Underpants-type disposable wearable article

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an underpants-type disposable wearable article that has the function of assisting a wearer in standing. [Solution] Said problem is solved via an underpants-type disposable wearable article characterized in that: a rear body B thereof has a rear support elastic member 27 with a long, thin shape that extends in a manner approaching the center in the width direction WD and approaching a crotch region L from a first position E1 positioned on the boundary between a left side seal portion 21 and a waist portion W to at least a left-leg-surrounding region L2, and from a second position E2 positioned on the boundary between a right side seal portion 21 and the waist portion W to at least a right-leg-surrounding region L3; and the disposition portion of the rear support elastic member 27 in the rear body B elastically stretches and contracts between a natural-length state in which the same has contracted along with the rear support elastic member 27 due to the contraction of the rear support elastic member 27, and an expanded state in which the same has stretched along with the rear support elastic member 27 together with the stretching of the rear support elastic member 27.

Description

Pants-type disposable wear

[0001] The present invention relates to pants-type disposable wearing articles such as pants-type disposable diapers and pants-type sanitary napkins.

[0002] Pant-type disposable wearing articles (including trunk-type ones) have side seals where both sides of the front body are welded to both sides of the back body. The side seals have a number of welds arranged at intervals in a predetermined pattern. The side seals allow a flat assembly to be formed into a pant-like or trunk-like shape with a waist opening and leg openings.

[0003] In order to improve the fit of such pants-type disposable wearable articles to the body, stretchable structures are provided in the torso region of the outer body, which is defined as the region between the side seals, or in an intermediate region located between the front and rear torso regions, resulting in a relatively high fit to the body (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). The stretchable structure is generally formed by fixing an elastic member in a stretched state between the inner and outer sheet layers that make up the outer body. When in a natural length state, the stretchable outer body contracts due to the contractile force of the elastic member. When worn, the outer body stretches against the contractile force of the elastic member, resulting in a close fit of the outer body to the body due to the contractile force of the elastic member.

[0004] When the stretch structure of the outer garment is formed by elongated elastic members such as threads or strips, the elastic members are arranged in a predetermined pattern along the stretch direction, and multiple elastic members are arranged at intervals to form stretchable regions. For example, when tightening the torso region in the waist direction, the elastic members are arranged along the width direction. When tightening the edges of the leg openings in the leg direction, the elastic members are arranged in a pattern that runs from one side seal along the edge of the leg opening toward the width center, across the width center toward the other leg opening, and then along the other leg opening to the other side seal.

[0005] On the other hand, recently, a device has been proposed that utilizes the contractile force of an elastic member to assist the function of the muscles around the pelvis (such as abdominal muscles) and stabilize the pelvis (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

[0006] However, there is no known device that assists the wearer in standing up.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-115544 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-217940 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-202246 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6503489

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a pants-type disposable wearing article that has a function of assisting the wearer in standing up.

[0009] The disposable pants-type wearing article that solves the above problems is as follows: <First Aspect> A pants-type wearing article includes a front body, a back body, a pair of left and right side seals formed by joining both side edges of the front body and both side edges of the back body, a waist opening, and a pair of left and right leg openings, the front body and the back body each have a torso region defined as the region between the pair of left and right side seals, and a crotch region located between the edges of the pair of left and right leg openings, the torso regions of the front body and the back body each include a waist region extending along an upper edge from the left side seal to the right side seal, and a lower waist region adjacent below the waist region and extending from the left side seal to the right side seal, the waist region has waist elastic members and is elastically stretchable between a natural length state in which it is contracted in the width direction due to contraction of the waist elastic members and an expanded state in which it is stretched as the waist elastic members stretch, the crotch region has a central region defined as a region between a left imaginary line extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through a point on the left edge of the leg opening that is located closest to the center in the width direction, and a right imaginary line extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through a point on the right edge of the leg opening that is located closest to the center in the width direction, a left leg region defined as a region between the left edge of the leg opening and the left imaginary line, and a right leg region defined as a region between the right edge of the leg opening and the right imaginary line, wherein the back body has elongated rear support elastic members extending from a first position located on the boundary between the left side seal portion and the waist portion to at least the left leg region, and from a second position located on the boundary between the right side seal portion and the waist portion to at least the right leg region, respectively, so as to approach the center in the width direction and approach the crotch region, a portion of the rear body where the rear support elastic members are arranged elastically stretches and contracts between a natural length state where the portion contracts along the rear support elastic members as the rear support elastic members contract, and an expanded state where the portion stretches along the rear support elastic members as the rear support elastic members expand.

