Absorbent article

Abstract

The present invention is an absorbent article (1) having an absorbent core (11). An outer edge of the absorbent article (1) has a constricted part (Dc) constricted to the inner side in the width direction in a crotch part, and has a narrowest part (N) having the narrowest length in the width direction in the constricted part (Dc). The outer edge of the absorbent article (1) has an extension part (E) that extends further outward than a virtual line connecting a rear end of the narrowest part (N) in the front-rear direction and a rear end of the constricted part (Dc) in the front-rear direction.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

[0002] Longitudinal absorbent pads are known as absorbent articles. The longitudinal contour of the absorbent pad disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a first convex portion in the crotch area that convex laterally inward and a second convex portion in the back area that convex laterally outward. This narrowed central portion in the longitudinal direction prevents the absorbent pad from getting caught on the wearer's thighs and allows it to fit snugly against the wearer's thighs and buttocks.

[0003] JP 2022-143208 A

[0004] However, in the absorbent pad of Patent Document 1, the shortest horizontal length is located closer to the back than the vertical center line that divides the absorbent pad vertically in half. In other words, the vertical contour line of the absorbent pad is most deeply constricted on the back side. Therefore, when viewing the absorbent pad in plan view, the user can easily recognize that the area of ​​the back side of the absorbent pad is small. This may cause the user to feel anxious that the absorbent pad will not be able to wrap around the buttocks and will cause excrement leakage. In fact, if the width of the back side of the absorbent pad is small, excrement will be more likely to leak sideways when the user is in a lateral position, for example.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an absorbent article that fits well around the wearer's crotch, is less likely to leak excreted fluid, and reduces the user's visual anxiety about leakage.

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above object is an absorbent article having an absorbent core in a deployed state, which has a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to one another, wherein in a crotch portion that is located between the crotch of a wearer when worn, the outer edge of the absorbent article has a constricted portion that is constricted on the inside in the width direction, the constricted portion has a narrowest portion that has the narrowest length in the width direction, and the outer edge of the absorbent article has an extension portion that extends outward from an imaginary line connecting a rear end of the narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and a rear end of the constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction. Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that fits well around the crotch of the wearer, is less susceptible to leakage of excrement, and reduces the user's visual anxiety about leakage.

[0008] FIG. 6A is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in an unfolded and stretched state, as seen from the skin side. FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 taken along line II in FIG. 1. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram of the outer shape of the pad 1. FIG. 6D is an explanatory diagram of the outer shape of the pad 1. FIG. 6E is an explanatory diagram of the outer shape of the absorbent core 11. FIG. 6F is an explanatory diagram of the leakage preventing wall portion 6.

[0009] At least the following points become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings: (Aspect 1) An absorbent article having an absorbent core and having, in a deployed state, a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, wherein, in a crotch portion that is located between the crotch of a wearer when worn, the outer edge of the absorbent article has a constricted portion that is constricted on the inside in the width direction, the constricted portion has a narrowest portion that has the narrowest length in the width direction, and the outer edge of the absorbent article has an extending portion that extends outward from an imaginary line connecting a rear end of the narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and a rear end of the constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0010] According to Aspect 1, the constricted portion improves the fit of the absorbent article around the crotch area of ​​the wearer. Meanwhile, the extended portion sharply widens the width of the absorbent article, increasing the planar area of ​​the absorbent article behind the narrowest portion. This reduces the risk of leakage of excrement and visually reduces the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0011] (Aspect 2) An absorbent article as described in Aspect 1, wherein when a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by an amount obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds is defined as a first position, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, and a second constricted portion that is all the portion other than the first constricted portion, and the front-to-rear length of the first constricted portion is shorter than the front-to-rear length of the second constricted portion.

[0012] According to Aspect 2, the shallowly constricted second constricted portion is present over a wide area in the front-to-rear direction of the constricted portion, which increases the planar area of ​​the absorbent article at the constricted portion, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement and visually reducing the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0013] (Aspect 3) The absorbent article according to Aspects 1 and 2, wherein at least a portion of the extension portion is located forward of a center position of the constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0014] According to Aspect 3, the width of the absorbent article is increased in front of the constricted portion, and the planar area of ​​the absorbent article is increased behind the constricted portion, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement and visually reducing the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0015] (Aspect 4) The absorbent article according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the outer edge of the absorbent article has a non-extending portion that is constricted inward from the imaginary line and rearward from the extending portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0016] According to aspect 4, the increase in width of the absorbent article caused by the sudden widening at the extension portion is suppressed, thereby ensuring a good fit of the absorbent article around the crotch area of ​​the wearer.

[0017] (Aspect 5) An absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 4, wherein when the central position in the width direction between the rear end of the narrowest portion and the rear end of the constricted portion is defined as a second position, the extension portion located furthest forward in the front-to-rear direction is located more inward in the width direction than the second position.

[0018] According to aspect 5, the protrusion of the absorbent article at the extension portion is small, and an increase in the width of the absorbent article is appropriately suppressed, thereby ensuring a good fit of the absorbent article around the crotch area of ​​the wearer.

[0019] (Aspect 6) An absorbent article described in any of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein when a first position is defined as a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by an amount obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, the rear end of the constricted portion is located rearward in the front-to-back direction from the center position of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction, and the front-to-back length from the rear end of the constricted portion to the center position of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the front-to-back length of the first constricted portion that is located furthest forward in the front-to-back direction.

[0020] According to Aspect 6, the waistband is positioned closer to the front of the absorbent article, and the rear portion of the absorbent article is wider, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement. Also, visually, the user is more likely to perceive the absorbent article as extending further toward the rear, which reduces the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0021] (Aspect 7) An absorbent article according to aspect 4, wherein the outer edge of the absorbent article has, in the non-extending portion, a straight portion along the front-to-rear direction and an inclined portion inclined outward in the width direction toward the rear end of the constricted portion.

