Absorbent articles

Abstract

To achieve both thinning of an absorber and improvement of air permeability.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, an absorbent article has a longitudinal direction combining an abdominal side and a back side of a wearer and a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article is provided with: an absorber including one or more first embossed parts including a surface projection protruding to a skin surface side of the wearer and a back surface recess recessed on the skin surface side; and a second embossed part including a surface recess recessed on a non-skin surface side of the wearer and a back surface projection protruding to the non-skin surface side. The back surface recess of the first embossed part and the surface recess of the second embossed part are formed so as to be displaced for each other when seen from the skin surface side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to absorbent articles.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins are widely used. This type of absorbent article includes an absorber that absorbs body fluids of the wearer, such as urine and blood. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a disposable diaper having an absorber. On the absorption surface of the absorber of this disposable diaper, lattice-shaped grooves that are recessed from the skin side of the wearer toward the non-skin side are formed. By forming grooves on the absorption surface of the absorber, a gap is formed between the skin surface of the wearer and the absorption surface of the absorber, enhancing the breathability of the disposable diaper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to enhance the breathability of an absorbent article, it is necessary to increase the gap between the skin surface of the wearer and the absorber. To form deep grooves in the absorber to increase the gap, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the absorber. However, increasing the thickness of the absorber increases the rigidity of the absorber, impairing the wearing comfort of the absorbent article. On the other hand, in order to improve the wearing comfort of the absorbent article, if the absorber is thinned, the depth of the gap that can be formed in the absorber decreases, impairing the breathability.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide an absorbent article that can achieve both thinning of the absorber and improvement of breathability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one embodiment, an absorbent article is provided having a longitudinal direction connecting the wearer's ventral and dorsal sides, and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This absorbent article comprises an absorbent body including one or more first embossed portions including surface convex portions protruding toward the wearer's skin side and back concave portions recessed toward the skin side, and a second embossed portion including surface concave portions recessed toward the non-skin side of the wearer and back convex portions protruding toward the non-skin side. When viewed from the skin side, the back concave portions of the first embossed portion and the surface concave portions of the second embossed portion are formed at offset positions from each other.

[0007] In the absorbent article according to the above embodiment, the surface convex portion of the first embossed portion protrudes toward the skin side, and the surface concave portion of the second embossed portion is recessed toward the non-skin side. Therefore, the height of the surface convex portion of the first embossed portion can be increased relative to the surface concave portion of the second embossed portion. Consequently, a large gap can be formed between the wearer's skin and the surface concave portion of the second embossed portion without increasing the thickness of the absorbent material. Thus, the absorbent article according to this embodiment can achieve both a thinner absorbent material and improved breathability.

[0008] In one embodiment, the recess on the back surface of the first embossed portion may be positioned on the non-skin side than the recess on the front surface of the second embossed portion. In this embodiment, the absorbent material can be made thinner.

[0009] In one embodiment, the recess on the back surface of the first embossed portion may be positioned closer to the skin than the recess on the front surface of the second embossed portion. In this embodiment, the voids formed on the surface of the absorbent can be made larger, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0010] In one embodiment, the absorbent material includes a plurality of first embossed portions, which may be arranged with spacing between them in the width direction. By arranging the plurality of first embossed portions with spacing between them in the width direction, air can pass between the plurality of first embossed portions, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0011] In one embodiment, the multiple first embossed portions may be arranged with spacing in the longitudinal direction. By arranging the multiple first embossed portions with spacing in the longitudinal direction, air can pass between the multiple first embossed portions, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second embossed portion may be positioned between a plurality of first embossed portions. By forming the second embossed portion between a plurality of first embossed portions, a deep void is formed between the plurality of first embossed portions, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sum of the areas of the multiple first embossed portions as viewed from the skin side may be greater than the area of ​​the second embossed portion as viewed from the skin side. In this embodiment, the multiple first embossed portions can effectively absorb the wearer's bodily fluids.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second embossed portion is formed along a grid-like pattern when viewed from the skin side, and the multiple first embossed portions may each be formed within the multiple absorbent regions defined by the second embossed portion. By forming the second embossed portion along a grid-like pattern, the wearer's bodily fluids and air can flow in the longitudinal and widthwise directions of the absorbent article, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0015] In one embodiment, the maximum width in the width direction of at least one of the multiple absorption regions may be greater than the maximum width in the longitudinal direction of one of the absorption regions. In this embodiment, since bodily fluids flowing in the longitudinal direction can be effectively absorbed in at least one absorption region, leakage of bodily fluids from the longitudinal ends of the absorbent article can be suppressed.

[0016] In one embodiment, the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer, and each of the multiple absorbent regions of the absorbent material comprises a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region, wherein the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the central region may be lower than the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the peripheral region. Regions with a lower density of superabsorbent polymer are more permeable to air than regions with a higher density of superabsorbent polymer. Therefore, by lowering the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the central region, which is more likely to come into contact with the wearer's skin, the breathability of the absorbent article can be improved.

[0017] In one embodiment, the absorbent material has a first absorbent layer located on the skin side, a second absorbent layer located on the non-skin side, and an intermediate layer located between the first and second absorbent layers, and the first absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer and the intermediate layer may contain a superabsorbent polymer. In this embodiment, since the superabsorbent polymer is dispersed in the first absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer and the intermediate layer, the breathability of the absorbent material can be improved.

[0018] In one embodiment, each of the multiple absorption regions of the absorbent body includes a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region. The absorbent body has a first absorption layer located on the skin side, a second absorption layer located on the non-skin side, and an intermediate layer located between the first and second absorption layers. The first absorption layer, the second absorption layer, and the intermediate layer contain a superabsorbent polymer. The density of the superabsorbent polymer in the intermediate layer of the central region may be higher than the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the intermediate layer of the peripheral region. In this embodiment, since the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the intermediate layer of the peripheral region is relatively low, the breathability of the peripheral region can be improved.

[0019] In one embodiment, the absorbent further comprises a top sheet positioned on the skin-facing side of the absorbent, the top sheet having a plurality of ventilation holes, and at least one of the ventilation holes may overlap the second embossed portion when viewed from the skin-facing side. By positioning the ventilation holes to overlap the second embossed portion, moisture in the voids defined on the skin-facing side of the absorbent by the second embossed portion is released through the ventilation holes, thereby improving the breathability of the absorbent article.

