Pet diapers

Abstract

Invention details;

Description

Pet diapers

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pet diapers.

[0002] Conventionally, pet diapers for pets such as dogs and cats have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pet diaper that has a tail insertion portion (slit) for inserting the pet's tail in a portion behind the absorbent core.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-205542

[0004] With such pet diapers, there is a risk that the diaper may slip off the pet's body when the pet moves (for example, wagging its tail from side to side), resulting in side leakage of excrement.

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a pet diaper that can prevent slippage due to the movements of a pet.

[0006] A pet diaper according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a pet diaper to be put on a pet, and includes a main body portion having a longitudinal direction connecting the pet's belly side to its back side and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the main body portion having a top sheet that is arranged in a position facing the pet's skin when the pet diaper is put on the pet, a back sheet that is arranged on the side opposite to the pet's skin when the pet diaper is put on the pet, an absorbent core that is arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, and an elastic member that is arranged extending in the longitudinal direction along the outer edge of the main body portion in the width direction and that contracts in the longitudinal direction, A tail insertion section for inserting a pet's tail is provided in the portion dorsal to the absorbent core, and when the main body section is stretched, a pair of cut sections are provided on both sides of the center line of the main body section in the width direction, sandwiching the center line of the main body section in the width direction, in an area ventral to a second line connecting the intersection of a first line extending longitudinally along the elastic member and the dorsal end of the main body section and the dorsal end of the central part of the tail insertion section in the width direction, and more inward in the width direction than the elastic member, and each of the pair of cut sections has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and penetrates the main body section in the thickness direction of the main body section.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a pet diaper can be provided that can prevent slippage due to pet movements.

[0008] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a pet diaper according to one embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the pet diaper of Fig. 1, as seen from the non-skin side. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pet diaper taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the pet diaper taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the pet diaper is worn. Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a state of a part of a pet's body and a part of the pet diaper in a cross-section taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5.

[0009] At least the following aspects 1 to 15 will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] (Mode 1) A pet diaper to be worn on a pet, comprising a main body portion having a longitudinal direction connecting the pet's belly side to its back side and a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the main body portion having: a top sheet that is arranged in a position facing the pet's skin when the pet diaper is worn on the pet; a back sheet that is arranged on the opposite side to the pet's skin when the pet diaper is worn on the pet; an absorbent core that is arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet; and an elastic member that is arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction along an outer edge of the main body portion in the width direction and that contracts in the longitudinal direction, and a tail insertion portion for inserting the pet's tail is provided in a portion of the main body portion on the back side of the absorbent core, A pet diaper in which, when the main body portion is stretched, a pair of cutout portions are provided on both sides of the center line of the main body portion in the width direction, sandwiching the center line of the main body portion in the width direction, in an area more ventral to a second line connecting the intersection of a first line extending in the longitudinal direction along the elastic member and the back end of the main body portion and the back end of the central part of the tail insertion portion in the width direction, and more inward than the elastic member in the width direction, and each of the pair of cutout portions has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction and penetrates the main body portion in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

[0011] The pet diaper has a pair of cutouts with a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction, located closer to the ventral side than the second line and between the centerline of the main body and the elastic members on both sides in the width direction. This allows the cutouts to separate the top of the main body (the portion of the main body that is more inward in the width direction than the cutouts) from the side of the main body where the elastic members are located (the portion of the main body that is more outward in the width direction than the cutouts) when the pet is using the diaper (when the pet is standing on all fours). As a result, even if the top of the main body deforms when the pet wags its tail, the force of the deformation is blocked by the cutouts, preventing it from being transmitted to the side of the main body, thereby preventing the side of the main body from shifting out of position. Therefore, the pet diaper prevents the pet diaper from slipping out of position due to the pet's movements.

[0012] (Aspect 2) The pet diaper of Aspect 1, wherein the rear end of the effective portion of the elastic member that is configured to be contractible in the longitudinal direction is located rearward of the rear end of the tail insertion portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] According to the second aspect, the elastic member effectively contracts the side portion of the main body in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the top portion of the main body, which is separated from the side portion of the main body at the cut portion, can be appropriately separated (floated) from the pet's body. In other words, the freedom of movement of the top portion of the main body independent of the side portion of the main body can be increased. This improves the cushioning function of the top portion of the main body (i.e., the function of confining deformation of the main body due to the pet's movements to the top portion of the main body inside the cut portion and suppressing its transmission to the side portion of the main body outside the cut portion).

