absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which is improved in liquid diffusivity.SOLUTION: An absorbent article comprises: an absorber comprising a width narrow part and a width wide part; a pair of leakage prevention sheets; a water permeable sheet; a non-permeable sheet; a crotch weak adhesion part where the leakage prevention sheets and the non-permeable sheet are not adhered or adhered weakly; a first strong adhesion part which is provided at outside of the crotch weak adhesion part in the width direction, and where the leakage prevention sheets and the non-permeable sheet are adhered strongly; a skin side weak adhesion part which is provided on the width wide part and extends in a cross direction so as to have a component in a longitudinal direction, and where the absorber and the leakage prevention sheets are not adhered or adhered weakly; and a non skin side weak adhesion part which is provided on the width wide part, and extends in a cross direction so as to have a component in the longitudinal direction, and where a part of the absorber and the non-permeable sheet are not adhered or weakly adhered. The crotch weak adhesion part is communicated with the skin side weak adhesion part and the non skin side weak adhesion part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Known absorbent articles include disposable diapers, urine pads, etc. Patent Document 1 describes a urine pad. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-68949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Absorbent articles prevent leakage of liquid by diffusing the liquid excreted by the wearer and absorbing and retaining it in the absorbent body. There is room for improvement in the structure and configuration of absorbent articles for diffusing liquid.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article with improved liquid diffusion properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention has a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and includes a front body region located on the abdomen side of a wearer when worn, a crotch region located under the crotch, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction, and includes an absorbent body having a narrow portion located in the longitudinal center and having a short length in the width direction, and wide portions located on both sides of the narrow portion in the longitudinal direction and having a longer length in the width direction than the narrow portion, a pair of leak-proof sheets covering both sides of the width direction end of the absorbent body, a water-permeable sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, a non-water-permeable sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and at the widthwise end portions of the diaper, a crotch weakly bonded portion extending front to back to have a longitudinal component and where the leakproof sheet and the water-impermeable sheet are not or weakly bonded together; a first strongly bonded portion provided on the widthwise outer side of the crotch weakly bonded portion and where the leakproof sheet and the water-impermeable sheet are strongly bonded together; a skin-side weakly bonded portion provided in the wide portion and extending front to back to have the longitudinal component and where the absorber and the leakproof sheet are not or weakly bonded together; and a non-skin-side weakly bonded portion provided in the wide portion and extending front to back to have the longitudinal component and where part of the absorber and the water-impermeable sheet are not or weakly bonded together, and the crotch weakly bonded portion is connected to each of the skin-side weakly bonded portion and the non-skin-side weakly bonded portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the liquid diffusion properties of an absorbent article can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an absorbent pad according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an absorbent pad according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, absorbent articles according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0010] In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of a replaceable absorbent pad (an example of an "absorbent article" in this application) is the direction connecting the front body portion, which is positioned opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is positioned opposite the wearer's back. A crotch section, which is positioned between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (at the center in the longitudinal direction), is connected to the front body portion and the back body portion, which is positioned between the wearer's crotch (facing the crotch). Furthermore, when the absorbent pad is worn by a wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "worn state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (the inner side when worn) is the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side (the outer side when worn) is the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is the width direction. Additionally, a view from the thickness direction is a planar view.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an absorbent pad according to an embodiment. The absorbent pad 1 is an absorbent article that is worn between a diaper or underwear and the wearer's skin, thereby coming into contact with the wearer's skin. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn inside a tape-type diaper or pants-type diaper, the absorbent pad 1 retains and absorbs exudates, preventing them from flowing into the diaper, thereby reducing the frequency of diaper changes.

[0012] The absorbent pad 1 has a crotch region 1B corresponding to the crotch area that covers the wearer's genitals when worn, a front body region 1F located in front of the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the wearer's front body, and a back body region 1R located behind the crotch region 1B and corresponding to the wearer's back body. The absorbent pad 1 has a front body region 1F that is wider than the crotch region 1B, with the crotch region 1B as a waistband, and a back body region 1R that is wider than the front body region 1F, and has a generally gourd-shaped planar shape overall. The front body region 1F, back body region 1R, and crotch region 1B of the absorbent pad 1 incorporate a generally gourd-shaped absorber that is narrowed in the crotch area around the crotch region 1B.

