absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide a technique which can suppress leakage of excrement from a gap between the skin of a wearer and three-dimensional gatherings when an absorbent article has the three-dimensional gatherings extending in a longitudinal direction at the end parts in a width direction of a top sheet.SOLUTION: An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention includes a length in a longitudinal direction and a length in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and has an absorber which can absorb a discharged liquid of a wearer, a top sheet provided on a skin surface side of the absorber, and three-dimensional gatherings provided on parts of the top sheet overlapped with the end parts in the width direction of the absorber to extend in the longitudinal direction. The absorber has a high basis weight part in a central part in the width direction and low basis weight parts in the end parts in the width direction in the end parts in the longitudinal direction. In a plane view of the absorbent article, in overlapped parts of the top sheet overlapped with the low basis weight parts, the end parts in the longitudinal direction of the three-dimensional gatherings are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Absorbent articles have been disclosed in which three-dimensional gathers extending in the longitudinal direction are provided at the widthwise edges of the top sheet (for example, Patent Document 1). Such absorbent articles can prevent excrement (such as urine or watery feces) present on the top sheet from leaking to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-068464 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Even when an absorbent article is provided with three-dimensional gathers, gaps may occur between the wearer's skin and the three-dimensional gathers, for example, because the three-dimensional gathers do not come into surface contact with the wearer's skin, and in such cases, excrement may leak through the gaps.

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described situation, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can prevent exudates from leaking through the gap between the wearer's skin and three-dimensional gathers when an absorbent article has three-dimensional gathers extending longitudinally at the widthwise ends of the top sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, in the present invention, the longitudinal end of the standing gathers is provided in the low basis weight portion of the absorbent body.

[0007] In detail, an absorbent article according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and comprising an absorbent body capable of absorbing liquid discharged by a wearer, a top sheet provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and three-dimensional gathers provided on the top sheet in an area overlapping with the widthwise end of the absorbent body so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, wherein the absorbent body has, at the longitudinal end, a high basis weight portion in the center of the width direction and a low basis weight portion at the widthwise end, and the longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gathers is provided in the overlapping portion of the top sheet that overlaps with the low basis weight portion when the absorbent article is viewed in a plane.

[0008] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the standing gathers may be provided at an end portion in the width direction of the overlapping portion.

[0009] Furthermore, the absorbent article according to the above aspect further comprises a first adhesive portion where the overlapping portion and the longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather are adhered, and a non-water-permeable sheet provided on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core capable of absorbing the discharged liquid and a water-permeable sheet covering the absorbent core, the non-water-permeable sheet extending in the longitudinal direction toward the longitudinal end side beyond the end of the absorbent core, and the first adhesive portion extending beyond the longitudinal end of the absorbent core to the longitudinal end of the absorbent body.

[0010] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, the absorbent body has a front end portion at the longitudinal end portion. The absorbent body further comprises an elastic member extending in the width direction, positioned closer to the skin than the absorbent core, and overlapping the absorbent core in the thickness direction, and a specified layer laminated between the absorbent core and the elastic member, and the specified layers may be non-adhered to each other in the area where the first adhesive portion is provided.

[0011] Furthermore, in the absorbent article according to the above aspect, the stretchable member is arranged in a region overlapping with the absorbent body in the thickness direction or on the longitudinal end side of the absorbent body so as to stretch in the width direction, and the width of the first adhesive portion may be narrower than the width of the low basis weight portion.

[0012] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, the impermeable sheet may be folded back from the non-skin-facing side to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body at an end portion in the width direction of the absorbent body.

[0013] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, an end sheet may be provided on the skin-facing side of the longitudinal end of the standing gather.

[0014] In addition, the absorbent article according to the above aspect may further comprise a second adhesive portion at which the end sheet and the sheet-like member on the non-skin-facing side of the end sheet are adhered, the second adhesive portions being arranged with spaced apart portions.

[0015] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, the high basis weight portion may extend with a substantially uniform width in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In addition, in the absorbent article relating to the above-mentioned aspect, the absorbent body may have an absorbent core and a water-permeable sheet that wraps around the absorbent core, and when worn, may rise toward the skin side starting from the widthwise end of the absorbent core in the crotch region.

[0017] Furthermore, in the absorbent article relating to the above-mentioned aspect, the absorbent body has an absorbent core and a water-permeable sheet that wraps around the absorbent core, and the absorbent core has a narrowed portion in the width direction in the crotch region, and when worn, the narrowest part of the narrowed portion of the absorbent core is the folded end, and the outer side in the width direction of the folded end may rise up.

[0018] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, when worn, the absorbent core may rise toward the skin side from a boundary between the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion as a starting point.

[0019] In the absorbent article according to the above aspect, when worn, the outer side of the high basis weight portion of the absorbent core in the width direction may be folded toward the skin side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, when an absorbent article has three-dimensional gathers extending in the longitudinal direction at the widthwise ends of the top sheet, it is possible to prevent exudates from leaking through the gap between the wearer's skin and the three-dimensional gathers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the diaper according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an example of a detailed view of the front body region of the diaper. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to the second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] [Embodiment] Diapers according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an example of a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults (hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper") according to an embodiment. In the diaper, the direction connecting the front body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's abdomen, and the back body portion, which is placed opposite the wearer's back, is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between the front body portion (one side in the longitudinal direction) and the back body portion (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (the center in the longitudinal direction), a crotch portion, which is placed between the wearer's crotch (placed opposite the crotch). When the diaper is worn by a wearer, the side facing the wearer's skin is defined as the skin-facing side, and the side opposite the skin-facing side is defined as the non-skin-facing side. Furthermore, the direction connecting the skin-facing side and the non-skin-facing side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. In addition, a view from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. The diaper 1 has a length along the longitudinal direction and a width along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, terms relating to directions used in the present application refer to directions that correspond to the front, back, left, and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer. For example, the left-right direction in the present application refers to the direction that corresponds to the left and right of a wearer when the diaper 1 is worn by the wearer.

[0024] In this embodiment, as an example of an absorbent article, a pants-type disposable diaper having a tubular structure having an opening for receiving the wearer's abdominal circumference and a pair of left and right openings through which the wearer's left and right lower limbs are inserted is exemplified. However, the "absorbent article" referred to in this application is not limited to pants-type disposable diapers for adults. The "absorbent article" referred to in this application also includes pants-type disposable diapers for children. It also includes various types of absorbent articles that can cover the abdominal circumference and crotch area, such as tape-type disposable diapers in which a tubular structure is formed by attaching a tape fixed near one end of a sheet-like member that covers the wearer's crotch area (genitals) from the front to the back, to the other end of the sheet-like member.