[0014] (Aspect 3) The pet diaper of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the rear end of the active portion of the elastic member that is configured to be contractible in the longitudinal direction is located rearward of the rear end of the cut portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to the third aspect, the effect of the second aspect can be improved.

[0016] (Aspect 4) A pet diaper according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the main body portion has an upstanding elastic member that is positioned more inward than the elastic member in the width direction, and is configured so that it can stand up by having both ends in the longitudinal direction fixed and the portion between the ends contract in the longitudinal direction, and the effective portion of the upstanding elastic member that is configured to be contractible in the longitudinal direction is not positioned in the region inward than the cut portion in the width direction within the region where the cut portion is located in the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to aspect 4, the upright elastic member effectively prevents lateral leakage of excrement, while preventing the upper surface of the main body from deforming in the longitudinal direction due to the contraction force of the upright elastic member, thereby preventing a decrease in the cushioning function of the upper surface of the main body.

[0018] (Aspect 5) The pet diaper according to aspect 4, wherein the effective portion of the upstanding elastic member is disposed on the abdominal side of the cut portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, by arranging the effective portion of the upright elastic member on the ventral side of the cut portion, it is possible to realize a configuration that achieves the effects described in the fourth aspect.

[0020] (Aspect 6) The pet diaper according to Aspect 4, wherein the effective portion of the upstanding elastic member is disposed outward from the cut portion in the width direction.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect, by arranging the effective portion of the upright elastic member on the outer side of the cut portion in the width direction, it is possible to realize a configuration that achieves the effects described in the fourth aspect.

[0022] (Aspect 7) The pet diaper according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the cut portion is disposed on the back side of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to prevent urine absorbed in the absorbent core from leaking through the cut portion.

[0024] (Aspect 8) The pet diaper according to Aspect 7, wherein the cut portion is disposed on the dorsal side of the ventral end of the tail insertion portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect, leakage of urine absorbed in the absorbent core through the cut portions can be more effectively prevented.

[0026] (Aspect 9) A pet diaper according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, further comprising: a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in the width direction from both ends of the main body portion in the width direction; and a target portion positioned in an area of ​​the main body portion more dorsal to the pair of fastening tabs and engaging with the pair of fastening tabs, wherein the cutting portion is positioned more ventral to the target portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] According to aspect 9, by positioning the cutting portion so that it does not come into contact with the target portion that engages with the pair of fastening tabs, it is possible to prevent the engagement strength between the pair of fastening tabs and the target portion from being impaired by the cutting portion.

[0028] (Aspect 10) The pet diaper of any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the main body portion has side sheets that form leg side gathers that are fixed at both ends in the longitudinal direction and can stand up when the portion between the ends contracts in the longitudinal direction, and the cut portions are positioned so as to overlap the side sheets.

[0029] According to Aspect 10, the rigidity of the portion of the main body where the cutout is provided can be increased by the amount of the side sheet. As a result, when the upper surface of the main body is deformed due to the pet's movements, the highly rigid portion where the cutout is provided can effectively absorb the deformation and effectively prevent the force of the deformation from being transmitted to the side of the main body. Furthermore, the increased rigidity of the portion where the cutout is provided as described above makes it easier to maintain the shape of the material along the cutout (the cross-sectional shape of the cutout). As a result, the portion of the main body where the cutout is provided can also be improved in fit to the pet's body.

[0030] (Aspect 11) The pet diaper according to aspect 10, wherein the side sheets have a folded-over region formed on the inner side of the cut portion in the width direction.

[0031] According to the eleventh aspect, the effect of the tenth aspect described above can be obtained even more preferably.

[0032] (Aspect 12) The pet diaper according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the cut portion is provided outside a midpoint between the tail insertion portion and the elastic member in the width direction.

[0033] According to the twelfth aspect, by locating the cut portion closer to the elastic member than to the tail insertion portion, the size of the upper surface of the main body can be secured sufficiently relative to the size of the side surfaces of the main body, making it easier for the upper surface of the main body to rise up from the pet's body, thereby improving the shock-absorbing function of the upper surface of the main body.

