Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) comprises an absorbing body (40) to be disposed at least in a crotch area. The absorbing body has an absorbing sheet (45) obtained by covering a skin side and a non-skin side of a high absorbent polymer with sheets. The absorbing sheet has: a first absorbing sheet (451); and a second absorbing sheet (452) which is disposed closer to the skin side, as compared to the first absorbing sheet. The first absorbing sheet has first compression parts (471) where the sheets (48) covering the skin side and the non-skin side of the high absorbent polymer (44) are compressed in a mutually facing direction from the outer surface toward the inner side in the thickness direction of the first absorbing sheet. The second absorbing sheet has second compression parts (472) where the sheets covering the skin side and the non-skin side of the high absorbent polymer are compressed in a direction in which the sheets face each other from the outer surface toward the inner side in the thickness direction of the second absorbing sheet. The plurality of the first compression parts and the second compression parts are disposed with gaps therebetween in the front-rear direction and the width direction in a plan view of the absorbing sheet. Non-overlapping regions (NR) in which the first compression parts and the second compression parts do not overlap in the thickness direction are provided at least in the crotch area.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having an absorbent sheet in which the skin side and non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer are covered with sheets in the thickness direction.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article in which absorbent sheets are laminated, each having a sheet covering the skin side and non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. The absorbent sheet sandwiches a superabsorbent polymer between multiple sheets, and the sheets are joined together by sealed sections. The absorbent sheet is partitioned into multiple regions by the sealed sections, and a superabsorbent polymer is disposed in each of the sections. By providing the sealed sections, each water-absorbent polymer-containing region in which a superabsorbent polymer is disposed exists independently.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-186273

[0004] However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 has the following problems: A superabsorbent polymer is disposed in the region partitioned by the sealed portion (the region where the sealed portion is not disposed). The region partitioned by the sealed portion expands due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer when absorbing body fluids, increasing its thickness and its rigidity as the amount of absorbed increases. On the other hand, the region where the sealed portion is disposed does not have a superabsorbent polymer disposed. In the region where the sealed portion is disposed, the superabsorbent polymer is less likely to swell when absorbing body fluids, and changes in its thickness and rigidity are less likely to occur. In addition, in the region where the sealed portion is disposed, the bonding between the sheets is not released by the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer. Therefore, when the superabsorbent polymer swells, the region partitioned by the sealed portion becomes less likely to bend, which reduces its ability to conform to the body and tends to reduce the comfort of wearing it. Furthermore, in areas where the regions separated by the sealed portions overlap, even if the superabsorbent polymers placed in each try to swell, the thickness of each overlapping region in the thickness direction becomes larger, so there is not enough space for swelling, and the superabsorbent polymers are unable to absorb body fluids, and the absorption capacity cannot be fully utilized.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide an absorbent article that can make the most of its absorption capacity by ensuring space for the superabsorbent polymer to swell while suppressing a deterioration in wearing comfort when absorbing body fluids.

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment comprises a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another; a crotch region disposed between the crotch of a wearer; a front region located forward of the crotch region; and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region; and an absorbent body disposed at least in the crotch region. The absorbent body has an absorbent sheet in which sheets cover the skin side and non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. The absorbent sheet comprises a first absorbent sheet and a second absorbent sheet disposed closer to the skin than the first absorbent sheet. The first absorbent sheet has a first compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin side and non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the first absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction. The second absorbent sheet has a second compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin side and non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the second absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction. The first compressed portion and the second compressed portion are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction and the width direction in a plan view of the absorbent sheet. At least the crotch region is provided with a non-overlapping region in which the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion do not overlap in the thickness direction.

[0007] 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment, as viewed from the skin side; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment, as viewed from the non-skin side; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of part C in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a plan view of an absorbent core; FIG. 7 is a plan view of an absorbent sheet; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an absorbent article in a worn state; FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged view of part D in FIG. 3; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an arrangement pattern of side sheets;

[0008] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The present specification and accompanying drawings make at least the following clear. An absorbent article according to Aspect 1 comprises a front-to-back direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another; a crotch region disposed between the crotch of a wearer; a front region located forward of the crotch region; and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region; and an absorbent body disposed at least in the crotch region. The absorbent body has an absorbent sheet in which sheets cover the skin-side and non-skin-side sides of a superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. The absorbent sheet has a first absorbent sheet and a second absorbent sheet disposed closer to the skin than the first absorbent sheet. The first absorbent sheet has a first compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin-side and non-skin-side sides of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the first absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction. The second absorbent sheet has a second compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin-side and non-skin-side sides of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the second absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction. The first compressed portion and the second compressed portion are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction and the width direction in a plan view of the absorbent sheet. At least the crotch region is provided with a non-overlapping region in which the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion do not overlap in the thickness direction.

[0009] According to this aspect, the non-overlapping regions prevent localized increases in stiffness, prevent unintended deformation originating from high-stiffness areas, and reduce discomfort caused by high-stiffness areas. Furthermore, the first and second compressed sections are spaced apart in the front-to-rear and width directions in plan view of the absorbent sheet. Even when the first and second compressed sections overlap, the overlapping regions are spaced apart, preventing the superabsorbent polymer from being partitioned off, as in conventional configurations with sealed sections. This reduces the likelihood of the section containing the swollen superabsorbent polymer becoming difficult to bend, preventing deterioration of conformability, and improving comfort. Furthermore, the first and second compressed sections provide multiple deformation bases spaced apart in plan view, allowing for flexible deformation, improving conformability to the body, and reducing discomfort when absorbing bodily fluids. In addition, in the non-overlapping regions, at least one of the first and second compressed sections is not arranged in the thickness direction, making it easier to secure space for swelling in the thickness direction and making the most of the absorption capacity. Furthermore, the first and second compressed sections are arranged with gaps in the front-to-back direction and the width direction, and the areas where the sheets are close to each other due to the first and second compressed sections are not formed linearly from one end of the absorbent sheet to the other, making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer to swell throughout the entire absorbent sheet in a planar view. Thus, the absorbent sheet is configured to secure space for swelling of the superabsorbent polymer and make the most of its absorption capacity.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 1: the non-overlapping region includes a first non-overlapping region where a region of the first absorbent sheet having the first compressed section overlaps a region of the second absorbent sheet having no second compressed section, a second non-overlapping region where a region of the first absorbent sheet having no first compressed section overlaps a region of the second absorbent sheet having the second compressed section, and a third non-overlapping region where a region of the first absorbent sheet having no first compressed section overlaps a region of the second absorbent sheet having no second compressed section. In the first non-overlapping region, the superabsorbent polymer of the second absorbent sheet is likely to swell and expand toward the skin upon absorbing body fluids, while in the second non-overlapping region, the superabsorbent polymer of the first absorbent sheet is likely to swell and expand toward the non-skin side upon absorbing body fluids. The first non-overlapping region and the second non-overlapping region allow the first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet to swell in opposite thickness directions, ensuring that the regions swell without interfering with each other. The third non-overlapping region allows the first non-overlapping region to swell toward both the skin side and the non-skin side when absorbing bodily fluids, ensuring a high absorption capacity. The presence of the first non-overlapping region, the second non-overlapping region, and the third non-overlapping region allows the superabsorbent polymer to swell more easily, making better use of the absorption capacity.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 3 may be the invention according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2, and may have the following features: The shortest distance between the first compressed sections and the shortest distance between the second compressed sections in a plan view of the absorbent sheet is longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer after immersion in physiological saline for 60 minutes, draining for 15 minutes, and then dehydrating in a centrifuge. According to this aspect, the regions between the first compressed sections and the regions between the second compressed sections are regions that are not pressed by the compressed sections, have relatively large interfiber voids, and are regions where the superabsorbent polymer is likely to swell. Because the planar length of the regions that are likely to swell is longer than the average diameter of the swollen superabsorbent polymer, the superabsorbent polymer is likely to swell, making it easier to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 4 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, and have the following feature: the maximum dimensions of the first compressed sections and the second compressed sections in a planar view of the absorbent sheet are longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer when the superabsorbent polymer is immersed in the physiological saline for 60 minutes, drained for 15 minutes, and then dehydrated in a centrifuge. According to this aspect, the maximum dimensions of the first compressed sections and the second compressed sections are smaller than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer when it retains water, thereby suppressing the effect of the first compressed sections and the second compressed sections when the superabsorbent polymer retains water, and making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer to expand throughout the entire planar view of the absorbent sheet.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, and may have the following features: The first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet are compressed and joined in the thickness direction, and sheet joint portions are formed in the absorbent sheet in a plan view, with the joint portions spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction and the width direction. In the plan view of the absorbent sheet, the maximum dimension of the sheet joint portion is larger than the maximum dimension of the first compressed portion and the maximum dimension of the second compressed portion. According to this aspect, the relatively large maximum dimension of the sheet joint portion makes it easier to maintain the joined state of the first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet, suppressing misalignment of the absorbent sheets and ensuring a non-overlapping area. Furthermore, the small maximum dimensions of the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion suppress the influence of the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion when the superabsorbent polymer retains water, making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer to expand throughout the entire plan view of the absorbent sheet.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5. The absorbent body has an absorbent core in which at least cellulosic fibers are laminated. In the width direction, the outer edges of the absorbent core are located more inward than the outer edges of the absorbent sheet. According to this aspect, the absorbent core does not overlap the outer portions of the absorbent sheet, so the thickness of the outer portions of the absorbent body can be reduced. Therefore, the outer portions of the absorbent sheet are more likely to expand when absorbing body fluids, making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity of the absorbent sheet.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 6. The absorbent core is arranged across the widthwise center of the absorbent article. The first absorbent sheet is arranged on the farther side from the absorbent core. According to this aspect, the absorbent core is arranged across the widthwise center of the absorbent article on the farther side from the skin than the first absorbent sheet, making it easier to absorb body fluids excreted from the excretion opening. The first absorbent sheet is arranged on the farther side from the absorbent core, and further draws body fluids guided to the absorbent core toward the farther side from the skin, making it easier for the absorbent core to retain body fluids even when body fluids are repeatedly excreted.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 86 or aspect 7 may have the following features: The second absorbent sheet is disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent core. According to this aspect, the second absorbent sheet disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent core can prevent rewetting, which occurs when the absorbent core moves toward the skin, by swelling the superabsorbent polymer when it absorbs body fluid. Furthermore, the second absorbent sheet can absorb body fluid that spreads in the planar direction on the surface side of the absorbent article, thereby preventing leakage of body fluid.

[0017] 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 outer edges of the first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet are offset in the width direction. According to this aspect, since the outer edges of the first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet are offset, only one absorbent sheet is arranged in the outer portion of the absorbent sheet, rather than two absorbent sheets. By arranging only one absorbent sheet in the outer portion of the absorbent sheet, the thickness can be reduced and the rigidity can be reduced. The outer portions of the absorbent sheet become more flexible, which contributes to reducing discomfort, and the corresponding areas tend to expand when absorbing body fluids, making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0018] 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. Cellulosic fibers are disposed between the sheets of the absorbent sheet together with the superabsorbent polymer. The basis weight of the cellulose fibers in the absorbent sheet is smaller than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet. According to this aspect, the presence of the cellulose fibers prevents the superabsorbent polymer from unintentionally flowing, and the superabsorbent polymer can be disposed over the entire absorbent sheet in a planar view. The basis weight of the cellulose fibers in the absorbent sheet may be smaller than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet. Because the basis weight of the cellulose fibers is relatively low and the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is relatively high, the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet can be reduced while maintaining absorption capacity. By reducing the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet, the absorbent sheet can better conform to the body and reduce discomfort when worn.

[0019] (2) Schematic Configuration of Absorbent Article According to the Embodiment Hereinafter, an absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated 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 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 is an article that is attached to a worn article such as underwear and used. The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment is a daytime sanitary napkin and has a vertically elongated shape.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 3. 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-rear direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are perpendicular to one another. In the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, the side that contacts the wearer's lower abdomen is referred to as the "front side," and the side that contacts the wearer's buttocks is referred to as the "rear side."

[0021] The absorbent article 1 has front regions S1, rear regions S2, and a crotch region S3. The crotch region S3 is a region positioned opposite the wearer's excretory opening, such as the vaginal opening. When the absorbent article 1 is attached to a worn article, the crotch region S3 is positioned under the crotch of the worn article and between the wearer's legs. The front region S1 is located forward of the crotch region S3. The front edge of the front region S1 defines the front edge of the absorbent article 1. The rear region S2 is located rearward of the crotch region S3. The rear edge of the rear region S2 defines the rear edge of the absorbent article 1. The crotch region S3 may be a central region among three equal regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. In addition, in an absorbent article 1 having wings, the crotch region S3 may be a region where the wings 5 ​​are provided.

[0022] 6, the absorbent article 1 has a central crotch region S33 located in the center of the three regions obtained by dividing the crotch region S3 into three equal parts in the front-to-back direction L, a front crotch region S31 located in the front of the three equal parts, and a rear crotch region S32 located in the rear of the three equal parts. The absorbent article 1 has a front outer region S11 located in the front of the two equal parts obtained by dividing the front region S1 into two equal parts in the front-to-back direction L, and a front inner region S12 located in the rear of the two equal parts. The absorbent article 1 has a rear outer region S21 located in the rear of the two equal parts obtained by dividing the rear region S2 into two equal parts in the front-to-back direction L, and a rear inner region S22 located in the front of the two equal parts.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The absorbent article 1 may have at least one of wings 5 ​​arranged in the crotch region S3 and hip flaps (not shown) arranged in the rear region S2. The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment has wings 5 ​​but no hip flaps. The wings 5 ​​protrude outward in the width direction W in the crotch region S3 and are folded back to the non-skin side T2 of the worn article S (see FIG. 8 ) when worn. Wing fastening portions 62 may be provided on the non-skin side T2 of the wings 5 ​​for fastening the wings 5 ​​to the worn article. The hip flaps protrude outward in the width direction W in the rear region S2 and are arranged along the skin side of the worn article when worn.

[0025] The absorbent article 1 may include at least an absorbent body 40, a skin-side sheet 11, and a non-skin-side sheet 20. The absorbent body 40 may be disposed at least in the crotch region S3, and may also be disposed in the front region S1 and the rear region S2. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 40 is disposed in the front region S1, the rear region S2, and the crotch region S3. The absorbent body 40 includes an absorbent material that absorbs liquid. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., pulp), and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) 44.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a plan view of the absorbent body 40, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of portion D shown in Fig. 3 and is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent sheet 45. The absorbent body 40 may include an absorbent sheet 45 in which the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer 44 are covered with sheets 48. The absorbent sheet 45 may be a so-called SAP sheet, and may be one in which the superabsorbent polymer 44 is sandwiched between a single folded sheet, or one in which the superabsorbent polymer 44 is sandwiched between multiple sheets. Cellulosic fibers may be arranged between the sheets 48 of the absorbent sheet 45 together with the superabsorbent polymer 44.

[0027] The "absorbent sheet" in the present invention refers to a sheet having only a superabsorbent polymer as an absorbent material, with the skin side and non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer sandwiched between sheets, or a sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer and cellulosic fibers as an absorbent material, and having (1) a weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent material of 50% or more, preferably 70% or more, and (2) a basis weight of the cellulosic fibers of 100 g / m ２ (3) A sheet that satisfies all of (1) to (3) above, with a thickness of less than 1 mm (including 0 mm) excluding the sheet itself.

[0028] The absorbent sheet 45 may be provided in a single layer or in multiple layers. The absorbent sheet 45 of this embodiment may include a first absorbent sheet 451 and a second absorbent sheet 452 disposed closer to the skin side T1 than the first absorbent sheet 451. The first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 each include a superabsorbent polymer 44 and a sheet 48 covering the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer 44. The sheet 48 of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the sheet 48 of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be the same or different. Preferably, the sheet 48 of the first absorbent sheet 451 can be made of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric or a spunlace nonwoven fabric, and the sheet 48 of the second absorbent sheet 452 can be made of an air-through nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be the same or different. Preferably, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the first absorbent sheet 451 may be higher than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the second absorbent sheet 452. Because the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the second absorbent sheet located on the skin side is low, gel blocking by the superabsorbent polymer is suppressed when body fluids are repeatedly absorbed, and body fluids can be continuously absorbed by the second absorbent sheet located on the non-skin side.

[0029] The outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452, or the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 may be located further inward in the width direction W than the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452, or the length in the width direction W of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the length in the width direction W of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be the same. The outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 of the present embodiment is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452. Furthermore, the absorber 40 may include absorbent sheets other than the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452.

[0030] The absorbent body 40 has side regions R45 extending inward in the width direction W from the outer edges in the width direction W of the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent sheet 45. In a configuration having multiple absorbent sheets 45, the side regions R45 are provided on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent sheet 45 located closest to the non-skin side T2. The side regions R45 in this embodiment are provided on the non-skin side T2 surface of the first absorbent sheet 451. In a configuration in which the absorbent sheet 45 forms the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent body 40, the side regions R45 are provided on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent body 40. In addition, in a configuration in which the absorbent sheet 45 does not form the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent body 40 (for example, a configuration in which an absorbent core is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent sheet), the side regions R45 are provided on a surface other than the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent body 40. The outer edge of the side region R45 is the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 (located closest to the skin side T2), and the inner edge of the side region R45 may be the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 or the outer edge of the crotch joint 31.

[0031] The absorbent body 40 may include an absorbent core 41. The absorbent core 41 may be formed by stacking cellulosic fibers and may be arranged across the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. Examples of the cellulosic fibers include pulp. In a plan view of the absorbent article 1, the area of ​​the absorbent core 41 may be larger than the area of ​​the absorbent sheet 45, and the absorbent sheet 45 may be arranged over the entire area where the absorbent core 41 is arranged. The absorbent core 41 may contain a superabsorbent polymer 44 together with the cellulosic fibers. However, the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 to the entire absorbent material of the absorbent core 41 is lower than the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 to the entire absorbent material of the absorbent sheet 45.