[0022] According to aspect 7, the linear portion prevents the absorbent article from increasing in width, thereby ensuring a good fit of the absorbent article around the crotch area of ​​the wearer.

[0023] (Aspect 8) An absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 7, comprising an overlapping region that overlaps with the extension portion in the front-to-back direction, and an adjacent region adjacent to the overlapping region from the rear side in the front-to-back direction and having the same length in the front-to-back direction as the overlapping region, wherein the overlapping region and the adjacent region each have a non-existent region on one side in the width direction where the absorbent core is not present, and the area of ​​the non-existent region in the overlapping region is larger than the area of ​​the non-existent region in the adjacent region.

[0024] According to Aspect 8, the outer edge of the absorbent article protrudes firmly from the extension portion, visually reducing the user's anxiety about leakage. Meanwhile, the outer edge of the absorbent core is prevented from protruding, improving the fit of the absorbent core around the wearer's crotch.

[0025] (Aspect 9) An absorbent article described in any one of aspects 1 to 4 and aspects 6 to 8, wherein when the central position in the width direction between the rear end of the narrowest portion and the rear end of the constricted portion is defined as a second position, the outer end in the width direction of the extension portion that is located most forward in the front-to-rear direction is located at the second position or further outward in the width direction than the second position.

[0026] According to Aspect 9, the absorbent article protrudes firmly from the extension portion, increasing the width of the absorbent article. As a result, the planar area of ​​the absorbent article behind the narrowest portion is increased, which can suppress leakage of excrement and visually reduce the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0027] (Aspect 10) An absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, having a line visible from the skin side of the absorbent article and extending along the front-to-back direction, the line overlapping the widthwise center of the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

[0028] According to Aspect 10, the user (wearer, caregiver, etc.) can use the line as a guide to position the absorbent article in a straight line relative to the wearer's length, and place the widthwise center of the absorbent core against the center of the wearer's crotch (excretory opening). This makes it less likely for the absorbent article to get caught on the wearer's thighs, improving the fit of the absorbent core around the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, the absorbent core can firmly receive and absorb excretory fluid, preventing leakage of excretory fluid.

[0029] (Aspect 11) An absorbent article described in any of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein when a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by an amount obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds is defined as a first position, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, and the front-to-rear length of the first constricted portion that is located most forward in the front-to-rear direction is less than the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion.

[0030] According to Aspect 11, the length of the first constricted portion in the front-rear direction is shortened, and the width of the absorbent article can be increased at a steep incline. As a result, an extension portion can be formed, and the planar area of ​​the absorbent article on the rear side of the narrowest portion becomes larger.

[0031] (Aspect 12) An absorbent article described in any of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the absorbent core has, in the crotch portion, a core constricted portion whose outer edge is constricted inward in the width direction, and a core narrowest portion in the core constricted portion where the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is narrowest, and the outer edge of the absorbent core does not extend outward beyond a second imaginary line connecting the rear end of the core narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and the rear end of the core constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] According to aspect 12, the protrusion of the outer edge of the absorbent core is suppressed, improving the fit of the absorbent core around the wearer's crotch.

[0033] (Aspect 13) The absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the length in the front-to-rear direction in the unfolded and extended state is 640 mm or more, and the absorbent pad is for adults.

[0034] According to aspect 13, compared to when the front-to-back length of the absorbent article is less than 640 mm, leakage of excretory fluid in the front-to-back direction can be suppressed even when worn by an adult with a large amount of excretion, and the user's anxiety about leakage can be visually reduced.

[0035] (Aspect 14) An absorbent article described in any one of Aspects 1 to 11 and Aspect 13, wherein the absorbent core has, in the crotch portion, a core constricted portion whose outer edge is constricted inward in the width direction, and a core narrowest portion in the core constricted portion where the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is narrowest, and the outer edge of the absorbent core has a core extension portion that extends outward from a second imaginary line connecting the rear end of the core narrowest portion in the front-to-back direction and the rear end of the core constricted portion in the front-to-back direction, but the length of the core extension portion in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the extension portion in the front-to-back direction.

[0036] According to the fourteenth aspect, the protrusion of the outer edge of the absorbent core is suppressed, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent core around the crotch area of ​​the wearer.

[0037] (Aspect 15) An absorbent article described in any of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the absorbent core has a core constricted portion in the crotch area whose outer edge is constricted inward in the width direction, and has leakage prevention wall portions in the width direction side portions that can stand up against the skin, the core constricted portion has a first core constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the position of the standing starting point of the leakage prevention wall portions in the width direction, and the length of the first core constricted portion in the front-to-back direction is less than half the length of the core constricted portion in the front-to-back direction.

[0038] According to Aspect 15, the absorbent core can support the rising points of the leakage preventing wall portions from below over a wide range in the front-to-rear direction of the constricted core portion, so that the leakage preventing wall portions can rise stably on the highly rigid absorbent core.

[0039] Embodiments Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described using an absorbent pad (urine-absorbing pad) for adults as an example of an absorbent article. However, the absorbent article is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, a tape-type disposable diaper, a pants-type disposable diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, a shorts-type napkin, a light incontinence pad, etc. Furthermore, the intended wearer of the absorbent article is not limited to adults, but may also be a child or a pet.

[0040] <<Basic Structure of Absorbent Pad 1>> Fig. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent pad 1 in an expanded and stretched state, as viewed from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent pad 1 taken along line II in Fig. 1.

