as an example. Fig. 1 shows a plan view of an absorbent article 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 1.
[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 3 arranged on the side that faces the wearer's skin when worn, i.e., the skin side, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 2 arranged on the non-skin side (underwear side) opposite the skin side. Furthermore, an absorbent body 4 is arranged between the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3. The back sheet 2, absorbent body 4, and top sheet 3 are layered to form a main body (absorbent article main body) 8. The absorbent body 4 is arranged so as not to protrude from the back sheet 2 and top sheet 3 in a plan view. At both end edges in the longitudinal direction D1, the edges of the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 may be joined by adhesive, heat sealing, or the like.
[0022] As shown in the figure, the absorbent article 1 is in the shape of an elongated pad (a shape in which the thickness is smaller than the width and length). In this specification, the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) of the absorbent article 1 is designated D1, and the lateral direction (left-to-right or width direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 is designated D2. The longitudinal direction D1 corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the wearer's body when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and the lateral direction D2 corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the body.
[0023] 1 and 2, the main body 8 has a shape in plan view that is approximately line-symmetrical with respect to a center line (longitudinal center line) CL extending in the longitudinal direction D1, but the shape of the main body 8 does not necessarily have to be line-symmetrical. Furthermore, configurations other than the shapes of the absorbent article 1 and the main body 8 (including the thickness and density of the absorbent body 4, the size and position of the compressed grooves, the shape and size of the flaps extending outward from the main body 8 in the lateral direction D2, etc.) may be approximately symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the center line CL as the axis of symmetry.
[0024] The backsheet 2 may be a sheet that is at least water-proof, for example, a sheet made of an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Alternatively, a laminated nonwoven fabric in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated on a polyethylene sheet or the like, or a laminated sheet of nonwoven fabric in which a waterproof film is interposed to ensure substantial liquid impermeability, may be used. Furthermore, it is more desirable to use a material that is moisture-permeable in order to prevent stuffiness. Examples of such water-proof and moisture-permeable sheet materials include microporous sheets obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet uniaxially or biaxially. The backsheet 2 may be a sheet having the same outer shape as the outer shape of the absorbent article 1.
[0025] The top sheet 3 can be a liquid-permeable sheet that allows bodily fluids such as menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, and urine to quickly pass through. Suitable top sheet 3 materials include perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabrics and porous plastic sheets. Examples of material fibers constituting the nonwoven fabric include olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and blends thereof, as well as natural fibers such as cotton, which can be used alone or in combination. Examples of processing methods for nonwoven fabrics include spunlace, spunbond, thermal bond, meltblown, and needlepunch. Of these processing methods, the spunlace method is preferred because it provides flexibility, the spunbond method is preferred because it can produce nonwoven fabrics with excellent drapeability, and the thermal bond method is preferred because it can produce bulky and soft nonwoven fabrics. Composite fibers, such as core-sheath fibers, side-by-side fibers, and splittable fibers, can also be used, each of which has a high-melting-point fiber as the core and a low-melting-point fiber as the sheath.
[0026] The absorbent body 4 is not limited to any material that can absorb and retain body fluids, but preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. Examples of water-absorbent polymers that can be used include superabsorbent polymer (SAP), superabsorbent fiber (SAF), and combinations of these. Pulp includes chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate. Hardwoods and softwoods are used as raw materials for chemical pulp, with softwoods being preferred due to their long fiber length.
[0027] Synthetic fibers may be blended into the absorbent body 4. Examples of synthetic fibers that can be used include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon, and copolymers thereof. Two of these fibers can also be blended. Composite fibers, such as core-sheath fibers with a high-melting-point fiber as the core and a low-melting-point fiber as the sheath, side-by-side fibers, and splittable fibers, can also be used. Hydrophobic fibers can also be surface-treated with a hydrophilizing agent to impart affinity to body fluids. The absorbent body 4 is preferably manufactured by stacking or air-laid methods.
[0028] The absorbent body 4 does not need to have a uniform basis weight over its entire surface, and may have a portion with an increased basis weight, i.e., a high basis weight portion 4H, in a central region of the absorbent body in the lateral direction D2, for example, in an area corresponding to a bodily fluid outlet (blood outlet) when worn. The high basis weight portion 4H may bulge toward the skin. Therefore, the absorbent body 4 does not need to have a uniform thickness over its entire surface. The thickness of the absorbent body 4 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction D1 and the lateral direction D2) may be 0.5 to 25 mm, preferably 1.5 to 15 mm.
