Absorbent article

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to improve design properties of a colored sheet having colored fibers. An absorbent article (1) has a colored sheet (70) having colored fibers. The difference is 3.0 or more between the maximum value of the reference color difference, which is the color difference with respect to the reference plate in a sheet arrangement region (R1) in which the colored sheet is arranged, and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet arrangement region (R1), when measured from at least one of the skin-side surface and the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent article.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a fibrous sheet with colored fibers.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fiber sheet having colored fibers. The colored fiber sheet is configured to be visible from the outside of the absorbent article. The fiber sheet is provided on an absorbent body, and the entire absorbent body or a portion of a layer in the thickness direction is colored with dyed fibers. According to the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, the absorbent body can be made conspicuous by the coloring.

[0003] JP 2017-64132 A

[0004] However, the fiber sheet of Patent Document 1 is dyed in a single color, and the design of the sheet cannot be sufficiently improved. An object of the present invention is to improve the design of a colored sheet having colored fibers.

[0005] According to one aspect, an absorbent article includes a colored sheet having colored fibers, and when measured from at least one of the skin-side surface and the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of a reference color difference, which is a color difference relative to a reference plate, in a sheet-arrangement area where the colored sheet is arranged and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement area is 3.0 or more.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a colored sheet.

[0007] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The following points become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. An absorbent article according to Aspect 1 includes a colored sheet having colored fibers. When measured from at least one of the skin-side surface and the non-skin-side surface of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of a reference color difference, which is the color difference with respect to a reference plate, in a sheet-arrangement area where the colored sheet is arranged and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement area is 3.0 or more. According to this aspect, because the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​is 3.0 or more, a user can recognize multiple colors in the colored sheet, which provides a higher decorative effect and improves design compared to a single-color sheet.

[0008] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 1: When measured from the one side of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area is 10.0 or less. According to this aspect, since the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​is 10.0 or less, a user can easily recognize multiple colors as different but similar colors, and can easily recognize them as an integrated pattern design containing multiple similar colors. This further improves the design of the absorbent sheet.

[0009] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2: The absorbent article has a non-sheet area adjacent to the sheet area, in which the colored sheet is not placed. When measured from the one side of the absorbent article, the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet area and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet area is 3.0 or more. According to this aspect, because the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet area and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet area is 3.0 or more, a user can recognize the sheet area and the non-sheet area as separate areas, making it easier to recognize the design of the sheet area.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 4 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, and may have the following features: The sheet placement area has a stretchable stretchable area. If the average value of the reference color differences in the natural state of the stretchable area is defined as a natural average value, and the average value of the reference color differences in the stretchable area in a stretched state is defined as an extended average value, one of the natural average value and the extended average value is 1.5 times or more the other. When the absorbent article is worn or operated, the stretchable area stretches. At this time, the color of the stretchable area changes significantly, improving the design of the colored sheet. Furthermore, the stretching state of the colored sheet can be indicated by a change in color, and the stretching function of the area where the colored sheet is placed can be visually conveyed to the user, allowing the user to intuitively grasp the function of the absorbent article.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4: the colored sheet is disposed on the one surface of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, by visually checking the one surface of the absorbent article, the user can more easily visually check the colored sheet and more easily grasp the color and design of the colored sheet.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 5. The absorbent article has an absorbent core. The colored sheet is arranged at a distance from the absorbent core in a planar view of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, by arranging a colored sheet with a high design at a distance from the absorbent core in a planar view, the user's attention is drawn to the colored sheet, which relatively reduces the visibility of the absorbent core and reduces the visibility of excrement absorbed by the absorbent core.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 5: The absorbent article has an absorbent core. The colored sheet is arranged on the one side of the absorbent core in the area overlapping with the absorbent core. According to this aspect, the colored sheet can conceal the body excrement absorbed by the absorbent core, thereby reducing the visibility of the body excrement absorbed by the absorbent core.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 8 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7. When measured from the skin-side surface of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region is 3.0 or more. The absorbent article has a non-skin-side fiber sheet that abuts the non-skin-side surface of the colored sheet and has fibers. The fiber density of the non-skin-side fiber sheet is higher than the fiber density of the colored sheet. According to this aspect, the fiber density gradient makes it easy for body fluid absorbed by the colored sheet to be guided to the non-skin-side fiber sheet. This prevents the design of the colored sheet from being impaired by body fluid absorbed by the colored sheet, and makes it easy for a user to continue to see the well-designed colored sheet when viewed from the skin-side surface of the absorbent article.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 9 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8. The colored sheet is a laminated sheet formed by laminating a first layer having fibers of a certain color and a second layer having fibers of a color different from the certain color. According to this aspect, a colored sheet having a plurality of colors can be formed at low cost without using a plurality of nonwoven fabrics of different colors.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 10 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9: A mottled pattern is formed on the outer surface of the colored sheet. According to this aspect, the mottled pattern provided on the outer surface of the colored sheet can further improve the design of the colored sheet.

