Absorbent article

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article capable of further improving the fit to an excretory opening by means of a center gather. The absorbent article (1) includes: an absorbent body (30) having an absorbent material; a top sheet (21) that is disposed in a central region (R10) including an article width center (1CW) constituting the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, and that contacts a wearer's skin; and a center gather (40) that is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body and raises, towards a skin side (T1), the top sheet in the central region. The center gather has a center elastic member (42) that is elastic in at least a front-to-rear direction. The center gather is joined to the top sheet at a pair of first joining portions (45) located on both sides of the article width center, and is joined to the absorbent body at a pair of second joining portions (46) located on bothe sides of the article width center.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a center gather that raises the top sheet toward the skin in a region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an absorbent article having a center gather that raises the top sheet toward the skin in a region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article. The center gather has a center elastic member that stretches at least in the front-to-back direction. Contraction of the center elastic member causes the center gather to swell toward the top sheet, pressing the top sheet toward the skin and improving the fit around the excretion opening located opposite the region including the center in the width direction of the absorbent article.

[0003] Patent No. 5010479

[0004] When worn, absorbent articles are subjected to various forces and deformations depending on the wearer's movements and posture. For example, when the absorbent article is pinched between the wearer's legs, the absorbent article is subjected to a force from the outside to the inside in the width direction. If the center gather cannot maintain its raised state at this time, the fit around the excretory opening may be reduced, and leakage of bodily fluids may occur. In particular, in absorbent articles that absorb urine, a large amount of bodily fluid may be excreted at once, and a reduction in fit around the excretory opening may make leakage more likely. Therefore, there is a demand for center gathers to further improve the fit around the excretory opening.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide an absorbent article in which the fit to the excretory opening can be improved by the center gather.

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment comprises an absorbent core having an absorbent material in mutually orthogonal front-to-rear, width, and thickness directions, a top sheet disposed in a central region including the article width center, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction, and in contact with the wearer's skin, and a center gather disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent core and raising the top sheet toward the wearer's skin in the central region. The center gather has a center elastic member that is elastic in at least the front-to-rear direction. The center gather is joined to the top sheet at a pair of first joints located on both sides of the article width center, and is joined to the absorbent core at a pair of second joints located on both sides of the article width center.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment as viewed from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment as viewed from the non-skin side. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article in its natural state. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the absorbent article in its natural state. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for measuring the heights of the leakage preventing gathers and center gathers of the absorbent article in its natural state.

[0008] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The following points become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. An absorbent article according to Aspect 1 comprises an absorbent body having an absorbent material in the front-rear direction, width direction, and thickness direction, which are orthogonal to each other; a top sheet that is disposed in a central region including the article width center, which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction, and that contacts the wearer's skin; and a center gather that is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body and that raises the top sheet toward the skin in the central region. The center gather has a center elastic member that stretches at least in the front-rear direction. The center gather is joined to the top sheet at a pair of first joints located on both sides of the article width center, and is joined to the absorbent body at a pair of second joints located on both sides of the article width center. According to this aspect, the center gather is disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body in the central region. The center gather is joined to the absorbent body at a pair of second joints, and a region that can raise from the absorbent body side toward the top sheet side due to contraction of the center elastic member is provided between the pair of second joints. The center gathers, at least in this region, protrude toward the skin relative to the absorbent body, thereby pressing the top sheet toward the skin. Pressing the top sheet toward the skin by the center gathers improves the fit around the excretory opening and improves the ability to draw in bodily fluids. Therefore, the center gathers further improve the fit around the excretory opening, and even when a large amount of bodily fluid is excreted, they can draw in bodily fluids and prevent leakage. The center gathers are joined to the top sheet via a pair of first joining portions. The first joining portions are located on both sides of the center of the article width and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction. Because a pair of first joining portions spaced apart in the width direction is provided, for example, when the absorbent article is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction, even if one of the pair of first joining portions is pressed, the other first joining portion acts as a base point to easily return to its original position, making it easier to maintain the raised state of the center gathers.Furthermore, because a pair of first joining portions are provided that are spaced apart in the width direction, even if the absorbent article is pressed from the skin side to the non-skin side by body pressure, the first joining portions on both sides act as support and the absorbent article returns to its original shape, making it easier for the center gather and the top sheet to maintain their raised state toward the skin side, thereby further improving the fit of the center gather to the excretory opening.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to Aspect 1: At least a portion of the central stretchable member is disposed in the region between a pair of first joints in the width direction. According to this aspect, the first joints are disposed outward in the width direction from the central stretchable member, and when the central stretchable member is pressed by body pressure or the like, the region that is raised toward the skin by the central stretchable member is supported by the first joints, making it easier to maintain the state in which the center gathers and the top sheet are raised toward the skin. This further improves the fit of the center gathers around the excretory opening.

