Absorbent articles
The absorbent article employs a leak-proof sheet and elastic members to form a pocket structure, addressing the issue of sheet contact with the absorber side and ensuring effective leak prevention at the longitudinal end.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- OJI HLDG CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
The sheet forming the pocket structure in absorbent articles may remain in contact with the absorber side, preventing the formation of a leak-proof pocket at the longitudinal end and leading to potential leakage.
An absorbent article with a leak-proof sheet and elastic members arranged to form a pocket structure, including a pair of first elastic members outside the width direction rising towards the skin-side, a second elastic member curving inward in the width direction, and a third elastic member positioned outward in the width direction, all in an extended state to create a leak-proof wall and pocket.
The solution effectively forms a leak-proof pocket, ensuring the absorbent article functions properly and prevents leakage from the longitudinal end.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles.
Background Art
[0002] An absorbent article (diaper) having a pocket structure is known (Patent Document 1), which has a sheet covering the skin side near the longitudinal end, stores the discharged liquid between the sheet and the absorber, and suppresses the leakage of the discharged liquid from the longitudinal end.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The sheet forming the pocket structure may remain in contact with the absorber side even during wearing. If the sheet forming the pocket structure remains in contact with the absorber side, a pocket is not formed on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, and leakage from the longitudinal end cannot be suppressed, so the function of the diaper may not be properly exhibited.
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a diaper that easily exhibits its function.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present invention has a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the wearer's front-to-back direction, a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, an absorbent body for absorbing discharged liquid, an outer casing that brings the absorbent body close to the wearer's skin, a liquid-permeable skin-side sheet disposed on the skin-side of the absorbent body, and a pair of first elastic members arranged outside the width direction from the center in the width direction, with the inner side of the width direction rising towards the skin-side at a joint end extending in the longitudinal direction to form a leak-proof wall, and the inner side of the width direction being bonded to the inner side in the width direction in an extended state in the longitudinal direction. The device comprises: a leak-proof sheet; a second elastic member which is widely positioned on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, narrower in the crotch area corresponding to the wearer's crotch when worn, curves inward in the width direction from the outer side in the longitudinal direction to the crotch area, and is positioned in an extended state in the longitudinal direction so as to overlap with the absorbent in the thickness direction in the crotch area, and has an expandable end that does not overlap with the absorbent; and a third elastic member which has an expandable end common to the expandable end of the second elastic member, and is positioned outward in the width direction from the second elastic member, in an extended state in the longitudinal direction. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a diaper that is easy to use and performs its function well. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diaper according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a diaper according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a diaper in an unworn state according to the embodiment, obtained by cutting the diaper through its longitudinal center along the width direction. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the diaper in its extended state according to the embodiment, as seen from the skin-facing side. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the optimal angle of rise for the edge of the diaper. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the area near the edge of the diaper as viewed from the non-skin side. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the force applied to the diaper by the elastic member near the dashed line. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the relationship between the absorber and the elastic member superimposed on the absorber. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the positional relationship between the three-dimensional gathers and the pocket-forming sheet. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the positional relationship between the three-dimensional gathers and the pocket-forming sheet. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the relationship between the thickness of the absorber at the longitudinal end and the pocket portion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The following describes an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
[0010] <Embodiment> In this embodiment, for a tape-type disposable diaper (an example of an "absorbent article" as defined in this application, and hereinafter simply referred to as "diaper"), the direction connecting the front panel positioned opposite the wearer's abdomen and the back panel positioned opposite the wearer's back is defined as the longitudinal direction. Between these front panel (one side in the longitudinal direction) and back panel (the other side in the longitudinal direction) (in the center in the longitudinal direction) lies the inseam section, positioned between the wearer's legs (opposite the crotch). Furthermore, when the diaper is worn by the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "wearing state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (inside in the wearing state) is defined as the skin side, and the side opposite the skin side (outside in the wearing state) is defined as the non-skin side. In addition, the direction connecting the skin side and the non-skin side is defined as the thickness direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is defined as the width direction. Moreover, viewing from the thickness direction is defined as a plan view. A diaper has a length along its longitudinal direction, corresponding to the wearer's front-to-back direction, and a length along its width direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is worn between the wearer's legs. Furthermore, the terms related to direction used in this application refer to directions that coincide with the wearer's front-to-back, left-to-right, and right sides when the diaper is worn. For example, when the term "left-to-right direction" is used in this application, it refers to directions that coincide with the wearer's left-to-right, and right sides when the diaper is worn.
[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diaper according to this embodiment. The diaper 1 according to this embodiment is for adults (for care). The diaper 1 has a crotch area 1B which is the part that covers the wearer's genitals when worn, a front body area 1F which is located in front of the crotch area 1B and is the part that corresponds to the waist of the wearer's abdomen, and a back body area 1R which is located behind the crotch area 1B and is the part that corresponds to the waist of the wearer's back. Hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are provided on both the left and right edges of the back body area 1R, and are hook fasteners having hook tapes that can be repeatedly attached by engaging the hooks with loop members which are arranged so as to be densely packed on the skin side of the front patch 2F provided on the front body area 1F. When the front panel area 1F is positioned on the wearer's abdominal side and the back panel area 1R is positioned on the wearer's back side, and the hook tapes provided on the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are attached to the front patch 2F, the diaper 1 is fixed to the wearer's body, encircling the wearer's waist and thighs. Because the diaper 1 is fixed to the wearer's body in this manner, the wearer can freely change their position while wearing the diaper 1. In addition, the non-skin side of the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 may be able to engage with the hook tapes.
[0012] Hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are located inward in the width direction when not in use. They may be folded. When hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are folded, the hook tape portion is not exposed to the outside of diaper 1. The hook tape portion is provided with a tiny key-shaped structure made of resin, but by folding hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 when not in use, it is possible to prevent the key-shaped structure from being unexpectedly damaged and becoming difficult to engage with the front patch 2F.
[0013] The diaper 1 has an absorber 6 capable of absorbing and holding liquid, which is mainly arranged around the vicinity of the crotch region 1B. Further, in the diaper 1, leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are provided at a portion along the wearer's leg circumference (thigh portion) in order to suppress the formation of a gap serving as a liquid outflow path between the diaper 1 and the wearer's skin. Three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are provided inside the diaper 1 in the width direction rather than the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR. A pocket-forming sheet 9P having an elastic member arranged in the width direction is provided at a portion along the wearer's abdominal circumference. The elastic member provided on the pocket-forming sheet 9P applies a biasing force so that the diaper 1 contracts in the width direction, and exhibits the same effect as the waist gather in a pants-type diaper. The elastic members provided on the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, and the pocket-forming sheet 9P adhere to the wearer's skin by the elastic force of the elastic members. Therefore, the discharged liquid discharged from the wearer is absorbed by the absorber 6 without leaking from the diaper 1. Note that, as the elastic member, a filamentous or带状 rubber or the like can be appropriately selected.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the diaper 1. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when the diaper 1 is cut along the width direction with the center in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the diaper 1 in an extended state as viewed from the skin side. The diaper 1 has a cover sheet 4 that forms an outer surface in the worn state. The cover sheet 4 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular appearance with constrictions 4KL and 4KR provided at a portion corresponding to the long side, and forms the exterior surface of the diaper 1. The constrictions 4KL and 4KR are provided at a portion where the wearer's thighs are located (the leg circumferences 10L and 10R shown in FIG. 4). The cover sheet 4 is provided for reinforcing the back sheet 5 and improving the touch described later. For example, in order to suppress leakage of excreta, a non-woven fabric made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin can be used as the material. Examples of the liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The cover sheet 4 is not limited to a single-layer structure, and may have a multilayer structure having an inner cover sheet and an outer cover sheet.