[0020] In one aspect, it further includes a topsheet disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorber, and a plurality of ventilation holes are formed in the topsheet. At least one or more of the plurality of ventilation holes may overlap with the first embossed portion when viewed from the skin-facing side. By arranging the ventilation holes so as to overlap with the first embossed portion when viewed from the skin-facing side, the moisture absorbed by the first embossed portion can be discharged through the ventilation holes, so that the air permeability of the absorbent article can be improved.

[0021] In one aspect, it may further include a cushion sheet provided between the topsheet and the absorber and having a higher rigidity than the topsheet. By arranging a cushion sheet having a high rigidity between the topsheet and the absorber, it becomes difficult for the topsheet to enter the void formed on the skin-facing side of the absorber, and it becomes easier to maintain the volume of the void. Therefore, the air permeability of the absorbent article can be improved.

[0022] In one aspect, at least a part of the cushion sheet may have a tapered shape that narrows in the width direction as it approaches the longitudinal end. By changing the width of the cushion sheet, wrinkles are formed on the topsheet on the cushion sheet, and a void is formed between the topsheet and the absorber. As a result, air flows through the void, and the air permeability of the absorbent article can be improved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to various aspects of the present invention, it is possible to achieve both thinning of the absorber and improvement of air permeability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view schematically showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the absorbent article viewed from the skin-facing side. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the absorbent article viewed from the non-skin-facing side. [Figure 4]Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article along the line IV-IV. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the absorbent material as seen from the skin side. [Figure 6] This is a plan view of the absorbent material as seen from the non-skin side. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorber along the line VII-VII. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing a magnified portion of the absorber. [Figure 9] This is a plan view showing a modified example of the absorber. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the absorbent material. [Figure 11] This diagram schematically shows a modified example of the second embossed section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will not be repeated. The drawings may be simplified or exaggerated in part for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0026] The following describes an absorbent article according to one embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the skin side Z1, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the non-skin side Z2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the line IV-IV in Figure 2. The absorbent article 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a pant-type disposable diaper that absorbs the wearer's urine. Note that the absorbent article 1 is not limited to a pant-type disposable diaper, but may also be a tape-type disposable diaper, a pet disposable diaper, toilet training pants, a sanitary napkin, etc.

[0027] Figures 2 and 3 show the absorbent article 1 in an extended state, after it has been cut at the lateral end 34 of the ventral waist portion 3 and the lateral end 44 of the dorsal waist portion 4, and unfolded to a state where no wrinkles are formed. The skin-facing side Z1 is the side that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article 1 is in use (wearing state), and the non-skin-facing side Z2 is the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when the absorbent article 1 is in use (wearing state) (see Figure 4). The wearer is the person who will wear the absorbent article 1. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships will be described in the extended state.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent article 1 extends in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y when stretched. The longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the absorbent article 1 extends between the ventral and dorsal sides of the wearer when worn. The width direction X is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and is the direction in which the absorbent article 1 extends to the left and right sides of the wearer when worn. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. In the following description, one end of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction Y may be referred to as the ventral side, and the other end in the longitudinal direction Y may be referred to as the dorsal side.

[0029] The absorbent article 1 comprises a ventral waist portion 3, a dorsal waist portion 4, and a main body portion 10. The main body portion 10 has a substantially rectangular planar shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent article 1. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body portion 10 includes a ventral end portion 10a located at one end in the longitudinal direction Y, a dorsal end portion 10b located at the other end in the longitudinal direction Y, and a crotch portion 10c located between the ventral end portion 10a and the dorsal end portion 10b in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0030] The ventral waist portion 3 is joined to the ventral end 10a of the main body portion 10 from the non-skin side Z2. The dorsal waist portion 4 is joined to the dorsal end 10b of the main body portion 10 from the non-skin side Z2. The absorbent article 1 is formed by folding the main body portion 10 in half so that the ventral waist portion 3 and the dorsal waist portion 4 face each other, and welding the side ends 34 in the width direction X of the ventral waist portion 3 and the side ends 44 in the width direction X of the dorsal waist portion 4 together, thereby connecting the ventral waist portion 3 and the dorsal waist portion 4 in a belt-like manner. As a result, the absorbent article 1 is formed into a pant shape, as shown in Figure 1. The pant-shaped absorbent article 1 has a waist opening BH for the wearer's waist and a pair of leg openings LH for the wearer's legs.

[0031] The ventral waist portion 3 has a substantially rectangular planar shape with the width direction X of the absorbent article 1 as its longitudinal direction, and is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 than the ventral end 10a of the main body portion 10. The ventral waist portion 3 includes a skin-side sheet 31 positioned on the skin-side Z1, a non-skin-side sheet 32 ​​positioned on the non-skin-side Z2, and a plurality of expandable members (second expandable members) 33. The skin-side sheet 31 and the non-skin-side sheet 32 ​​are made of, for example, SMS nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, plastic sheet, perforated plastic sheet, or laminates of these nonwoven fabrics, in which spunbond, meltblown, and spunbond are laminated in order. The skin-side sheet 31 and the non-skin-side sheet 32 ​​are joined to each other by an adhesive such as hot melt.

[0032] Multiple stretchable members 33 are arranged with spacing in the longitudinal direction Y between the skin-facing sheet 31 and the non-skin-facing sheet 32. These multiple stretchable members 33 extend between the side ends 34 in the width direction X of the ventral waist portion 3. Therefore, the ventral waist portion 3 stretches in the width direction X while fitting to the wearer's waist. The stretchable members 33 are made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex. As shown in Figure 2, at least some of the multiple stretchable members 33 extend across the absorbent body 13, which will be described later, in the width direction X when viewed from the skin-facing side Z1.