[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. A non-bonded region where the top sheet and the center gather are not bonded is provided between the pair of first bonded portions. At least a portion of the central elastic member overlaps the non-bonded region. According to this aspect, a space can be formed between the top sheet and the center gather in the non-bonded region provided between the pair of first bonded portions, and when a large amount of body fluid is excreted, the space can be temporarily stored. Furthermore, contraction of the central elastic member overlapping the non-bonded region makes it easier for the top sheet to rise closer to the skin and makes it easier to maintain the space between the top sheet and the center gather in the non-bonded region.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 4 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3. The invention has a pair of leakage-proof gathers that rise from the outer side of the top sheet toward the skin due to contraction of the leakage-proof stretchable member. The leakage-proof gathers rise toward the skin from side edges of a leakage-proof joint joined to the top sheet as base points. The side edges of the leakage-proof joint are located further outward in the width direction than the first joint. According to this aspect, the leakage-proof gathers rise toward the skin from a leakage-proof joint located further outward in the width direction than the first joint of the center gather as base points. Therefore, when bodily fluid spreads beyond the center gathers to the outside in the width direction, the leakage-proof gathers can suppress side leakage of the bodily fluid.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 4: When the absorbent article is in its natural state, the skin-side apex of the leakage-preventing gathers is located closer to the skin than the skin-side apex of the center gather. According to this aspect, when the absorbent article is in its natural state, the height to the skin-side apex of the leakage-preventing gathers is higher than the skin-side apex of the center gather, so that even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and flows down the skin-side surface of the top sheet, the body fluid can be blocked by the leakage-preventing gathers.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 4 or Aspect 5. In a compressed state in which the widthwise length of the absorbent article at the center of the front-rear direction of the absorbent article is 70% of the widthwise length of the absorbent article at the center of the front-rear direction of the absorbent article in its natural state, the skin-side apex of the leakage-preventing gathers is located closer to the skin than the skin-side apex of the center gather. According to this aspect, the absorbent article is compressed by the legs when worn, and its shape changes. In this compressed state, the apex of the leakage-preventing gathers is located closer to the skin than the apex of the center gather, so that even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and flows down the skin-side surface of the top sheet, the body fluid can be blocked by the leakage-preventing gathers.

[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 4 to 6: At least the leak-proof joint overlaps the absorbent body in the thickness direction. The leak-proof joint overlaps the absorbent body, and its position is easily stabilized. Because the base point of the leak-proof gathers is stabilized, even when the absorbent article is pressed by the legs or the like, the absorbent article ensures that the leak-proof gathers stand to a certain height, and the side leakage suppression effect of the leak-proof gathers can be maintained.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 8 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 4 to 7. In the front-to-rear direction, the outer end edges of the leakage-preventing stretchable members are located outward of the outer end edges of the central stretchable member. According to this aspect, the center gathers locally protrude toward the skin in a narrower range in the front-to-rear direction than the leakage-preventing gathers, and fit closely to the excretory opening. Furthermore, the leakage-preventing gathers protrude toward the skin in a wider range in the front-to-rear direction than the center gathers, and can suppress side leakage throughout the entire absorbent article.

[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 first joining section is formed by a compressed section that compresses the top sheet and the center gather in the thickness direction. According to this aspect, the first joining section has a compressed section, which makes it easier to stabilize the position of the first joining section. This makes it easier to maintain the center gather and top sheet raised toward the skin.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 10 may be the invention according to Aspect 9, which has the following features. The compressed portions are arranged along the front-to-rear direction and outboard of the central region in the width direction. When the absorbent article is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction, the force is transmitted to the compressed portions, which press the absorbent article inboard in the width direction via the compressed portions. The compressed portions are located outboard of the central region in the width direction, and the central region receives a force directed inboard in the width direction via the compressed portions. By receiving this force, the center gathers are stably deformed into a convex shape. By deforming into a convex shape, the absorbent article continues to fit the crotch area regardless of posture, eliminating gaps and making it easier to prevent leakage. Furthermore, bodily fluids that flow outboard in the width direction from the center gathers are diffused in the front-to-rear direction via the compressed portions. Because bodily fluids are diffused and absorbed over a wide range in the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article, leakage of bodily fluids along the top sheet can be suppressed.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10. The central stretchable member is positioned so as to be biased forward relative to the center of the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article. Generally, the urination opening is positioned facing the front of the center of the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, the raised portion on the skin side caused by the central stretchable member is formed so as to be biased forward, thereby improving the fit to the urination opening.

[0019] (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. In the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. It should be noted, however, 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 with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad, or a fecal pad. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is attached to a worn article such as underwear. The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment is a light incontinence pad.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 taken along line A-A 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. FIGS. 1 to 3 show the absorbent article 1 in a stretched state. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the absorbent article 1 in its natural state in a cross section based on the cross section of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the absorbent article 1 in its natural state as viewed from the skin side T1 and the front side. Here, the "stretched state" refers to a state in which the elastic members of the absorbent article are stretched to an extent that wrinkles in the absorbent article are no longer visible. In contrast, the "natural state" refers to a state in which the absorbent article 1 is worn on a wearing article S, which will be described in detail below.