[0041] In the following description, the absorbent pad 1 will also be referred to as "pad 1." The unfolded state of the pad 1 refers to a state in which the entire pad 1 is unfolded in a plane. The stretched state refers to a state in which the pad 1 is stretched to the extent that wrinkles that have occurred in the pad 1 are substantially invisible, and the pad 1 is stretched to the extent that the dimensions of each component constituting the pad 1 (for example, the side sheet 5 described below) match or are close to the dimensions of that component alone. In addition, when the absorbent article is a pants-type (shorts-type) absorbent article, the unfolded state refers to a state in which the side joints provided on both sides of the absorbent article are separated and the absorbent article is opened and unfolded in a plane.

[0042] In its unfolded state, the pad 1 has a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to one another. The front-to-rear direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10, which will be described later. The front side in the front-to-rear direction corresponds to the wearer's abdominal side when worn, and the rear side corresponds to the wearer's dorsal side. In the thickness direction, the side that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is referred to as the skin side, and the opposite side is referred to as the non-skin side.

[0043] Furthermore, the region between both ends of the pad 1 in the front-to-rear direction and located under the crotch of the wearer when worn is also referred to as the "crotch region 1m." The crotch region 1m may be, but is not limited to, the central region obtained by dividing the pad 1 into three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction. For example, the length of the crotch region 1m in the front-to-rear direction may be shorter or longer than the length obtained by dividing the pad 1 into three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction, and in a pad that extends further toward the rear, the crotch region 1m may be located closer to the front.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, the pad 1 has an absorbent body 10, a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 (e.g., nonwoven fabric, perforated film, etc.) provided closer to the skin than the absorbent body 10, a liquid-impermeable or liquid-slightly permeable back sheet 3 (e.g., resin film, etc.) provided closer to the skin than the absorbent body 10, an exterior sheet 4 (e.g., nonwoven fabric, etc.) provided closer to the skin than the back sheet 3, and a pair of side sheets 5 (e.g., hydrophobic nonwoven fabric, etc.) provided on both sides of the top sheet 2 in the width direction.

[0045] The absorbent body 10 has an absorbent core 11 and a core wrap sheet 12. The absorbent core 11 has a two-layer structure, with an upper absorbent core 111 provided on the skin side and a lower absorbent core 112 provided on the non-skin side. Examples of the upper absorbent core 111 and the lower absorbent core 112 include liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers containing SAP (super absorbent polymer) molded into a predetermined shape. The core wrap sheet 12 has an upper core wrap sheet 121 that covers the skin side of the upper absorbent core 111, and a lower core wrap sheet 122 that wraps the skin side and non-skin side of the lower absorbent core 121. Examples of the core wrap sheet 12 include liquid-permeable tissue and nonwoven fabric.

[0046] The upper absorbent core 111 and the lower absorbent core 112 have slits 111s, 112s extending in the front-to-back direction at the center of the width of the crotch portion 1m. The slits 111s, 112s act as folding points, making the upper absorbent core 111 and the lower absorbent core 112 more likely to deform to encase the wearer's crotch area.

[0047] However, the configuration of the absorbent body 10 is not limited to the above. For example, the absorbent core may be composed of a single layer, may not have slits 111s, 112s, or may not be covered with the core wrap sheet 12. The absorbent core may also be an SAP sheet in which an SAP layer is attached to a hydrophilic sheet, or an airlaid sheet in which liquid-absorbent fibers are formed into a sheet by an airlaid method. The upper absorbent core 111 and the lower absorbent core 112 may each be made of different absorbent materials.

[0048] The pad 1 also has a pair of leak-preventing walls 6 on both widthwise sides that can stand up against the skin. The leak-preventing walls 6 are formed by a side sheet 5 and a leak-preventing wall elastic member 7 such as rubber thread. The leak-preventing wall elastic member 7 is fixed in a stretched state along the front-to-rear direction to the folded-back portion of the inner end of the side sheet 5 in the widthwise direction.

[0049] The basic configuration of the pad 1 has been described above, but the configuration of the pad 1 described above is only an example and is not limited to this. For example, the pad may not have the leakage preventing wall portion 6 or the exterior sheet 4.

[0050] ===Regarding the Outer Shape of the Absorbent Pad 1=== Figures 3 to 5 are explanatory diagrams of the outer shape of the pad 1. Figures 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a modified pad 1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the crotch region 1m of the pad 1, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 (specifically, the side edge of the outer contour of the pad 1 extending in the front-to-rear direction) has a "constricted region Dc" that is constricted inward in the width direction. The constricted region Dc reduces the width of the pad 1 in the crotch region of the wearer, making the pad 1 less likely to deform disorderly even when the wearer closes their legs. This reduces the likelihood of gaps forming between the pad 1 and the wearer, improving the fit of the pad 1 around the wearer's crotch region. Furthermore, when a caregiver applies the pad 1 to a wearer (care recipient) in a lying position, the pad 1 is less likely to get caught on the thighs, allowing the pad 1 to be worn properly without any gaps.

[0052] The constricted portion Dc is a region where the width of the pad 1 is shorter than the adjacent regions in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the front end Dcf (the beginning of the constriction) and the rear end Dcb (the end of the constriction) of the constricted portion Dc in the front-to-rear direction are defined as positions where the slope of the tangent to the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 changes. In other words, the front end Dcf and the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc are defined as the inflection points where the slope changes from an outward slope in the width direction toward the center in the front-to-rear direction or an inclination along the front-to-rear direction to an inward slope in the width direction toward the center in the front-to-rear direction.

