Absorbent article

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article that allows a wearer to remove the absorbent article by hygienically gripping a tab part. The absorbent article has a front-back direction (L), a width direction (W), and a thickness direction (T), and comprises: a top sheet (20) that comes into contact with the skin of a wearer; a back sheet (20) provided with a fastening part (60) for fastening to underwear; and an absorbent body (30) disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. An outer end portion in the front-back direction of the absorbent article is provided with a tab part (50) extending outward in a plan view of the absorbent article. The non-skin-side surface of the tab part is provided with a non-fastening region in which the fastening part is not provided. The tab part is spaced from an article width center (1CW), which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article that is attached to a wearing article such as underwear.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article that is attached to underwear and used. The absorbent article has a tab portion extending in the longitudinal direction. After use, a wearer can grasp the tab portion to remove the absorbent article from the colored article.

[0003] JP 2017-29243 A

[0004] The above-described absorbent article has the following problems. The tab portion of Patent Document 1 is located at the center of the absorbent article's width direction, at both longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. When a large amount of bodily fluid is present or when the absorbent article is misaligned in the front-to-rear direction, the bodily fluid may diffuse forward and backward and reach both longitudinal ends of the absorbent article. In particular, the center region of the absorbent article's width direction is located on a line extending longitudinally from the excretory opening, making it easy for bodily fluid to reach the center region. As a result, bodily fluid may adhere to the tab portion, making it impossible to hygienically grasp the tab portion and remove the absorbent article.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an absorbent article that can be removed hygienically by grasping the tab portion.

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment has a front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin, a back sheet provided with a fastening part for fastening to underwear, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The outer end of the absorbent article in the front-rear direction is provided with a tab part that extends outward in a plan view of the absorbent article. A non-fastening region where the fastening part is not provided is provided on the non-skin side of the tab part. The tab part is spaced from the article width center, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to embodiment 1 as seen from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to embodiment 1 as seen from the non-skin side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of part B shown in Fig. 1.

[0008] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The present specification and the accompanying drawings make at least the following clear. The invention according to Aspect 1 is an absorbent article. The absorbent article has a front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction, a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin, a back sheet provided with a fastening part for fastening to an undergarment, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The outer end of the absorbent article in the front-rear direction is provided with a tab part that extends outward in a plan view of the absorbent article. The non-skin-facing surface of the tab part is provided with a non-fastening region where the fastening part is not provided. The tab part is spaced from the article width center, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction. According to this aspect, after use, the wearer can grasp the tab part to remove the absorbent article from the undergarment. At this time, because the tab part has a non-fastening region where no fastening part is provided, the wearer can grasp the region where no fastening part is provided, thereby reducing discomfort by grasping the fastening part. Furthermore, because the tab portion is spaced from the width center of the article, even if bodily fluids reach the outer edge of the absorbent article along the width center of the article, the bodily fluids do not adhere to the tab portion, thereby keeping the tab portion hygienic.As a result, the absorbent article can be hygienically removed by gripping the tab portion after use.

[0009] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1: At least the top sheet and the back sheet are arranged in the tab portion. According to this aspect, the top sheet and the back sheet arranged to sandwich the absorbent body are provided in the tab portion, so that by gripping and pulling the tab portion, the absorbent body sandwiched between the top sheet and the back sheet can be pulled together, allowing the entire absorbent article to be smoothly removed.

[0010] 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 fastening part has a main fastening part provided in a region overlapping with the absorbent body. At least a part of the tab part is arranged outward in the width direction from the outer edge in the width direction of the main fastening part. According to this aspect, the force pulling the tab part can be applied to the outer edge of the main fastening part, allowing the main fastening part to be smoothly peeled off from the underwear, and the entire absorbent article to be smoothly removed.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 4 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3: At least a portion of the tab portion passes through the outer edge of the absorbent body in the width direction and is arranged on an extension line of the absorbent body extending in the front-to-rear direction. According to this aspect, since the tab portion is arranged on the extension line of the absorbent body, a force for gripping the tab portion and removing it can be applied to the outer edge of the absorbent body, and the relatively rigid absorbent body can be pulled to smoothly remove the entire absorbent article.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4. The non-fastening region is provided over the entire area of ​​the tab portion. According to this aspect, the wearer will not grasp the fastening portion even if they grasp any position of the tab portion. Therefore, the wearer can hygienically dispose of the absorbent article after use while suppressing discomfort caused by grasping the fastening portion.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5: the tab portion is disposed on only one side in the width direction relative to the center of the width of the article. According to this aspect, since the tab portion is provided on only one side, the tab portion is more noticeable and easier to recognize than in a configuration in which tab portions are disposed on both sides, and the tab portion can be used to remove the container after use and discard it hygienically.