[0015] The diaper 1 has a back sheet 5 (non-skin side sheet), an absorbent 6, and a top sheet 7 ("skin side portion") which are sequentially laminated on the skin side of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 has the same planar shape as the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5 is a sheet-like member with a roughly rectangular appearance, with constrictions 5KL and 5KR in the parts corresponding to the longer sides, and is positioned on the skin side of the cover sheet 4. The constrictions 5KL and 5KR are provided in the parts where the wearer's thighs are located (leg portions 10L and 10R shown in Figure 4). The top sheet 7 is a sheet-like member with a roughly rectangular appearance, and the absorbent 6 is a mat-like member with a roughly hourglass shape. The back sheet 5, absorbent 6, and top sheet 7 are sequentially laminated on the cover sheet 4 with their longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the cover sheet 4. The back sheet 5, like the cover sheet 4, is a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable thermoplastic resin to suppress leakage of discharged fluid. The backsheet 5 is preferably made of a material that also has breathability to suppress stuffiness when worn. The topsheet 7 is a sheet-like member that is placed on the skin side of the wearer so as to cover the absorbent surface of the absorbent material 6. This topsheet 7 is permeable to water, i.e., liquid, in part or in whole. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the waste liquid discharged by the wearer enters the absorbent material 6 through the topsheet 7 which can come into contact with the wearer's skin, and is absorbed there. For example, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or porous film can be used as the material for the topsheet 7. The topsheet 7 may also be hydrophilic. For joining sheets, etc., bonding by hot melt adhesive or super This includes techniques such as sonic fusion.
[0016] The backsheet 5, the absorber 6, and the topsheet 7 all extend from the front crotch region 1F to the rear crotch region 1R. Therefore, when the crotch of the wearer is covered with the cover sheet 4 in which the backsheet 5, the absorber 6, and the topsheet 7 are laminated, both longitudinal ends of the backsheet 5, the absorber 6, and the topsheet 7 are in a state of being located on the ventral side and the dorsal side of the wearer. That is, the crotch of the wearer is in a state of being covered by the absorber 6 from the ventral side to the dorsal side of the wearer. Therefore, even when the wearer is in the supine position or the prone position, the discharged liquid comes into contact with the absorber 6 through the topsheet 7.
[0017] Further, in the diaper 1, elastic members 4SL and 4SR for forming the above-described leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are provided so as to stretch in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 between the cover sheet 4 and the backsheet 5. The elastic members 4SL and 4SR are provided in an appropriate number (three in this embodiment) determined according to the elastic force (contracting force) required in the design of the diaper 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are arranged including the leg circumferential portions 10L and 10R which are portions along the leg circumference of the wearer in the diaper 1 at both ends in the width direction of the under crotch region 1B. The leg circumferential portions 10L and 10R are arranged at both ends in the width direction in the under crotch region 1B, and the elastic members 4SL and 4SR are adhered to the leg circumferential portions 10L and 10R in an extended state so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, and the leg circumferential portions 10L and 10R are expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction. The expansion and contraction region of the elastic members 4SL and 4SR becomes the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR.
[0018] Furthermore, diaper 1 has elongated, strip-shaped side sheets 8L and 8R. Side sheets 8L and 8R are liquid-impermeable sheets provided on the long side of top sheet 7. A pair of side sheets 8L and 8R are positioned outside the widthwise center of diaper 1. Similar to cover sheet 4, side sheets 8L and 8R have constrictions 8KL and 8KR at the area where the wearer's thighs are located (leg area 10L and 10R shown in Figure 4). Elastic members 8EL and 8ER for forming three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are positioned along the longitudinal direction of side sheets 8L and 8R in an extended state. When diaper 1 is worn, the side sheets 8L and 8R are pulled longitudinally by the contraction force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, rising from top sheet 7 on the skin side, and becoming three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, which are leak-proof walls that prevent leakage of discharged liquid outwards in the widthwise direction. Side sheets 8L and 8R are examples of leak-proof sheets in this disclosure, and elastic members 8EL and 8ER are examples of first elastic members in this disclosure.
[0019] Furthermore, the cover sheet 4 is provided with an elastic member 4C located further inward in the width direction of the diaper 1 than the elastic members 4SL and 4SR, to prevent a gap from forming between the diaper 1 and the wearer's waist circumference. The elastic member 4C is arranged in a curved shape that extends outward in the width direction at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The elastic member 4C is provided according to the elastic force (contraction force) required in the design of the diaper 1. The elastic member 4C is an example of the second elastic member in this disclosure.
[0020] The pocket-forming sheet 9P is positioned at least on the back panel region 1R side of the diaper 1. The pocket-forming sheet 9P is positioned so that its longitudinal inner side overlaps with the longitudinal end of the absorbent material 6, and its longitudinal outer side is joined to the top sheet 7. The longitudinal inner side of the pocket-forming sheet 9P is not joined to the top sheet 7, and forms a pocket portion P between the longitudinal end of the absorbent material 6 and the pocket-forming sheet 9P. By providing the pocket portion P, it is possible to suppress back leakage caused by discharged fluid reaching the longitudinal end of the absorbent material 6 reaching the longitudinal end of the diaper 1. In Figures 2 and 4, the pocket-forming sheet 9P is positioned only on the back panel region 1R, but it can also be positioned on the front panel region 1F side in addition to the back panel region 1R.
[0021] Elastic members 9E are arranged in the pocket-forming sheet 9P in an extended state in the width direction. Of the elastic members 9E, those located at the longitudinal inner end that are not joined to the top sheet 7 are called inner elastic members 9EB, and those located at the longitudinal outer end that are joined to the top sheet 7 are called outer elastic members 9ER.
[0022] When the hook tapes provided on the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2, which are tapes provided on both the left and right sides of the elastic member 9E, are attached to the front patch 2F on the wearer's abdominal side, the elastic member 9E exerts a contractile force to make the diaper 1 fit snugly against the wearer, preventing the formation of a gap between the diaper 1 and the wearer's waist circumference. In addition, the inner longitudinal side is positioned The inner elastic member 9EB exerts a contractile force, lifting the pocket-forming sheet 9P towards the skin side, thereby forming a pocket P between it and the absorbent body 6.