[0010] (Effects) When the wearer is standing, the rear body section is subjected to almost no longitudinal stretching force, and the rear support elastic members remain at their natural length in the longitudinal direction. However, when the wearer changes position from standing to sitting, the hip joints flex, causing the wearer's buttocks to protrude, increasing the distance between the waist and the gluteal crease on the wearer's body surface. The waist elastic members press the waist section of the pants-type disposable garment above the iliac crest, preventing the rear body section from slipping down. The rear support elastic members extend from above the iliac crest to pass closer to the center of the body than the greater trochanter. Furthermore, when the wearer's legs are inserted into both leg openings, the front body section catches the rear body section, preventing it from slipping up. Therefore, a stretching force is effectively applied to the rear support elastic members, and the rear support elastic members are stretched from their natural length or close to it in accordance with the increase in the distance between the waist and gluteal crease on the wearer's body surface, accumulating a contractile force. Therefore, in this pants-type disposable wearing article, when the wearer stands up from this seated position, the contractile force of the rear support elastic member acts in a direction that assists in extending the hip joint, thereby assisting the wearer in standing up.

[0011] <Second Aspect> The pants-type disposable wearing article of the first aspect, wherein the torso region and the crotch region of the front body and the back body have elongated leg elastic members that extend from a third position located on the boundary between the left side seal portion and a lower end of the waistband lower portion to at least the left leg region, and from a fourth position located on the boundary between the right side seal portion and the lower end of the waistband lower portion to at least the right leg region, while approaching the center in the width direction and approaching the crotch region; the leg elastic members elastically stretch between a natural length state in which they are contracted along the leg elastic members as the leg elastic members contract, and an expanded length state in which they are stretched along the leg elastic members as the leg elastic members stretch; and the rear support elastic members extend from the first position at least to a position where they intersect with the leg elastic members of the left leg region, and from the second position at least to a position where they intersect with the leg elastic members of the right leg region.

[0012] (Effects) Without the leg elastic members of this embodiment, the rear support elastic members would pull and shift the left and right leg regions toward the wearer's buttocks when seated, potentially contracting and resulting in insufficient accumulation of contractile force for assisting standing up. Furthermore, if the left and right leg regions shift toward the wearer's buttocks when seated, this could result in a poor fit. In contrast, with the configuration of this embodiment, the contractile force of the rear support elastic members, which pulls the first and second position regions in opposite directions, is supported by the waist elastic members over a wide area of ​​the waist, while the force pulling the left and right leg regions in opposite directions is supported by the leg elastic members over a wide area of ​​the left and right leg regions. As a result, this embodiment not only prevents the left and right leg regions from shifting when seated, but also prevents insufficient accumulation of contractile force for assisting standing up.

[0013] <Third Aspect> The waist elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the width direction at intervals in the front-to-back direction, The rear support elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rear support elastic members, The leg elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rear support elastic members, The force required to stretch one waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the number of waist elastic members is greater than the number of rear support elastic members, Or The force required to stretch one waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the number of waist elastic members is equal to the number of rear support elastic members, The pants-type disposable wearing article of the second aspect, wherein the force required to stretch one of the leg elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction is equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one of the rear support elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of the leg elastic members is greater than the number of the rear support elastic members, or the force required to stretch one of the leg elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction is greater than the force required to stretch one of the rear support elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of the leg elastic members is equal to the number of the rear support elastic members.

[0014] (Effects) When configured in this manner, the waist portion, left leg area, and right leg area are less likely to slip when sitting, and the accumulation of contractile force for assisting standing as described above is less likely to become insufficient.