[0053] The pad 1 has a "narrowest portion N" in the constricted portion Dc, where the widthwise length (W0 in FIG. 3) is the narrowest. The outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has an "extending portion E" that extends outward from an imaginary line VL that connects the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N in the front-to-rear direction and the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc in the front-to-rear direction. In other words, the constricted portion Dc has an extending portion E in which the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 protrudes outward in the widthwise direction, behind the narrowest portion N.

[0054] The narrowest portion N shown in FIG. 3 is a single point. Therefore, the narrowest portion N corresponds to the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion. However, the narrowest portion N may have a length in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, a virtual line VL is defined from the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N.

[0055] Furthermore, with the pad 1 in an unfolded and extended state, a virtual line VL is defined and the presence or absence of the extended portion E is confirmed. The presence or absence of portions of the pad 1 described below (for example, the non-extended portion NE and the core constricted portion 11c described below) and comparison of the lengths and positions of each portion are also confirmed with the pad 1 in an unfolded and extended state.

[0056] The fact that the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 (the product's outer contour) has an extension portion E means that the width of the pad 1 does not gradually increase from the narrowest portion N toward the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc, but rather there is a portion where the width of the pad 1 increases sharply (a portion where the width of the pad 1 increases at a steep slope). In this case, a user (e.g., a wearer or a caregiver) viewing the pad 1 in plan view is more likely to perceive the planar area of ​​the pad 1 behind the narrowest portion N as larger than when the width of the pad 1 gradually increases. In other words, due to the optical illusion effect, the user is more likely to perceive the pad 1 as extending further behind the narrowest portion N and the planar area of ​​this extended portion as larger. This gives the user the impression that the pad 1 is enveloping the buttocks, reducing the user's concerns about leakage when unfolding the pad 1 before use. Therefore, the user can use the pad 1 with confidence. In fact, compared to when the width of the pad 1 gradually increases, the pad 1 protrudes beyond the virtual line VL at the extension portion E (the shaded area in Figure 3), resulting in a larger planar area of ​​the pad 1 behind the narrowest portion N. In this way, leakage of excrement can be suppressed by ensuring the outer surface area of ​​the pad 1 without the constricted portion Dc being too narrow. In particular, since the width of the pad 1 from the crotch portion 1m that receives excrement to the rear side is secured, side leakage of excrement can be suppressed even when the wearer is in a lateral position.

[0057] 3 is symmetrical in the width direction. Therefore, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has extensions E on both sides in the width direction. However, the pad 1 is not limited to this, and the pad 1 may have an asymmetrical shape in the width direction, as long as the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has an extension E on at least one side in the width direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 in this embodiment has a shape in which the rear end of the constricted portion Dc is convex outward in the width direction. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, a small extension E2 is present at the rear end of the constricted portion Dc. In other words, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has an extension E1 that is long in the front-to-rear direction near the narrowest portion N, and a small extension E2 at the rear end of the constricted portion Dc. However, the number of extensions E on the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 is not limited and may be one or more.

[0059] Furthermore, the pad 1 of this embodiment is an absorbent pad for adults, with a front-to-back length (product length) La of 640 mm or more (La≧640 mm) in the unfolded and extended state, as shown in FIG. 1 . In this case, compared to a pad with a product length La of less than 640 mm, leakage of excrement in the front-to-back direction can be suppressed even when worn by an adult with a large amount of excrement. Furthermore, the longer product length La visually reduces the user's anxiety about leakage. However, the pad 1 is not limited to this, and the product length La of the pad 1 may be less than 640 mm, and the pad may be an absorbent pad for children.

[0060] Unlike tape-type disposable diapers and pants-type diapers, the pad 1 is attached to the wearer without connecting the front and rear ends along the waist of the wearer. The pad 1 may be placed inside the diaper and used in combination with the diaper, or may be placed directly inside the wearer's underwear and used alone. Even when the pad 1 is used in combination with the diaper, the pad 1 can reduce the number of diaper changes by preventing leakage of excrement from the pad 1 into the diaper, thereby simplifying excrement disposal.

[0061] 3, it is preferable that at least a portion of the extension portion E is located forward of the center position DcC of the constricted portion Dc in the front-to-back direction. This causes the width of the pad 1 to increase at a steeper slope in front of the constricted portion Dc, shortening the length of the deeply constricted portion such as the narrowest portion N in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the width of the pad 1 increases from a position closer to the front of the constricted portion Dc, thereby suppressing leakage of excreted fluid. Furthermore, visually, the user perceives that the pad 1 extends rearward from the narrowest portion N closer to the front, and the planar area of ​​this extended portion is larger, thereby reducing concerns about leakage.

[0062] In the above case, the length in the front-to-back direction of the deeply constricted portion including the narrowest portion N is shortened. As a result, the narrowest portion N and the portion nearby have a notched shape (approximately triangular) that is convex inward in the width direction. This makes it easier for the pad 1 to fold in the front-to-back direction with the narrowest portion N as the folding starting point, and the pad 1 is more likely to deform three-dimensionally from the wearer's lower abdomen to the crotch area. However, this is not limited to the above, and the extension region E may be located behind the center position DcC of the constricted portion Dc.

[0063] Furthermore, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 preferably has a non-extending portion NE that is constricted inward from the imaginary line VL, rearward of the extending portion E in the front-to-rear direction. That is, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has an extending portion E that convex outward in the width direction and a non-extending portion NE that convex inward in the width direction, rearward of the narrowest portion N. At the constricted portion Dc of the pad 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 , the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 is deeply constricted from its front end Dcf toward the narrowest portion N, narrowing the width of the pad 1. Behind this, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 rapidly widens, causing the pad 1 to protrude and form the extending portion E. Behind this, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 maintains a shallow constriction, and the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 is positioned inside the imaginary line VL, forming the non-extending portion NE. At the rear end of the non-extending portion NE, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 is inclined outward in the width direction toward the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc.