[0034] (Aspect 13) The pet diaper according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the cutting portion has a plurality of incisions formed at a plurality of different positions in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] According to aspect 13, by constructing the cutting portion not as a single long incision but as multiple separate incisions in the longitudinal direction, a structure can be realized that exhibits the above-mentioned cushioning function without significantly compromising the material strength of the main body.

[0036] (Aspect 14) The pet diaper according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the cutting portion has a notch portion having a shape that is convex outward in the width direction.

[0037] According to Aspect 14, the convex portion along the cutout is easily raised when the device is attached, and the upper surface and the side surface of the device are easily separated by the cutout, thereby achieving a structure in which movement of the upper surface of the device is less likely to be transmitted to the side surface of the device.

[0038] (Aspect 15) The pet diaper according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the back end of the tail insertion portion is located closer to the ventral side than a midpoint between the center of the main body portion and the back end of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0039] According to Aspect 15, the portion of the main body that faces the pet's back when the device is worn (the main body upper surface portion) can be made sufficiently wide. As a result, the deformation force of the main body caused by the pet's tail wagging or other movements can be distributed in a balanced manner throughout the main body upper surface portion, and the deformation force directed from the main body upper surface portion to the main body side surface portion can be effectively blocked by the cutout portion.

[0040] [Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0041] The configuration of a pet diaper 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pet diaper 1 as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the pet diaper 1 as viewed from the non-skin side. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the pet diaper 1 in a stretched state, in which the pet diaper 1 has been stretched to a state where no wrinkles are formed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pet diaper 1 taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pet diaper 1 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. The pet diaper 1 is a diaper worn by a pet. In this specification, the term "pet" broadly includes vertebrates and invertebrates, and typically includes pet animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. As an example, the pet diaper 1 is a diaper for a dog.

[0042] In this embodiment, the "skin side" refers to the side that faces the pet's skin when the pet diaper 1 is worn on the pet. The "non-skin side" refers to the side that faces away from the pet's skin when the pet diaper 1 is worn on the pet. As shown in FIG. 1 , the pet diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction Y that connects the pet's belly side to its dorsal side, a width direction X that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and extends along the pet's waistline, and a thickness direction Z that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the thickness direction Z is the layering direction of the materials that make up the pet diaper 1 (such as the topsheet 3, backsheet 4, and absorbent body 10, which will be described later). The straight line that passes through the center of the pet diaper 1 in the width direction X and is parallel to the longitudinal direction Y is referred to as the "center line CL."

[0043] The pet diaper 1 includes a main body portion 2 extending in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X. The main body portion 2 absorbs urine excreted by a pet wearing the pet diaper 1. The main body portion 2 is divided into a ventral portion 21 located on the pet's ventral side when the pet diaper 1 is worn, a dorsal portion 22 located on the pet's dorsal side when the pet diaper 1 is worn, and a crotch portion 23 located between the ventral portion 21 and the dorsal portion 22. The ventral portion 21, the crotch portion 23, and the dorsal portion 22 are aligned along the longitudinal direction Y from the pet's ventral side (front) to its dorsal side (rear). As an example, if the main body portion 2 is divided into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y, the one region located on the ventral side corresponds to the ventral portion 21, the one region located on the dorsal side corresponds to the dorsal portion 22, and the two regions located between the ventral portion 21 and the dorsal portion 22 (i.e., the central portion of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction Y) correspond to the crotch portion 23.

[0044] The main body 2 has a topsheet 3 , a backsheet 4 , a pair of side sheets 5 , and an absorbent body 10 .

[0045] The top sheet 3 is a liquid-permeable sheet that is placed in a position facing the pet's skin when the pet is wearing the pet carrier, and can be formed from, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven or woven fabric, a synthetic resin film with liquid-permeable holes, or a composite sheet of these.

[0046] The back sheet 4 is a liquid-impermeable sheet that is placed on the side opposite the pet's skin when the absorbent body is worn. The back sheet 4 can be made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric, a synthetic resin film, or a composite sheet of these. In this embodiment, the back sheet 4 has an exterior sheet 41 and a leak-proof sheet 42. The exterior sheet 41 is placed outside (non-skin side) of the leak-proof sheet 42 and forms the outermost surface of the main body 2. The exterior sheet 41 is made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric. The leak-proof sheet 42 is placed between the exterior sheet 41 and the absorbent body 10 (absorbent core 11) and is joined to the exterior sheet 41. The leak-proof sheet 42 is made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable synthetic resin film.