[0032] The absorbent body 40 may have an auxiliary absorbent layer having a nonwoven fabric arranged overlapping the absorbent core 41. The auxiliary absorbent layer may have a nonwoven fabric arranged overlapping the absorbent core 41, and may be composed of only a nonwoven fabric, or may be composed of a nonwoven fabric and another absorbent material (e.g., a superabsorbent polymer). The auxiliary absorbent layer may be composed of the above-mentioned absorbent sheet, a core wrap, or a nonwoven fabric other than the core wrap and the absorbent sheet. The auxiliary absorbent layer may have a portion overlapping the absorbent core 41, or may have a portion not overlapping the absorbent core 41. The auxiliary absorbent layer may be arranged only on the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 41, only on the nonskin side T2 of the absorbent core 41, or on both the skin side T1 and the nonskin side T2 of the absorbent core 41. The auxiliary absorbent layer of this embodiment is composed of a sheet 48 of the first absorbent sheet 451 and a sheet 48 of the second absorbent sheet.

[0033] The shape of the absorbent article in a planar view may differ from the shape of the auxiliary absorbent layer (in this embodiment, the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452). The absorbent article may have a stacked region where the absorbent sheet and the auxiliary absorbent layer are stacked, and an auxiliary region where the auxiliary absorbent layer is arranged without an absorbent core. In the stacked region, the absorbent sheet and the auxiliary absorbent layer may abut and overlap each other, or may overlap with another member sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, the absorbent core is arranged in a region where it overlaps with the auxiliary absorbent layer, but not in a region where it does not overlap with the auxiliary absorbent layer. Therefore, the stacked region R41 is a region where the absorbent core 41 is arranged in a planar view of the absorbent body (see FIG. 6 ). The absorbent core is separated in the front-rear direction, and the stacked region R41 is also separated in the front-rear direction L. The region sandwiched between the stacked regions separated in the front-rear direction constitutes an auxiliary region R42. The auxiliary region R42 is a region where the absorbent core 41 is not arranged in a planar view of the absorbent body 40. The boundary between the laminated region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 is the outer edge of the absorbent core.

[0034] The absorbent body 40 includes at least an absorbent sheet 45 and a superabsorbent polymer 44 with a relatively high absorption capacity. Therefore, the absorbent body 40 is formed thin while maintaining its absorption capacity. The average thickness of the central region of the absorbent body 40, which is divided into three equal regions in the width direction, may be 0.4 mm to 3.0 mm, and the average thickness of the lateral regions of the absorbent body 40, which is divided into three equal regions in the width direction, may be 0.4 mm to 2.0 mm. Because the absorbent body 40 of this embodiment is thin, it is possible to ensure absorption capacity while suppressing discomfort during wear due to its rigidity and thickness. Furthermore, the average thickness of the lateral regions of the absorbent body may be thinner than the average thickness of the central region. The average thickness can be calculated by freezing the absorbent article with liquid nitrogen to prevent the thickness of the absorbent article from changing, cutting the absorbent article in a cross section along the width direction, and air-drying it for 24 hours, and then measuring the thickness of the cut surface at 5 mm intervals in the width direction.

[0035] The skin-side sheet 11 is disposed closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent body 40 and contacts the wearer. The skin-side sheet 11 may be made of any sheet-like material having a liquid-permeable structure, such as a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a perforated plastic sheet, or a mesh sheet. The skin-side sheet 11 may include a center sheet covering the center of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W and hydrophobic side sheets disposed outside the center sheet in the width direction W, or may consist of only a single sheet (for example, the center sheet). The skin-side sheet 11 in this embodiment consists of a single sheet.

[0036] The absorbent article 1 may have an auxiliary sheet 25 disposed between the skin side sheet 11 and the absorbent body 40. The auxiliary sheet 25 is a sheet that assists in drawing bodily fluids from the skin side sheet 11 side to the absorbent body 40 side, and may be composed of a liquid-permeable sheet.

[0037] The absorbent article 1 may have a main body compressed section 81 obtained by compressing at least the skin-side sheet 11 and the absorbent body 40 in the thickness direction. The main body compressed section 81 may be obtained by compressing some layers constituting the absorbent body 40, such as the absorbent sheet 45, and the skin-side sheet 11, or by compressing the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 40 in the thickness direction T and the skin-side sheet 11. The main body compressed section 81 may be formed by compressing the skin-side sheet 11, the absorbent core 41, and the absorbent sheet 45 (the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452) in the region where the absorbent core 41 and the absorbent sheet 45 overlap, or may be formed by compressing the skin-side sheet 11 and the absorbent sheet 45 (the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452) in the region where the absorbent core 41 is not disposed and only the absorbent sheet 45 is disposed.

[0038] The main body compression portion 81 may extend linearly (straight or curved) in a plan view. The main body compression portion may not only be a continuous line, but also may be a linear collection of multiple compression elements 82. The compression elements 82 may be spaced apart, and their shape may be dotted or other patterns (e.g., star or heart). The main body compression portion 81 may have a region (e.g., R85 in FIG. 1 ) formed solely by spaced-apart compression elements 82. Alternatively, the main body compression portion 81 may have a region (e.g., R86 in FIG. 1 ) formed solely by spaced-apart compression elements 82 and a linear compression portion 83 surrounding the compression elements 82.

[0039] The non-skin side sheet 20 is a sheet positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the non-skin side sheet 20 is positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40, and the non-skin side sheet 20 may have a region that is not positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40 (for example, a region positioned on the skin side of the absorbent body 40). The non-skin side sheet 20 may include a first non-skin side sheet 21 covering at least the side region R45, and a second non-skin side sheet 22 positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the first non-skin side sheet 21 and joined to the first non-skin side sheet 21 via a non-skin side joining portion 30. The non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent sheet 45 of this embodiment is formed by a first absorbent sheet 451. Therefore, the side regions R45 extending inward in the width direction W from the outer edges 45E in the width direction W on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent sheet 45 are regions extending inward in the width direction W from the outer edges 451E in the width direction W of the first absorbent sheet 451 on the non-skin side T2 surface of the first absorbent sheet 451. The first non-skin side sheet 21 covers the side regions R45 on the non-skin side T2 surface of the first absorbent sheet 451.

[0040] The first non-skin side sheet 21 may have a first region 211 covering the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent sheet 45, and a second region 212 folded back from the outer edge of the first region 211 in the width direction W toward the skin side. The first region 211 may be joined to the second non-skin side sheet 22 via a non-skin side joining section 30, and the second region 212 may be joined to the skin side surface of the skin side sheet 11 via a skin side joining section 35. The first region 211 of the first non-skin side sheet 21 may cover the side portions in the width direction W of the non-skin side surface of the absorbent body 40 without covering the center in the width direction W. Furthermore, the second region 212 of the first non-skin side sheet 21 may cover the side portions in the width direction W of the skin side T1 surface of the skin side sheet 11 without covering the center in the width direction W. The first non-skin side sheets 21 may be arranged in pairs spaced apart in the width direction W. The first non-skin side sheet 21 may be made of a hydrophobic sheet (for example, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric).

[0041] The second non-skin side sheet 22 only needs to have an area covering the non-skin side T2 surface of the first non-skin side sheet 21, and may extend outward in the width direction W beyond the outer edges of the first non-skin side sheet 21. In a configuration having wings, the second non-skin side sheet 22 may be disposed on the skin side surface of the wings 5, and preferably may be disposed so as to cover the non-skin side surface of the absorbent body 40 and straddle the wings. The second non-skin side sheets 22 may be disposed in pairs with a gap in the width direction W. The second non-skin side sheet 22 may be made of a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric or a film.

[0042] The non-skin side sheet 20 may have a third non-skin side sheet 23 arranged on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. The third non-skin side sheet 23 may be arranged across the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 and may be arranged on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1 over the entire area in a plan view of the absorbent article 1. The center of the width direction W on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent body 40 may be uncovered by either the first non-skin side sheet 21 or the second non-skin side sheet 22, but may be covered by the third non-skin side sheet 23. The third non-skin side sheet 23 may be a liquid-impermeable sheet. The liquid-impermeable sheet may be a laminated nonwoven fabric, a breathable resin film, or a sheet in which a breathable resin film is bonded to a nonwoven fabric such as a spunbond or spunlace fabric.

[0043] The non-skin-side joining portion 30 may have at least one of a crotch joining portion 31 arranged in the crotch region S3 and front and rear joining portions 32 arranged in at least one of the front region S1 and the rear region S2. The crotch joining portion 31 is a joining portion of the non-skin-side joining portion 30 arranged in the crotch region S3. The front and rear joining portions 32 are joining portions of the non-skin-side joining portion 30 arranged in at least one of the front region S1 and the rear region S2. The crotch joining portion 31 does not have to reach the outer edge of the crotch region S3, or it may reach the outer edge of the crotch region S3. Furthermore, when the crotch joining portion 31 reaches the outer edge of the crotch region S3, the crotch joining portion 31 may be continuous with the front and rear joining portions 32.

[0044] The front and rear joining portions 32 may be arranged only in the front region S1, only in the rear region S2, or in both the front and rear regions S1 and S2. In this embodiment, the front and rear joining portions 32 arranged in the front region S1 and the rear region S2 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L. The front and rear joining portions 32 may include a first front and rear joining portion 321 and a second front and rear joining portion 322 spaced apart from the first front and rear joining portion 321 in the width direction W and positioned further outward in the width direction W than the first front and rear joining portion 321. Since the first front and rear joining portion 321 and the second front and rear joining portion 322 are spaced apart in the width direction W, each joining portion can easily function independently. In this embodiment, the first front and rear joining portion 321 is continuous with the crotch joining portion 31.

[0045] The non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1 may be provided with a fastening section 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to a wearing article. The fastening section 60 is provided on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1, which in this embodiment is on the non-skin side T2 of the third non-skin side sheet 23. The fastening section 60 may include a main fastening section 61 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the skin side T1 of the wearing article S, and wing fastening sections 62 disposed on the wings 5 ​​for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the non-skin side T2 of the wearing article S. The fastening section 60 is an area provided with fastening means (e.g., adhesive) for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the wearing article. The main fastening section 61 may be provided at least in an area overlapping with the absorbent body 40. A plurality of fastening sections 60 extend in the front-rear direction L and are provided at intervals in the width direction W. In a modified example, the fastening parts 60 may extend in the width direction W and may be provided in plurality at intervals in the front-to-rear direction L. The fastening parts 60 may be covered with a packaging sheet (not shown) or a release sheet 65 that individually packages the absorbent article 1 before use.

[0046] In this embodiment, four main body fastening portions 61 are arranged on each side of the post-processing member 68. The main body fastening portion 61 includes a first main body fastening portion 611 located on the outermost side in the width direction of the main body fastening portion 61, a second main body fastening portion 612 adjacent to the first main body fastening portion 611, a third main body fastening portion 613 adjacent to the second main body fastening portion 612, and a fourth main body fastening portion 614 adjacent to the third main body fastening portion 613. The first main body fastening portion 611, the second main body fastening portion 612, the third main body fastening portion 613, and the fourth main body fastening portion 614 are arranged in this order from the outer side to the inner side in the width direction. There is a gap between each main body fastening portion. More specifically, there is a first gap G611 which is the gap between the first main body fastening portion 611 and the second main body fastening portion 612, a second gap G612 which is the gap between the second main body fastening portion 612 and the third main body fastening portion 613, and a third gap G613 which is the gap between the third main body fastening portion 613 and the fourth main body fastening portion 614.

[0047] A post-processing member 68 may be provided on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. The post-processing member 68 may have a hook member that can be joined to the skin side sheet 11 when the absorbent article 1 is folded or rolled up with the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1 facing inward, such as when disposing of the absorbent article 1. The post-processing member 68 may be arranged across the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. The main body fastening portions 61 may be arranged on both sides of the post-processing member 68 in the width direction W. The post-processing member 68 may be covered with a release sheet 65 before use.

[0048] (3) First Feature of the Absorbent Article Next, the first feature of the absorbent article will be described in detail. The absorbent article according to the first feature is configured so that the outer portions of the absorber 40 are more likely to expand when absorbing bodily fluids, making it easier for the wearer to know that the absorber 40 has absorbed bodily fluids. Absorbent articles according to the first feature are broadly divided into first to fourth features. The first to fourth features share a common configuration: the absorbent article 1 includes a front-to-rear direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T; a crotch region S3; a front region S1; a rear region S2; an absorber 40; a skin-side sheet 11; and a non-skin-side sheet 20. The absorber 40 also includes an absorbent sheet 45. The non-skin-side sheet 20 also includes a first non-skin-side sheet 21 and a second non-skin-side sheet 22 covering the side regions R45. The non-skin side joining portion 30 joining the first non-skin side sheet 21 and the second non-skin side sheet 22 has a crotch joining portion 31 .

[0049] Next, each embodiment will be described. In the absorbent article 1 of the first embodiment, the side regions R45 are provided on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40. That is, an absorbent sheet 45 is disposed on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40. Because the side regions R45 are provided on the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40, the absorbent sheet 45 is disposed in a region extending in the width direction W from the outer edge of the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40. Therefore, in the region extending in the width direction W from the outer edge 40E of the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40, the absorbent sheet 45 is likely to swell toward the non-skin side T2 when absorbing bodily fluids, thereby making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity of the absorbent sheet 45. The region extending inward in the width direction W from the outer edge in the width direction W of the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorber 40 is located on the outer side of the absorber 40 and is likely to come into contact with the wearer's legs when worn.

[0050] In the absorbent article 1 of the first embodiment, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 arranged in the side region R45 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. In the crotch region S3, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 constituting the non-skin-side surface of the absorber 40 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. In the region outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31, the first non-skin-side sheet 21 and the absorbent sheet 45 tend to rise toward the skin side T1 from the crotch joint 31, making it easier for the absorbent sheet 45 to expand toward the non-skin side T2 when absorbing bodily fluids. Furthermore, as the first non-skin-side sheet 21 and the absorbent sheet 45 rise toward the skin from the crotch joint 31, the expanded absorbent sheet 45 tends to come into contact with the wearer's legs.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a cross-section based on the enlarged view shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the absorbent sheet 45 of the absorbent article 1 attached to the worn article S has not absorbed any body fluid. Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the absorbent sheet 45 of the absorbent article 1 attached to the worn article S has absorbed body fluid. Fig. 8(c) is a diagram showing a state in which the absorbent article 1, with the absorbent sheet 45 having absorbed body fluid, is pressed inward in the width direction W. As shown in Fig. 8, when pressed by the legs, the first region 211 of the first non-skin-side sheet 21 and the first absorbent sheet 451 deform starting from the crotch joint 31, and the legs tend to come into contact with the gap between the first non-skin-side sheet 21 and the second non-skin-side sheet 22. At this time, the non-skin-side surface T2 of the first absorbent sheet 451 comes into contact with the legs via the first non-skin-side sheet 21, and the sensation of the swollen absorbent sheet 45 is easily transmitted to the legs. This makes it easier for the wearer to know that the absorbent body 40 has absorbed bodily fluids.

[0052] In addition, the absorbent sheet 45 constituting the side region R45 may be the absorbent sheet when the absorbent sheet is in a single-layer form, or may be the absorbent sheet located on the non-skin side T2 (first absorbent sheet 451 in this embodiment) when the absorbent sheet has multiple absorbent sheets, or may be the absorbent sheet located on the skin side T2 (first absorbent sheet 451 in this embodiment) when the outer edge of the absorbent sheet located on the skin side (second absorbent sheet 452 in this embodiment) is located outside the outer edge of the absorbent sheet located on the non-skin side T2 (first absorbent sheet 451) when the absorbent sheet located on the skin side is located outside the outer edge of the absorbent sheet located on the non-skin side T2 (first absorbent sheet 451) when the absorbent sheet 45 arranged in the side region R45 is located on the skin side.

[0053] The absorbent article 1 of the second embodiment includes a main body compression section 81 and an absorbent core 41. In the absorbent article 1 of the second embodiment, the outer edge 81E of the main body compression section 81 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and inward in the width direction W from the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. In the absorbent article 1 of the second embodiment, the outer edge of the absorbent sheet in the width direction W is located outward from the outer edge of the crotch joint 31. Note that in the second to fourth embodiments, the absorbent sheet located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31 is not limited to the absorbent sheet (first absorbent sheet 451) that constitutes the side region R45, but may be an absorbent sheet (second absorbent sheet 452) that does not constitute the side region R45. In other words, another layer that constitutes the absorbent body 40, such as an absorbent sheet, may be disposed closer to the non-skin side T2 than the second non-skin side sheet 22.

[0054] Furthermore, the relationship between the outer edge 81E of the main body compression portion 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is such that, in at least a portion of the region, the outer edge 81E of the main body compression portion 81 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, but preferably, within the region extending in the width direction W from the crotch joint 31, there is a portion where the outer edge 81E of the main body compression portion 81 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. Within the region extending in the width direction W from the crotch joint 31, there is a portion where the outer edge 81E of the main body compression portion 81 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, and there may be a portion where the outer edge 81E of the main body compression portion 81 is located further inward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41.

[0055] The outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31 and further outward in the width direction W than the main compression section 81. The outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is likely to rise toward the skin from the main compression section 81 and from the crotch joint 31. This allows the absorbent sheet 45 to expand more easily on the non-skin side T2 when absorbing bodily fluids, making it easier for the expanded absorbent sheet 45 to come into contact with the wearer's legs. The central portion of the absorber in the width direction allows the wearer to experience the absorbency of bodily fluids, while the sides of the absorber make it easier for the wearer to be informed of the risk of bodily fluid leakage. The expanded absorbent sheet 45 touching the wearer's legs allows the wearer to easily know when to replace the absorbent article 1. Furthermore, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. An absorbent sheet 45 is disposed on the outer side of the absorber 40, and no absorbent core 41 is disposed thereon. Therefore, the outer side of the absorber 40 is more likely to expand due to swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. The expanded absorbent sheet 45 comes into contact with the wearer's legs, making it easier for the wearer to know that the absorber 40 has absorbed bodily fluids.

