absorbent articles

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article which can be easily worn, suppress wrinkle and twisting in wearing, and is excellent in leakage prevention.SOLUTION: A napkin 1 being a pad type absorbent article, comprises a flap part 6 extending outward from an outer edge of an absorber 4. The flap part 6 has a pair of side flap parts 6S, 6S. An outer edge of the side flap part 6S has: a forward narrow part 61 located in a front region F; and a rearward narrow part 62 located in a rear region R. A part sandwiched between both the narrow parts 61, 62 on the outer edge of the side flap part 6S has a salient curve line part 63 outward in a lateral direction Y. On a non skin facing surface of the napkin 1, a fastening part 7 fitting the napkin 1 to clothing of the wearer, is provided. The fastening part 7 is provided in a region overlapping the absorber 4 in plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that is worn in the crotch area and used to absorb body exudates. [Background technology]

[0002] Known absorbent articles for women, typified by sanitary napkins, include an absorbent body that absorbs and retains excrement such as menstrual blood, and a flap portion that extends outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forms the outline of the absorbent article, with a fastening portion on the non-skin-facing side (clothing-facing side) for fastening the absorbent article to the wearer's clothing (Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] The absorbent articles described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have wing sections in which parts of the flap sections, including the vertical center section of the sections (side flap sections) located on both sides of the absorbent body, extend outward in the horizontal direction farther than the peripheral sections. The wing sections are used by manually folding them over with the fingers to the non-skin-facing surface (outer surface) of the crotch section when fastening the absorbent article to the skin-facing surface (inner surface) of the crotch section of clothing such as shorts, Occasionally When it is turned over, the clothes In the crotch area A fastening part is arranged on the surface facing the non-skin-facing surface. On the other hand, in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 3, the side flap parts extend outward in the lateral direction by a relatively short distance, and no fastening part is arranged on the side flap parts, so that when worn, the side flap parts extend downward along the wearer's legs without being folded back onto the non-skin-facing surface of the garment (Patent Document 3, paragraph

[0058] ). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-5845 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-96779 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2019 / 26176 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Absorbent articles with wing portions require the wearer to fold the wing portions when putting them around the wearer's crotch, making the putting operation time-consuming. Furthermore, if the wing portions cannot be folded neatly and the absorbent article is put on with wrinkles or creases in the wing portions, the fastening force of the fastening parts arranged on the wing portions is not fully exerted, and the fastening of the wing portions may become undone while the absorbent article is being worn. In addition to these issues with the wing portions, conventional absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins have the problem that unintended deformation such as creases in the absorbent body occurs, especially when worn for a relatively long time, which causes leakage. An absorbent article that solves the above-mentioned issues with the wing portions and absorbent body, is easy to put on, and does not cause the risk of body waste leakage, has not yet been provided.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article that is easy to put on, is less likely to wrinkle or crease during wear, and has excellent leak-proof properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a pad-type absorbent article that has an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, has a vertical direction corresponding to the front-to-back direction of the wearer, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and has an excretory part-facing region that is positioned opposite the wearer's excretory part when worn, a front region that is positioned forward in the vertical direction from the excretory part-facing region, and a rear region that is positioned rearward in the vertical direction from the excretory part-facing region. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the absorbent article comprises a flap portion that extends outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forms the outline of the absorbent article, and the flap portion comprises a pair of side flap portions that are located laterally outward of a pair of imaginary straight lines that extend in the vertical direction through the outermost lateral end of the absorbent body. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, the outer edge of the side flap portion has a front constriction portion located in the front region and a rear constriction portion located in the rear region, and the portion of the outer edge of the side flap portion sandwiched between the two constrictions has a curved portion that convex outward in the lateral direction. In one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, a fastening portion for fastening the absorbent article to the wearer's clothing is arranged on the non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article, and the fastening portion is arranged in an area that overlaps with the absorbent body in a planar view. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention are described below. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an absorbent article is provided which is easy to put on, is less likely to wrinkle or crease during wear, and has excellent leak-proof properties. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the skin-facing side of a sanitary napkin, which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1 (a cross-section taken along the thickness and width directions of the sanitary napkin). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the non-skin-facing side of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sanitary napkin shown in FIG. 1 taken along the thickness direction and the width direction when the sanitary napkin is worn. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual ones.

[0011] 1 to 3 show a sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "napkin 1"), which is one embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention. Napkin 1 has a longitudinal direction X that corresponds to the front-to-back direction of a wearer and extends from the front side (belly side) of the wearer through the crotch area to the rear side (dorsal side), and a lateral direction Y that is perpendicular to longitudinal direction X. In the present invention, "forward in the longitudinal direction" refers to a position forward of a reference position in the longitudinal direction (toward the wearer's ventral side), and "rearward in the longitudinal direction" refers to a position rearward of a reference position in the longitudinal direction (toward the wearer's back side). of Point to the location.

[0012] In this embodiment, the napkin 1 is elongated in the vertical direction X, as shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, the napkin 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to the horizontal center line CLy. The horizontal center line CLy is an imaginary line extending in the vertical direction X, dividing the napkin 1 in the unfolded state as shown in Figures 1 and 3 into two equal parts in the horizontal direction Y.

[0013] The napkin 1 comprises an absorbent body 4 capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids (menstrual blood, urine, feces, sweat, etc.). In addition, the napkin 1 preferably further comprises a liquid-permeable topsheet 2 that can come into contact with the wearer's skin, and a leak-proof backsheet 3. In this case, the absorbent body 4 is disposed between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet 3, as shown in FIG. 2. In the napkin 1, the topsheet 2 covers the entire skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4, and the backsheet 3 covers the entire non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4. Both sheets 2 and 3 can be made of any material commonly used in this type of absorbent article, without any particular restrictions. The topsheet 2 can be made of any liquid-permeable sheet, such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, or paper. The back sheet 3 may be a leakproof sheet, specifically a liquid-impermeable sheet (a sheet that does not allow liquid to pass through at all) or a sheet that is difficult to liquid-permeable (a sheet that is not liquid-impermeable but does allow liquid to pass through with difficulty), for example, a moisture-permeable resin film or a laminate of such a resin film and nonwoven fabric.