[0017] Unless otherwise specified, the inventions according to Aspects 1 to 10 may satisfy the configuration in at least one of an absorbent article in a natural state and an absorbent article in a stretched state. Specifically, for example, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference and the minimum value of the reference color difference may be 3.0 or more in at least one of the absorbent article in a natural state and the absorbent article in a stretched state.

[0018] (2) Absorbent Article According to the Embodiment Hereinafter, an absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.

[0019] The absorbent article 1 is an absorbent article capable of absorbing bodily fluids of a wearer. The absorbent article 1 may be a disposable diaper or incontinence pad for absorbing urine, a sanitary napkin for absorbing menstrual blood, or a panty liner for absorbing vaginal discharge. Disposable diapers may be tape-type or pants-type. The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment is a pants-type disposable diaper. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment in an unfolded and stretched state, as viewed from the skin side T1. The unfolded and stretched state shown in FIG. 2 illustrates an extended state in which the absorbent article 1 has been stretched to a wrinkle-free state with the side joints 60 (described later) unfolded. In the present invention, the "extended state" refers to a state in which the entire product has been stretched without wrinkles, specifically, a state in which the dimensions of each component constituting the absorbent article 1 have been stretched to the same or close to the dimensions of the component alone. The "natural state" refers to the state of the absorbent article 1 when it is left for a predetermined period of time. For example, the waistband of the manufactured absorbent article 1 is removed from the package and pulled outward in both the left and right directions to put the waistband in a "stretched state." This stretched state is maintained for 15 seconds, and then the absorbent article 1 is released from the tension and placed on a flat surface such as a desk. The state after being left flat in this state for 5 minutes is considered to be the natural state.

[0020] The absorbent article 1 has a front waist region S1, a rear waist region S2, and a crotch region S3. The front waist region S1 faces the front waist (abdomen) of the wearer. The rear waist region S2 faces the rear waist (back) of the wearer. The crotch region S3 is located between the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2 under the crotch of the wearer. The crotch region S3 may be a region in which leg openings 66 are provided.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , a side joint 60 may be provided, joining an end of the front waistline region S1 (front outer body 51) in the width direction W to an end of the rear waistline region S2 (rear outer body 52) in the width direction W. The side joint 60 is defined by a portion where the outer sides of the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S2 are engaged with each other. With the side joint 60 formed, the absorbent article 1 is provided with a waist opening 62 that encircles the waist of the wearer and through which the wearer's torso is passed, and a pair of leg openings 66 that encircle the legs of the wearer and through which the wearer's legs are inserted, respectively. The waist opening 62 may be defined by the front edge of the front waistline region S1 and the rear edge of the rear waistline region S2. FIG. 2 shows the absorbent article 1 unfolded after the joining at the side joint 60 has been released.

[0022] In the present invention, the outer portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. In the present invention, the inner portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge refers to the inner edge in the width direction W. In addition, the front end and rear end refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the front-to-back direction L including edges in the front-to-back direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-back direction L. The outer end includes the front end and rear end, and the outer edge includes the front edge and rear edge.

