Absorbent article

Abstract

In this absorbent article, in order to make it easier to find an end edge of an overlapped region portion, a tape-type disposable diaper (100) is formed by connecting a back region (110), a crotch region (120), and a front region (130). A top sheet (10), an absorbent body (30), a polyethylene sheet (40), and a back sheet (20) are disposed therein. The diaper (100) is in a folded state in which a distal end portion (180a) is folded back and superposed on an inner end portion (180b). Lines (S0, S1) of the polyethylene sheet (40) are optically transmittable on an inner surface side and an outer surface side of the diaper (100). Furthermore, the lines are formed so as to cause the end edge (111) of the distal end portion (180a), which is a boundary line between the distal end portion (180a) and the inner end portion (180b), to be visually recognized in a plan view in the folded state.

Description

absorbent articles

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

[0002] Disposable diapers and other absorbent articles (hereinafter referred to as diapers, etc.) are formed by connecting a dorsal portion, a crotch portion, and a ventral portion along the longitudinal direction. These diapers, etc., are classified into two types: a pants-type diaper in which the dorsal portion and the ventral portion are connected in advance to form a covering portion around the waist of the wearer, and a tape-type diaper in which the dorsal portion, the crotch portion, and the ventral portion are spread out in the longitudinal direction, covering the buttocks, the crotch portion, and the lower abdomen of the wearer, respectively, and then the both sides of the dorsal portion and the both sides of the ventral portion are connected with tape.

[0003] Tape-type diapers and the like are provided as products in a state in which they are unfolded in the longitudinal direction, and then folded so that both widthwise ends are folded inward in the widthwise direction, and then from this widthwise folded state, both longitudinal ends are further folded back toward the longitudinal center.

[0004] Therefore, when a diaper user (the diaper wearer or caregiver) uses the product diaper, the user first unfolds the diaper in the folded state as described above in the longitudinal direction, and then unfolds it in the width direction.

[0005] Diapers and the like are generally made entirely of white nonwoven fabric, etc. When the diaper and the like is folded, the longitudinal end portion folded inward is overlapped with the region toward the center in the longitudinal direction, but because both the overlapped longitudinal end portion and the region toward the center in the longitudinal direction are white, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the boundary between them.

[0006] When a user unfolds a folded diaper in the longitudinal direction, the user places his / her fingers on the edge of the longitudinal end that is folded inward, but since this edge is the boundary between the two, it is difficult for the user to find the edge to place his / her fingers on. This makes the unfolding of the diaper particularly troublesome for elderly users with poor eyesight.

[0007] Furthermore, the tape connecting the back and ventral sections of diapers and the like is also made of a white panel member. The tape is folded over so that the outermost edge in the width direction is folded back inward in the width direction to protect the fastening portion (e.g., the hook member of a hook-and-loop fastener) before use. When using the diaper and the like, a user places their finger on the edge of the tape that is folded back inward. However, because the edge of the white tape overlaps the white back section of the diaper and the like, it is difficult for the user to find the edge of the tape and to unfold the tape.

[0008] It should be noted that a technique has been proposed in which part of a tape is colored to make it easier to find the location of the tape itself (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0009] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-042471

[0010] However, the techniques described in the above-mentioned prior art documents are intended to make it easier to find the tape itself, and are not intended to make it easier to find the edges of overlapping portions such as the edges of the leading ends of the tape.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an absorbent article in which the edges of overlapping areas can be easily found.

[0012] The present invention is an absorbent article in which a dorsal portion, a crotch portion, and a ventral portion are formed in a continuous manner along the longitudinal direction, and which comprises, in the thickness direction, a liquid-permeable inner sheet, an absorbent body that absorbs and retains moisture, an intermediate sheet with a design formed in a color other than white, and an outer sheet, which are arranged in this order from the skin side facing the wearer's skin; when the absorbent article is in a folded state in which a portion is folded back and overlapped on another portion, the design of the intermediate sheet is optically transparent to the inner and outer sides of the absorbent article, and is formed so that, when viewed in a plane in the folded state, the edge of the portion, which is the boundary between the portion and the other portion, can be seen.

[0013] The absorbent article according to the present invention can make it easier to find the edges of the overlapped areas.