[0014] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of side sheets 5, 5 are arranged on both sides of the skin-facing surface of the napkin 1 (the skin-facing surface of the topsheet 2) along the longitudinal direction X. The pair of side sheets 5, 5 are arranged over substantially the entire length of the longitudinal direction X so as to overlap both sides of the absorbent body 4 along the longitudinal direction X in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 2 , of both sides of the side sheet 5 along the longitudinal direction X, the outer portions including the outer edges located on the outer sides in the lateral direction Y are fixed to other members (the backsheet 3 in the illustrated embodiment) to form fixed edges, while the inner portions including the inner edges located on the inner sides in the lateral direction Y are free edges that are not fixed to other members. When the napkin 1 is worn, the free edges of the side sheets 5 rise toward the wearer's skin, thereby preventing the outflow of exudates such as menstrual blood outward in the lateral direction Y. The side sheets 5 can be made of a sheet with the same leak-proof properties as the backsheet 3.

[0015] In the present invention, the "skin-facing side" refers to the side of the absorbent article or its constituent member (e.g., absorbent core 4) that faces the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the outer surface that is relatively closer to the wearer's skin. The "non-skin-facing side" refers to the outer surface of the absorbent article or its constituent member that faces the opposite side to the skin side when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the outer surface that is relatively farther from the wearer's skin. Note that "when worn" here refers to the normal, appropriate wearing position, i.e., a state in which the correct wearing position of the absorbent article is maintained.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the napkin 1 has an excretory area facing region M that is positioned opposite the wearer's excretory area, a front region F that is located forward (toward the ventral side) of the excretory area facing region M in the longitudinal direction X, and a rear region R that is located behind (toward the back) of the excretory area facing region M in the longitudinal direction X.

[0017] In the present invention, the "excretory part-facing region" refers to a region of the absorbent article in the absorber-arranged region (region overlapping with the absorber in a planar view) that includes a region facing the excretory part and that is arranged to face the excretory part. The "excretory part" refers to the site where bodily fluids (menstrual blood, urine, feces, sweat, etc.) of the wearer of the absorbent article are excreted, and is typically the vaginal opening, penis, or anus, depending on the intended use of the absorbent article. The "excretory part-facing region" refers to a region of the absorbent article that overlaps with the excretory part in a planar view when worn. The excretory part-facing region can be, for example, the entire region of the absorber-arranged region of the absorbent article that is aligned vertically with the excretory part-facing region (a region that overlaps with the projected image of the excretory part-facing region when projected horizontally). When the absorbent article is a feminine absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or panty liner, the excretory part-facing region refers to a region that is arranged to face only the vaginal opening when worn.

[0018] The boundary between the front region F and the excretory region M (the front end of the excretory region M in the longitudinal direction X) is typically located rearward from the front longitudinal end 1F of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X by 10 to 40% of the total length of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. Also, the boundary between the rear region R and the excretory region M (the rear end of the excretory region M in the longitudinal direction X) is typically located forward from the rear longitudinal end 1R of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X by 10 to 40% of the total length of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X. Here, the "total length of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X" refers to the length along the longitudinal direction X between the front longitudinal end 1F and the rear longitudinal end 1R of the napkin 1 in its natural state (when no external force is applied).

[0019] The absorbent body 4 includes at least an absorbent core 40. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 40 has a shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction X in a plan view, and its longitudinal direction coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the napkin 1. The absorbent core 40 constitutes the main body of the absorbent body 4 and contains a water-absorbent material, which enables it to absorb and retain body fluids. Examples of the water-absorbent material include water-absorbent fibers and water-absorbent polymers, which can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the water-absorbent fibers include natural fibers such as wood pulp and hydrophilic fibers such as hydrophilic synthetic fibers. Examples of the water-absorbent polymers that can be used include those conventionally used in this type of absorbent body, without particular limitation, and include, for example, polymers or copolymers of acrylic acid or alkali metal acrylates. The absorbent core 40 may be of either a stacked fiber type or a sheet type. The stacked fiber type absorbent core typically comprises an aggregate of fibrous materials such as absorbent fibers, with absorbent polymer particles optionally supported on the aggregate. The stacked fiber type absorbent core can be manufactured by a conventional method using a known stacking device equipped with a rotating drum. On the other hand, the sheet type absorbent core typically comprises a fibrous sheet having absorbent polymer particles fixed to the interior or surface thereof, and is also referred to as an absorbent sheet. Examples of the fibrous sheet include paper and nonwoven fabric. The sheet type absorbent core is thinner and more flexible than the stacked fiber type absorbent core. The sheet type absorbent core may, for example, comprise two opposing fibrous sheets with absorbent polymer particles interposed between them.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the absorbent body 4 includes, in addition to the absorbent core 40, a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 41 that covers the outer surfaces (skin-facing surface and non-skin-facing surface) of the absorbent core 40. The core wrap sheet 41 is used for purposes such as improving the shape retention of the absorbent core 40 and preventing the materials that form the absorbent core 40, such as water-absorbent polymer particles, from falling off, and is typically made of paper, water-permeable nonwoven fabric, or the like. The core wrap sheet 41 may be made of only one sheet, or may be made up of multiple sheets. The absorbent core 40 and the core wrap sheet 41 may be bonded together with an adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive.

[0021] In this embodiment, the absorbent body 4 includes a fiber agglomeration layer 42 mainly made of fiber agglomerations 11 containing non-absorbent fibers in the excretory-facing region M, as shown in Fig. 2. Here, "mainly made of fiber agglomerations" means that the fiber agglomerations 11 account for 90% by mass or more of all the fibers constituting the fiber agglomeration layer 42, preferably 95% by mass or more, and more preferably 100% by mass. The fiber agglomerate layer 42, together with the absorbent core 40, is covered with the core wrap sheet 41. In this embodiment, the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is disposed only over the entire excretory-part-facing region M, and the region where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is disposed is the excretory-part-facing region M. The regions of the absorbent 4 where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is not disposed (portions located in the front region F and rear region R of the absorbent 4) include the absorbent core 40 but not the fiber agglomerate layer 42. Therefore, the regions where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is disposed are thicker and bulkier than the regions where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is not disposed. Due to the difference in thickness of the absorbent 4 caused by the presence or absence of the fiber agglomerate layer 42, the excretory-part-facing region M where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is disposed is raised on the skin-facing side compared to the front region F and rear region R where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is not disposed, forming a so-called central peak.