[0025] The diaper 1 has a crotch region 1B, which corresponds to the crotch region covering the wearer's pubic region (crotch area) when worn; a front body region 1F, which corresponds to the front body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's abdominal side; and a back body region 1R, which corresponds to the back body around the wearer's waist and covers the wearer's back side. The front body region 1F is located in front of the crotch region 1B, and the back body region 1R is located behind the crotch region 1B. Since the diaper 1 in this embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper, the left edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the left edge of the rear body region 1R, and the right edge of the front body region 1F is joined to the right edge of the rear body region 1R. Thus, a waist opening 2T is formed in the diaper 1 by the upper edge of the front body region 1F and the upper edge of the back body region 1R. The diaper 1 also has a left leg opening 2L formed in a portion of the left side of the crotch region 1B where the above-mentioned joining is not performed, and a right leg opening 2R formed in a portion of the right side of the crotch region 1B. When the wearer's left leg is inserted through the left leg opening 2L, the wearer's right leg is inserted through the right leg opening 2R, and the wearer's torso is placed within the torso opening 2T, the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body with the front body region 1F positioned toward the wearer's abdomen and the back body region 1R positioned toward the wearer's back, and the left leg opening 2L and right leg opening 2R surrounding the wearer's thighs. Because the diaper 1 is secured to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can move freely while wearing the diaper 1.

[0026] The diaper 1 has an absorbent body, capable of absorbing and retaining liquid, mainly located near the crotch region 1B. To prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin that could serve as a liquid leakage path, the diaper 1 also has a three-dimensional gather 3BL at the left leg opening 2L surrounding the thigh of the wearer's left lower leg, a three-dimensional gather 3BR at the right leg opening 2R surrounding the thigh of the wearer's right lower leg, and waist gathers 3R and tummy gathers 12 around the wearer's abdominal circumference. Leg gathers 3LL and 3LR are also provided around the base of the wearer's legs. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR and waist gathers 3R adhere closely to the wearer's skin due to the elasticity of the elastic thread. The leg gathers 3LL and 3LR also prevent the formation of gaps between the diaper 1 and the base of the wearer's legs. Therefore, liquid excreted from the wearer's genitals is absorbed by the absorbent body of the diaper 1 with almost no leakage from the diaper 1.

[0027] The diaper 1 can be used in combination with an inner pad (not shown). The inner pad is a generally rectangular absorbent article with an absorbent body that absorbs exudates. When the diaper 1 and inner pad are used in combination, the inner pad is placed on the skin-facing side of the diaper 1 so that it abuts the wearer's exudate hole. The exudate is first absorbed by the inner pad, and only the exudate that cannot be absorbed by the inner pad reaches the absorbent body of the diaper 1 and is further absorbed. This prevents the exudate from leaking from the diaper 1 even when the amount of exudate is large. Furthermore, if the amount of exudate is small and can be absorbed entirely by the inner pad, only the inner pad needs to be replaced, reducing care costs. Furthermore, the diaper 1 can be used for a long period of time.

[0028] FIG. 2 is an example of an exploded perspective view of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment. The diaper 1 comprises a cover sheet 4 and an inner cover sheet 5. The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 are roughly hourglass-shaped (gourd-shaped) sheets that are bonded together to form the outer surface of the diaper 1, and are identical in shape except for the end portion on the front body region 1F side and the end portion on the back body region 1R side. When worn by a wearer, the cover sheet 4 faces away from the wearer's skin, and the inner cover sheet 5 faces the wearer's side. Elastic threads are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 to form the waist gathers 3R, tummy gathers 12, and leg gathers 3LL, 3LR. Elastic members such as strip-shaped elastic can be appropriately selected instead of the elastic threads.

[0029] The cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 can be made of a nonwoven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin, for example, to prevent leakage of exudates. Examples of liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resins include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Hereinafter, the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5, on which the rubber threads are arranged, may be collectively referred to as an exterior body, as a concept corresponding to the absorbent body 8 and the combination of the absorbent body 8 with the back sheet 6, the top sheet 9, and the side sheets 10L and 10R.

[0030] The diaper 1 comprises a back sheet 6, an absorbent body 8, and a top sheet 9, which are layered in this order on the wearer-facing surfaces of the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. The back sheet 6 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped sheet having a length in the longitudinal direction that extends from the front body of the wearer, passing through the crotch area, to the back body, and a predetermined width in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent body 8 and the top sheet 9 are both sheet-like members having a roughly rectangular appearance, like the back sheet 6, and are layered in this order on the back sheet 6 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the back sheet 6. The back sheet 6 is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to prevent leakage of exudates. The top sheet 9 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the skin-facing side of the wearer so as to cover the absorbent surface of the absorbent body 8. This top The sheet 9 is liquid-permeable in part or in its entirety. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, liquid excreted by the wearer passes through the top sheet 9, which may come into contact with the wearer's skin, and penetrates into the absorbent body 8, where it is absorbed. Examples of liquid-permeable sheets include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and porous films. The top sheet 9 may also be hydrophilic.

[0031] The absorbent body 8 has an absorbent core 8c made of a mat and a core wrap sheet 7 that wraps around the absorbent core 8c. The absorbent core 8c is made of short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or short fibers of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been hydrophilically treated. SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), a hydrophilic polymer with a crosslinked structure that can absorb and retain water, is placed in the gaps between the short fibers. The absorbent core 8c has a structure that holds granular absorbent resin (polymer water-absorbing material) such as water-absorbent polymer (Water Absorbent Polymer). When the absorbent core 8c absorbs liquid discharged from the wearer, the absorbent resin held in the gaps between the staple fibers swells, thereby holding the liquid within the staple fibers. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 8c is hourglass-shaped with a narrowed central portion. The absorbent core 8c can have any suitable shape depending on the purpose. Examples of the shape of the absorbent core 8c include rectangular, oval, and various other shapes.

[0032] The core wrap sheet 7 is a thin, liquid-permeable sheet. By wrapping the absorbent core 8c with the core wrap sheet 7, the SAP of the absorbent core 8c described above is less likely to be mixed with other structures. It also prevents the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. The core wrap sheet 7 can be made of pulp fiber, and tissue paper can be used as an example. The core wrap sheet 7 may be a single sheet, or it may be composed of two sheets: an upper sheet placed on the wearer's skin side and a lower sheet placed on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer and wrapping around the sides and skin-facing side of the absorbent core. When the core wrap sheet 7 is composed of two sheets, the widthwise ends of the upper sheet may be wrapped in other sheets (e.g., side sheets 10L and 10R, back sheet 6, and top sheet 9, which will be described later). Since the absorbent body 8 is wrapped in the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9, and these sheets also help prevent the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape, the core wrap sheet 7 may not be provided.