[0013] Side sheets 9L, 9R (an example of a pair of leak-proof sheets as referred to in this application) are provided on both widthwise sides of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L, 9R are made of a nonwoven fabric that is moisture-permeable and water-impermeable. The inner widthwise ends of the side sheets 9L, 9R are free ends that are not bonded to other sheets. Rubber thread is bonded to these free ends in a stretched state along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. When worn, the free ends rise toward the skin-facing side due to the biasing force of the rubber thread, and function as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, which are leak-proof walls that prevent lateral leakage of exudates. The side sheets 9L, 9R protect the outer widthwise sides of the skin-facing side of the absorbent pad 1, and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R also function to prevent lateral leakage of exudates.

[0014] In the areas of the absorbent pad 1 where the absorbent body does not extend, the sheets covering the absorbent body are adhered with a hot melt adhesive or the like. By adhering the sheets outside the periphery of the absorbent body, the inflow of bodily fluids from the non-adhesive areas can be prevented and the position of the absorbent body can be kept constant.

[0015] The absorbent pad 1 is provided with a cover sheet 4 that forms the exterior surface. The cover sheet 4 is placed on the side of the absorbent pad 1 that is closest to the skin, and has enough rigidity to withstand friction with the diaper, underwear, etc. that are used in combination. The cover sheet 4 is generally made of polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. The cover sheet 4 is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The cover sheet 4 is preferably moisture permeable and liquid impermeable.

[0016] The absorbent pad 1 also includes a top sheet 8 (an example of a "water-permeable sheet" as used herein) disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body. The top sheet 8 is a sheet-like member disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body so as to cover the water-absorbing surface of the absorbent body. The top sheet 8 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. Therefore, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 8, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and enters the absorbent body, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. Alternatively, the top sheet 8 may be made of a spunbond nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic resin fibers or an air-through nonwoven fabric. The top sheet 8 is liquid-permeable in part or in whole. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 8, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and enters the absorbent body, where it is absorbed. The top sheet 8 may also be hydrophilic.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the embodiment, seen from the skin-facing side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 when cut widthwise along line AA shown in Fig. 2. The cover sheet 4, back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the wearer's genitals are covered with the cover sheet 4, in which the back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 are laminated, both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 5, absorber 6, and top sheet 8 are positioned on the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides.

[0018] When the wearer is lying on their back or stomach, the excreted liquid spreads evenly between the body surface and the top sheet 8 and is gradually absorbed by the absorbent body 6. When the wearer is lying on their side, the excreted liquid may flow to one side in the width direction before the absorbent body 6 has completely absorbed it, but the absorbent pad 1 is provided with three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R that catch the excreted liquid and prevent it from leaking to the side.

[0019] The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bonded to the top sheet 8 at both widthwise ends. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise from rising lines 3LL, 3LR provided near the widthwise ends of the lower-layer absorbent body extending region, and their widthwise inner ends are free ends. Elastic threads 3BL, 3BR, which are elastic contractile members, are provided near the free ends, which are near the widthwise inner ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The elastic threads 3BL, 3BR are bonded to the side sheets 9L, 9R near the free ends so that they extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 in a stretched state.

[0020] At the longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bonded to the top sheet 8 with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive or by thermal welding, forming fixed portions 3E. When the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR exert a contractile force and the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise up along the wearer's skin, the fixed portions 3E at both longitudinal ends serve as the starting points for contraction. The contractile force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR is also transmitted to both longitudinal ends of the absorbent pad 1, causing the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R to rise up toward the skin. This allows the absorbent pad 1 to properly conform to the wearer's skin.

[0021] A high-rigidity portion 3HL formed by welding the three-dimensional gathers 3L is provided between the rubber thread 3BL and the standing line 3LL. A similar high-rigidity portion 3HR is also provided between the rubber thread 3BR and the standing line 3LR. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are welded to the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR, thereby preventing the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR from shifting positions. Therefore, when the absorbent pad 1 is worn, the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR exert an appropriate biasing force, allowing the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R to rise appropriately and come into contact with the wearer's skin. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are not bonded to other sheets and therefore are not very rigid, but the high-rigidity portion 3 In the HL and 3HR, the rising side sheets 9L and 9R and the side sheets 9L and 9R folded back at the free end are welded together in two layers, making them more rigid than the other parts of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3 , the absorbent pad 1 comprises a back sheet 5 (an example of the "impermeable sheet" referred to herein), an absorbent body 6, and a top sheet 8, which are layered in this order on the skin-facing side of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 is a roughly gourd-shaped sheet that has a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the wearer's front body to the back body via the crotch area and a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The back sheet 5 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin material to suppress leakage of exudates. The absorbent body 6 and the top sheet 9 are both sheets that have a roughly rectangular appearance like the back sheet 5, and are layered in this order on the back sheet 5 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the back sheet 5.