[0014] 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 6: The absorbent article is provided with upstanding leak-proof gathers having contractible portions that can stand up when the leak-proof elastic member contracts. At least a portion of the leak-proof gathers is provided in the tab portion. According to this aspect, the leak-proof gathers increase the rigidity of the tab portion, making it easier to smoothly remove the entire absorbent article when the tab portion is gripped and pulled.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 8 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 7: the contraction portion is provided at a distance from the tab portion. According to this aspect, the contraction portion of the leakage-preventing gathers prevents the tab portion from contracting, and the wearer can maintain a state in which the tab portion is easy to grasp.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 9 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8. The absorbent article has sheet compression sections that compress the topsheet and the backsheet in the thickness direction and are provided along the outer edge of the absorbent article. At least a part of the sheet compression sections is provided in the tab section. According to this aspect, the sheet compression sections can increase the rigidity of the tab section, making it easier to grip the tab section and to remove the entire absorbent article via the tab section.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 9. The tab portion is provided at one of the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article. The other of the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article is provided with a recess that is recessed inward in a plan view of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, since one of the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article is provided with a tab portion that bulges outward and the other is provided with a recess that is recessed inward, the absorbent article is asymmetrical front to back. The tab portion is noticeable and easy to recognize, and can be used to hygienically dispose of the absorbent article when removed after use. Furthermore, the presence of the tab portion and the recess portion makes it possible to grasp the orientation and position of the absorbent article, making it easy to put on and take off.

[0018] (2) Overall Schematic Configuration of the Absorbent Article The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, as seen from the skin side. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, as seen from the non-skin side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, for ease of explanation, the components constituting the absorbent article 1 are partially separated in the thickness direction, but in an actual product, the components are joined together in some areas. In the following descriptions of the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in light of 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 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, a urine absorption pad, or a feces pad. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is attached to a worn article such as underwear when used. The absorbent article 1 of the embodiment is a urine absorption pad. The absorbent article 1 is an absorbent article intended primarily to absorb urine, and is not intended primarily to absorb menstrual blood like a napkin, nor is it intended primarily to absorb vaginal discharge like a panty liner. The absorbent material of the absorbent article 1 is primarily a superabsorbent polymer 35. The content (weight %) of superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent body of the absorbent article 1 may be 25% or more of the entire absorbent body.

[0020] The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other, and a thickness direction T that extends from the wearer's skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2. The skin side T1 corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin when in use. The non-skin side T2 corresponds to the side opposite the skin side T1, i.e., the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when in use. The absorbent article 1 has a central region S1, a front region S2, and a rear region S3. The central region S1 is a region that is positioned facing the wearer's excretory opening (urinary opening). When the absorbent article 1 is worn in underwear, the central region S1 is positioned in the crotch region of the underwear and is a region that is positioned between the wearer's legs. The central region S1 may be configured as a region in which a flap 40, described below, is positioned. The front region S2 is located forward of the central region S1. The rear region S3 is located rearward of the central region S1. The absorbent article 1 has a front central region S1F extending between a flap center 40CL, which is the center of the flap 40 in the front-to-rear direction L, and a front end edge 40F of the flap 40, and a rear central region S1R extending between the flap center 40CL and a rear end edge 40R of the flap 40. The combined area of ​​the front central region S1F and the rear central region S1R constitutes the central region S1.

[0021] 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. The outer edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L is an edge connecting points located on the outer side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. 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. The inner edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L is an edge connecting points located on the inner side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. In the present invention, the front end and rear end refer to portions occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L, including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end refers to the front end and rear end, and the outer edge refers to the front edge and rear edge. In addition, the inner side refers to a side that includes the inner side edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The outer side is a side that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. In this specification, the term "along the front-to-rear direction L" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-to-rear direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.

[0022] The absorbent article 1 may include at least an absorbent body 30, a topsheet 10, and a backsheet 20. The topsheet 10 is positioned closer to the body skin T1 than the absorbent body 30 and contacts the wearer. The topsheet 10 may include a center sheet 11 overlapping the center of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W, and side sheets 12 positioned closer to the body skin T1 than the center sheet 11 and overlapping outer portions of the center sheet 11 in the width direction W. The side sheets 12 may be positioned closer to the body skin T1 than the center sheet 11. In a modified example, the topsheet 10 may be formed from a single sheet without the center sheet 11 and side sheet 12. The side sheet 12 may form leak-proof gathers 70 that stand up when worn. The center sheet 11 and the side sheets 12 may be formed from nonwoven fabrics, and at least the center sheet 11 may be liquid-permeable, and the surface of the side sheet 12 may be hydrophobically treated.