[0033] The back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 all extend from the front body region 1F to the back body region 1R. Therefore, when the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are layered together to cover the wearer's genitals (below the crotch), both longitudinal ends of the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, and top sheet 9 are located on the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides. In other words, the wearer's genitals are covered by the absorbent body 8 from the wearer's ventral to dorsal sides. Therefore, whether the wearer is in a ventral or dorsal position when excreting liquid, the excreted liquid will come into contact with the absorbent body 8 via the top sheet 9.

[0034] The diaper 1 also has elongated, strip-shaped side sheets 10L, 10R for forming the above-mentioned three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. The side sheets 10L, 10R are provided along the long sides of the top sheet 9. Elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 are attached to the side sheets 10L, 10R in a longitudinally stretched state. Thus, the cover sheet 4 is joined at its left edge 4F4 of the front body region 1F to its left edge 4R4 of the back body region 1R, and at its right edge 4F5 of the front body region 1F to its right edge 4R5 of the back body region 1R. When the diaper 1 is completed as shown in FIG. 1, the contractile force of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 draws the side sheets 10L, 10R in the longitudinal direction, causing them to rise from the top sheet 9 along the fold-back lines 10L2, 10R2. As a result, three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed to prevent the outflow of liquid from the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R. The joining method of the edges 4F4 and 4R4, and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, by heat This can be done by sealing, high frequency sealing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.

[0035] The diaper 1 further comprises an end sheet 11F laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the front body region 1F, and an end sheet 11R laminated on the wearer-facing surface of the cover sheet 4 in the back body region 1R, sandwiching the back sheet 6, absorber 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R. The end sheets 11F, 11R are strip-shaped sheets laminated on the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 at one end of the top sheet 9 in the longitudinal direction. The end sheets 11F, 11R are impermeable nonwoven fabrics, and mainly reinforce the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 in the waist-contacting portions of the diaper 1. The end sheets 11F, 11R are coated with adhesive, which bonds them to the inner cover sheet 5. The end sheets 11F, 11R are arranged closer to the skin than the laminate formed by the back sheet 6, absorbent body 8, top sheet 9, and side sheets 10L, 10R, and prevent the ends of the laminate from directly touching the skin, causing discomfort to the wearer.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a diaper 1 according to an embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. FIG. 3(A) illustrates the internal structure of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state as viewed from the left side. FIG. 3(B) illustrates a plan view of the diaper 1 in an unfolded and stretched state. Note that the side sheets 10L, 10R and end sheets 11F, 11R are not shown in FIG. 3(B). One end of the cover sheet 4 is folded back at the fold lines 4FF, 4RF shown in FIG. 2. The waist gather 3R is formed by adhering elastic threads (thread-like rubber) 4F1 in a stretched state to the front body region of the cover sheet 4 and adhering elastic threads (thread-like rubber) 4R1 in a stretched state to the back body region of the cover sheet 4. The elastic threads 4F1, 4F2 are arranged in this order from the fold line 4FF side along the fold line 4FF, which will form the upper edge of the front body region 1F when folded back. Similarly, the tummy gathers 12 are formed by adhering the elastic thread 4F2 in a stretched state to the front body region of the cover sheet 4, and adhering the elastic thread 4R2 in a stretched state to the back body region of the cover sheet 4. Like the elastic threads 4F1, 4F2, the elastic threads 4R1, 4R2 are arranged in this order from the fold line 4RF side along the fold line 4RF, which will form the upper edge of the back body region when folded back.

[0037] Therefore, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. The elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 are provided on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal stretch direction aligned with the left-right direction of the diaper 1. When the edges 4F4 and 4R4 are joined together and the edges 4F5 and 4R5 are joined together, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 form a substantially annular elastic member that runs along the waist opening 2T, thereby contracting the waist opening 2T in the waist-circumference direction. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4F2 and the elastic threads 4R1 and 4R2 exert a contractile force to fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer and prevent a gap from forming between the diaper 1 and the wearer's abdominal circumference. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 partially overlap the absorbent body 8 on the crotch region 1B side (details will be described later).

[0038] The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 are provided so as to extend in the left-right direction along the upper edges of the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R shown in FIG. 1. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 are provided parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. When the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 tighten the wearer's abdominal circumference relatively tightly above the elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2. The elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1 fit the diaper 1 closely to the wearer, preventing it from shifting out of position and preventing excreted fluid from leaking from the abdomen or back. The elastic threads 4F2 and 4R2 alleviate the feeling of pressure on the wearer caused by the contraction force of the elastic threads 4F1 and 4R1. In addition, the elastic threads 4 When an inner pad is used, F2 and 4R2 suppress the displacement of the inner pad.

[0039] Furthermore, rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are adhered in a stretched state to the cover sheet 4. The rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are elastic members provided in an area of ​​the cover sheet 4 closer to the crotch region 1B than the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2. However, unlike the other rubber threads that are adhered without bending from the left end to the right end of the cover sheet 4, the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are arranged curved toward the crotch region 1B. Because the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are arranged curved in this way, the areas where the rubber threads 4F3 and 4R3 are arranged function as leg gathers 3LL and 3LR, which bring the peripheries of the left lower leg opening 2L and the right lower leg opening 2R into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0040] The rubber thread 4F3 in the front body region 1F traverses the absorbent body 8 in the width direction and is continuous in the width direction. The part where the rubber thread 4F3 traverses the absorbent body 8 in the width direction corresponds to the vicinity of the wearer's pubic bone. The wearer's urethral opening contacts the skin-facing side of the diaper 1, further towards the crotch than the part where the rubber thread 4F3 traverses the absorbent body 8.

[0041] In addition, in the region where the rubber thread 4F3 crosses the absorbent body 8, a non-adhesive region 25 is provided where the inner cover sheet 5 and the back sheet 6 are not adhered to each other. The provision of the non-adhesive region 25 prevents adhesion between the inner cover sheet 5 constituting the outer cover sheet and the absorbent body 8. In Fig. 3(B), the non-adhesive region 25 is shown surrounded by a rectangular dotted line.

[0042] On the other hand, the rubber thread 4R3 in the rear body region 1R overlaps the outer widthwise side of the absorbent core 8c at the constricted portion of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core, but does not cross the absorber 8 in the widthwise direction. The area where the rubber thread 4R3 is located comes into contact with the wearer's buttocks near the absorber 8. In the rear body region 1R, the diaper 1 is pressed more strongly by the pressure exerted on the wearer's buttocks than in the front body region 1F. For this reason, by not providing the rubber thread 4R3 in the widthwise center of the absorber 8 but instead biasing the widthwise ends of the absorber 8 apart, the diaper 1 can come into contact with the wearer with an appropriate adhesive force.