[0014] 7A is a plan view of a tape-type disposable diaper as viewed from the side that contacts the wearer's skin (the inner surface of the diaper). It is a back view of the diaper as viewed from the side opposite the wearer's skin (the outer surface of the diaper). It is a cross-section taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. It is a diagram showing a state in which the fastening portion and the tab end of the fastening tape are folded back toward the center in the width direction W relative to the fixed end, thereby folding the diaper. It is a diagram showing a state in which one side portion in the width direction W of the diaper in an unfolded state is folded back toward the inner surface of the diaper along fold line L1. It is a diagram showing a state in which the outer portion of the folded-back side portion of the diaper is folded back toward the outer surface of the diaper along fold line L2. It is a diagram showing a state in which both sides in the width direction W of the diaper are folded back and folded. It is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 7A. It is a diagram showing a state in which one end portion in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper folded in the width direction W is folded back toward the inner surface of the diaper along fold line W1. 10A shows a state in which the other end portion in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper is folded back along the fold line W2 toward the inner side of the diaper. FIG. 10B shows a state in which the tip portion of the end portion 180 of the diaper, together with the other end portion, is folded back along the fold line W2 toward the inner side of the diaper. FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 10A. FIG. 10D shows the arrangement of the design (line S1) formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper of embodiment 1. FIG. 10E shows a first variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10F shows a second variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10G shows a third variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10H shows a first variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10H shows a second variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10H shows a third variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10I shows a third variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10I shows a third variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10I shows a fourth variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10I shows a fourth variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper. FIG. 10I shows a fifth ... sixth variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) showing variant 4 of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper.FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) showing variant 4 of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet of the diaper.

[0015] Embodiments of the absorbent article according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Configuration of Tape-Type Disposable Diaper> Fig. 1 is a plan view of a tape-type disposable diaper 100 (hereinafter referred to as the diaper 100) as seen from the side that comes into contact with the wearer's skin (the inner surface of the diaper 100), Fig. 2 is a back view of the diaper 100 as seen from the side opposite the wearer's skin (the outer surface of the diaper 100), and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1, i.e., a cross-sectional view of the crotch region 120 taken along the width direction W that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The illustrated diaper 100 is one embodiment of an absorbent article according to the present invention.

[0017] 1 and 2, the diaper 100 is formed by connecting a dorsal portion 110, a crotch portion 120, and a ventral portion 130 along the longitudinal direction L. As shown in Fig. 3, the diaper 100 is formed by stacking a gathered sheet 50, a top sheet 10, an absorbent body 30, a polyethylene sheet 40, and a back sheet 20 in the thickness direction D from the side that contacts the wearer's skin (the inner surface of the diaper 100).

[0018] (Top sheet) The top sheet 10 is an example of an inner sheet in the absorbent article according to the present invention, and is a sheet that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the diaper 100 is worn by the wearer. In the back-side portion 110 and the ventral-side portion 130, the top sheet 10 does not extend over the entire width direction W, but extends only to the outer region in the width direction W immediately adjacent to a line S1, which is a mark described below. However, the top sheet 10 may extend over the entire width direction W, in which case the top sheet 10 is formed to have the same shape as the outer shape of the diaper 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0019] The top sheet 10 is formed of a liquid-permeable, perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric or a porous plastic sheet. Due to this liquid permeability, the top sheet 10 allows moisture from the excrement excreted by the wearer to pass through in the thickness direction D and transfer the moisture to the absorbent body 30 located below the top sheet 10 (on the outer surface in the thickness direction D).

[0020] (Absorbent body) The absorbent body 30 is one example of an absorbent body in the absorbent article according to the present invention, and is provided over a portion of the back portion 110, the entire length of the crotch portion 120, and a portion of the abdominal portion 130 in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent body 30 is formed of an absorbent member 31 and crepe paper 32. The absorbent member 31 is made of pulp fibers intertwined with and distributed superabsorbent polymers (SAP), and absorbs and retains moisture.

[0021] The crepe paper 32 wraps the absorbent member 31 inside and maintains a fixed shape as the absorbent body 30. The crepe paper 32 is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric that has liquid permeability, and transfers moisture that has permeated the top sheet 10 to the absorbent member 31.