[0023] The center sheet 11 of this embodiment may be made of an air-through nonwoven fabric. The center sheet 11 may have convex portions (not shown) protruding toward the skin side and concave portions (not shown) arranged between the convex portions. The convex portions and concave portions may be formed by regions of different basis weights of the fibers constituting the topsheet 10, or may be formed by compressing the topsheet 10 in the thickness direction T. The convex portions and concave portions may be alternately formed adjacent to each other in the front-to-rear direction L and alternately formed adjacent to each other in the width direction W. The convex portions and concave portions form multiple deformation base points in the topsheet 10, allowing the topsheet 10 to flexibly deform and allowing the absorbent article 1 to more easily conform to the body. The center sheet 11 may contain cotton fibers.

[0024] The side sheets 12 of this embodiment may be made of spunbond nonwoven fabric. The outer edges of the side sheets 12 are located at the outer edges of the absorbent article 1, and the inner edges of the side sheets 12 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the main body compression sections 80 (described later), and may overlap the outer portions of the absorbent body 30. The side sheets 12 may be colored and may have colored portions (described later).

[0025] The backsheet 20 is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 30. The backsheet 20 is disposed over the entire area of ​​the absorbent article 1 and is disposed on the non-skin side in the thickness direction T of the absorbent article 1. The backsheet 20 is liquid-impermeable and may be formed of a film. A fastening part 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to underwear is provided on the non-skin side of the backsheet 20. The fastening part 60 may have a main body fastening part 61 disposed in at least the area overlapping with the absorbent body 30 and a flap fastening part 62 disposed on the flap 40. The fastening part 60 may be provided with an adhesive or a mechanical hook. Before use of the absorbent article 1, the main body fastening part 61 may be covered by a main body release sheet 65 (see FIG. 2 ), and the flap fastening part 62 may be covered by a flap release sheet (not shown).

[0026] The main body fastening portions 61 in this embodiment extend in the front-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, with three of them arranged on each side of the center in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. The outer edges of the main body fastening portions 61 (the outer edges of the main body fastening portions 61 that are located outermost in the width direction W) may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the main body compressing portions 80, may be located more inward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the absorbent body 30, or may be located more inward in the width direction W from the inner edges of the side sheets 12. The flap fastening portions 62 in this embodiment extend in the front-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, with three of them arranged on each flap 40.

[0027] The absorbent article 1 may have leak-preventing gathers 70 that can stand up at the sides in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. The leak-preventing gathers 70 have contracted portions 71 that can stand up due to contraction of the leak-preventing elastic members 74, front-rear base points 72 that are located outside the contracted portions in the front-rear direction L and serve as the stand-up base points of the contracted portions 71, and width base points 73 that are located inside or outside the contracted portions 71 in the width direction W and serve as the stand-up base points of the contracted portions 71. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the inner portions of the side sheets 12 are folded, and the leak-preventing elastic members 74 are disposed on the side sheets 12 in a state stretched in the front-rear direction L. The side sheets 12 stand up towards the wearer in areas not joined to the center sheet 11 due to contraction of the leak-preventing elastic members 74. As shown in FIG. 1 , the front-rear base points 72 are located outside the contracted portions 71 in the front-rear direction L, at the widthwise side edges of the areas where the side sheets 12 are joined to the center sheet 11. The width base point 73 is a fold formed by folding back the side sheets 12 on the inside of the contracted portion 71 in the width direction W, and is located on the inside of the side sheets 12 .

[0028] The absorbent body 30 is disposed between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20. The absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent material. Examples of the absorbent material include pulp and superabsorbent polymer. The absorbent body 30 of this embodiment is an SAP sheet in which a superabsorbent polymer 35 serving as an absorbent material is sandwiched between sheets (nonwoven fabrics). In this embodiment, the superabsorbent polymer 35 is the only absorbent material sandwiched between the multiple sheets, but in other embodiments, an absorbent material other than the superabsorbent polymer 35 (for example, pulp that is not formed into a sheet) may be present between the multiple sheets.

