ABSORBENT MATERIALS FOR PETS AND PACKAGING

Abstract

The invention relates to an absorbent applicator for livestock in a respect comprising a body of a long shape in the longitudinal and transverse directions, a body comprising a front surface layer, a bottom surface layer, and an absorbent element situated between the front surface layer and the bottom surface layer, and a body comprising a first part situated on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the centerline of the body in the longitudinal direction, and a second part situated on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the centerline, a fastener which is situated on the first part of the body and fastens to the first and second parts, a pair of anti-leak plates capable of rising up with respect to the front surface layer along a pair of longitudinally extended lines at far-off locations in the transverse direction, and a pair of external elastic elements situated outside the pair of transversely extended lines and capable of expanding in the longitudinal direction.The body also includes one or more internal elastic components arranged within a pair of horizontally oriented vertical lines, transmitting the ability to expand to the body.

Description

Absorbent articles and packaging for pets

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles and packaging for pets.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the waist of pets such as dogs and cats. This absorbent article for pets is suitable for use with pets whose urethral opening is located forward of the base of the hind legs, and includes a liquid-permeable surface layer, a liquid-impermeable back layer, an absorbent body disposed between the surface layer and the back layer, and a pair of three-dimensional gathers standing up from the surface layer. In this type of absorbent article for pets, the pair of three-dimensional gathers suppress the occurrence of urine leakage.

[0003] JP 2012-205579 A

[0004] In the above-mentioned absorbent article for pets, as the pet's body shape and posture change, a gap may occur between the absorbent article for pets and the pet's body, which may result in urine leakage.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article for pets that can effectively prevent urine leakage, and a package for storing the absorbent article for pets.

[0006] In one aspect, there is provided an absorbent article for pets to be worn by wrapping it around the waist of a pet, the absorbent article for pets comprising: a main body portion having a horizontally elongated shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the main body portion including a top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, the main body portion having a first portion arranged on one longitudinal side of a center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction and a second portion arranged on the other longitudinal side of the center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction, an engaging portion provided on the first portion of the main body portion for engaging the first portion with the second portion, a pair of leak-proof sheets each capable of standing upright relative to the top sheet along a pair of standing lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and a pair of outer elastic members provided outside the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction and stretchable in the longitudinal direction, the main body portion further including one or more inner elastic members provided inward of the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction and imparting stretchability to the main body portion.

[0007] According to various aspects of the present invention, urine leakage can be effectively suppressed.

[0008] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a pet absorbent article according to one embodiment. It is a plan view of the pet absorbent article as viewed from the skin side. It is a cross-sectional view of the pet absorbent article taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view of the pet absorbent article taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. It is a cross-sectional view of the pet absorbent article taken along line CC in FIG. 1. It is a plan view of the pet absorbent article according to another embodiment as viewed from the skin side. It is a cross-sectional view of the pet absorbent article shown in FIG. 6. It is a plan view of the pet absorbent article according to yet another embodiment as viewed from the skin side. It is a plan view of the pet absorbent article according to yet another embodiment as viewed from the skin side. It is a cross-sectional view of a package according to one embodiment. It is a diagram explaining the procedure for folding the pet absorbent article. It is a diagram showing the procedure following FIG.

[0009] [Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The summary of embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the following clauses. Note that the present disclosure includes any combination of the following clauses.

[0010] (Clause 1) One aspect of the absorbent article for pets is to be worn by wrapping it around the waist of a pet. The absorbent article for pets comprises a main body portion having a horizontally elongated shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the main body portion including a top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, the main body portion having a first portion arranged on one longitudinal side of a center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction and a second portion arranged on the other longitudinal side of the center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction, an engaging portion provided on the first portion of the main body portion and engaging the first portion with the second portion, a pair of leak-proof sheets each capable of standing upright relative to the top sheet along a pair of standing lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction, and a pair of outer elastic members provided outside the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction and stretchable in the longitudinal direction, the main body portion further including one or more inner elastic members provided inward of the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction and imparting stretchability to the main body portion.

[0011] In the above-described embodiment, the pair of outer elastic members contract in the longitudinal direction, causing the pair of leak-proof sheets to stand up relative to the top sheet and fit closely to the pet's body. Furthermore, one or more inner elastic members located inside the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction contract to accommodate changes in the pet's body shape and posture, improving the fit of the pet absorbent article. As a result, gaps between the pet absorbent article and the pet's body are prevented from forming, effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0012] (Clause 2) In the pet absorbent article described in Clause 1, the one or more inner elastic members may be stretchable in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the one or more inner elastic members contract to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture in the longitudinal direction, thereby improving the fit of the pet absorbent article. As a result, urine leakage can be effectively suppressed.

[0013] (Clause 3) In the pet absorbent article described in Clause 2, the one or more inner elastic members may extend over the entire length of the main body portion. In this case, the main body portion stretches over the entire length, allowing the pet absorbent article to fit the pet's body over the entire length of the pet's waist when worn. This prevents the pet absorbent article from slipping, and more effectively prevents urine leakage.

[0014] (Clause 4) In the absorbent article for pets according to any one of clauses 1 to 3, the engagement portion may be provided on the surface of the top sheet and be engageable with the back sheet. In this case, the engagement portion can be used to easily put the absorbent article for pets on the pet.

[0015] (Clause 5) In the pet absorbent article described in Clause 4, the first portion may include a stretchable region including one or more inner elastic members, and the second portion may include a non-stretchable region that does not include one or more inner elastic members, and the contraction rate of the first portion may be higher than that of the second portion. In this case, the second portion, which has a relatively lower contraction rate, can be placed against the pet's body to align the pet absorbent article. Furthermore, when the first portion is engaged with the second portion, the first portion, which has a relatively higher contraction rate, contracts, thereby reducing looseness when the pet absorbent article is worn. This improves the fit of the pet absorbent article.

[0016] (Clause 6) In the pet absorbent article described in any one of clauses 1 to 5, the centers of one or more inner elastic members in the longitudinal direction may be located on one side of the center line of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the region on one side of the main body portion relative to the center line of the absorbent body is more likely to stretch than the region on the other side of the main body portion. This makes it easier to position the pet absorbent article by placing the region on the other side of the main body portion against the pet's body. Furthermore, when the first portion is engaged with the second portion, the region on one side of the main body portion contracts, thereby reducing looseness when the pet absorbent article is worn.

[0017] (Clause 7) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 3, the engagement portion may be provided on the outer surface of the back sheet and be engageable with the top sheet. In this case, the engagement portion can be used to easily put the absorbent article for pets on the pet.