[0022] The fiber agglomerates 11 are fiber aggregates in which a plurality of non-absorbent fibers are accumulated and integrated into agglomerates, and are present in the absorbent body 4 (fiber agglomerate layer 42) while retaining their shape. Due to the shape of the fiber aggregates, the fiber agglomerates 11 mainly contribute to improving the flexibility, cushioning properties, compression recovery, and shape retention of the absorbent body 4. The non-absorbent fibers constituting the fiber agglomerates 11 are preferably fibers (hydrophobic fibers) with lower hydrophilicity than the absorbent fibers such as cellulosic fibers used as the absorbent material in the absorbent core 40, and specific examples include synthetic fibers mainly made of thermoplastic resin. By including non-absorbent fibers in the fiber agglomerates 11, the properties of the fiber agglomerates 11, such as flexibility, can be fully exhibited even when the fiber agglomerates 11 come into contact with body fluids. The shape of the fiber agglomerates 11 is not particularly limited and may be irregular, but regular shapes such as sheet pieces obtained by cutting a synthetic fiber sheet to a certain size can also be used. Examples of such regular fiber agglomerates include the fiber agglomerates described in JP 2019-063469 A, JP 2019-098157 A, and JP 2020-188918 A, specifically, fiber agglomerates having two opposing basic surfaces and a skeletal surface connecting the two basic surfaces.

[0023] In this embodiment, the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is a region in which the fiber agglomerates 11 are present over the entire length of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y. The fiber agglomerate layer 42 may be configured to contain only the fiber agglomerates 11, or may contain a water-absorbent material in addition to the fiber agglomerates 11. The fiber agglomerate layer 42 containing a water-absorbent material is capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids, thereby improving the absorption performance of the absorbent body 4. Any water-absorbent material that can be used for the fiber agglomerate layer 42 can be used without any particular restrictions as long as it is usable for the absorbent core 40.

[0024] In this embodiment, the fiber agglomerate layer 42 includes fiber agglomerates 11, as shown in FIG. 2 . In the fiber agglomerate layer 42, the fiber agglomerates 11 are entangled with each other, and the fiber agglomerates 11 having the aforementioned "two basic planes and a skeletal plane" are entangled with each other at their basic planes and skeletal planes, forming a three-dimensional entanglement state. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fiber agglomerates 11 and the absorbent fibers 12 are entangled with each other at the interface between the fiber agglomerate layer 42 and the absorbent core 40. This configuration of the fiber agglomerate layer 42 improves the shape retention of the fiber agglomerate layer 42, allowing the absorbent body 4 including the fiber agglomerate layer 42 to deform appropriately and with good compliance to external forces applied from various directions during wear, and furthermore, to have excellent flexibility, cushioning properties, and compression recovery. A napkin 1 including such an absorbent body 4 easily deforms and recovers from external forces, is resistant to wrinkling, and provides an excellent fit to the wearer's body. The term "entanglement" as used herein includes both: (i) a form in which the entangled objects (fiber agglomerates or fiber agglomerates and absorbent fibers) are not fused to each other, but the bonded state is maintained by the entanglement of the constituent fibers of the fiber agglomerates; and (ii) a form in which, in the natural state of the absorbent article (absorbent body) (a state in which no external force is applied), the fiber agglomerates or the fiber agglomerates and absorbent fibers are not bonded to each other, but when an external force is applied to the absorbent article (absorbent body), the fiber agglomerates or the fiber agglomerates and absorbent fibers can be bonded to each other by the entanglement of the constituent fibers.

[0025] In this embodiment, in the excretory part facing region M, as shown in FIG. 2, the skin facing side of the absorbent body 4 consists of an absorbent core 40 mainly composed of absorbent fibers 12 and absorbent polymer particles 13, and does not substantially contain fiber agglomerates 11, whereas the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 4 consists of a fiber agglomerate layer 42 mainly composed of fiber agglomerates 11. More specifically, in this embodiment, in the absorbent 4 in the excretory part-facing region M, the ratio of the mass of fiber clumps to the total mass of fiber clumps and absorbent fibers ("fiber clumps / (fiber clumps+absorbent fibers), hereinafter also referred to as the fiber clump ratio") is lower on the skin-facing side than on the non-skin-facing side. That is, in this embodiment, in the excretory part-facing region M, the skin-facing side of the absorbent 4 has absorbent fibers unevenly distributed and the fiber clump content may be zero, whereas the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent 4 has fiber clumps 11 unevenly distributed and the absorbent fiber content may be zero. In this way, in the absorbent 4 in the excretory part-facing region M, the above-mentioned magnitude relationship of "skin-facing side of absorbent 4 < non-skin-facing side of absorbent 4" is established for the fiber clump ratio, and the action of the absorbent fibers unevenly distributed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent 4 improves the absorbent 4's ability to draw in body fluids (capillary force), thereby improving its liquid absorption, and the action of the fiber clumps 11 unevenly distributed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent 4 can improve the cushioning properties, etc. of the absorbent 4.

[0026] The fiber clump ratio on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4 is preferably 5% by mass or less, more preferably 3% by mass or less, provided that it is lower than that on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4. The fiber clump ratio on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4 is preferably 20% by mass or more, more preferably 40% by mass or more, and preferably 100% by mass, provided that it is higher than that on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body 4. Note that the "skin-facing side of the absorbent body" referred to here refers to the side that includes the skin-facing side when the absorbent body 4 is divided into two equal parts in the thickness direction (the side relatively closer to the wearer's skin), and the "non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body" refers to the opposite side (the side relatively farther from the wearer's skin).

[0027] 1 and 3, the napkin 1 has flap portions 6 that extend outward from the outer edge (periphery) of the absorbent body 4 and form the outline of the napkin 1. The flap portions 6 are areas where the absorbent body 4 is not placed. In this embodiment, the flap portion 6 is composed of members arranged so as to straddle the outer edge of the absorbent body 4 from the inside to the outside, and in the illustrated embodiment, is composed of one or more of the topsheet 2, the backsheet 3, and the sidesheet 5. The multiple members constituting the flap portion 6 are joined to each other by a joining means such as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic fusion. In this embodiment, an end seal portion 60 is formed by fusion-bonding the outer edge portion of the flap portion 6 (the outer edge of the flap portion 6 and its vicinity) all around.