[0047] The pair of side sheets 5 are sheets for forming leg side gathers LSG, which are upstanding leak-proof gathers, in the abdominal portion 21 and the crotch portion 23. The side sheets 5 may be formed, for example, from a water-repellent or hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, each side sheet 5 is disposed on both sides of the main body portion 2 in the width direction X so as to expose the central portion of the topsheet 3 in the width direction X. Each side sheet 5 extends along the longitudinal direction Y from the abdominal end 2a of the main body portion 2 to the dorsal end 2b of the main body portion 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer edge of each side sheet 5 in the width direction X coincides with the outer edge of the backsheet 4, forming the outer edge portion 2c of the main body portion 2. The inner portion of each side sheet 5 in the width direction X is folded back toward the skin side. Between the folded side sheets 5, an elastic member 7 (upstanding elastic member) stretched in the longitudinal direction Y is disposed from the abdominal portion 21 to the crotch portion 23. The elastic member 7 is, for example, rubber thread.

[0048] As shown in Figure 1, each side sheet 5 is joined (fixed) to the topsheet 3 at fixing portions R, which are surrounded by dashed lines and hatched with diagonal lines. Each fixing portion R is disposed over the entire area in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2. Each fixing portion R has a fixing portion R1 extending in the longitudinal direction Y along the outer edge of the fixing portion R in the width direction X, a rectangular fixing portion R2 formed at the ventral end of the fixing portion R in the longitudinal direction Y, and a rectangular fixing portion R3 formed at the dorsal end of the fixing portion R in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0049] The upright portions 5a are formed by the portions of the side sheets 5 between the inner end R2a of the fixed portion R2 in the longitudinal direction Y and the inner end R3a of the fixed portion R3 in the longitudinal direction Y (i.e., the portions of the side sheets 5 where the elastic members 7 are disposed and which are not joined to the topsheet 3). The upright portions 5a function as leg side gathers LSG by standing up due to contraction of the elastic members 7. More specifically, the upright portions 5a are configured such that, by contracting in the longitudinal direction Y while both ends in the longitudinal direction Y are fixed by the fixed portions R2 and R3, they stand up with the inner end R1a of the fixed portion R1 in the width direction X as a fulcrum. In other words, the end R1a of the fixed portion R1 functions as a fulcrum for the leg side gathers LSG.

[0050] The absorbent body 10 is disposed between the topsheet 3 and the backsheet 4. As shown in FIG. 3 , the absorbent body 10 comprises an absorbent core 11 and a core wrap 12 covering the upper and lower surfaces of the absorbent core 11. The absorbent core 11 is disposed so as to cover the ventral portion 21 and the crotch portion 23, but is not disposed in the dorsal portion 22. The absorbent core 11 is a member that absorbs pet urine and has liquid absorption and liquid retention properties. The absorbent core 11 is a laminate of absorbent materials containing, for example, ground pulp, superabsorbent polymer (SAP), or a mixture thereof. The core wrap 12 is, for example, a tissue or nonwoven fabric sheet. As an example, the absorbent core 11 is formed in a gourd shape (or an hourglass shape) when viewed in the thickness direction Z, with a constricted central portion in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent core 11.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the main body 2 is provided with a tail insertion section 6 for inserting a pet's tail. As an example, the tail insertion section 6 is composed of one cutout 6a and two cutouts 6b. The cutouts 6a and 6b penetrate the main body 2 in the thickness direction Z. The cutout 6a is provided in the center of the crotch portion 23 in the width direction X in a region on the back side of the absorbent core 11. The cutout 6a extends in the width direction X across the center line CL and has a curved (arcuate) shape that is convex toward the back side. The two cutouts 6b are provided on both sides of the center line CL, at positions closer to the cutout 6a and on the back side of the cutout 6a. The two cutouts 6b are linearly shaped and inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction Y so that the distance between the two cutouts 6b increases from the ventral side to the back side.