[0023] The absorbent body 6 has a structure in which granular absorbent resin (polymeric water-absorbing material) such as SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water, is held in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or short fibers that have been hydrophilically treated synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0024] In this embodiment, SAP particles refer to a resin composition containing SAP in a granular form. The term "SAP-containing resin composition" as used herein encompasses both a composition consisting solely of SAP and a composition containing SAP as the main component and containing other substances to the extent that they do not adversely affect the water absorption properties. Examples of "other substances" include additives (such as surface modifiers added to hydrophobize the particle surface) and unreacted monomers remaining during the synthesis of SAP.

[0025] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the absorbent body 6 includes an upper absorbent mat 6a disposed on the skin-facing side and a lower absorbent mat 6b disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 6a. The upper absorbent mat 6a is wider than the lower absorbent mat 6b throughout its entire length. When viewed from the skin-facing side, the rectangular lower absorbent mat 6b is positioned inside the upper absorbent mat 6a in the width direction. The upper absorbent mat 6a has a roughly gourd-shaped planar shape and extends to the widthwise outer side of the standing lines 3LL and 3RL in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Therefore, in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, the upper absorbent mat 6a extends to the widthwise outer side of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R. Meanwhile, in the crotch region 1B, the upper absorbent mat 6a is narrowed in the width direction, with its ends positioned inside the standing lines 3LL and 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L and 3R.

[0026] The absorbent body 6 also has a SAP layer 6s, which is disposed between the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b and is formed from SAP particles. The SAP layer 6s is formed by adhering a plurality of SAP particles to the surface of the lower absorbent mat 6b with an adhesive. The SAP layers 6s are disposed on both sides of the absorbent pad 1 in the width direction, with a gap between them, at the center of the width direction. These two SAP layers 6s extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Note that, in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, the SAP layer 6s is contained within the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b. For example, SAP that is granular before absorbing liquid is used. SAP absorbs approximately 10 to 100 times its own weight in liquid. The SAP layer 6s absorbs and retains liquid dispersed by the upper and lower absorbent mats 6a and 6b.

[0027] The absorbent body 6 also has a core wrap sheet 7 that wraps the entire absorbent mats of the upper absorbent mat 6a and the lower absorbent mat 6b. The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin sheet that is water-permeable. An example of the absorbent body 6 is a sheet made of pulp fibers such as tissue paper. By covering a plurality of absorbent mats with the core wrap sheet 7, the absorbent body 6 can prevent the absorbent mats from losing their shape.

[0028] In this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 has an upper core wrap sheet 7a and a lower core wrap sheet 7b. The upper core wrap sheet 7a covers the skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a. The lower core wrap sheet 7b covers the non-skin-facing side of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b and the side portions of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a and the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b, with its ends overlapping the skin-facing sides of the widthwise ends of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a. The upper core wrap sheet 7a and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are joined at the skin-facing sides of the widthwise ends of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a, and together they completely encase the absorbent mat.

[0029] A back sheet 5 having substantially the same shape as the absorbent body 6 but larger in size than the absorbent body 6 is provided on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 is a sheet made of a thermoplastic liquid-impermeable resin material such as polyethylene film to prevent leakage of discharged liquid that has flowed into the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 5 may also be made of a moisture-permeable material to prevent stuffiness when worn.

[0030] 2, the absorbent body 6 has a narrow portion 6C located in the longitudinal center of the absorbent pad 1 and having a short widthwise length; a wide portion 6DF located on the front body region 1F side of the narrow portion 6C in the longitudinal direction and having a longer widthwise length than the narrow portion 6C; and a wide portion 6DR located on the rear body region 1R side of the narrow portion 6C in the longitudinal direction and having a longer widthwise length than the narrow portion 6C. The absorbent body 6 has a gourd-like shape that narrows in the widthwise direction at the narrow portion 6A. Specifically, the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a of the absorbent body 6 has this gourd-like shape. In the absorbent pad 1, the back sheet 5 and the cover sheet 4 also have the same gourd-like shape as the absorbent body 6. The absorbent body 6 may be shaped like a gourd with a narrow portion 6C extending 50 mm forward and backward from the narrowest point, or may be shaped like a funnel with a wide portion formed only in either the front body region 1F or the back body region 1R. When the absorbent body 6 is shaped like a funnel, the absorbent pad 1 also has the same funnel shape as the absorbent body 6.