[0021] Here, the "skin side" corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side that faces away from the wearer's skin during use. The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-back 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. In the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent article 1, the side that contacts the user's lower abdomen is referred to as the "front side," and the side that contacts the user's buttocks is referred to as the "rear side." The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front region S1, and a rear region S2. In a configuration in which the outer edge of the absorbent article or the outer edge of the absorbent core has a portion that is narrowed inward in the width direction, the region where the narrowed portion is provided may constitute the crotch region. Alternatively, the crotch region S3, the front region S1, and the rear region S2 may be constituted by regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the front-to-back direction L. The crotch region S3 is a region facing the wearer's excretory opening, such as the urination opening. When the absorbent article 1 is worn in underwear, the crotch region S3 is located in the crotch area of ​​the underwear and is positioned between the wearer's legs. The front side region S1 is located in front of the crotch region S3. The rear side region S2 is located behind the crotch region S3.

[0022] In the present invention, the outer portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. 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.

[0023] The absorbent article 1 may include at least an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 21, a back sheet 25, and a center gather 40. The absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent material. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., pulp), and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent body 30 may include an absorbent sheet (a so-called SAP sheet) in which the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 of a superabsorbent polymer are covered with a sheet, or may include an absorbent core 31 in which pulp is laminated. The absorbent core 31 may be covered with a core wrap 32 such as tissue. The absorbent body of this embodiment includes an absorbent core 31 including pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and a core wrap 32 that covers the absorbent core.

[0024] The top sheet 21 covers the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 30. The top sheet 21 is disposed in a central region R10 including an article width center 1CW, which is the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W, and comes into contact with the wearer's skin. The top sheet 21 is liquid permeable and may be made of a nonwoven fabric. The top sheet 21 only needs to be disposed in at least the central region R10, and may cover a partial region of the absorbent body 30 (for example, the center in the width direction) or the entire region of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W.

[0025] The back sheet 25 is disposed closer to the non-skin side T2 than the absorbent body 30 and constitutes the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. The back sheet 25 is liquid-impermeable and may be formed of a film. The non-skin side T2 surface of the back sheet 25 may be provided with fastening parts 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the worn article S. The fastening parts 60 may be provided at least in the area overlapping with the absorbent body 30. The fastening parts 60 may be provided with an adhesive or a mechanical hook. The fastening parts 60 in this embodiment extend in the front-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, with three fastening parts on each side of the center of the absorbent article in the width direction W. In a modified example, the fastening parts may extend in the width direction W and be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L. The fastening parts 60 may be covered with a release sheet 65 or a packaging sheet (not shown) for individually packaging the absorbent article 1 before use of the absorbent article 1.

[0026] The center gathers 40 are disposed between the top sheet 21 and the absorbent body 30, and raise the top sheet 21 toward the skin side T1 in the central region R10. The center gathers 40 have a center elastic member 42 that stretches at least in the front-to-back direction L. The center elastic member 42 may be joined to the center sheet 41 in a stretched state. Contraction of the center elastic member 42 causes the center sheet 41 and the center elastic member 42 to rise toward the skin side T1, and the top sheet 21 to rise from the non-skin side T2 to the skin side T1.

[0027] The center sheet 41 may be liquid-permeable and made of a nonwoven fabric. The center sheet 41 may be folded around a center fold extending in the front-to-rear direction L. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 , the center sheet 41 is folded along a pair of first center folds FL41 located on both sides of the product width center 1CW (mountain folds) so that the non-skin-side surfaces of the center sheet 41 face each other. The portion folded along the first center fold FL41 is then folded along a pair of second center folds FL42 so that the skin-side surfaces T1 of the center sheet 41 face each other (valley folds). When folded along the first center fold FL41 and the second center fold FL42, the first center fold FL41 is located outward in the width direction W from the second center fold FL42. The pair of second center folds FL42 are spaced apart in the width direction W.

[0028] The center elastic member 42 is joined to the center sheet 41 in the region sandwiched between a pair of first center folds FL41. The skin-side T1 surface of the region sandwiched between the pair of first center folds FL41 abuts the top sheet 21. The region sandwiched between the pair of first center folds FL41 (the region sandwiched between the pair of first center folds FL41) constitutes a top surface portion that presses the top sheet 21 against the skin side T1. A portion of the non-skin-side surface of the center sheet 41 in a region outside the second center folds FL42 in the width direction W is joined to the absorbent body 30 (the second joining portion described below). The portion of the center sheet 41 joined to the absorbent body 30 constitutes a base point portion that serves as a base point for the protrusion of the center gathers 40. The portion of the center sheet 41 between the base point portion and the top surface portion constitutes a standing portion that rises toward the body when worn.