[0043] The cover sheet 4 is folded back at fold lines 4FF and 4RF to extend to the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed, and the folded back portions reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F1 and 4R1 are disposed. The end sheets 11F and 11R (see FIG. 2) are provided in the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed, where the cover sheet 4 folded back at fold lines 4FF and 4RF does not extend, and reinforce the areas where the rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are disposed.

[0044] In the present application, the term "overlapping of sheets" does not necessarily mean that the overlapping sheets are in full contact with each other, but rather includes a concept that includes a configuration in which only portions of the sheets overlap. For example, the end sheet 11F is overlapped such that a portion of one longitudinal end of the back sheet 6 touches a portion of the cover sheet 4. The diaper 1 is formed by stacking the back sheet 6 and top sheet 9 with the absorbent body 8 sandwiched therebetween, as well as the cover sheet 4, end sheets 11F and 11R, inner cover sheet 5, and side sheets 10L and 10R, and can therefore be said to have a laminate formed by stacking these multiple sheets.

[0045] FIG. 4 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a diaper according to an embodiment, cut widthwise at the longitudinal center. The absorbent core 8c of the absorber 8 has a high basis weight portion and a low basis weight portion. More specifically, when viewed from the skin-facing side, the absorbent core 8c has an hourglass shape with a narrowed portion in the crotch region 1B (see FIG. 2). The widthwise center, specifically the region inside an imaginary extension line extending the narrowed portion of the hourglass toward both longitudinal ends, is the high basis weight portion, and the other regions (so-called The ears of the absorbent body are low-basis-weight areas. The high-basis-weight areas extend to the areas corresponding to the wearer's excretory openings and absorb excretory fluids. They also reinforce the absorbent core 8c in areas prone to pressure when worn, preventing it from losing its shape. The low-basis-weight areas are located in the areas that come into contact with the wearer's buttocks when worn, and easily conform to the wearer's body surface.

[0046] The high basis weight portion extends with the same width from the ventral end to the dorsal end of the absorbent core 8c. The high basis weight portion extends with the same basis weight over the entire extending portion.

[0047] The absorbent core 8c contains cellulosic staple fibers or hydrophilically treated resin staple fibers (hereinafter referred to as staple fibers) as well as granular absorbent resin (SAP particles), such as a hydrophilic superabsorbent polymer with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water. When fluid is excreted from the wearer and penetrates the absorbent core 8c, the SAP particles absorb water and gradually expand, immobilizing the excreted fluid while the staple fibers temporarily retain the excreted fluid. This prevents the excreted fluid from moving or flowing back to the skin-facing side. When the SAP particles absorb water and expand, they may block the flow path of the excreted fluid (gel-blocking phenomenon). For this reason, the location of the SAP particles can be limited according to the design of the absorbent core 8c. Note that if the absorbent core 8c is composed of multiple absorbent mats, the absorbent mats to which the SAP particles are placed may be limited.

[0048] In this figure, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which faces the wearer's skin when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with a hot melt adhesive HM. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent core 8c with a hot melt adhesive HM. Alternatively, the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b and the absorbent core 8c may be bonded with an adhesive that is easy to peel.

[0049] The core wrap sheet 7 has a rectangular appearance when it wraps the absorbent core 8c, and serves to prevent the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape and to prevent the internal structure of the absorbent core 8c from being dissipated. The core wrap sheet 7 is not essential, and its role can be fulfilled by covering the sides of the absorbent core 8c with the back sheet 6, top sheet 9, or side sheets 10L and 10R, which will be described later.

[0050] The hot melt adhesive HM that bonds the core wrap sheet 7 and the top sheet 9 is provided in multiple locations and is spaced apart from one another. Because the adhesive is not water permeable, bonding the entire surfaces of the core wrap sheet 7 and the top sheet 9 together would hinder the flow of exuded liquid into the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the amount of hot melt adhesive HM and provide sufficient spacing between them. This configuration does not impair the exuded liquid absorption function of the diaper. Furthermore, by leaving the majority of the top sheet 9 unattached, the top sheet 9 has greater flexibility and can more easily conform to the wearer's skin when worn. This improves the comfort of the diaper.

[0051] A backsheet 6 is provided on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. The backsheet 6 is a water-impermeable film that prevents discharged liquid absorbed by the absorbent body 8 from seeping into the cover sheet. In this embodiment, the backsheet 6 not only covers the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, but also the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 by being folded from the non-skin-facing side to the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8, and further overlaps with a portion of the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 by being folded from the side surfaces to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. In this embodiment, the side surfaces of the absorbent core 8c have a low basis weight and are prone to losing their shape, but by covering not only the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 but also the side surfaces and a portion of the skin-facing side with the backsheet 6 in this way, it is possible to prevent the shape from being lost.

[0052] A hot melt adhesive is applied between the folded-back portion of the backsheet 6 toward the skin side and the topsheet 9, extending along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The hot melt adhesive bonds the folded-back portion of the backsheet 6 to the topsheet 9. The water-impermeable hot melt adhesive also forms water-impermeable portions 30L, 30R. The water-impermeable portions 30L, 30R are formed from the non-skin-facing sides of the sidesheets 10L, 10R through the topsheet 9 to the folded-back portion of the backsheet 6, as viewed in the thickness direction. The water-impermeable portions 30L, 30R prevent discharged liquid that has permeated the topsheet 9 from leaking from the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8 along the folded-back portion of the backsheet 6. The water-impermeable portions 30L, 30R are also formed from the front body region to the back body region, extending along the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent side leakage from any position on the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the top sheet 9 provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 also covers the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 and extends to both widthwise ends of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. The side sheets 10L, 10R also cover the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 and extend to both widthwise ends of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. In this way, by covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple sheets including the back sheet 6, it is possible to more effectively prevent the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. Furthermore, covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple sheets improves the feel against the skin, and reduces the discomfort felt by the wearer when the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 come into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0054] FIG. 5 is an example of a detailed view of the front body region 1F of the diaper 1. FIG. 5(A) is an example of a partially enlarged view of the front body region 1F of the diaper 1 in an unfolded state, as viewed from the skin-facing side. FIG. 5(B) is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in FIG. 5(A). Note that while FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) illustrate the front body region 1F, the rear body region 1R has a similar structure. Also, end sheets 11F and 11R are omitted from FIG. 5(A). The left-right direction in FIG. 5(B) corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1.