[0052] By pushing the portion of the main body 2 between the ends of the incision 6a in the width direction X and closer to the ventral side than the incision 6a toward the skin side, a substantially semicircular opening for inserting the pet's tail is formed. Furthermore, by tearing the portion of the main body 2 between the incision 6a and the two incisions 6b, the incision 6a and the two incisions 6b can be connected. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2 , it is possible to form an opening having an area A larger than the opening formed by the incision 6a. As described above, in this embodiment, the tail insertion portion 6 is configured so that the opening size can be adjusted (enlarged) by connecting the two incisions 6b to the incision 6a as needed. Note that the shape and size of the tail insertion portion 6 are not limited to those of this embodiment. For example, the incision 6b may be omitted if size adjustment is not necessary. Furthermore, the tail insertion portion 6 may be formed by an opening having a predetermined area instead of an incision, or by a combination of an opening and an incision.

[0053] A pair of flap portions F1 protruding outward in the width direction X are formed on both sides of the ventral portion 21 in the width direction X. Similarly, a pair of flap portions F2 protruding outward in the width direction X are formed on both sides of the dorsal portion 22 in the width direction X. A pair of fastening tabs 50 are provided on the pair of flap portions F1. A target portion 53 is provided in the region between the pair of flap portions F2 on the dorsal portion 22.

[0054] Each fastening tab 50 extends outward in the width direction X from both ends (ends F1a in the width direction X of the flap portion F1) of the main body portion 2 (flap portion F1). Each fastening tab 50 has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction X and is disposed near the end 2a on the ventral side of the main body portion 2. Each fastening tab 50 has a base sheet 51 joined to the flap portion F1 and an engaging portion 52 provided on the skin-facing surface of the base sheet 51. A portion of the base sheet 51 is sandwiched, for example, between the side sheet 5 and the back sheet 4. The engaging portion 52 is, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., a plurality of hook-shaped members) configured to be engageable with a target portion 53.

[0055] The target portion 53 has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction X, and is disposed on the non-skin side surface of the back sheet 4 (exterior sheet 41) near the back end 2b of the main body portion 2. As shown in Fig. 5, in the attached state, the engaging portions 52 of the pair of fastening tabs 50 engage with the target portion 53. Fig. 5 shows the state in which the pet P is standing in the attached state.

[0056] The main body 2 has a pair of elastic members 8 that are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction Y along the outer edge 2c of the main body 2 in the width direction X (in this embodiment, a portion of the outer edge 2c located in the crotch portion 23 where the flap portions F1, 32 are not provided) and that contract in the longitudinal direction Y. Each elastic member 8 is, for example, rubber thread similar to the elastic member 7. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , each elastic member 8 is arranged between the top sheet 3 and the back sheet 4 (leak-proof sheet 42). As shown in FIG. 5 , when the diaper is worn, the pair of elastic members 8 contract in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the outer edge 2c of the main body 2 to function as leg gathers that fit around the legs of the pet P.

[0057] 1, when the main body 2 is stretched, the intersection of each line L1 (first line) extending in the longitudinal direction Y along each elastic member 8 with the dorsal end 2b of the main body 2 is denoted as P1, and the dorsal end of the center of the tail insertion section 6 in the width direction X is denoted as P2. End P2 of the tail insertion section 6 is the dorsal end of the largest opening formed by the tail insertion section 6. In this embodiment, area A shown in FIG. 2 is the largest opening that can be formed by the tail insertion section 6 (i.e., the notch 6a and the two notches 6b). Therefore, end P2 corresponds to the dorsal end of the center of area A in the width direction X. Note that if the tail insertion section 6 is not a notch as in this embodiment, but an opening having a predetermined area that is originally formed in the main body 2, end P2 corresponds to the dorsal end of the center of the opening in the width direction X. Moreover, a line connecting each intersection point P1 and an end P2 is represented as a line L2 (second line).

[0058] When line L2 is defined as above, in this embodiment, a cut portion 9 is provided in a region that is more ventral than line L2 (upper side in FIG. 1 ) and more inward than the elastic member 8 in the width direction X (in this embodiment, the region located between the tail insertion portion 6 and the elastic member 8 in the width direction X). In this embodiment, a cut portion 9 is provided on each side of the center line CL in the width direction X. Each cut portion 9 has a plurality of cut portions 91 (four on each side in this embodiment) that have a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction Y. In each cut portion 9, the plurality of cut portions 91 are arranged in the longitudinal direction Y. Each cut portion 91 penetrates the main body 2 in the thickness direction Z of the main body 2. In this embodiment, four sets of pairs of cutting portions 9 (notches 91) are arranged in the longitudinal direction Y on either side of the center line CL of the main body 2 in the width direction X, but in order to obtain the effect of the pet diaper 1 described below, it is sufficient that the main body 2 has at least one set of pairs of cutting portions 9 (i.e., a total of two cutting portions 9 (notches 91)).