[0018] (Clause 8) In the pet absorbent article described in Clause 7, the first portion may include a non-elastic region that does not include one or more inner elastic members, the second portion may include an elastic region that includes one or more inner elastic members, and the contraction rate of the second portion may be higher than that of the first portion. In this case, the pet absorbent article can be aligned by placing the first portion, which has a relatively low contraction rate, against the pet's body. Furthermore, when the second portion is engaged with the first portion, the second portion, which has a relatively high contraction rate, contracts, thereby reducing looseness when the pet absorbent article is worn. This improves the fit of the pet absorbent article.

[0019] (Clause 9) In the pet absorbent article described in Clause 7 or 8, the centers of one or more inner elastic members in the longitudinal direction may be located on the other longitudinal side of the center line of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the region on the other side of the main body portion with respect to the center line of the absorbent body is more stretchable than the region on one side of the main body portion. This makes it easier to position the pet absorbent article by placing the region on one side of the main body portion against the pet's body. Furthermore, because the region on the other side of the main body portion contracts when the first portion and the second portion engage, looseness of the pet absorbent article when worn is reduced.

[0020] (Clause 10) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, one or more inner elastic members may overlap the engaging portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion. In this case, the engaging portion is pulled by the contractile force of the inner elastic member, thereby firmly engaging the first portion and the second portion. This prevents the absorbent article for pets from unintentionally coming off.

[0021] (Clause 11) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 9, the one or more inner elastic members may not overlap the engagement portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body. By arranging the one or more inner elastic members so that they do not overlap the engagement portion, the engagement portion is prevented from being deformed in a wavy manner due to the contractile force of the inner elastic members. Therefore, unintentional disengagement of the first portion and the second portion is prevented.

[0022] (Clause 12) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 11, the one or more inner elastic members may not overlap the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion. In this case, deformation of the absorbent body due to expansion and contraction of the inner elastic members can be prevented.

[0023] (Clause 13) In the absorbent article for pets according to any one of clauses 1 to 11, one or more inner elastic members may overlap the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body. In this case, even when urine is absorbed by the absorbent body, the contractile force of the inner elastic members lifts the absorbent body, preventing it from sagging. This allows the fit of the absorbent article for pets to be maintained.

[0024] (Clause 14) In the absorbent article for pets according to any one of clauses 1 to 13, each of the pair of outer elastic members may extend continuously in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the contractile force of the pair of outer elastic members allows the absorbent article for pets to fit the body of the pet.

[0025] (Clause 15) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 13, each of the pair of outer elastic members may be formed discontinuously. In this case, the outer elastic members partially contract in the longitudinal direction, thereby reducing pressure on the pet's body by the pair of outer elastic members.

[0026] (Clause 16) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of clauses 1 to 15, the pair of leakproof sheets may include a front leakproof sheet that can stand along a first standing line of the pair of standing lines and a rear leakproof sheet that can stand along a second standing line of the pair of standing lines, and the maximum standing height of the front leakproof sheet relative to the main body may be higher than the maximum standing height of the rear leakproof sheet relative to the main body. In this case, when the absorbent article for pets is worn with the front leakproof sheet positioned toward the pet's head, the front leakproof sheet can block the pet's urine, thereby effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0027] (Clause 17) In the absorbent article for pets according to any one of clauses 1 to 16, the main body may include a plurality of inner elastic members, and the plurality of inner elastic members may be arranged along the short side direction. In this case, each inner elastic member contracts to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent article for pets.

[0028] (Clause 18) Another aspect of the absorbent article for pets is to be worn by wrapping it around the waist of a pet. The absorbent article for pets has a horizontally elongated shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and is a main body portion including a top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, the main body portion having a first portion arranged on one longitudinal side of a center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction and a second portion arranged on the other longitudinal side of the center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction, an engaging portion provided on the first portion of the main body portion and engaging the first portion with the second portion, and a pair of outer elastic members provided outside the absorbent body in the lateral direction and stretchable in the longitudinal direction, the main body portion further including one or more inner elastic members arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the top sheet and imparting stretchability to the main body portion, the one or more inner elastic members being arranged inside the pair of outer elastic members in the lateral direction and overlapping the engaging portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

[0029] In the pet absorbent article according to the above aspect, the one or more inner elastic members contract to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture, thereby improving the fit of the pet absorbent article, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the pet absorbent article and the pet's body and effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0030] (Clause 19) In the absorbent article for pets described in Clause 18, when the engaging portion is divided into three equal regions in the lateral direction, the regions are designated as a front region, a central region, and a rear region, in that order from one side in the lateral direction, one or more inner elastic members may overlap the central region when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion. In this case, the fit of the absorbent article for pets can be improved.

[0031] (Clause 20) A packaging body according to one embodiment contains the pet absorbent article according to any one of clauses 1 to 19. The main body of this pet absorbent article includes a front flap portion and a rear flap portion that are arranged on the outer sides of the absorbent body in the short-side direction, the pair of leak-proof sheets include a front leak-proof sheet that can stand along a first standing line of the pair of standing lines, and a rear leak-proof sheet that can stand along a second standing line of the pair of standing lines, and the pet absorbent article is contained in the packaging with the main body folded in thirds or fourths in the long-side direction after the front flap portion is folded inward along a fold line extending in the long-side direction so that the inner edge of the front leak-proof sheet in the short-side direction is exposed.

[0032] In the above-described embodiment, when the pet absorbent article is folded in thirds or fourths and unfolded in the longitudinal direction, the inner edge of the front leakproof sheet in the lateral direction is exposed. Therefore, even when the pet absorbent article is worn without unfolding the front flap portion, the front leakproof sheet comes into contact with the pet's body. Therefore, the front leakproof sheet can prevent urine leakage.

[0033] (Clause 21) In the packaging described in Clause 20, the rear flap portion does not have to be folded inward in the short direction. By folding the front flap portion and not folding the rear flap portion, the user can easily identify the front and rear orientations of the pet absorbent article when removing the pet absorbent article from the packaging. This makes it easier to put the pet absorbent article on the pet in the correct orientation.

[0034] [Examples of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0035] Hereinafter, an absorbent article for pets according to one embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the absorbent article for pets 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article for pets 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side Z1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article for pets 1 taken along line A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article for pets 1 taken along line B-B in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article for pets 1 taken along line CC in Fig. 1. The absorbent article for pets 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is a disposable pet diaper that absorbs urine from pets.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows the pet absorbent article 1 in a natural state. The natural state refers to a state in which no external force is applied to the pet absorbent article 1. FIG. 2 shows the pet absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state. The unfolded state refers to a state in which the pet absorbent article 1 is stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed. The skin-facing side Z1 is the side that faces the skin of the pet when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn, and the non-skin-facing side Z2 is the side that faces away from the skin of the pet when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn. In the following description, a person who puts the pet absorbent article 1 on a pet is referred to as a "user." Typically, the user is the pet's owner. In the following description, the positional relationship in the unfolded state will be described unless otherwise specified.