[0029] The center stretchable member 42 may be any member that is stretchable in the front-to-rear direction L. The center stretchable member 42 may be made of rubber thread. In this embodiment, the center stretchable member 42 is made of rubber thread, with four threads arranged on each side of the center 1CW of the product width. A center stretchable member 42 made of rubber thread locally raises the area where the rubber thread is arranged toward the skin side T1, making it easier to fit only the intended area to the body. Alternatively, the center stretchable member 42 may be made of a sheet-like stretch sheet. A center stretchable member 42 made of a stretch sheet raises the area in a planar manner over a certain range, making it easier to fit the entire surface to the body. The center stretchable member 42 may be arranged at the center 1CW of the product width, or, as in this embodiment, may be arranged on both sides of the center 1CW of the product width instead of being arranged at the center 1CW of the product width.

[0030] Here, the "central region" in the present embodiment refers to a region where the top sheet 21 is raised toward the skin side T1 by the center gathers 40. The central region R10 may be a region where the center elastic member 42 is arranged. In a configuration where the center elastic member 42 is composed of multiple elastic members (e.g., rubber thread), the central region R10 may be the region sandwiched between the elastic members located furthest outward in the width direction W. Furthermore, in a configuration where the center elastic member 42 is composed of a stretch sheet, the region where the stretch sheet is arranged may be the central region R10. Furthermore, in a configuration where the center sheet 41 is folded about the center fold line, as in the present embodiment, the top surface portion sandwiched between the first center fold line FL41 may be the central region R10. The central region R10 spans the article width center 1CW, and by the center gathers 40 raising toward the skin side T1, the top sheet 21 fits to the excretory opening, allowing bodily fluids from the excretory opening to be quickly drawn toward the top sheet 21.

[0031] The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of leakage preventing gathers 70 that rise from the outer sides of the top sheet 21 toward the skin side T1 due to contraction of the leakage preventing stretchable members 72. The leakage preventing gathers 70 rise toward the skin side T1, starting from side edges 751 of leakage preventing joints 75 joined to the top sheet 21. The leakage preventing gathers 70 may be arranged on both sides of the center of article width 1CW. The leakage preventing gathers 70 are joined to the top sheet 21 at the leakage preventing joints 75. The leakage preventing gathers 70 have contractible portions 73 that rise toward the skin side T1, starting from side edges 751 (inner edges in this embodiment) of the leakage preventing joints 75. The leakage preventing stretchable members 72 are arranged in the contractible portions 73.

[0032] The leak-preventing gathers 70 of this embodiment include leak-preventing stretchable members 72 that stretch in the front-to-rear direction L, and side sheets 71 to which the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 are joined. The side sheets 71 may be made of hydrophobic (hydrophobic treated) nonwoven fabric. The leak-preventing stretchable members 72 may be made of rubber thread. Note that the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 are the portions joined to the side sheets 71 in a stretchable manner, and do not include portions joined to the side sheets 71 in an unstretched state or portions not joined to the side sheets 71.

[0033] 3 and 4, the side sheet 71 is folded at a first side fold FL71 located at the skin-side apex 70T of the leakage-preventing gathers 70 as a base point and laminated into two layers. A leakage-preventing stretchable member 72 is disposed between the two layers of side sheet 71. The two layers of side sheet 71 are folded at a second side fold FL72 located more inward in the width direction W than the first side fold FL71.

[0034] The non-skin side T2 surface of the region folded by the second side fold FL72 is joined to the top sheet 21 by a leak-proof joint 75. The leak-proof joint 75 may be made of adhesive. The leak-proof joint 75 is located on the outer side of the side sheet 71. The inner edge 751 of the leak-proof joint 75 forms the base point of the contracted portion 73. The apex of the contracted portion 73 is the first side fold FL71, which becomes the skin-side apex 70T of the leak-proof gathers 70. Three leak-proof stretchable members 72 are located between the first side fold FL71 and the base point of the contracted portion 73 (the side edge 751 of the leak-proof joint 75). The leak-proof gathers 70 stand on the skin side T1, using the side edge of the leak-proof joint as a base point. In the present embodiment, the leak-proof gathers 70 have the side sheets 71 folded around the second side fold FL72, and the apex of the contraction portion 73 (the apex of the leak-proof gathers 70 on the skin side) stands outward in the width direction W, but in other embodiments, the apex of the contraction portion 73 may stand outward in the width direction W.