[0033] The back waist portion 4 has a roughly rectangular planar shape that is elongated in the width direction X of the absorbent article 1, and is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 than the back end portion 10b of the main body portion 10. The back waist portion 4 includes a skin-side sheet 41 positioned on the skin-side Z1, a non-skin-side sheet 42 positioned on the non-skin-side Z2, and a plurality of expandable members (second expandable members) 43. The skin-side sheet 41 and the non-skin-side sheet 42 are made of, for example, SMS nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, plastic sheet, perforated plastic sheet, or laminates of these nonwoven fabrics, in which spunbond, meltblown, and spunbond are laminated in order. The skin-side sheet 41 and the non-skin-side sheet 42 are joined to each other by an adhesive such as hot melt.

[0034] Multiple stretchable members 43 are arranged between the skin-facing sheet 41 and the non-skin-facing sheet 42 with a gap in the longitudinal direction Y. These multiple stretchable members 43 extend between the side ends 44 in the width direction X of the back waist portion 4. Therefore, the back waist portion 4 stretches in the width direction X while fitting to the wearer's waist. The stretchable members 43 are made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex. As shown in Figure 2, at least some of the multiple stretchable members 43 extend across the absorbent body 13, which will be described later, in the width direction X when viewed from the skin-facing side Z1.

[0035] The main body 10 includes a top sheet 11, a back sheet 12, and an absorbent material 13. The top sheet 11 constitutes the surface of the main body 10 that comes into contact with the wearer and is positioned on the skin side Z1. The top sheet 11 includes a center sheet 11a that covers the absorbent material 13 and side sheets 11b that cover both sides of the center sheet 11a in the width direction X. The center sheet 11a is made of a water-permeable nonwoven fabric, such as spunbond nonwoven fabric. The side sheets 11b are made of a water-impermeable nonwoven fabric, such as non-water-permeable nonwoven fabric. Both ends of the side sheets 11b in the longitudinal direction Y are joined to the center sheet 11a by hot melt adhesive or the like.

[0036] A leak-proof gather 80 is formed on the side sheet 11b. The leak-proof gather 80 is positioned on the outside of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction X and prevents urine excreted in the absorbent body 13 from leaking in the width direction X. In one embodiment, the leak-proof gather 80 includes a pair of expandable members (first expandable members) 71 extending in the longitudinal direction Y, an upright portion 81 that stands up when the pair of expandable members 71 are contracted, a lateral fixing portion 82 that serves as the uprighting pivot point of the upright portion 81 in the width direction X, and a vertical fixing portion 83 that serves as the uprighting pivot point of the upright portion 81 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0037] The pair of expandable members 71 are provided on the inner portion of the side sheet 11b in the width direction X and extend in the longitudinal direction Y. The pair of expandable members 71 are, for example, elastic thread or flat elastic that can be contracted in the length direction. The pair of expandable members 71 are spaced apart from each other across the center line CL in the width direction X of the main body 10 and are fixed to the side sheet 11b in an extended state in the longitudinal direction Y. The ventral ends of the pair of expandable members 71 are located at the ventral end 10a, and the dorsal ends of the pair of expandable members 71 are located at the dorsal end 10b. The pair of expandable members 71 are located on the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent body 13.

[0038] The lateral fixing portion 82 is formed on the side sheet 11b at a position outside the width direction X of the upright portion 81, covering substantially the entire area of ​​the main body portion 10 in the longitudinal direction Y. The lateral fixing portion 82 is part of the side sheet 11b and is fixed to the center sheet 11a. The lateral fixing portion 82 serves as the uprighting pivot point of the upright portion 81 in the width direction X.

[0039] The vertical fixing portion 83 is formed at the ventral end 10a and the dorsal end 10b, respectively, at an inward position in the width direction X relative to the horizontal fixing portion 82. The vertical fixing portion 83 is part of the side sheet 11b and is fixed to the center sheet 11a. The vertical fixing portion 83 serves as the pivot point for the upright portion 81 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0040] The upright portion 81 is formed between the longitudinal fixing portions 83 formed on the ventral end 10a and the dorsal end 10b, respectively. That is, the upright portion 81 is positioned inward in the width direction X from the transverse fixing portion 82 and inward in the longitudinal direction Y from the longitudinal fixing portion 83. The upright portion 81 is a part of the side sheet 11b that is not fixed to the center sheet 11a. An expandable / contractible member 71, which is extended in the longitudinal direction Y, is connected to the upright portion 81. When the expandable / contractible member 71 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, the main body portion 10 deforms in a closing direction, and the upright portion 81 rises up starting from the transverse fixing portion 82. In this way, urine leakage is prevented when the upright portion 81 rises up in a position that sandwiches the absorbent material 13 from the width direction X.

[0041] A pair of expandable members 72 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are provided on the outer portion of the side sheet 11b in the width direction X. As shown in Figure 2, the pair of expandable members 72 are positioned further outward in the width direction X than the pair of expandable members 71. The pair of expandable members 72 are, for example, elastic thread or flat elastic that can be contracted in the length direction, and are fixed to the side sheet 11b in an extended state in the longitudinal direction Y. As described above, the pair of expandable members 72, by being fixed to the side sheet 11b in an extended state in the longitudinal direction Y, apply a force that causes the main body 10 to deform in a closing direction. The pair of expandable members 72 are positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent material 13 and are positioned along the side edge of the main body 10 between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 of the main body 10. As the pair of expandable members 72 contract in the longitudinal direction Y, the side edge of the main body 10 fits around the wearer's legs. The pair of expandable members 72 may extend in the longitudinal direction Y while being sewn to the top sheet 11 and back sheet 12 of the main body 10.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, a cushion sheet 22 may be provided between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent 13. The cushion sheet 22 is made of a nonwoven fabric having higher rigidity than the top sheet 11, for example. By placing a cushion sheet 22 with high rigidity between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent 13, the top sheet 11 is less likely to enter the surface voids 20 of the absorbent 13, which will be described later, and the volume of the surface voids 20 is maintained. The cushion sheet 22 is bonded to the surface 14 of the top sheet 11 and the absorbent 13 by an adhesive such as hot melt.