[0037] In this specification, "pets" broadly encompass vertebrates and invertebrates, typically including pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. The pet absorbent article 1 is particularly suitable for use with male pets whose urethral openings are located forward of the base of the hind legs. As shown in FIG. 2 , the pet absorbent article 1 extends in a short direction X along the front-to-back direction of the pet (the direction connecting the head and buttocks) and a long direction Y along the pet's waist. The short direction X and the long direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the short direction X and the long direction Y, and includes a skin-facing side Z1 that faces the pet's skin when worn, and a non-skin-facing side Z2 that faces away from the pet's skin when worn. The pet absorbent article 1 is worn by wrapping it around the pet's waist.

[0038] The pet absorbent article 1 includes a main body 2. The main body 2 has a generally rectangular (horizontally elongated) planar shape extending in a short direction X and a long direction Y. The four corners of the main body 2 are cut to narrow the width of the main body 2 in the short direction X. The four corners of the main body 2 do not have to be cut. The main body 2 has a front edge 3 located at one end in the short direction X and a rear edge 4 located at the other end in the short direction X. When the pet absorbent article 1 is worn on a pet, the front edge 3 is located near the pet's front legs, and the rear edge 4 is located near the pet's hind legs. In the following description, the direction from the rear edge 4 to the front edge 3 may be referred to as the "front side," and the direction from the front edge 3 to the rear edge 4 may be referred to as the "rear side." The main body 2 also has a first side edge 5 located at one end in the long direction Y and a second side edge 6 located at the other end in the long direction Y. In addition, the main body 2 has a first part 2A arranged on one side of the longitudinal direction Y relative to the center line P1 of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, and a second part 2B arranged on the other side of the longitudinal direction Y relative to the center line P1 of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the main body 2 includes a topsheet 15, a backsheet 20, an absorbent body 30, and a pair of leak-proof sheets 40. The topsheet 15 constitutes the surface of the main body 2 that comes into contact with the pet and is arranged on the skin-facing side Z1. The topsheet 15 is liquid-permeable, allowing, for example, pet urine to pass through to the absorbent body 30. The topsheet 15 is located approximately in the center in the short direction X. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that constitute the topsheet 15 include air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, and point-bond nonwoven fabrics. The topsheet 15 is bonded to the backsheet 20 and the absorbent body 30 with, for example, a hot-melt adhesive.

[0040] The back sheet 20 forms the surface of the main body 2 that is positioned on the outside when worn, and is arranged on the non-skin-facing side Z2. The back sheet 20 includes a liquid-impermeable back film 21 and a back nonwoven fabric 22 that is arranged closer to the non-skin-facing side Z2 than the back film 21. In the short direction X, the back film 21 has substantially the same width as the back nonwoven fabric 22. Note that, in the short direction X, the width of the back film 21 may be narrower than the width of the back nonwoven fabric 22, or the back nonwoven fabric 22 may extend beyond the back film 21 to both sides in the short direction X. The back nonwoven fabric 22 forms the outermost layer of the pet absorbent article 1. The back film 21 is joined to the back nonwoven fabric 22 and the absorbent body 30 with, for example, a hot melt adhesive.

[0041] The absorbent body 30 is disposed between the top sheet 15 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent body 30 is located approximately in the center of the main body portion 2 and absorbs pet urine. The absorbent body 30 has a generally rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0042] The main body portion 2 includes a first end portion 7 disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction Y, a second end portion 8 disposed on the other end side in the longitudinal direction Y, and a central portion 9 disposed between the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8. In one embodiment, the first end portion 7 is a region located between the absorbent body 30 and the first side edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y. The second end portion 8 is a region located between the absorbent body 30 and the second side edge 6 in the longitudinal direction Y. The central portion 9 is a region located between the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8 in the longitudinal direction Y. In one embodiment, the width of the first end portion 7 in the lateral direction X narrows as it approaches the first side edge 5, and the width of the second end portion 8 in the lateral direction X narrows as it approaches the second side edge 6. The narrowed widths of the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8 make it easier for a user to grip the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8. The first end 7 is part of the first portion 2A, and the second end 8 is part of the second portion 2B.

[0043] The main body 2 includes a front flap portion 11 and a rear flap portion 12 that are arranged outside the absorbent body 30 in the short direction X. The front flap portion 11 is arranged along the front edge 3, and the rear flap portion 12 is arranged along the rear edge 4.

[0044] In one embodiment, the absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent core containing absorbent pulp and a polymeric absorbent (SAP), and a core wrap covering the surface of the absorbent core. Examples of the pulp used in the absorbent core include chemical pulp, cellulose fiber, rayon, and acetate. Examples of the polymeric absorbent used include starch-based, acrylic acid-based, and amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers. The absorbent body 30 may be an SAP sheet primarily composed of SAP, without including pulp.

[0045] The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 are provided on the top sheet 15 and spaced apart from each other in the short-side direction X. The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 are arranged from the skin-facing side Z1 to cover both side edges of the top sheet 15 in the short-side direction X, and extend in the long-side direction Y over the entire length of the main body 2. The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 are partially joined to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20 on the outer side of the absorber 30 in the short-side direction X. The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 stand upright relative to the top sheet 15 to prevent pet urine excreted in the absorber 30 from leaking in the short-side direction X. The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 include a front leak-barrier sheet 41 provided along the front edge 3 and a rear leak-barrier sheet 51 provided along the rear edge 4. The pair of leak-barrier sheets 40 may be formed by rolling back the back nonwoven fabric 22 toward the top sheet 15 on the outer side of the main body 2 in the short-side direction X. In this case, a part of the back surface nonwoven fabric 22 that is wound back toward the top sheet 15 constitutes a pair of leak-proof sheets 40 , and the other part of the back surface nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the back surface sheet 20 of the main body 2 .