[0064] The provision of the non-extension portion NE suppresses the increase in width of the pad 1, which is suddenly widened at the extension portion E. As a result, the width of the pad 1 does not become too large behind the narrowest portion N, and a shallowly constricted portion (Dc0 in FIG. 3) is formed. This increases the planar area of ​​the pad 1 at the constricted portion Dc while also ensuring the pad 1 fits snugly around the wearer's crotch.

[0065] However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 may not have the non-extending portion NE, as shown in a modified example in Fig. 6A. In this case, the width of the pad 1, which is suddenly widened at the extending portion E, continues to increase, and the planar area of ​​the pad 1 at the constricted portion Dc becomes larger. This prevents leakage of excreted fluid and visually alleviates the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0066] 3, the shallowly constricted portion (Dc0) of the constricted portion Dc is located across the extended portion E and the non-extended portion NE, and the width of the pad 1 is constant at the shallowly constricted portion (Dc0). In this way, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 preferably has a straight portion NE1 along the front-to-rear direction in the non-extended portion NE and an inclined portion NE2 that is inclined outward in the width direction toward the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc.

[0067] By doing so, the width of the pad 1 is kept constant by the straight line portion NE1 after it suddenly widens at the extension portion E. Therefore, the width of the pad 1 does not become too large behind the narrowest portion N, and a shallowly constricted portion (Dc0) can be formed. This ensures that the pad 1 fits snugly around the wearer's crotch.

[0068] However, this is not limited to the above, and the non-extending portion NE does not necessarily have to have a straight portion NE1 along the front-to-rear direction. For example, the shallowly constricted portion (Dc0) may be inclined outward in the width direction toward the rear. The angle of inclination is preferably smaller than the angle of inclination of the rear portion (inclined portion NE2) of the non-extending portion NE. This allows the shallowly constricted portion (Dc0) to be formed, ensuring a good fit of the pad 1 around the wearer's crotch.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first position is a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N by a distance (Wa / 3) obtained by dividing the widthwise length from the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N to the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc into thirds. In this case, the constricted portion Dc has a first constricted portion Dc1 that is constricted more inward in the width direction than the first position, and a second constricted portion Dc2 that is the entire portion other than the first constricted portion Dc1. In other words, the first constricted portion Dc1 is a portion that is constricted more deeply than a third imaginary line VL3 that extends along the front-to-rear direction at the first position. On the other hand, the second constricted portion Dc2 is a portion that is constricted more shallowly than the third imaginary line VL3.

[0070] The length L1 of the first constricted portion Dc1 in the front-rear direction is preferably shorter than the length of the second constricted portion Dc2 in the front-rear direction (L1<L0-L1). The length of the second constricted portion Dc2 in the front-rear direction is the length L0 of the entire constricted portion Dc minus the length L1 of the first constricted portion Dc1 in the front-rear direction (L0-L1). Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, if there are multiple second constricted portions Dc2 spaced apart in the front-rear direction, the total lengths of the multiple second constricted portions Dc2 are compared. Similarly, if there are multiple first constricted portions Dc1, the total lengths are compared.

[0071] As described above, the relatively wide portion of the pad 1 (the second constricted portion Dc2) is present over a wide area in the front-to-rear direction of the constricted portion Dc. Therefore, even at the constricted portion Dc, the pad 1 has an appropriate width, increasing its planar area. This prevents leakage of excrement and visually reduces the user's anxiety about leakage. Furthermore, the short length L1 of the first constricted portion Dc1 in the front-to-rear direction gives the first constricted portion Dc1 a notched shape. Therefore, the pad 1 is more likely to fold in the front-to-rear direction from the narrowest portion N.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the center DcC of the waistband Dc in the front-to-back direction is preferably located forward of the center position CL of the pad 1 in the front-to-back direction (i.e., the product centerline along the width direction that bisects the pad 1 in the front-to-back direction). In other words, the waistband Dc should be formed closer to the front of the pad 1. Typically, users wear the pad 1 so that the waistband Dc abuts against the wearer's crotch. This allows the pad 1 to abut against the wearer's back over a long distance, thereby suppressing rear leakage. This is particularly effective in suppressing leakage when the wearer is in a sleeping position. Furthermore, the longer length of the pad 1 behind the waistband Dc visually reduces the user's concerns about rear leakage.

[0073] However, it is preferable that the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc is positioned further rearward in the front-to-rear direction than the center position CL of the pad 1. This prevents the constricted portion Dc from being positioned too far forward, and allows the wearer's lower abdomen to be covered by the pad 1. This prevents forward leakage of excreted fluid.

[0074] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, it is preferable that the longitudinal length L2 from the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc to the longitudinal center position CL of the pad 1 is shorter than the longitudinal length L1 of the first constricted portion Dc1 (L2 < L1).

[0075] By doing so, the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc is positioned near the center position CL of the pad 1, and the constricted portion Dc is positioned closer to the front of the pad 1. As a result, the width of the pad 1 is wider behind the center position CL, and the pad 1 is worn to envelop the wearer's buttocks, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement. Visually, the user is more likely to perceive the pad 1 as extending longer toward the rear, which reduces anxiety about leakage. Note that, unlike the pad 1 in Figure 4, if there are multiple first constricted portions Dc1 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, the length L1 of the first constricted portion Dc1 located furthest forward in the front-to-rear direction is used for comparison.