[0023] The absorbent body 6 comprises an absorbent core 6C and a core wrap sheet 6W that encloses the absorbent core 6C. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 6C is constructed by stacking multiple absorbent mats. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 6C comprises an upper absorbent mat 6A positioned on the skin side and a lower absorbent mat 6B positioned on the non-skin side. The upper absorbent mat 6A is an absorbent mat mainly positioned in the crotch area 1B, and when viewed from above, it is a rectangle with a width corresponding to the width of the absorbent body 6 in the crotch area 1B. The lower absorbent mat 6B is an absorbent mat positioned over the entire area of the absorbent body 6, and when viewed from above, it is an hourglass shape with a constriction in the crotch area 1B. That is, the upper absorbent mat 6A is stacked with the lower absorbent mat 6B such that it fits inside the lower absorbent mat 6B when viewed from above from the skin side. Also, since the upper absorbent mat 6A is positioned on the crotch area 1B side, only the lower absorbent mat 6B extends from the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 6. The upper absorbent mat is an example of an upper absorbent in this disclosure, and the lower absorbent mat is an example of a lower absorbent in this disclosure.
[0024] The crotch area 1B is sandwiched between the wearer's legs, resulting in compressive pressure directed inward in the width direction. On the other hand, in the front body area 1F and back body area 1R, the wearer's weight applies pressure to the absorption core 6C in the thickness direction. To accommodate these pressures, a constriction is provided in the crotch area 1B of the absorption core 6C. Furthermore, the upper absorption mat 6A and the lower absorption mat 6B are laminated to give the absorption core 6C a higher density in the crotch area 1B. This prevents the absorption core 6C from losing its shape inward in the width direction in the crotch area 1B. In addition, in the front body area 1F and back body area 1R, widening the width of the absorption core 6C increases the area on which weight is applied, thus preventing deformation in the thickness direction. For this reason, it is preferable to make the absorption core 6C roughly hourglass-shaped.
[0025] Absorbent Core 6C is a hydrophilic polymer (SAP: Super Absorbent Polymer) with a cross-linked structure that can absorb and retain water in the gaps between short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, or cotton fibers, or short fibers of synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate that have been treated to be hydrophilic. It has a structure that holds granular absorbent resin such as Absorbent Polymer. Therefore, in the absorbent core 6C, the volume change of the absorbent resin before and after absorbing liquid basically occurs within the short fibers that hold the absorbent resin in the gaps. Consequently, looking at the absorbent core 6C as a whole, it can be said that the expansion rate of the thickness of the absorbent core 6C after absorbing liquid is not as large as the expansion rate of the absorbent resin itself.
[0026] In this embodiment, SAP particles refer to a resin composition containing SAP that has been made into granules. The term "resin composition containing SAP" here encompasses both compositions consisting solely of SAP and compositions in which SAP is the main component, with other substances included to an extent that does not adversely affect water absorption. This is the concept. Examples of "other substances" include additives (such as surface modifiers added to hydrophobicize the particle surface) and unreacted monomers remaining after the synthesis of SAP.
[0027] The core wrap sheet 6W is a thin, liquid-permeable sheet. By wrapping the absorbent core 6C with the core wrap sheet 6W, the SAP from the absorbent core 6C is less likely to mix with other structures. In addition, deformation of the absorbent core 6C is suppressed. The core wrap sheet 6W can be made from pulp fibers, and tissue paper can be used as an example. Note that the absorbent body 6 is wrapped in a back sheet 5 and a top sheet 7, and deformation can also be suppressed by these sheets, so a configuration without the core wrap sheet 6W is also possible.
[0028] Furthermore, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, formed from the side sheets 8L and 8R and the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, are arranged along both ends of the top sheet 7 in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1. The three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR have joint portions 30L and 30R joined to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 7, and upright portions 31L and 31R that rise up from the joint portions 30L and 30R toward the skin-facing side. The joint portions 30L and 30R are the parts of the side sheets 8L and 8R that are joined to the top sheet 7 and the back sheet 5 and cover sheet 4 on the outside of the top sheet 7. Hot melt adhesive is used for these joints. The upright portions 31L and 31R are located further inward in the width direction of the diaper 1 than the joint portions 30L and 30R, and are the parts that rise up toward the skin-facing side due to the contraction force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER when the diaper 1 is worn. The boundaries between the joint portions 30L, 30R and the upright portions 31L, 31R connect to the top sheet 7 and become the joint ends 32L, 32R, which are the starting points for the upright portions 31L, 31R. The upright portions 31L, 31R can be raised on the skin side, with the joint ends 32L, 32R, which are the boundaries between the joint portions 30L, 30R and the upright portions 31L, 31R, as the boundary. In other words, the joint portions 30L, 30R are provided on the outer side in the width direction, joined to the top sheet 7, with the inner side in the width direction being unbonded, so they rise from the top sheet 7 and form the upright portions 31L, 31R.
[0029] The distance between the joining ends 32L, 32R and the free ends of the three-dimensional gathers to which the elastic members 8EL, 8ER are attached, which are opposite the joining ends, is approximately the same throughout the entire area where the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR are formed. Therefore, when the diaper 1 is worn, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL, 3BR stand up at the same height in the front body area 1F, the crotch area 1B, and the back body area 1R, and lie flat against the wearer's skin.
[0030] The entire lengthwise ends of the upright portions 31L, 31R of the side sheets 8L, 8R are bonded to the top sheet 7 with hot melt adhesive, forming the fixing portions 33L, 33R. Since the joining portions 30L, 30R extend to both lengthwise ends of the side sheets 8L, 8R, the side sheets 8L, 8R are bonded to the top sheet over almost the entire lengthwise ends. The fixing portions 33L, 33R are located in the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R, but at least one of them is positioned so as not to overlap with the absorbent material 6. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the fixing portions 33L, 33R do not overlap with the absorbent material 6 in both the front body region 1F and the back body region 1R. Since the absorbent body 6 is made up of multiple stacked absorbent mats, it is thick, and if fixing parts 33L and 33R are provided in areas where the absorbent body 6 overlaps with the fixing parts 33L and 33R, the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER will not be easily transmitted to the fixing parts 33L and 33R. If fixing parts 33L and 33R are provided in areas where the absorbent body 6 does not extend, the fixing parts 33L and 33R will be able to follow the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER more easily.
[0031] Furthermore, the free end portions located longitudinally outside the arrangement area of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER do not need to be bonded to the top sheet 7, even in the fixing portions 33L and 33R. Because the free end portions are not bonded to the top sheet 7, the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER is transmitted gradually throughout the entire area of the fixing portions 33L and 33R, and the elasticity of the fixing portions 33L and 33R toward the longitudinal inward This prevents the biasing force from concentrating on components 8EL and 8ER.