[0055] As described above, the absorbent core 8c has a high basis weight portion in the center and low basis weight portions on both sides of the high basis weight portion in the width direction. Therefore, in Figure 5(A), the region overlapping the high basis weight portion of the absorbent core 8c in the thickness direction is shown as the high basis weight region 21, and the regions overlapping the low basis weight portions of the absorbent core 8c are shown as the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5(A), in the diaper 1, the side sheets 10L, 10R are attached to the portions of the top sheet 9 that overlap the widthwise edges of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. The adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB (an example of the "first adhesive region" of the present disclosure) between the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R extend in the longitudinal direction beyond the edge of the absorbent core 8c to the edge of the core wrap sheet 7, as shown in Fig. 5(A). Furthermore, the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB are provided only over a portion of the widthwise low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, rather than over the entirety of the regions. The side sheets 10L, 10R are drawn in the longitudinal direction by the contractile force of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1, as described above, to form three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR.

[0057] 5(B), the outer sheet of the diaper 1 is provided with rubber threads. Specifically, the cover sheet 4 and inner cover sheet 5 constituting the outer sheet are laminated on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, and rubber threads 4F1, 4F2, and 4F3 are provided between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5. Rubber threads may also be provided between the inner cover sheet 5 and the absorbent body 8.

[0058] A part of the elastic thread 4F2 constituting the tummy gather 12 is bonded in a stretched state to the region of the outer sheet that overlaps with the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 8, extending in the width direction. The rubber threads 4F2 are also bonded in a stretched state to the absorbent core 8c in regions overlapping the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c. The rubber threads 4F2 are also positioned closer to the front body region 1F than the absorbent body 8. The elastic threads 4F2 bias the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8 to contract in the width direction when the absorbent body 8 is not being worn. This creates wrinkles (unevenness) at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, particularly at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c, reducing the area that comes into contact with the wearer's skin via the top sheet 9 and end sheets 11F, 11R, thereby improving the feel of the absorber's abdominal and back skin. Furthermore, the absorbent core 8c of the absorbent body 8 is thicker and more rigid than the core wrap sheet 7, resulting in greater wrinkle unevenness, which reduces the likelihood that the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, where the adhesive HM1 is applied, will come into contact with the wearer's skin. Note that a portion of the rubber threads 4F2, 4R2 described above is an example of the "stretchable member" referred to in this application.

[0059] The longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8 are subjected to stress by the biasing force of the rubber thread 4F2, which may cause the widthwise ends of the absorbent core 8c to be crushed and lose their shape. However, as described above, by covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with the back sheet 6, the top sheet 9, and the side sheets 10L, 10R, the side surfaces of the absorbent core 8c are reinforced, which makes it possible to prevent the widthwise ends of the absorbent core 8c from losing their shape.

[0060] 5(B), the backsheet 6 (an example of the "impermeable sheet" of the present disclosure) extends longitudinally toward the front body region 1F beyond the end of the absorbent core 8c. Furthermore, the widthwise ends of the topsheet 9 at these longitudinal ends are provided with adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB to connect with the sidesheets 10L, 10R, as shown in FIG. 5(A).

[0061] As described above, in this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 7 (an example of the "water-permeable sheet" of the present disclosure) is composed of an upper core wrap sheet 7f and a lower core wrap sheet 7b, and the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b. When the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b, the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are bonded together. In this embodiment, the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are bonded together at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8 with adhesive HM1. More specifically, the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b extend beyond both longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c, and the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b are bonded together at the extended portions of the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core wrap sheet 7b. As an example, a hot melt adhesive can be used as the adhesive HM1. The adhesive HM1 is applied to the entire surface of a rectangular area having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and a predetermined length in the width direction (the same length as the width of the core wrap sheet 7) at both longitudinal end portions of the absorbent body 8. This seals the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, further preventing the SAP particles from escaping from the absorbent core 8c.

[0062] In this embodiment, the absorbent core 8c is entirely covered by multiple core wrap sheets, including the upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the absorbent core 8c may be entirely covered by a single core wrap sheet, or one or more core wrap sheets may not cover a portion of the absorbent core 8c. In either configuration, the core wrap sheets are bonded together at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8 with the adhesive HM1, as in this embodiment.

[0063] The adhesive HM1 cools and hardens after the diaper 1 is manufactured. The hardened adhesive HM1 allows the upper core wrap sheet 7f and the lower core 1 to adhere to each other even if the top sheet 9 is interposed. This may result in poor skin contact with the wearer's abdomen and back in the areas where the wrap sheet 7b is bonded. Furthermore, at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, there is a step between the cover sheet 4 and the inner cover sheet 5 that constitute the outer sheet, and this step may also result in poor skin contact with the wearer's abdomen and back. Therefore, in this embodiment, end sheets 11F, 11R are laminated on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 9 to cover the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8.

[0064] The end sheets 11F, 11R are non-permeable nonwoven fabric sheets laminated on the skin-facing side of the inner cover sheet 5 and the top sheet 9, and partially overlap the skin-facing side of the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 8. Where the end sheets 11F, 11R overlap the inner cover sheet 5 and the top sheet 9, they are bonded to the inner cover sheet 5 and the top sheet 9 (an example of a "sheet-like member" in the present disclosure) with an adhesive HM2. For example, a hot melt adhesive can be used as the adhesive HM2. Multiple adhesives HM2 are applied to the area where the end sheets 11F, 11R are disposed, including the area corresponding to the adhesive HM1. Each of the multiple adhesives HM2 is linear and thinner (having a shorter longitudinal length) than the adhesive HM1, and extends in the width direction. Furthermore, each of the multiple adhesives HM2 is arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction and is spaced apart from one another (an example of a "separated portion" in the present disclosure). The end sheets 11F, 11R are an example of the "end sheet" referred to in the present application. The portion where the end sheets 11F, 11R and the top sheet 9 are bonded with the adhesive HM2 is an example of the "second adhesive portion" referred to in the present application.

[0065] When the diaper 1 is worn, the absorbent core 8c in the crotch region 1B rises toward the skin from the narrowest portions 23L, 23R, which are the widthwise ends of the absorbent core 8c shown in Figure 3(B). This is because the narrowest portions 23L, 23R of the absorbent core 8c serve as a base for the rise, and the top sheet 9, back sheet 6, and side sheets 10L, 10R rise toward the skin from this base. The narrowest portions 23L, 23R, which are made up of multiple sheets stacked together, provide a stable base. Therefore, even if there is a distance from the widthwise end of the absorbent core 8c to the free ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR in the crotch region, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR can be stably in contact with the skin.