[0056] The absorbent article 1 of the third embodiment further includes wings 5, and the second non-skin side sheet 22 covers the side regions R45 on the non-skin side T2 closer to the first non-skin side sheet 21 and is disposed across the wings 5. Similarly to the absorbent article 1 of the second embodiment, the absorbent article 1 of the third embodiment has an outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 located outward in the width direction W from an outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. The outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 tends to rise toward the skin side T1 from the crotch joint 31. As shown in Fig. 8 , when the wings 5 ​​are folded over onto the non-skin side T2 of the worn article S during wear, the second non-skin side sheet 22 is disposed across from the area folded over onto the non-skin side T2 of the worn article S to the area covering the non-skin side surface of the absorber 40. When the first non-skin-side sheet 21 rises relative to the second non-skin-side sheet 22, starting from the crotch joint 31, the outer portions of the absorber 40 also rise. In the region extending from the crotch joint 31 in the width direction W, the absorbent sheet 45 is more likely to expand when absorbing bodily fluids, making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity of the absorbent sheet 45. Furthermore, because the absorbent sheet 45 rises toward the skin starting from the crotch joint 31, when the side portions of the absorber 40 in the width direction W come into contact with the wearer's legs, the expanded absorbent sheet 45 more easily makes contact, allowing the wearer to easily know when it is time to replace the absorbent article 1.

[0057] The absorbent article 1 of the fourth embodiment has a main fastening portion 61 and an absorbent core 41. In the absorbent article 1 of the fourth embodiment, the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 is located outward from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and inward from the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. In the absorbent article 1 of the fourth embodiment, similar to the absorbent articles 1 of the second and third embodiments, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. In an embodiment in which a plurality of main fastening portions 61 are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, the outer edge of the main fastening portion 61 is the outer edge of the main fastening portion 61 located furthest outward in the width direction W. Note that the wing fastening portions 62 are not fastening portions that fasten the absorbent article 1 to the skin side T1 of the wearing article S, and therefore do not constitute the main fastening portion 61.

[0058] The outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31, further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 61E of the main body fastening portion 61, and further outward than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. The outer edge of the absorbent sheet tends to rise toward the skin starting from the crotch joint 31. In addition, the outer edge of the absorbent sheet is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorbent core 41, and the absorbent sheet 45 is arranged on the outer side of the absorber 40, but the absorbent core 41 is not arranged on it. Therefore, the outer side of the absorber 40 is more likely to expand due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. Furthermore, because the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is located outboard of the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 in the width direction W, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is not fixed to the wearing article S and is prone to swell toward the wearing article S (the non-skin side T2) due to swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. This allows the absorbent sheet 45 to swell more toward the non-skin side T2 when absorbing bodily fluids, making it easier for the swelled absorbent sheet 45 to come into contact with the wearer's legs, allowing the wearer to easily know when to replace the absorbent article 1. Furthermore, the swelled absorbent sheet 45 coming into contact with the wearer's legs more easily notifies the wearer that the absorber 40 has absorbed bodily fluids. Furthermore, because the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion is located outboard of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, the area where a relatively low-rigidity absorbent sheet is located (the area outboard of the absorbent core in the width direction) can be fixed to the wearing article. This prevents the absorbent sheet from moving and coming into contact with the absorbent core, thereby preventing the absorbent from twisting.

[0059] Although the characteristic configurations of each of the first to fourth embodiments have been described above, each embodiment may also include other configurations. For example, the absorbent article 1 according to the first embodiment may include the configuration of the second embodiment, and configurations of other embodiments may be adopted as appropriate. Next, preferred configurations that can be adopted in the first to fourth embodiments will be described. The following preferred configurations can be adopted in any of the embodiments.

[0060] The first non-skin-side sheet 21 may have a first region 211 and a second region 212. The second region 212 of the first non-skin-side sheet 21 may be joined to the skin-side surface T1 of the skin-side sheet 11 via the skin-side joint 35. Because the first non-skin-side sheet 21 can cover the outer side of the absorbent body 40, the entire absorbent body 40 in the thickness direction T is more likely to rise when rising toward the skin side from the crotch joint 31. This makes it easier for the absorbent body 40, which has absorbed bodily fluids, to come into contact with the legs, allowing the wearer to more easily know when to replace the absorbent article 1. Furthermore, because the first non-skin-side sheet 21 can cover the outer side of the absorbent body 40, the absorbent body 40 can more easily maintain its shape even when the absorbent sheet 45 swells. This allows the absorbent body 40 to continue absorbing bodily fluids and makes it easier for the absorbent body 40 to remain in contact with the body even when pressed by the body.

[0061] The skin-side joining portion 35 may join only the skin-side sheet 11 and the second region 212 among the skin-side sheet 11, the second region 212, and the absorbent sheet 45. In other words, the skin-side joining portion 35 does not need to join the absorbent sheet together with the skin-side sheet 11 and the second region 212. Because the skin-side joining portion 35 does not join the absorbent sheet 45, it is possible to prevent the presence of the skin-side joining portion from hindering the expansion of the absorbent sheet in the thickness direction.

[0062] In the width direction W, the outer edges 32E of the front and rear joints 32 may be located outward of the outer edges 31E of the crotch joints 31. In other words, the outer edges of the non-skin-side joints 30 in the front region S1 may be located outward in the width direction W of the outer edges of the non-skin-side joints 30 in the crotch region S3. Alternatively, the outer edges of the non-skin-side joints 30 in the rear region S2 may be located outward in the width direction W of the outer edges of the non-skin-side joints 30 in the crotch region S3. With this configuration, the outer edges of the crotch joints 31 are located relatively inward, ensuring a swelling area for the absorbent sheet in the crotch region S3, and the outer edges of the front and rear joints 32 are located relatively outward, ensuring a planar area for the absorbent body 40 in the front region S1 or the rear region S2, allowing body fluids to be absorbed over a wide range in the width direction W and suppressing side leakage.

[0063] In the width direction W, the outer edges 32E of the front and rear joining portions 32 may be located outboard of the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. According to this configuration, in at least one of the front region S1 and the rear region S2, the front and rear joining portions 32 located outboard of the absorbent sheet 45 in the width direction W prevent the regions outboard of the absorbent sheet 45 in the width direction W from rising too much. Therefore, even if the front region S1 and the rear region S2 are deformed due to leg movement or the like, the length of the absorbent sheet 45 in the width direction W at its outer end in the front and rear direction L can be ensured. Therefore, while the outer portions of the absorbent sheet 45 can be raised toward the skin side T1 in the crotch region S3, the length of the absorbent sheet 45 in the width direction W can be ensured in the front region S1 and the rear region S2, achieving both body conformability and body coverage. In this embodiment, the outer edges 32E of the front and rear joining portions 32 are defined by the outer edges of the second front and rear joining portions 322.

[0064] In the width direction W, the outer edges 32E of the front and rear joining portions 32 may be located outboard of the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45, and the inner edges 32I of the front and rear joining portions 32 may be located inboard of the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. With this configuration, the outer edges 32E and inner edges 32I of the front and rear joining portions 32 straddle the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45, preventing the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 from rising up, thereby ensuring the length of the absorbent sheet 45 in the width direction W in at least one of the front region S1 and the rear region S2. In the front region S1 located near the leg openings, a gap is likely to form between the body and the absorbent article 1, which can lead to leakage. In addition, in the rear region S2 located near the buttocks, leg movement can cause significant movement of the buttocks, which can create a gap between the body and the absorbent article 1, which can lead to leakage. However, the length of the absorbent sheet in the width direction W can be secured in at least one of the front and rear regions, thereby suppressing leakage. In this embodiment, the inner edge 32I of the front and rear joining portion 32 is formed by the inner edge of the first front and rear joining portion 321.

[0065] The outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 may overlap the front-rear joining portion 32. In this embodiment, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 overlaps the second front-rear joining portion 322. That is, the outer edge of the second front-rear joining portion 322 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45, and the inner edge of the second front-rear joining portion 322 is located inward in the width direction W from the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. This configuration can further prevent the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 from rising too high in the front region or the rear region.

[0066] In a modified example, in the width direction W, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 may be positioned outward from the outer edge of the first front and rear joining portion 321 and inward from the outer edge of the second front and rear joining portion 322. Because the second front and rear joining portion 322, which is located inward from the outer edge of the absorbent sheet, and the first front and rear joining portion 321 are spaced apart in the width direction, the spaced apart portion does not inhibit swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44, and the swelled absorbent sheet can easily come into contact with the wearer's legs.

[0067] In the width direction W, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. According to this configuration, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is located more outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. The absorbent sheet 45 is arranged on the outer side of the absorber 40, and the absorbent core 41 is not arranged thereon. Therefore, the outer side of the absorber 40 is more likely to expand due to the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. The expanded absorbent sheet comes into contact with the wearer's legs, making it easier for the wearer to know that the absorber 40 has absorbed bodily fluids.

[0068] Preferably, the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the first absorbent sheet 451 and more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the second absorbent sheet 452. With this configuration, both the outer portions of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 are more likely to expand due to swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. Also, preferably, at the position of the maximum width of the absorbent core 41, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. The absorbent sheet 45 is disposed more outward in the width direction W than the absorbent core 41 across the entire area of ​​the absorbent core 41 in the front-rear direction L, and an area where the absorbent core 41 is not disposed is provided. This makes it easier for the outer portions of the absorbent sheet 45 to expand.

[0069] In the width direction W, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. The region outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31 is likely to swell due to the absorbent sheet 45 and rise toward the skin side T1. The absorbent core 41 is located more inward than the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. The region likely to swell due to the absorbent sheet 45 and rise toward the skin side T1 is separated from the absorbent core 41. Therefore, the outer portion of the absorber 40 can deform to rise toward the skin side T1, while the region where the absorbent core 41 is located can maintain a flat shape that conforms to the body without being affected by the rising deformation. Preferably, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the inner edge of the crotch joint 31. More preferably, at the position of the widest width of the absorbent core 41, the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the inner edge of the crotch joint 31. Also, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward in the width direction than the outer edge of the front and rear joint 32 (in this embodiment, the outer edge of the second front and rear joint). Furthermore, at the position of the widest width of the absorbent core 41, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward in the width direction than the outer edge of the second front and rear joint 322, and preferably may be located more inward than the inner edge of the second front and rear joint 322 and more outward in the width direction than the outer edge of the first front and rear joint 321.

[0070] In the width direction W, the inner edge 5I of the wing 5 may be located outward of the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. The inner edge 5I of the wing 5 is the base of the wing 5 and the part that is narrowed most inward in the width direction W. The second non-skin side sheet 22 constituting the wing 5 is folded back toward the non-skin side T2 of the worn article S, starting from the inner edge 5I of the wing 5. The second non-skin side sheet 22 is pulled toward the non-skin side T2 and outward in the width direction W, starting from the inner edge 5I of the wing 5, which is located outward in the width direction W of the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. As a result, the outer parts of the first non-skin side sheet 21 and the absorbent sheet 45 are more likely to rise toward the skin side T1, starting from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31.

[0071] The inner edges 5I of the wings 5 ​​may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. When the second non-skin side sheet 22 is pulled toward the non-skin side T2 and outward in the width direction W, using the inner edges 5I of the wings 5 ​​as a base point, the outer edges 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 are more likely to rise up toward the skin side T1. Furthermore, the inner edges 5I of the wings 5 ​​may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edges of the first non-skin side sheet 21 (in this embodiment, the fold that forms the boundary between the second region 212 and the first region 211). When the second non-skin side sheet 22 is pulled toward the non-skin side T2 and outward in the width direction W, using the inner edges 5I of the wing 5 as a base point, the absorbent sheet and the first non-skin side sheet 21 are more likely to rise up toward the skin side T1.

[0072] In the width direction W, the outer edge 61E of the main body fastening part 61 may be located outward of the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. Because the outer edge 61E of the main body fastening part 61 is located outward in the width direction W of the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45, the area overlapping with the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is fixed to the wearing article S by the main body fastening part 61. Because the area fixed to the wearing article S by the main body fastening part 61 is stabilized, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 is more likely to rise toward the skin side T1.

[0073] The outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31. The area outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31 is fixed to the wearing article S by the main fastening portion 61. This makes it easier for the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45 to rise up from the outer edge 31E of the crotch joint 31 as a base point. Furthermore, the outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the first non-skin side sheet 21. This makes it easier for the outer edge of the first non-skin side sheet 21 to rise up toward the skin. The outer edge 61E of the main fastening portion 61 may be located inward in the width direction from the outer edge 32E of the front and rear joints 32.

[0074] In the width direction W, the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be offset. Because the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 are offset, only one absorbent sheet is arranged in the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45, rather than two absorbent sheets 45. By arranging only one absorbent sheet in the outer portion of the absorbent sheet, the thickness can be reduced and the rigidity can be reduced. This makes the outer portion of the absorbent sheet more flexible, contributing to reduced discomfort, and also allows the corresponding area to expand more easily when absorbing bodily fluids, thereby utilizing the absorption capacity. Preferably, the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 may be positioned more outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452. The outer portion of the first absorbent sheet 451 located on the non-skin side T2 is more likely to expand, and the first absorbent sheet 451 comes into contact with the first non-skin side sheet 21, making it easier for the user to recognize that bodily fluid has been absorbed. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 are misaligned, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet extending outward in the width direction W (in this embodiment, the first absorbent sheet 451) may preferably be higher than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet not extending outward in the width direction W (in this embodiment, the second absorbent sheet 452). This makes it easier for the absorbent sheet extending outward in the width direction W at the outer portion of the absorbent body to expand.

[0075] In the width direction W, the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45 may be located further outward than the outer edge of the auxiliary sheet 25. Because the auxiliary sheet 25 does not cover the skin side of the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45, the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45 is more likely to swell not only on the non-skin side T2 but also on the skin side T1. The outer edge of the auxiliary sheet 25 may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 at the position of its maximum width. The auxiliary sheet draws in body fluids over the entire width direction W of the absorbent core 41, and the body fluid drawn in by the auxiliary sheet can be retained by the absorbent core 41.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4 , the absorbent article 1 may have three equal regions in the width direction W, each of which divides the sheet placement area where the absorbent sheet 45 is placed. The sheet placement area includes not only the area where the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 overlap, but also an area where only the first absorbent sheet 451 is placed and an area where only the second absorbent sheet 452 is placed. The three equal regions include a central region RC located at the center of the width direction W and outer regions RS located on both sides of the central region RC in the width direction W. The weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 to the absorbent material in the central region RC may be lower than the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 to the absorbent material in the outer regions RS. The weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 to the absorbent material can be calculated by the weight of the superabsorbent polymer 44 / the weight of the absorbent material when no body fluid is absorbed. Body fluid is likely to be first guided to the central region RC, which is positioned opposite the excretory opening. Because the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 in the central region RC is low, blocking caused by the superabsorbent polymer 44 absorbing body fluids is suppressed, and body fluids guided to the central region RC can be absorbed in the central region RC while being guided to the surrounding outer regions RS. Because the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer 44 in the outer regions RS is high, body fluids guided to the outer regions RS can be absorbed. By absorbing body fluids while guiding them laterally in the width direction W within the absorbent body 40, it is possible to ensure both the absorption capacity of body fluids and improve the absorption speed.

[0077] The first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 each include a superabsorbent polymer 44 and a sheet 48 covering the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer 44. The sheet 48 covering the skin side of the superabsorbent polymer and the sheet 48 covering the non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer may be joined by a sheet compressing unit 46 that compresses the sheets 48 in the thickness direction without using an adhesive. By joining the sheets of the absorbent sheet together using the sheet compressing unit 46, the sheets 48 are more easily separated than when the sheets are joined together using an adhesive, and it is possible to prevent the joining of the sheets 48 from inhibiting the swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44. The sheet compressing unit 46 may include a first sheet compressing unit 461 that joins the sheets of the first absorbent sheet 451 together and a second sheet compressing unit 462 that joins the sheets of the second absorbent sheet 452 together.

[0078] 7, a plurality of sheet compressing sections 46 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. According to this aspect, the sheet compressing sections 46 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W, and the sheets are not joined locally by the sheet compressing sections 46, which makes it easier for the superabsorbent polymer 44 to expand over the entire absorbent sheet 45 in a plan view. The sheet compressing sections 46 may be arranged in a staggered pattern as in this embodiment, or may be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L, or may be arranged at intervals in the width direction W.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 9 , a non-overlapping region NR may be provided where the first sheet compressing portion 461 and the second sheet compressing portion 462 do not overlap in the thickness direction T. The non-overlapping region NR includes a region where the first sheet compressing portion 461 overlaps with a portion of the second absorbent sheet 452 other than the second sheet compressing portion, a region where the second sheet compressing portion 462 overlaps with a portion of the first absorbent sheet 451 other than the first sheet compressing portion, and a region where a portion of the first absorbent sheet 451 other than the first sheet compressing portion and a portion of the second absorbent sheet 452 other than the second sheet compressing portion. In other words, the non-overlapping region NR is a region other than the portion where the first sheet compressing portion 461 and the second sheet compressing portion 462 overlap. In the region where the sheet compressing portions 46 overlap, stiffness is locally increased, which may cause unintended deformation or discomfort from that point. However, by providing non-overlapping areas, it is possible to prevent localized increases in rigidity, prevent unintended deformations based on areas of high rigidity, and prevent discomfort caused by areas of high rigidity.