[0029] The nonwoven fabric holding the superabsorbent polymer 35 may be at least one sheet, but may also be multiple sheets, as in the present embodiment. The multiple nonwoven fabrics may include a first nonwoven fabric 31, a second nonwoven fabric 32 positioned closer to the non-skin side T2 than the first nonwoven fabric 31, and a third nonwoven fabric 33 positioned closer to the non-skin side T2 than the second nonwoven fabric 32. The third nonwoven fabric 33 may have a non-folded portion that forms the non-skin side of the absorbent body 30, and a folded portion that is continuous with the outer edge of the non-folded portion and folded back to the skin side T1. The folded portion may cover the skin side T1 of the outer portion of the first nonwoven fabric 31. The superabsorbent polymer 35 may be disposed between the first nonwoven fabric 31 and the second nonwoven fabric 32, and between the second nonwoven fabric 32 and the third nonwoven fabric 33. In this embodiment, the first nonwoven fabric 31 and the second nonwoven fabric 32 are made of air-through nonwoven fabric, and the third nonwoven fabric 33 is made of air-laid nonwoven fabric.

[0030] The absorbent article 1 may include a second sheet 39. The second sheet 39 is disposed on the skin side T1 of the absorber 30 and on the non-skin side T2 of the topsheet 10, and guides bodily fluids to the absorber 30. The length of the second sheet 39 in the front-rear direction L may be shorter than the length of the absorber 30 in the front-rear direction L. The outer edge of the second sheet 39 may be located more inward in the front-rear direction L than the outer edge of the absorber 30, or more inward in the front-rear direction L than the outer edge of a main body compression section 80 (described below). The outer edge of the second sheet 39 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorber 30, more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the center sheet 11 and the outer edge of the side sheet 12, or more outward in the width direction W than the main body compression section 80. The second sheet 39 may be made of nonwoven fabric, preferably an air-through nonwoven fabric. The absorbent article 1 does not necessarily have to include the second sheet 39.

[0031] The absorbent article 1 may be provided with a main body compression section 80 in which at least the absorbent body 30 is compressed in the thickness direction T. The main body compression section 80 may compress the absorbent body 30 and the topsheet 10, or may compress the absorbent body 30, the topsheet 10, and the second sheet 39 together, or may compress only the absorbent body 30. Preferably, the main body compression section 80 may be formed by compressing the topsheet 10, the absorbent body 30, and the second sheet 39 all from the skin side T1 toward the non-skin side T2.

[0032] The main body compression section 80 may have front and rear compression sections extending linearly in the front-to-rear direction L. The front and rear compression sections may include a first front and rear compression section 81 and a second front and rear compression section 82 located rearward of the first front and rear compression section 81. The first front and rear compression sections 81 and the second front and rear compression sections 82 are each provided in pairs spaced apart in the width direction W, with one on each side of the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W. The main body compression section 80 may have dot-like compression sections 83 spaced apart in a plan view. The dot-like compression sections 83 may be spaced apart as long as they are spaced apart, and may have a circular or polygonal shape, or may have a pattern such as a heart pattern. The dot-like compression sections 83 may be located between a pair of first front and rear compression sections 81 and between a pair of second front and rear compression sections 82. The main body compressing section 80 may have a front compressing section 84 located forward of the front and rear compressing sections, and a rear compressing section 85 located rearward of the front and rear compressing sections. The front compressing section 84 may be disposed in the front region S2, and the rear compressing section 85 may be disposed in the rear region S3.

[0033] The absorbent article 1 may be provided with sheet compression sections 86 that compress the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20 in the thickness direction. The sheet compression sections 86 may be provided in areas that do not overlap with the absorbent body 30, and may be provided along the outer edge of the absorbent article. The sheet compression sections 86 may be composed of a collection of multiple compression sections that are arranged intermittently. The shape of the multiple compression sections is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, dotted, have a pattern such as a floral pattern, or a design showing letters.

[0034] The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of flaps 40 that extend outward in the width direction W beyond the absorbent body 30 and are folded back onto the non-skin side of the underwear when worn. The flaps 40 are provided in a pair with a gap in the width direction W. The flaps 40 are arranged in the central region S1, with the front edge 40F of the flaps 40 constituting the front edge of the central region S1 and the rear edge 40R of the flaps 40 constituting the rear edge of the central region S1. The flaps 40 may be provided with a side sheet 12 as the topsheet 10 and a backsheet 20. The flaps 40 may be folded back onto the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1 before use. The absorbent article 1 may have a flap release sheet (not shown) that covers both of the flap fastening portions 62 provided on the non-skin side of each flap 40 when the pair of flaps 40 are folded back. The flap release sheet may be disposed across the flap fastening portions 62 attached to each flap 40. In a modified example, the absorbent article 1 may not have any flaps 40.