[0022] (Polyethylene Sheet) The polyethylene sheet 40 is an example of an intermediate sheet in the absorbent article according to the present invention. The polyethylene sheet 40 may be formed in a shape having the same width as the outer shape of the diaper 100, which is the product, or may be formed in a shape having approximately the same width as the top sheet 10. The polyethylene sheet 40 is formed of liquid-impermeable polyethylene, and prevents moisture that has permeated the top sheet 10 and moisture held by the absorbent body 30 from permeating in the thickness direction D of the polyethylene sheet 40.

[0023] The intermediate sheet in the absorbent article according to the present invention is not limited to the polyethylene sheet 40, but may be a sheet made of a liquid-impermeable resin material such as polypropylene.

[0024] In addition, the absorbent article of the present invention only requires that at least one of the intermediate sheet and the outer sheet be made of a liquid-impermeable material, and that moisture that has permeated the inner sheet or moisture that cannot be retained by the absorbent body is not allowed to permeate through the intermediate sheet or outer sheet, thereby preventing moisture from permeating to the outside of the outer sheet.

[0025] (Backsheet) The backsheet 20 is an example of an outer sheet in the absorbent article according to the present invention, and is the sheet disposed on the outermost side of the diaper 100 when the diaper 100 is worn by a wearer. The backsheet 20 forms the outer shape of the diaper 100 shown in Fig. 2. The backsheet 20 is formed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric.

[0026] 1 and 3, the gathered sheet 50 is disposed closer to the wearer's skin than the top sheet 10. The gathered sheet 50 is provided in both side regions in the width direction W of the diaper 100, excluding the central region where the absorbent body 30 is disposed, overlapping both end portions of the backsheet 20 in the width direction W.

[0027] Therefore, in the diaper 100, the top sheet 10 comes into contact with the wearer's skin in the central region in the width direction W where the absorbent body 30 is arranged, and the gathered sheet 50 comes into contact with the wearer's skin in the region outside the center in the width direction W where the absorbent body 30 is not arranged.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, each of the two gathered sheets 50 is formed such that a region 50b on the central side in the width direction W is not joined to the top sheet 10. Furthermore, each gathered sheet 50 has rubber thread 51 (an example of an elastic member) extending along the longitudinal direction L at an end portion 50a on the central side in the width direction W in the crotch region 120. The rubber thread 51 is joined to the gathered sheet 50 in a state stretched more than its natural state.

[0029] Therefore, when a wearer puts on the diaper 100, the crotch region 120 curves along the wearer's body, and the restoring force (elastic force) of the rubber threads 51 causes the central region 50b of the gathered sheet 50 in the width direction W to rise up from the top sheet 10 toward the wearer's skin. The end portions 50a of the raised gathered sheet 50 come into close contact with the wearer's groin area, preventing leakage from around the legs of the diaper 100.

[0030] (Lines formed on the polyethylene sheet) The polyethylene sheet 40 is provided with a design that is visible as part of the exterior of the diaper 100. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the diaper 10 is provided with a plurality of lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 that extend linearly along the longitudinal direction L from both end edges 111 and 131 in the longitudinal direction L, as an example of the design.

[0031] These lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 are drawn in a color different from the base of the polyethylene sheet 40. The base of the polyethylene sheet 40 is, for example, transparent or white, and the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 are formed in a color other than white, for example, light blue. The color of the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 is not limited to light blue and may be another color.

[0032] Furthermore, the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 do not have to be formed so as to extend to both end edges 111 and 131 in the longitudinal direction L, and the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 may be formed, for example, only on the back side portion 110 where the fastening tape 60 described later is arranged, or may be formed on the back side portion 110 and the crotch portion 120, or may be formed on the back side portion 110 and the abdominal side portion 130. Note that the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 are preferably formed so as to reach the end edge 111 of the back side portion 110.

[0033] These lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 extend continuously from the dorsal portion 110 to the ventral portion 130 along the longitudinal direction L. The lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 may be formed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the polyethylene sheet 40, but the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 are required to be optically transparent to the inner surface (excluding the region where the absorber 30 is disposed) and the outer surface of the diaper 100, so that they are visible to a user, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the top sheet 10 of the diaper 100 is formed in white or a color brighter than the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 so as to optically transmit the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 formed on the polyethylene sheet 40. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 1, the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 of the diaper 100 can be seen from the inner surface of the diaper 100 (excluding the area where the absorbent body 30 is disposed).

[0035] Similarly, the backsheet 20 and the gathered sheet 50 of the diaper 100 are formed in white or a color brighter than the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 so as to optically transmit the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 formed on the polyethylene sheet 40. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 of the diaper 100 can be seen from the outer surface side of the diaper 100.