[0032] In the front and back regions 1R of diaper 1, the absorbent material 6 does not extend to the outer widthwise sides. Instead, side sheets 8L, 8R, a back sheet 5, and a cover sheet 4, which do not have an absorption function for excreted fluid, extend to these regions. These sheets have the function of protecting the absorbent material 6 and suppressing displacement, while also ensuring that the absorbent material 6 is close to the wearer's skin surface in the areas where the absorbent material 6 extends, thereby preventing leakage of excreted fluid to the non-skin side or sides. In the outer widthwise regions where the absorbent material 6 does not extend, these sheets have the function of covering and protecting the wearer's sides. The structure combining these sheets is sometimes called the outer casing.
[0033] Figure 5 shows a suitable angle of rise at the edge of the diaper. More specifically, it is a cross-sectional view of the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 when it is cut longitudinally at the center in the width direction. In this embodiment, elastic members 8EL and 8ER are arranged in the longitudinal direction on the side sheets 8L and 8R of the diaper 1. The side sheets 8L and 8R stand up due to the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER to form three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, but they also contract the entire diaper 1 inward in the longitudinal direction. Since the side sheets 8L and 8R are joined to the pocket-forming sheet 9P in the area where the pocket-forming sheet 9P is arranged, the inner side of the pocket-forming sheet 9P in the longitudinal direction stands up toward the skin side in accordance with the rising of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, forming a pocket P between the absorbent body 6 and the pocket-forming sheet 9P. While wearing diaper 1, the discharged fluid that flows longitudinally along the skin-facing side of the absorbent material 6 enters and is held in the pocket portion P formed by the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR standing up. Therefore, diaper 1 according to this embodiment can suppress leakage of discharged fluid from the longitudinal end.
[0034] In addition to the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, the diaper 1 has an elastic member 4C that extends longitudinally on the non-skin side when viewed from the absorbent material 6 and exerts a biasing force to cause the diaper 1 to contract longitudinally. Furthermore, elastic members 4SL and 4SR are positioned on the outer widthwise side of the crotch area 1B of the diaper 1, extending longitudinally and exerting a biasing force to cause the diaper 1 to contract longitudinally, with the stretchable areas functioning as leg gathers 3AL and 3AR. Due to the biasing force of these elastic members, the outer longitudinal side of the diaper 1 stands upright on the skin side.
[0035] More specifically, when diaper 1 is spread on a horizontal surface and stretched longitudinally with a force of 5N for 5 seconds, the longitudinal outer edge of diaper 1 gradually rises towards the skin due to the biasing force of each elastic member, and after 10 seconds, the edge remains standing upright above the horizontal surface. In other words, a standing portion is formed on the longitudinal outer edge of diaper 1 that rises above the horizontal surface when measured 10 seconds after being spread on a horizontal surface and stretched longitudinally with a force of 5N for 5 seconds. The formation of a standing portion on the longitudinal outer edge makes it easier to put on diaper 1. In addition, as the longitudinal outer edge of diaper 1 stands upright, the longitudinal outer edge of the absorbent material 6 also bends towards the skin, making it easier to conform to the wearer's skin.
[0036] The rising position of diaper 1 extends in the width direction and becomes two imaginary lines that divide diaper 1 into approximately three equal parts in the longitudinal direction. These imaginary lines are the boundary lines separating each region when diaper 1 is divided into a front region having a longitudinal length of 10% to 40%, for example 15% to 30%, or for example 17% to 27%, in the longitudinal direction; a rear region having a longitudinal length of 10% to 40%, for example 15% to 30%, or for example 17% to 27%, in the longitudinal direction; and a central region between the front and rear regions. In its pre-use state, diaper 1 is folded in the longitudinal direction so that the skin-facing side of the absorbent material 6 is not exposed. The two imaginary lines can also be a pair of bends left on the absorbent material 6 as a result of the folding. When the diaper 1 is spread on a horizontal surface and subjected to stretching force in the longitudinal direction, it is preferable that the angle formed between the horizontal reference line HR, which extends the central region in the longitudinal direction, and the rising line connecting the upright longitudinal end and the imaginary line, is 30 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees. If the rising angle exceeds 90 degrees, it will actually hinder the wearer from putting it on. Also, the pocket forming sheet 9P and the top The pad sheet 7 remains in contact with the pocket portion P, preventing its formation.
[0037] Figure 5(A) shows the outer longitudinal side of the diaper 1 when it is standing upright at a suitable angle. In Figure 5(A), the angle R1 formed between the rising line connecting the longitudinal end of the standing diaper 1 and the imaginary line, and the horizontal reference line HR, is 30 degrees or more and less than 60 degrees. When the inner longitudinal side of the pocket forming sheet 9P stands upright towards the skin due to the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, which are thread elastics that form the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, if the standing angle of the diaper 1 is as shown by angle R1, the volume of the pocket P can be increased. Furthermore, since the height of the entrance H of the pocket P can be maintained high, the discharged fluid flowing outward in the longitudinal direction can easily flow into the pocket P. In this way, by setting the standing angle R1 of the diaper 1 to 30 degrees or more and less than 60 degrees, the pocket forming sheet 9P can form a pocket P that exhibits a suitable effect and suppress the outflow of discharged fluid from the longitudinal end.
[0038] Figure 5(B) shows the longitudinal outer side of diaper 1 in an example where the upright angle is insufficient. In Figure 5(B), the angle R2 formed between the rising line connecting the longitudinal end of the upright diaper 1 and the imaginary line, and the horizontal reference line HR, is less than 30 degrees. When the longitudinal end of diaper 1 is upright at angle R2, the upright position is insufficient, and the volume of the pocket P becomes smaller. Also, the height of the opening H of the pocket P becomes lower, so the discharged fluid flowing longitudinally outward may not enter the inside of the pocket P, but instead flow between the pocket forming sheet 9P and the wearer's skin, potentially causing leakage from the abdomen or back.
[0039] Figure 5(C) shows the longitudinal outer side of diaper 1 in an example where the standing angle is close to vertical. In Figure 5(C), the angle R3 formed between the rising line connecting the longitudinal end of the standing diaper 1 and the imaginary line, and the horizontal reference line HR, is 60 degrees or more. If the angle R3 is too large, the volume of the pocket P and the height of the entrance H of the pocket P become smaller compared to when the angle is R1. Thus, the function of the pocket P is not fully realized when the angle is too large. For this reason, it can be said that the optimal standing angle is preferably 30 degrees or more and less than 60 degrees, as shown in Figure 5(A). If the angle exceeds 90 degrees, the pocket P will not open at all, so the discharged fluid will not flow into the pocket P and will reach the longitudinal end, causing leakage from the stomach and back. In addition, if the standing angle exceeds 90 degrees, it becomes difficult to put on diaper 1. As described above, it can be said that the upright angle of the diaper 1 at its longitudinal end is preferably 30 degrees or more and less than 60 degrees, as shown by R1.
[0040] Figure 6 shows the vicinity of the edge of the diaper as seen from the non-skin side. More specifically, it shows the vicinity of the edge of the back body region 1R of diaper 1 as seen from the non-skin side. On the non-skin side of diaper 1, a pair of elastic members 4C are arranged in an extended state in the longitudinal direction, their arrangement area overlapping in the thickness direction with the high-ply portion of the absorbent material 6. Furthermore, elastic members 4SL and 4SR, whose stretchable regions function as leg gathers 3AL and 3AR, are arranged in an extended state in the longitudinal direction, similar to the elastic members 4C, further outward in the width direction from the widthwise edge of the absorbent material 6.