[0035] The absorbent article 1 does not have to be line-symmetrical when an article width center 1CW that passes through the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and extends in the front-to-back direction L is used as an axis of symmetry. That is, the absorbent article 1 may be asymmetrical left to right in a plan view. Furthermore, the absorbent article 1 does not have to be line-symmetrical when an article front-to-back center 2CL that passes through the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L and extends in the width direction W is used as an axis of symmetry. That is, the absorbent article 1 may be asymmetrical front to back in a plan view. Note that the article front-to-back center 2CL of the absorbent article 1 of this embodiment may be located forward of a center line that passes through the center of the flap 40 in the front-to-back direction L. The flap 40 does not have to be line-symmetrical when the article front-to-back center 2CL is used as an axis of symmetry.

[0036] Next, a detailed description will be given of a configuration for hygienically removing the absorbent article 1 by grasping the tab portion 50 in the absorbent article 1 configured as described above. The tab portion 50 extends outward when viewed from above at the outer end of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L. The tab portion 50 extends outward from the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L, allowing the wearer to grasp the tab portion 50 and remove the absorbent article 1 from the underwear after use. The tab portion 50 is a portion that bulges outward from the absorbent article 1. The boundary BL between the tab portion 50 and the portion other than the tab may be an imaginary line that extends along the outline of the absorbent article in the region surrounding the tab portion 50, or, in a configuration in which the tab portion 50 is provided on only one of the left and right sides as in the present embodiment, the boundary BL may be the outline of the region where the tab portion 50 is not provided.

[0037] A non-fastening region where no fastening part 60 is provided is provided on the non-skin side T2 of the tab part 50. The non-fastening region is a region where no fastening part 60 is arranged in the plan view of the absorbent article 1 seen from the non-skin side T2 shown in Fig. 2. Because the non-fastening region is provided in the tab part 50, the wearer can grasp the region where no fastening part is provided when grasping the tab part 50 to remove the absorbent article 1, thereby preventing the fastening part 60 from coming into contact with the fingers and reducing discomfort caused by grasping the fastening part 60.

[0038] The tab portion 50 is spaced from the article width center 1CW. That is, the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 is spaced from the article width center 1CW. The excretion opening is typically positioned across the article width center 1CW, and bodily fluids are discharged onto the article width center 1CW. If a large amount of bodily fluid is discharged, it may spread outward in the front-to-rear direction L along the article width center 1CW and reach the outer edge of the absorbent article 1. However, because the tab portion 50 is spaced from the article width center 1CW, even if bodily fluids reach the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 along the article width center 1CW, the bodily fluids do not adhere to the tab portion 50, thereby maintaining the tab portion 50 in a hygienic state. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can be hygienically removed by grasping the tab portion 50 after use. In particular, in urine absorption pads, the excretion opening is located anterior to the vaginal opening, making it easy for bodily fluids to be guided to the front end of the absorbent article. However, because the tab portion 50 is spaced from the width center 1CW of the article, even if body fluids are guided to the front end of the absorbent article, the body fluids can be prevented from adhering to the tab portion 50 provided at the front end of the absorbent article. The distance between the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 and the width center 1CW of the article is not limited, but may be 10 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or more, from the viewpoint of preventing body fluids from adhering.

[0039] At least a part of the tab portion 50 may be located outward in the width direction W of an outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. That is, the outer edge 50E of the tab portion 50 may be located outward in the width direction W of the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. According to this configuration, the force pulling the tab portion 50 can be applied to the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61, allowing the main fastening portion 61 to be smoothly peeled off from the underwear. Note that, as in the present embodiment, the outer edge of the main fastening portion 61 formed by a plurality of adhesive portions aligned in the width direction W is the outer edge of the adhesive portion located outermost.

[0040] The outer edge 50E of the tab portion 50 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61, and the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 may be located inward in the width direction W from the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. That is, as shown in Fig. 2 , the tab portion 50 may be disposed on an extension line 61EL extending in the front-to-rear direction L from the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. According to this aspect, since the tab portion 50 straddles the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 in the width direction W, a pulling force on the tab portion 50 can be easily applied to the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61, and the main fastening portion 61 can be smoothly peeled off from the underwear, allowing the entire absorbent article 1 to be smoothly removed. In addition, the distance in the width direction W between the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 and the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 may be shorter than the distance in the width direction W between the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 and the outer edge 50E of the tab portion 50.