[0036] In the diaper 100, the absorbent body 30 is formed in a color different from the colors of the lines S1, S2, S3, and S0, for example, white. In the diaper 100, the absorbent body 30 is formed with a width (<Wb) that does not cover the lines S1 and S2 formed in the polyethylene sheet 40 and a width (>Wc) that is wider than the width W3 between the lines S3, but the width of the absorbent body 30 is not limited to this example.

[0037] The line S0 overlaps the center line C of the diaper 100 in the width direction W, and is formed with a thick line width with the center line C as the center of line symmetry. The line S0 is a mark indicating the center of the diaper 100 in the width direction W.

[0038] Two lines S3 are formed outside the line S0 at positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the center line C. The two lines S3 are formed at a position of width Wc between the lines along the width direction W. The lines S3 can also be used as marks that indicate a guide for aligning the tape 60 in the width direction W when engaging the tape 60 with the backsheet 20 of the abdominal side portion 130.

[0039] That is, the lines S3 and S0 can also be used as marks when engaging the left and right tapes 60 at equal positions in the width direction W. The two lines S3 are partially hidden by the absorbent body 30 on the inner surface side of the diaper 100, but are not partially hidden on the outer surface side, so there is no problem when engaging the tapes 60 with the backsheet 20 of the abdominal portion 130.

[0040] Two lines S2 are formed outside the line S3 at positions symmetrical to each other across the center line C. The two lines S2 are formed at a position with a width Wb (>Wc) between the lines along the width direction W.

[0041] Two lines S1 are formed outside the line S2 at positions symmetrical to each other across the center line C. The two lines S1 are formed at a position with a width Wa (>Wb) between the lines (between the inner edges of the lines S1) along the width direction W. The line S1 is formed to have a wider line width (line width) than the line S2.

[0042] As will be described later, these lines S1, S2, S3, and S0 are arranged in such a way that, when viewed in a plan view in a folded state in which a portion of the diaper 100 is folded over and overlapped on another portion, the edge of the portion that is the boundary line between the folded portion and the overlapped portion is visible.

[0043] In the diaper 100 of this embodiment, the lines S1 and S0 are the only essential design elements formed on the polyethylene sheet 40, and therefore the lines S2 and S3 may be omitted.

[0044] (Fastening Tape) Two fastening tapes 60 (hereinafter referred to as tapes 60) are provided on each side of the back portion 110 of the diaper 100 at different positions in the longitudinal direction L. These fastening tapes join each side of the back portion 110 to the abdominal portion 130 when the wearer is wearing the diaper 100. The diaper 100 is not limited to having two tapes 60 on each side, but may have one tape 60 on each side. The tape 60 is an example of a tape member in the absorbent article according to the present invention.

[0045] The tape 60 has a base material made of nonwoven fabric formed into a long strip in the width direction W. The base material of the tape 60 is, for example, white. The base material of the tape 60 defines a fixed end portion 63, a fastening portion 62, and a tab end portion 61 along the width direction W. The fixed end portion 63 is located on the side closer to the center line C in the width direction W of the diaper 100. The fixed end portion 63 is joined to the gathered sheet 50 and the back sheet 20 in a state sandwiched between the gathered sheet 50 and the back sheet 20 in the thickness direction D, thereby fixing the tape 60 to the back side portion 110.

[0046] The fastening portion 62 is a portion in which a hook member of, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener is superimposed on the base material. The hook member is provided on the surface of the tape 60 that faces the skin of the wearer wearing the diaper 100. The hook member is colored, for example, light blue.

[0047] The gripping end 61 is the portion of the tape 60 that is gripped with the fingers by the wearer or a caregiver who assists the wearer in putting on the diaper (hereinafter, the wearer and the caregiver will be referred to as the user, etc.).

[0048] The fastening portion 62 and the gripping end 61 of the tape 60 protrude outward in the width direction W from the outer shape of the back side portion 110, and the user etc. pulls the protruding portion along the wearer's waist toward the abdominal side portion 130, and engages the fastening portion 62 with the back sheet 20 of the abdominal side portion 130, thereby fixing the fastening portion 62 to the abdominal side portion 130.