[0028] The flap portion 6 is composed of a pair of side flap portions 6S, 6S located outward from the reference in the horizontal direction Y of a pair of imaginary straight lines VL, VL that pass through the outermost end of the absorbent body 4 in the horizontal direction Y and extend in the vertical direction X, a front flap portion 6F located inward from the reference in the horizontal direction Y and in a front region F, and a rear flap portion 6R located inward from the reference in the horizontal direction Y and in a rear region R. The "laterally outermost end of the absorbent body" is the part located furthest outward in the lateral direction Y on each of the sides of the absorbent body 4 in the lateral direction Y, and in this embodiment, it is a pair of side edges 4S, 4S along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 4. The side flap portions 6S are required to be positioned outward in the lateral direction Y from the imaginary line VL, and furthermore, the absorbent body 4 is required to be positioned inside the side flap portions 6S in the lateral direction Y. In other words, the side flap portions according to the present invention overlap with the projected image of the absorbent body in the lateral direction.

[0029] The napkin 1 is a pad-type absorbent article. In the present invention, the term "pad-type absorbent article" refers to an absorbent article that can be placed on the inner surface of clothing such as shorts, and does not include absorbent articles that can be used alone, such as diapers. The napkin 1 of this embodiment does not have wing portions. As described above, the "wing portions" are areas that are manually folded over with the fingers toward the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion when fastening the absorbent article to the skin-facing side of the crotch portion of clothing such as shorts. Typically, in the case of the napkin 1, these are portions of the side flaps 6S located in the excretory region M that extend farther outward in the lateral direction Y than the surrounding area. Furthermore, the wing portions typically have a fastening portion, such as an adhesive, that is used to fasten the wing portions to the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion of the clothing when the wing portions are folded over to the non-skin-facing side of the crotch portion. The napkin 1 does not have any portions such as wings that can be folded back by manual manipulation using fingers onto the non-skin-facing side of the garment when worn.

[0030] In the napkin 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, one of the outer edges of the side flap portion 6S is Department , a curved portion that is convex outward in the lateral direction Y 63 The side flap portions 6S extend outward in the lateral direction Y beyond the peripheral portions, but unlike the wing portions, the side flap portions 6S are not folded back toward the non-skin-facing side of the clothing by manual manipulation using fingers when fastening the napkin 1 to the clothing, and are therefore clearly distinguishable from the wing portions. In the napkin 1, the distance G1 (see FIG. 1) in the horizontal direction Y between the outer edge (side edge along the vertical direction X) of the side flap portion 6S and the absorbent body 4 is typically a maximum of about 35 mm. In contrast, in absorbent articles with wing portions, the horizontal length of the wing portions, i.e., the distance between the tip (outermost end in the horizontal direction) of the wing portions and the absorbent body, usually significantly exceeds the typical maximum value of 35 mm for the distance G1, in order to facilitate the manual folding operation of the wing portions using fingers.

[0031] One of the main features of the napkin 1 is its outer shape, and in particular the outer shape of the side flap portions 6S that form the outline of the napkin 1 along the longitudinal direction X. That is, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the outer edges of the side flap portions 6S, more specifically, the side edges of the side flap portions 6S along the longitudinal direction X, have a front constricted portion 61 located in the front region F and a rear constricted portion 62 located in the rear region R, and the portion sandwiched between the two constricted portions 61, 62 has a curved portion 63 that is convex outward in the transverse direction Y.

[0032] In this embodiment, the constricted portions 61, 62 and the curved portion 63 are arranged as a pair on both sides in the horizontal direction Y with respect to the horizontal center line CLy. The curved portion 63 extends over the entire length of the excretory-facing region M in the vertical direction X. There is no inflection point in the portion sandwiched between the constricted portions 61, 62 at the outer edge of the side flap portion 6S. Both the constricted portions 61, 62 are curved inward in the horizontal direction Y and are configured as curves. In the present invention, either or both of the constricted portions 61, 62 may be bent inward in the horizontal direction Y and configured as straight lines.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, a fastening part 7 for fastening the napkin 1 to the wearer's clothing is arranged on the non-skin-facing surface of the napkin 1. As the fastening part 7, any conventional means for fastening this type of absorbent article to clothing such as shorts can be used without any particular limitation, and for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a pressure-sensitive adhesive, etc. can be used. Another main feature of the napkin 1 of this embodiment is that the fastening portion 7 is arranged in an area that overlaps with the absorbent body 4 in a planar view, and is not arranged in the flap portion 6 (side flap portion 6S, front flap portion 6F, and rear flap portion 6R).

[0034] The napkin 1 having the above-mentioned characteristics can be easily put on because it does not have the complicated putting-on operation that is a problem specific to absorbent articles that have normal wing portions, specifically wing portions that have fastening parts and are fixed to the non-skin-facing side of clothing such as shorts. That is, when putting the napkin 1 on the wearer's crotch area, the wearer usually first puts the shorts on both legs, and before fitting the shorts to the crotch area, fastens the napkin 1 to the skin-facing side (inner surface) of the crotch part of the shorts via the fastening parts 7, and then pulls the shorts toward the crotch area to put the napkin 1 on the crotch area. FIG. 4 shows the napkin 1 in this state, attached to the skin-facing surface of the crotch region 21 of the shorts 20 via the fastening portion 7, with portions of the side flaps 6S (the curved portions 63 and their vicinity) naturally folded along the side edges of the crotch region 21 toward the opposite side from the crotch region and positioned along the wearer's thighs 30. The folded portions of the side flaps 6S in this worn state can prevent the napkin 1 from shifting from its proper position while being worn, improve the napkin 1's fit to the wearer's body, and prevent bodily waste leakage. The napkin 1 reduces the burden of manually folding the side flaps 6S, which is required with wing portions. This convenient function is largely due to the action of the two constricted portions 61, 62 provided on the outer edges of the side flaps 6S. In other words, the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62 are arranged at a distance from each other on the outer edge of the side flap portion 6S with the curved portion 63 in between, so that the curved portion 63 of the side flap portion 6S and its vicinity are easily deformed when subjected to an external force. Therefore, once the napkin 1 is fastened at an appropriate fastening position in the crotch portion 21 so that the curved portion 63 and its vicinity extend from the side edge of the crotch portion 21, all that is required is to pull the shorts 20 toward the crotch, and the curved portion 63 extending from the side edge of the crotch portion 21 and its vicinity will be easily deformed by the external force acting through the wearer's legs (thighs).