[0066] [Actions and Effects] In the diaper 1 described above, the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R are located at the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8, as shown in FIG. 5(A). Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn by a wearer, the widthwise ends of the absorbent body 8 easily conform to the wearer's skin. More specifically, when worn, the narrowest portions 23L, 23R of the absorbent core 8c and the boundaries between the high basis weight region 21 and the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R are folded, and the widthwise outer sides of the folded edges rise up. In the front and back body regions, the widthwise outer sides of the high basis weight region 21 of the absorbent core 8c are folded toward the skin. Therefore, the outer sides of the side sheets 10L, 10R, whose edges are attached to the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, respectively, also approach the skin. In this state, the contractile force of the elastic threads 10L1, 10R1 pulls them in the longitudinal direction, forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR. Therefore, gaps are formed between the wearer's skin and the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR, and leakage of excrement from the gaps is suppressed.

[0067] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 described above, the rigidity of the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB between the top sheet 9 and the side sheets 10L, 10R is improved. Therefore, even if the rubber thread (e.g., 4F1, etc.) closer to the longitudinal end than the location of the absorbent body 8 contracts, the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB resist the contraction force of the rubber thread. This prevents the contraction force from acting on the longitudinal end of the absorbent core 8c. This prevents the absorbent body 8 from losing its shape. Furthermore, since the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB resist the contraction force of the rubber thread, twisting of the longitudinal end of the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR is prevented. This prevents a reduction in the area of ​​the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR that comes into surface contact with the wearer's skin, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the wearer's skin and the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR and preventing excrement from leaking through the gaps.

[0068] 3, a non-adhesive region 25 is provided in the portion where the rubber thread 4F3 crosses the absorbent body 8 in the width direction, where the inner cover sheet 5 constituting the outer sheet is not adhered to the absorbent body 8. Because the inner cover sheet 5 and the back sheet 6 are adhered to the outside of the non-adhesive region 25 in the width direction, the rubber thread 4F3 pulls the back sheet 6 and the absorbent body 8 in the non-adhesive region 25 outward in the width direction. By pulling the absorbent body 8 above the non-adhesive region 25 outward, the side sheets 10L, 10R outside the non-adhesive region 25, i.e., the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR, tend to stand up against the skin, thereby suppressing side leakage of exudates.

[0069] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 5(A), the adhesive regions 10LB and 10RB are provided at the widthwise ends of the low basis weight regions 22L and 22R so as to overlap portions of the low basis weight regions 22L and 22R. Therefore, in the widthwise direction, the low basis weight regions 22L and 22R that do not overlap the adhesive regions 10LB and 10RB are sandwiched between the high basis weight region 21 and the adhesive regions 10LB and 10RB. Therefore, when the elastic thread 4F2 forming the tummy gathers contracts, the high basis weight region 21 first maintains its shape against the contraction force due to its improved rigidity. Meanwhile, the low basis weight regions 22L and 22R that do not overlap the adhesive regions 10LB and 10RB cannot resist the contraction force and are bent relative to the high basis weight region 21. However, the adhesive regions 10LB and 10RB, which are located at the widthwise ends of the bent low basis weight regions 22L and 22R, maintain a substantially flat shape due to their improved rigidity. Therefore, the high basis weight region 21 and the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB resist the contractile force of the rubber thread 4F2, thereby preventing the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c from being crushed and hardened. In addition, the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, which do not overlap with the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB, bend, allowing the absorbent body 8 to bend along the curves of the wearer's skin.

[0070] To prevent the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c from being crushed and hardened by the contractile force of the rubber thread 4F2, it is conceivable to reduce the longitudinal size of the absorbent body 8 or to reduce the number of rubber threads 4F2 arranged in the longitudinal direction, thereby creating a structure in which the rubber threads 4F2 and the absorbent body 8 do not overlap in the thickness direction. Such a structure would prevent the contractile force of the rubber threads 4F2 from being transmitted to the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c, thereby preventing the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c from being crushed and hardened. However, such a structure would likely result in a decrease in absorption performance and tummy gather performance. On the other hand, the diaper 1 described above can prevent the longitudinal ends of the absorbent core 8c from being crushed and hardened by the contractile force of the rubber thread 4F2 without causing such a decrease in performance.

[0071] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 5(B), by laminating the end sheets 11F, 11R on the skin-facing side of the top sheet 9 and covering the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8, the cured adhesive HM1 and the steps at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8 come into contact with the wearer's skin via the top sheet 9 and the end sheets 11F, 11R, thereby improving the skin contact with the wearer's abdomen and back. Furthermore, the end sheets 11F, 11R reinforce the bonded portions between the core wrap sheets 7f, 7b, further preventing the SAP particles from dispersing from the absorbent core 8c. Furthermore, because the adhesives HM2 are spaced apart from one another, even if the cured adhesive HM2 is applied in the regions where the end sheets 11F, 11R are disposed, including the regions corresponding to the adhesive HM1, the area where the adhesive HM2 is applied is reduced due to the presence of non-adhesive portions between the adhesives HM2. In addition, in the non-adhesive portions, the end sheets 11F and 11R can move relative to the top sheet 9. This allows for a better contact with the wearer's abdomen and back. In addition, the hardness of the adhesive areas 10LB and 10RB is less likely to be transmitted to the wearer's skin.

[0072] FIG. 6 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 with the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR erected. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 cut widthwise at the longitudinal center. When the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 contract in the longitudinal direction, the portions of the side sheets 10L, 10R where the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are provided rise from the top sheet 9, with the ends of the impermeable portions 30L, 30R acting as rising lines. The ends of the impermeable portions 30L, 30R that have become rising lines correspond to the fold lines 10L2, 10R2 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, by providing creases or the like in advance in the portions of the side sheets 10L, 10R where the rubber threads 10L1, 10R1 are provided, the standing gathers 3BL, 3BR rise in a U-shape that opens outward in the width direction, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0073] In the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, when worn, the narrowest portions 23L, 23R of the constricted absorbent core 8c are folded, and the widthwise outer portions rise from the folded ends. When the diaper 1 having this configuration is worn, the folded ends rise from the folded ends toward the skin. While FIG. 6 illustrates the folded ends as rising perpendicularly from the folded ends, in reality, the folded ends gradually rise from the folded ends toward the skin. In the front and back body regions, the boundaries between the high basis weight region 21 and the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R gradually rise from the boundaries toward the widthwise outer portions. The diaper 1 allows the free ends of the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR to abut the wearer. This allows the diaper 1 to prevent excrement from leaking through gaps between the wearer's skin and the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR.