[0049] By fixing the tapes 60 on both sides of the width direction W of the back portion 110 to the abdominal portion 130, the back portion 110 and the abdominal portion 130 are connected, and the end edge 111 in the longitudinal direction L of the back portion 110 and the end edge 131 in the longitudinal direction L of the abdominal portion 130 are connected circumferentially to form a waist opening corresponding to the waist circumference of the wearer, and the both side edges 121, 121 of the crotch portion 120 are connected circumferentially to form openings around the wearer's legs.

[0050] <Description of the diaper as supplied as a product> Figure 4 shows the diaper 100 in a folded state, with the fastening portion 62 and the gripping end 61 of the tape 60 folded back toward the center in the width direction W relative to the fixed end 63.

[0051] When the diaper 100 is provided as a product, the tape 60 is folded as shown in Figure 4, with the fastening portion 62 and the gripping end portion 61 folded back toward the center in the width direction W relative to the fixed end portion 63.

[0052] The fastening part 62 and the tab end 61 are folded back toward the inner surface (the side of the gathered sheet 50) that faces the wearer's skin in the thickness direction D. In other words, the tape 60 is folded in such a manner that the fastening part 62 provided with the hook member is overlapped with the opposing fixed end 63 and the gathered sheet 50, and the tab end 61 (an example of one part) is overlapped with the opposing gathered sheet 50 (an example of another part).

[0053] Since the gripping end 61 is overlapped on the gathered sheet 50, when a user pinches the gripping end 61 with their fingers, they need to hook their fingers on the edge 61a of the gripping end 61 and raise (stand) the gripping end 61 in the thickness direction D.

[0054] The diaper 100 is folded as shown in Fig. 9 when provided as a product. In this folded state, the diaper 100 in the unfolded state shown in Fig. 1 is folded back along fold lines L1 and L2 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction L, and further folded back along fold lines W1 and W2 extending parallel to the width direction W.

[0055] The diaper 100 has folds 151, 161 along each fold line L1 (see Figure 7A), folds 152, 162 along fold line L2, fold 181 along fold line W1 (see Figures 8 and 9), and folds 182, 191 along fold line W2 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0056] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which one side portion 150 in the width direction W of the diaper 100 in an unfolded state is folded back along a fold line L1 toward the inner side of the diaper 100. Specifically, in the unfolded state of the diaper 100 (the tape 60 is in a folded state as shown in Fig. 4), one side portion 150 in the width direction W of the diaper 100 is folded back toward the inner side of the diaper 100 along the fold line L1 toward a portion 140 in the central region including the center line C in the width direction W (hereinafter referred to as the central portion 140). As a result, the diaper 100 is folded in a state in which the side portion 150 is overlapped with the central portion 140.

[0057] 6 shows the diaper 100 with the outer portions 150a of the folded-over side portions 150 folded along the fold line L2 toward the outer surface of the diaper 100. Next, the outer portions 150a of the folded-over side portions 150, which are closer to the side edges 112, 132, are folded toward the outer surface of the diaper 100 along the fold line L1 toward the inner portions 150b farther from the side edges 112, 132, as shown in FIG. 6. As a result, the diaper 100 is folded such that the outer portions 150a are overlapped with the inner portions 150b and the central portion 140.

[0058] 7A is a view showing the diaper 100 in a folded state with both side portions 150, 160 in the width direction W folded back, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line BB in FIG. 7A.

[0059] The other side portion 160 of the diaper 100 in the width direction W is also folded in the same manner as the one side portion 150, and the diaper 100 is folded in a state in which the outer portion 150a is overlapped with the inner portion 150b and the central portion 140, and the outer portion 160a is overlapped with the inner portion 160b and the central portion 140, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

[0060] 8 is a diagram showing a folded state in which one end portion 180 in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper 100 folded in the width direction W is folded back along the fold line W1 toward the inner side of the diaper 100. After the diaper 100 has been folded in the width direction W as described above, the one end portion 180 in the longitudinal direction L (the end portion on the back-side portion 110 side) of the diaper 100 is then folded back along the fold line W1 toward the inner side of the diaper 100 toward a portion 170 in the central region in the longitudinal direction L (hereinafter referred to as the central portion 170) including the crotch region 120, as shown in FIG.

[0061] As a result, the diaper 100 is folded in a state in which the end portion 180 is overlapped with the central portion 170 and the other end portion 190 in the longitudinal direction L (the end portion on the abdominal portion 130 side).