[0031] A cover sheet 4 is provided on the non-skin facing side of the back sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 is generally made of a nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. The cover sheet 4 may be liquid permeable or liquid impermeable.

[0032] The width of the region sandwiched between the standing lines 3LL, 3LR of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R is narrower than the width of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b. Therefore, the absorbent body 6 has two layers of absorbent mats in the region on the inside in the width direction of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R that comes into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0033] The side sheets 9L, 9R cover both sides of the widthwise end of the absorbent body. The side sheets 9L, 9R are adhered to the top sheet 8 by strongly bonded portions 16L, 16R (an example of the "second strongly bonded portion" herein) formed with a hot melt adhesive. Standing lines 3LL, 3LR are formed on the widthwise inner side of the strongly bonded portions 16L, 16R, and the widthwise inner sides of the standing lines 3LL, 3LR of the side sheets 9L, 9R are not restricted and are free ends. The side sheets 9L, 9R rise toward the skin side from the standing lines 3LL, 3LR formed in areas corresponding to the widthwise ends of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b. Rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are provided on the free ends. When the absorbent pad 1 is worn, the free ends on the widthwise inner side of the side sheets 9L, 9R rise due to the biasing force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR and function as three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R. The strongly bonded portions 16L, 16R will be described in detail later.

[0034] The side sheets 9L, 9R are folded back at the free ends where the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR are present, enveloping the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR. The folded back side sheets 9L, 9R are then bonded by a method such as heat welding between the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR and the standing wires 3LL, 3LR, forming the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. The free ends and the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR prevent the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR from shifting, allowing them to exert their urging force as designed.

[0035] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R are bent outward in the width direction at the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. Therefore, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise toward the widthwise inward side of the rising lines 3LL, 3LR, bending at the regions where the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR are present, with their free ends facing outward in the width direction. Therefore, the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, between the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR and their free ends, easily contact the wearer's skin as a surface. When the ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R contact the wearer's skin as a surface, they feel softer against the skin than when the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R simply rise in one direction and contact the wearer's skin as a line. Furthermore, side leakage of exudates can be more effectively suppressed. Note that, in this embodiment, no contractile member is attached near the bent portions. The three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R rise due to the contractile force of the rubber threads 3BL, 3BR present on the free end side, thereby fulfilling their function.

[0036] More preferably, the bent portions are aligned with the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR. When the bent portions are aligned with the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR, the ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR become creases in the three-dimensional gathers 3L, 3R, making them more likely to bend. Furthermore, even if a flexible nonwoven fabric is used as the material for the side sheets 9L, 9R to improve their feel against the skin, creases are likely to form at the widthwise ends of the high-rigidity portions 3HL, 3HR.

[0037] Next, the structure and configuration for diffusing liquid provided in the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent pad 1 includes crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R, skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R, and non-skin-side weakly bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R, which function as fluid flow paths, as well as strongly bonded portions 15L, 15R (an example of the "first strongly bonded portion" herein) provided on the widthwise outer sides of the crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R. Both the weakly bonded portions and the strongly bonded portions are formed by applying hot melt adhesive. A small amount of hot melt adhesive is applied to the weakly bonded portions, while a large amount of hot melt adhesive is applied to the strongly bonded portions. Here, "weakly bonded" refers to an adhesive strength strong enough to cause the bonded portions to peel off during use of the absorbent pad 1. Generally, weakly bonded portions are not bonded when the absorbent pad 1 is worn. 2 shows the longitudinal extension areas of the crotch weakly-adhesive portions 10L, 10R, the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R, and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R in the absorbent pad 1. The widthwise lengths of these weakly-adhesive portions in the absorbent pad 1 are shown in FIGS.