[0046] In one embodiment, the front leakproof sheet 41 includes a side sheet 42 partially secured to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and a first elastic member 43 joined to the side sheet 42. The rear leakproof sheet 51 includes a side sheet 52 partially secured to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and a first elastic member 53 joined to the side sheet 52. Each of the pair of side sheets 42, 52 is made of a water-repellent or hydrophobic nonwoven fabric. For example, the side sheets 42, 52 are made of a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a thermalbond nonwoven fabric, a meltblown nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric, a needle-punched nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0047] Each of the pair of side sheets 42, 52 has a vertically elongated shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y and extends in the longitudinal direction Y over the entire length of the main body 2. As shown in Figures 3 to 5 , the outer edge of the front leakproof sheet 41 in the short direction X coincides with the outer edges of the back film 21 and the back nonwoven fabric 22 in the short direction X, and together with the outer edges of the back film 21 and the back nonwoven fabric 22, constitutes the front edge 3. The outer edge of the rear leakproof sheet 51 in the short direction X coincides with the outer edges of the back film 21 and the back nonwoven fabric 22 in the short direction, and together with the outer edges of the back film 21 and the back nonwoven fabric 22, constitutes the rear edge 4.

[0048] 2 to 5, the side sheet 42 includes a fixed portion 45 joined to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and an upright portion 46 that is not joined to the top sheet 15. A first upright line 45a, a second upright line 45b, and a third upright line 45c are formed at the boundary between the fixed portion 45 and the upright portion 46.

[0049] The first standing line 45a is disposed between the center line P2 in the lateral direction X of the main body 2 and the front edge 3, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the first standing line 45a is disposed between the front edge of the absorber 30 and the front edge 3. The first standing line 45a is a boundary line between the fixed part 45 and the standing part 46 in the lateral direction X, and serves as a standing fulcrum for the standing part 46 in the lateral direction X. Note that the first standing line 45a may partially overlap the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0050] The second standing line 45b is disposed between the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2 and the first side edge 5, and extends in the short direction X. For example, the second standing line 45b is disposed closer to the center line P1 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the first side edge 5 side in the longitudinal direction Y. The second standing line 45b is a boundary line between the fixed part 45 and the standing part 46 in the longitudinal direction Y, and serves as a standing fulcrum for the standing part 46 in the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the second standing line 45b may also be disposed closer to the first side edge 5 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the first side edge 5 side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0051] The third upstanding line 45c is disposed between the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2 and the second side edge 6, and extends in the short direction X. For example, the third upstanding line 45c is disposed closer to the center line P1 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the second side edge 6 side in the longitudinal direction Y. The third upstanding line 45c is a boundary line between the fixed portion 45 and the upstanding portion 46 in the longitudinal direction Y, and serves as an upstanding fulcrum for the upstanding portion 46 in the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the third upstanding line 45c may also be disposed closer to the second side edge 6 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the second side edge 6 side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0052] As described above, the first region 42A of the side sheet 42 closer to the first side edge 5 than the second standing line 45b is part of the fixing portion 45 and is joined to the main body 2 with a hot melt adhesive while leaning inward in the short direction X. Similarly, the second region 42B of the side sheet 42 closer to the second side edge 6 than the third standing line 45c is part of the fixing portion 45 and is joined to the main body 2 with a hot melt adhesive while leaning inward in the short direction X. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first region 42A and the second region 42B of the side sheet 42 are fixed to the main body 2 and are non-standing regions that do not stand up.

[0053] In contrast, the standing portion 46 is disposed between the first region 42A and the second region 42B and is an standing region that is not connected to the main body 2. The standing portion 46 is disposed inside the first standing line 45a in the short-side direction X and can stand along the first standing line 45a between the first region 42A and the second region 42B. Note that because the first region 42A and the second region 42B of the side sheet 42 are joined to the main body 2, the standing portion 46 is folded inward in the short-side direction X when in the unfolded state.

[0054] The inner portions of the standing portions 46 in the short direction X are folded back, and first elastic members 43 are disposed between the folded back standing portions 46. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the first elastic members 43 of the front leak-proof sheet 41 are disposed along the inner edges 44a of the standing portions 46. The first elastic members 43 are joined to the side sheets 42 in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. The first elastic members 43 are made of a stretchable material such as rubber or spandex that is contractible in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] 4, when the first elastic members 43 are in a natural state, they contract in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the upstanding portions 46 of the side sheets 42 to stand up along the first upstanding lines 45a outside the lateral direction X of the absorber 30. The upstanding portions 46 of the front leakproof sheet 41 are prevented from leaking pet urine along the surface of the topsheet 15 to the front.

[0056] The side sheet 52 includes a fixed portion 55 joined to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and an upright portion 56 not joined to the top sheet 15. A fourth upright line 55a, a fifth upright line 55b, and a sixth upright line 55c are formed at the boundary between the fixed portion 55 and the upright portion 56.

[0057] The fourth standing line 55a is disposed between the center line P2 in the lateral direction X of the main body portion 2 and the rear edge 4, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the fourth standing line 55a is disposed between the rear edge of the absorber 30 and the rear edge 4. The fourth standing line 55a is a boundary line between the fixed portion 55 and the standing portion 56 in the lateral direction X, and serves as a supporting point for the standing portion 56 in the lateral direction X. The fourth standing line 55a may partially overlap the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0058] The fifth upstanding line 55b is disposed between the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body portion 2 and the first side edge 5, and extends in the short direction X. For example, the fifth upstanding line 55b is disposed closer to the center line P1 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the first side edge 5 side in the longitudinal direction Y. The fifth upstanding line 55b is a boundary line between the fixed portion 55 and the upstanding portion 56 in the longitudinal direction Y, and serves as an upstanding fulcrum for the upstanding portion 56 in the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the fifth upstanding line 55b may also be disposed closer to the first side edge 5 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the first side edge 5 side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0059] The sixth upstanding line 55c is disposed between the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y of the main body 2 and the second side edge 6, and extends in the short direction X. For example, the sixth upstanding line 55c is disposed closer to the center line P1 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the second side edge 6 side in the longitudinal direction Y. The sixth upstanding line 55c is a boundary line between the fixed part 55 and the upstanding part 56 in the longitudinal direction Y, and serves as an upstanding fulcrum for the upstanding part 56 in the longitudinal direction Y. Note that the sixth upstanding line 55c may also be disposed closer to the second side edge 6 than the edge of the absorber 30 on the second side edge 6 side in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0060] As described above, the first region 52A of the side sheet 52 closer to the first side edge 5 than the fifth rising line 55b is part of the fixing portion 55 and is joined to the main body 2 with a hot melt adhesive while being folded back outward in the short direction X. More specifically, the first region 52A is folded back outward in the short direction X along an extension of the fourth rising line 55a, with the lower layer of the folded back first region 52A joined to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and the upper layer of the folded back first region 52A joined to the lower layer. Similarly, the second region 52B of the side sheet 52 closer to the second side edge 6 than the sixth rising line 55c is part of the fixing portion 55 and is joined to the main body 2 with a hot melt adhesive while being folded back outward in the short direction X. More specifically, the second region 52B is folded back outward in the short direction X along an extension of the fourth standing line 55a, and the lower layer of the folded back second region 52B is joined to the top sheet 15 or the back sheet 20, and the upper layer of the folded back second region 52B is joined to the lower layer. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first region 52A and the second region 52B of the side sheet 52 are fixed to the main body 2 and are non-standing regions that do not stand up.