[0029] The absorbent body 4 may be wrapped in an envelope sheet made of colored or uncolored (white) crepe paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like to prevent twisting, cracking, or spillage of polymer particles.
[0030] Side sheets 7, 7 are arranged on both sides of the absorbent article 1, i.e., on the side in the lateral direction D2, along the longitudinal direction D1, facing the skin. The side sheets 7 may be made of a material that has been treated, entirely or partially, with an appropriate water-repellent or hydrophilic treatment, depending on the purpose, such as preventing penetration of bodily fluids or improving the feel against the skin. The side sheets 7 are preferably nonwoven fabrics containing natural fibers, synthetic fibers, recycled fibers, etc., or made from these fibers. When the side sheets 7 are nonwoven fabrics, they may be air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, etc., but air-through nonwoven fabrics are preferred because they are resistant to creases, wrinkles, and soft, improving the feel against the skin. The side sheets 7 may also be treated with a water-repellent agent, such as a silicone-based or paraffin-based water-repellent agent.
[0031] The side sheet 7 may be folded back on the inside in the lateral direction D2 to form a multi-layered band-like portion extending along the side of the main body 8. Gathers may be formed by disposing an elastically stretchable member in a stretched state between the multiple layers along the longitudinal direction D1. In this specification, the configuration of the folds and gathers of the side sheet 7 will not be described, and will not be shown in the drawings.
[0032] The absorbent article 1 may have a body fluid outlet-facing region C that faces the wearer's body fluid outlet (the vaginal opening in the illustrated example) when worn, a front region F that is adjacent to the front of the body fluid outlet-facing region C and extends to the front end of the absorbent article 1, a perineum-facing region (middle region) M that is adjacent to the rear of the body fluid outlet-facing region C and faces the vicinity of the wearer's perineum when worn, and a buttocks-facing region B that is adjacent to the rear of the perineum-facing region M and extends to the rear end of the absorbent article 1 and faces the wearer's buttocks when worn. Furthermore, the buttocks-facing region B includes a front buttocks-facing region B1 that is adjacent to the perineum-facing region, and a rear buttocks-facing region B2 that is adjacent to the rear of the front buttocks-facing region B1. The front buttocks-facing region B1 is a region that mainly faces the intergluteal cleft (gluteal groove) and faces the area including the anus. The rear buttocks-facing region B2 may be a region that can face the rear part of the intergluteal cleft of the buttocks or a region further rearward from near the rear end of the intergluteal cleft, in particular a region rearward of the intergluteal sulcus, which can be said to be the boundary between the buttocks and the legs (above when standing). Note that the above description of the facing relationship between the region of main body 8 and the wearer's body can be considered to be the approximate range when the wearer wears the absorbent article in the normal manner while lying down, but this is merely a guideline.
[0033] The length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the bodily fluid outlet-facing region C may be 50 to 120 mm, and the length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the buttocks-facing region B may be 90 to 230 mm. Furthermore, the configuration of this embodiment is suitable for, for example, absorbent articles with a long rear, in which the total length of the perineum-facing region M and the buttocks-facing region B, preferably the length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the buttocks-facing region B, is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction D1 where the wing flaps WF are provided. Furthermore, the length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the front buttocks-facing region (gluteal cleft-facing region) B1 may be 40 to 100 mm, and the length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the rear buttocks-facing region B2 may be 40 to 120 mm. Furthermore, the total length in the longitudinal direction D1 of the absorbent article 1 may be 250 to 450 mm.
[0034] The absorbent article 1 may include a pair of wing flaps WF, WF extending outward in the lateral direction D2 from both sides of the region C facing the bodily fluid discharge opening. Anti-slip materials (not shown) may be provided on the non-skin sides of the wing flaps WF, WF, and this anti-slip material allows the wing flaps WF, WF to be folded back to the non-skin sides and attached to the underwear so that the underwear is sandwiched between the wing flaps WF, WF and the main body 8 when worn. This allows the absorbent article 1 to be securely fixed to the underwear. The wing flaps WF, WF are formed by joining the outward extending portions of the side sheets 7, 7 in the lateral direction D2 and the outward extending portion of the back sheet 2 in the lateral direction D2.