[0038] The crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R extend from the front to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1 at the widthwise ends of the narrow width portion 6C of the absorbent body 6, and are portions where the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 are not bonded or are weakly bonded. In this embodiment, the crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R will be described as being not bonded to the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5. In FIG. 3, the crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R are shown surrounded by dotted lines. As shown in FIG. 3, in the crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R, the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 are not bonded to each other.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 cut in the width direction along line BB shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, the skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L and 11R are shown surrounded by dotted lines. The skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R are provided on the front body region 1F side. The skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R are provided in the wide portion 6DF and extend front to back in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1, and the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L and 9R are not or weakly bonded. In this embodiment, the skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R are described as being not bonded to the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L and 9R. As shown in FIG. 4, the skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R are not bonded to the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L and 9R. The skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R may be provided in the crotch region 1B shown in FIG. 2. The skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R may be provided over the entire extending region of the absorbent body 6.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 cut widthwise along line CC in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 13L, 13R are indicated by dotted lines. The skin-side weakly-adhered portions 13L, 13R are located on the back body region 1R side. The skin-side weakly-adhered portions 13L, 13R are located in the wide portion 6DR and extend longitudinally from front to back of the absorbent pad 1, and the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L, 9R are not or weakly adhered to each other. In this embodiment, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 13L, 13R are described as being not adhered to the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L, 9R. As shown in FIG. 5, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 13L, 13R are not adhered to the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L, 9R. The skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R may be located in the crotch region 1B shown in FIG. 2. The skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R may be provided integrally over the entire extending region of the absorbent body 6.

[0041] 2 and 4, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R are provided on the front body region 1F side. In FIG. 4, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R are indicated by dotted lines. The non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R are provided in the wide portion 6DF and extend longitudinally from front to rear of the absorbent pad 1. More specifically, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R are portions where the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are not adhered to each other. The non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R are portions of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a, which is part of the absorbent body 6, that are wider than the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b and are not adhered to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. The lower core wrap sheet 7b is adhered to the back sheet 5, but the upper absorbent mat 6a is not adhered to the lower core wrap sheet 7b at the non-skin side weak adhesive portions 12L, 12R, and can therefore be said to be not adhered to the back sheet 5 either.

[0042] 2 and 5, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 14L, 14R are provided on the back body region 1R side. In FIG. 4, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 14L, 14R are indicated by dotted lines. The non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 14L, 14R are provided in the wide portion 6DR and extend longitudinally from front to back of the absorbent pad 1. More specifically, the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 14L, 14R are portions where the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are not adhered to each other. The non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 14L, 14R are portions of the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a, which is part of the absorbent body 6, that are wider than the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b and are not adhered to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. The lower core wrap sheet 7b is adhered to the back sheet 5, but the upper absorbent mat 6a is not adhered to the lower core wrap sheet 7b at the non-skin side weakly adhesive portions 14L, 14R, and can therefore be said to be not adhered to the back sheet 5 either.

[0043] 3 and 4, on the widthwise outer sides of the crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R, there are provided strongly bonded portions 15L, 15R where the side sheets 9L, 9R are strongly bonded to the back sheet 5. Here, the term "strongly bonded" means an adhesive strength strong enough to maintain the absorbent pad 1 in use.

[0044] On the widthwise outer sides of the weakly bonded crotch portions 10L, 10R, there are provided strongly bonded portions 15L, 15R where the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 are strongly bonded, so that leakage of liquid from the widthwise outer sides of the weakly bonded crotch portions 10L, 10R is suppressed. The regions of the crotch weakly bonded parts 10L, 10R between the absorbent body 6 and the absorber 6 become hollow, and liquid leaks from the left and right ends of the absorbent body 6 into the crotch weakly bonded parts 10L, 10R and can move in the front-to-back direction through the crotch weakly bonded parts 10L, 10R.

[0045] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L and 10R are in communication with the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R, respectively. Here, "communicated" includes a connection via a water-permeable sheet, and means that liquid can move between them. In the absorbent pad 1, liquids such as urine that enter the absorbent body 6 are dispersed as follows: First, liquid that enters the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L and 10R flows in the front-to-rear direction along the edge of the absorbent body 6 and enters the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R or the non-skin-side weakly-bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R. When liquid enters any of the weakly bonded portions, the liquid enters the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6 and is held by the absorbent body 6 because one of the weakly bonded portions is the absorbent body 6.