[0035] The absorbent article 1 may have a compressed section 80 formed by compressing at least the top sheet 21 and the center gathers 40 in the thickness direction T. The compressed section 80 compresses the absorbent body 30 together with the top sheet 21 and the center gathers 40, and may be formed across the top sheet 21, the center gathers 40, and the absorbent body 30. The compressed section 80 of this embodiment is formed by compressing the top sheet 21, the center sheet 41 constituting the center gathers 40, and the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction. The compressed sections 80 may be located on both sides of the article width center 1CW. The compressed sections 80 may form a first joining section 45, which will be described later.

[0036] The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is configured to further improve the fit around the excretory opening provided by the center gathers 40. Next, the configuration for further improving the fit around the excretory opening provided by the center gathers 40 will be described in detail. The center gathers 40 are joined to the top sheet 21 at a pair of first joints 45 located on both sides of the article width center 1CW, and are joined to the absorbent body 30 at a pair of second joints 46 located on both sides of the article width center 1CW. The first joints 45 are spaced apart in the width direction W and are located on both sides of the article width center 1CW. Similarly, the second joints 46 are spaced apart in the width direction W and are located on both sides of the article width center 1CW.

[0037] The center gathers 40 are disposed between the top sheet 21 and the absorbent body 30 in the central region R10. The center gathers 40 are joined to the absorbent body 30 at a pair of second joints 46, and a region that can rise from the absorbent body 30 side toward the top sheet 21 side due to contraction of the central elastic member 42 is provided between the pair of second joints 46. The center gathers 40 rise toward the skin side T1 relative to the absorbent body 30 at least in this region, thereby pressing the top sheet 21 toward the skin side T1. Pressing the top sheet 21 toward the skin side T1 by the center gathers 40 improves the fit to the excretory opening and improves the ability to draw in bodily fluids. Therefore, even when a large amount of bodily fluid is excreted, the bodily fluids can be drawn in and leakage can be suppressed. Furthermore, because the center gathers 40 are joined to the absorbent body 30 via the second joints 46, the base point of the center gathers 40 is easily stabilized, making it easier to maintain the raised state of the center gathers 40. Preferably, the second joining portion 46 may be arranged so as to overlap the absorbent core 31. This makes it easier to stabilize the base point of the center gather 40, and to maintain the raised state of the center gather 40.

[0038] The center gathers 40 are joined to the top sheet 21 via a pair of first joining portions 45. The first joining portions 45 are located on both sides of the article width center 1CW and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction W. Because the pair of first joining portions 45 are provided spaced apart in the width direction W, even if one of the pair of first joining portions 45 is pressed when the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, the other first joining portion 45 acts as a base point to easily return to its original state, making it easier to maintain the raised state of the center gathers 40. Furthermore, because the pair of first joining portions 45 are provided spaced apart in the width direction W, even if the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2 by body pressure, the first joining portions 45 on both sides provide support to make it easier for the top surface portion to return to its original state, making it easier for the center gathers 40 and the top sheet 21 to maintain their raised state toward the skin side.

[0039] The outer edge of the second joint portion 46 may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the first joint portion 45. Because at least a portion of the second joint portion 46 is located further outward in the width direction W than the first joint portion 45, the center gathers 40 are more likely to rise toward the skin side T1 from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, improving the fit to the excretory opening. At least a portion of the first joint portion 45 may overlap the second joint portion 46. The base point of the first joint portion 45 and the base point of the second joint portion 46 are arranged to overlap, causing the center gathers 40 to rise gradually toward the skin side T1, making it easier to ensure the height of the center gathers 40 in their raised state. This further improves the fit to the excretory opening.

[0040] At least a portion of the central elastic member 42 may be disposed in the region between the pair of first joints 45 in the width direction W. The first joints 45 are disposed further outward in the width direction W than the central elastic member 42, and when the central gathers 40 are pressed by body pressure or the like, the region that bulges toward the skin side T1 is supported by the first joints 45, making it easier for the central gathers 40 and the top sheet 21 to maintain a state in which they bulge toward the skin side T1. This further improves the fit of the central gathers 40 around the excretory opening.

[0041] Furthermore, at least a portion of the central elastic member 42 may be disposed in the region between the pair of second joints 46 in the width direction W. The second joints 46 are disposed further outward in the width direction W than the central elastic member 42, and when the central gathers 40 are pressed by body pressure or the like, the region that bulges toward the skin side T1 is supported by the second joints 46, making it easier for the central gathers 40 and the top sheet 21 to maintain a state in which they bulge toward the skin side T1. This further improves the fit of the center gathers 40 around the excretory opening.

[0042] The inner edge of the second joining portion 46 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the inner edge of the first joining portion 45. By arranging the second joining portion 46 across the first joining portion 45 in the width direction W, the position of the first joining portion 45 is less likely to shift. This stabilizes the base point of the center gathers 40, making it easier to maintain the center gathers 40 and the top sheet 21 raised toward the skin side T1. In a modified example, the inner edge of the second joining portion 46 may be located more outward in the width direction W than the inner edge of the first joining portion 45. This allows the center gathers 40 to raise from the second joining portion 46 as a base point over a wider range in the width direction, thereby providing a wider space for storing bodily fluids between the center gathers 40 and the absorbent body 30.