[0035] Furthermore, the napkin 1 does not have any fastening parts on the side flap portions 6S. If the side flap portions 6S had fastening parts, for example, there is a risk of problems occurring, such as the side flap portions 6S being unintentionally bent when fastening the napkin 1 to the crotch area of ​​shorts, causing parts of the folded and overlapping side flap portions 6S to adhere to each other via the fastening parts. However, since the napkin 1 does not have fastening parts on the side flap portions 6S, such problems do not occur, and the napkin 1 is easy to handle, which also contributes to the ease of putting on the napkin.

[0036] Furthermore, the distinctive outer shape of the side flap portions 6S not only simplifies the putting on of the napkin 1 but also prevents deformation that can cause discomfort, such as sagging, while wearing the napkin 1, thereby contributing to improved fit and leak prevention. Conventional shorts, which are typically fastened to the napkin 1, are generally designed to increase in width from the crotch area toward the front and back, with the leg holes designed to have a particularly large curvature from the boundary between the crotch area and the front body toward the back body. Fastening the napkin 1 in the proper position in the crotch area of ​​such shorts allows the two constrictions 61, 62 on the outer edges of the side flap portions 6S to be aligned with the leg holes of the shorts, thereby cushioning sagging of the side flap portions 6S due to the wearer's movements in the front and back body of the shorts. As a result, the napkin 1 is prevented from shifting from its proper position while being worn, and the excretory-facing region M of the napkin 1 closely conforms to the wearer's body, preventing leakage of body exudates.

[0037] 2, the absorbent body 4 is provided in the excretory part-facing region M with a fiber agglomerate layer 42 mainly made of fiber agglomerates 11 that are excellent in flexibility, cushioning, etc., and therefore even if the side flap portions 6S become twisted while the napkin 1 is being worn, the twisting of the side flap portions 6S is unlikely to spread to the region where the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is disposed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the twisting prevention effect of the side flap portions 6S by the two constrictions 61, 62 and the twisting prevention effect of the absorbent body 4 by the fiber agglomerate layer 42 work together to more reliably prevent deformation that would cause discomfort when the napkin 1 is worn, and as a result, leak prevention properties can be further improved.

[0038] The fiber agglomerate layer 42 is preferably present only in the region located between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X. The region of the napkin 1 between the two constricted portions 61, 62 includes the excretory-facing region M, and is a region where the fit and wearing comfort of the napkin 1 are particularly important. Therefore, by disposing the fiber agglomerate layer 42, which has excellent flexibility, in this region, it is possible to further improve these important properties. On the other hand, even if the fiber agglomerate layer 42 is located forward of the front constricted portion 61 in the longitudinal direction X or behind the rear constricted portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X, the effects of the fiber agglomerate layer 42 cannot be fully enjoyed, and there is little point in using the fiber agglomerate layer 42.

[0039] From the viewpoint of ensuring the aforementioned functional effects of the side flap portions 6S, it is preferable that there is a portion in the excretory-compartment-facing region M where the distance G1 (see FIG. 1) in the transverse direction Y between the outer edge (side edge along the longitudinal direction X) of the side flap portions 6S and the absorbent body 4 is maximum. Furthermore, this maximum distance G1max is preferably 10 mm or more, more preferably 20 mm or more, and preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less. The portion having the maximum distance G1max is typically a portion having the curved portion 63 sandwiched between the two constricted portions 61, 62 of the side flap portions 6S. By positioning this portion in the excretory-compartment-facing region M and having the maximum distance G1max from the absorbent body 4 within the above range, the curved portion 63 and its vicinity extending from the side edge of the crotch portion of the shorts will be more likely to deform to fit the wearer's thighs when the napkin 1 is worn, and unintended deformation of the napkin 1, such as wrinkling or creases, can be more effectively prevented during wear.

[0040] In order to ensure the above-mentioned effects of the side flap portions 6S, it is preferable to set the dimensions of each portion of the napkin 1 as follows. The front constricted portion 61 is preferably positioned at a position rearward in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal front end 1F of the napkin 1, preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm, and preferably within 150 mm, more preferably within 140 mm. The rear constricted portion 62 is preferably positioned at a position forward in the longitudinal direction X from the longitudinal rear end 1R of the napkin 1, preferably at least 100 mm, more preferably at least 120 mm, and preferably within 350 mm, more preferably within 330 mm. The distance G2 (see FIG. 1) between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 40 mm or more, more preferably 60 mm or more, and is preferably 250 mm or less, more preferably 230 mm or less. The maximum length (maximum width) of the napkin 1 in the lateral direction Y is preferably 60 mm or more, more preferably 80 mm or more, and preferably 200 mm or less, more preferably 180 mm or less. The portion of the napkin 1 having the maximum width is typically located in the excretory region M, which in the illustrated embodiment is the portion where the apex of the convex curved portion 63 of the side flap portion 6S is located. The total length of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction X is preferably 100 mm or more, more preferably 140 mm or more, and preferably 450 mm or less, more preferably 420 mm or less.