[0041] The longitudinal ends of diaper 1 are primarily supported by the inward contraction force of elastic members 8EL and 8ER, which are located in the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR. However, the longitudinal outer side of the tape-type diaper 1 has many components to enable wearing. For example, the front body region 1F of diaper 1 has a strong front patch 2F that can withstand multiple attachments of the hook tape. The back body region 1R has four hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2, each with a hook tape for joining to the front patch 2F. These components have a certain weight. Due to the weight of these components, the longitudinal ends of diaper 1 are not easily supported by the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER alone.
[0042] In this embodiment, the diaper 1 has an elastic member 4C positioned to exert a contractile force in the longitudinal direction along the area where the absorbent material 6 is placed. The absorbent material 6 receives a biasing force from the elastic members 8EL and 8ER on the skin-facing side, and further receives a biasing force from the elastic member 4C on the non-skin-facing side. In this way, by positioning the elastic member 4C in an extended state in the longitudinal direction not only on the skin-facing side but also on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent material 6, it becomes possible to raise the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 from the horizontal plane. In addition, the elastic members 4SL and 4SR, whose stretchable regions function as leg gathers 3AL and 3AR, also indirectly provide a biasing force to the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 including the absorbent material 6, and play a role in assisting the upright positioning of the longitudinal outer side.
[0043] Here, the elastic member 4C, which is positioned on the non-skin side, is positioned wider in the vicinity of the front body region 1F and back body region 1R, which are on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, and narrower in the crotch region. Furthermore, the elastic member 4C is positioned curving inward in the width direction from the outer side in the longitudinal direction to the crotch region.
[0044] With this arrangement, the elastic member 4C is positioned to overlap with the high-weight portion of the absorbent body 6, i.e., the region where the upper absorbent mat 6A and the lower absorbent mat 6B overlap, in the narrow area of the crotch region 1B. On the longitudinal outer side, by positioning the elastic member 4C to overlap only with the low-weight portion of the absorbent body 6 where only the lower absorbent mat 6B extends, the weight of the absorbent body 6 receiving the biasing force of the elastic member 4C becomes smaller, reducing the resistance to standing upright, and thus the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 according to this embodiment stands upright more effectively. In addition, in the crotch region 1B, since the elastic member 4C and the high-weight portion of the absorbent body 6 overlap in the thickness direction, the absorbent body 6 can sufficiently resist the biasing force received from the elastic member 4C. For this reason, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment can maintain a flat state in the crotch region 1B, and the diaper 1 will not curl up before wearing. Thus, the diaper 1 according to this embodiment maintains a flat state in the crotch area 1B while raising the outer longitudinal side, thus eliminating the need for any extra stretching operation when wearing it.
[0045] In this figure, one of the two imaginary lines VL, which extend in the width direction and divide the diaper 1 into approximately three equal parts in the longitudinal direction, is shown as a dotted line. To protect the skin-contacting surface and maintain a comfortable feel against the skin, the diaper 1 is folded into three sections before use, with the outer and inner skin-contacting sides in the longitudinal direction touching along the two imaginary lines VL. The imaginary line VL is the fold in this three-fold, and the kinks in the absorbent material 6 along this imaginary line VL function as the starting point for the outer side of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction to rise towards the skin.
[0046] The elastic member 4C extends longitudinally outward beyond the imaginary line VL. Near the imaginary line VL, on the longitudinal side of the imaginary line VL, the elastic member 4C is provided with a stretch end 4CE. The stretch end 4CE is the longitudinal end of the elastic member 4C that maintains its extended state. The elastic member 4C extends further longitudinally outward from the stretch end 4CE, but beyond this point, the elastic member 4C extends in a natural state and does not exert any contractile force.
[0047] Although the elastic member 4C is positioned longitudinally beyond the imaginary line VL while exerting contractile force, its expandable end 4CE is positioned near the imaginary line VL. When the elastic member 4C exerts contractile force so that the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 stands up from the imaginary line VL, this contractile force is mainly exerted on the crotch side of the imaginary line VL. By configuring the elastic member 4C to exert contractile force in the section up to the vicinity of the longitudinal outer side of the imaginary line VL, the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 becomes easier to stand up with the imaginary line VL as the starting point.
[0048] The expandable ends 4CE of elastic member 4C are superimposed with the expandable ends of elastic members 4SL and 4SR, which form the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR. That is, elastic member 4C and elastic member 4SL 4SR has a common stretchable end. The longitudinal outer side of diaper 1 is wider than the crotch side, and similarly, the absorbent material 6 is also wider. Furthermore, hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2, each with hook tapes, are located in the back area of diaper 1, making it heavier than the front area. For this reason, the back area of diaper 1 is difficult to stand upright by the biasing force of elastic members 8EL and 8ER, which are located on the skin side and are not shown in Figure 6.
[0049] In this embodiment, the stretchable end 4CE of the elastic member 4C and the stretchable ends of the elastic members 4SL and 4SR for forming the leg gathers 3AL and 3AR are common, and a strong biasing force toward the longitudinal direction can be obtained from both elastic members. By adding the biasing force of elastic members 4C and 4SL and 4SR, which bias the diaper 1 toward the longitudinal direction on the outside of the width direction, in addition to the elastic members 8EL and 8ER that bias the diaper 1 toward the longitudinal direction on the inside in the width direction, the back body region of the diaper 1 can be made to stand up, and as the back body region stands up from the bend line formed on the imaginary line VL, the pocket portion P can be correctly formed in the back body region 1R as well.
[0050] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the expandable end 4CE is positioned on the hook carrier side of the imaginary intermediate line when an imaginary intermediate line is drawn longitudinally in the widthwise center between the outer edge of the absorbent body 6 and the hook carrier. In Figure 6, this imaginary intermediate line is shown as a dashed line. The hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are made of heavy, strong material to prevent them from breaking during wear. In the diaper 1 shown in this embodiment, multiple hook carriers are arranged on one side in the widthwise direction, so the weight is even greater. For this reason, the back body region 1R is difficult to stand upright due to the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER. Moreover, since the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are provided at the widthwise end of the diaper 1, the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER that stand upright does not easily reach them. Even if the back panel area 1R of diaper 1 is raised, the widthwise edges of diaper 1 where the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are located will not rise in conjunction and will tend to sag.
[0051] In this embodiment, the expandable end 4CE is positioned outside the widthwise direction of a virtual intermediate line drawn in the widthwise center between the widthwise outer edge of the absorber 6 and the widthwise outer edge of the outer casing. In other words, since the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, and 2R2 are positioned on the widthwise outer edge of the outer casing, the expandable end 4CE is positioned on the hook carrier side of the virtual intermediate line when a virtual intermediate line is drawn in the widthwise center between the widthwise outer edge of the absorber 6 and the hook carrier.