[0062] 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the other end portion 190 in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper 100 is folded along the fold line W2 toward the inner surface of the diaper 100. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the other end portion 190 in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper 100 is folded along the fold line W2 toward the inner surface of the diaper 100 toward the one folded end portion 180. As a result, the diaper 100 is folded such that the end portion 190 is overlapped with the end portion 180 and the central portion 170, and is ready to be provided as a product.

[0063] Figure 10A shows the state in which the tip portion 180a of the end portion 180 of the diaper 100, together with the end portion 190, is folded back toward the inner side of the diaper 100 along the fold line W2, and Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line E-E in Figure 10A.

[0064] When the end portion 190 of the diaper 100 is folded back along the fold line W2 from the state shown in Fig. 8 (see Fig. 9), as shown in Fig. 10A, the tip portion 180a of the end portion 180, which is the portion of the end portion 180 that is lower than the fold line W2 in Fig. 8 and is closer to the edge 111, is folded back together with the end portion 190 onto the inner end portion 180b, which is the portion of the end portion 180 that is upper than the fold line W2 in the figure. In other words, the tip portion 180a (an example of one portion) is overlapped with the inner end portion 180b (an example of another portion).

[0065] When a user uses the diaper 100 provided in such a folded state, the user first unfolds the diaper 100 by lifting the end portion 190 in the longitudinal direction L from the overlapped end portion 180 toward the user, centering on the fold 191 formed along the fold line W2. At this time, the lifted end portion 190 unfolds, but the tip portion 180a of the end portion 180 folded back together with the end portion 190 remains unfolded and overlaps the inner end portion 180b, as shown in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0066] Here, absorbent articles to which the present invention does not apply do not have the polyethylene sheet 40 as an intermediate sheet, or if a polyethylene sheet 40 is provided, it is uniformly white (for example, white) like the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. Therefore, in diapers to which the present invention does not apply, the white leading edge portion 180a overlaps the white inner edge portion 180b, making it difficult for users to visually distinguish the boundary between the leading edge portion 180a and the inner edge portion 180b. In particular, elderly users with poor eyesight find the task of unfolding the diaper extremely troublesome.

[0067] In contrast, in the diaper 100 of this embodiment, a design of lines S0 and S1 is formed in a color other than white on the polyethylene sheet 40. In the folded state shown in Fig. 10A, the design (line S1) visible at the leading edge portion 180a when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W is different from the design (line S0) visible at the inner edge portion 180b when the diaper 100 is not folded in the width direction W and the leading edge portion 180a overlaps.

[0068] Specifically, lines S0 and S1 are formed so that, when viewed in a plane when the diaper 100 is folded, the edge 111 of the tip portion 180a, which is the boundary line between the tip portion 180a and the inner end portion 180b, can be seen.

[0069] 10A, line S0 is visually recognized as extending from inner end portion 180b to edge 111, which is the boundary line, but not from tip portion 180a, and line S1 is visually recognized as extending from tip portion 180a to edge 111, which is the boundary line, but not from inner end portion 180b. In other words, both lines S0 and S1 are visually recognized as not being continuous between tip portion 180a and inner end portion 180b, which are separated by edge 111.

[0070] As a result, the diaper 100 allows the user to visually distinguish and recognize the distal end portion 180a and the inner end portion 180b by the difference in design of the lines S0 and S1, and allows the user to visually recognize the edge 111, which is the boundary between the distal end portion 180a and the inner end portion 180b. Therefore, the diaper 100 allows the user to easily and clearly recognize the edge 111 of the distal end portion 180a.

[0071] This allows the user to securely hook their fingers around the edge 111 of the tip portion 180a that overlaps the inner end portion 180b, and pull up the tip portion 180a from the overlapping inner end portion 180b, centering on the fold 191 formed along the fold line W2, to unfold the diaper 100 as shown in Figure 8.

[0072] When the diaper 100 is unfolded in the state shown in Figure 8, the design (line S1) visible at the end portion 190 when folded in the width direction W is different from the design (line S0) visible at the end portion 180 when not folded in the width direction W and overlapping the end portion 190.

[0073] 8, line S0 is visually recognized as extending from end portion 180 to edge 111, which is the boundary line, but not being formed in end portion 190, and line S1 is visually recognized as extending from end portion 190 to edge 111, which is the boundary line, but not being formed in end portion 180. In other words, both lines S0 and S1 are visually recognized as not being continuous between end portion 180 and end portion 190, which are separated by edge 111.