[0035] In addition, a pair of hip hold flaps HF, HF may be formed extending outward in the lateral direction D2 from the sides of the main body 8 from the perineum-facing region M to the buttocks-facing region B. The hip hold flaps HF, HF prevent leakage of bodily fluids at the rear of the absorbent article 1 and, by increasing the contact area with the buttocks, make it less likely that the entire absorbent article 1 will shift relative to the underwear, particularly in the lateral direction D2, thereby stabilizing the wearing position of the absorbent article 1. The hip hold flaps HF, HF may also be formed by joining the outward extensions in the lateral direction D2 of the side sheets 7, 7 and the outward extensions in the lateral direction D2 of the back sheet 2.
[0036] <Compression groove> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body 8 of the absorbent article 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of compressed grooves (embossments) formed therein (in the example of Figure 1, these are indicated by the reference numerals 10, 11, 12, and 13). The compressed grooves may be formed in a line symmetry with respect to the longitudinal centerline CL of the absorbent article 1 in a plan view, but are not necessarily line symmetric. The compressed grooves are formed as grooves recessed from the top sheet 3 side to the back sheet 2 side. The compressed grooves can be formed, for example, by passing a laminate formed by laminating at least the top sheet 3 and the absorbent body 4 between a pair of pressure rolls. In this case, the laminate can be pressed by sandwiching the roll with a convex shape on the top sheet 3 side and a flat roll on the absorbent body 4 side. The compressed grooves may include a low-compression section and a high-compression section that is compressed at a higher pressure within the low-compression section. In the drawings, the high-compression sections are shown in black.
[0037] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 extend along the longitudinal direction D1, primarily from the bodily fluid outlet-facing region C to the perineum-facing region M. The pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 are formed spaced apart from each other on both sides of the longitudinal centerline CL. The pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 are positioned so as not to overlap with the high basis weight portion 4H. The distance between the pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 in the lateral direction D2 may be constant or may vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the distance may be small near the boundary between the bodily fluid outlet-facing region C and the perineum-facing region M, large again behind that, and gradually small toward the rear end.
[0038] A first rear compressed groove 11 is formed behind the pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 and spaced apart from the pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10. The first rear compressed groove 11 is preferably formed in the buttocks-facing region B, mainly in the intergluteal cleft-facing region B1. The first rear compressed groove 11 has a shape that convex rearward as a whole, and more specifically, includes at least three rearward-facing portions (a first arc-shaped portion 11C, a second arc-shaped portion 11L, and a third arc-shaped portion 11R). Furthermore, a second rear compressed groove 12 is formed behind the first rear compressed groove 11 and spaced apart from the first rear compressed groove 11. The second rear compressed groove 12 is a groove that extends along the lateral direction D2 and has a shape that convex rearward.
[0039] In addition, a front compressed groove 13 is formed in front of the pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the front compressed groove 13 has a closed shape formed by combining compressed grooves with different radii of curvature and a shape that is convexly curved forward.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the portion extending from the rear of the pair of central compressed grooves 10, 10 to the second rear compressed groove 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the first rear compressed groove 11 includes a rearwardly convex first arc-shaped portion 11C positioned so as to overlap the longitudinal centerline CL, a rearwardly convex second arc-shaped portion 11L adjacent to the left of the first arc-shaped portion 11C (convex left rearward), and a rearwardly convex third arc-shaped portion 11R adjacent to the right of the first arc-shaped portion 11C (convex right rearward). Both the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the third arc-shaped portion 11R are located forward of the first arc-shaped portion 11C and outward in the lateral direction D2. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second arc-shaped portion 11L is located left forward of the first arc-shaped portion 11C, and the third arc-shaped portion 11R is located right forward of the first arc-shaped portion 11C. It is preferable that the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the second arc-shaped portion 11L are connected, and that the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the third arc-shaped portion 11R are connected. Note that a shape that convex leftward and rearward refers to a shape in which a normal line drawn at the apex of the arc-shaped portion forms an angle of less than 60° with respect to the longitudinal centerline CL and moves further leftward from the longitudinal centerline CL as it moves rearward. Note that a shape that convex rightward and rearward refers to a shape in which a normal line drawn at the apex of the arc-shaped portion forms an angle of less than 60° with respect to the longitudinal centerline CL and moves further rightward from the longitudinal centerline CL as it moves rearward.