[0076] Furthermore, it is preferable that the length L1 in the front-to-rear direction of the first constricted portion Dc1 located on the frontmost side be equal to or less than the length Wa in the width direction from the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N to the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc, i.e., the depth Wa of the constricted portion Dc (L1≦Wa). For this reason, in the pad 1 illustrated in Fig. 4, the bottom of the outer edge 1E of the first constricted portion Dc1 (the portion convex inward in the width direction) is inclined in an arc shape with a radius of 10 mm or less (10 mm or less).

[0077] As a result, the length (L1) of the base of the first constricted portion Dc1, which has a notch shape (approximately triangular), is shortened. Therefore, the inclination of the outer edge 1E1 of the pad 1 relative to the front-to-rear direction at the first constricted portion DC1 is increased. In other words, the width of the pad 1 can be increased at a steeper incline from the narrowest portion N, forming the extension portion E. This increases the planar area of ​​the pad 1 behind the narrowest portion N, suppressing leakage of excreted fluid and visually reducing the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 5, the center position in the width direction between the rear end Nb of the narrowest portion N and the rear end Dcb of the constricted portion Dc is defined as the "second position." In this case, in the pad 1 shown in Fig. 5, the extending portion E1 located at the frontmost side in the front-to-rear direction is located more inward in the width direction than the second position. In other words, the extending portion E1 is constricted deeper than the fourth imaginary line VL4 along the front-to-rear direction at the second position.

[0079] In this case, the pad 1 protrudes only slightly even at the extension portion E, and the increase in width of the pad 1 behind the narrowest portion N is moderately suppressed. This ensures a good fit of the pad 1 around the crotch of the wearer.

[0080] However, conversely to the above, as shown in a modified example in Fig. 6B, the outer end 1Ee in the width direction of the extension E1 located at the frontmost side in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., the outer end 1Ee in the width direction of the outer edge 1E of the pad 1, may be located outward in the width direction from the second position. Alternatively, the outer end 1Ee may be located at the second position in the width direction (on the fourth imaginary line VL4).

[0081] In this case, the pad 1 protrudes firmly at the extension portion E, increasing the width of the pad 1. As a result, the plane area of ​​the pad 1 behind the narrowest portion N becomes larger, which can suppress leakage of excreted fluid and visually alleviate the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0082] 7 is an explanatory diagram of the outer shape of the absorbent core 11. The pad 1 has an overlapping region Ro that overlaps with the extension portion E in the front-to-rear direction, and an adjacent region Ra that is adjacent to the overlapping region Ro from the rear side in the front-to-rear direction and has the same front-to-rear length L4 as the overlapping region Ro. Specifically, the overlapping region Ro is the region of the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 that extends from the front-to-rear position of the front end 1Ef of the extension portion E to the front-to-rear position of the rear end 1Eb of the extension portion E in the front-to-rear direction.

[0083] The overlapping region Ro and the adjacent region Ra each have a non-existent region n11 on one side in the width direction, where the absorbent core 11 is not present. The non-existent region n11 is the region between the outer edge 1E (side edge) of the pad 1 and the outer edge 11E (side edge) of the absorbent core 11. In this case, it is preferable that the area S1 of the non-existent region n11 in the overlapping region Ro is larger than the area S2 of the non-existent region n11 in the adjacent region Ra (S1 > S2). For this reason, in the pad 1 of this embodiment, the outer shape of the pad 1 and the outer shape of the absorbent core 11 (particularly the shape of the constricted portion Dc) are made different.

[0084] The large area S1 of the non-existence region n11 in the overlap region Ro means that the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 protrudes outward in the width direction, while the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 protrudes less. Furthermore, the outer shape of the pad 1 is more visible to the user than the outer shape of the absorbent core 11, and is more likely to attract the user's attention. Therefore, the protrusion (extension E) of the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 increases the width of the pad 1 and the outer area of ​​the pad 1, visually reducing the user's concerns about leakage. Meanwhile, the suppression of protrusion of the highly rigid absorbent core 11 improves the fit of the absorbent core 11 around the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, even if the absorbent core 11 does not protrude, it is less likely to be noticed by the user, and therefore there is little risk of visually increasing the user's concerns about leakage.

[0085] As described above, the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 has a non-extension portion NE that is constricted inward from the imaginary line VL and is located rearward of the extension portion E in the front-to-rear direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7 , it is preferable that at least a portion of the non-extension portion NE is located in the adjacent region Ra. This prevents the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 from increasing in width in the overlap region Ro (extension portion E), thereby ensuring a good fit of the pad 1 around the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, by making the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 overhang larger than the overlap region Ro so that the area S2 of the non-existence region n11 in the adjacent region Ra is smaller than the area S1 of the non-existence region n11 in the overlap region Ro, leakage of excrement can be prevented.

[0086] In addition, the absorbent core 11 has, in the crotch portion 1m, a core constricted portion 11c whose outer edge 11E is constricted inward in the width direction, and a narrowest core portion 11N in the core constricted portion 11c, where the length of the absorbent core 11 in the width direction is narrowest. In this case, it is preferable that the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 does not extend outward from a second imaginary line VL2 connecting a rear end 11Nb of the narrowest core portion 11N in the front-to-rear direction and a rear end 11cb of the core constricted portion 11c in the front-to-rear direction.

[0087] Alternatively, the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 has a core extension portion that extends outward beyond the second imaginary line VL2, and the length in the front-to-rear direction of the core extension portion is preferably shorter than the length in the front-to-rear direction (L4 in FIG. 7) of the extension portion E of the pad 1. In other words, it is preferable that the area enclosed by the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 and the second imaginary line VL2 at the core extension portion is smaller than the area enclosed by the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 at the extension portion E and the imaginary line VL.

[0088] 7, the width of the absorbent core 11 gradually increases from the narrowest core portion 11N toward the rear end 11cb of the constricted core portion 11c. Therefore, the absorbent core 11 does not have a core extension portion that extends outward from the second imaginary line VL2.