[0023] The absorbent article 1 may have an exterior body 50 and an absorbent main body 15. The exterior body 50 may have a portion disposed closer to the skin T2 than the absorbent main body 15, and covers at least the waist of the wearer. A portion of the exterior body 50 (e.g., a colored sheet 70) may be disposed closer to the skin T1 than the absorbent main body 15. The exterior body 50 may have a front exterior body 51 disposed in the front waist region S1, and a rear exterior body 52 disposed in the rear waist region S2. The front exterior body 51 and the rear exterior body 52 may be disposed spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L. In a modified example, the front exterior body 51 and the rear exterior body 52 may be integrated. The front outer body 51 and the rear outer body 52 may have a skin side sheet 55 arranged on the skin side T1 in the thickness direction T, a non-skin side sheet 56 laminated adjacent to the non-skin side of the skin side sheet 55, and a waist elastic member 58 (see Figure 3) such as rubber thread arranged between the skin side sheet 55 and the non-skin side sheet 56.

[0024] The skin-side sheet 55 and the non-skin-side sheet 56 are rectangular sheet members in a plan view and may be formed of a nonwoven fabric such as an SMS nonwoven fabric. The outer end of the non-skin-side sheet 56 in the front-to-rear direction L may have a folded portion 56f folded from the non-skin side T2 to the skin side T1 and from the outside to the inside in the front-to-rear direction L. However, the folded portion 56f is not necessarily provided. The waistline elastic members 58 are stretchable members arranged along the width direction W and are stretchable in the width direction. In this embodiment, white rubber thread is used. A plurality of waistline elastic members 58 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction L between the skin-side sheet 55 and the non-skin-side sheet 56 and are attached in a stretched state in the width direction W. The stretchability of the waistline elastic members 58 allows the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S2 to fit the waist of the wearer. In addition, the absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is provided with waist elastic members 58, but this is not limited to rubber thread, and elastic members such as elastic sheets may be arranged to allow the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2 to stretch in the left-right direction.

[0025] The absorbent main body 15 may be arranged across the front waist region S1, the rear waist region S2, and the crotch region S3. The absorbent main body 15 may be configured as a separate body from the front outer body 51 and the rear outer body 52, and may be joined to the front outer body 51 and the rear outer body 52 in the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2, respectively. The absorbent main body 15 may have at least an absorbent core 21, a topsheet 31 arranged on the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 21, and a backsheet 32 ​​arranged on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 21.

[0026] The absorbent core 21 may contain, for example, fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer (SAP), or a mixture thereof. The absorbent core 21 may be covered with a core wrap (not shown). The topsheet 31 may be a liquid-permeable sheet. The backsheet 32 ​​may have a liquid-impermeable leak-barrier sheet 32A and a main body outer sheet 32B arranged closer to the skin than the leak-barrier sheet 32A. The leak-barrier sheet 32A may be made of a film, and the main body outer sheet 32B may be made of a nonwoven fabric.

[0027] The absorbent article 1 may have a stretchable member that stretches in at least one of the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. The stretchable member may be provided in the exterior body 50 or in the absorbent main body 15. The stretchable member may be made of rubber thread or a stretch sheet. In this embodiment, the absorbent article 1 has at least waistline elastic members 58 arranged in the rear waistline region S2 and the front waistline region S1. The waistline elastic members 58 arranged in the rear waistline region S2 are arranged so as to overlap the colored sheet 70 and are configured to stretch at least a portion of the sheet arrangement region R1 in which the colored sheet 70 is arranged.

[0028] The absorbent article 1 includes a colored sheet 70 having colored fibers. The colored sheet 70 is configured to be visible from at least one of the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. The state of visibility from one side of the absorbent article 1 may be a state in which the visible light transmittance is 60% or more when an object to be evaluated for visibility (e.g., the colored sheet 70) is placed on one surface of the absorbent article (in this embodiment, the skin side) or when a component located on one side of the object is overlapped. Alternatively, the state of visibility means that a subject with good visual acuity (1.0 or better) in both eyes can see the object when looking at it from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1 at a distance of approximately 30 to 50 cm in a brightly lit room (approximately 500 to 750 lx (lux)) with daylight white light (approximate color temperature 4600 to 5400 K (Kelvin)). The colored sheet 70 of this embodiment is constituted by a water-absorbent sheet arranged on the skin side T1 surface of the rear waist region S2, and is arranged on the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1 and is visible from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1. Note that the colored sheet is not limited to a water-absorbent sheet, and may be constituted by other components of the exterior body 50 or by components of the absorbent main body 15.