[0052] By positioning the extendable end 4CE on the outer edge side in the width direction of the outer body, i.e., on the hook carrier side, sufficient biasing force can be applied to the hook carriers 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2 due to the elastic member 4C and the elastic members 4SL, 4SR. With this configuration, the entire back body region 1R becomes easier to stand upright.
[0053] This figure shows the configuration of the stretch edge 4CE on the back panel area 1R, but the stretch edge 4CE on the front panel area 1F can have a similar configuration. Since a wide front patch 2F is placed on the front panel area 1F, the same stretch edge CE as on the back panel area 1R can be placed on the front panel area 1F as well to further stabilize the rise.
[0054] Figure 7 shows the force applied to the diaper by the elastic member near the imaginary line. Near the imaginary line VL, which is the starting point for the rise on the non-skin side of diaper 1, elastic members 4C are provided on both sides in the width direction, folded outward in the width direction. When diaper 1 is worn, a force due to the contraction force of the elastic member 4C is applied near the imaginary line VL. Near the imaginary line VL, the elastic member 4C is positioned diagonally to the imaginary line VL. The force due to the contraction of the elastic member 4C is The force can be decomposed into PV, which is the force applied in the direction of extension of the elastic member 4C, and PH, which is the force applied to the inside in the width direction of the extension region of the elastic member 4C. In Figure 7, the force PV, which is the force applied in the direction of extension of the elastic member 4C, and the force PH, which is the force applied to the inside in the width direction of the extension region of the elastic member 4C, are indicated by arrows, respectively.
[0055] In the vicinity of the virtual line VL, it is desirable that the absorbent 6 and the elastic member 4C do not overlap in the thickness direction. On the longitudinal outer side of the virtual line VL, the absorbent 6 has a lower basis weight. If the elastic member 4C and the absorbent 6 overlap in the vicinity of the virtual line VL, the force PH, which is applied to the inside in the width direction of the extending region of the elastic member 4C, is directly applied to the absorbent 6. As a result, the absorbent 6 loses its shape and bends inward in the width direction, forming a groove that extends in the longitudinal direction. If the absorbent 6 loses its shape in the vicinity of the virtual line VL, the rigidity of the absorbent 6 increases in the vicinity of the virtual line VL, making it difficult to bend, and the diaper 1 becomes difficult to stand upright in the back body region 1R. Furthermore, even if it does stand upright, the absorbent 6 resists bending in the vicinity of the virtual line VL, so the standing position becomes far from the virtual line VL, and the standing position becomes unstable. If the standing position is not stable, the pocket P cannot be properly formed, making it difficult for the diaper 1 to function effectively.
[0056] In this embodiment, in the intersection region including the area where the imaginary line VL and the elastic member 4C intersect, the elastic member 4C and the absorbent 6 do not overlap, and the elastic thread on the side of the elastic member 4C closest to the absorbent 6 and the absorbent 6 are spaced at a distance of 1 cm or more. The force PH, which is the force applied to the inside in the width direction of the extended region of the elastic member 4C, is distributed to the other structures of the diaper 1 and does not directly bias the absorbent 6. Therefore, the force PH does not bend the absorbent 6 inward in the width direction. In this way, even when the elastic member 4C is folded outward in the width direction near the imaginary line VL, the absorbent 6 does not lose its shape, and the outer longitudinal side of the diaper 1 can be kept in a state that makes it easy to stand upright starting from the imaginary line VL. Figure 7 shows the back body region 1R side, but a similar configuration can be used on the front body region 1F side to correctly stand up the absorbent 6 near the imaginary line VL.
[0057] Figure 8 shows the relationship between the absorber and the elastic member superimposed on the absorber. In the crotch region 1B, the elastic member 4C superimposes with the absorber 6. In this embodiment, when imaginary lines LF and LR are drawn in the width direction at the point where the elastic member 4C begins to superimpose with the absorber 6, the elastic member 4C is positioned such that the angle between the superimposed portion of the elastic member 4C that rides over and superimposes with the absorber 6 and the imaginary lines LF and LR, which are extended parallel to the width direction and pass through the superimposed portion, is 45 degrees or more in both cases. If the angle between the elastic member 4C and the imaginary lines LF and LR is 45 degrees or less, the absorber 6 will contract in the width direction due to the biasing force of the elastic member 4C. More specifically, in the crotch region 1B, the elastic member 4C curves inward in the width direction and superimposes with the absorber 6. Therefore, if the angle between the elastic member 4C and the imaginary lines LF and LR in the superimposed portion is 45 degrees or less, the absorber 6 will contract strongly in the width direction due to the biasing force of the elastic member 4C. This contractile force causes grooves to form in the absorbent material 6, for example, extending in the longitudinal direction. When grooves are formed in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent material 6, bending in the width direction becomes less likely, and the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 also becomes less likely to stand upright.
[0058] In the overlapping portion, if the angle between the elastic member 4C and the imaginary lines LF and LR is exactly 45 degrees, the elastic member 4C is biased outward in the width direction on the longitudinal side of the overlapping portion, so the force acting on the absorber 6 in the longitudinal direction and the force acting on it in the width direction are balanced. Therefore, bending caused by the elastic member 4C is unlikely to occur in the absorber 6. On the other hand, as shown in this figure, if the angle between the elastic member 4C and the imaginary lines LF and LR is 45 degrees or more, the biasing force in the longitudinal direction is greater than the contracting force in the width direction that the absorber 6 experiences in the overlapping portion, so a force acts that bends the absorber 6 in the longitudinal direction. Due to this bending force, the absorber 6 contracts in the longitudinal direction, so grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are not formed, and grooves extending in the width direction are formed. It becomes easier to get sick.
[0059] In this way, by making the angle between the elastic member 4C and the imaginary lines LF and LR 45 degrees or more in the overlapping area, a groove extending in the width direction can be formed near the crotch area 1B of the diaper 1, while suppressing the formation of a groove extending in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the absorbent material 6 does not bend in the width direction and lose its shape, and the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1 can maintain a state in which it is easy to stand upright, starting from the standing line that extends in the width direction.
[0060] Figure 9 shows the positional relationship between the three-dimensional gathers and the pocket-forming sheet. Figure 9(A) is an enlarged view of the skin-facing side of the back body region 1R of diaper 1. The pocket-forming sheet 9P has an outer elastic member 9ER and an inner elastic member 9EB arranged in the width direction when stretched. The pocket-forming sheet 9P is joined to the top sheet 7 on the longitudinal outer side where the absorbent material 6 does not extend. The outer elastic member 9ER, positioned on the longitudinal outer side, works together with the outer body such as the top sheet 7 and cover sheet 4 to function as a so-called waist gather, conforming the diaper 1 to the wearer's skin.