[0043] At least a portion of the cushion sheet 22 may have a tapered shape that narrows in the width direction X as it approaches the end in the longitudinal direction Y. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the cushion sheet 22 is placed in the crotch area 10c of the main body 10, and the width of the cushion sheet 22 in the width direction X narrows as it approaches the back end 10b. The cushion sheet 22 has such a shape, which causes wrinkles to form in the top sheet 11 placed on the cushion sheet 22, and creates a gap between the top sheet 11 and the absorbent material 13. Air flows through this gap, improving the breathability of the absorbent article 1.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the top sheet 11 may have a plurality of ventilation holes 74 that penetrate through the top sheet 11 in the thickness direction. The plurality of ventilation holes 74 are formed two-dimensionally in the top sheet 11 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, when viewed from the skin side Z1, at least one of the plurality of ventilation holes 74 may be arranged to overlap at least one of the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18 of the absorbent body 13, which will be described later.

[0045] The back sheet 12 constitutes the outer surface of the main body 10 when worn and is positioned on the non-skin side Z2. The back sheet 12 includes a non-permeable backing film 12a and a backing nonwoven fabric 12b positioned on the non-skin side Z2 than the backing film 12a. The width in the width direction X of the backing film 12a is formed to be smaller than the width in the width direction X of the backing nonwoven fabric 12b, and the backing nonwoven fabric 12b may extend on both sides in the width direction X than the backing film 12a.

[0046] The absorbent material 13 is positioned between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 of the main body 10 and absorbs the wearer's urine that has permeated the top sheet 11. Figure 5 is a plan view of the absorbent material 13 as seen from the skin-facing side Z1, and Figure 6 is a plan view of the absorbent material 13 as seen from the non-skin-facing side Z2. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent material 13 along the line VII-VII in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, the absorbent material 13 has a roughly rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y when viewed from the skin-facing side Z1, and the width of the absorbent material 13 in the width direction X is shorter than the width of the main body 10 in the width direction X. The absorbent material 13 is positioned approximately in the center of the main body 10 in the width direction X. The ventral end of the absorbent material 13 is positioned at the ventral end 10a of the main body 10, and the dorsal end of the absorbent material 13 is positioned at the dorsal end 10b of the main body 10 (see Figure 2).

[0047] The absorbent material 13 has a surface 14 that is positioned on the skin side Z1 of the wearer and a back surface 15 that is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the wearer. The absorbent material 13 is embossed on both the skin side Z1 and the non-skin side Z2, so that the surface 14 and back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13 have an uneven surface. The uneven surface formed on the surface 14 and back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13 will be described later.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the absorbent body 13 includes a core portion 13a and a core wrap 13b. The core portion 13a includes, for example, plant-derived pulp fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and is absorbent. The core wrap 13b is made of, for example, tissue or a nonwoven fabric sheet, and covers the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the core portion 13a. The core wrap 13b is adhered to the surface of the core portion 13a by, for example, a hot-melt adhesive. The area of ​​the region of the core wrap 13b that is adhered to the core portion 13a may be larger than the area of ​​the region of the core wrap 13b that is not adhered to the core portion 13a. Therefore, the core wrap 13b is joined to the core portion 13a in such a way that it conforms to the surface shape of the core portion 13a, which has an uneven shape. In one embodiment, the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the core wrap 13b constitute the front surface 14 and the back surface 15 of the absorbent body 13, respectively.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the absorbent material 13 may have a pair of slits 61 formed therein. The pair of slits 61 are spaced apart from each other across the center line CL of the main body 10 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y. The basis weight of the pair of slits 61 is set lower than the basis weight of the other parts of the absorbent material 13. For example, the pair of slits 61 are elongated through-holes that penetrate the absorbent material 13 in the thickness direction, and the basis weight of the slits 61 is zero. The formation of a pair of slits 61 in the absorbent material 13 makes it easier for urine discharged from the wearer to flow in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the pair of slits 61 have the function of controlling the direction of urine flow.

[0050] The absorbent material 13 includes a plurality of first embossed portions 16 and second embossed portions 18. The plurality of first embossed portions 16 are portions compressed from the non-skin side Z2 toward the skin side Z1 by embossing. As shown in Figure 5, the plurality of first embossed portions 16 are arranged two-dimensionally when viewed from the skin side Z1. More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the plurality of first embossed portions 16 are arranged with spacing in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent material 13. Furthermore, the plurality of first embossed portions 16 are arranged with spacing in diagonal directions intersecting the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the plurality of first embossed portions 16 only need to be arranged two-dimensionally and do not need to be arranged in the width direction X, longitudinal direction Y, and diagonal directions.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, each of the multiple first embossed portions 16 includes a surface protrusion 16a that projects toward the skin side Z1 and a back surface recess 16b that is recessed toward the skin side Z1. The surface protrusion 16a is the portion of the surface 14 of the absorbent material 13 that projects toward the skin side Z1, and the back surface recess 16b is the portion of the back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13 that is recessed toward the skin side Z1. That is, the surface protrusion 16a and back surface recess 16b of the multiple first embossed portions 16 constitute a part of the surface 14 and back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13, respectively. The multiple first embossed portions 16 are formed, for example, by compressing the absorbent material 13 from the non-skin side Z2 using a roller on which multiple protrusions having the inverse shape of the multiple first embossed portions 16 are formed. At least one of the surface protrusion 16a and back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 may include a flat surface. In the following explanation, the region of the absorber 13 that overlaps with the surface protrusion 16a in the thickness direction Z is referred to as the first embossed portion 16.

[0052] The second embossed portion 18 includes a surface recess 18a that is recessed on the non-skin side Z2 of the wearer and a back surface protrusion 18b that protrudes on the non-skin side Z2. The surface recess 18a is the recessed portion of the surface 14 of the absorbent material 13 that is recessed on the non-skin side Z2, and the back surface protrusion 18b is the portion of the back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13 that protrudes on the non-skin side Z2. That is, the surface recess 18a and the back surface protrusion 18b of the second embossed portion 18 constitute a part of the surface 14 and back surface 15 of the absorbent material 13, respectively. The second embossed portion 18 is formed, for example, by compressing the absorbent material 13 from the skin side Z1 using a roller on which a protrusion having the inverse shape of the second embossed portion 18 is formed. At least one of the surface recess 18a and the back surface protrusion 18b of the second embossed portion 18 may include a flat surface. In the following explanation, the region of the absorber 13 that overlaps with the back surface protrusion 18b in the thickness direction Z is referred to as the second embossed portion 18.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7, the surface protrusion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 is positioned closer to the skin side Z1 than the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. The back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 is positioned closer to the skin side Z1 than the back surface protrusion 18b of the second embossed portion 18. The back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 is positioned further away from the skin side Z2 than the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 and the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18 are formed at offset positions from each other.