[0029] The colored sheet 70 may be formed by coloring at least a portion of the fibers constituting the sheet with a predetermined color. The colored sheet 70 may be formed of woven fabric or nonwoven fabric. The colored sheet 70 of the present embodiment is formed of nonwoven fabric. The fibers may be colored with a color other than white. For fibers colored with a color other than white, "white" refers to, for example, a color represented as "N9.5" in the Munsell color system or a color represented as "255,255,255" in the RGB color space (so-called pure white), as well as colors with a color difference from pure white of less than 12. To measure the color difference of white, for example, a color difference meter such as a Konica Minolta CR-300 can be used, and the light source of the measuring instrument can be Illuminant C (standard of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE)). In this case, the diameter of the measuring window of the measuring instrument is 40 mm. The color difference is ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* in the (L*a*b*) color space relative to a white reference plate. The color difference relative to the white reference plate can be calculated by measuring the Lab values ​​of the white reference plate and the Lab values ​​of the target sample. The white reference plate is set to lab0 with a coordinate system of (X93.19, Y95.20, Z112.28). Here, L* is a value that indicates brightness, and a* and b* are plane coordinates of chromaticity. If the Lab values ​​of the white reference plate are L0, a0, and b0, and the Lab values ​​of the target sample are L1, a1, and b1, the calculations can be made as follows: ΔL* = L0-L1, Δa* = a0-a1, and Δb* = b0-b1. Furthermore, colored fibers are fibers other than colorless and transparent and the above-mentioned white colors, and are achieved by coloring the fibers with a specified colorant (dye, content).

[0030] The absorbent article has a sheet arrangement region R1 in which a colored sheet 70 is arranged. The sheet arrangement region R1 is the region in which the colored sheet 70 is arranged in a planar view. More specifically, the sheet arrangement region R1 is a region in which the colored sheet 70 is arranged, and is visible when the absorbent article 1 is viewed from the skin side T1 or when it is viewed from the non-skin side T2. The colored sheet 70 of this embodiment is arranged on the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1, and is visible from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1 but not from the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the sheet arrangement region R1 is the region in which the colored sheet 70 is arranged when the absorbent article 1 is viewed from the skin side T1.

[0031] When measured from at least one of the skin side T1 surface and the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference in the sheet arrangement region R1 and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet arrangement region R1 is 3.0 or more. That is, any of patterns 1 to 3 is acceptable. In pattern 1, when measured from the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is 3.0 or more, and when measured from the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than 3.0. In pattern 2, when measured from the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is less than 3.0, and when measured from the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is 3.0 or more. In pattern 3, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​is 3.0 or more when measured from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1, and the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​is 3.0 or more when measured from the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. As a result of extensive research by the applicant, it has been found that when the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the color difference of a sheet containing fibers is 3.0 or more, a user who visually checks the sheet will not recognize it as a single-color sheet, but as a sheet containing multiple colors. In particular, sheets containing fibers such as nonwoven fabrics tend to be more difficult to distinguish in color than smooth films, but it has been found that a fiber sheet with a difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of 3.0 or more allows users to distinguish multiple color shades. According to the absorbent article 1 having the colored sheet 70 of this configuration, when measured from at least one of the skin side T1 surface and the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the reference color difference of the colored sheet 70 is 3.0 or more. Therefore, a user can recognize multiple colors in the colored sheet 70 when viewed from at least one of the skin side T1 surface and the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. This provides a higher decorative effect than a single-color sheet, improving design. The difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the reference color difference in the sheet arrangement region R1 may be 3.0 or more, but is preferably 6.0 or more, and more preferably 8.0 or more.