[0041] The above-described configuration of the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 allows multiple bending base points to be formed from the front to the rear. That is, from the front to the rear, the second arc-shaped portion 11L, the third arc-shaped portion 11R, the first arc-shaped portion 11C, and the second rear compressed groove 12 facilitate bending in three stages in the longitudinal direction D1. Therefore, the entire rear of the buttocks-facing region B can be curved toward the skin side (convex toward the non-skin side) when viewed in a cross section along the longitudinal direction D1. Furthermore, from left to right, the second arc-shaped portion 11L, the first arc-shaped portion 11C, the second rear compressed groove 12, and the third arc-shaped portion 11R facilitate bending in three stages in the lateral direction D2. Therefore, the rear of the buttocks-facing region B can be curved toward the skin side (convex toward the non-skin side) when viewed in a cross section along the lateral direction D2. In this way, according to this embodiment, the buttocks-facing region B can be easily bent in both the longitudinal direction D1 and the lateral direction D2, and a three-dimensional curve that follows the curvature of the buttocks can be easily formed. Therefore, the main body 8 can be well fitted to the area from the rear end of the intergluteal cleft to the area further posterior to the intergluteal cleft where the curve of the buttocks becomes sharper.
[0042] To explain the above configuration more specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the apex 11Lt of the second arc-shaped portion 11L is located forward and outward in the lateral direction D2 from the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C, and the apex 11Rt of the third arc-shaped portion 11R is located forward and outward in the lateral direction D2 from the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C. Furthermore, the apex 12t of the second rear compressed groove 12 is located rearward from the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C of the first rear compressed groove 11. Note that, in this specification, the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C can be located at either of the two edges or at the rearmost position on the center line of the first arc-shaped portion 11C. The apex 12t of the second rear compressed groove 12 can also be located at either of the two edges or at the rearmost position on the center line of the second rear compressed groove 12. The apex 11Lt of the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the apex 11Rt of the third arc-shaped portion 11R may each be located at a position where the radius of curvature is smallest on any edge or center line of the arc-shaped portion. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C is located at the rearmost position of the rear edge of the first arc-shaped portion 11C, and the apex 12t of the second rear compressed groove 12 is located at the rearmost position of the rear edge of the second rear compressed groove. Furthermore, the apex 11Lt of the second arc-shaped portion 11L is located at a position where the radius of curvature is smallest on the rear edge of the second arc-shaped portion 11L, and the apex 11Rt of the third arc-shaped portion 11R is located at a position where the radius of curvature is smallest on the rear edge of the third arc-shaped portion 11R.
[0043] As described above, when the main body 8 is curved three-dimensionally to follow the curve of the buttocks during wear, the fit to the entire buttocks is improved. However, the degree of curvature convex toward the non-skin side may become too great in the center of the buttocks-facing region B, i.e., near the center of the buttocks-facing region B in the longitudinal direction D1 and near the lateral direction D2, which may impair the fit to the buttocks. In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction D1. This allows a flexibly deformable region without compressed grooves to be formed between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12. If this region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 is flexible, that region will be subjected to compressive force during wear, particularly compressive force in the longitudinal direction D1 from the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12, and will be able to deform and rise toward the skin. This bulge can be made to face the rear part of the wearer's buttocks, particularly the part near the end of the intergluteal cleft where the cleft is shallow, or the part further rearward from the end of the intergluteal cleft, so that even if bodily fluids migrate rearward along the intergluteal cleft, leakage of the bodily fluids can be prevented.
[0044] It is also preferable that the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C of the first rear compressed groove 11 and the front ends 12ft, 12ft of the second rear compressed groove 12 are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction D1. This prevents the flexible region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 from being completely surrounded by the compressed grooves, thereby preventing a decrease in flexibility.
[0045] It is preferable that the distance in the longitudinal direction D1 between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12, i.e., the distance d1 between the apex 11Ct of the first arc-shaped portion 11C of the first rear compressed groove 11 and the front ends 12ft, 12ft of the second rear compressed groove 12, be 5 to 20 mm. By setting the distance d1 within this range, it is possible to prevent the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 from being too close to each other, thereby preventing the rigidity of the area between the two compressed grooves from becoming unnecessarily high, and to allow the area between the two compressed grooves to receive an appropriate compression force and rise more appropriately towards the skin.
[0046] Furthermore, the separation distance d2 between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 on the longitudinal centerline CL is preferably 15 to 40 mm. By keeping separation distance d2 in this range, when the buttocks-facing region B is bent while wearing the garment, the region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 is subjected to a compressive force and rises appropriately toward the skin, preventing it from becoming hard and reducing its ability to absorb bodily fluids and the fit.