[0059] Next, the effects of the above-described pet diaper 1 will be described. In the pet diaper 1, a pair of cutouts 9 (in this embodiment, four cutouts 91 extending in the longitudinal direction Y on each of the left and right sides) having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction Y are provided in a region that is more ventral than the line L2 and between the center line CL of the main body portion 2 in the width direction X and the elastic members 8 on both sides of the width direction X. As a result, as shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, when the pet diaper 1 is in use (when the pet P is standing on all fours as shown in Figure 5), the cutouts 9 can separate the main body top surface 2d (the portion of the main body portion 2 that is more inward in the width direction X than the cutouts 9) where the tail insertion portion 6 is located from the main body side surface 2e (the portion of the main body portion 2 that is more outward in the width direction X than the cutouts 9) where the elastic members 8 are located. As a result, even if the upper surface portion 2d of the main body is deformed, for example, when the pet P wags its tail, the force of the deformation is prevented from being transmitted to the side surface portion 2e by the cutout portion 9, thereby preventing the side surface portion 2e from shifting out of position. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , if a certain amount of play (gap S) is formed between the upper surface portion 2d of the main body and the pet P, even if the upper surface portion 2d shifts slightly left and right (direction D in FIG. 6 ) in conjunction with the movement of the pet P's tail, the upper surface portion 2d can absorb the movement, thereby preventing the side surface portion 2e from shifting out of position. Therefore, the pet diaper 1 can prevent slippage of the pet diaper 1 when worn due to the pet P's tail wagging, for example. For example, if the portion of the side surface portion 2e where the elastic member 8 is provided is shifted out of position, there is a risk of excrement leakage, but the pet diaper 1 can effectively prevent such leakage by preventing the side surface portion 2e from shifting out of position.

[0060] The dorsal end of the active portion of the elastic member 8 that is configured to be contractible in the longitudinal direction Y is located dorsally in the longitudinal direction Y relative to the dorsal end of the tail insertion portion 6 (end P2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the ventral end of the elastic member 8 is located at the ventral end 2a of the main body portion 2, and the dorsal end of the elastic member 8 is located at the dorsal end 2b of the main body portion 2. Therefore, the active portion of the elastic member 8 coincides with the entire portion of the elastic member 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (i.e., the portion from end 2a to end 2b). According to the above configuration, the elastic member 8 can effectively contract the main body side portion 2e in the longitudinal direction Y. As a result, the main body upper surface portion 2d that is separated from the main body side portion 2e at the cut portion 9 can be suitably separated (floated) from the body of the pet P. That is, by having the elastic member 8 extend in the longitudinal direction Y at least as far as the position where the tail insertion portion 6 is disposed, the main body side portion 2e can be effectively contracted, and as a result, a gap S can be suitably created between the main body top portion 2d and the body of the pet P, as shown in Fig. 6. As a result, the degree of freedom of movement of the main body top portion 2d independent of the main body side portion 2e can be increased. This improves the shock-absorbing function of the main body top portion 2d (i.e., the function of confining deformation of the main body 2 caused by movements of the pet P, such as tail wagging, to the main body top portion 2d inside the cut portion 9 and suppressing transmission of the deformation to the main body side portion 2e outside the cut portion 9).

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rear end portion (i.e., end portion 2b) of the active portion of the elastic member 8 is located rearward in the longitudinal direction Y relative to the rear end portion of the cut portion 9 (in this embodiment, the rear end portion 9a of the cut portion 91 located furthest rearward as shown in FIG. 1). In other words, by arranging at least the elastic member 8 so as to overlap the entire cut portion 9 in the width direction X, the main body side portion 2e can be more effectively contracted. This makes it possible to more effectively create the above-mentioned gap S, further increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the main body top portion 2d. As a result, the cushioning function of the main body top portion 2d can be more effectively improved.