[0054] As described above, the surface protrusions 16a and surface recesses 18a are positioned at different locations in the thickness direction Z, so an uneven surface is formed on the surface 14 of the absorbent body 13. Similarly, the back surface recesses 16b and back surface protrusions 18b are positioned at different locations in the thickness direction Z, so an uneven surface is formed on the back surface 15 of the absorbent body 13. Therefore, a surface void 20 is formed on the surface 14 of the absorbent body 13, defined by the surface recesses 18a and opening to the skin side Z1. Similarly, a back surface void 21 is formed on the back surface 15 of the absorbent body 13, defined by the back surface recesses 16b and opening to the non-skin side Z2. These surface voids 20 and back surface voids 21 function as channels through which urine or air discharged from the wearer flows. For example, if a large amount of urine is supplied to the absorbent body 13, the urine that could not be absorbed by the absorbent body 13 will accumulate in the back surface voids 21.

[0055] The sum of the areas of the multiple first embossed portions 16 as viewed from the skin side Z1 may be greater than the area of ​​the second embossed portion 18 as viewed from the skin side Z1. The sum of the areas of the multiple first embossed portions 16 corresponds to the sum of the projected areas of the surface protrusions 16a of the multiple first embossed portions 16 as viewed from the skin side Z1, and the area of ​​the second embossed portion 18 corresponds to the projected area of ​​the surface recesses 18a of the second embossed portion 18 as viewed from the skin side Z1.

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, in one embodiment, the absorbent 13 has a multilayer structure including a first absorbent layer 26, a second absorbent layer 27, and an intermediate layer 28. The first absorbent layer 26 is an absorbent layer containing a superabsorbent polymer and is located on the skin side Z1. The second absorbent layer 27 is an absorbent layer containing a superabsorbent polymer and is located on the non-skin side Z2. The intermediate layer 28 is located between the first absorbent layer 26 and the second absorbent layer 27. When forming the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18, the intermediate layer 28 is compressed together with the first absorbent layer 26 and the second absorbent layer 27 and deformed into an uneven shape.

[0057] In addition to the first absorbent layer 26 and the second absorbent layer 27, the intermediate layer 28 may also contain a superabsorbent polymer. Originally, the intermediate layer 28 does not contain a superabsorbent polymer, but when the absorbent material 13 is compressed during the formation of the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18, some of the superabsorbent polymer contained in the first absorbent layer 26 and the second absorbent layer 27 migrates to the intermediate layer 28, and the superabsorbent polymer is then positioned within the intermediate layer 28. In this way, by including the superabsorbent polymer in the first absorbent layer 26, the second absorbent layer 27, and the intermediate layer 28, the superabsorbent polymer is dispersed in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent material 13, improving the permeability of the absorbent material 13. Note that the density of the superabsorbent polymer present in the intermediate layer 28 may be lower than the density of the superabsorbent polymer present in the first absorbent layer 26 and the second absorbent layer 27.

[0058] The second embossed portion 18 is formed between a plurality of first embossed portions 16. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the second embossed portion 18 is formed to surround each of the plurality of first embossed portions 16. More specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the second embossed portion 18 may be formed along a grid-like pattern 24 when viewed from the skin side Z1. The grid-like pattern 24 includes a plurality of first virtual lines 24a extending parallel to each other in directions intersecting the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and a plurality of second virtual lines 24b extending parallel to each other in directions intersecting the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. The plurality of first virtual lines 24a and the plurality of second virtual lines 24b extend in directions symmetric with respect to the center line CL of the absorbent article 1 and intersect each other to form the grid-like pattern 24. As shown in Figure 8, the second embossed portion 18 may be formed intermittently along the plurality of first virtual lines 24a and the plurality of second virtual lines 24b. The second embossed portion 18 may be arranged in a wavy pattern along the plurality of first virtual lines 24a and the plurality of second virtual lines 24b, or it may be arranged in a dot pattern.

[0059] As shown in Figure 8, non-compressed portions 25 are formed at positions corresponding to the grid points of the grid pattern 24 (intersections of multiple first virtual lines 24a and multiple second virtual lines 24b). The non-compressed portions 25 are portions that have not been substantially subjected to compression processing such as embossing. Therefore, in the thickness direction Z, the surface 14 of the skin-side Z1 of the non-compressed portion 25 is positioned between the surface convex portion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 and the surface concave portion 18a of the second embossed portion 18, and the back surface 15 of the non-skin-side Z2 of the non-compressed portion 25 is positioned between the back surface concave portion 16b of the first embossed portion 16 and the back surface convex portion 18b of the second embossed portion 18.

[0060] As described above, the second embossed portion 18 is arranged along the grid-like pattern 24, thereby forming multiple absorption regions 30 on the absorber 13. The multiple absorption regions 30 are areas defined by the grid-like pattern 24 and are arranged two-dimensionally over substantially the entire surface of the absorber 13 when viewed from the skin side Z1. That is, the absorption regions 30 are areas surrounded by the second embossed portion 18. The multiple absorption regions 30 are arranged with spacing in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction Y, for example, the width direction X, or in an oblique direction intersecting the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. In the example shown in Figure 8, the multiple absorption regions 30 are arranged two-dimensionally so as to be aligned in the width direction X, the longitudinal direction Y, and the oblique direction of the absorber 13. The maximum width in the width direction X of at least one of the multiple absorption regions 30 may be greater than the maximum width in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorption region 30. For example, in the example shown in Figure 8, each of the multiple absorption regions 30 has a rhombus shape with its longer side extending in the width direction X and its shorter side extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorption region 30 may also have a vertically elongated rhombus shape with its longer side extending in the longitudinal direction Y and its shorter side extending in the width direction X, or it may have a shape other than a rhombus, such as a circle, ellipse, polygon, etc.