[0046] If the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R were not present in the front-to-back direction of the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L, 10R, moisture would penetrate directly into the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6. However, liquid would penetrate into the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6 only from the longitudinal ends of the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L, 10R, slowing down the penetration of liquid. This can result in liquid pooling in the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L, 10R. When body pressure is applied to the absorbent body 6 in this state, there is a risk that the liquid pooled in the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L, 10R will pass through the side sheets 9L, 9R and leak to the skin-facing side.

[0047] In the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, the crotch weakly-adhered portions 10L, 10R are configured to communicate with the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R, respectively, so that liquid can flow around to both the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side of the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6, and the communication area between the crotch weakly-adhered portions 10L, 10R and the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6 is also increased, making it easier for liquid to penetrate into the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6. The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment can improve liquid diffusion.

[0048] Furthermore, with the absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment, liquid diffused by the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L, 10R, the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R, and the non-skin-side weakly-bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R can penetrate from both the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side of the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6, making it possible to utilize the water absorption performance of the wide portions 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6 throughout the thickness direction. This prevents uneven distribution of moisture in the thickness direction of the absorbent pad 1, making it difficult for moisture to escape from the absorbent body 6 when body pressure is applied, and can prevent liquid leakage due to pressure exceeding the water resistance of the side sheets 9L, 9R, or liquid moving inward in the width direction and returning to the skin-facing side through the top sheet 8 (backflow phenomenon).

[0049] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R are located at positions that do not overlap with the widthwise inner edges of the side sheets 9L and 9R. The absorbent pad 1 includes strongly-adhered portions 16L and 16R that are located widthwise inner of the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and strongly bond the absorbent body 6 and the side sheets 9L and 9R via the top sheet 8. If liquid that has entered the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R passes between the side sheets 9L and 9R and the absorbent body 6 and moves to the position where the top sheet 8 is provided, there is a risk that the liquid will come into contact with the wearer's skin or leak onto the skin-facing side of the top sheet 8. The absorbent pad 1 according to this embodiment includes strongly-adhered portions 16L and 16R, which prevent liquid from leaking from the widthwise inner sides of the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R. can be suppressed.

[0050] 4 and 5, the absorbent body 6 further includes strongly bonded sections 17L, 17R (an example of a "third strongly bonded section" as used herein) that are provided on the widthwise inner side of the skin-side weakly bonded sections 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R and strongly bond the absorbent body 6 to the top sheet 8. The strongly bonded sections 17L, 17R firmly bond the absorbent body 6 to the top sheet 8. If the top sheet 8 and the absorbent body 6 are separated significantly in the wide sections 6DF, 6DR of the absorbent body 6, liquid discharged onto the top sheet 8 will be less likely to come into contact with the skin-side weakly bonded sections 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R. This will make it difficult for the liquid to be absorbed by the absorbent body 6, and the liquid may return to the crotch region 1B, which may exceed the impermeability of the side sheets 9L, 9R and result in moisture leaking to the outside. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the strongly adhesive portions 17L, 17R inside the skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R to prevent the liquid from coming into contact with the absorbent body 6. The strongly adhesive portions 17L, 17R are provided outside the strongly adhesive portions 16L, 16R in the width direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0051] 2, the strongly bonded portions 15L and 15R extend to the widthwise outer sides of the skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R, thereby preventing liquid from leaking from the widthwise outer sides of the skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R.

[0052] 3 to 5, the widthwise length of the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R is substantially the same as the widthwise length of the crotch weakly-bonded portions 10L and 10R. If the side sheets 9L and 9R are separated significantly from the absorbent core 6 in the wide portions 6DF and 6DR of the absorbent core 6, liquid discharged onto the top sheet 8 will be less likely to come into contact with the skin-side weakly-bonded portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R, and the liquid will be less likely to be absorbed by the absorbent core 6. If the width of the skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R is narrower than the width of the crotch weakly adhesive portions 10L and 10R, it will be difficult for liquid to penetrate into the skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R, so it is preferable that the widthwise length of the skin-side weakly adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R is approximately the same as the widthwise length of the crotch weakly adhesive portions 10L and 10R.