[0061] In contrast, the upright portion 56 is disposed between the first region 52A and the second region 52B and is not connected to the main body 2. The upright portion 56 is disposed inside the fourth upright line 55a in the short-side direction X and can stand along the fourth upright line 55a between the first region 52A and the second region 52B. Because the first region 52A and the second region 52B of the side sheet 52 are joined to the main body 2 in a state where they are folded outward in the short-side direction X, the upright portion 56 is folded outward in the short-side direction X in the unfolded state. The folding outward in the short-side direction X of the upright portion 56 in the unfolded state prevents the first elastic member 53 of the rear leakproof sheet 51 from rubbing against the pet's genitals when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn. The first region 52A and the second region 52B may each be joined to the main body 2 without being folded outward in the short-side direction X. In this case, the standing portions 56 are folded inward in the short-side direction X when in the deployed state.

[0062] The inner portions of the standing portions 56 in the short direction X are folded back, and first elastic members 53 are disposed between the folded back standing portions 56. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the first elastic members 53 of the rear leak-proof sheet 51 are disposed along the inner edges 54a of the standing portions 56. The first elastic members 53 are joined to the side sheets 52 in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. The first elastic members 53 are made of a stretchable material such as rubber or spandex that is contractible in the longitudinal direction.

[0063] 4, when the first elastic members 53 are in a natural state, they contract in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the standing portions 56 of the side sheets 52 to stand along the fourth standing lines 55a outside the lateral direction X of the absorber 30. The standing portions 56 of the rear leak-proof sheet 51 stand up, thereby preventing pet urine from leaking along the surface of the top sheet 15 to the rear.

[0064] 4 , the maximum standing height H1 of the front leak barrier sheet 41 relative to the main body 2 may be higher than the maximum standing height H2 of the rear leak barrier sheet 51 relative to the main body 2. The maximum standing height H1 corresponds to the height of the top of the front leak barrier sheet 41 relative to the main body 2 when the front leak barrier sheet 41 stands perpendicular to the main body 2. In other words, the maximum standing height H1 can be said to be the length along the surface of the front leak barrier sheet 41 from the first standing line 45a to the top of the standing portion 46 in a cross section taken along the short direction X. Similarly, the maximum standing height H2 corresponds to the height of the top of the rear leak barrier sheet 51 relative to the main body 2 when the rear leak barrier sheet 51 stands perpendicular to the main body 2. In other words, the maximum standing height H2 can be said to be the length along the surface of the rear leak-barrier sheet 51 from the fourth standing line 55a to the top of the standing portion 56 in a cross section taken along the short direction X. By making the maximum standing height H1 higher than the maximum standing height H2, when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn with the front leak-barrier sheet 41 positioned toward the pet's head, the front leak-barrier sheet 41 can block urine that is forcefully excreted by the pet, thereby effectively preventing urine leakage. Note that the maximum standing height H2 of the rear leak-barrier sheet 51 may be higher than the maximum standing height H1 of the front leak-barrier sheet 41. In this case, the rear leak-barrier sheet 51 can block urine that flows rearward, thereby effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0065] The main body 2 further includes a pair of outer elastic members 61, 62 that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y, and a plurality of inner elastic members 63 that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. The outer elastic members 61, 62 and the inner elastic member 63 are disposed between the topsheet 15 and the backsheet 20. The outer elastic members 61, 62 and the inner elastic member 63 stretch so as to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture in the longitudinal direction Y (for example, when the pet twists its body). Each of the outer elastic members 61, 62 and the inner elastic member 63 is made of a stretchable material such as rubber, stretchable nonwoven fabric, stretchable film, or spandex.

[0066] The outer elastic member 61 is located outward in the short direction X from the first standing line 45a and extends along the front edge 3. The outer elastic member 62 is located outward in the short direction X from the fourth standing line 55a and extends along the rear edge 4. Each of the outer elastic members 61, 62 extends continuously in the longitudinal direction Y between the first end 7 and the second end 8. Note that the main body 2 may include a plurality of outer elastic members 61 and a plurality of outer elastic members 62. The numbers of outer elastic members 61, 62 may differ from each other.

[0067] The outer elastic members 61, 62 are disposed, for example, between the pair of leakproof sheets 40 and the backsheet 20. The outer elastic members 61, 62 are joined to the leakproof sheets 40 and the backsheet 20 with a hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. That is, the outer elastic members 61, 62 are disposed on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the pair of leakproof sheets 40. Each of the outer elastic members 61, 62 may overlap at least one of the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8 when viewed from the thickness direction Z, or may not overlap both the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0068] The multiple inner elastic members 63 are provided inside the first upright line 45a and the fourth upright line 55a in the short direction X, and impart stretchability to the main body portion 2. In one embodiment, the multiple inner elastic members 63 are provided at the first end portion 7 of the main body portion 2, and impart stretchability to the first end portion 7. More specifically, the multiple inner elastic members 63 extend between the absorber 30 and an engaging portion 70, which will be described later. Therefore, the center P3 of the inner elastic members 63 in the longitudinal direction Y is disposed on the first side edge 5 side with respect to the center line P4 of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. As described above, the inner elastic members 63 do not overlap the absorber 30 when viewed in the thickness direction Z, and therefore deformation of the absorber 30 due to the contractile force of the inner elastic members 63 can be prevented.

[0069] The multiple inner elastic members 63 may be arranged at equal intervals along the short direction X between the first upright line 45a and the fourth upright line 55a. The number of inner elastic members 63 is any number equal to or greater than one. The inner elastic members 63 are arranged on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the topsheet 15. For example, the inner elastic members 63 are arranged between the topsheet 15 and the back surface film 21, and are joined to the topsheet 15 and the back surface film 21 with a hot melt adhesive in a state stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. By arranging the inner elastic members 63 on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the topsheet 15, the inner elastic members 63 can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the pet's body when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn, thereby improving the wearing comfort of the pet absorbent article 1.

[0070] The multiple inner elastic members 63 may extend in the short-side direction X between the first standing line 45a and the fourth standing line 55a and be stretchable in the short-side direction X. In this case, the main body 2 can be stretched and contracted to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture in the short-side direction X (for example, when the pet stretches its body), thereby improving the fit of the absorbent article for pet 1.