[0080] The area ratio of the non-overlapping region NR to the sheet placement region in a plan view of the absorbent article 1 may be 10% or more and less than 50%. Because the area ratio of the non-overlapping region NR to the sheet placement region is 10% or more, the region where the sheet compression portions do not overlap accounts for 10% or more of the entire sheet placement region, thereby increasing the flexibility of the absorbent sheet and improving its ability to conform to the body. Furthermore, because the area ratio of the non-overlapping region to the sheet placement region is less than 50%, the region where any of the sheet compression portions is formed accounts for 50% or more of the entire sheet placement region, thereby maintaining the bond between the sheets. Furthermore, the area ratio of the region where the first sheet compression portion and the second sheet compression portion overlap to the sheet placement region may be less than 20%, preferably less than 10%. Reducing the ratio of the region where the sheet compression portions overlap and become locally rigid increases the flexibility of the absorbent sheet and improves its ability to conform to the body.

[0081] (4) Second Feature of the Absorbent Article Next, the second feature of the absorbent article will be described in detail. The absorbent article 1 according to the second feature is configured so that the entire absorber 40 can conform to the body and can diffuse body fluids throughout the absorber 40, thereby optimizing its absorption capacity. The absorbent article 1 according to the second feature can be broadly divided into fifth and sixth features. The fifth and sixth features share a common configuration in which the absorbent article 1 includes a front-to-back direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T, a crotch region S3, front regions S1, and a rear region S2, an absorber 40, a skin-side sheet 11, and a main body compression section 81. The absorber 40 also includes an absorbent core 41 and an auxiliary absorbent layer.

[0082] As a common configuration, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is located inside the outer edge of the auxiliary absorbent layer in the width direction W. The absorbent core 41 straddles the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and is positioned opposite the excretory opening. The cellulosic fibers contained in the absorbent core ensure instantaneous absorbency (absorption speed) for menstrual blood and bodily fluids. Furthermore, since the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is located inside the outer edge of the auxiliary absorbent layer, when a large amount of bodily fluid is excreted, the bodily fluid passes over the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and is guided to the auxiliary absorbent layer. The auxiliary absorbent layer can then retain the bodily fluid.

[0083] In the absorbent article 1 of the fifth embodiment, the main body compression section 81 is disposed across a stacked region R41 (see FIG. 3 ) in which the absorbent core 41 and the auxiliary absorbent layer are stacked, and an auxiliary region R42 (see FIG. 3 ) in which the absorbent core 41 is not disposed but the auxiliary absorbent layer is disposed. That is, the main body compression section 81 has a portion that straddles the outer edge of the absorbent core 41. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the main body compression section 81 straddles the stacked region R41 and the auxiliary region R42. In FIG. 1 , the portion R81 where the main body compression section 81 straddles the stacked region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 is surrounded by a two-dot chain circle.

[0084] According to the absorbent article 1 of the fifth embodiment, the main body compression section 81 is arranged across the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42, and therefore, even if the absorbent core 41 does not reach the outer portion of the absorber 40, the rigidity of the auxiliary region R42 (the region where only the auxiliary absorbent layer is arranged) is increased, deformation of the auxiliary region R42 is suppressed, and the area of ​​the absorber 40 can be secured. Furthermore, because the main body compression section 81 is arranged across the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42, force can be transmitted across both regions, and the absorber 40 can be made to conform to the body throughout the entire width direction W. By securing the area of ​​the absorber 40 and allowing the entire absorber 40 to conform to the body, bodily fluids can be dispersed throughout the entire absorber, making the most of its absorption capacity.

[0085] In the absorbent article 1 of the sixth embodiment, the distance G41 in the width direction W between the main body compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 varies in the crotch region S3. When the main body compression section 81 is located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, the distance G41 is the distance in the width direction W between the outer edge 81E of the main body compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. When the main body compression section 81 is located more outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, the distance G41 is the distance in the width direction W between the inner edge of the main body compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. When the main body compression section 81 is located both more inward and more outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, the distance G41 is the distance between the absorbent core and the main body compression section 81 closer to the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. Furthermore, the main body compression portion 81 has a distance G41 of 0 mm at the portion spanning the outer edge of the absorbent core 41.

[0086] The distance G41 does not have to change over the entire crotch region S3, and preferably changes over at least half of the range of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L. Whether the distance G41 has changed over at least half of the range of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L is determined by drawing imaginary lines that divide the crotch region into ten equal parts in the front-to-back direction, measuring the distance G41 on each imaginary line, and if the distance G41 differs by 50% or more, it is determined that the distance G41 has changed over at least half of the range of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L.

[0087] In the absorbent article of the sixth embodiment, the distance G41 between the main compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 varies in the crotch region S3. The region between the main compression section 81 and the absorbent core 41 where the distance between the main compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is long, starting from the point where the distance between the main compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is short, is prone to deformation. The region between the main compression section 81 and the absorbent core 41 where the distance between the main compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is long functions as a buffer region, absorbing the force exerted when the legs press from the outside to the inside in the width direction, and helping to maintain the shape of the absorber 40. The auxiliary absorbent layer is less rigid and more prone to deformation in the region extending outward from the absorbent core 41 than in the region overlapping with the absorbent core 41. However, the region between the main body compression portion 81 and the absorbent core 41 functions as a buffer region, suppressing deformation of the auxiliary absorbent layer and ensuring the area of ​​the absorber 40. The absorber 40 can be continuously positioned facing the body, improving the ability of the absorber 40 to conform to the body. By ensuring the area of ​​the absorber 40 and having the entire absorber 40 conform to the body, bodily fluids can be dispersed throughout the absorber 40, making the most of its absorption capacity.

[0088] The fifth and sixth embodiments may have other configurations. For example, the absorbent article 1 according to the fifth embodiment may have the configuration of the sixth embodiment, and configurations of other embodiments may be adopted as appropriate. For example, in the absorbent article 1 according to the sixth embodiment, the main body compression section 81 may be disposed across the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42, as in the absorbent article according to the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, in the absorbent article according to the fifth embodiment, the widthwise distance between the main body compression section 81 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may vary in the crotch region S3. Next, preferred configurations that can be adopted in the fifth and sixth embodiments will be described. The following preferred configurations can be adopted in either embodiment.

[0089] In the absorbent article according to the second aspect, the absorbent body 40 does not need to have the "absorbent sheet" defined in the present invention. More specifically, the absorbent body 40 may have a so-called SAP sheet other than the "absorbent sheet" defined in the present invention. However, preferably, in the absorbent article according to the third aspect, the absorbent body 40 may have an absorbent sheet 45. In a configuration in which the absorbent body 40 has the absorbent sheet 45, the auxiliary absorbent layer may be composed of the absorbent sheet 45. The absorbent sheet 45 constituting the auxiliary absorbent layer has a superabsorbent polymer 44 sandwiched between sheets 48 and is less likely to deform than an auxiliary absorbent layer made of a single nonwoven fabric. This ensures a sufficient area for the absorbent body 40, making it easier to maintain it in contact with the body. Because the auxiliary absorbent layer contains a superabsorbent polymer, the absorbent body can be made relatively thin while maintaining its absorption capacity. This improves its ability to conform to the body. By ensuring the sufficient area of ​​the absorbent body 40 and allowing the entire absorbent body 40 to conform to the body, bodily fluids can be dispersed throughout the absorbent body 40, making the most of its absorption capacity.

[0090] The auxiliary absorbent layer of this embodiment includes a first absorbent sheet 451 and a second absorbent sheet 452 sandwiching the absorbent core 41 in the thickness direction T. This configuration allows the multiple absorbent sheets 45 to further increase the absorption capacity of the absorber 40, thereby ensuring the absorbent capacity and reducing the thickness of the absorber 40, thereby improving the absorber's conformability. In another embodiment, the absorbent sheet 45 may include only the first absorbent sheet 451, and may not be disposed on the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 41. This configuration prevents the superabsorbent polymer 44 from being exposed to the skin side, even if the skin side sheet 11 is unintentionally torn, such as during the formation of the main body compression section 81. Alternatively, the absorbent sheet 45 may include only the second absorbent sheet 452, and may not be disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 41. The absorbent sheet 45 positioned closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent core 41 prevents bodily fluids from rewetting. In addition, on either the skin side T1 or the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 41 where the absorbent sheet is not placed, a sheet such as tissue or non-woven fabric may be placed, or no sheet may be placed at all.

[0091] The sheet 48 covering the skin side of the superabsorbent polymer 44 and the sheet 48 covering the non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer 44 may be joined by a sheet compressing section 46 that compresses the sheets 48 in the thickness direction T. By joining the sheets 48 of the absorbent sheet 45 together by the sheet compressing section 46, the sheet compressing section 46 becomes a deformation base point, allowing the absorbent sheet 45 to flexibly deform, and further improving the ability of the absorber 40 to conform to the body. The sheet compressing section 46 may have a first sheet compressing section 461 that joins the sheets of the first absorbent sheet 451 together, and a second sheet compressing section 462 that joins the sheets of the second absorbent sheet 452 together.

[0092] The area ratio of the sheet compression portions 46 to the total area of ​​the absorbent body 40 may be higher than the area ratio of the main compression portions 81 to the total area of ​​the absorbent body 40. In a configuration having multiple absorbent sheets, each of which is provided with a sheet compression portion, as in the present embodiment, it is sufficient to satisfy either the area ratio of the first sheet compression portions 461 being higher than the area ratio of the main compression portions 81, or the area ratio of the second sheet compression portions 462 being higher than the area ratio of the main compression portions 81. With this configuration, the high area ratio of the sheet compression portions 46 in the auxiliary absorbent layer increases the rigidity of the region where the auxiliary absorbent layer is disposed, thereby improving the absorbent body 40's conformability to the body while ensuring the absorbent body 40's area. By ensuring the absorbent body 40's area and allowing the entire absorbent body 40 to conform to the body, bodily fluids can be dispersed throughout the absorbent body 40, making the most of its absorption capacity. Because the area ratio of the main compression portions 81 is low, the area of ​​the main compression portions 81 that directly contact the skin is small, reducing discomfort during wear.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of sheet compressing portions 46 may be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. According to this aspect, the sheet compressing portions 46 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W, and the sheet compressing portions 46 increase the rigidity of the region where the auxiliary absorbent layer is arranged, thereby improving the conformability to the body while ensuring the area of ​​the absorbent body. The sheet compressing portions 46 may be arranged in a staggered pattern as in this embodiment, or may be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L, or may be arranged at intervals in the width direction W. By providing a plurality of sheet compressing portions 46 that serve as deformation base points at intervals, the absorbent body 40 can more flexibly deform via the plurality of deformation base points, thereby further improving the conformability of the absorbent body 40.

[0094] The main body compression section 81 may be composed of a collection of compression components 82 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L and the width direction W when viewed from above the absorbent body 40. The maximum dimension of the sheet compression section 46 when viewed from above the absorbent body 40 may be larger than the maximum dimension of the compression components 82. The maximum dimensions of the compression components 82 and the sheet compression section 46 are maximum dimensions when viewed from above. Measurements are taken at five locations on the sample, and the average value is used. The main body compression section 81 is provided on the skin-side sheet 11 and is therefore easily in contact with the skin. Because the maximum dimension of the compression components 82 is relatively small, discomfort caused by the main body compression section 81 coming into direct contact with the skin can be reduced. On the other hand, because the maximum dimension of the sheet compression section 46 is relatively large, the sheet compression section 46 increases the rigidity of the area where the absorbent sheet 45 is located without the absorbent core 41, making it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent body 40 and ensuring a sufficient surface area for the absorbent body 40. The absorber 40 can be continuously positioned facing the body, thereby improving the ability of the absorber 40 to conform to the body. By ensuring the area of ​​the absorber 40 and allowing the entire absorber 40 to conform to the body, bodily fluids can be dispersed throughout the absorber 40, making the most of its absorption capacity.

[0095] In a modified example, the maximum dimension of the sheet compressing portions 46 in a plan view of the absorbent body 40 may be smaller than the maximum dimension of the compressing components 82. With this configuration, the relatively large maximum dimension of the compressing components 82 maintains the shape of the main body compressing portions 81, making it easier to achieve the effects of diffusing bodily fluids across the entire width direction W of the absorbent body 40 and transmitting force across the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42. Furthermore, the relatively small maximum dimension of the sheet compressing portions 46 suppresses the influence of the sheet compressing portions 46 when the superabsorbent polymer 44 swells, making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer 44 to swell across the entire absorbent sheet 45 in a plan view, thereby making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0096] In a plan view of the absorbent body 40, the shortest distance between the sheet compression units 46 may be longer than the shortest distance between the compression units 82. Because the shortest distance between the compression units 82 is relatively short, multiple compression units 82 function as integral parts of the absorbent body 40, functioning as deformation base points for the absorbent body 40 and enabling the absorbent article to deform in an intended manner. Furthermore, because multiple compression units function as integral parts, it is easier to achieve the effects of diffusing bodily fluids across the entire width direction W of the absorbent body 40 and the effects of transmitting force across the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42. The regions between the sheet compression units 46 are regions not pressed by the sheet compression units 46, have relatively large interfacial voids in the sheets 48, and are regions where the superabsorbent polymer 44 is likely to swell. Because the shortest distance between the sheet compression units 46 is relatively long, the superabsorbent polymer 44 is likely to swell, making it easier to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0097] The main body compressed portion 81 straddles the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and has an outer compressed portion 811 located widthwise outward of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, and an inner compressed portion 812 located widthwise inward of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. The portion where the outer compressed portion 811 and the inner compressed portion 812 are connected is the portion straddling the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42. The portion straddling the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 may be a region R85 ​​constituted only by compressed components 82 arranged at intervals, but is preferably a region R86 constituted by compressed components 82 and linear compressed portions 83. Region R86, which is composed of the compression component 82 and the linear compression component 83, has both the compression component 82 and the linear compression component 83, and can further enhance the effect of increasing the rigidity of the auxiliary region R42 and the effect of being able to transmit force across the stacked region R41 and the auxiliary region R42.

[0098] The main body compression section 81 may include an outer compression section 811 and an inner compression section 812 in the crotch region S3. The crotch region S3 is susceptible to inward force in the width direction from the legs, etc. With this configuration, the outer compression section 811 can receive the force before it is applied to the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby suppressing deformation of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. Furthermore, the inner compression section 812 suppresses deformation of the absorbent core 41, making it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41 and make better use of its absorption capacity.

[0099] The main body compression section 81 may also be provided with outer compression sections 811 and inner compression sections 812 in regions other than the crotch region S3 (the front region S1 and the rear region S2). This can further suppress deformation of the absorbent core 41 in the front region S1 and the rear region S2. Furthermore, the portion R81 of the main body compression section 81 spanning the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 only needs to be provided in at least the crotch region S3, but may also be provided in each of the crotch region S3, the front region S1, and the rear region S2. This ensures the area of ​​the absorbent body 40 over the entire front-to-rear direction of the absorbent body 40, thereby optimizing its absorption capacity.

[0100] The main body compression portions 81 may be disposed across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3 and the front region S1. The number of locations (R81) across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the front region S1 may be greater than the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3. According to this embodiment, the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3 is small, which suppresses deformation of the absorbent body 40 in the crotch region S3 while also suppressing discomfort caused by excessive rigidity in the crotch region S3. Furthermore, the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the front region S1 is large, which makes it easier to maintain the widthwise length of the absorbent body 40 in the front region S1 and allows the absorbent body to fit flatly along the groin area.

[0101] The main body compression portions 81 may be disposed across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3 and the rear region S2. The number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the rear region S2 may be greater than the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3. According to this embodiment, the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the crotch region S3 is small, which suppresses deformation of the absorbent body 40 in the crotch region S3 while suppressing discomfort caused by excessive rigidity in the crotch region S3. Furthermore, the number of locations across the layered region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 in the rear region S2 is large, which maintains the shape of the absorbent body 40 in the rear region S2, which is prone to deformation due to buttock movement, and ensures the widthwise length of the absorbent body 50.

[0102] The portions R81 of the main body compression portions 81 that straddle the stacking region R41 and the auxiliary region R42 may be provided in front and behind the narrowest crotch position 41CN (see FIG. 6) in the crotch region. By locating the main body compression portions 81 that straddle the outer edges 41E of the absorbent core on the front-to-rear outer side of the narrowest crotch position 41CN, where the absorbent core is narrowest, in the crotch region that is most susceptible to leg force, it becomes easier to suppress widthwise deformation at the narrowest crotch position 41CN and make better use of the absorption capacity.

[0103] At least a portion of the main body fastening part 61 may be disposed in the auxiliary region R42. The auxiliary region R42 is fixed to the wearing article S via the main body fastening part 61. Since the region fixed to the wearing article S is stable, deformation of the auxiliary region R42 is suppressed and the area of ​​the auxiliary region R42 can be secured. The area of ​​the main body fastening part 61 disposed overlapping the auxiliary region R42 may be larger than the area of ​​the main body fastening part 61 disposed overlapping the stacked region R41. More preferably, the main body fastening part 61 may be disposed overlapping only the auxiliary region R42 without overlapping the stacked region R41. This configuration maintains the shape of the auxiliary region R42 while maintaining the flexibility of the stacked region R41, in which the absorbent core 41 is disposed and has a relatively high rigidity, allowing the entire absorber to flexibly deform and improving its conformability to the body.

[0104] At least a portion of the main body fastening portion 61 may overlap the main body compressing portion 81 arranged in the auxiliary region R42. According to this configuration, the region in the auxiliary region R42 where the main body compressing portion 81 is arranged is fixed to the wearing article S via the main body fastening portion 61. Since the region fixed to the wearing article S is stabilized, unintended deformation of the main body compressing portion 81 in the auxiliary region R42 can be suppressed. By stabilizing the shape of the main body compressing portion 81, the area of ​​the absorbent can be secured and conformability to the body can be improved.