[0047] In the first rear compressed groove 11, the outer portions of the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the third arc-shaped portion 11R in the lateral direction D2 each extend significantly forward along the longitudinal direction D1. This allows the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the third arc-shaped portion 11R to function as a barrier against lateral leakage (outward in the lateral direction D2). Because the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the third arc-shaped portion 11R extend relatively far in the longitudinal direction D1, the first rear compressed groove 11 as a whole has a shape that extends relatively widely in both the longitudinal direction D1 and the lateral direction D2. The ratio (a / b) of the extension length a in the lateral direction D2 to the extension length b in the longitudinal direction D1 may be approximately 0.8 to 1.2.
[0048] In the first rear compressed groove 11, connecting portions 11r, 11r are formed between the arc-shaped portions, i.e., between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the second arc-shaped portion 11L, and between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the third arc-shaped portion 11R, respectively. When viewing the first rear compressed groove 11 from a region rearward of the first rear compressed groove 11, these connecting portions 11r, 11r can be described as recesses formed between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the second arc-shaped portion 11L, and between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the third arc-shaped portion 11R, recessed forward and toward the longitudinal centerline CL. When worn, connecting portions 11r, 11r can also serve as bending base points, making it easier for the main body 8 to bend more smoothly and naturally along the shape of the buttocks, further improving its fit to the buttocks. The connecting portions 11r, 11r may have a smoothly curved shape in which the tangent of the groove changes continuously. In this case, the entire second arc-shaped portion 11L, the first arc-shaped portion 11C, and the third arc-shaped portion 11R are wavy. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portions 11r, 11r may include portions where the tangent of the groove changes discontinuously. This allows the connecting portions 11r, 11r to have sharply recessed portions at the boundary between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the second arc-shaped portion 11L and the boundary between the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the third arc-shaped portion 11R, respectively. This makes bending of the connecting portions 11r, 11r easier, further enhancing the effect of improving adhesion. Note that, in this specification, the tangent of the groove may be a tangent drawn at either of the two edges or the center line of the groove.
[0049] [Second embodiment] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of an absorbent article 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the skin side. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 shows a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4. The absorbent article 1A according to the second embodiment is similar in basic configuration to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3), but differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the first rear compressed groove 11. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, in the absorbent article 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first arc-shaped portion 11C of the first rear compressed groove 11 has a pair of extensions 11ex, 11ex at the front. The absorbent article 1A according to the second embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment, but this embodiment provides additional effects due to the pair of extensions 11ex, 11ex.
[0050] 6, the pair of extensions 11ex, 11ex of the first arc-shaped portion 11C extend from the front of the first arc-shaped portion 11C. Because the first arc-shaped portion 11C is inclined so as to approach the longitudinal center line CL toward the front, the pair of extensions 11ex, 11ex are also inclined so as to approach the longitudinal center line CL toward the front. In other words, the distance between the portions of the first arc-shaped portion 11C separated on both sides of the longitudinal center line CL becomes smaller toward the front.
[0051] By forming the extensions 11ex, 11ex, when worn, the extensions 11ex, 11ex become the base points for bending, and both sides of the line along the extensions 11ex, 11ex can be deformed so as to approach the skin side. This makes it easier to bend at the connecting parts 11r, 11r, obtain a natural curve along the buttocks, and improve adhesion.
[0052] Furthermore, the presence of the extensions 11ex, 11ex allows the rigidity of the region 30 surrounded by the extension 11ex of the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the second arc-shaped portion 11L on both sides of the first arc-shaped portion 11C, as well as the rigidity of the region 30' surrounded by the extension 11ex of the first arc-shaped portion 11C and the third arc-shaped portion 11R to be slightly increased (the regions 30, 30' are shown with diagonal lines in FIG. 6). The regions 30, 30' are regions that face both sides of the rear portion or near the rear end of the wearer's intergluteal cleft when worn. When worn, the wearer often deforms the region B1, particularly the center in the lateral direction D2 of the intergluteal cleft-facing region B1, so that it fits into the intergluteal cleft, which applies force to the regions 30, 30' and their surroundings, which can cause unwanted creases and wrinkles. However, since region 30 is partially surrounded by extension 11ex of first arc-shaped portion 11C and second arc-shaped portion 11L, and region 30' is partially surrounded by extension 11ex of first arc-shaped portion 11C and third arc-shaped portion 11R, the above-mentioned twisting and the like can be prevented, and the main body 8 can be brought into surface contact with the surfaces of the buttocks on both sides of the intergluteal cleft, improving the fit. This prevents leakage even if bodily fluids that have traveled down the intergluteal cleft further migrate outward in the lateral direction D2.