[0071] The outer elastic members 61, 62 and the inner elastic member 63 may be joined to the topsheet 15 or the backsheet 20 without using a hot melt adhesive. For example, the outer elastic members 61, 62 and the inner elastic member 63 may be joined to the topsheet 15 or the backsheet 20 by sonic processing.

[0072] The first portion 2A of the main body portion 2 includes a stretchable region R1 that includes the inner elastic member 63, while the second portion 2B of the main body portion 2 includes a non-stretchable region R2 that does not include the inner elastic member 63. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the first end portion 7 includes the stretchable region R1, and the second end portion 8 includes the non-stretchable region R2. Therefore, the contraction rate of the first portion 2A is higher than that of the second portion 2B. That is, the contraction rate of the first end portion 7 is higher than that of the second end portion 8. If the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the first portion 2A or the second portion 2B in the natural state is L1 and the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the first portion 2A or the second portion 2B in the unfolded state is L2, the contraction rate [%] is expressed as (L2 - L1) / L2 × 100. Note that some of the multiple inner elastic members 63 may extend partway through the second portion 2B, so that only a portion of the second portion 2B constitutes the non-stretchable region R2. In one embodiment, the inner elastic member 63 may be provided at both the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8. In this case, the first portion 2A and the second portion 2B may have the same contraction rate.

[0073] The pet absorbent article 1 further includes an engagement portion 70. The engagement portion 70 is a member that engages the first portion 2A and the second portion 2B. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the engagement portion 70 has a rectangular shape that is long in the short direction X, and is provided at the first end 7 of the first portion 2A. The engagement portion 70 is provided on the surface of the topsheet 15. The engagement portion 70 is, for example, a mechanical fastener having a number of hooks, and can engage with the backsheet 20 from the non-skin-facing side Z2.

[0074] In one embodiment, a target portion 71 is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 20 of the second portion 2B. The target portion 71 may overlap the absorbent body 30 and the second end portion 8 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. When the pet absorbent article 1 is worn, the engagement portion 70 engages with the back sheet 20 via the target portion 71 provided on the back sheet 20. Note that the engagement portion 70 may be capable of directly engaging with the back sheet 20.

[0075] When viewed from the thickness direction Z, the multiple inner elastic members 63 may be arranged so as not to overlap the engaging portion 70 and the target portion 71. This prevents the engaging portion 70 and the target portion 71 from being deformed in a wavy manner due to the contractile force of the multiple inner elastic members 63.

[0076] The pet absorbent article 1 configured as described above can be put on a pet as follows. First, the user presses the second end 8 of the pet absorbent article 1 against the pet's back and holds the area near the second end 8 with one hand. Next, the user holds the first end 7 of the pet absorbent article 1 with the other hand and wraps the pet absorbent article 1 around the pet's abdomen. At this time, the pet absorbent article 1 is put on so that the front leak-proof sheet 41 is positioned in front of the pet's urethral opening and the rear leak-proof sheet 51 is positioned behind the pet's urethral opening. Next, the user pulls the first end 7 upward so that the pet absorbent article 1 fits snugly around the pet's waist, and then engages the engaging portion 70 of the second end 8 with the target portion 71. By engaging the engaging portion 70 with the target portion 71 in this manner, the pet absorbent article 1 can be put on the pet in an appropriate position.

[0077] Because the shrinkage rate of the first portion 2A is higher than that of the second portion 2B, it is easy to place the second portion 2B against the pet's body and align the pet absorbent article 1. Furthermore, because the first portion 2A shrinks and the pet absorbent article 1 fits closely to the pet's body, the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 is improved.

[0078] As described above, in the pet absorbent article 1, the pair of outer elastic members 61, 62 contract in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the pair of leak-proof sheets 40 to stand up relative to the main body 2 and fit closely to the pet's body. Furthermore, the multiple inner elastic members 63 provided between the first standing line 45a and the fourth standing line 55a contract to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture, thereby improving the fit of the pet absorbent article 1. As a result, gaps are prevented from forming between the pet absorbent article 1 and the pet's body, effectively preventing urine leakage.

[0079] Next, a pet absorbent article according to another embodiment will be described. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a pet absorbent article 1A according to another embodiment, as viewed from the skin-facing side Z1. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the pet absorbent article 1A. The pet absorbent article 1A differs from the pet absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that the main body 2 includes a plurality of inner elastic members 63A instead of a plurality of inner elastic members 63. In the following description, differences from the pet absorbent article 1 will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0080] The main body 2 of the pet absorbent article 1A includes a plurality of inner elastic members 63A that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. The plurality of inner elastic members 63A are provided more inward than the pair of outer elastic members 61, 62 in the short direction X, and extend across the entire main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the main body 2 to stretch across the entire longitudinal direction Y to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture, effectively improving the fit of the pet absorbent article 1A.

[0081] The multiple inner elastic members 63A overlap the entire absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y when viewed from the thickness direction Z. As a result, even when urine is absorbed into the absorber 30, the contractile force of the inner elastic members 63A lifts the absorber 30, preventing it from sagging. This allows the fit of the pet absorbent article 1A to be maintained.

[0082] The multiple inner elastic members 63A are arranged on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the topsheet 15. In particular, as shown in Fig. 7, some of the multiple inner elastic members 63A are arranged between the absorbent body 30 and the backsheet 20. Note that an intermediate sheet made of nonwoven fabric may be arranged between some of the multiple inner elastic members 63A and the absorbent body 30.

[0083] The inner elastic member 63A may overlap the engaging portion 70 as viewed in the thickness direction Z. For example, when the engaging portion 70 is divided into three equal regions in the short-side direction X, namely, a front region 70a, a central region 70b, and a rear region 70c, from the front side, the inner elastic members 63A overlap at least the central region 70b as viewed in the thickness direction Z. As shown in FIG. 6 , the inner elastic members 63A may overlap all of the front region 70a, the central region 70b, and the rear region 70c as viewed in the thickness direction Z. When a target portion 71 is provided as in this embodiment, the inner elastic member 63A may overlap the target portion 71 as viewed in the thickness direction Z. Note that the outer elastic members 61, 62 are located outside the engaging portion 70 in the short-side direction X.

[0084] As described above, in the pet absorbent article 1A, the main body 2 stretches and contracts across the entire area in the longitudinal direction Y to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture, thereby improving the fit of the pet absorbent article 1A. As a result, gaps are prevented from forming between the pet absorbent article 1A and the pet's body, and urine leakage can be effectively prevented.