[0105] In the width direction W, the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be offset. Because the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 are offset, only one absorbent sheet is arranged on the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45, rather than two absorbent sheets 45. By arranging only one absorbent sheet on the outer portion of the absorbent sheet, the thickness can be reduced and the rigidity can be reduced. This makes the outer portion of the absorbent sheet more flexible, which contributes to reducing discomfort, and also allows the corresponding area to expand more easily when absorbing bodily fluids, making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0106] The absorbent sheet 45 may contain superabsorbent polymer 44 and cellulosic fibers. The presence of the cellulosic fibers prevents the superabsorbent polymer from unintentionally flowing, allowing the superabsorbent polymer to be distributed across the entire absorbent sheet in a planar view. The basis weight of the cellulosic fibers in the absorbent sheet may be smaller than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent sheet. Because the basis weight of the cellulosic fibers is relatively low and the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is relatively high, the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet can be reduced while maintaining absorption capacity. Reducing the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet improves the absorbent sheet's conformance to the body and reduces discomfort when worn.

[0107] The thickness of the absorbent body 40 in the auxiliary region R42 may be less than 80% of the thickness of the absorbent body in the stacking region R41. Thickness comparisons can be made at the maximum thickness. According to this embodiment, the thickness of the outer portions of the absorbent body can be reduced. This reduces discomfort when the outer portions of the absorbent body touch the legs. Furthermore, in a configuration having an absorbent sheet as an auxiliary absorbent layer, the outer portions of the absorbent sheet are more likely to expand when absorbing bodily fluids, allowing the absorption capacity of the absorbent sheet to be utilized. The thickness of the absorbent body 40 in the auxiliary region R42 may be 2.4 mm or less, preferably 1.0 mm or less, and more preferably 0.7 mm or less. The thickness of the absorbent body 40 in the stacking region R41 may be 3.0 mm or less, preferably 1.5 mm or less. The thickness may be an average thickness, and can be calculated by freezing the absorbent article with liquid nitrogen so that the thickness of the absorbent article does not change, cutting the absorbent article at a cross section along the width direction, air-drying it for 24 hours, and then measuring the thickness of the cut surface at 5 mm intervals in the width direction, and averaging the measured values.

[0108] The non-skin side T2 of the auxiliary region R42 of the absorbent body may be covered with a hydrophobic sheet. In this embodiment, the first non-skin side sheet 21 is made of a hydrophobic sheet, and the non-skin side T2 of the auxiliary region R42 is covered with the first region 211 of the first non-skin side sheet 21. According to this configuration, covering the non-skin side T2 of the auxiliary region R42 with a hydrophobic sheet can suppress side leakage when the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the absorbent sheet 45 swells, and can also prevent the swollen superabsorbent polymer 44 from coming into contact with the wearer's legs. In addition, the skin side T1 of the auxiliary region R42 of the absorbent body 40 may also be covered with a hydrophobic sheet. In this embodiment, the skin side T1 of the auxiliary region R42 is covered with the second region 212 of the first non-skin side sheet 21. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent side leakage when the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the absorbent sheet 45 swells, and also to prevent the swollen superabsorbent polymer 44 from coming into contact with the wearer's skin.

[0109] The first non-skin side sheet 21 may be folded back at the outer edge of the absorbent body 40, covering the outer portion of the absorbent body 40 and straddling the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40. This configuration can further suppress side leakage when the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the absorbent sheet 45 swells.

[0110] The skin-side joining portion 35 may join only the skin-side sheet 11 and the second region 212 out of the skin-side sheet 11, the second region 212, and the absorbent sheet 45. In other words, the skin-side joining portion 35 does not need to join the absorbent sheet together with the skin-side sheet 11 and the second region 212. Because the skin-side joining portion 35 does not join the absorbent sheet 45, it is possible to prevent the presence of the skin-side joining portion from interfering with the expansion of the absorbent sheet in the thickness direction, and the absorption capacity can be utilized.

[0111] (5) Third Feature of the Absorbent Article Next, the third feature of the absorbent article will be described in detail. The absorbent article 1 according to the third feature is configured to improve the wearing comfort by reducing the discomfort of the absorbent article 1, and to improve the wearing comfort by providing the impression that the absorbent article 1 is thin through the feel of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent articles 1 according to the third feature are broadly categorized into seventh to ninth features. The seventh and ninth features share a common configuration in which the absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T, a crotch region S3, front side regions S1, and rear side regions S2, an absorbent core 40, and side sheets.

[0112] The side sheets 90 are arranged at least on both sides of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W. The side sheets 90 may be arranged only on the outer side of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W. The side sheets 90 arranged only on the outer side of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W may overlap the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40, or may be spaced apart from the outer edge of the absorbent body 40 and arranged on the outer side of the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W. Alternatively, the side sheets 90 may be arranged not only on the outer side of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W, but also overlap with the absorbent body 40 in the thickness direction T. In other words, the side sheets 90 may be arranged across the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W.

[0113] The side sheet 90 may be composed of only one sheet, or may have a first side sheet 91 and a second side sheet 92. The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 may be made of different materials or the same material. The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 may be made of a nonwoven fabric containing fibers. The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 may partially overlap in the thickness direction T, or may be spaced apart without overlapping. When the first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 overlap, the second side sheet 92 may be disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the first side sheet 91.

[0114] The second side sheet 92 may have an extending region R92 that forms the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1, located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91. The extending region R92 is a region of the second side sheet 92 that is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91 and that forms the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1.

[0115] The first side sheet 91 may have a skin-side folded portion 912 folded back to the skin side T1 from a side fold located outward of the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W, and a non-skin-side folded portion 911 folded back from the side fold to the non-skin side T2. The side fold forms the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91. In a configuration in which the first non-skin-side sheet 21 of the present embodiment forms the first side sheet 91, the first region 211 of the first non-skin-side sheet 21 forms the non-skin-side folded portion 911, and the second region 212 of the first non-skin-side sheet 21 forms the skin-side folded portion 912. The second side sheet 92 may have a covering region R91 that covers the non-skin-side T2 surface of the non-skin-side folded portion 911 of the first side sheet 91. The covering region R91 may be in contact with the non-skin side T2 surface of the non-skin side folded portion 911, or may overlap with another member sandwiched therebetween.

[0116] The side sheet 90 has a skin-side region that forms the skin-side surface T1 of the absorbent article 1, located outside the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 in the width direction W. The skin-side region may be provided on one side sheet, or on each of multiple side sheets. The side sheet 90 may extend across the skin-side region and a region other than the skin-side region (a region overlapping with the absorbent body).

[0117] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an arrangement pattern of the side sheets 90. Note that Fig. 10 omits components other than the side sheets 90 and the absorbent body 40. In the form shown in Fig. 10(a), the first side sheet 91 is folded back using the side fold as a base point, and has a non-skin-side folded portion 911 and a skin-side folded portion 912. The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 are arranged as a pair with a gap in the width direction W. The second side sheet 92 has a covering region R91 and an extending region R92. The covering region R91 and the extending region R92 are continuous. The region of the skin-side folded portion 912 outside the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 and the extending region R92 constitute the skin-side region. 10(a), the first side sheet 91 folded back along the side creases covers the sides of the absorbent body, and the second side sheet 92 spans the covering region R91 and the extending region R92, thereby improving resistance to leakage of bodily fluids. Furthermore, the inner edge of the second side sheet 92 is located more inward in the width direction than the outer edge of the first side sheet 91, so the inner edge of the second side sheet is less likely to come into contact with the skin, reducing discomfort.

[0118] In the configuration shown in Fig. 10(b), the first side sheet 91 is the same as in the configuration shown in Fig. 10(a). The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 are arranged as a pair with a gap in the width direction W. The second side sheet 92 does not extend outward beyond the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91 and does not have an extended region R92. The outer edge 92E of the second side sheet 92 coincides with the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91 or is located inside the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91 in the width direction W. The region of the skin-side fold 912 outside the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 constitutes the skin-side region. In the configuration shown in Fig. 10(b), the first side sheet 91 folded along the side folds covers the sides of the absorbent body, thereby improving resistance to leakage of bodily fluids.

[0119] In the configuration shown in Fig. 10(c), the first side sheet 91 is the same as the configuration shown in Fig. 10(a). The first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 are arranged as a pair with a gap in the width direction W. The second side sheet 92 does not overlap the non-skin-side folded portion 911 of the first side sheet 91 and does not have a covered region R91. The outer edge 92E of the second side sheet 92 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91. The second side sheet 92 has an extended region R92. The region of the skin-side folded portion 912 outward from the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 and the extended region R92 constitute the skin-side region. 10(c), the number of sheets in the region extending outward in the width direction from the outer edge of the absorbent body is small, so that when the wings are folded back to the side away from the skin, the thickness of the portion that comes into contact with the legs is thin, making it easier to give the impression of a thin absorbent article 1. Furthermore, the first side sheets 91 folded back along the side folds cover the sides of the absorbent body, thereby improving resistance to leakage of bodily fluids.

[0120] In the embodiment shown in Figure 10(d), the first side sheet 91 is not folded around the side fold. The first side sheet 91 is arranged to cover the entire surface of the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 40. The first side sheet 91 covers the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 40 but does not cover the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40. The second side sheet 92 has an extended region R92 located outward in the width direction from the outer edge of the first side sheet 91. Because the first side sheet 91 does not have a non-skin side folded portion, the second side sheet 92 does not have a covering region. The region of the first side sheet 91 outside the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 and the extended region R92 constitute the skin side region. 10(d), the first side sheet 91 does not cover the sides of the absorbent body, but the first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 overlap on the outer side in the width direction of the absorbent body 40 relative to the outer edge, thereby improving resistance to leakage of bodily fluids. Also, because the inner edge of the second side sheet 92 is located on the inner side in the width direction relative to the outer edge of the first side sheet 91, the inner edge of the second side sheet is less likely to come into contact with the skin, reducing discomfort.

[0121] In the configuration shown in Fig. 10(e), the first side sheet 91 is the same as the configuration shown in Fig. 10(d). Another side sheet is disposed between the first side sheet 91 and the absorbent body 40. The another side sheet covers the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40. The second side sheet 92 covers the non-skin side T2 of the another side sheet and extends outward in the width direction W beyond the first side sheet 91. Because the first side sheet 91 does not have a non-skin-side folded portion, the second side sheet 92 does not have a covering region. The second side sheet 92 extends outward in the width direction W beyond the first side sheet 91 and has an extending region R92. The region of the first side sheet 91 outside the outer edge 40E of the absorbent body 40 and the extending region R92 constitute the skin-side region. 10(e), the first side sheet 91 folded back along the side creases covers the sides of the absorbent body, and the second side sheet 92 extends outward in the width direction beyond the first side sheet 91, thereby improving resistance to leakage of bodily fluids. Furthermore, the second side sheet 92 extends inward in the width direction beyond the outer edge of the first side sheet 91, thereby reducing discomfort caused by the inner edge of the second side sheet touching the skin.

[0122] Although Figs. 10(a) to (e) exemplify the arrangement patterns of the side sheets 90 of an absorbent article according to the third feature, the arrangement pattern of the side sheets according to the third feature is not limited to the form shown in Fig. 10 . Next, the third feature will be described with reference to an absorbent article according to an embodiment. Note that the absorbent article according to the embodiment is merely an example, and the absorbent article according to the third feature can adopt other configurations, including the arrangement pattern shown in Fig. 10 . In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 9 , the first non-skin-side sheet 21 constitutes the first side sheet 91, and the second non-skin-side sheet 22 constitutes the second side sheet 92. An extended region R92 and a covered region R91 are illustrated in Fig. 3 .

[0123] Next, a seventh embodiment of the absorbent article according to the third feature will be described. In the absorbent article 1 of the seventh embodiment, the side sheet 90 has a first side sheet 91 and a second side sheet 92, and the second side sheet 92 has an extended region R92. The mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the skin-side surface T1 of the extended region R92 is lower than the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the outer surface of the first side sheet 91. The outer surface of the first side sheet 91 is the surface of the first side sheet 91 that faces outward. When the first side sheet 91 is folded around the side folds, the outer surface of the first side sheet 91 includes the skin-side surface T1, the outer surface in the width direction, and the non-skin-side surface T2. When the first side sheet covers the skin-side surface of the absorbent body, the outer surface of the first side sheet 91 is the skin-side surface. In a configuration in which the first side sheet 91 covers the non-skin side of the absorbent body 40 and can stand up using the non-skin side joint 30 as a base point, the outer surface of the first side sheet 91 is the non-skin side surface in the area widthwise outside the non-skin side joint 30.

[0124] When the wearer's legs press the absorbent article 1 inward in the width direction W, the wearer's legs rub against the skin-side surface of the extended region R92, which is located further outward in the width direction W than the first side sheet 91. At this time, because the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the skin-side surface of the extended region R92 is low, the second side sheet 92 smoothly contacts the legs, preventing bodily fluids from seeping through and reducing discomfort when contacting the legs. Furthermore, the smooth feel of the second side sheet 92 makes the wearer feel that the absorbent article 1 is more slippery than cushioned, and thus gives the impression of a thin, easily deformable absorbent article 1 that conforms to the surface, rather than a thick, cushioned absorbent article 1. Therefore, the wearer can easily get the impression of a thin absorbent article 1 based on the feel when wearing it, improving the fit.

[0125] Here, the average coefficient of friction (MIU) can be measured by the following method. Using a KES-FB4-A-AUTO (automated surface tester) manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., a 100 mm x 100 mm sample of each sheet was placed on a smooth, flat metal test table. If it was difficult to obtain a 100 mm x 100 mm sample, a sample of a size that could be obtained was cut out. Each sample was moved horizontally at a constant speed of 0.1 cm / sec in the machine direction (the direction in which the fibers are oriented) used in the manufacture of each nonwoven fabric, from 0 to 2 cm. Using a friction probe (measuring probe) with external dimensions of 5 mm x 5 mm, the average coefficient of friction within the moving section was calculated as MIU under an initial load of 50 gf. Similar measurements were performed five times for each sample, and the average was used as the MIU value for each sample.

[0126] In the absorbent article 1 of the eighth embodiment, the side sheet 90 has a first side sheet 91 and a second side sheet 92. The second side sheet 92 may have an extended region R92. The first side sheet 91 has a skin-side folded portion 912 and a non-skin-side folded portion 911. The second side sheet 92 has a covered region R91. A non-bonded region, where the non-skin-side folded portion 911 and the covered region R91 are not bonded, extends from the side fold toward the inside in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the non-bonded region is the region between the outer edge 21E of the first non-skin-side sheet 21 and the non-skin-side bonded portion 30. With this configuration, when the wearer's legs press the absorbent article 1 toward the inside in the width direction, the wearer's legs are likely to come into contact with the first side sheet 91 near the side fold. In this non-bonded region, the first side sheet is not bonded to the second side sheet and is therefore easily deformed by the pressure. The deformation of the first side sheet can reduce the discomfort felt when the legs come into contact with the outer portions of the absorbent article.

[0127] In the eighth embodiment, the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the skin-side surface T1 of the second side sheet 92 is lower than the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the outer surface of the first side sheet 91. According to this configuration, when the wearer's legs press the absorbent article inward in the width direction, the wearer's legs insert into the region between the first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 in the non-bonded region extending inward in the width direction from the side fold, and rub against the skin-side surface T1 of the covering region R91. At this time, because the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) of the skin-side surface of the second side sheet 92 is low, the second side sheet 92 smoothly contacts the legs, reducing discomfort when it contacts the legs. Furthermore, the smooth feel of the second side sheet 92 makes the wearer feel that the absorbent article 1 is more slippery than cushioned, and thus more likely to feel like a thin, easily deformed absorbent article 1 that conforms to the surface, rather than a thick, cushioned absorbent article 1. Therefore, the wearer can easily get the impression that the garment is thin from the feel when worn, and the wearing comfort can be improved.

[0128] In the absorbent article 1 of the ninth embodiment, the side sheet 90 has a skin-facing region. The skin-facing region is provided with a liquid-impermeable film layer 95 (see FIG. 10( a)). In the ninth embodiment, the side sheet 90 may have at least one of a first side sheet 91 and a second side sheet 92, and at least one of them may have a skin-facing region. The liquid-impermeable film layer 95 is provided on the skin-facing surface of the skin-facing region. The side sheet constituting the skin-facing region may be composed of only the film layer 95, or may be a laminated sheet of the film layer and another layer (e.g., a nonwoven fabric layer 96). Note that the liquid-impermeable film layer is one that does not penetrate to the non-skin-facing side within 5 minutes after removal of the relevant area from the product, when 1 ml of saline solution is dropped from a dropper at a height of 3 cm on the skin-facing side of the relevant area. Note that the drop is dropped in three different positions and measurements are taken. If a water droplet is dropped at any of the three locations and does not penetrate to the non-skin side within 5 minutes, the film layer is liquid-impermeable. The film layer does not need to have any visually visible pores. The film layer may have fine pores (e.g., pores of 20 μm or less) that are difficult to see visually. If it is not possible to determine whether or not the film layer has any visually visible pores, it may be evaluated by the mean coefficient of friction (MIU). If the mean coefficient of friction (MIU) is 0.3 or less, the film layer can be determined to have no visually visible pores.

[0129] According to this configuration, the wearer's legs or crotch area rubs against the skin-side region when worn. Because the skin-side region is made of the liquid-impermeable film layer 95, the skin-side region rubs smoothly against the legs, reducing discomfort when the skin-side region rubs against or rubs against the legs. Furthermore, the smooth feel of the skin-side region makes the wearer feel that the absorbent article is more slippery than cushioned, and gives the impression of a thin, easily deformable absorbent article that conforms to the surface, rather than a thick, cushioned absorbent article. Therefore, the feel when worn makes it easier for the wearer to get the impression that the absorbent article is thin, improving comfort.

[0130] The seventh to ninth embodiments may have other configurations. For example, the absorbent article 1 according to the seventh embodiment may have the configurations of the eighth and ninth embodiments, and configurations of other embodiments may be adopted as appropriate. Next, preferred configurations that can be adopted in the seventh to ninth embodiments will be described. The following preferred configurations can be adopted in any of the embodiments.