[0015] <Fourth Aspect> The pants-type disposable wearing article of the third aspect, wherein the lower waist portion has a plurality of elongated lower waist elastic members arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction and extending along the width direction, the lower waist portion having the lower waist elastic members, and the lower waist portion elastically expands and contracts between a natural length state in which the lower waist elastic members contract in the width direction as the lower waist elastic members contract, and an expanded state in which the lower waist elastic members expand as the lower waist elastic members expand, and the force required to stretch one lower waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is smaller than the force required to stretch one lower waist elastic member 150% in the length direction, the force required to stretch one leg elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction.

[0016] (Effects) The lower waist portion often has a plurality of elongated lower waist elastic members spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction along the width direction. In such cases, the configuration of this embodiment is preferable because the lower waist portion is less likely to inhibit the elongation of the rear support elastic members (hindering the accumulation of contractile force for assisting standing) when the wearer is in a seated position.

[0017] <Fifth Aspect> The pants-type disposable wearing article of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the front body has elongated front support elastic members that extend from a fifth position located on the boundary between the left side seal portion and the waist portion and from a sixth position located on the boundary between the right side seal portion and the waist portion, respectively, toward the widthwise center and toward the crotch region, and the portions of the front body where the front support elastic members are arranged elastically stretch and contract between a natural length state where the front support elastic members contract along the front support elastic members as the front support elastic members contract, and an expanded length state where the front support elastic members stretch along the front support elastic members as the front support elastic members stretch.

[0018] (Effects) With such a front support elastic member, the portion of the rear support elastic member on the first position side and the portion of the front support elastic member on the fifth position side, as well as the portion of the rear support elastic member on the second position side and the portion of the front support elastic member on the sixth position side, can be pressed above the iliac crest and hooked onto the iliac crest. Therefore, in this aspect, the end portions of the rear support elastic member on the first position side and the second position side are less likely to slip down when sitting, making it less likely that the rear support elastic member will be hindered from elongating (hindering the accumulation of contractile force to assist standing up).

[0019] <Sixth Aspect> The pants-type disposable wearing article of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein an inner edge of the side seal portion adjacent to the waist portion has a protruding portion that is located closer to the center in the width direction than an inner edge of the side seal portion adjacent to the lower waist portion.

[0020] (Effects) By providing the protrusions in the side seals as in this embodiment, the protrusions can be hooked above the wearer's iliac crest, making it less likely that the ends of the rear support elastic members on the first and second positions will slip down when the wearer is sitting, and reducing the likelihood of the rear support elastic members being inhibited from stretching (reducing the accumulation of contractile force required to assist standing).

[0021] <Seventh Aspect> The pants-type disposable wearing article according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the waist portion of the rear body has a non-slip portion on an inner surface in a widthwise range including the rear support elastic member, and no non-slip portion is provided between the waist portion and the crotch region.

[0022] (Effects) As in this embodiment, the waist portion of the rear body has an anti-slip portion as in this embodiment, but there is no anti-slip portion between the waist portion and the crotch region, making it less likely that the end positions of the rear support elastic member on the first position side and the end positions on the second position side will slip down when sitting, and making it less likely that the rear support elastic member will be hindered from stretching (hindering the accumulation of contractile force to assist in standing up).

[0023] the rear support elastic members extend from the first position through the left region to at least the left leg region and from the second position through the right region to at least the right leg region, in a pattern in which the acute-side crossing angle of a tangent to the front-to-rear direction continuously decreases and then, after passing through a single inflection point or straight line portion, continuously increases; the inflection point or the straight line portion is located on the widthwise center side of the left region and the right region, respectively; and the acute-side crossing angle of the tangent to the inflection point or the straight line portion with respect to the front-to-rear direction is 5 to 30 degrees.

[0024] (Effects) The positioning of the rear support elastic member can be determined as appropriate, but when it is positioned as in this embodiment, it is preferable because it can particularly effectively extend the rear support elastic member (accumulate contractile force) when the wearer changes posture from a standing position to a sitting position, and assist in hip joint extension (utilize contractile force) by contracting the rear support elastic member when the wearer stands up from a sitting position.