[0061] In one embodiment, multiple first embossed portions 16 are formed inside multiple absorbent regions 30. Therefore, the multiple absorbent regions 30 protrude toward the skin side Z1. In other words, at least a portion of the multiple absorbent regions 30 is composed of multiple first embossed portions 16. The multiple absorbent regions 30 absorb urine discharged from the wearer by pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymer contained in the first embossed portions 16. As shown in Figure 8, each of the multiple absorbent regions 30 includes a central region 36 and a peripheral region 37 arranged to surround the central region 36. The central region 36 is a substantially circular region located near the center of each absorbent region 30. The peripheral region 37 is a substantially annular region located at the periphery of the absorbent region 30. For example, the center of the first embossed portion 16 is located in the central region 36, and the periphery of the first embossed portion 16 is located in the peripheral region 37.

[0062] The density of superabsorbent polymers in the central region 36 is lower than the density of superabsorbent polymers in the surrounding region 37. For example, the proportion of pulp fibers in the central region 36 is higher than the proportion of pulp fibers in the surrounding region 37, and the proportion of superabsorbent polymers in the central region 36 is lower than the proportion of superabsorbent polymers in the surrounding region 37. For example, the density of superabsorbent polymers in the surrounding region 37 may be set to be 10% or more higher than the density of superabsorbent polymers in the central region 36. Because the central region 36 contains a high proportion of pulp fibers, the water absorption rate in the central region 36 is higher than the water absorption rate in the surrounding region 37. On the other hand, because the surrounding region 37 contains a high proportion of superabsorbent polymers, the maximum water absorption amount in the surrounding region 37 is higher than the maximum water absorption amount in the central region 36. Note that the density of superabsorbent polymers represents the average number of superabsorbent polymers per unit area of ​​the absorbent material 13.

[0063] In the absorbent material 13 described above, urine discharged from the wearer is supplied to multiple absorbent regions 30 and is absorbed early in the central region 36, which has a high water absorption rate. The urine absorbed in the central region 36 diffuses in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent material 13. Urine that is not absorbed in the central region 36 is absorbed by the peripheral region 37. At this time, the peripheral region 37 contains a high density of superabsorbent polymer and can absorb a large amount of urine. Here, the superabsorbent polymer has the property that its water permeability decreases as the amount of water absorbed increases. Therefore, as the amount of urine absorbed in the peripheral region 37 increases, the water permeability of the peripheral region 37 decreases, and eventually a barrier with low water permeability is formed around the central region 36. This barrier is a region with reduced water permeability compared to other parts of the absorbent material 13 and has an annular shape when viewed from the skin side Z1.

[0064] When a barrier with low water permeability is formed around the central region 36, the flow of urine in the longitudinal direction Y, as shown by arrow D1 in Figure 8, is blocked by the peripheral region 37 and spread in the width direction X, as shown by arrow D2. The urine spread in the width direction X is absorbed by other absorbent regions 30 that are present around it and have relatively low water absorption capacity. As described above, since each of the multiple absorbent regions 30 includes the central region 36 and the peripheral region 37, urine can be diffused throughout the entire absorbent material 13. Therefore, it becomes possible to absorb urine throughout the entire absorbent material 13, and it is possible to suppress urine leakage from, for example, the end of the absorbent material 13 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0065] As described above, the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the central region 36 is lower than the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the peripheral region 37, however, the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the intermediate layer 28 of the central region 36 may be higher than the density of the superabsorbent polymer in the intermediate layer 28 of the peripheral region 37.

[0066] Next, with reference to Figure 7, the dimensions of the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18 will be described in detail. In Figure 7, BW1 represents the depth of the surface void 20, and BW2 represents the depth of the back surface void 21. That is, the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 corresponds to the distance in the thickness direction Z between the surface convex portion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 and the surface concave portion 18a of the second embossed portion 18, and the depth BW2 of the back surface void 21 corresponds to the distance in the thickness direction Z between the back surface concave portion 16b of the first embossed portion 16 and the back surface convex portion 18b of the second embossed portion 18.

[0067] Furthermore, T1 in Figure 7 represents the thickness of the first embossed portion 16, and T2 in Figure 7 represents the thickness of the second embossed portion 18. The thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 corresponds to the distance in the thickness direction Z between the surface convex portion 16a and the back surface concave portion 16b of the first embossed portion 16, and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 corresponds to the distance in the thickness direction Z between the surface concave portion 18a and the back surface convex portion 18b of the second embossed portion 18. T3 in Figure 7 represents the thickness of the absorber 13. The thickness T3 of the absorber 13 corresponds to the distance in the thickness direction Z between the surface convex portion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 and the back surface convex portion 18b of the second embossed portion 18.

[0068] The thickness T3 of the absorber 13 is less than the sum of the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18. Also, the sum of the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the depth BW2 of the back surface void 21 is set to be approximately the same as the sum of the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 and the depth BW1 of the surface void 20. For example, the difference |(T1+BW2)-(T2+BW1)| between the sum of the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the depth BW2 of the back surface void 21 and the sum of the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 and the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 may be 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less relative to the thickness T3 of the absorber 13.

[0069] The thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 may be greater than or less than the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18. However, in the absorber 13, the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 is set to be small. For example, the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 may be 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less of the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion. In this way, by making the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 small, BW1 > |T1 - T2| is satisfied in the absorber 13. That is, the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 is set to be greater than the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18.

[0070] If there is a difference in thickness in the absorbent material 13, the load may concentrate on the thinner part, causing the absorbent material 13 to bend. In contrast, in the absorbent material 13, the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 is small, making it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent material 13. In addition, the density non-uniformity of the absorbent material 13 is suppressed, making it possible to absorb urine with high uniformity throughout the absorbent material 13. Furthermore, in the absorbent material 13, by increasing the depth BW1 of the surface void 20, the void formed between the wearer's skin and the surface 14 of the absorbent material 13 can be increased. As a result, a clear shadow of the surface void 20 is formed on the surface 14 of the absorbent material 13, and the breathability of the absorbent material 13 is improved.