[0041] The length (width) in the transverse direction Y of the absorbent body 4 is preferably shorter at a portion of the absorbent body 4 that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the front constricted portion 61 than at a portion of the absorbent body 4 that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the rear constricted portion 62. In Fig. 1, symbol W1 indicates the width of the former, and symbol W2 indicates the width of the latter, and it is preferable that the relationship of width W1 < width W2 holds. In addition to the establishment of the above-mentioned magnitude relationship, it is also preferable that the distance G1 in the lateral direction Y between the outer edge of the side flap portion 6S and the absorbent body 4 is approximately the same in the portion where the front constricted portion 61 is located and the portion where the rear constricted portion 62 is located. Here, "approximately the same distance G1" means that the absolute value of the difference between the distance G1 at the portion where the front constricted portion 61 is located and the distance G1 at the portion where the rear constricted portion 62 is located is within 3 mm, and preferably within 1 mm. Typical underwear to which the napkin 1 is to be fastened generally has a greater curvature of the leg hole from the crotch to the front body than that from the crotch to the back body. For example, when the wearer is in a sitting position, the pressure exerted by the wearer's thighs tends to be greater on the front body side than on the back body side of the underwear. Therefore, in the napkin 1 fastened to the underwear, an external force due to the movement of the wearer's body is particularly likely to be applied to the front region F, and unintended deformations such as sagging and wrinkles are likely to occur in the front region F. On the other hand, as described above, the relationship of W1 < W2 holds for the widths of the absorber 4, and the interval G1 is substantially the same between the portions where the both-side constricted portions 61 and 62 are located. Thus, around the region (excretion portion facing region M) extending from the front constricted portion 61 to the back constricted portion 62, unintended deformations such as sagging and wrinkles are less likely to occur in both the side flap portion 6S and the absorber 4.

[0042] On the premise that W1 < W2, the ratio of the width W1 to the width W2 of the absorber 4 is expressed as W1 / W2, and is preferably 0.50 or more, more preferably 0.60 or more, and preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.90 or less. On the premise that the width W1 (see FIG. 1) of the portion of the absorber 4 that is in the same position as the front constricted portion 61 in the vertical direction X is shorter than the width W2, it is preferably 37 mm or more, more preferably 47 mm or more, and preferably 90 mm or less, more preferably 80 mm or less. On the premise that the width W2 (see FIG. 1) of the portion of the absorber 4 that is in the same position as the back constricted portion 62 in the vertical direction X is longer than the width W1, it is preferably 40 mm or more, more preferably 50 mm or more, and preferably 90 mm or less, more preferably 85 mm or less. The interval G1 in the lateral direction Y between the front constricted portion 61 or the back constricted portion 62 and the absorber 4 is preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more, and preferably 35 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or less.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the fastening parts 7 are arranged in a plurality of strips extending in the horizontal direction Y and spaced apart in the vertical direction X in the region overlapping with the absorbent 4 in a plan view (absorbent body arrangement region). From the viewpoint of ensuring the fastening force of the napkin 1 to clothing such as shorts while ensuring good conformability of the napkin 1 to the wearer's body and providing a good wearing comfort, it is preferable that the length (width) in the horizontal direction Y of the fastening parts 7 in at least a part of both the front region F and the rear region R is shorter than the length (width) in the horizontal direction Y of the fastening parts 7 in the excretory part facing region M. In this embodiment, the width W of the fastening parts 7 in both a part of the front region F (a front tapered portion 46 described later) and a part of the rear region R (a rear tapered portion 45 described later) 5 ,W 3 is shorter than the width W4 of the fastening part 7 in the region M facing the excretory part.

[0044] 3, the absorbent body 4 has a rear tapered portion 45, which is located rearward of the rear constricted portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X and whose length (width) in the transverse direction Y of the absorbent body 4 gradually decreases toward the longitudinal rear end 4R of the absorbent body 4. The fastening parts 7 arranged in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion 45 in a plan view have a shorter length (width) in the transverse direction Y than the fastening parts 7 arranged in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62. In the drawing, symbol W3 indicates the width of the former, and symbol W4 indicates the width of the latter, and in this embodiment, the size relationship of width W3<width W4 holds. In particular, when the wearer of the napkin 1 remains in a sitting position for a long period of time, body pressure is likely to be applied to the rear region R of the napkin 1, making it prone to unintended deformation such as sagging in the rear region R. However, the rear tapered portion 45 reduces the area on which body pressure from the wearer's buttocks is applied, and the width of the fastening portion 7 in relation to the rear region R satisfies the aforementioned relationship of width W3 < width W4, thereby more reliably preventing sagging or shifting in the rear region R while the napkin 1 is being worn.

[0045] 3, in this embodiment, the fastening part 7 located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the rear constricted part 62 has a longer length (width) in the transverse direction Y than the fastening part 7 located in the region overlapping with the rear tapered part 45 in a plan view. That is, the width W4 of the former is greater than the width W3 of the latter. This further improves the fastening force of the napkin 1 to clothing such as shorts, particularly in the rear region R, and more reliably prevents the rear region R from twisting or shifting while being worn.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the absorbent body 4 has a front tapered portion 46, which is located forward of the front constricted portion 61 in the longitudinal direction X and in which the length (width) of the absorbent body 4 in the transverse direction Y gradually decreases toward the longitudinal front end 4F of the absorbent body 4. The fastening part 7 arranged in the area overlapping with the front tapered portion 46 in a plan view has a shorter length (width) in the transverse direction than the fastening part 7 arranged in the area sandwiched between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62. In the figure, symbol W5 indicates the width of the former, and symbol W4 indicates the width of the latter, and in this embodiment, the relationship of width W5<width W4 holds. In this way, the front tapered portion 46 prevents pressure from being applied to the front region F even when the wearer twists their thighs. hard Furthermore, since the width of the fastening part 7 in relation to the front region F satisfies the width W5<width W4, twisting or shifting of the front region F during wear can be more reliably prevented.

[0047] 3, the fastening part 7 located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the front constricted part 61 has a longer length (width) in the transverse direction Y than the fastening part 7 located in the region overlapping with the front tapered part 46 in a plan view. That is, the width W4 of the former is greater than the width W5 of the latter. This further improves the fastening force of the napkin 1 to clothing such as shorts, particularly in the front region F, and more reliably prevents the front region F from twisting or shifting while being worn.