[0085] Next, a pet absorbent article according to yet another embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a pet absorbent article 1B according to yet another embodiment, as viewed from the skin-facing side Z1. The pet absorbent article 1B shown in Fig. 8 differs from the pet absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that the main body 2 includes a plurality of inner elastic members 63B instead of the plurality of inner elastic members 63. In the following description, differences from the pet absorbent article 1 will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0086] The main body 2 of the pet absorbent article 1B includes a plurality of inner elastic members 63B that are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. The plurality of inner elastic members 63B are provided in the second portion 2B of the main body 2. More specifically, the plurality of inner elastic members 63B are provided in the second end portion 8. Therefore, the center P5 of the inner elastic members 63B in the longitudinal direction Y is located on the second side edge 6 side with respect to the center line P4 of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0087] The first portion 2A of the main body portion 2 includes a non-stretchable region R3 that does not include the inner elastic member 63B, and the second portion 2B of the main body portion 2 includes a stretchable region R4 that includes the inner elastic member 63B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 , the first end portion 7 includes the non-stretchable region R3, and the second end portion 8 includes the stretchable region R4. Therefore, the contraction rate of the second portion 2B is higher than that of the first portion 2A. In other words, the contraction rate of the second end portion 8 is higher than that of the first end portion 7. Note that some of the inner elastic members 63B may extend from the second side edge 6 to partway along the first portion 2A, so that only a portion of the first portion 2A constitutes the non-stretchable region R3.

[0088] In the pet absorbent article 1B, the engagement portion 70 is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 20. The engagement portion 70 can directly engage with the top sheet 15 from the skin-facing side Z1. If the top sheet 15 has a target portion, the engagement portion 70 may be able to engage with the top sheet 15 via the target portion. In the pet absorbent article 1B, the engagement portion 70 engages with the surface of the top sheet 15.

[0089] The pet absorbent article 1B configured as described above can be put on a pet as follows. First, the user presses the first end 7 of the pet absorbent article 1B against the pet's back and holds the area near the first end 7 with one hand. Next, the user holds the second end 8 of the pet absorbent article 1B with the other hand and wraps the pet absorbent article 1B around the pet's abdomen. Next, the user pulls the second end 8 upward so that the pet absorbent article 1B fits snugly around the pet's waist, and then engages the engagement portion 70 of the first end 7 with the surface of the topsheet 15.

[0090] At this time, because the shrinkage rate of the second portion 2B is higher than that of the first portion 2A, the first portion 2A can be placed against the pet's body to easily align the pet absorbent article 1B. Furthermore, because the second portion 2B shrinks and the pet absorbent article 1B fits closely to the pet's body, the fit of the pet absorbent article 1B is improved.

[0091] Next, a pet absorbent article according to yet another embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a pet absorbent article 1C according to yet another embodiment, as viewed from the skin-facing side Z1. The pet absorbent article 1C shown in Fig. 9 differs from the pet absorbent article 1 shown in Fig. 1 in that the main body 2 includes a pair of outer elastic members 61C, 62C instead of the pair of outer elastic members 61, 62.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 9 , the outer elastic members 61C, 62C are provided on the outer sides of the pair of first and fourth upright lines 45a and 55a in the short direction X. The outer elastic member 61C extends along the front edge 3, and the outer elastic member 62C extends along the rear edge 4. Each of the outer elastic members 61C, 62C is formed discontinuously in the longitudinal direction Y. More specifically, the outer elastic member 61C includes a first portion 611C and a second portion 612C that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. The first portion 611C is disposed on one side of the center line P4 of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the second portion 612C is disposed on the other side of the center line P4 of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. A non-stretchable region where the outer elastic member 61C is not disposed is formed between the first portion 611C and the second portion 612C. This non-stretchable region is formed so as to straddle the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0093] The outer elastic member 62C includes a first portion 621C and a second portion 622C that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. The first portion 621C is disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction Y of a center line P4 of the absorber 30, and the second portion 622C is disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y of the center line P4 of the absorber 30. A non-stretchable region where the outer elastic member 61C is not disposed is formed between the first portion 621C and the second portion 622C. This non-stretchable region is formed so as to straddle the center line P1 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0094] Some types of pets have little fur around their stomachs. In such cases, the pet may feel pain if the outer elastic member 61C presses on the pet's stomach. In response to this, a non-stretchable region where the outer elastic member 61C is not disposed is formed between the first portion 611C and the second portion 612C of the outer elastic member 61C, thereby preventing the outer elastic member 61C from pressing on the pet's stomach.

[0095] Furthermore, if the outer elastic member 62C presses against the pet's genitals, the genitals may be rubbed and darkened, or the pet may feel pain. In response to this, a non-stretchable region where the outer elastic member 62C is not disposed is formed between the first portion 621C and the second portion 622C of the outer elastic member 62C, thereby preventing the outer elastic member 62C from pressing against the pet's genitals.

[0096] Next, a packaging body 90 for storing a plurality of pet absorbent articles 1 will be described. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the packaging body 90 according to one embodiment. The packaging body 90 includes a packaging sheet 91 for packaging a plurality of pet absorbent articles 1. In Fig. 10, the pet absorbent articles 1 are packaged in the packaging sheet 91 with the main body 2 folded in thirds in the longitudinal direction Y. The pet absorbent articles 1 may also be packaged in the packaging sheet 91 with the main body 2 folded in fours in the longitudinal direction Y. The packaging sheet 91 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0097] Next, with reference to Figures 11 and 12, a procedure for folding the pet absorbent article 1 will be described. First, as shown in Figure 11, the front flap portion 11 is folded inward along a fold line L3 extending in the longitudinal direction Y so as to expose the inner edge 44a of the front leak-proof sheet 41 in the transverse direction X. As shown in Figure 2, the fold line L3 is located closer to the front edge 3 than the midline between the front edge 3 and the inner edge 44a in the transverse direction X. That is, the distance between the front edge 3 and the fold line L3 in the transverse direction X is shorter than the distance between the inner edge 44a and the fold line L3 in the transverse direction X. By folding the front flap portion 11 along this fold line L3, the inner edge 44a of the side sheet 42 is exposed. On the other hand, the rear flap portion 12 is not folded inward in the transverse direction X.

[0098] Next, as shown in Fig. 12, the main body portion 2 is folded in thirds in the longitudinal direction Y. More specifically, after the second end portion 8 is folded inward in the longitudinal direction Y, the first end portion 7 is folded inward in the longitudinal direction Y so as to overlap the second end portion 8. At this time, the engaging portion 70 is engaged with the target portion 71. The pet absorbent article 1 folded as described above is contained in a packaging body 90.