[0032] Here, the reference color difference is the color difference relative to a reference plate, which can be defined by a predetermined sample, such as the white reference plate described above. In this embodiment, sample number SN: 502515 was used as the reference plate. The reference color difference can be measured using, for example, a measuring instrument with model number CR8 from 3nh (Shenzhen Threenh Technology Co., Ltd.). By setting the reference plate value in advance when measuring with the measuring instrument, the color difference relative to the reference plate can be measured. Furthermore, the color difference can be measured with an absorbent article in a stretched state. Therefore, for example, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​may be satisfied with an absorbent article in a stretched state. However, the color difference may also be measured with an absorbent article in its natural state. For example, the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​may be satisfied with an absorbent article in its natural state. The maximum and minimum values ​​of the reference color difference in the sheet placement region R1 are measured at any measurement location within the sheet placement region R1. The interval and number of measurement points are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to set up at least one measurement point per 10 mm square. The highest reference color difference value among all the measured values ​​is defined as the maximum value, and the lowest reference color difference value among all the measured values ​​is defined as the minimum value. The difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​can be calculated by subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value.

[0033] When measured from one side of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement region R1 and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement region R1 may be 10.0 or less. When the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the reference color difference is 10.0 or less, the user can easily recognize multiple colors as different but similar colors, and can easily recognize the design as an integrated pattern consisting of multiple similar colors. This further improves the design of the colored sheet 70.

[0034] The absorbent article 1 may have a non-sheet placement region R2 adjacent to the sheet placement region R1, in which the colored sheet 70 is not placed in a planar view. In this embodiment, the non-sheet placement region R2 is located on the front and rear sides of the sheet placement region R1. When measured from one side of the absorbent article 1, the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet placement region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement region R1 may be 3.0 or more. Because the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet placement region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement region R1 is 3.0 or more, the user can recognize the sheet placement region R1 and the non-sheet placement region R2 as separate regions, making it easier to recognize the design of the sheet placement region R1. Here, the average value of the reference color difference can be calculated by measuring the reference color difference at 10 mm intervals in the front-to-back and width directions of each region using the color difference measurement method described above and calculating the average value of the overall measurement values. The difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region R1 may be 3.0 or more, preferably 6.0 or more, and more preferably 9.0 or more. Furthermore, the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region R1 when the absorbent article 1 is in its natural state may be larger than the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region R1 when the absorbent article 1 is in its stretched state. Specifically, the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region R1 when the absorbent article 1 is in its natural state may be 10.0 or more, and the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet region R2 and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet-arrangement region R1 when the absorbent article 1 is in its stretched state may be 9.0 or more.

[0035] The sheet placement region R1 may have a stretchable region. The stretchable region may be a region in which the colored sheet 70 itself is stretchable, or may be a region that is stretchable due to a stretchable member (e.g., waist elastic member 58) arranged over the colored sheet 70. If the average value of the reference color difference in the stretchable region in its natural state is defined as the natural average value, and the average value of the reference color difference in the stretched state of the stretchable region is defined as the stretched average value, one of the natural average value and the stretched average value may be 1.5 times or more the other. In other words, the reference color difference in the stretched state differs from the reference color difference in the natural state by 1.5 times or more. When the absorbent article 1 is worn or operated, the stretchable region stretches. At this time, the color of the stretchable region changes significantly, improving the design of the colored sheet 70. Furthermore, the stretching behavior of the colored sheet 70 can be indicated by a color change, visually conveying to the user the stretching function of the region where the colored sheet 70 is arranged, allowing the user to intuitively grasp the function of the absorbent article 1.

[0036] The colored sheet 70 may be disposed on one side of the absorbent article 1. That is, the colored sheet 70 may be exposed without being covered by any member when viewed from one side of the absorbent article 1. The colored sheet 70 of the present embodiment is exposed on the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1. This configuration makes it easier for the user to view the colored sheet 70 and to grasp the color and design of the colored sheet 70.

[0037] The colored sheet 70 may be arranged at a distance from the absorbent core 21 in a plan view of the absorbent article 1. That is, the colored sheet 70 may be arranged in a region that does not overlap with the absorbent core 21 in a plan view of the absorbent article. According to this configuration, the highly designed colored sheet 70 is arranged at a distance from the absorbent core 21 in a plan view, so that the user focuses on the colored sheet 70, relatively reducing the visibility of the absorbent core 21 and reducing the visibility of the excrement absorbed by the absorbent core 21. In this embodiment, the colored sheet 70 is arranged behind the absorbent core 21. More specifically, the front edge of the colored sheet 70 is located behind the rear edge of the absorbent core 21, and the rear edge of the colored sheet is located forward of the waist opening 62 in the rear waist region.