[0041] The front edge 50F of the tab portion 50 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. The front edge 50F of the tab portion 50 bulges out most forward in the tab portion 50 and is the portion that is easy for a wearer to grasp. According to this configuration, by grasping a portion of the tab portion 50 including the front end, the wearer can apply a pulling force on the tab portion 50 to the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61. The distance in the width direction W between the front edge 50F of the tab portion 50 and the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 may be shorter than the distance in the width direction W between the front edge 50F of the tab portion 50 and the outer edge 50E of the tab portion 50.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2 , at least a portion of the tab portion 50 may be positioned on an absorber extension line 30EL that passes through the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W and extends in the front-to-rear direction L. That is, the outer edge 50E of the tab portion 50 may be positioned outward of the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W, and the inner edge 50I of the tab portion 50 may be positioned inward of the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. Because the tab portion 50 is positioned on the absorber extension line 30EL, it is easier to apply a force to grip and remove the tab portion 50 to the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30, allowing the absorber 30, which has relatively high rigidity, to be pulled to smoothly remove the entire absorbent article. Furthermore, at least a portion of the main body fastening portion 61 may be positioned inward of the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W, and preferably the entire main body fastening portion 61 may be positioned inward of the outer edge 30E of the absorber 30 in the width direction W. According to this configuration, by gripping the tab portion 50 and applying a removal force to the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, the entire main body fastening portion 61 can be smoothly peeled off by this force.

[0043] The shape of the outer end of the absorbent body 30 in the front-to-rear direction L may be curved (e.g., convex), and in particular, the end of the absorbent body 30 on the side where the tab portion 50 is arranged (the front side in this embodiment) may be curved. With this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the outer end of the absorbent body 30 is linear, points where the rigidity changes locally are less likely to be formed, making it easier to peel off the absorbent article 1 smoothly even with a weak force. The front edge 30F of the absorbent body 30 and the front edge 50F of the tab portion 50 may be offset in the width direction W. Furthermore, in a configuration in which a tab portion is provided at the rear end of the absorbent article 1, the rear edge of the absorbent body 30 and the rear edge of the tab portion may be offset in the width direction.

[0044] At least a topsheet 10 and a backsheet 20 may be arranged in the tab portion 50. The topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20 are arranged with the absorbent body 30 sandwiched between them, and therefore by grasping and pulling the tab portion 50, the absorbent body 30 sandwiched between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 20 can be pulled, allowing the entire absorbent article 1 to be smoothly removed. In the tab portion 50 of this embodiment, a side sheet 12 as the topsheet 10 and a backsheet 20 are arranged.

[0045] The non-fastening region may be provided in at least a part of the tab portion 50. However, preferably, the non-fastening region may be provided in the entire area of ​​the tab portion 50. According to this aspect, the wearer will not grasp the fastening portion 60 no matter where they grasp the tab portion 50. Therefore, the wearer can suppress discomfort caused by grasping the fastening portion 60, and can hygienically dispose of the absorbent article 1 after use.

[0046] The tab portion 50 may be located on only one side in the width direction W relative to the article width center 1CW. Because the tab portion 50 is located on only one side, it stands out more than in a configuration in which the tab portions 50 are located on both sides, making it easier to recognize and hygienically disposing of the absorbent article 1 after removal after use. Furthermore, because the tab portion 50 is located on only one side in the width direction W relative to the article width center 1CW, the absorbent article 1 is asymmetrical. The presence of the tab portion 50 makes it possible to determine the orientation and position of the absorbent article 1, making it easier to put on.

[0047] Preferably, the tab portion 50 may be located at the front end of the absorbent article 1. The front end of the absorbent article 1 is a portion that is easily visible and easily grasped by the wearer when disposing of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, providing the tab portion 50 at the front end of the absorbent article 1 makes it easier for the wearer to use the tab portion 50 when disposing of the absorbent article 1. More preferably, the tab portion 50 may be located at the front end on the right side in a plan view from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). After extensive research by the applicant, it was found that wearers often grasp the front end of the absorbent article 1 with their right hand when disposing of the absorbent article 1. Providing the tab portion 50 at the front end on the right side of the absorbent article 1 makes it easier for the wearer to grasp the tab portion 50 smoothly.