[0061] On the other hand, the inner elastic member 9EB functions as a waist gather, similar to the outer elastic member 9ER, but also has the function of effectively forming the pocket portion P. That is, the inner elastic member 9EB is positioned near the longitudinal inner end of the pocket forming sheet 9P, and in the extended region of the inner elastic member 9EB, the pocket forming sheet 9P and the top sheet 7 are not joined. On the other hand, on the widthwise outer side of the pocket forming sheet 9P, the pocket forming sheet 9P is joined to the region where the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR of the side sheets 8L and 8R are extended in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are raised towards the skin side by the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, the longitudinal inner end of the pocket forming sheet 9P is lifted towards the skin side by the raising of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, forming the widthwise end of the pocket portion P. Furthermore, by arranging an inner elastic member 9EB, which extends in the width direction and exerts contractile force, in an extended state near the longitudinal inner end of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, the entire longitudinal inner surface of the pocket-forming sheet 9P is lifted towards the skin side, forming a pocket portion P with a wide opening between it and the top sheet 7, and enabling the discharge liquid flowing longitudinally outward to be effectively drawn into and contained within the pocket portion P.
[0062] As shown in this figure, the elastic members 8EL and 8ER that bias the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR toward the skin side do not overlap with the pocket-forming sheet 9P. Furthermore, even if they do overlap, the stretched ends of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER do not overlap with the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, and the elastic members 8EL and 8ER overlap with the pocket-forming sheet 9P in their natural state without exerting contractile force. In other words, it is desirable that the stretched range of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER does not overlap with the stretched range of the inner elastic member 9EB.
[0063] Figure 9(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the problems that occur when the pocket-forming sheet 9P and the elastic members 8EL and 8ER of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are superimposed in a state in which they can exert contractile force. In this figure, since the elastic members 8EL and 8ER are superimposed on the pocket-forming sheet 9P in a state in which they can exert contractile force, the elastic members 8EL and 8ER contract even in the region in which they overlap with the pocket-forming sheet 9P, as shown in the figure. When the elastic members 8EL and 8ER contract in the region in which they overlap with the pocket-forming sheet 9P, wrinkles form in the longitudinal direction of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, as shown in the figure, and the volume of the pocket P decreases. In addition, if wrinkles are formed on the pocket-forming sheet 9P that is in contact with the skin, the feel against the skin will decrease, which may cause discomfort to the wearer. For this reason, it is desirable that the elastic members 8EL and 8ER placed on the pocket-forming sheet 9P and the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are not superimposed.
[0064] Figure 10 shows a cross-section illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the three-dimensional gathers and the pocket-forming sheet. This is a diagram. Specifically, this diagram is a cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 cut in the width direction near the longitudinal inner end of the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P. The absorbent core 6C of the diaper 1 has a two-layer structure, but since the upper absorbent mat 6A is not present in the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, it has a single-layer structure consisting only of the lower absorbent mat 6B. As explained in Figure 9, when the elastic members 8EL and 8ER of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR exert a contractile force in the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, the pocket-forming sheet 9P contracts in the longitudinal direction due to the contractile force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, making it impossible to form a pocket portion P of sufficient size. In Figure 9, this problem is solved by not overlapping the expansion and contraction range of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER with the pocket-forming sheet 9P. On the other hand, in Figure 10, the pocket-forming sheet 9P and the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR of the side sheets 8L and 8R are not completely joined, so that, at least when the diaper 1 is worn, the extended areas of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER do not come into contact with the pocket-forming sheet 9P. This configuration also makes it possible to avoid the problem of wrinkles forming on the pocket-forming sheet 9P due to the biasing force of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, which reduces the volume of the pocket portion P.
[0065] Elastic members 8EL and 8ER, positioned at the inner widthwise ends of side sheets 8L and 8R, stand upright on the skin side to form three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR. On the longitudinal outer side, as the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR stand upright, the outer widthwise side of the pocket-forming sheet 9P is biased towards the skin side and lifts up towards the skin side. An inner elastic member 9EB, joined to the crotch side end of the pocket-forming sheet 9P in an extended state in the widthwise direction, is positioned thereto, and by transmitting the lifting state that occurs on both sides in the widthwise direction to the inner side in the widthwise direction, it stands upright on the skin side throughout the entire crotch area, forming a pocket portion P into which drainage fluid can effectively flow.
[0066] However, the inner elastic member 9EB provided on the pocket-forming sheet 9P biases the side sheets 8L and 8R inward in the width direction, which can sometimes hinder the upright positioning of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR. To solve this problem, when the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are folded, the expansion and contraction range of the inner elastic member 9EB can be made so as not to overlap with the elastic members 8EL and 8ER provided at the ends of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR. Outside the expansion and contraction range, the inner elastic member 9EB may be in a natural state where it does not exert a biasing force, or it may not extend at all. With this configuration, the biasing force of the inner elastic member 9EB no longer directly affects the elastic members 8EL and 8ER, which are elastic threads arranged in the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR. As a result, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR can stand up without being affected by the biasing force of the inner elastic member 9EB. Consequently, the standing of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR is not hindered, and in response to the standing of the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, the crotch side end of the pocket forming sheet 9P can be raised towards the skin side, thereby forming a pocket portion P capable of containing discharged fluid.
[0067] Furthermore, even when the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR are folded and the stretch range of the inner elastic member 9EB overlaps with the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR portions of the side sheets 8L and 8R and the pocket-forming sheet 9P may not be completely joined. More specifically, the extended portions of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER may not be joined to the pocket-forming sheet 9P. If the extended regions of the elastic members 8EL and 8ER are not completely joined to the pocket-forming sheet 9P, the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR can stand upright on the skin side without directly receiving the biasing force of the inner elastic member 9EB. If the three-dimensional gathers 3BL and 3BR stand upright on the skin side in the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, the crotch end of the pocket-forming sheet 9P can also stand upright on the skin side due to the biasing force of the inner elastic member 9EB, thereby forming a pocket portion P capable of containing discharged fluid.
[0068] Figure 11 shows the relationship between the thickness of the absorbent at the longitudinal end and the pocket portion. As already explained, in this embodiment, the absorbent 6 consists of a rectangular upper absorbent mat 6A mainly located in the crotch area 1B and is distributed throughout the entire extension area of the absorbent 6. It has a two-layer structure with a roughly hourglass-shaped lower absorbent mat 6B, and only the lower absorbent mat 6B extends from the longitudinal end of the absorbent body 6.
[0069] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 9(A), the upper absorbent mat 6A is positioned such that its longitudinal end is located longitudinally inward from the imaginary line VL, which serves as the starting point for the longitudinal outer edge of the diaper 1 to rise. Therefore, the only absorbent material 6 that overlaps with the extended region of the pocket-forming sheet 9P is the lower absorbent mat 6B. Furthermore, in the region overlapping with the imaginary line VL, the upper absorbent mat 6A is absent from the absorbent material 6, resulting in lower rigidity. Consequently, the diaper 1 is more likely to bend towards the skin side starting from the imaginary line VL.