[0099] As described above, in the package 90, when the folded pet absorbent article 1 is unfolded in the longitudinal direction Y, the inner edge 44a of the front leakproof sheet 41 in the short direction X is exposed. This ensures that the front leakproof sheet 41 comes into contact with the pet's body even when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn after being unfolded from its third fold, and as a result, urine leakage can be effectively prevented by the front leakproof sheet 41. Therefore, even when the pet absorbent article 1 is worn without unfolding the front flap portion 11, the front leakproof sheet 41 comes into contact with the pet's body, and therefore urine leakage can be prevented by the front leakproof sheet 41.

[0100] Furthermore, in the packaging body 90, the rear flap portion 12 is not folded inward in the short direction X, so that the user can easily recognize the front and rear orientations of the pet absorbent article 1 when removing the pet absorbent article 1 from the packaging body 90. For example, since the user can easily recognize where the front leak-proof sheet 41 is located in the pet absorbent article 1, the pet absorbent article 1 can be easily put on so that the front leak-proof sheet 41 is positioned near the pet's head.

[0101] Although various embodiments of absorbent articles for pets have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other words, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0102] For example, in each of the above-described pet absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, the front leak-proof sheet 41 may not have the first elastic member 43, and the rear leak-proof sheet 51 may not have the first elastic member 53. Furthermore, each of the pet absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C may not have the pair of leak-proof sheets 40.

[0103] In each of the above-described pet absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, the top sheet 15 in the first portion 2A and the top sheet 15 in the second portion 2B may be engaged with each other. Also, in each of the pet absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, the back sheet 20 in the first portion 2A and the back sheet 20 in the second portion 2B may be engaged with each other. The various embodiments described above can be combined to the extent that no contradictions are present.

[0104] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B, 1C...Absorbent article for pet, 2...Main body portion, 2A...First portion, 2B...Second portion, 11...Front flap portion, 12...Rear flap portion, 15...Top sheet, 20...Back sheet, 30...Absorbent body, 40...Leakproof sheet, 41...Front leakproof sheet, 44a...Inner edge, 45a...First rising line, 55a...Fourth rising line (second rising line), 51...Rear leakproof sheet, 61, 61 C, 62, 62C...outer elastic member, 63, 63A, 63B...inner elastic member, 70...engaging portion, 70a...front region, 70b...center region, 70c...back region, 90...packaging body, L3...broken line, P1, P2, P4...center line, P3, P5...center, R1, R4...stretchable region, R2, R3...non-stretchable region, X...short direction, Y...longitudinal direction, Z...thickness direction, Z1...skin side, Z2...non-skin side.

Claims

1. An absorbent article for pets to be worn by wrapping it around the waist of a pet, comprising: a main body having a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the main body including a top sheet arranged on the skin side, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin side, and an absorbent arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a first portion arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to a center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction; an engagement portion provided on the first portion of the main body for engaging the first portion and the second portion; a pair of leak-proof sheets capable of standing up against the top sheet along a pair of standing lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction; and a pair of outer elastic members provided on the outside of the pair of standing lines in the lateral direction and stretchable in the longitudinal direction, The main body portion is provided inside the pair of standing lines in the short side direction, and further includes one or more inner elastic members that impart elasticity to the main body portion.

2. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inner elastic members stretch in said longitudinal direction.

3. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein said one or more inner elastic members extend over the entire area of ​​said main body portion in the longitudinal direction.

4. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion is provided on the front surface of the top sheet and is engageable with the back sheet.

5. An absorbent article for pets as described in claim 4, wherein the first portion includes a stretchable region including the one or more inner elastic members, the second portion includes a non-stretchable region not including the one or more inner elastic members, and the shrinkage rate of the first portion is higher than the shrinkage rate of the second portion.

6. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 4, wherein the center of the one or more inner elastic members in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

7. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein the engagement portion is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet and is capable of engaging with the top sheet.

8. An absorbent article for pets as described in claim 7, wherein the first portion includes a non-stretchable area not including the one or more inner elastic members, the second portion includes a stretchable area including the one or more inner elastic members, and the shrinkage rate of the second portion is higher than the shrinkage rate of the first portion.

9. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 7, wherein the center of the one or more inner elastic members in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction.

10. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein the one or more inner elastic members overlap the engaging portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

11. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the one or more inner elastic members do not overlap the engaging portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

12. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the one or more inner elastic members do not overlap the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

13. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the one or more inner elastic members overlap the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

14. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of outer elastic members extends continuously in the longitudinal direction.

15. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of outer elastic members is formed discontinuously in the longitudinal direction.

16. The absorbent article for pets described in claim 1, wherein the pair of leakproof sheets includes a front leakproof sheet that can stand up along a first standing line of the pair of standing lines, and a rear leakproof sheet that can stand up along a second standing line of the pair of standing lines, and the maximum standing height of the front leakproof sheet based on the main body portion is higher than the maximum standing height of the rear leakproof sheet based on the main body portion.

17. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion is provided with a plurality of inner elastic members, and the plurality of inner elastic members are arranged along the short side direction.

18. An absorbent article for pets to be worn by wrapping it around the waist of a pet, comprising: a main body having a horizontally elongated shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, including a top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side, a back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a first portion arranged on one side of a center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion arranged on the other side of the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction; an engagement portion provided on the first portion of the main body for engaging the first portion and the second portion; and a pair of outer elastic members provided outside the absorbent in the lateral direction and stretchable in the longitudinal direction, the main body further including one or more inner elastic members arranged on the non-skin-facing side with respect to the top sheet and imparting stretchability to the main body, The one or more inner elastic members are provided inside the pair of outer elastic members in the short side direction and overlap the engagement portion when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

19. An absorbent article for pets as described in claim 18, wherein when the engagement portion is divided into three equal regions in the short direction, the respective regions being defined as a front region, a central region and a rear region, starting from one side in the short direction, the one or more inner elastic members overlap at least the central region when viewed in the thickness direction of the main body portion.

20. A packaging body for containing the absorbent article for pets as described in claim 1, wherein the main body portion includes a front flap portion and a rear flap portion arranged on the outside of the absorbent body in the short side direction, the pair of leakproof sheets include a front leakproof sheet that can stand along a first standing line of the pair of standing lines and a rear leakproof sheet that can stand along a second standing line of the pair of standing lines, and the absorbent article for pets is contained within the packaging body with the main body portion folded in thirds or fourths in the long side direction after the front flap portion is folded inward along a fold line extending in the long side direction so that the inner edge of the front leakproof sheet in the short side direction is exposed.

21. The package according to claim 20, wherein the rear flap portion is not folded inward in the short direction.

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