[0053] Furthermore, the back sheet 5 has higher water impermeability than the top sheet 8. Here, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the widthwise length of the non-skin-side weakly bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R is longer than the widthwise length of the skin-side weakly bonded portions 11L and 11R. In the absorbent pad 1, since the skin-facing side contacts the skin, it is necessary to consider using a sheet that feels good against the skin for the top sheet 8. Films, which are sheets with high water impermeability, tend to cling to the skin and are therefore not generally used as skin-facing sheet materials. On the other hand, a larger contact area between the non-skin-side weakly bonded portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R and the upper absorbent mat 6a of the absorbent body 6 can speed up the absorption of moisture into the absorbent body, thereby preventing the above-mentioned problems caused by the presence of unabsorbed liquid in the absorbent body 6. As in the present embodiment, it is preferable to form a large contact area between the non-skin-side weakly adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R and the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a in the wide portions 6DF, 6DR. By adopting such a configuration, the absorbent pad 1 can retain more moisture on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6, and when body pressure is applied to the absorbent body 6 and liquid is squeezed out, the liquid can be prevented from leaking to the skin-facing side compared to when more liquid is present on the skin-facing side.

[0054] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the area where the non-skin side weakly adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R are present, the upper absorbent mat 6a is arranged, but the lower absorbent mat 6b is not arranged, and the inner widthwise ends of the non-skin side weakly adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R are in contact with the lower absorbent mat 6b. Due to this thickness, gaps are formed between the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R and the adjacent portions of the back sheet 5 and the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a. This allows fluid to easily flow from the crotch weakly-adhered portions 10L and 10R to the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R. The lower-layer absorbent mat 6b and the back sheet 5 may be strongly bonded via the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. In this case, even if the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a is only slightly bonded to the back sheet 5 via the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, the thickness of the lower-layer absorbent mat 6b will create gaps between the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a and the back sheet 5, making it easier to peel the upper-layer absorbent mat 6a from the back sheet 5.

[0055] 2, the side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 extend further outward in the longitudinal direction than the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6. Note that this longitudinal direction refers to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The side sheets 9L, 9R and the back sheet 5 are bonded to each other so that the longitudinal ends of the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R do not communicate with the outside. This allows the absorbent pad 1 to prevent liquid passing through the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R from leaking to the outside.

[0056] <Variation 1> Next, an absorbent pad according to Modification 1 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to Modification 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side. The skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R extend to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6. Note that this longitudinal direction also refers to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. The absorbent pad 1 also has non-adhesive portions 18 in which the side sheets 9L and 9R and the back sheet 5 adjacent to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6 are not adhered to each other. As shown in Fig. 6, four non-adhesive portions 18 are provided, and when the absorbent pad 1 is viewed in plan from the skin-facing side, each non-adhesive portion 18 is disposed on an extension of the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R. The skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R are in communication with the non-adhesive portion 18. Communication here means that air can move between them. The absorbent pad 1 exhausts air from the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R to the outside through the non-adhesive portion 18, making it easier to introduce liquid into the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R. For example, if air becomes trapped in the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R and liquid is not introduced into the weakly-adhesive portions, the liquid cannot be dispersed and may leak to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 6. According to this modification, air is discharged from the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R via the non-adhesive portions 18, so that liquid can be introduced into the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R and dispersed therein.

[0057] In this modification, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R extend to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6, but the weakly-adhered portions extending to the longitudinal direction may be at least one of the skin-side and non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions. It is sufficient that the weakly-adhered portions extending to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 6 and the non-adhered portions 18 are connected to each other.

[0058] <Variation 2> Next, an absorbent pad according to Modification 2 of this embodiment will be described. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent pad according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the skin-facing side. In this modification, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R extend outward in the width direction. In this manner, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R may extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1. Also in this modification, the skin-side weakly-adhered portions 11L, 11R, 13L, and 13R and the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portions 12L, 12R, 14L, and 14R extend front to back so as to have a longitudinal component of the absorbent pad 1. The crotch weakly-adhered portions 10L and 10R and the strongly-adhered portions 15L and 15R may also extend obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction. The crotch weakly bonded portions 10L, 10R and the strongly bonded portions 15L, 15R may extend in the front and rear directions so as to have a component in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent pad 1.

[0059] Although the features of the present invention have been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0060] Although the present embodiment has been described using a replaceable absorbent pad as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to pants-type diapers for infants or adults, or tape-type diapers for infants or adults.