[0043] When the center sheet 41 is folded along the first center fold FL41 and the second center fold FL42, the first joint portion 45 and the second joint portion 46 may be located outward of the second center fold FL42 in the width direction W. When the center sheet 41 is not folded along the first center fold FL41 and the second center fold FL42, the first joint portion 45 and the second joint portion 46 may be located outward of the center extensible member 42 in the width direction W.

[0044] The range of the center gather 40 in the front-to-rear direction L may be such that it overlaps at least with the absorbent body 30, and preferably it may be arranged over the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 30 in the front-to-rear direction L. In this embodiment, the center sheet 41 is arranged over the entire area of ​​the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L, and the center stretchable member 42 (the portion where the elastic member constituting the center stretchable member is stretchably joined to the center sheet) is arranged behind the front edge of the absorbent body 30 and in front of the rear edge of the absorbent body 30. Note that the center stretchable member 42 is the portion stretchably joined to the center sheet 41, and does not include the portion joined to the center sheet 41 in an unstretched state or the portion not joined to the center sheet 41.

[0045] The center stretchable member 42 may be positioned so as to be biased forward with respect to the center in the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent article 1. The excretion opening is generally positioned facing a portion forward of the center in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent article. This makes it easier to fit the raised portion formed by the center stretchable member 42 to the excretion opening. Furthermore, the center stretchable member 42 may be positioned so as to be biased forward with respect to the center in the front-to-back direction L of the crotch region S3. This configuration improves the fit to the excretion opening that is positioned facing a region forward of the center in the front-to-back direction of the crotch region.

[0046] A non-bonded region NR (see FIG. 4 ), where the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 are not bonded, may be provided between the pair of first bonded regions 45. At least a portion of the center elastic member 42 may overlap the non-bonded region NR. As shown in FIG. 4 , in the non-bonded region NR provided between the pair of first bonded regions 45, a space G can be formed between the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40, and bodily fluids can be temporarily stored in the space G when a large amount of bodily fluid is excreted. Furthermore, contraction of the center elastic member 42 overlapping the non-bonded region NR makes it easier for the top sheet 21 to rise toward the skin side T1 and makes it easier to maintain the space G between the top sheet 21 and the center gather 40 in the non-bonded region NR.

[0047] The non-bonded region NR may be provided over the entire region sandwiched between the pair of first bonded regions 45, or may be provided in a portion of the region sandwiched between the pair of first bonded regions 45. In this embodiment, a third bonded region 47 that joins the top sheet 21 and the center sheet 41 is provided in the region sandwiched between the pair of first bonded regions 45. The third bonded region 47 is disposed across the article width center 1CW. Thus, the non-bonded region NR is provided in the region sandwiched between the outer edge of the third bonded region 47 and the inner edge of the first bonded region 45. The non-bonded regions NR are disposed on both sides of the third bonded region 47 in the width direction W.

[0048] The first and second bonding portions 45 and 46 may be formed by compressed portions that compress the members together in the thickness direction T, or by adhesive that bonds the members together. The first and second bonding portions 45 and 46 may also have portions bonded by adhesive and portions bonded by compressed portions. The first bonding portion 45 of this embodiment includes a portion where the skin side T1 surface of the center sheet 41 and the skin side T1 surface of the top sheet 21 are bonded together, and a compressed portion 80. The second bonding portion 46 of this embodiment includes a portion where the non-skin side T2 surface of the center sheet 41 and the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent body 30 are bonded together, and a compressed portion 80.

[0049] Preferably, the first joining portion 45 may be formed by a compressed portion 80. When the first joining portion 45 has a compressed portion 80, the position of the first joining portion 45 is more likely to be stabilized. This makes it easier to maintain the center gather 40 and the top sheet 21 in a state where they are raised toward the skin side T1. Similarly, the second joining portion 46 may also be formed by a compressed portion 80. When the second joining portion 46 has a compressed portion 80, the position of the second joining portion 46 is also more likely to be stabilized.

[0050] The compression sections 80 may be disposed along the front-to-rear direction L, outside the central region R10 in the width direction W. When the absorbent article 1 is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction W, the force is transmitted to the compression sections 80, which press the absorbent article 1 inward in the width direction W. The compression sections 80 are located outside the central region R10 in the width direction W, and the central region R10 receives a force directed inward in the width direction via the compression sections 80. This force facilitates stable deformation of the center gathers 40 into a convex shape. Deforming into a convex shape ensures a consistent fit to the crotch area regardless of posture, eliminates gaps, and makes it easier to prevent leakage. Furthermore, bodily fluids that flow from the center gathers 40 to the outside in the width direction W are diffused in the front-to-rear direction L via the compression sections 80. Because bodily fluids are diffused and absorbed over a wide range in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, leakage of bodily fluids along the top sheet 21 can be suppressed.