[0074] As a result, the diaper 100 allows the user, etc., to visually distinguish and recognize the end portion 180 and the end portion 190 by using the different design of the lines S0 and S1, and allows the user, etc., to visually recognize the edge 111, which is the boundary line between the end portion 180 and the end portion 190. Therefore, the diaper 100 allows the user, etc., to easily and clearly recognize the edge 111 of the end portion 180.

[0075] This allows the user or the like to securely hook their fingers around the edge 111 of the end portion 180 that overlaps the end portion 190, and pull the end portion 180 up from the overlapping end portion 190, centering on the fold 181 formed along the fold line W1, thereby unfolding the diaper 100 as shown in Figure 7A.

[0076] Before the diaper 100 unfolded in the state shown in Fig. 7A is unfolded in the width direction W, each tape 60 is unfolded from the folded state shown in Fig. 4 to the unfolded state shown in Fig. 1. To unfold the folded tape 60, as described above, the user or the like needs to pinch the gripping end 61 with their fingers and hook their fingers on the edge 61 a of the gripping end 61.

[0077] Here, absorbent articles to which the present invention does not apply do not have the polyethylene sheet 40 as an intermediate sheet, or even if the polyethylene sheet 40 is provided, it is a uniform white color (for example, white) like the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. Therefore, in diapers to which the present invention does not apply, when the tab end 61 overlaps the gathered sheet 50, it is difficult for users to visually recognize the boundary between the tab end 61 and the gathered sheet 50.

[0078] Therefore, in a diaper to which the present invention is not applied, it is difficult for a user to recognize the edge 61a of the grip end 61. In particular, elderly users with poor eyesight find it extremely troublesome to search for the grip end 61 and unfold the tape 60.

[0079] In contrast, in the diaper 100 of this embodiment, a design of lines S1 is formed in a color different from white on the polyethylene sheet 40. As shown in Fig. 7A, the white tab end 61 of the diaper 100 is superimposed on an area of ​​the gathered sheet 50 where the color of the lines S1 formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 is transmitted.

[0080] In other words, as shown in Figure 6, the line S1 is formed so that the edge 61a of the gripping end 61, which is the boundary line between the gripping end 61 and the gathered sheet 50, can be seen in a plan view when the tape 60 is folded.

[0081] Specifically, line S1 exists in the area of ​​gathered sheet 50 where pinched end 61 is overlapped, but does not exist in pinched end 61, so line S1 is formed discontinuously from the side of gathered sheet 50 to the side of pinched end 61, and line S1 is visually perceived as being formed up to edge 61a in the area of ​​gathered sheet 50.

[0082] Therefore, the diaper 100 allows the user or the like to easily and clearly see the edge 61a of the white gripping end 61, which is used to hook the fingers.

[0083] This allows the user to securely hook his / her fingers on the edge 61a of the gripping end 61 overlapping the gathered sheet 50, and pull up the gripping end 61 overlapping the gathered sheet 50 from the gathered sheet 50, thereby unfolding the tape 60 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0084] As described above in detail, the diaper 100 of this embodiment allows the user to easily and clearly find the edges of the areas where the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 is folded over and overlaps with other parts (the gathered sheet 50 and the inner end portion 180b), such as the tape 60 and the tip portion 180a.

[0085] <Variation 1> Fig. 11A is a diagram showing the arrangement of the design (lines S1) formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 in the diaper 100 of embodiment 1, and Fig. 11B is a diagram showing variation 1 (variation in arrangement) of the design (lines S1) formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 in the diaper 100. In the diaper 100 of this embodiment, the lines S1 of the polyethylene sheet 40 are formed on the inner portion 150b as shown in Fig. 11A, but the lines S1 of the polyethylene sheet 40 may also be formed on the outer portion 150a as shown in Fig. 11B.

[0086] The diaper 100 of variant 1 configured in this manner allows the user, etc., to easily and clearly find the edge of the area where the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 overlaps the inner end portion 180b of the tip portion 180a.

[0087] 12A, 12B, and 12C are diagrams showing a second variation of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 of the diaper 100. In the diaper 100 of this embodiment, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, the line S0 and the line S1 are formed such that the side edge of the line S0 of the inner end portion 180b and the inner edges of the two lines S1, S1 of the tip portion 180a are aligned on a straight line sandwiched between the boundary lines, as shown in FIG.