[0038] In a modified example, the colored sheet 70 may be arranged on one side of the absorbent core 21 in the region where it overlaps with the absorbent core 21. That is, the colored sheet 70 may be arranged to cover one side of the absorbent core 21 (the skin side in this embodiment). According to this configuration, the colored sheet 70 can conceal the excrement absorbed by the absorbent core 21, thereby reducing the visibility of the excrement absorbed by the absorbent core 21.

[0039] The absorbent article 1 may include a non-skin-side fiber sheet that contacts the non-skin-side surface T2 of the colored sheet 70 and has fibers. In this embodiment, the folded portion 56f of the non-skin-side sheet 56 and the top sheet 31 are arranged on the non-skin-side surface of the colored sheet 70. Both the non-skin-side sheet 56 and the top sheet 31 are made of nonwoven fabrics containing fibers, constituting a non-skin-side fiber sheet. The fiber density of the non-skin-side fiber sheet may be higher than the fiber density of the colored sheet. This configuration facilitates the guiding of body fluid absorbed by the colored sheet 70 to the non-skin-side fiber sheet due to the fiber density gradient. This prevents the design of the colored sheet 70 from being impaired by the body fluid absorbed by the colored sheet 70, and allows the user to easily maintain visibility of the highly designed colored sheet 70 when viewed from the skin side of the absorbent article. In a configuration in which multiple sheets constitute the non-skin side fiber sheet, as in this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one sheet has a high fiber density of the non-skin side fiber sheet, but it is preferable that all of the non-skin side fiber sheets have a high fiber density. The fiber densities of the sheets can be compared using a known method. For example, the fiber densities of the sheets are measured assuming that they are uniform. If they are not uniform, measurements are taken at multiple locations and the average densities are compared. For example, a method for comparing fiber densities involves cutting a sample of a predetermined size from each sheet, measuring the area and mass of each sample, and calculating the basis weight (g / m), which is the mass per unit area. 2 The thickness of each sample was also measured using the above method, and the basis weight (g / m 2 ) by the thickness (m), the density can be calculated (g / m 3 ).

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of a colored sheet 70. The colored sheet 70 may be a laminated sheet formed by stacking a first layer 71 having fibers 75 of a certain color and a second layer 72 having fibers 76 of a different color. The first layer 71 and the second layer 72 are overlapped in the thickness direction. The colored sheet 70 is formed from two laminated sheets of different colors, allowing for a color that blends the two colors contained in the two layers overlapping in the thickness direction T. More specifically, when a user views the colored sheet 70 from the thickness direction (non-skin side or skin side), a mottled pattern with varying shades is visible on the surface. This is because the colored sheet 70 is formed by stacking multiple layers of different colors. Therefore, a colored sheet with multiple colors can be constructed at low cost without using multiple nonwoven fabrics of different colors. The colored sheet may also have at least a first layer and a second layer, and may also have a third layer having fibers of a different color from the first and second layers. The colored sheet 70 may also include a plurality of first layers 71 and a plurality of second layers 72 .

[0041] Here, the "certain color" may be any color that includes white, and the "color different from the certain color" may be any color other than white if the certain color is white, or may be any color that includes white if the certain color is not white. In other words, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the fibers contained in the colored sheet is colored a color other than white, and the colored sheet may include white fibers. Furthermore, the first layer and the second layer are "different colors" if a user can visually determine that the colors of each layer are different. Specifically, when measured using the above-mentioned color difference meter or an equivalent, if the L*a*b* values ​​of the first layer are (L1*, a1*, b1*) and the L*a*b* values ​​of the second layer are (L2*, a2*, b2*), the color difference ΔE between the first layer and the second layer is calculated as ΔE={(L1*-L2*)} ２ +(a1*-a2*) ２ +(b1*-b2*) ２} １ / ２ It is sufficient if the difference is 13 or more. Alternatively, it is sufficient if the difference is 2 or more on the 24-color color chart classified by the Ostwald color circle.