[0048] The tab portion 50 in the embodiment is disposed on only one side of the article width center 1CW at the front end of the absorbent article 1, and is not provided at the rear end of the absorbent article 1. However, in modified examples, the tab portion 50 may be disposed on both sides of the article width center 1CW at the front end of the absorbent article 1, or may be disposed at both the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article 1, or may be disposed only at the rear end of the absorbent article 1.

[0049] At least a portion of the leak-proof gathers 70 may be provided in the tab portion 50. The leak-proof gathers 70 in this embodiment are composed of a folded portion of the side sheet 12 and a leak-proof elastic member 74, and the folded portion of the side sheet 12 is provided in the tab portion 50. According to this aspect, the leak-proof gathers 70 increase the rigidity of the tab portion 50, making it easier to smoothly remove the entire absorbent article 1 when the tab portion 50 is grasped and pulled. Furthermore, when the tab portion 50 is pulled, the contraction of the leak-proof elastic member 74 allows the absorbent article 1 to be pulled in the front-rear direction L, making it easier to peel off the entire absorbent article 1 more smoothly. In areas outside the front-rear base points 72 of the leak-proof gathers 70 in the front-rear direction L, the side sheets 12 do not stand up and are fixed to each other. At least a portion of this fixed portion may be provided in the tab portion 50. According to this configuration, the leak-proof gathers 70 further increase the rigidity of the tab portion 50, and the entire absorbent article 1 can be more easily removed when the tab portion 50 is gripped and pulled.

[0050] The contracted portion 71 of the leakage-proof gathers 70 may be provided at a distance from the tab portion. That is, the boundary BL of the tab portion 50 may be separated from the contracted portion 71 and may be positioned further outward in the front-to-rear direction L than the contracted portion 71. According to this embodiment, contraction of the contracted portion 71 prevents the tab portion 50 from contracting, thereby maintaining a state in which the wearer can easily grasp the tab portion 50. The contracted portion 71 is formed by a region that stands up toward the wearer as the leakage-proof elastic member 74 contracts. The range of the contracted portion 71 in the front-to-rear direction is shown in Figure 1. In a configuration in which the stretchably fixed leak-proof elastic member 74 extends beyond the contraction portion 71 to the outside in the front-to-back direction L, the front-to-back base point 72 forms the outer front-to-back edge of the contraction portion 71, and in a configuration in which the stretchably fixed leak-proof elastic member 74 is positioned only to the inside in the front-to-back direction L of the contraction portion 71, the outer front-to-back edge of the stretchably fixed portion of the leak-proof elastic member 74 forms the outer front-to-back edge of the contraction portion 71.

[0051] At least a portion of the sheet compressing portion 86 is provided in the tab portion 50. With this configuration, the sheet compressing portion 86 can increase the rigidity of the tab portion 50, making it easier to grip the tab portion 50 and to remove the entire absorbent article 1 via the tab portion 50. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 4, the sheet compressing portion 86 may be disposed across the boundary BL between the tab portion 50 and the area other than the tab portion. With this configuration, when the tab portion 50 is gripped and pulled, the force applied to the tab portion 50 is easily transmitted to the area other than the tab portion, making it easier to peel off the entire absorbent article 1 more smoothly.

[0052] A tab portion 50 may be provided at one of the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article 1, and a recess 55 that is recessed inward in a plan view of the absorbent article 1 may be provided at the other of the front end and the rear end of the absorbent article 1. With this configuration, the absorbent article 1 is asymmetrical front to back. As a result, the tab portion 50 stands out, making it easy for the wearer to recognize the tab portion 50, and the tab portion 50 can be used to hygienically dispose of the absorbent article when removing it after use. Furthermore, the presence of the tab portion 50 and the recess 55 makes it possible to grasp the orientation and position of the absorbent article, making it easy to put on and take off. In this embodiment, the tab portion 50 is provided at the front end of the absorbent article, and the recess 55 is provided at the rear end of the absorbent article.

[0053] The recess 55 may be provided on an extension line extending from the tab portion 50 in the front-to-rear direction L. When the absorbent articles 1 are continuously manufactured while being arranged in the front-to-rear direction L, a part of the shape of the tab portion 50 that bulges outward is adjacent to a shape of the recess 55 that is recessed inward, and it is possible to reduce the amount of material (so-called trim) that is discarded.

[0054] The main body compressed portion 80 may highlight the presence and position of the tab portion 50. Specifically, the front compressed portion 84 is designed to resemble the number 0 (zero), with a portion missing to indicate that the missing portion is on top. The missing portion attracts the wearer's attention and highlights the presence of the tab portion 50 located near the missing portion. In addition, the orientation of the number can indicate the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent article 1. The rear compressed portion 85 is designed to resemble cotton, and the orientation of the cotton can indicate the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent article 1. In addition, by representing cotton, the rear compressed portion 85 indicates the material of the absorbent article 1 if it contains cotton fibers. If the absorbent article 1 has a cotton-like feel, the feel can be indicated.