[0048] In this embodiment, a plurality of fastening portions 7 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion 45 in a plan view, and the widths W3 of these plurality of fastening portions are the same as each other. Also, a plurality of fastening portions 7 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62, and the widths W4 of these plurality of fastening portions are the same as each other. Further, a plurality of fastening portions 7 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction X in a region overlapping with the front tapered portion 46 in a plan view, and the widths W5 of these plurality of fastening portions are the same as each other. In addition, when the widths W3 of the plurality of fastening portions 7 arranged in the region overlapping with the rear tapered portion 45 in a plan view are different from each other, the maximum value among those plurality of widths W3 is taken as the width W3 of the fastening portion 7 arranged in that region. Also, when the widths W4 of the plurality of fastening portions 7 arranged in the region sandwiched between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62 are different from each other, the maximum value among those plurality of widths W4 is taken as the width W4 of the fastening portion 7 arranged in that region. Further, when the widths W5 of the plurality of fastening portions 7 arranged in the region overlapping with the front tapered portion 46 in a plan view are different from each other, the maximum value among those plurality of widths W5 is taken as the width W5 of the fastening portion 7 arranged in that region.

[0049] The ratio of the width W3 to the width W4 of the fastening portion 7, on the premise that W3 < W4, is W3 / W4, preferably 0.3 or more, more preferably 0.5 or more, and preferably 0.9 or less, more preferably 0.8 or less. The ratio of the width W5 to the width W4 of the fastening portion 7, on the premise that W5 < W4, is W5 / W4, preferably 0.5 or more, more preferably 0.6 or more, and preferably 0.95 or less, more preferably 0.90 or less. [[ID=I0]]The width W4 (see FIG. 3) of the fastening portion 7 arranged in the region sandwiched between the front constricted portion 61 and the rear constricted portion 62 is preferably 40 mm or more, more preferably 50 mm or more, and preferably 80 mm or less, more preferably 70 mm or less, on the premise that it is not more than the width (length in the lateral direction Y) of the absorber 4.

[0050] 1 and 3, the outer edges of the flap portions 6 (side flap portions 6S, front flap portions 6F, and rear flap portions 6R) have a front convex portion 64 located forward of the front constricted portion 61 in the longitudinal direction X, connected to the front constricted portion 61, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body 4, and a rear convex portion 65 located rearward of the rear constricted portion 62 in the longitudinal direction X, connected to the rear constricted portion 62, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body 4. The portion of the outer edge of the flap portion 6 extending from the rear constricted portion 65 to the rear constricted portion 62 has a larger radius of curvature than the portion of the outer edge of the flap portion 6 extending from the front constricted portion 64 to the front constricted portion 61. That is, in this embodiment, in the portion extending from the rear convex portion 65 to the rear constricted portion 62, the outer edge of the flap portion 6 bends relatively gently toward the inside of the napkin 1 (the curvature is relatively small), whereas in the portion extending from the front convex portion 64 to the front constricted portion 61, the bending is relatively sharp (the curvature is relatively large). Such a configuration of the outer edge of the flap portion 6 more reliably prevents the napkin 1 from sagging or shifting while being worn. In particular, because the radius of curvature of the portion extending from the rear convex portion 65 to the rear constricted portion 62 is relatively large, even if sagging occurs in the rear region R as a result of, for example, the wearer of the napkin 1 sitting for a long period of time, the sagging of the rear region R is unlikely to spread to the front region F. Furthermore, because the radius of curvature of the portion extending from the front convex portion 64 to the front constricted portion 61 is relatively small, the front region F fits more easily to the abdominal region of the wearer than the excretory region such as the vaginal opening, making sagging and wrinkling less likely to occur.

[0051] The present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. For example, the skin-facing surface of the napkin 1 may have a recess formed by the topsheet 2 and absorber 4 forming the skin-facing surface being recessed integrally toward the non-skin-facing surface (backsheet 3). In this case, the recess may include linear vertical recesses extending in the longitudinal direction X and / or linear horizontal recesses extending in the lateral direction Y. The absorbent article of the present invention includes articles used to absorb body fluids discharged from the human body (menstrual blood, urine, loose stool, sweat, etc.), and is not limited to the sanitary napkins mentioned above.

[0052] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment of the present invention. <1> A pad-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of a wearer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and having an excretory part facing region that is disposed to face the excretory part of the wearer when worn, a front region that is disposed forward of the excretory part facing region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region that is disposed rearward of the excretory part facing region in the longitudinal direction, a flap portion extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forming an outline of the absorbent article, the flap portion comprising a pair of side flap portions positioned outward in the lateral direction from a pair of imaginary straight lines that pass through the outermost end of the absorbent body in the lateral direction and extend in the longitudinal direction as references, an outer edge of the side flap portion has a front constricted portion located in the front region and a rear constricted portion located in the rear region, and a portion of the outer edge of the side flap portion sandwiched between the two constricted portions has a curved portion that convex outward in the lateral direction; An absorbent article, wherein a fastening portion for fastening the absorbent article to a wearer's clothing is arranged on a non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article, and the fastening portion is arranged in an area that overlaps with the absorbent body in a planar view. <2> The fastening portion is not disposed on the flap portion. <1> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <3> The absorbent article does not include wings. <1> or <2> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <4> In the excretory part-facing region, there is a portion where the distance (G1) in the lateral direction between the outer edge of the side flap portion and the absorber is maximum, and the maximum distance is 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less. <1> ~ <3> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <5> The maximum spacing is 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less, preferably 20 mm or more and 30 mm or less. <4> The absorbent article according to claim 1.

[0053] <6> a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position as the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction has a shorter length in the lateral direction than a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position as the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction; The difference in the lateral distance between the outer edge of the side flap portion and the absorbent body between the portion where the front constricted portion is located and the portion where the rear constricted portion is located is within 3 mm. <1> ~ <5> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <7> the ratio W1 / W2 of the length in the lateral direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction as the front constricted portion to the length in the lateral direction of a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction as the rear constricted portion is 0.50 or more and 0.95 or less, preferably 0.60 or more and 0.90 or less; <6> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <8> the absorbent body has a rear tapered portion, which is located rearward of the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction and in which the length of the absorbent body in the lateral direction gradually decreases toward a rear end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion in a plan view has a shorter length in the lateral direction than the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion; <1> ~ <7> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <9> a ratio, W3 / W4, of a length (W3) in the lateral direction of the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion in a plan view to a length (W4) in the lateral direction of the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion is 0.3 or more and 0.9 or less, preferably 0.5 or more and 0.8 or less; <8> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <10> the fastening portion located at the same position as the rear constricted portion in the vertical direction has a longer length in the horizontal direction than the fastening portion located in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion in a plan view; <8> or <9> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <11> the absorbent body has a front tapered portion, located forward of the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, in which the length of the absorbent body in the lateral direction gradually decreases toward a front end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the front tapered portion in a plan view has a shorter length in the lateral direction than the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion; <1> ~ <10> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <12> a ratio, W5 / W4, of a lateral length (W5) of the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the front tapered portion in a plan view to a lateral length (W4) of the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion is 0.5 or more and 0.95 or less, preferably 0.6 or more and 0.90 or less; <11> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <13> the fastening portion located at the same position as the front constricted portion in the vertical direction has a longer length in the horizontal direction than the fastening portion located in a region overlapping with the front tapered portion in a plan view; <11> or <12> The absorbent article according to claim 1.