[0131] The second side sheet 92 may be disposed on the skin side T1 of the wing 5. When the wing 5 is folded over the non-skin side T2 of the wearing article S during wear, the second side sheet 92 is disposed to cover the skin side of the wearing article S from the area folded over the non-skin side T2 of the wearing article S. When the legs come into contact with the outer side of the wearing article S, the second side sheet 92, which is disposed around the wearing article S, is unlikely to move, and the legs slide over the second side sheet 92. At this time, the skin side T1 of the second side sheet 92 comes into contact smoothly with the skin, thereby reducing discomfort when coming into contact with the legs and providing the impression of a thin absorbent article 1 and improving wearing comfort.

[0132] The hydrophobicity of the skin-side surface T1 of the second side sheet 92 may be higher than the hydrophobicity of the outer surface of the first side sheet 91. Hydrophobicity refers to resistance to water pressure and indicates the resistance to the penetration of moisture (body fluids). When the second side sheet 92 has the extended region R92, even if body fluids diffuse beyond the first side sheet and reach the second side sheet, the relatively high hydrophobicity of the second side sheet 92 can prevent the body fluids from reaching the worn article, thereby preventing deterioration in wearing comfort due to the body fluids adhering to the worn article. Furthermore, when the second side sheet 92 has the covering region R91, even if body fluids reach the second side sheet located on the non-skin side of the first side sheet, the relatively high hydrophobicity of the second side sheet 92 can prevent the body fluids from reaching the worn article, thereby preventing deterioration in wearing comfort due to the body fluids adhering to the worn article.

[0133] The evaluation of hydrophobicity can be performed as follows. First, a sample to be measured is obtained from an absorbent article. If the sheet to be measured is joined to another member by adhesive, fusion, or the like, the adhesive force is removed from the joined portion by a method such as spraying cold air from a cold spray to an extent that does not affect the contact angle of the fibers, and then the sample is removed. After obtaining the sample to be measured, the degree of hydrophobicity is evaluated using JIS L1092A method (low water pressure method). The higher the measured value, the higher the water resistance can be evaluated.

[0134] The hydrophobicity of the skin-side T1 surface of the second side sheet 92 may be the same as or higher than the hydrophobicity of the non-skin-side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. The non-skin-side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1 may be formed of a liquid-impermeable sheet, and in this embodiment, is formed of the third non-skin-side sheet 23. Because the hydrophobicity of the skin-side T1 surface of the second side sheet 92 is the same as or higher than the hydrophobicity of the non-skin-side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1, the second side sheet 92 is less permeable to body fluids, preventing them from reaching the worn article and preventing deterioration in wearing comfort due to body fluids adhering to the worn article.

[0135] The surface roughness mean deviation (SMD) of the skin-side surface T1 of the second side sheet 92 may be lower than the surface roughness mean deviation (SMD) of the outer surface of the first side sheet 91. Because the surface roughness mean deviation (SMD) of the first side sheet 91 is high, when the first side sheet 91 comes into contact with the leg, it is more likely to come into contact at points due to the unevenness rather than at a smooth surface, thereby reducing the contact area and further reducing discomfort. On the other hand, because the surface roughness mean deviation (SMD) of the second side sheet 92 is low, when the wearer's leg slides over the skin-side surface T1 of the second side sheet 92, the second side sheet 92 comes into contact with the skin smoothly. This reduces discomfort when it comes into contact with the leg, and also gives the impression of a thin absorbent article, improving wearing comfort.

[0136] Here, the mean deviation of surface roughness (SMD) can be measured based on the characteristic value of KES manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., which is generally known as a characteristic value that represents the feel of the surface of a sheet (Reference: Standardization and Analysis of Texture Evaluation (2nd Edition), Author: Toshio Kawabata, Published July 10, 1980). Specifically, the surface characteristics are measured using a KES-FB4 manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., with each sample measuring 100 mm x 100 mm and placed on a smooth, flat metal test table. If it is difficult to obtain a 100 mm x 100 mm sample, a sample of a size that can be obtained is cut out. The mean deviation of surface roughness is measured by applying a load of 10 gf to the front (or back) surface of the sample and crimping a 0.5 cm wide contact terminal wound with 0.5 mm diameter piano wire to the sample. The sample is moved horizontally for 2 cm at a constant speed of 0.1 cm / sec, and a uniaxial tension of 10 g / cm is applied to the sample. The SMD (mean deviation of surface roughness) is calculated from the measurement results. The SMD is calculated for five samples and the average value is calculated.

[0137] The amount of fiber fuzz in the second side sheet 92 may be less than the amount of fiber fuzz in the first side sheet 91. According to this configuration, the low amount of fuzz in the second side sheet 92 reduces the wearer's perception of unpleasant irritation, such as prickly feeling, caused by fiber fuzz, and the second side sheet 92 easily contacts the legs smoothly. This reduces discomfort when contacting the legs and gives the impression of a thin absorbent article, improving comfort. "Amount of fiber fuzz" refers to the number of fuzzed fibers (fn) per unit area in a target region. To compare the amount of "amount of fiber fuzz" in each region, a friction fastness test, which is used in the industry as a method for evaluating fuzz, can be conducted to compare the amount of fiber fuzz in each region. Such a friction fastness test can be conducted as follows.

[0138] <Rubbing Fastness Test> (1) A measurement area of ​​a predetermined size (e.g., 300 mm x 150 mm) is cut out from the nonwoven fabric constituting the topsheet to obtain a measurement sample. (2) The measurement sample is fixed on the measurement stage of a dyed fabric rubbing fastness tester (manufactured by Daiei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.). (3) A 200 g weight is attached to the upper surface of the friction terminal of the dyed part rubbing fastness tester, and a cloth tape forming a friction surface is attached to the lower surface. (4) The surface of the measurement sample fixed on the measurement stage is rubbed with the friction surface of the above-mentioned friction terminal. At this time, the friction terminal is moved back and forth three times, and the range of movement (reciprocating width) of the friction terminal is 120 mm. (5) After rubbing with the friction terminal, the state of fuzz on the surface of the measurement sample is observed.

[0139] A liquid-impermeable film layer 95 may be provided on the skin side T1 of the second side sheet 92. When the wearer's legs or crotch region touch or rub against the second side sheet 92, the film layer 95 touches the legs smoothly. This reduces the discomfort felt when touching the legs, and also gives the impression of a thin absorbent article, improving the wearing comfort.

[0140] The second side sheet 92 may be composed of only the film layer 95, or may be a laminated sheet of the film layer 95 and a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric layer 96. The nonwoven fabric layer 96 is disposed closer to the non-skin side T2 than the film layer 95. By including the film layer 95 and the nonwoven fabric layer 96, the second side sheet 92 can achieve both the effect of the nonwoven fabric layer 96 flexibly deforming to reduce discomfort, and the effect of the film layer 95 to reduce liquid leakage. Furthermore, in a configuration having wings 5, the nonwoven fabric layer 96 makes it easier for the wings 5 ​​to develop creases, maintain their folded state, and make them less likely to return to their original state. By maintaining the wings 5 ​​in their folded state, the creases of the wings 5 ​​can be maintained, reducing discomfort to the legs.

[0141] The absorbent article 1 may have a backsheet disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 40 and constituting the non-skin side T2 surface of the absorbent article 1. The backsheet may be formed by the third non-skin side sheet 23 of the present embodiment. The backsheet and the second side sheet 92 may be laminated outside the side fold (the outer edge 91E of the first side sheet 91) in the width direction W. Between the side fold and the outer edge of the absorbent body 40, the skin side folded portion 912 and the non-skin side folded portion 911 may be laminated. The light transmittance of the region where the backsheet and the second side sheet 92 are laminated may be higher than the light transmittance of the region where the skin side folded portion 912 and the non-skin side folded portion 911 are laminated. According to this configuration, the region where the backsheet and the second side sheet are laminated has high light transmittance and is easily see-through. The wearer feels that the region where the backsheet and the second side sheet are laminated is thin, flexible, easily deformed, and gentle on the skin. On the other hand, the area where the skin-side folded portion and the non-skin-side folded portion are layered has low light transmittance and is not see-through. The wearer easily gets the impression that the area where the skin-side folded portion and the non-skin-side folded portion are layered is thick and that bodily fluids are less likely to leak, giving them a sense of security against leakage. The difference in appearance between the two areas gives the wearer a sense of security regarding the absorbency of bodily fluids, while also giving the impression of a thin, easily deformable garment.

[0142] Here, "light transmittance" is measured in accordance with JIS K7105-7136. Light transmittance can be measured, for example, using a haze meter (model NDH700P2) manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Co., Ltd. The measurement sensor is a circle with a diameter of 20 mm. If the area to be measured is larger than the measurement sensor, the measurement is performed as is. If the area to be measured is smaller than the sensor, for example, a hole with a diameter of 20 mm or less is drilled in a sample with a transmittance of 0% and the hole is fixed at an arbitrary position within the sensor. The area to be measured is then placed in the hole, and the transmittance is measured. In comparison with the transmittance without the sample, the transmittance without the sample is set to 100, and the transmittance of the area is converted. Measurements are performed at five locations on the sample, and the average value is calculated.

[0143] The absorbent article 1 may have a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorbent body 40 at the center in the width direction of the absorbent body and contacts the wearer. The top sheet may be a liquid-permeable sheet and may be composed of the skin side sheet 11 of the present embodiment. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 10(d) and (e), when a side sheet is configured to cover the entire absorbent body, the top sheet may be composed of the side sheet. The skin side folded portion 912 of the first side sheet 91 is joined to the skin side T1 surface of the top sheet. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the second region 212 of the first non-skin side sheet 21 is joined to the skin side surface of the skin side sheet 11 via the skin side joining portion 35. With this configuration, by covering the skin side surface of the top sheet with the first side sheet 91 that covers the sides of the absorbent body, side leakage can be suppressed by the first side sheet 91, even if bodily fluid flows down the surface of the top sheet.

[0144] Between the side fold and the outer edge of the absorbent body, the skin-side folded portion 912, the non-skin-side folded portion 911, and the top sheet are laminated. The combined thickness of the back sheet and the second side sheet 92 may be thinner than the combined thickness of the non-skin-side folded portion, the skin-side folded portion, and the top sheet of the first side sheet 91. The thickness can be measured by freezing the absorbent article with liquid nitrogen to prevent the thickness of the absorbent article from changing, cutting the absorbent article at a cross section along the width direction, air-drying it for 24 hours, and then measuring the thickness at the cut surface. According to this embodiment, the combined thickness of the back sheet and the second side sheet 92 is thin, so that the thinness is easily felt when the legs slide over the surface of the second side sheet 92. In particular, when the second side sheet 92 forms wings, the legs are more likely to come into contact with the second side sheet 92 when wrapped around the worn article, making the thinness more easily noticeable. On the other hand, since the combined thickness of the skin-side folded portion, non-skin-side folded portion, and top sheet is thick, when the leg hits the first side sheet 91 from the side fold side, the thickness of the first side sheet 91 provides high cushioning, reducing the discomfort felt when hitting the side fold.

[0145] In the absorbent article according to the third aspect, the absorbent body 40 does not have to have the "absorbent sheet" defined in the present invention. More specifically, the absorbent body 40 may have a so-called SAP sheet other than the "absorbent sheet" defined in the present invention, or may have an absorbent core. However, preferably, in the absorbent article according to the third aspect, the absorbent body 40 may have an absorbent sheet 45. By having the absorbent body have an absorbent sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer, it is possible to make the absorbent body thinner while maintaining its absorption capacity. Therefore, the thickness of the absorbent article can be reduced, and in addition to the impression of thinness, the feel of the thin absorbent article can also further improve the wearing comfort.

[0146] The non-skin-side folded portion 911 of the first side sheet 91 may be joined to the covered region R91 via a side joint. The side joint may be formed by the non-skin-side joint 30 of this embodiment. In the width direction W, the outer edge of the side joint may be located more inward than the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. The outer edge of the side joint is located more inward in the width direction than the side fold and the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. Therefore, the outer edge of the side joint does not overlap the region where the first side sheet 91 and the second side sheet 92 are joined via the side joint, and overlaps the region where the second side sheet 92 is not fixed to the first side sheet 91. This allows the outer edge of the absorbent sheet to easily deform, reducing discomfort when it comes into contact with the legs.

[0147] The absorbent article according to the third feature is configured to give the impression of being a thin absorbent article 1, and the maximum thickness of the absorbent body is preferably 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 1.5 mm or less. The maximum thickness of the absorbent article may be 3.0 mm or less, and more preferably 2.5 mm or less. This configuration therefore reduces the thickness of the absorbent article, and not only gives the impression of being thin, but also further improves the wearing comfort by providing the feel of a thin absorbent article.

[0148] (6) Fourth Feature of the Absorbent Article Next, the fourth feature of the absorbent article will be described in detail. The absorbent article 1 according to the fourth feature is configured to suppress deformation of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby further improving the wearing comfort of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent articles 1 according to the fourth feature can be broadly divided into tenth to thirteenth features. The tenth and thirteenth features share a common configuration: the absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T; a crotch region S3; front side regions S1; a rear side region S2; an absorbent body 40; and a main fastening portion 61. The absorbent body 40 according to the fourth feature has an absorbent core 41. The absorbent core 41 is positioned across the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and is positioned in the crotch region S3 facing the vaginal opening or urinary opening, and the cellulosic fibers contained in the absorbent core enable rapid absorption of bodily fluids. In the absorbent article according to the fourth aspect, the absorber 40 does not have to have the "absorbent sheet" of the present invention. More specifically, the absorber 40 may have a so-called SAP sheet other than the "absorbent sheet" of the present invention, or may have only an absorbent core. Furthermore, in the absorbent article according to the fourth aspect, the absorber 40 may have the "absorbent sheet" of the present invention.

[0149] In the absorbent article 1 of the tenth embodiment, in the crotch region S3, at least a portion of the main fastening portion 61 is disposed further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. According to this configuration, when the absorbent article 1 is worn on a wearing article S such as underwear, the absorbent article 1 is fixed to the wearing article S up to a region further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 from rising up. This prevents deformation of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and contact with the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing discomfort when worn.

[0150] The position of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W in the crotch region S3 may vary. The absorbent core 41 may be provided with a narrowest crotch position 41CN in the crotch region S3 where the length of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W is shortest, and a widest crotch position 41CM in the crotch region S3 where the length of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W is longest. Two of the four main fastening portions 61 (the first main fastening portion 611 and the second main fastening portion 612) may be located outside the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W throughout the crotch region S3. Two main fastening portions 61 are located outside the widest crotch position 41CM in the width direction W, and four main fastening portions 61 are located outside the narrowest crotch position 41CN in the width direction W. That is, the inner edge 61I of the main fastening part 61 may be located outside in the width direction W of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN.

[0151] In the absorbent article 1 of the tenth embodiment, the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch central region S33 is shorter than the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the front crotch region S31 and shorter than the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the back crotch region S32. According to this configuration, when the absorbent article 1 is sandwiched between the legs during wear, the absorbent article 1 is pressed by the inner thighs, and the crotch central region S33 is more likely to be pressed inward in the width direction W than the front crotch region S31 and the back crotch region S32. Because the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 is short in the crotch central region S33 and long in the front crotch region S31 and the back crotch region S32, the shape of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 easily conforms to the shape of the legs, reducing discomfort when worn. In this embodiment, the widest crotch position 41CM is located in the front crotch region S31 and the back crotch region S32, but not in the crotch central region S33.

[0152] In the absorbent article 1 of the eleventh embodiment, the main fastening portions 61 extend in the front-to-rear direction L and are spaced apart in the width direction W. The main fastening portions 61 include at least a first main fastening portion 611 and a second main fastening portion 612. The second main fastening portion 612 is located next to the first main fastening portion 611 on the outside in the width direction W. In the crotch region S3, at least a part of a first gap G611 between the first main fastening portion 611 and the second main fastening portion 612 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. The first gap G611 may be located in only a part of the crotch region S3, but is preferably located throughout the entire crotch region S3.

[0153] According to this configuration, at least a portion of the first main fastening portion 611 and at least a portion of the first gap G611 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3. When the absorbent article 1 is worn on the wearing article S, the absorbent article 1 is fixed to the wearing article S up to a region outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 from rising up. This prevents deformation of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and contact with the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing discomfort when worn. When the absorbent article 1 is sandwiched between the legs during wear, the absorbent article is pressed by the inner thighs. At this time, the first gap G611 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, and functions as a buffer region. Therefore, it is possible to soften the contact of the inner thighs with the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby reducing the discomfort felt when wearing the absorbent core 41.

[0154] In this embodiment, the first gap G611 and the second gap G612 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core throughout the entire crotch region, and a part of the third gap G613 is located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3. Since a plurality of gaps are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, buffer regions can be provided in stages, which makes it easier to achieve the effect of softening the contact of the inner thighs with the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41.

[0155] In the absorbent article 1 of the twelfth embodiment, at least a portion of the main fastening portion 61 is disposed outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3 and the front region S1. The pressing force and deformation in the crotch region S3 are transmitted from the crotch region S3 to the front region S1. Because the main fastening portion 61 is disposed outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3 and the front region S1, when the absorbent article 1 is worn on a wearing article S, the main fastening portion 61 is fixed to the wearing article up to an area outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 from rising up. This prevents deformation of the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 and the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 from coming into contact with the body, thereby preventing discomfort when worn.

[0156] In the absorbent article 1 of the twelfth embodiment, at least a part of the front edge of the main body fastening portion 61 is located in the front region S1 further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. Because the front edge of the main body fastening portion 61 is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, the outer portion of the absorbent article 1 in the front region S1 is less likely to stand up, and even when force is applied to the front region S1, such as when moving the legs, it is possible to reduce the discomfort caused by the outer portion of the absorbent article 1 in the front region S1 standing up.