[0051] The side edges 751 of the leakproof joints 75 may be positioned further outward in the width direction W than the first joints 45. According to this aspect, the leakproof gathers 70 stand on the skin side T1, starting from the leakproof joints 75 that are positioned further outward in the width direction W than the first joints 45 of the center gathers 40. Therefore, when bodily fluids spread beyond the center gathers 40 to the outside in the width direction W, the leakproof gathers 70 can suppress lateral leakage of the bodily fluids. Note that it is sufficient that the side edges 751 of the leakproof joints 75 are positioned further outward in the width direction W than the first joints 45 in the absorbent article in its natural state.

[0052] At least a portion of the leak-proof joint 75 may be positioned further outward in the width direction W than the second joint 46. According to this aspect, the leak-proof gathers 70 rise toward the skin from the leak-proof joint 75, which is positioned further outward in the width direction W than the second joint 46 of the center gathers 40. Therefore, when bodily fluids spread beyond the center gathers 40 to the outside in the width direction W, the leak-proof gathers can suppress lateral leakage of the bodily fluids. Note that it is sufficient that the side edges 751 of the leak-proof joints 75 are positioned further outward in the width direction than the second joints 46 in the absorbent article in its natural state.

[0053] At least the leak-proof joint 75 may overlap the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction. The leak-proof joint 75 overlaps the absorbent body, making it easier to stabilize its position. Because the base point of the leak-proof gathers 70 is stabilized, even when the absorbent article is pressed by the legs or the like, the absorbent article 1 ensures that the leak-proof gathers 70 stand to a certain height, and the effect of the leak-proof gathers 70 in suppressing side leakage can be maintained. Note that the leak-proof joint 75 may overlap the absorbent body 30 in the absorbent article in its natural state. Preferably, at least the leak-proof joint 75 may overlap the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction. This makes it easier to stabilize the base point of the leak-proof gathers 70.

[0054] In the front-to-rear direction L, the outer edges of the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 may be located outward of the outer edges of the center stretchable member 42. The front edges of the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 may be located forward of the front edge of the center stretchable member 42, or the rear edges of the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 may be located rearward of the rear edge of the center stretchable member 42. According to this aspect, the center gathers 40 locally protrude toward the skin over a narrower range in the front-to-rear direction than the leak-preventing gathers 70, and fit closely to the excretory opening. Furthermore, the leak-preventing gathers protrude toward the skin over a wider range in the front-to-rear direction than the center gathers, and can suppress side leakage throughout the entire absorbent article. In this embodiment, the front edges of the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 are located forward of the front edge of the center stretchable member 42, and the rear edges of the leak-preventing stretchable members 72 are located rearward of the rear edge of the center stretchable member 42.

[0055] When the absorbent article is in its natural state, the skin-side apex 70T of the leakage-preventing gathers 70 may be located closer to the skin side T1 than the skin-side apex 40T of the center gather 40. According to this aspect, when the absorbent article 1 is in its natural state, the height to the skin-side apex 70T of the leakage-preventing gathers 70 is higher than the skin-side apex 40T of the center gather. Therefore, even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and flows along the skin-side T1 surface of the top sheet 21, the body fluid can be blocked by the leakage-preventing gathers 70.

[0056] The height in the natural state can be measured by the following method. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the measurement method, with Figure 6(a) being a side view of the jig 201 in the axial direction A, and Figure 6(b) being a top view of the jig 201. First, as shown in Figure 6(a), a curved jig 201 is prepared by cutting a 200 mm diameter cardboard tube in half along a cross section extending in the axial direction A, and the apex of the jig 201 is fixed to a flat plate 202. The length of the jig 201 in the axial direction A is set to 30 mm, which is the approximate width of a woman's crotch. A shorts fabric 205 (nylon, kanakin, etc.) with a width equivalent to the fastening portion 60 of the absorbent article 1 is fixed so as to straddle the arc-shaped edges of the jig 201. At this time, the center of the shorts fabric 205 is along the inner surface of the jig 201 but is not fixed to the jig 201. Next, the absorbent article 1 is removed from the package and fastened to the shorts fabric 205 on the jig 201 so that the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L overlaps the fastening part 206, creating a state in which the absorbent article 1 curves along the inner surface of the jig 201. This state schematically shows the state in which the absorbent article 1 is worn on the wearing article S, and is considered to be the natural state in this embodiment. Using the flat plate 202 and the fastening part 206 of the jig 201 as references, the height to the apex 70T of the leakage preventing gathers 70 and the height to the apex 40T of the center gathers 40 are compared, and it is determined that the higher one is located on the skin side T1.