[0042] Preferably, the colored sheet 70 may be a nonwoven fabric. Generally, the fiber density of a nonwoven fabric varies depending on the location, resulting in so-called "uneven texture." Therefore, if the colored sheet 70 is a nonwoven fabric having a first layer 71 and a second layer 72 of different colors, the color intensity will be uneven when viewed in the thickness direction, resulting in multiple visible colors on the surface of a single nonwoven fabric. For example, the color of one region of the first layer will be different from that of another region of the first layer, and even within the same region (e.g., a region), the color intensity will not be uniform. Furthermore, the overlapping of layers of different colors will further complicate the appearance of colors on the surface of a single nonwoven fabric, resulting in, for example, a marbled or rainbow-like pattern. Furthermore, the colored sheet 70 made of nonwoven fabric may have multiple fused portions 77 formed by fusion of fibers. Because the density of the colored sheet is increased in the areas where the fused portions 77 are formed, color intensity will be more likely to be varied compared to when the fused portions 77 are not formed. For example, when viewed from the thickness direction, the color of the portion where the fused portion 77 is formed appears darker than the other portions, which makes it easier for the user to recognize the difference in color.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. For example, in this embodiment, the colored sheet is disposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent article. However, the colored sheet may also be disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article, or may be disposed further inward in the thickness direction than the skin-facing side of the absorbent article, or may be disposed further inward in the thickness direction than the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent article. Furthermore, the colored sheet may be disposed in the front waist region or in the absorbent body. The present invention can be embodied in various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting effect on the present invention.

[0044] The entire contents of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310770321.9, filed on June 28, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Absorbent article 15: Absorbent body 21: Absorbent core 31: Top sheet (non-skin side fiber sheet) 32: Back sheet 50: Outer body 51: Front outer body 52: Rear outer body 55: Skin side sheet 56: Non-skin side sheet (non-skin side fiber sheet) 58: Waist elastic member 60: Side joint 62: Waist opening 66: Leg opening 70: Colored sheet R1: Sheet placement area R2: Non-sheet placement area S1: Front waist region S2: Rear waist region S3: Crotch region L: Front-to-back direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a colored sheet having colored fibers, wherein when measured from at least one of the skin side and non-skin side of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of a reference color difference, which is the color difference against a reference plate, in a sheet placement area in which the colored sheet is placed and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area is 3.0 or more.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein when measured from the one side surface of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of the standard color difference in the sheet placement area and the minimum value of the standard color difference in the sheet placement area is 10.0 or less.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, which has a non-sheet placement area adjacent to the sheet placement area in which the colored sheet is not placed, and when measured from the one side of the absorbent article, the difference between the average value of the reference color difference in the non-sheet placement area and the average value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area is 3.0 or more.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sheet placement area has a stretchable area, and when the average value of the reference color difference in the natural state of the stretchable area is defined as the natural average value and the average value of the reference color difference in the stretchable area in a stretched state is defined as the stretched average value, one of the natural average value and the stretched average value is 1.5 times or more the other.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the colored sheet is disposed on the one side surface of the absorbent article.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article has an absorbent core, and the colored sheet is arranged at a distance from the absorbent core when viewed in a plan view of the absorbent article.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent article has an absorbent core, and the colored sheet is positioned on the one side of the absorbent core in the area overlapping with the absorbent core.

8. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when measured from the skin side of the absorbent article, the difference between the maximum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area and the minimum value of the reference color difference in the sheet placement area is 3.0 or more, the absorbent article has a non-skin side fiber sheet abutting the non-skin side surface of the colored sheet and having fibers, and the fiber density of the non-skin side fiber sheet is higher than the fiber density of the colored sheet.

9. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the colored sheet is a laminated sheet comprising a first layer having fibers of a certain color and a second layer having fibers of a color different from the certain color laminated together.

10. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer surface of the colored sheet has a mottled pattern formed thereon.

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