[0157] In this embodiment, the first main fastening portion 611 and the second main fastening portion 612 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 throughout the entire front region S1 and the entire crotch region S3. The third main fastening portion 613 and the fourth main fastening portion 614 straddle the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the front region S1 and the crotch region S3. The front ends of the first main fastening portion 611 and the second main fastening portion 612 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, and the front ends of the third main fastening portion 613 and the fourth main fastening portion 614 are located inward in the width direction from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41.

[0158] In the absorbent article 1 of the thirteenth embodiment, at least a portion of the main fastening portion 61 is disposed outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3 and the rear region S2. The pressing force and deformation in the crotch region S3 are transmitted from the crotch region S3 to the rear region S2. Since the main fastening portion 61 is disposed outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the crotch region S3 and the rear region S2, when the absorbent article 1 is worn on the wearing article S, the main fastening portion 61 is fixed to the wearing article S up to an area outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41, thereby preventing the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 from rising up. This prevents deformation of the outer edge of the absorbent core and contact with the outer edge of the absorbent core, thereby preventing discomfort when worn.

[0159] In the absorbent article 1 of the thirteenth embodiment, at least a part of the rear edge of the main body fastening portion 61 is located in the rear region S2 further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. Because the rear edge of the main body fastening portion is located further outward in the width direction than the outer edge of the absorbent core, the outer portion of the absorbent article 1 in the rear region S2 is less likely to stand up, and even when force is applied to the rear region when the buttocks move, for example, the discomfort caused by the outer portion of the absorbent article in the rear region standing up can be reduced.

[0160] In this embodiment, the first main fastening portion 611 and the second main fastening portion 612 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 throughout the entire rear region S2 and the entire crotch region S3. The third main fastening portion 613 and the fourth main fastening portion 614 straddle the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the rear region S2 and the crotch region S3. The rear edges of all the main fastening portions 61 are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the absorbent core.

[0161] Although the tenth to thirteenth embodiments have been described above as being characterized by their respective configurations, each embodiment may also include other configurations. For example, the absorbent article 1 according to the tenth embodiment may include the configuration of the eleventh embodiment, and configurations of other embodiments may be adopted as appropriate. Next, preferred configurations that can be adopted in the tenth to thirteenth embodiments will be described. The following preferred configurations can be adopted in any of the embodiments.

[0162] The main body fastening portions 61 located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be continuous across the front region S1, crotch region S3, and rear region S2. This prevents the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 from rising up over the entire front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1, thereby reducing discomfort when worn. In this embodiment, the first main body fastening portion 611 and the second main body fastening portion 612 extend across the front region S1, crotch region S3, and rear region S2, and are located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges 41E of the absorbent core 41 over the entire front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1. The interval (e.g., first interval G611) between the main body fastening portions located outward in the width direction from the outer edges of the absorbent core may be continuous across the front region S1, crotch region S3, and rear region S2. A buffer region is provided across the entire front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article, which reduces contact with the legs and reduces discomfort when worn.

[0163] Wing fastening parts 62 may be arranged on extensions extending outward in the width direction W from the narrowest crotch position 41CN of the absorbent core 41. The region fastened by the wing fastening parts 62 corresponds to the crotch region of the worn article S, which is a region that is likely to be pinched by the legs. Since the narrowest crotch position 41CN of the absorbent core 41 is arranged within this region, the outer edges 41E of the absorbent core 41 can easily conform to the shape of the inner thighs, reducing discomfort when worn. Even when the narrowest crotch position 41CN of the absorbent core 41 is pressed, the wing fastening parts 62 arranged on the extensions in the width direction wrap the absorbent core 41 around the worn article S, thereby preventing deformation of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN, maintaining the shape of the absorbent core 41 and reducing discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core 41.

[0164] The wing fastening parts 62 of this embodiment extend in the front-to-rear direction L and are spaced apart in the width direction W. The wing fastening parts 62 of this embodiment are arranged on an extension line extending in the width direction from the narrowest crotch position 41CN, but are not arranged on an extension line extending in the width direction from the widest crotch position 41CM.

[0165] The narrowest crotch position 41CN may be located behind the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L. When the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L is aligned with the center of the crotch region of the worn article, the vaginal opening is located in front of the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L. The narrowest crotch position 41CN is located behind the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L. The width of the absorbent core 41 in the area facing the vaginal opening (the area in front of the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back direction L) is wider than that at the narrowest crotch position 41CN, allowing bodily fluids discharged from the vaginal opening to be retained. By positioning the narrowest crotch position of the absorbent core, the outer edges of the absorbent core can be aligned with the shape of the thighs while suppressing leakage of bodily fluids in the crotch region, thereby improving the wearing comfort. The narrowest crotch position 41CN may also be located behind the center of the wing fastening portion 62 in the front-to-back direction L.

[0166] The main fastening portions 61 may be disposed on both sides of the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. In the width direction W, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN may be disposed inside the inner edge 61I of the main fastening portion 61. When the absorbent article is held between the legs during wear, the absorbent article is pressed by the inner thighs. At this time, the narrowest crotch position 41CN is located inside the main fastening portion 61 in the width direction W, is not fastened to the worn article S via the main fastening portion 61, and functions as a buffer region. This can soften the contact of the inner thighs with the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN, thereby reducing discomfort during wear. Furthermore, softening the contact of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN can suppress deformation of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN, maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41, and suppress discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core.

[0167] Furthermore, in the crotch region S3, the main fastening portion 61 may overlap the absorbent core 41 in both a region extending forward from the narrowest crotch position 41CN and a region extending backward from the narrowest crotch position 41CN. Therefore, even if the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 at the narrowest crotch position 41CN is not fastened to the worn article via the main fastening portion 61, the absorbent core is fixed at the front and rear sides relative to the narrowest crotch position 41CN, and deformation of the absorbent core at the narrowest crotch position 41CN can be suppressed.

[0168] The outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may vary in position in the width direction W in the front region S1. The absorbent core 41 may have a front narrowest position 41FN, where the absorbent core's widthwise length is shortest in the region where the absorbent core is narrowed inward in the width direction in the front region S1, and a front widest position 41FM, where the absorbent core's widthwise length is longest in the front region S1. The front narrowest position 41FN may be located widthwise outward of the narrowest crotch position 41CN. The front widest position 41FM may be located widthwise outward of the widest crotch position 41CM. The front widest position 41FM may be the position where the absorbent core has the greatest width. The front widest position 41FM may be located forward of the front edge of the main body fastening portion 61. This configuration allows the front widest position 41FM to separate the force transmitted through the main body fastening portion 61, making it easier to ensure the widthwise length of the front end of the absorbent article. The front end of the absorbent article is less likely to be pushed inward in the width direction by the legs due to the influence of the pubic bone. Therefore, by ensuring the widthwise length of the front end of the absorbent body, the absorption capacity of the absorbent body can be ensured. Furthermore, because the front widest position 41FM is not fastened to the wearing article S, force is less likely to be transmitted from the wearing article, making it easier to ensure the widthwise length of the front widest position 41FM, and therefore the absorption capacity of the absorbent body can be ensured.

[0169] The front narrowest position 41FN may be spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L from the boundary between the front side regions S1 and the crotch region S3. The force and deformation applied in the crotch region S3 are transmitted from the crotch region S3 to the front side region S1. Since the front narrowest position 41FN is spaced apart from the boundary between the front side regions S1 and the crotch region S3, the force and deformation from the crotch region S3 are less likely to be transmitted. This suppresses deformation of the absorbent core 41 at the front narrowest position 41FN, maintains the shape of the absorbent core, and reduces discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core. The distance between the front narrowest position 41FN and the boundary between the front side regions S1 and the crotch region S3 may be 5 mm or more, and preferably 10 mm or more.

[0170] The maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the front outer region S11 may be greater than the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the front inner region S12. This configuration ensures the width of the absorbent core 41 in the front outer region S11 and prevents front leakage while isolating the force and deformation from the crotch region in the front inner region S12, thereby suppressing deformation of the absorbent core. In this embodiment, the front narrowest position 41FN is located in the front inner region S12, and the front widest position 41FM is located in the front outer region S11.

[0171] The absorbent core 41 may be disposed in both the crotch region S3 and the front region S1, but is preferably disposed straddling both the crotch region S3 and the front region S1. The outer edges 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be curved in the regions extending outward in the front-to-back direction L from the boundary between the front region S1 and the crotch region S3. The force and deformation exerted in the crotch region S3 are transmitted from the crotch region S3 to the front region S1. Since the absorbent core 41 is disposed straddling the crotch region S3 and the front region S1, it suppresses deformation of the absorbent article and helps maintain the shape of the absorbent article. Furthermore, because the outer edges 41E of the absorbent core 41 are curved and disposed straddling the boundary between the crotch region S3 and the front region S1, the deformation and force are not transmitted directly but are instead transmitted in a manner that allows them to escape. Therefore, deformation of the absorbent article 1 is suppressed, the shape of the absorbent article is easily maintained, and discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent article can be suppressed.

[0172] The absorbent core may be disposed in both the crotch region S3 and the rear region S2, but is preferably disposed in both the crotch region S3 and the rear region S2. The absorbent core 41 in the rear region S2 may be provided with a low basis weight portion L41, which is disposed across both outer edges in the width direction of the absorbent core 41 and in which the basis weight of the cellulosic fibers of the absorbent core 41 is lower than that of the surrounding area. According to this embodiment, the low basis weight portion L41 extending in the width direction across both outer edges in the width direction W of the absorbent core 41 can separate the force and deformation on the crotch region S3 side, making it easier to maintain the shape of the rear end of the absorbent core 41. The low basis weight portion L41 may be an area in which less cellulosic fibers are disposed than the surrounding area, or an area in which no cellulosic fibers are disposed (a basis weight of 0 g / m ３ ) area.

[0173] The absorbent core 41 of this embodiment includes a first absorbent core 411 disposed across the front region S1, crotch region S3, and rear region S2, and a second absorbent core 412 disposed in the rear region S2 and spaced apart from the first absorbent core 411 in the front-to-rear direction L. A low basis weight portion L41 is provided between the first absorbent core 411 and the second absorbent core 412. The first absorbent core 411 is spaced apart from the front edge of the absorber 40 and is located rearward of the front edge of the absorber 40. The second absorbent core 412 is spaced apart from the rear edge of the absorber 40 and is located forward of the rear edge of the absorber 40. The outer edges of the first absorbent core 411 and the second absorbent core 412 are both spaced apart from the outer edges of the absorber and are located widthwise inward of the outer edges of the absorber.

[0174] The maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the rear outer region S21 may be shorter than the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the rear inner region S22. According to this configuration, by shortening the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the rear outer region S21, the absorbent core 41 can easily fit into the groove between the left and right buttocks, thereby suppressing rear leakage. On the other hand, because the maximum width of the absorbent core 41 in the rear inner region S22 is long, the width of the absorbent core 41 relative to the perineum is secured, thereby suppressing leakage near the perineum.

[0175] In this embodiment, a portion of the first absorbent core 411, the low basis weight portion L41, and a portion of the second absorbent core 412 are disposed in the rear inner region S22, while a portion of the second absorbent core 412 is disposed in the rear outer region S21. In the rear outer region S21, a rear widest position 41RM, where the absorbent core 41 is longest in the width direction W, is located in the rear outer region S21. Rear leakage can be suppressed by the absorbent core at the rear widest position 41RM. The rear widest position 41RM is located in the second absorbent core 412. A position 412N, where the absorbent core is narrowed inward in the width direction, where the absorbent core is shortest in the width direction W, is located in the rear outer region S21. At the position 412N where the second absorbent core 412 is shortest in the width direction W, the absorbent core easily fits into the gap between the left and right buttocks, thereby further suppressing rear leakage. The rear widest position 41RM may be located rearward of the rear edge of the main body fastening part 61. According to this configuration, the rear widest position 41RM can separate the force transmitted through the main body fastening part 61, making it easier to ensure the widthwise length of the rear end of the absorbent article. Furthermore, because the rear widest position 41RM is not fastened to the wearing article S, force is less likely to be transmitted from the wearing article, making it easier to ensure the widthwise length of the rear widest position 41RM.

[0176] The outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located widthwise outward of the outer edge of the post-processing member 68. Because the absorbent core 41 is located widthwise outward of the post-processing member 68, the post-processing member 68 is less likely to come into contact with the wearer even when the wearer is in a position where the distance between the legs is short, such as when the legs are closed, thereby reducing discomfort caused by the post-processing member. Preferably, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located widthwise outward of the outer edge of the post-processing member 68 over the entire front-to-rear area of ​​the outer edge of the post-processing member.

[0177] The main body compression section 81 may be provided on the skin side sheet 11, the absorbent core 41, and the core non-skin side sheet located closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 41. Here, the core non-skin side sheet may be any sheet located closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent core 41, and may be the non-skin side sheet 20 or sheet 48 of the first absorbent sheet 451. In a configuration in which multiple core non-skin side sheets are arranged, the main body compression section 81 may be provided on at least one of the non-skin side sheets. With this configuration, the absorbent core 41 is sandwiched between the skin side sheet 11 and the non-skin side core sheet, and the skin side sheet, non-skin side core sheet, and absorbent core are joined by the main body compression section 81, thereby suppressing deformation of the absorbent core. This maintains the shape of the absorbent core and suppresses discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core.

[0178] The main body compression section 81 may have an outer compression section 811 located outside the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W. With this configuration, when a force acting from the outside toward the inside in the width direction W is applied, the force acts on the outer compression section 811, and the force acting on the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 is reduced by deforming the absorbent core 41 from the outer compression section 811 or dispersing the force in the planar direction via the outer compression section 811. This makes it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41 and reduces discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core 41. The outer compression section 811 may be provided in any of the crotch region S3, front region S1, and rear region S2. With this configuration, deformation of the absorbent core 41 is suppressed against force acting from the outside in the width direction W across the entire area of ​​the absorbent core 41 in the front-to-rear direction L, making it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41.

[0179] The main body compression section 81 may have an inner compression section 812 arranged outside the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W. The inner compression section 812 is arranged to overlap the absorbent core 41. The inner compression section 812 suppresses deformation of the absorbent core 41, making it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41 and reducing discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core. The outer compression section 811 and the inner compression section 812 may be connected. In other words, the main body compression section 81 may be arranged across the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41. The main body compression section 81 makes it easier to maintain the shape of the absorbent core 41 and reducing discomfort caused by deformation of the absorbent core.

[0180] (7) Fifth Feature of the Absorbent Article Next, the fifth feature of the absorbent article will be described in detail. The absorbent article 1 according to the fifth feature is configured to ensure space for swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44 while suppressing deterioration of wearing comfort during body fluid absorption, thereby making the most of the absorption capacity. The absorbent body 40 of the absorbent article 1 according to the fifth feature includes at least a first absorbent sheet 451 and a second absorbent sheet 452. The first absorbent sheet 451 has a first compressed portion 471 in which multiple sheets 48 are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the first absorbent sheet 451 toward the inside in the thickness direction T. Here, the outer surface of the first absorbent sheet 451 in the thickness direction T is both the non-skin-side surface and the skin-side surface of the first absorbent sheet. In other words, the first compressed portion 471 is configured such that the multiple sheets 48 are compressed in a direction facing each other from the non-skin-side surface and the skin-side surface of the first absorbent sheet 451. The second absorbent sheet 452 has second compressed portions 472 in which the plurality of sheets 48 are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the second absorbent sheet inward in the thickness direction. Here, the outer surfaces of the second absorbent sheet 452 in the thickness direction T are both the non-skin side and skin side of the second absorbent sheet. In other words, the second compressed portions 472 are formed by compressing the plurality of sheets 48 in a direction in which the non-skin side and skin side of the second absorbent sheet 452 face each other.

[0181] The first compressed section 471 and the second compressed section 472 press the sheets 48 toward each other, and are portions where the distance between the sheets 48 is shorter than in areas where no compressed section is formed. The first compressed section 471 and the second compressed section 472 are a concept that includes the sheet compressing section 46. The sheet compressing section 46 compresses the absorbent sheet in the thickness direction; more specifically, the sheets 48 abut each other, and the fibers that make up the sheets 48 are fused and bonded together. In contrast, the first compressed section 471 and the second compressed section 472 include not only a configuration in which the sheets 48 abut each other, but also a configuration in which the sheets 48 do not abut each other. Furthermore, the first compressed section 471 and the second compressed section 472 are sufficient as long as the thickness of the sheets 48 is reduced by compression of the sheets, and the fibers that make up the sheets 48 do not need to be fused together. As shown in FIG. 9 , the first compressing section 471 of this embodiment is constituted by a first sheet compressing section 461 , and the second compressing section 472 is constituted by a second sheet compressing section 462 .

[0182] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. FIG. 7( a) is a plan view of the first absorbent sheet 451, and FIG. 7( b) is a plan view of the second absorbent sheet 452. The first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 may both be arranged across the widthwise center 40CW of the absorber 40. The first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 are arranged in plurality at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the widthwise direction W in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. The first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 are arranged in plurality on both sides of the widthwise center 40CW of the absorber 40. The first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 may be arranged at intervals, and may have a dotted shape or other pattern (e.g., a star pattern or a heart pattern). The first compression section 471 and the second compression section 472 may be arranged in a staggered pattern as in this embodiment, or may be arranged at intervals along the front-to-rear direction L, or may be arranged at intervals along the width direction W.

[0183] 9 , the crotch region S3 has a non-overlapping region NR where the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 do not overlap in the thickness direction T. The non-overlapping region NR includes a first non-overlapping region where the region of the first absorbent sheet 451 where the first compressed portions 471 are provided overlaps with the region of the second absorbent sheet 452 where the second compressed portions 472 are not provided, a second non-overlapping region where the region of the first absorbent sheet 451 where the first compressed portions 471 are not provided overlaps with the region of the second absorbent sheet 452 where the second compressed portions 472 are provided, and a third non-overlapping region where the region of the first absorbent sheet 451 where the first compressed portions 471 are not provided overlaps with the region of the second absorbent sheet 452 where the second compressed portions 472 are not provided. In other words, the non-overlapping region NR is the region other than the portion where the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 overlap. In the absorbent article according to the fifth aspect, it is sufficient that at least one of the first to third non-overlapping regions is provided in the crotch region S3, and a region other than the non-overlapping region NR (a region where the first compressed portion 471 and the second compressed portion 472 overlap) may be partially provided. Preferably, the area of ​​the non-overlapping region NR in the crotch region S3 may be smaller than the area of ​​the region other than the non-overlapping region NR in the crotch region S3.