[0055] At least some of the sheets constituting the absorbent article 1 may be provided with fused portions where fibers are fused together. In the present embodiment, the first nonwoven fabric 31 and the second nonwoven fabric 32 are made of air-through nonwoven fabrics having fused portions. With this configuration, when the tab portion 50 is gripped and pulled, the force applied to a certain area is easily transmitted in the planar direction, making it easier to peel off the entire absorbent article 1.

[0056] The outer portion of the flap 40 in the width direction W may have a convex portion 41 that bulges outward in the width direction W. The apex 42 of the convex portion 41 may be located behind the flap center 40CL. In the present embodiment, the flap 40 has a shape in which the entire flap 40 bulges outward in the width direction W, and the entire flap 40 constitutes the convex portion 41, with the apex 42 of the convex portion 41 being point-like. The length of the flap 40 in the front-to-rear direction L gradually decreases from the inner edge (base) of the flap 40 toward the outside in the width direction W. The apex 42 of the convex portion 41 is located behind the flap center 40CL. Therefore, when gripping the tab portion provided at the front end of the absorbent article 1 and peeling the absorbent article 1 from the front side to the rear side, the absorbent article can be gradually peeled off more easily, and the entire absorbent article 1 can be peeled off more smoothly.

[0057] 2 , a line connecting the front edge 40F of the flap 40 to the apex 42 of the convex portion 41 is defined as a first imaginary line FL1, a line connecting the rear edge 40R of the flap 40 to the apex 42 of the convex portion 41 is defined as a second imaginary line FL2, and a line connecting the front edge 40F of the flap 40 to the rear edge 40R of the flap 40 is defined as a third imaginary line FL3. The angle α formed by the third imaginary line FL3 and the first imaginary line FL1 may be smaller than the angle β formed by the third imaginary line FL3 and the second imaginary line FL2. This configuration makes it easy to fold or turn over the flap 40 from the front edge 40F side toward the rear edge 40R side, facilitating smooth attachment and disposal operations.

[0058] 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. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention.

[0059] The entire contents of Chinese Patent Application No. 202311251999.2, filed on September 26, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] It is possible to provide an absorbent article that can be hygienically removed by gripping the tab portion.

[0061] 1: Absorbent article 10: Top sheet 11: Center sheet 12: Side sheet 20: Back sheet 30: Absorbent body 40: Flap 40F: Front edge of flap 40R: Rear edge of flap 41: Convex portion 42: Vertex 50: Tab portion 55: Recessed portion 60: Fastening portion 86: Sheet compression portion S1: Central region S2: Front region S3: Rear region L: Front-rear direction T: Thickness direction W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having front-to-rear, width and thickness directions, a top sheet that contacts the wearer's skin, a back sheet provided with a fastening part for fastening to underwear, and an absorbent body arranged between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the outer end of the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction is provided with a tab part that extends outward when viewed in a plan view, and the non-skin side of the tab part is provided with a non-fastening area where the fastening part is not provided, and the tab part is spaced apart from the article width center, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least the top sheet and the back sheet are disposed in the tab portion.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastening portion has a main fastening portion provided in an area overlapping with the absorbent body, and at least a portion of the tab portion is positioned widthwise outboard of the widthwise outer edge of the main fastening portion.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the tab portion passes through the outer edge of the absorbent body in the width direction and is positioned on an extension line of the absorbent body extending in the front-to-rear direction.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the non-fastening region is provided over the entire area of ​​the tab portion.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab portion is disposed on only one side in the width direction relative to the center of the article width.

7. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the absorbent article is provided with upstanding leak-proof gathers having contraction portions which can stand up due to contraction of the leak-proof elastic member, and at least a portion of the leak-proof gathers is provided in the tab portion.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein said contracted portion is spaced apart from said tab portion.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article has a sheet compression section that compresses the top sheet and the back sheet in the thickness direction, the sheet compression section being provided along the outer edge of the absorbent article, and at least a portion of the sheet compression section being provided in the tab portion.

10. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the tab portion is provided at one of the front end and rear end of the absorbent article, and the other of the front end and rear end of the absorbent article is provided with a recess that is recessed inward when viewed in a plan view of the absorbent article.

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