[0088] However, the diaper 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, the lines S0 and S1 may be formed so that the side edge of the line S0 of the inner end portion 180b is more inward than the inner edges of the two lines S1 of the tip portion 180a, and the two may have different designs across the edge 111 that serves as the boundary between them.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12B, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, the lines S0 and S1 of the inner end portion 180b are formed so that the side edge of the line S0 is outside the inner edges of the two lines S1 of the tip portion 180a, so that the two lines have different designs across the edge 111 that serves as the boundary between them.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12C, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, the inner end portion 180b may remain white without any design such as a line S0, and the tip portion 180a may have two lines S1 formed thereon, so that the two portions have different designs across the edge 111 that serves as the boundary between them.

[0091] The diaper 100 of variant 2 configured in this manner allows the user, etc., to easily and clearly find the edge of the area where the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 overlaps the inner end portion 180b of the tip portion 180a.

[0092] <Modification 3> Figures 13A, 13B, and 13C are diagrams showing modification 3 of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 of the diaper 100. In the diaper 100 of this embodiment, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, as shown in Figure 10A, the design formed on the inner edge portion 180b is a straight line S0. However, the design formed on the inner edge portion 180b is not limited to a straight line S0. For example, as shown in Figure 13A, it may be a line S0 with wavy outlines on both sides, as shown in Figure 13A, or a pattern S0 of multiple distributed polka dots as shown in Figure 13B, or a pattern S0 of figures such as triangles arranged in a straight line as shown in Figure 13B.

[0093] The diaper 100 of variant 3 configured in this manner allows the user to easily and clearly find the edge of the area where the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 overlaps the inner end portion 180b of the tip portion 180a.

[0094] 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a fourth modification of the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 of the diaper 100. In the diaper 100 according to the embodiment, when the diaper 100 is folded in the width direction W, as shown in Fig. 10A, the design (line S0) formed on the inner end portion 180b and the design (line S1) formed on the distal end portion 180a each contact the edge 111, which is the boundary between the inner end portion 180b and the distal end portion 180a. However, it is also possible for only one of the design formed on the inner end portion 180b and the design formed on the distal end portion 180a to not contact the edge 111.

[0095] Specifically, the diaper 100 may be configured such that, for example, as shown in FIG. 14A, the design (line Sn) formed on the inner end portion 180b is formed in contact with the edge 111, and the design (line S1) formed on the tip portion 180a is formed away from the edge 111.

[0096] Furthermore, the diaper 100 may be configured such that, for example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the design (line Sn) formed on the inner end portion 180b is formed away from the edge 111, and the design (line S1) formed on the tip portion 180a is formed in contact with the edge 111.

[0097] The diaper 100 of variant 4 configured in this manner allows the user to easily and clearly find the edge of the area where the design formed on the polyethylene sheet 40 overlaps the inner end portion 180b of the tip portion 180a.

[0098] The absorbent article of the present invention may have a design formed on the intermediate sheet so that the folded portion and the portion on which the folded portion overlaps can be visually recognized as different designs on either side of the boundary between them. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0099] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-049178, filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 26, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. An absorbent article in which a dorsal portion, a crotch portion, and a ventral portion are formed in a continuous manner along the longitudinal direction, and which comprises, in the thickness direction, a liquid-permeable inner sheet, an absorbent body that absorbs and retains moisture, an intermediate sheet with a design formed in a color other than white, and an outer sheet, which are arranged in this order from the skin side facing the wearer's skin, wherein the absorbent article is in a folded state in which one portion is folded back and overlapped with another portion, and the design of the intermediate sheet is optically transparent to the inner and outer sides of the absorbent article, and is formed so that the edge of the one portion, which is the boundary line between the one portion and the other portion, can be seen when viewed in a plane in the folded state.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the design of the intermediate sheet is not continuous on the side of the one portion and the side of the other portion on either side of the boundary line, and the design on at least one of the side of the one portion and the side of the other portion is visually perceived as extending up to the boundary line.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the part is a tape connecting the dorsal side part and the ventral side part.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the other portion is a portion including the longitudinal end portion folded back toward the inner surface toward the longitudinal center portion, and the one portion is a part of the other portion that includes the longitudinal end edge.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the design of the intermediate sheet is a line extending along the longitudinal direction.

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