[0061] The features included in each of the embodiments and modifications thereof disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Absorbent pad 1B...Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back area 3BL, 3BR... Elastic thread 3HL,3HR·High rigidity part 3L, 3R: 3D gathers 3LL,3LR･･･Rise line 4. Cover sheet 5. Back seat 6. Absorber 7. Core wrap sheet 8. Top sheet 9L, 9R side seats 10L, 10R · Inseam weak adhesive area 11L,11R,13L,13R··Skin side weak adhesive area 12L, 12R, 14L, 14R · Non-skin side weak adhesive area 15L, 15R, 16L, 16R, 17L, 17R... Strongly bonded parts 18...Non-adhesive area

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the absorbent article including a front body region located on the abdomen side of a wearer when worn, a crotch region located between the legs, and a back body region located on the back side, arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body having a narrow portion provided in a central portion in the longitudinal direction and having a short length in the width direction, and wide portions provided on both sides of the narrow portion in the longitudinal direction and having a length in the width direction longer than that of the narrow portion; a pair of leak-proof sheets covering both sides of the widthwise end portions of the absorbent body; a water-permeable sheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, a water-impermeable sheet disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, a crotch weakly bonded section at the widthwise end of the narrow width section of the absorbent body, the crotch weakly bonded section extending front to back so as to have a component in the longitudinal direction, the crotch weakly bonded section being provided in a range where no other member is interposed between the leak-barrier sheet and the water-impermeable sheet, and the leak-barrier sheet and the water-impermeable sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded together; a first strongly bonded portion provided on the outer side of the crotch weakly bonded portion in the width direction, where the leak-barrier sheet and the water-impermeable sheet are strongly bonded together; a skin-side weakly bonded section provided in the wide section, extending front-to-back so as to have a component in the longitudinal direction, where the absorbent body and the leak-barrier sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded; a non-skin-side weakly bonded portion provided in the wide portion and extending in the front-to-rear direction so as to have a component in the longitudinal direction, where a part of the absorbent body and the non-water-permeable sheet are not bonded or weakly bonded; a second strongly bonded portion provided on the inner side of the skin-side weakly bonded portion in the width direction, where the water-permeable sheet and the leak-barrier sheet are strongly bonded together; a third strongly bonded portion provided on the outer side of the second strongly bonded portion in the width direction, where the absorbent body and the water-permeable sheet are strongly bonded to each other; Equipped with the skin-side weakly-adhered portion is provided from an outer side in the width direction to an outer end of the third strongly-adhered portion in the width direction, The absorbent body has an upper-layer absorbent mat provided on the skin-facing side, a lower-layer absorbent mat provided on the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat, and a core wrap sheet portion that wraps the entire upper-layer absorbent mat and the lower-layer absorbent mat, In the region where the non-skin-facing weakly adhesive portion exists, the upper-layer absorbent mat is arranged, the lower-layer absorbent mat is not arranged, and the upper-layer absorbent mat and the core wrap sheet portion at the portion facing the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat are not adhered to each other, the crotch weakly bonded portion is in fluid communication with the skin side weakly bonded portion and the non-skin side weakly bonded portion, respectively, so that a liquid can move therethrough; Absorbent articles.

2. the skin-side weakly adhesive portion is provided at a position that does not overlap with an inner end portion of the leak-barrier sheet in the width direction; The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. In the region where the skin-side weakly adhesive portion exists, the widthwise length of the skin-side weakly adhesive portion and the widthwise length of the crotch weakly adhesive portion are substantially the same. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The water-impermeable sheet has higher water-impermeability than the water-permeable sheet, In the wide portion, the length in the width direction of the non-skin-side weakly-adhered portion is longer than the length in the width direction of the skin-side weakly-adhered portion. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The inner end of the non-skin-side weakly adhesive portion in the width direction is in contact with the lower absorbent mat. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the leak-proof sheet and the water-impermeable sheet extend outward in the longitudinal direction beyond the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body, and the longitudinal ends of the skin-side weakly-adhesive portion and the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portion are adhered to each other so as not to communicate with the outside. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the skin-side weakly bonded portion and / or the non-skin-side weakly bonded portion extend to the longitudinal end portion of the absorbent body, a non-adhesive portion in which the leak-barrier sheet and the water-impermeable sheet adjacent to the longitudinal end portion of the absorbent body are not adhered to each other; the skin-side weakly-adhesive portions and / or the non-skin-side weakly-adhesive portions extending to the longitudinal end portions of the absorbent body are in communication with the non-adhesive portions; The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

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