[0062] The main body portion 2 has an elastic member 7 that is disposed inward of the elastic member 8 in the width direction X, and has both ends in the longitudinal direction Y fixed by ends R2a, R3a, and configured to be able to stand up by contracting the portion between the both ends in the longitudinal direction Y. Furthermore, the effective portion of the elastic member 7 that is configured to be able to contract in the longitudinal direction Y (i.e., the portion between ends R2a and R3a) is not disposed in a region of the main body upper surface portion 2d that is inward of the cut portion 9 in the width direction X within the region where the cut portion 9 is disposed in the longitudinal direction Y (i.e., the region of the main body upper surface portion 2d that overlaps with and is inward of the cut portion 9 in the width direction X). With this configuration, the leg side gathers LSG formed by the elastic member 7 suitably suppress side leakage of body exudates, while it is possible to suppress a reduction in the cushioning function of the main body upper surface portion 2d that would be caused by deformation of the main body upper surface portion 2d in the longitudinal direction Y due to the contractile force of the elastic member 7.

[0063] In this embodiment, the effective portion of the elastic member 7 (the portion from end R2a to end R3a) is disposed on the ventral side of the cut portion 9 (the ventral-most notch 91) in the longitudinal direction Y. That is, in this embodiment, by disposing the effective portion of the elastic member 7 on the ventral side of the cut portion 9, a configuration for achieving the above-described effect (i.e., a configuration in which the elastic member 7 is not disposed on the main body upper surface portion 2d) is realized.

[0064] As another configuration for realizing the above configuration (a configuration in which the elastic member 7 is not arranged on the main body upper surface portion 2d), the effective portion of the elastic member 7 may be arranged outside the cut portion 9 in the width direction X (i.e., on the main body side surface portion 2e). In this case, the above configuration (a configuration in which the elastic member 7 is not arranged on the main body upper surface portion 2d) can be realized by arranging the elastic member 7 outside the cut portion 9 while providing the effective portion of the elastic member 7 so that it extends to a position overlapping the cut portion 9 in the width direction X.

[0065] The cut portion 9 is positioned on the back side of the absorbent core 11 in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the cut portion 9 does not include a portion that overlaps with the absorbent core 11. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent urine absorbed in the absorbent core 11 from leaking through the cut surface of the cut portion 9.

[0066] Furthermore, the cut section 9 is positioned dorsally in the longitudinal direction Y relative to the ventral end of the tail insertion section 6 (the ventral end of region A in Figure 2). In other words, the cut section 9 does not include a portion located ventrally relative to the ventral end of the tail insertion section 6. With the above configuration, leakage of urine absorbed in the absorbent core 11 through the cut surface of the cut section 9 can be more effectively prevented.

[0067] The pet diaper 1 has a pair of fastening tabs 50 extending outward in the width direction X from both end portions of the main body portion 2 in the width direction X, and a target portion 53 arranged in a region of the main body portion 2 on the dorsal side of the pair of fastening tabs 50 and engaging with the pair of fastening tabs 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the cutting portion 9 is arranged on the ventral side of the target portion 53 in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the cutting portion 9 does not include a portion that overlaps with the target portion 53. According to the above configuration, by arranging the cutting portion 9 so that it does not come into contact with the target portion 53 that engages with the pair of fastening tabs 50, it is possible to prevent the cutting portion 9 from impairing the engagement strength between the pair of fastening tabs 50 and the target portion 53.

[0068] The main body 2 has side sheets 5 that form leg side gathers LSG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the cutouts 9 are arranged to overlap the side sheets 5. This configuration allows the rigidity of the portion of the main body 2 where the cutouts 9 are provided to be increased by the amount of the side sheets 5. As a result, when the main body top surface 2d is deformed due to a pet's tail wagging or other movements, the highly rigid portion where the cutouts 9 are provided (i.e., the portion between the main body top surface 2d and the main body side surface 2e) can effectively absorb the deformation and effectively prevent the force of the deformation from being transmitted to the main body side surface 2e. Furthermore, the increased rigidity of the portion where the cutouts 9 are provided makes it easier to maintain the shape of the material along the cutouts 9 (the cross-sectional shape of the cutouts 9). As a result, the portion of the main body 2 where the cutouts 9 are provided can also be improved in fit to the pet's body.