[0074] [Variation 1] As shown in FIG. 5(A), the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB are provided at the widthwise ends of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, but they may be provided in regions other than the widthwise ends of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. The widths of the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB may be equal to or greater than the widths of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. The side sheets 10L, 10R and the top sheet 9 may be fixed to each other in the adhesive regions 10LB, 10RB by a fixing method other than adhesive (such as welding). Rubber threads such as 4F2 may not be provided in the thickness direction at the longitudinal ends of the absorbent body 8. End sheets 11F, 11R may not be provided. The adhesives HM2 may be arranged consecutively without any gaps in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] [Variation 2] Next, a diaper 1 according to a second modification of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 cut widthwise at the front body region where the absorbent core 8c is not constricted. While the configuration of the front body region will be described in this modification, the diaper 1 according to this modification also has a similar configuration in the back body region. The absorbent core 8c has a high basis weight region 21 located at the center of the widthwise direction in the front-to-rear direction of the constricted portion, and low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. In this modification, the high basis weight region 21 is thicker than the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. The high basis weight region 21 also extends to the crotch region, and has a uniform thickness in the longitudinal direction. The low basis weight regions 22L, 22R form a widening region that extends outward in the widthwise direction from the constricted portion of the crotch region, and have a lower basis weight of pulp than the high basis weight region 21.

[0076] When the diaper 1 having such a configuration is worn, it rises toward the skin side from the boundary between the high basis weight region 21 and the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. As shown in Figure 3(B), on the extension line of the boundary between the high basis weight region 21 and the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R on the crotch region side, there are narrowest portions 23L, 23R of the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, the diaper 1 The outer widthwise portions of the absorbent core 8c rise from the boundary and the narrowest portions 23L, 23R toward the skin. When the diaper 1 is worn, the outer widthwise portions of the absorbent core 8c bend toward the skin from the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R. This configuration also makes it easy for the free ends of the upright gathers 3BL, 3BR to abut appropriately against the wearer's skin.

[0077] 7, the non-skin-facing side of the high basis weight region 21 of the absorbent core 8c is bonded to the core wrap sheet 7 with hot melt adhesive HM3. This further increases the rigidity of the non-skin-facing side of the high basis weight region 21. Note that, because no hot melt adhesive is applied to the non-skin-facing side of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R, the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R are easily bent toward the skin-facing side starting from the boundary with the high basis weight region 21. Note that, in order to make it easier for the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R to bend toward the skin-facing side, it is sufficient that at least the hot melt adhesive is not applied to the boundary side of the low basis weight regions 22L, 22R with the high basis weight region 21.

[0078] [Variation 3] Next, a diaper 1 according to a third modification of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 cut widthwise at the front body region side. While the configuration of the front body region will be described in this modification, the diaper 1 according to this modification also has a similar configuration in the rear body region. The absorbent core 8c of the absorber 8 has a high basis weight region 21 and low basis weight regions 22L, 22R as shown in Fig. 5.

[0079] The absorbent core 8c has a flat surface on the side facing the wearer's skin, and the high basis weight portion is formed by increasing the basis weight on the non-skin-facing side. The high basis weight portion extends with the same width from the ventral end to the dorsal end of the absorbent core 8c. The high basis weight portion extends with the same basis weight throughout its entire extension. By forming the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion in this manner, a step caused by the boundary between the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion appears on the skin-facing side, and this step can be prevented from causing discomfort to the wearer. An absorbent core 8c with these characteristics can be realized, for example, by stacking an hourglass-shaped upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and a strip-shaped lower-layer absorbent mat 8b whose width is equal to or less than the narrowed portion of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a.

[0080] In this modified example, the absorbent core 8c is wrapped in a water-permeable core wrap sheet 7. The core wrap sheet 7 is further divided into an upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f, which faces the wearer's skin when worn, and a lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, which faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The upper-layer core wrap sheet 7f is bonded to the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. The lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is bonded to the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b. However, the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b is not provided along the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a. In other words, the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a is not bonded to the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b. Therefore, in the absorbent body 8, flow guide holes 8s are formed between the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b and the widthwise end of the lower-layer absorbent mat 8b, where the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a extends. Note that rubber threads 4F2 and 4R2 are arranged in the non-skin-facing area that overlaps with the flow guide holes 8s in the thickness direction. The upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b are an example of the "predetermined layer" of the present disclosure.

[0081] Alternatively, the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a may be bonded with an adhesive that is easily peeled off. As a specific example, the width of the adhesive bonding the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the lower absorbent mat 8b may be made wider than the width of the lower absorbent mat 8b, so that only the edge of the adhesive is bonded to the non-skin-facing side of the upper absorbent mat 8a.

[0082] The lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a bonded by the adhesive may be in a state where the lower absorbent mat 8b absorbs water and expands, or where the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a When discharged liquid flows between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a, the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a are separated, resulting in the formation of flow guide holes 8s between the lower core wrap sheet 7b and the upper absorbent mat 8a. If the flow guide holes 8s were formed even when the diaper 1 had not absorbed water and no flow guide holes 8s were necessary, the flow guide holes 8s could cause the absorbent core 8c to lose its shape. However, by forming the flow guide holes 8s only when the absorbent core 8c has absorbed water, as described above, the flow guide holes 8s can be formed only when necessary.

[0083] The core wrap sheet 7 has a rectangular appearance when it wraps the absorbent core 8c, and serves to prevent the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape and to prevent the internal structure of the absorbent core 8c from being dissipated. The core wrap sheet 7 is not essential, and its role can be fulfilled by covering the sides of the absorbent core 8c with the back sheet 6, top sheet 9, or side sheets 10L and 10R, which will be described later.

[0084] The core wrap sheet 7 and the top sheet 9 are bonded at multiple locations, spaced apart from one another. Because the adhesive is not water-permeable, bonding the entire surface of the core wrap sheet 7 and the top sheet 9 together would prevent exudate fluid from flowing into the absorbent core 8c. Therefore, it is preferable to minimize the number of bonded areas and provide sufficient spacing between them. This configuration does not impair the exudate fluid absorption function of the diaper. Furthermore, by leaving the majority of the top sheet 9 unbonded, the top sheet 9 has greater flexibility and can more easily conform to the wearer's skin when worn. This improves the comfort of the diaper.