[0054] <14> an outer edge of the flap portion has a front convex portion located forward of the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, connected to the front constricted portion, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body; and a rear convex portion located rearward of the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, connected to the rear constricted portion, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body; a portion of the outer edge of the flap portion extending from the rear convex portion to the rear constricted portion has a larger radius of curvature than a portion of the outer edge of the flap portion extending from the front convex portion to the front constricted portion; <1> ~ <13> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <15> The absorbent body has a fiber agglomeration layer in the excretory region, the fiber agglomeration layer being mainly made of fiber agglomerations containing non-absorbent fibers. <1> ~ <14> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. <16> the fiber mass layer is present only in a region located between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction; <15> The absorbent article according to claim 1. <17> the fastening portion is arranged in a plurality of stripes extending in the horizontal direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction in an area overlapping with the absorbent body in a plan view, a lateral length of the fastening portion in at least a part of each of the front region and the rear region is shorter than a lateral length of the fastening portion in the excretory region; <1> ~ <16> 10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the absorbent article is a suction cup. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Sanitary napkins (absorbent articles) 1F: Front edge of the sanitary napkin (front edge of the flap) 1R: The rear end of the sanitary napkin (the rear end of the flap) 2 Surface sheet 3 Back sheet 4. Absorbent 40 absorbent core 41 Core Wrap Sheet 42 Fiber mass layer 45 Rear tapered section 46 forward tapered section 5 Side seats 6 Flap section 6S Side flap 61 Front constriction 62 Rear constriction 63 Curved section 64 Front convex part 65 Rear convex part 7 Fastening part 11 Fiber mass 12 Absorbent fibers F Anterior area M Excretory area facing area R Rear area X vertical direction Y horizontal direction

Claims

1. A pad-type absorbent article comprising an absorbent body capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, having a longitudinal direction corresponding to the front-to-rear direction of a wearer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and having an excretory part facing region that is disposed opposite the vaginal opening of the wearer when worn, a front region that is disposed forward of the excretory part facing region in the longitudinal direction, and a rear region that is disposed rearward of the excretory part facing region in the longitudinal direction, a flap portion extending outward from the outer edge of the absorbent body and forming an outline of the absorbent article, the flap portion comprising a pair of side flap portions positioned outward in the lateral direction from a pair of imaginary straight lines that pass through the outermost end of the absorbent body in the lateral direction and extend in the longitudinal direction as references, an outer edge of the side flap portion has a front constricted portion located in the front region and a rear constricted portion located in the rear region, and a portion of the outer edge of the side flap portion sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion has one curved portion that convex outward in the lateral direction; the absorbent article does not include wing portions, and the wing portions are portions that are manually folded back by fingers toward the non-skin-facing surface of the crotch portion when fastening the absorbent article to the skin-facing surface of the crotch portion of clothing, a fastening portion for fastening the absorbent article to a wearer's clothing is arranged on a non-skin-facing surface of the absorbent article in a region overlapping with the absorbent body in a plan view, The fastening portion is not provided on the side flap portion, The absorbent article is a sanitary napkin or a panty liner.

2. 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the excretory region has a portion where the lateral distance between the outer edge of the side flap portion and the absorbent body is maximum, and the maximum distance is 10 mm or more and 35 mm or less.

3. a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position as the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction has a shorter length in the lateral direction than a portion of the absorbent body that is at the same position as the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction; 3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the difference in the lateral distance between the outer edges of the side flap portions and the absorbent body between the portion where the front constriction portion is located and the portion where the rear constriction portion is located is within 3 mm.

4. the absorbent body has a rear tapered portion, which is located rearward of the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction and in which the length of the absorbent body in the lateral direction gradually decreases toward a rear end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the rear tapered portion in a plan view has a shorter length in the lateral direction than the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastening portion is arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the horizontal direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction in an area overlapping the absorbent body in a planar view.

5. the absorbent body has a front tapered portion, located forward of the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, in which the length of the absorbent body in the lateral direction gradually decreases toward a front end of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the fastening portion disposed in a region overlapping with the front tapered portion in a plan view has a shorter length in the lateral direction than the fastening portion disposed in a region sandwiched between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening portion is arranged in a plurality of rows extending in the horizontal direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction in an area overlapping the absorbent body in a planar view.

6. an outer edge of the flap portion has a front convex portion located forward of the front constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, connected to the front constricted portion, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body; and a rear convex portion located rearward of the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction, connected to the rear constricted portion, and protruding in a direction away from the absorbent body; An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the portion of the outer edge of the flap portion extending from the rear convex portion to the rear constricted portion has a larger radius of curvature than the portion of the outer edge of the flap portion extending from the front convex portion to the front constricted portion.

7. 7. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorber comprises, in the excretory-part-facing region, a fiber agglomeration layer mainly made of fiber agglomerations containing non-absorbent fibers.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 7 , wherein the fiber mass layer is present only in a region located between the front constricted portion and the rear constricted portion in the longitudinal direction.

9. the fastening portion is arranged in a region overlapping with the absorbent body in a plan view, in a plurality of stripes extending in the horizontal direction and spaced apart in the vertical direction, An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lateral length of the fastening portion in at least a portion of both the front region and the rear region is shorter than the lateral length of the fastening portion in the excretory region facing region.

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