[0069] 4, a region 5b is formed in which the side sheet 5 is folded back to form a double layer inside the cut portion 9 in the width direction X (i.e., near the cut portion 9 on the main body upper surface portion 2d). This configuration makes it possible to more effectively obtain the above-mentioned effects. That is, the double layer of the side sheet 5 forms a region 5b that is more rigid than other portions, thereby more effectively suppressing the deformation force of the main body upper surface portion 2d from being transmitted to the main body side surface portion 2e.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cutoff portion 9 is located outside the midpoint between the tail insertion portion 6 and the elastic member 8 in the width direction X. In other words, if a line parallel to the Y-axis direction that passes through the outer end of the tail insertion portion 6 in the width direction X and passes midpoint between a line L3 parallel to the longitudinal direction Y and a line (line L1) along the elastic member 8 is defined as a midpoint line CL1, the cutoff portion 9 is located outside the midpoint line CL1 in the width direction X (between the midpoint line CL1 and line L1). By positioning the cutoff portion 9 closer to the elastic member 8 than to the tail insertion portion 6 with respect to the midpoint line CL1, the size of the main body top surface 2d can be ensured sufficiently relative to the size of the main body side surface 2e, making it easier for the main body top surface 2d to rise from the body of the pet P. This improves the cushioning function of the main body top surface 2d described above.

[0071] 1 and 2, the cutting portion 9 has a plurality of notches 91 formed at a plurality of different positions in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, on each of the left and right sides, the cutting portion 9 has four notches 91 lined up in a row in the longitudinal direction Y. According to the above configuration, by configuring the cutting portion 9 not with a single long notch but with a plurality of separated notches 91 in the longitudinal direction Y, it is possible to realize a structure that exhibits the above-mentioned cushioning function without significantly compromising the material strength of the main body 2.

[0072] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cutting section 9 has a notch 91 that protrudes outward in the width direction X. With this configuration, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the convex portion along the notch 91 tends to rise when the pet diaper 1 is worn, making it easier for the notch 91 to separate the main body top surface 2d and the main body side surface 2e. As a result, a structure can be achieved in which movement of the main body top surface 2d is less likely to be transmitted to the main body side surface 2e. Furthermore, the rising of the convex portion forms a ventilation opening along the notch 91, thereby improving the breathability of the pet diaper 1.

[0073] 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the dorsal end of the tail insertion portion 6 (in this embodiment, the dorsal end of the cutout 6b) is located more ventrally than the midpoint between the center of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y (in this embodiment, the center of the crotch portion 23 in the longitudinal direction Y) and the dorsal end 2b of the main body 2 (in this embodiment, the boundary between the dorsal portion 22 and the crotch portion 23). This configuration allows the portion of the main body 2 that faces the pet's back when worn (the main body upper surface portion 2d) to be sufficiently wide. As a result, the deformation force of the main body 2, caused by the pet's tail wagging or other movements, can be distributed in a balanced manner over the entire main body upper surface portion 2d, and the cutting portion 9 can effectively block the deformation force from the main body upper surface portion 2d to the main body side surface portion 2e.

[0074] [Modifications] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to those described above, and various materials and shapes can be used. Furthermore, some components included in the configurations of the above-described embodiments may be modified or omitted, or other components may be added.

[0075] For example, the shape and arrangement of the cutting portion 9 are not limited to those in the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the cutting portion 9 is provided on both the left and right sides of the tail insertion portion 6, but the cutting portion 9 may be provided on only one side of the tail insertion portion 6. The cutting portion 9 may also be formed by a single cut or opening. The cut portion 91 may have a shape other than a convex shape extending outward in the width direction X. For example, the cut portion 91 may be formed in a straight line along the longitudinal direction Y, or may be formed in a convex shape extending inward in the width direction X.

[0076] 1...pet diaper, 2...main body portion, 2c...outer edge portion, 3...surface sheet, 4...back sheet, 5...side sheet, 6...tail insertion portion, 7...elastic member (standing elastic member), 8...elastic member, 9...cutting portion, 11...absorbent core, 50...fastening tab, 53...target portion, L1...line (first line), L2...line (second line), LSG...leg side gather, P...pet, P1...intersection, P2...end portion.

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