[0085] A backsheet 6 is provided on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. The backsheet 6 is a water-impermeable film that prevents exudate absorbed by the absorbent body 8 from seeping into the cover sheet. In this modified example, the backsheet 6 not only covers the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, but also the side surfaces by being folded from the non-skin-facing side to the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8, and is further folded from the side surfaces to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8, overlapping with a portion of the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 and bonded thereto with a hot melt adhesive. The side surfaces of the absorbent core 8c in this modified example have a low basis weight and are prone to losing their shape, but by covering not only the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 but also the side surfaces and a portion of the skin-facing side with the backsheet 6 in this way, it is possible to prevent the shape from being lost.

[0086] Furthermore, in this modification, the top sheet 9 provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8 also covers the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 and extends to both widthwise ends of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. The top sheet 9 is bonded to the side sheets 10L, 10R with a hot melt adhesive HM. The side sheets 10L, 10R also cover the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 and extend to both widthwise ends of the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 8. By covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple sheets including the back sheet 6 in this way, it is possible to more effectively prevent the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. Furthermore, covering the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 with multiple sheets improves the feel against the skin and reduces the discomfort felt by the wearer when the side surfaces of the absorbent body 8 come into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0087] Furthermore, in the diaper 1 according to this modification, as shown in FIG. 5(B), a portion of the elastic thread 4F2 forming the tummy gathers 12 is disposed in an area that overlaps the longitudinal end of the absorbent core 8c in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the elastic thread 4F2 is laminated closer to the skin side than the elastic thread 4F2, and the non-skin side of the upper absorbent mat 8a is not bonded to the lower core wrap sheet 7b. This prevents the contractile force of the elastic thread 4F2 from being directly transmitted to the absorbent core 8c. This prevents the absorbent core 8c from shrinking. This prevents the end of the absorbent core 8c from losing its shape. Furthermore, because the non-skin side of the upper absorbent mat 8a is not bonded to the lower core wrap sheet 7b, this prevents the adhesive from hardening the non-adhered portion. Therefore, even when the portion of the cover sheet 4 overlapping the non-adhered portion is touched from the non-skin side, the cover sheet 4 does not lose its softness. In addition, since the hardening of the non-adhesive portion is prevented, it is not necessary to make the portion of the top sheet 9 that overlaps the non-adhesive portion in the thickness direction stand up on the skin side relative to the high basis weight region 21. The non-adhesive portion is not limited to the portion between the non-skin-facing side of the upper-layer absorbent mat 8a and the lower-layer core wrap sheet 7b, but may also be the interlayer portion between the absorbent core 8c and the rubber thread 4F2.

[0088] The embodiments and modifications disclosed above can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1B: Inseam area 1F: Front body area 1R: Back area 2L:Left lower limb opening 2R: Right lower limb opening 2T: Body opening 3BL, 3BR: 3D gathers 3LL, 3LR: Leg gathers 3R: Waist Gather 4: Cover sheet 4F1, 4F2, 4F3, 4R1, 4R2, 4R3: Elastic thread 4F4, 4F5, 4R4, 4R5: Edge 4FF, 4RF: Folded lines 5: Inner cover sheet 6: Back seat 7: Core wrap sheet 8: Absorbent 8a: Upper layer absorbent mat 8b: Lower layer absorbent mat 8c: Absorbent core 8s: Guide hole 9: Top sheet 10L: Side seat 10L1: Elastic thread 10L2: Folding line 10LB: Adhesive area 10R: Side seat 10R1: Elastic thread 10R2: Turn-back line 10RB: Adhesive area 11F, 11R: End seat 21: High weight area 22L: Low basis weight area 22R: Low area 23L, 23R: Narrowest part 25: Non-adhesive area 30L,30R: Non-permeable area HM, HM1, HM2, HM3: adhesive

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a length along a longitudinal direction and a length along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body capable of absorbing liquid excreted by a wearer; A top sheet provided on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body; and three-dimensional gathers provided on the top sheet in an area overlapping with the end portions in the width direction of the absorbent body so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, The absorbent body has an absorbent core capable of absorbing the discharged liquid, The absorbent core has, at the longitudinal end portions, a high basis weight portion in the center portion in the width direction and a low basis weight portion at the width direction end portions, an end portion of the three-dimensional gather in the longitudinal direction is provided in an overlapping portion of the top sheet that overlaps with the low basis weight portion when the absorbent article is viewed in a plan view; Absorbent articles.

2. The longitudinal end of the three-dimensional gather is provided at the end of the overlapping portion in the width direction. The absorbent article of claim 1.

3. A side sheet provided on the skin-facing side of the top sheet in the longitudinal direction and forming the three-dimensional gathers; a first adhesive portion where the overlapping portion and the side sheet are adhered, the first adhesive portion forming an end portion of the standing gather in the longitudinal direction; Further provided with a water-impermeable sheet provided on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body, The absorbent body has a water-permeable sheet covering the absorbent core, the non-permeable sheet extends in the longitudinal direction toward the end of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction, the first adhesive portion extends beyond the longitudinal end of the absorbent core to the longitudinal end of the absorbent body; The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an elastic member extending in the width direction at an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, being provided on a side facing away from the skin than the absorbent core, and overlapping with the absorbent core in the thickness direction; a predetermined layer laminated between the absorbent core and the stretchable member, In the region where the first adhesive portion is provided, the predetermined layers are not adhered to each other. The absorbent article of claim 3.

5. the stretchable member is provided in a region overlapping with the absorbent body in the thickness direction or on an end side of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction so as to stretch in the width direction, The width of the first adhesive portion is narrower than the width of the low basis weight portion. The absorbent article of claim 4.

6. the impermeable sheet is folded back from the non-skin-facing side to the skin-facing side of the absorbent body at the end portion in the width direction of the absorbent body; The absorbent article of claim 3.

7. An end sheet is provided on the skin side of the end of the longitudinal direction of the three-dimensional gather. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The device further includes a second adhesive portion that adheres the end sheet and a sheet-like member on the non-skin-facing side of the end sheet, the second adhesive portions being arranged with a spaced apart portion. The absorbent article of claim 7.

9. The high basis weight portion extends with an equal width in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The absorbent body has a water-permeable sheet that wraps the absorbent core, When worn, the absorbent core in the crotch region rises from a widthwise end thereof toward the skin side. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The absorbent body has a water-permeable sheet that wraps the absorbent core, The absorbent core has a constriction in the width direction in the crotch region, When worn, the narrowest part of the constricted portion of the absorbent core is a folded end, and the outer side of the folded end in the width direction rises. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

12. When worn, the absorbent core rises toward the skin side from the boundary between the high basis weight portion and the low basis weight portion as a starting point. The absorbent article of claim 11.

13. When worn, the outer side of the high basis weight portion of the absorbent core in the width direction is bent toward the skin side. The absorbent article of claim 12.

Images