[0071] The depth BW1 of the surface void 20 and the depth BW2 of the back void 21 may be approximately the same. For example, the difference |BW1-BW2| between the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 and the depth BW2 of the back void 21 may be 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less relative to the depth BW1 of the surface void 20. In one embodiment, the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 may be greater than the depth BW2 of the back void 21. When the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 is greater than the depth BW2 of the back void 21, the permeability of the absorber 13 is improved. The depth BW1 of the surface void 20 may also be less than the depth BW2 of the back void 21.

[0072] The thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 may differ depending on their position in the width direction X of the absorber 13. For example, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the absorber 13 includes a central portion 45 positioned approximately in the center in the width direction X and side portions 46 positioned on both sides of the central portion 45 in the width direction X, and the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18 are formed in the central portion 45 and the side portions 46. In this case, the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45 may differ from the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the side portions 46. For example, the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the central portion 45 may be greater than the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 formed in the side portions 46. Furthermore, the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45 may be greater than the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of both side portions 46. The thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the central portion 45 may be less than the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 formed on both side portions 46, and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45 may be less than the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of both side portions 46. Also, the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the central portion 45 may be greater than the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45.

[0073] Accordingly, the difference |T1-T2| between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 may vary depending on the position in the width direction X of the absorbent material 13. For example, the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the central portion 45 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45 may be greater than the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the side portions 46 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the side portions 46. By increasing the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the central portion 45 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the central portion 45, urine can be absorbed at a high absorption rate in the thicker portion of the central portion 45. On the other hand, by decreasing the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion 16 of the side portions 46 and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion 18 of the side portions 46, the wearer's urine can be absorbed with high uniformity. Therefore, the central part 45, which is close to the wearer's urinary opening, can absorb urine at a high absorption rate, while the side parts 46, which are positioned around the wearer's legs, can promote the diffusion of urine.

[0074] In Figure 7, W1 represents the width of the back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16, and W2 represents the width of the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. In addition, W3 represents the distance between adjacent back surface recesses 16b of the multiple first embossed portions 16, and W4 represents the distance between adjacent surface recesses 18a of the second embossed portions 18. Note that the width W1 of the back surface recess 16b, the width W2 of the surface recess 18a, the distance W3 between adjacent back surface recesses 16b, and the distance W4 between adjacent surface recesses 18a represent the width or distance when viewed from a cross section (a cross section along line VII-VII in Figure 5) along a direction parallel to the first virtual line 24a or the second virtual line 24b (a predetermined direction). As shown in Figure 7, in the absorber 13, the distance W3 between adjacent back surface recesses 16b is set to be larger than the width W2 of the surface recess 18a. Furthermore, the distance W4 between adjacent surface recesses 18a is set to be greater than the width W1 of the back surface recess 16b.

[0075] As explained above, in the absorbent article 1, the surface protrusion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 protrudes toward the skin side Z1, and the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18 is recessed toward the non-skin side Z2. Therefore, the height of the surface protrusion 16a of the first embossed portion 16 can be increased relative to the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. Consequently, the depth BW1 of the surface gap 20 formed between the wearer's skin and the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18 can be increased without increasing the thickness T3 of the absorbent material 13. Thus, it is possible to achieve both a thinner absorbent material 13 and improved breathability.

[0076] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1, the difference between the thickness T1 of the first embossed portion and the thickness T2 of the second embossed portion is reduced, while the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 is increased. This suppresses density non-uniformity and allows for the formation of clear surface recess 18a shadows on the surface of the absorber. In particular, the absorbent article 1 comprises a pair of expandable members 71 extending in the longitudinal direction Y, a plurality of expandable members 33 extending in the width direction X so as to traverse the absorber 13, and a plurality of expandable members 43 extending in the width direction X so as to traverse the absorber 13. When these pair of expandable members 71, expandable members 33 and expandable members 43 contract, the absorber 13 contracts in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, making the shadows of the surface recess 18a even clearer.

[0077] Furthermore, in absorbent article 1, there are no areas where the thickness of the absorbent material 13 is locally reduced, making it less likely for the absorbent material 13 to tear. Therefore, leakage of the superabsorbent polymer contained in the absorbent material 13 and adhesion to the wearer is prevented. Moreover, in the absorbent material 13 described above, when the wearer's body pressure is applied from the skin side Z1, the uneven shape of the absorbent material 13 is smoothed out, and when the body pressure is relieved, a restorative force is generated and the uneven shape of the absorbent material 13 is restored. At this time, air circulation occurs inside and outside the absorbent material 13, and moisture inside absorbent article 1 is released to the outside. This further enhances the breathability of the absorbent material 13.

[0078] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1, when viewed from the skin side Z1, at least one of the multiple ventilation holes 74 is arranged to overlap the first embossed portion 16 and the second embossed portion 18 of the absorbent body 13. Therefore, moisture in the surface recess 18a and moisture absorbed by the first embossed portion 16 can be released to the outside through the multiple ventilation holes 74. Thus, the breathability of the absorbent article 1 can be further improved.