[0070] Furthermore, since the upper absorbent mat 6A is absent in the area overlapping with the pocket portion P, the absorbent material 6 will be predominantly located on the non-skin side in the area overlapping with the pocket portion P. By predominantly located on the non-skin side, it is possible to increase the volume of the pocket portion P formed between the pocket-forming sheet 9P and the top sheet 7. Moreover, with this configuration, a step is created in the absorbent material 6 outside the area where the pocket portion P is formed. At one end, the discharged liquid held inside the pocket portion P may flow back up the surface of the absorbent material 6, causing discomfort to the wearer. However, because the step exists in the absorbent material 6, this backflow is suppressed by the step, thus reducing the discomfort caused to the wearer.
[0071] In this way, by providing a pocket-forming sheet 9P on the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1, and arranging multiple elastic members so that the diaper 1 bends toward the skin side at the longitudinal inner portion of the longitudinal inner end of the pocket-forming sheet 9P, the diaper 1 can form a large pocket portion P on the longitudinal outer side. In this embodiment, by providing a pocket portion P on the longitudinal outer side of the diaper 1, wastewater flowing longitudinally outward can be drawn into and held inside the pocket portion P, and leakage from the abdomen and back can be suppressed depending on the arrangement area of the pocket-forming sheet 9P.
[0072] Although this embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a compression groove formed by compression processing and extending in the longitudinal direction can be provided in the crotch region 1B of the absorbent body 6. By providing the compression groove, the absorbent body 6 is compressed in the thickness direction, so the absorbent body 6 becomes highly rigid in the region where the compression groove is located, and can resist the contraction force of each elastic member. On the other hand, the rigidity of the front body region 1F and back body region 1R where the compression groove is not located can be kept low, so in the front body region 1F and back body region 1R, the diaper 1 can easily bend toward the skin side due to the biasing force of each elastic member, making it easy to put on. Furthermore, in the diaper 1 according to this embodiment, a large pocket region P can be formed by the appropriate bending of the front body region 1F and back body region 1R, so depending on the arrangement of the pocket forming sheet 9P, leakage of discharge from the abdomen and back can be suppressed.
[0073] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using tape-type diapers as an example, the contents of this disclosure can also be applied to inner pads, which are absorbent articles used by being inserted inside underwear or diapers. In the case of inner pads as well, if the longitudinal ends are raised, they become much easier to put on.
[0074] The embodiments and applications disclosed above can be combined in various ways. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0075] 1. Diaper 1B...Inseam area 1F ··Front bodice area 1R · Back panel area 2F Front Patch 2L1, 2L2, 2R1, 2R2... Hook carrier 3AL, 3AR Leg Gather 3BL, 3BR ··3D Gathered 30L,30R·Joint part 31L, 31R · Standing part 32L, 32R · Standing line 33L,33R・Fixed part 4. Cover Sheet 4C, 4SL, 4SR, 8EL, 8ER, 9E, 9EB, 9ER... Elastic members 5. Back seat 6. Absorbent 6C Absorption Core 6A ··Upper layer absorbent mat 6B ·· Lower layer absorbent mat 6W Core Wrap Sheet 7. Top sheet 8L, 8R... Side seats 9P pocket forming sheet P...Pocket section 9EB ··Inner elastic member 9ER ··Outer elastic member 10L, 10R... Suspension parts PV, PH··force VL, LF, LR... virtual lines
Claims
1. It has a length along the longitudinal direction corresponding to the wearer's front-to-back direction, and a length along the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, An absorbent material that absorbs the wastewater, An outer casing that brings the absorbent material close to the wearer's skin, A liquid-permeable skin-side sheet is placed on the skin-side side of the absorbent, A leak-proof sheet having a pair of elastic members arranged outside the widthwise center of the widthwise, with the joint ends extending in the longitudinal direction as the boundary, the inner side in the widthwise direction rising towards the skin surface to form a leak-proof wall, and a first elastic member bonded to the inner side in the widthwise direction in an extended state in the longitudinal direction, A second elastic member is positioned wider on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, narrower in the crotch area corresponding to the wearer's crotch when worn, curves inward in the width direction from the outer side in the longitudinal direction to the crotch area, and is positioned in an extended state in the longitudinal direction so as to overlap with the absorbent in the thickness direction in the crotch area, and has an expandable end that does not overlap with the absorbent; A third elastic member having an expandable end common to the expandable end of the second elastic member, and positioned outside the widthwise direction of the second elastic member, and extended in the longitudinal direction, A pocket-forming sheet that, in at least the back body region on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, overlaps the skin-facing side of the skin-facing sheet, is positioned between the skin-facing sheet and the leak-proof sheet in the area where the leak-proof sheet is placed, and is not joined to the skin-facing sheet on the inner side in the longitudinal direction, and is joined to the leak-proof sheet on the inner side in the longitudinal direction, and is joined to both the skin-facing sheet and the leak-proof sheet on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, Equipped with, The absorbent body is A lower absorber is arranged in the entire area of the extending range of the absorber, An upper absorbent disposed inward in the longitudinal direction of the extension range of the absorbent, The upper absorbent layer and the pocket-forming sheet do not overlap in the thickness direction, the overlapping region of the pocket-forming sheet is formed lower on the non-skin side compared to the upper absorbent layer, and a step is formed on the longitudinal end side of the back body region of the upper absorbent layer. Absorbent material.
2. In at least the rear body region of the outer longitudinal side, the second elastic member and the expandable end of the third elastic member are positioned outside the virtual intermediate line in the width direction when a virtual intermediate line extending in the longitudinal direction is drawn in the width direction center between the width direction outer edge of the outer body and the width direction outer edge of the absorber. The absorbent article according to claim 1.
3. When the absorbent material is spread on a horizontal surface and stretched with 5N in the longitudinal direction for 5 seconds on the outer side of the absorbent material where it overlaps with the pocket-forming sheet, and when measured 10 seconds after the external force is removed, an upright portion rises from the horizontal surface, Equipped with, The absorbent article according to claim 1.
4. When the upright portion rises from the horizontal plane, the angle between the longitudinal end of the upright portion and the horizontal plane is 30 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees. The absorbent article according to claim 3.
5. When the upright portion rises from the horizontal plane, the angle between the longitudinal end of the upright portion and the horizontal plane is less than 60 degrees. The absorbent article according to claim 4.
6. The absorbent body has a pair of curved lines extending in the width direction on the outer side in the longitudinal direction, which bend the absorbent article. The expandable end of the second elastic member is positioned on the outer side in the longitudinal direction of the pair of bending lines. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.
7. In the intersection region of the pair of bending lines and the second elastic member, the absorber and the second elastic member do not overlap in the thickness direction. The absorbent article according to claim 6.
8. The expansion and contraction ranges of the pocket-forming sheet and the first elastic member provided on the leak-proof sheet do not overlap. The absorbent article according to claim 3.
9. The second elastic member curves inward in the width direction and overlaps with the absorber in the superimposed portion, The angle between the second elastic member and the imaginary line extended parallel to the width direction so as to pass through the overlapping portion is 45 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5.