[0089] As a result, the width of the absorbent core 11 does not increase sharply behind the narrowest core portion 11N, and the protrusion of the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 can be reduced. This improves the fit of the absorbent core 11 around the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, the outer shape of the absorbent core 11 is less noticeable to the user than the outer shape of the pad 1. Therefore, even if there is no core extension portion or the length of the core extension portion in the front-to-rear direction is short, there is little risk that the visual appearance will increase the user's anxiety about leakage.

[0090] As mentioned above, the region between the front-rear side edge of the pad 1 and the front-rear side edge of the absorbent core 11 is a non-existent region n11 of the absorbent core 11. As shown in FIG. 8 , the widthwise length W1 of the non-existent region n11 is preferably greatest at the position of the outer widthwise edge 1Ee of the extension portion E (i.e., the outer widthwise edge 1Ee of the outer edge 1E of the pad 1). This allows the outer edge 1E of the pad 1 to protrude further, visually reducing the user's concerns about leakage. Meanwhile, the width of the absorbent core 11 is shortened, improving the fit of the pad 1 around the wearer's crotch.

[0091] However, the outer shape of the absorbent core 11 is not limited to the above. For example, the outer shape of the absorbent core 11 may be rectangular, or may be similar or substantially similar to the outer shape of the pad 1, with the outer edge 11E of the absorbent core 11 extending beyond the second imaginary line VL2. The absorbent core 11 may have an outer shape that is symmetrical in the width direction or an asymmetrical outer shape. The narrowest core portion 11N may have a length in the front-to-rear direction.

[0092] 8 is an explanatory diagram of the leakage preventing wall portions 6. The pad 1 has leakage preventing wall portions 6 that can stand up toward the skin at its widthwise side portions. The leakage preventing wall portions 6 are formed by side sheets 5 and leakage preventing wall elastic members 7. The side sheets 5 are fixed to the topsheet 2 by adhesive region A1 from one end to the other along the front-to-back direction, and both front-to-back ends are fixed to the topsheet 2 by adhesive region A2, on the inside of the adhesive region A1 in the widthwise direction. Therefore, the portions of the side sheets 5 inside the adhesive regions A1 and A2 stand up toward the skin as the leakage preventing wall portions 6 due to contraction of the leakage preventing wall elastic members 7. Therefore, the inside end of the adhesive region A1 in the widthwise direction becomes the standing starting point 6s of the leakage preventing wall portions 6 in the widthwise direction.

[0093] The core constricted portion 11c has a first core constricted portion 11c1 that is constricted inward in the width direction from the position of the rising starting point 6s of the leakage preventing wall portion 6. In this case, it is preferable that the length L5 in the front-rear direction of the first core constricted portion 11c1 is equal to or less than half the length L6 in the front-rear direction of the core constricted portion 11c (L5≦L6 / 2).

[0094] This allows the absorbent core 11 to support the rising points 6s of the leakage preventing wall portions 6 from below over a wide range in the front-to-back direction of the core constricted portion 11c. Therefore, the leakage preventing wall portions 6 can stand stably on the highly rigid absorbent core 11. Even when body pressure is applied when wearing the garment, the rising points 6s of the leakage preventing wall portions 6 are unlikely to shift, thereby suppressing leakage of excrement.

[0095] 1, the pad 1 preferably has a line 8 extending in the front-to-rear direction and visible from the skin side of the pad 1. The line 8 may overlap the center of the absorbent core 11 in the width direction in the thickness direction.

[0096] By doing so, the user (wearer, caregiver, etc.) can use the line 8 as a guide to place the pad 1 straight in relation to the wearer's vertical direction. In other words, the front-to-back direction of the pad 1 can be aligned with the wearer's vertical direction. This allows the widthwise center of the absorbent core 11 to abut against the center of the wearer's crotch (excretory opening). This makes it less likely for the pad 1 to get caught on the wearer's thighs, improving the fit of the absorbent core 11 to the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, the absorbent core 11 can firmly receive and absorb excretory liquid, preventing leakage of excretory liquid.

[0097] In this embodiment, a hot melt adhesive colored a different color (e.g., blue) from the color of the topsheet 2 (e.g., white) is applied along the front-to-back direction to the widthwise center of the non-skin side of the topsheet 2. This allows the line 8 to be formed at a position that overlaps with the widthwise center of the absorbent core 11. Furthermore, because the colored hot melt adhesive does not come into direct contact with the wearer's skin, irritation to the wearer's skin can be prevented. Furthermore, the visibility of the line 8 from the skin side of the pad 1 is improved.

[0098] However, the hot melt adhesive, ink, etc. used to form the line 8 may be applied to a material other than the topsheet 2, such as the core wrap sheet 12 or the absorbent core 11. Furthermore, the length, width, and shape of the line 8 in the front-to-rear direction shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples and are not limited thereto. For example, the line 8 does not have to be a continuous straight line as long as it extends along the front-to-rear direction, and may be a wavy line, dashed line, or the like. However, it is preferable that the line 8 be provided long, extending from the front end to the rear end of the pad 1, as in the case of the line 8 shown in FIG. 1. This makes it easier for the wearer to put on the pad 1 by using the line 8 as a landmark.

[0099] The pad 1 has an outer shape in which the width is shorter at both front-rear end portions and the four corners 1C are narrowed. In the pad 1 shown in Fig. 3, the outer edges 1E of the corners 1C form arc shapes that convex inward in the width direction (for example, arc shapes with a radius of 30 mm or less).