[0057] In a compressed state in which the widthwise length of the absorbent article 1 at the center of the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 is 70% of the widthwise length of the absorbent article 1 at the center of the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 in its natural state, the apexes 70T of the skin sides T1 of the leakage preventing gathers 70 may be located closer to the skin side T1 than the apexes 40T of the skin sides T1 of the center gathers 40. The absorbent article 1 is compressed by the legs when worn, and its shape changes. In this compressed state, because the apexes 70T of the leakage preventing gathers 70 are located closer to the skin side T1 than the apexes 40T of the center gathers 40, even if a large amount of body fluid is discharged and flows along the surface of the skin side T1 of the top sheet 21, the body fluid can be blocked by the leakage preventing gathers 70.

[0058] The pressed state in which the width direction length of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 is 70% of the width direction length of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 in its natural state is a state in which the absorbent article is pressed so that the width direction length of the absorbent article at the center in the front-rear direction is 70, where the state in which the absorbent article 1 is fastened to the jig 201 is defined as a natural state and the width direction length of the absorbent article 1 at the center in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 in this natural state is defined as 100. For this pressing, as shown in FIG. 6( c ), a force is applied from both sides of the absorbent article 1 using a pressing jig 203. The pressing jig 203 may have a cylindrical shape with a rigidity higher than that of the absorbent article 1. The pressing jig 203 is arranged so that the axial direction of the cylinder is along the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1 and the arc portion of the outer surface of the cylinder abuts the outer edge in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 (i.e., it is arranged so that the round outer shape of the cylinder can be seen when the absorbent article 1 is viewed in a plan view). The diameter of the cylinder is preferably shorter than the length of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L; for example, a cylinder with a diameter of 120 mm may be used. The pressing jigs 203 are arranged so that they sandwich the absorbent article 1 and are spaced apart so that the distance in the width direction W is 30 cm. The left and right cylinders are arranged so that the positions in the front-to-rear direction L of the left and right cylinders are the same, and so that the apex 203T (the point closest to the absorbent article) of the arc portion of the outer surface of the cylinders hits the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction. The pressing jigs 203 are each moved inward in the width direction W so that the apex 203T of each pressing jig on the absorbent article side hits the outer edges on both sides of the absorbent article simultaneously. The pressing jigs 203 are moved to a position where the length of the absorbent article in the width direction is 70.

[0059] 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.

[0060] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-214506, filed on December 20, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article in which the fit to the excretory opening can be further improved by the center gather.

[0062] 1: Absorbent article 1CW: Width center of article 21: Top sheet 30: Absorbent body 40: Center gather 40T: Vertex 42: Center stretch member 45: First joint portion 46: Second joint portion 70: Leakage-preventing gather 70T: Vertex 72: Leakage-preventing stretch member 75: Leakage-preventing joint portion 80: Compressed portion L: Front-rear direction NR: Non-joined region R10: Central region T: Thickness direction W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising: a front-to-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction which are perpendicular to one another; an absorbent body having an absorbent material; a top sheet which is located in a central region including the article width center which is the center of the absorbent article in the width direction and which abuts against the wearer's skin; and a center gather which is located between the top sheet and the absorbent body and raises the top sheet towards the skin in the central region, wherein the center gather has a center stretch member which stretches at least in the front-to-rear direction, and the center gather is joined to the top sheet at a pair of first joints located on both sides of the article width center, and is joined to the absorbent body at a pair of second joints located on both sides of the article width center.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the central elastic member is disposed in a region between a pair of first joints in the width direction.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a non-bonded area in which the top sheet and the center gather are not bonded is provided between the pair of first bonded portions, and at least a portion of the center elastic member overlaps the non-bonded area.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, having a pair of leak-proof gathers that rise from the outer portion of the top sheet toward the skin due to contraction of a leak-proof elastic member, the leak-proof gathers rise toward the skin from the side edges of a leak-proof joint joined to the top sheet as base points, and the side edges of the leak-proof joints are positioned further outboard in the width direction than the first joint.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein, in the natural state of the absorbent article, the apex of the skin side of the leakage preventing gathers is positioned closer to the skin than the apex of the skin side of the center gather.

6. The absorbent article as described in claim 4, wherein in a compressed state in which the widthwise length of the absorbent article at the center of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article is 70% of the widthwise length of the absorbent article at the center of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article in its natural state, the skin-side apex of the leak-proof gathers is located closer to the skin than the skin-side apex of the center gather.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein at least the leak-proof joint overlaps with the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the outer edge of the leak-proof stretchable member is positioned outside the outer edge of the center stretchable member in the front-to-rear direction.

9. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first joint portion is constituted by a compressed portion in which the top sheet and the center gather are compressed in the thickness direction.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 9, wherein the compressed portions are arranged along the front-rear direction and on the outer side in the width direction than the central region.

11. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the center elastic member is positioned biased toward the front with respect to the center of the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction.

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