[0079] Although various embodiments of absorbent articles have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modified forms can be constructed without changing the gist of the invention. In other words, it should be noted that the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0080] For example, in the example shown in Figure 5, multiple first embossed portions 16 and second embossed portions 18 are formed over substantially the entire surface of the absorbent 13, but the multiple first embossed portions 16 and second embossed portions 18 may be formed only on a part of the absorbent 13. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the absorbent 13 includes a ventral portion 51 located at one end in the longitudinal direction Y, a dorsal portion 52 located at the other end in the longitudinal direction Y, and an intermediate portion 53 located between the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52, and the multiple first embossed portions 16 and second embossed portions 18 may be formed only on the intermediate portion 53 of the absorbent 13.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, multiple end embossed portions 55 may be formed on the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52. The multiple end embossed portions 55 are portions that have been compressed toward the skin side Z1 or the non-skin side Z2 by embossing. The multiple end embossed portions 55 are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction Y and extend in a wavy shape between the ends of the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52 in the width direction X. The multiple end embossed portions 55 prevent urine leakage from the ends of the absorbent body 13 in the longitudinal direction Y by blocking the flow of urine that has reached the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52 toward the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the multiple end embossed portions 55 may be formed on only one of the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52. Also, the absorbent body 13 may have at least one end embossed portion 55 formed on it.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the absorbent 13 may further include a non-absorbent region 62 that does not contain pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymer. The non-absorbent region 62 is formed in the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52. More specifically, the non-absorbent region 62 is located at least one end of the absorbent 13 in the longitudinal direction Y beyond the boundary between the ventral portion 51 and the intermediate portion 53, and at least one end of the absorbent 13 in the longitudinal direction beyond the boundary between the dorsal portion 52 and the intermediate portion 53. For example, the non-absorbent region 62 is formed over substantially the entire width X of the absorbent 13, and the basis weight of the non-absorbent region 62 decreases as it approaches one end of the absorbent 13 in the longitudinal direction Y, or the other end of the absorbent 13 in the longitudinal direction Y. As a result, the thickness of the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52 becomes thinner as it approaches one end and the other end of the absorbent 13 in the longitudinal direction Y. Therefore, the average thickness of the ventral portion 51 and the dorsal portion 52 is smaller than the average thickness of the intermediate portion 53.

[0083] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 is located on the non-skin side Z2 than the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. However, as shown in Figure 10, the back surface recess 16b of the first embossed portion 16 may be located on the skin side Z1 than the surface recess 18a of the second embossed portion 18. By locating the back surface recess 16b on the skin side Z1 than the surface recess 18a, the depth BW1 of the surface void 20 can be increased, and as a result, the breathability of the absorbent article 1 can be improved.

[0084] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the second embossed portion 18 is formed intermittently along the grid-like pattern 24, but the second embossed portion 18 may be formed continuously. For example, as shown in Figure 11(a), the absorbent 13 may not have a non-compressed portion 25, and the second embossed portion 18 may be formed continuously along the grid-like pattern. In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 11(b), the second embossed portion 18 may extend in a wavy or curved shape. Note that the absorbent 13 does not necessarily need to have multiple first embossed portions 16, and it is sufficient to have at least one first embossed portion 16.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, multiple absorption regions 30 protrude toward the skin side Z1, but some of the multiple absorption regions 30 may protrude toward the non-skin side Z2. The various embodiments described above can be combined arbitrarily within a consistent range. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1...Absorbent article, 11...Top sheet, 13...Absorbent material, 16...First embossed portion, 16a...Surface convex portion, 16b...Back concave portion, 18...Second embossed portion, 18a...Surface concave portion, 18b...Back convex portion, 22...Cushion sheet, 24...Pattern, 26...First absorbent layer, 27...Second absorbent layer, 28...Intermediate layer, 30...Absorbent region, 36...Center region, 37...Peripheral region, 74...Ventilation hole, Z1...Skin side, Z2...Non-skin side.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction connecting the ventral and dorsal sides of the wearer, and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, Top sheet and Back seat and, An absorbent disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, Equipped with, The absorbent material includes a plurality of first embossed portions that are compressed from the non-skin side to the skin side of the wearer so as to include surface convex portions that protrude toward the skin side of the wearer and back concave portions that are recessed toward the skin side, and a second embossed portion that is compressed from the skin side to the non-skin side so as to include surface concave portions that are recessed toward the non-skin side of the wearer and back convex portions that protrude toward the non-skin side, When viewed from the skin side, the back surface recess of the first embossed portion and the front surface recess of the second embossed portion are formed at positions offset from each other. A surface void is formed between the top sheet and the surface recess, and a back surface void is formed between the back sheet and the back surface recess. The aforementioned back surface protrusions are formed in a grid pattern when viewed from the non-skin side, The aforementioned recess on the back surface is a rhomboid region defined by the aforementioned protrusion on the back surface, in an absorbent article.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the recess on the back surface of the first embossed portion is located on the non-skin side than the recess on the front surface of the second embossed portion.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the recess on the back surface of the first embossed portion is located on the skin side of the recess on the front surface of the second embossed portion.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of first embossed portions are arranged with spacing in the width direction.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first embossed portions are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second embossed portion is arranged between the plurality of first embossed portions.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the total area of ​​the plurality of first embossed portions as viewed from the skin side is greater than the area of ​​the second embossed portion as viewed from the skin side.

8. The second embossed portion is formed along a grid-like pattern when viewed from the skin side, The absorbent article according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the plurality of first embossed portions are each formed within a plurality of absorption regions defined by the second embossed portion.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the maximum width in the width direction of at least one of the plurality of absorbent regions is greater than the maximum width in the longitudinal direction of the one absorbent region.

10. The absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer, Each of the plurality of absorption regions of the absorber includes a substantially circular central region located at the center of each absorption region and a substantially annular peripheral region surrounding the central region. The absorbent article according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the average number of superabsorbent polymers per unit area in the central region is lower than the average number of superabsorbent polymers per unit area in the peripheral region.

11. The absorbent material has a multilayer structure including a first absorbent layer located on the skin side, a second absorbent layer located on the non-skin side, and an intermediate layer located between the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer, and the intermediate layer each contain a superabsorbent polymer.

12. Each of the plurality of absorption regions of the absorber includes a substantially circular central region located at the center of each absorption region and a substantially annular peripheral region surrounding the central region. The absorbent material has a multilayer structure including a first absorbent layer located on the skin side, a second absorbent layer located on the non-skin side, and an intermediate layer located between the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer. The first absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer, and the intermediate layer each contain a superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the average number of superabsorbent polymers per unit area present in the intermediate layer of the central region is higher than the average number of superabsorbent polymers per unit area present in the intermediate layer of the peripheral region.

13. The top sheet has a plurality of ventilation holes formed therein. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of ventilation holes overlaps the second embossed portion when viewed from the skin side.

14. The top sheet has a plurality of ventilation holes formed therein. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of ventilation holes overlaps the first embossed portion when viewed from the skin side.

15. The absorbent article according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a cushion sheet provided between the top sheet and the absorbent, having a rigidity higher than that of the top sheet.

16. The absorbent article according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the cushion sheet has a tapered shape that narrows in the width direction as it approaches the longitudinal end.

Images