[0184] In the overlapping region between the first and second compressed portions 471 and 472, localized high rigidity may occur, potentially resulting in unintended deformation or discomfort from the overlapping region. However, the non-overlapping region NR prevents localized high rigidity, suppresses unintended deformation from the high-rigidity region, and minimizes discomfort from the high-rigidity region. Furthermore, the first and second compressed portions 471 and 472 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L and width direction W in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. Even when the first and second compressed portions 471 and 472 overlap, the overlapping region is spaced apart, preventing the superabsorbent polymer 44 from being partitioned off as in conventional configurations with sealed portions. This prevents the region where the superabsorbent polymer 44 swells from becoming difficult to bend, suppressing deterioration of conformability and improving comfort. Furthermore, since the deformation base points created by the first compression section 471 and the second compression section 472 are arranged at intervals in a planar view, the deformation base points make it easy for the garment to deform flexibly, improving its ability to conform to the body and preventing a deterioration in the wearing comfort when absorbing bodily fluids.

[0185] In the non-overlapping region NR, at least one of the first compression sections 471 and the second compression sections 472 is not arranged in the thickness direction T, making it easier to ensure a swelling space in the thickness direction T and making the most of the absorption capacity. Furthermore, the first compression sections 471 and the second compression sections 472 are arranged with a gap in between in the front-to-rear direction L and the width direction W, and the areas where the sheets are close to each other due to the first compression sections 471 and the second compression sections 472 are not formed linearly from one end to the other of the absorbent sheet 45. This makes it easier for the superabsorbent polymer 44 to swell over the entire absorbent sheet 45 in a plan view and makes the most of the absorption capacity.

[0186] The first compression section 471 and the second compression section 472 may be constituted by the sheet compression section 46. According to this configuration, the sheets 48 are joined together by the compression section, and therefore, compared to a configuration in which the sheets are joined together by heat sealing, HMA, or the like, the joining of the sheets 48 by the sheet compression section 46 is more likely to be released when the superabsorbent polymer 44 swells, and a space for the superabsorbent polymer 44 to swell can be secured, making it possible to make the most of the absorption capacity.

[0187] The non-overlapping region NR may include any of a first non-overlapping region, a second non-overlapping region, and a third non-overlapping region. In the first non-overlapping region, the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the second absorbent sheet 452 is likely to swell and expand toward the skin side T1 upon absorbing bodily fluids. In the second non-overlapping region, the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the first absorbent sheet 451 is likely to swell and expand toward the non-skin side T2 upon absorbing bodily fluids. The first non-overlapping region and the second non-overlapping region allow the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 to expand in opposite directions of the thickness direction T, making it easier to ensure that each region can swell without interfering with each other. The third non-overlapping region is likely to swell toward both the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 upon absorbing bodily fluids, making it easier to ensure absorption capacity. By providing the first non-overlapping region, the second non-overlapping region, and the third non-overlapping region, the superabsorbent polymer 44 can swell more easily, and the absorption capacity can be more effectively utilized.

[0188] The shortest distance between the first compressed portions 471 and the shortest distance between the second compressed portions 472 in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45 may be longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer 44 after immersion in physiological saline for 60 minutes, draining for 15 minutes, and then dehydrating in a centrifuge. The regions between the first compressed portions 471 and the regions between the second compressed portions 472 are regions that are not pressed by the compressed portions, have relatively large voids between the fibers, and are regions where the superabsorbent polymer 44 is likely to swell. Because the length of the easily swellable regions in a plan view is longer than the average diameter of the swollen superabsorbent polymer 44, the superabsorbent polymer 44 is likely to swell, making it easier to utilize the absorption capacity.

[0189] Here, the shortest distance between the first compressed sections 471 and the shortest distance between the second compressed sections 472 are the average values ​​measured at 10 random locations, measured in plan view, for the spacing between the compressed sections. Furthermore, the state in which the superabsorbent polymer 44 is immersed in saline for 60 minutes, drained for 15 minutes, and then dehydrated in a centrifuge simulates the state in which the superabsorbent polymer 44 retains body fluid (urine), and is referred to as "water-retained" in this invention. The average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer 44 immersed in saline for 60 minutes, drained for 15 minutes, and then dehydrated in a centrifuge can be measured using the following method. First, the superabsorbent polymer to be measured (e.g., 0.1 g) is removed from the absorbent article under conditions of temperature: 20°C, relative humidity: 60%, and pressure (standard atmospheric pressure): 1 atm (101.325 kPa) (e.g., in a laboratory maintained under these conditions). The superabsorbent polymer was stored in a designated container and shaken upside down at least 10 times to evenly mix the superabsorbent polymer particles. Exactly 1.00 g of the mixed superabsorbent polymer was measured using a medicine spoon or similar and placed in a separately prepared nylon net bag. The nylon net bag can be, for example, made by stacking two 200 mm x 200 mm square nylon nets, heat-sealing three sides of the square at a position 5 mm from the edge of the nylon net, and molding the bag into a shape with only one side open. For example, a 250-mesh nylon net (N-No. 250HD) manufactured by NBC Industries can be used as the nylon net. After placing the superabsorbent polymer in the nylon net bag, the opening of the nylon net bag was heat-sealed to seal the superabsorbent polymer from the nylon net bag and prevent it from spilling. Then, 1000 ml of saline solution is poured into a beaker, and the nylon bag (superabsorbent polymer) is immersed in the saline solution so that one side of the nylon bag containing the superabsorbent polymer touches the bottom of the beaker. One side of the top of the nylon bag is then fixed to the edge of the beaker with a clothespin or the like to minimize contact between the superabsorbent polymer and the nylon mesh. The bag is left in this state for 60 minutes.The saline solution used was prepared by placing a 3-liter beaker on an electronic balance and resetting it to zero. Then, 27.0 g of sodium chloride (reagent grade 1) was mixed with ion-exchanged water to make a total of 3000.0 g, and the mixture was stirred with a stirring rod until the sodium chloride was visually dissolved. After leaving the mixture for 60 minutes, the nylon bag containing the superabsorbent polymer was removed from the beaker, and the upper center of the nylon bag (e.g., 5 mm from the top edge and 50 mm from both ends) was clamped with clothespins and suspended in the air for 15 minutes to drain. The drained nylon bag (superabsorbent polymer) was then dehydrated using a centrifuge (HI30) manufactured by Kokusan Co., Ltd. For example, dehydration was performed for 90 seconds at a rotation speed of 850 rpm (150 G). The diameter of the superabsorbent polymer was then measured using a microscope. The average diameter was calculated by measuring 30 diameters. Five samples of superabsorbent polymer are taken from the same product and the average value of the five measurements is used as the final value.

[0190] Preferably, the shortest distance between the first compressed portions 471 and the shortest distance between the second compressed portions 472 in a planar view of the absorbent sheet 45 may be longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer 44 after being immersed in saline for 60 minutes and drained for 15 minutes (without being dehydrated in a centrifuge).

[0191] The maximum dimensions of the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 in a plan view of the absorbent sheet may be longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles after immersion in saline for 60 minutes, draining for 15 minutes, and then dehydrating in a centrifuge. The maximum dimensions of the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 are the maximum dimensions of each compressed portion in a plan view. Measurements are taken at five locations on the sample, and the average values ​​are used. According to this aspect, the maximum dimensions of the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 are smaller than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles 44 when they retain water. This suppresses the influence of the first compressed portions 471 and the second compressed portions 472 when the superabsorbent polymer particles 44 retain water, making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer particles 44 to expand throughout the entire plan view of the absorbent sheet 45.

[0192] The absorbent article 1 may have a sheet joint portion formed by compressing and joining the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 in the thickness direction T, and by arranging the sheets at intervals in the front-rear direction L and the width direction W in a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45. Only the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 may be compressed and joined, or the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452 may be indirectly joined by compressing other components (e.g., the skin side sheet 11) in addition to the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452. The sheet joint portion in this embodiment is formed by a compression component 82.

[0193] In a plan view of the absorbent sheet 45, the maximum dimension of the sheet joint portion (compression component 82) may be larger than the maximum dimension of the first compressed portion 471 and the maximum dimension of the second compressed portion 472. With this configuration, the relatively large maximum dimension of the sheet joint portion makes it easier to maintain the joint state between the first absorbent sheet 451 and the second absorbent sheet 452, suppresses misalignment of the absorbent sheets 45, and ensures the non-overlapping region NR. Furthermore, the small maximum dimensions of the first compressed portion 471 and the second compressed portion 472 suppress the influence of the first compressed portion 471 and the second compressed portion 472 when the superabsorbent polymer 44 retains water, making it easier for the superabsorbent polymer 44 to expand throughout the entire absorbent sheet 45 in a plan view.

[0194] In the width direction W, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward than the outer edge 45E of the absorbent sheet 45. With this configuration, the absorbent core 41 does not overlap the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45, so that the outer portion of the absorbent sheet 45 easily expands when absorbing bodily fluids, thereby making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity. Preferably, the outer edge 41E of the absorbent core 41 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451, and more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452. Both the outer portions of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer portions of the second absorbent sheet 452 easily expand in the thickness direction, making it possible to utilize the absorption capacity more effectively.

[0195] The outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 may be offset in the width direction. According to this configuration, because the outer edge 451E of the first absorbent sheet 451 and the outer edge 452E of the second absorbent sheet 452 are offset, only one absorbent sheet is arranged on the outer side of the absorbent sheet 45, rather than two absorbent sheets 45. By arranging only one absorbent sheet on the outer side of the absorbent sheet, the thickness can be reduced and the rigidity can be reduced. This makes the outer side of the absorbent sheet more flexible, which contributes to reducing discomfort, and also allows the corresponding area to expand more easily when absorbing bodily fluids, thereby making better use of the absorption capacity.

[0196] The absorbent core 41 may be positioned across the widthwise center 40CW of the absorbent article 1. The first absorbent sheet 451 may be positioned closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent core 41. According to this configuration, the absorbent core 41 is positioned closer to the skin side T1 than the first absorbent sheet 451 across the widthwise center W of the absorbent article 1, and is therefore more likely to absorb body fluids excreted from the excretory opening. The first absorbent sheet 451 is positioned closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent core 41, and further draws body fluids guided to the absorbent core 41 toward the non-skin side T2, making it easier for the absorbent core 41 to retain body fluids even when body fluids are repeatedly excreted.

[0197] The second absorbent sheet 452 may be disposed closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent core 41. According to this configuration, the second absorbent sheet 452 disposed closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent core 41 can prevent rewetting, which would otherwise occur if the absorbed body fluid moves to the skin side T1, by the superabsorbent polymer 44 swelling when the second absorbent sheet 452 absorbs body fluid. Furthermore, the second absorbent sheet 452 can absorb body fluid that spreads in the planar direction on the surface side of the absorbent article 1, thereby preventing leakage of the body fluid.

[0198] The absorbent sheet 45 may contain superabsorbent polymer 44 and cellulosic fibers. The presence of the cellulosic fibers prevents the superabsorbent polymer 44 from unintentionally flowing, allowing the superabsorbent polymer 44 to be distributed over the entire absorbent sheet 45 in a planar view. The basis weight of the cellulosic fibers in the absorbent sheet 45 may be smaller than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer 44 in the absorbent sheet 45. Because the basis weight of the cellulosic fibers is relatively low and the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer 44 is relatively high, the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet 45 can be reduced while ensuring absorption capacity. Reducing the overall thickness of the absorbent sheet 45 improves the absorbent sheet 45's ability to conform to the body and reduces discomfort when worn.

[0199] The liquid diffusivity in the planar direction of the sheet 48 constituting the first absorbent sheet 451 may be higher than the liquid diffusivity in the planar direction of the sheet 48 constituting the second absorbent sheet 452. According to this configuration, the liquid diffusivity in the planar direction of the second absorbent sheet 452 located on the skin side T1 is relatively low, and the second absorbent sheet 452 does not diffuse body fluid excessively in the planar direction, thereby suppressing blocking due to swelling of the superabsorbent polymer 44 of the second absorbent sheet 452. On the other hand, the liquid diffusivity in the planar direction of the first absorbent sheet 451 located on the non-skin side T2 is relatively high, and the first absorbent sheet 451 draws body fluid to the non-skin side T2 and diffuses the drawn body fluid over a wide area, improving the liquid diffusivity in the thickness direction T and the planar direction and making the most of its absorption capacity.

[0200] The liquid diffusibility can be compared by Klemm water absorbency. When measuring the Klemm water absorbency, the longitudinal direction (the direction of the length that is 200 mm or more) of the test piece is taken along the front-to-rear direction L of the sheet to be measured, and the Klemm water absorbency is measured. The longer the length, the higher the liquid diffusibility is determined to be. The Klemm water absorbency can be measured by a method in accordance with JIS P 8141:2004.

[0201] 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 embodied in various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the present invention in any way. The first to fifth features described above can be combined as appropriate. For example, an absorbent article may have the first feature as well as the second to fifth features.

[0202] The entire contents of People's Republic of China Application No. 202311758841.4 filed on December 20, 2023, People's Republic of China Application No. 202411733571.6 filed on November 29, 2024, and People's Republic of China Application No. 202422928787.X filed on November 29, 2024 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0203] 1: Absorbent article 5: Wing 11: Skin-side sheet (top sheet) 20: Non-skin-side sheet (side sheet) 21: First non-skin-side sheet (first side sheet) 211: First region 212: Second region 22: Second non-skin-side sheet (second side sheet) 23: Third non-skin-side sheet (back sheet) 25: Auxiliary sheet 30: Non-skin-side joint portion 31: Crotch joint portion 32: Front and rear joint portions 35: Skin-side joint portion 40: Absorbent body 41: Absorbent core 44: Superabsorbent polymer 45: Absorbent sheet (auxiliary absorbent layer) 46: Sheet compression portion 461: First sheet compression portion 462: Second sheet compression portion 471: First compression portion 472: Second compression portion 48: Sheet 60 : fastening portion 61 : main body fastening portion 611 : first main body fastening portion 612 : second main body fastening portion 81 : main body compression portion 811 : outer compression portion 812 : inner compression portion 82 : compression component 90 : side sheet 91 : first side sheet 92 : second side sheet 321 : first front and rear joining portion 322 : second front and rear joining portion 451 : first absorbent sheet 452 : second absorbent sheet 471 : first compressed portion 472 : second compressed portion L : front and rear direction NR : non-overlapping region R45 : side region R41 : stacked region R42 : auxiliary region R91 : covering region R92 : extension region RC : central region RS : outer region S : wearing article S1 : Front area S2 : Back area S3 : Inseam area T : Thickness direction T1 : Skin side T2 : Non-skin side W : Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having front-to-rear, width and thickness directions perpendicular to one another, a crotch region to be placed under the crotch of a wearer, a front region located forward of the crotch region and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region, and an absorbent body located at least in the crotch region, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent sheet having a skin side and a non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer covered with sheets in the thickness direction, the absorbent sheet has a first absorbent sheet and a second absorbent sheet located closer to the skin than the first absorbent sheet, the first absorbent sheet has a first compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin side and the non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the first absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction, and the second absorbent sheet has a second compressed portion in which the sheets covering the skin side and the non-skin side of the superabsorbent polymer are compressed in a direction facing each other from the outer surface of the second absorbent sheet toward the inside in the thickness direction, an absorbent article in which the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction and the width direction when viewed in a plan view of the absorbent sheet, and a non-overlapping area is provided in at least the crotch region in which the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion do not overlap in the thickness direction.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the non-overlapping region includes: a first non-overlapping region in which an area of ​​the first absorbent sheet in which the first compressed section is provided overlaps an area of ​​the second absorbent sheet in which the second compressed section is not provided; a second non-overlapping region in which an area of ​​the first absorbent sheet in which the first compressed section is not provided overlaps an area of ​​the second absorbent sheet in which the second compressed section is provided; and a third non-overlapping region in which an area of ​​the first absorbent sheet in which the first compressed section is not provided overlaps an area of ​​the second absorbent sheet in which the second compressed section is not provided.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shortest distance between the first compressed portions and the shortest distance between the second compressed portions in a planar view of the absorbent sheet is longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer after being immersed in saline for 60 minutes, drained for 15 minutes, and then dehydrated in a centrifuge.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the maximum dimension of the first compressed portion and the maximum dimension of the second compressed portion in a planar view of the absorbent sheet are longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer after being immersed in saline for 60 minutes, drained for 15 minutes, and then dehydrated in a centrifuge.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first absorbent sheet and the second absorbent sheet are compressed and joined in the thickness direction to form sheet joints spaced apart in the front-to-rear and width directions in a planar view of the absorbent sheet, and the maximum dimension of the sheet joints in the planar view of the absorbent sheet is greater than the maximum dimension of the first compressed section and the maximum dimension of the second compressed section.

6. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent core in which at least cellulosic fibers are laminated, and in the width direction, the outer edge of the absorbent core is located more inward than the outer edge of the absorbent sheet.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the absorbent core is positioned across the center of the width of the absorbent article, and the first absorbent sheet is positioned closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the second absorbent sheet is disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent core.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer edge of said first absorbent sheet and an outer edge of said second absorbent sheet are offset from each other in the width direction.

10. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein cellulosic fibers are arranged between the sheets of the absorbent sheet together with the superabsorbent polymer, and the basis weight of the cellulosic fibers of the absorbent sheet is smaller than the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer of the absorbent sheet.

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