[0100] This allows the pad 1 to fit more easily around the wearer's rounded buttocks and lower abdomen than if the pad 1 were rectangular. Also, even if the width of both front and rear ends of the pad 1 is short, it has little effect on leakage of excrement. In other words, by lengthening the length of the pad 1 in the front and rear direction, the wearer's anxiety about leakage is visually alleviated, while the width of the front and rear ends, which have little effect on leakage, is shortened. This allows the planar area of ​​the pad 1 to be reduced, reducing the discomfort felt when worn.

[0101] 2, the minimum widthwise length W2 from one widthwise edge of the back sheet 3 to one widthwise edge of the exterior sheet 4 is preferably 15 mm or more. Compared to an exterior sheet 4 made of a nonwoven fabric or the like, a back sheet 3 made of a resin film or the like has higher rigidity. Therefore, by increasing the width (W2) of the low-rigidity portion of only the exterior sheet 4, the outer width of the pad 1 can be increased while softening the contact of the side edges of the pad 1 with the wearer's thighs.

[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0103] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 absorbent pad (absorbent article) 1m crotch portion, 2 top sheet, 3 back sheet, 4 exterior sheet, 5 side sheet, 6 leakage barrier portion, 7 leakage barrier elastic member, 8 line 10 absorbent body, 11 absorbent core, 111 upper layer absorbent core, 112 lower layer absorbent core, 11c core narrowest portion, 11N core narrowest portion, 12 core wrap sheet, 121 upper layer core wrap sheet, 122 lower layer core wrap sheet, Dc narrowest portion, N narrowest portion, E extension portion, NE non-extension portion, Ro overlapping region, Ra adjacent region,

Claims

1. An absorbent article having an absorbent core which, in an unfolded state, has a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are perpendicular to one another, wherein in a crotch portion which is located between the crotch of a wearer when worn, the outer edge of the absorbent article has a constricted portion which is constricted on the inside in the width direction, the constricted portion has a narrowest portion which has the narrowest length in the width direction, and the outer edge of the absorbent article has an extension portion which extends outward beyond an imaginary line connecting a rear end of the narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and a rear end of the constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

2. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, characterized in that when a first position is defined as a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by an amount equal to a length obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, and a second constricted portion which is all the portion other than the first constricted portion, and the front-to-rear length of the first constricted portion is shorter than the front-to-rear length of the second constricted portion.

3. An absorbent article as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said extension portion is located forward of the center position of said constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer edge of the absorbent article has a non-extending portion that is constricted inwardly of the imaginary line, rearward of the extending portion in the fore-and-aft direction.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the central position in the width direction between the rear end of the narrowest portion and the rear end of the constricted portion is defined as a second position, the extension portion located at the front-to-rear direction frontmost is located more inward in the width direction than the second position.

6. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when a first position is defined as a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by a length obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, the rear end of the constricted portion is located rearward in the front-to-back direction from a central position in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article, and the front-to-back length from the rear end of the constricted portion to the central position in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article is shorter than the front-to-back length of the first constricted portion that is located furthest forward in the front-to-back direction.

7. An absorbent article as described in claim 4, characterized in that the outer edge of the absorbent article, in the non-extending portion, has a straight portion along the front-to-rear direction and an inclined portion inclined outward in the width direction toward the rear end of the constricted portion.

8. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, comprising: an overlapping region that overlaps with the extension portion in the front-to-rear direction; and an adjacent region adjacent to the overlapping region from the rear side in the front-to-rear direction and having the same length in the front-to-rear direction as the overlapping region, wherein the overlapping region and the adjacent region each have a non-existent region on one side in the width direction where the absorbent core is not present, and the area of ​​the non-existent region in the overlapping region is larger than the area of ​​the non-existent region in the adjacent region.

9. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the central position in the width direction between the rear end of the narrowest portion and the rear end of the constricted portion is defined as a second position, the outer end in the width direction of the extension portion located at the front-to-rear direction's most forward side is located at the second position or further outboard in the width direction than the second position.

10. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a line visible from the skin side of the absorbent article and running along the front-to-rear direction, and the line overlaps with the center of the width direction of the absorbent core in the thickness direction.

11. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when a first position is defined as a position shifted outward in the width direction from the rear end of the narrowest portion by a length obtained by dividing the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion into thirds, the constricted portion has a first constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the first position, and the front-to-rear length of the first constricted portion that is positioned most forward in the front-to-rear direction is less than the width direction length from the rear end of the narrowest portion to the rear end of the constricted portion.

12. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent core has, in the crotch area, a core constricted portion whose outer edge is constricted inward in the width direction, and a core narrowest portion in the core constricted portion, where the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is narrowest, and the outer edge of the absorbent core does not extend outward beyond a second imaginary line connecting the rear end of the core narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and the rear end of the core constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction.

13. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length in the front-to-rear direction in the unfolded and extended state is 640 mm or more, and the absorbent article is an absorbent pad for adults.

14. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent core has, in the crotch portion, a core constricted portion whose outer edge is constricted inward in the width direction, and a core narrowest portion in the core constricted portion where the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is narrowest, and the outer edge of the absorbent core has a core extension portion that extends outward from a second imaginary line connecting the rear end of the core narrowest portion in the front-to-rear direction and the rear end of the core constricted portion in the front-to-rear direction, but the front-to-rear length of the core extension portion is shorter than the front-to-rear length of the extension portion.

15. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent core has a core constricted portion in the crotch area, the outer edge of which is constricted inward in the width direction, and has a leakage prevention wall portion on the side in the width direction that can stand up against the skin, the core constricted portion has a first core constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction from the position of the rising starting point of the leakage prevention wall portion in the width direction, and the front-to-back length of the first core constricted portion is less than half the front-to-back length of the core constricted portion.

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