[0053] In order to further enhance the effect of preventing kinking and the like in the rigidity of the above-mentioned regions 30, 30', a plurality of compressed grooves can be formed at intervals in the absorbent body 4 in the regions 30, 30'. The form (shape, size, forming method) of the compressed parts formed in the absorbent body 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent kinking and the like in the regions 30, 30' and ensure flexibility to fit along the surface of the buttocks.
[0054] 6, it is preferable that imaginary lines Y, Y' drawn along the extensions 11ex, 11ex pass through the front ends 12ft, 12ft of the second rear compressed groove 12. The imaginary lines drawn along the extensions 11ex may be imaginary lines drawn from the front end to the rear end of the extensions 11ex without extending beyond the extensions 11ex. In the illustrated example, the imaginary lines Y, Y' are lines extending so that the distance between them increases as they extend rearward.
[0055] With the above configuration, the main body 8 can be easily bent along a line extending in the extension direction of the extension portion 11ex and extending from the front end of the extension portion 11ex to the front end 12ft of the second rear compressed groove 12. In other words, bending can be easily performed approximately about the imaginary lines Y and Y'. As a result, no base point for bending is formed in the region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12, allowing the curvature of this region to be relatively small. Here, as described above, the region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 faces a region near the end of the wearer's gluteal cleft or a region further rearward than the end of the gluteal cleft. Therefore, the region between the first rear compressed groove 11 and the second rear compressed groove 12 can be closely fitted to a region where the gluteal cleft is shallow or where there is no gluteal cleft, thereby preventing bodily fluids from leaking backward.
[0056] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the above embodiments can be variously changed, modified, substituted, added, deleted, and combined within the scope of the claims, and these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0057] 1. 1A Absorbent Articles (Sanitary Napkins) 2 Back Seat 3 Topsheet 4. Absorber 4H absorbent core 7 Side seats 8. Main body (absorbent article main body) 10 Central compression groove 11 First rear compression groove 11C 1st arc part 11Ct The apex of the first arc 11ex extension 11L 2nd arc part 11Lt Apex of the second arc 11R 3rd arc part 11Rt The apex of the third arc 11r connection part 12 Second rear compression groove 12ft Front end of the second rear compression groove 12t Rear peak of the second rear compression groove 13 Front compression groove C Area facing body fluid outlet CL longitudinal centerline D1 Longitudinal direction D2 Lateral direction F Anterior area HF Hip Hold Flap M Middle area (opposite perineum area) B Area opposite the buttocks B1 Anterior buttock opposing area (gluteal cleft opposing area) B2 Posterior buttock opposing area WF Wing Flap
Claims
1. an elongated main body including a top sheet on the skin side, a back sheet on the non-skin side opposite to the skin side, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; At least the top sheet and the absorbent body have compressed grooves recessed from the top sheet side to the back sheet side, the compression grooves include a central compression groove formed in an area facing the wearer's bodily fluid outlet and an area facing the perineum when the device is worn, a first rear compression groove formed in an area facing the wearer's buttocks, and a second rear compression groove formed rearward of the first rear compression groove and spaced apart from the first rear compression groove, the first rear compression groove has a first arc-shaped portion that is convex rearward, a second arc-shaped portion that is located left forward of the first arc-shaped portion and is convex left rearward, and a third arc-shaped portion that is located right forward of the first arc-shaped portion and is convex right rearward, The second rear compression groove has a rearward convex shape, An absorbent article, wherein the apex of the first arc-shaped portion of the first rear compressed groove and the front end of the second rear compressed groove are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.
2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion between the first arc-shaped portion and the second arc-shaped portion and the connecting portion between the first arc-shaped portion and the third arc-shaped portion each include a point where the slope of the tangent changes discontinuously.
3. the first arc-shaped portion has a pair of extensions extending the arc of the first arc-shaped portion forward. Item 2. The absorbent article according to item 1.
4. The absorbent article of claim 3, wherein each of the pair of extensions is inclined so as to approach the horizontal center as it extends forward, and an imaginary line drawn along each of the pair of extensions passes through the front end of the second rear compression groove.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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