[0025] <Ninth Aspect> A pants-type disposable wearing article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, comprising: an integrated exterior body spanning from the front to the back body, or exterior bodies separately provided for the front and back body; and an interior body including an absorbent, fixed to the exterior body so as to span from the front to the back body; the side seal portions are formed by joining both side ends of the exterior body in the front body to both side ends of the exterior body in the back body; the exterior body in the front body and the exterior body in the back body have portions that form the torso region and the crotch region, respectively; and the exterior body has the waist elastic members and the rear support elastic members.

[0026] (Operation and Effect) A pants-type disposable wearing article having the member configuration of this embodiment is preferable because it can be manufactured using a general manufacturing method.

[0027] According to the present invention, the device has a function of assisting the wearer in standing up.

[0028] 1 is a plan view (inner surface side) of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 2 is a plan view (outer surface side) of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an inner body. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a cutting pattern of elastic members. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view (outer surface side) of a main part of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an adhesive application pattern. FIG. 7 is a plan view (outer surface side) showing various regions of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 9 is a plan view (outer surface side) of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 10 is a plan view (inner surface side) of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view (outer surface side) of a main part of a pants-type disposable diaper in an unfolded state. FIG. 11 is a back view showing the pants-type disposable diaper being worn. 1 is a diagram illustrating a change in the posture of a wearer, and FIG. 2 is a graph showing test results.

[0029] An example of a pants-type disposable wearable article will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the dotted patterns in the drawings indicate adhesive used as a joining means for joining the respective components located on the front and back sides of the article. The adhesive can be applied, for example, by solid, bead, curtain, summit, or spiral application of hot melt adhesive, or by pattern coating (transfer of hot melt adhesive using a relief printing method). Alternatively or in addition to these, hot melt adhesive can be applied to the outer surface of the elastic member by a comb gun or SureWrap application. Hot melt adhesives include, for example, EVA-based, adhesive rubber-based (elastomer-based), polyolefin-based, and polyester / polyamide-based adhesives, but no particular limitation is imposed on the type. Material welding, such as heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing, can also be used to join the respective components.

[0030] In addition, as the nonwoven fabric in the following description, known nonwoven fabrics can be used appropriately depending on the location and purpose. The constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be selected without particular limitation, for example, synthetic fibers such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene), polyesters, and polyamides (including single-component fibers and composite fibers such as core-sheath fibers), regenerated fibers (e.g., rayon or cupra), and natural fibers (e.g., cotton), and mixtures of these can also be used. To increase the flexibility of the nonwoven fabric, it is preferable to use crimped fibers as the constituent fibers. Furthermore, the constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric can be hydrophilic fibers (including those made hydrophilic by a hydrophilizing agent), hydrophobic fibers, or water-repellent fibers (including those made water-repellent by a water-repellent agent). Furthermore, nonwoven fabrics are generally classified according to the fiber length, sheet formation method, fiber bonding method, and laminate structure into staple fiber nonwoven fabrics, long fiber nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, meltblown nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, thermal bond (air-through) nonwoven fabrics, needle-punched nonwoven fabrics, point-bonded nonwoven fabrics, and laminated nonwoven fabrics (including SSS nonwoven fabrics in which identical or similar nonwoven fabric layers are laminated, as well as SMS nonwoven fabrics and SMMS nonwoven fabrics in which different nonwoven fabric layers are laminated, in which a meltblown layer is sandwiched between spunbond layers), and any of these nonwoven fabrics can be used. A laminated nonwoven fabric means a nonwoven fabric that is manufactured as an integrated nonwoven fabric including all layers and that has been subjected to fiber bonding processing across all layers, and does not include a nonwoven fabric in which multiple nonwoven fabrics that have been manufactured separately are bonded together by a bonding means such as a hot melt adhesive.

[0031] 1 to 9 show an example of a pants-type disposable diaper. This pants-type disposable diaper (hereinafter simply referred to as a diaper) comprises a front body F, a back body B, a pair of left and right side seal portions 21 formed by joining both sides of the front body F and both sides of the back body B, a waist opening WO, and a pair of left and right leg openings LO. Note that the left and right are based on the wearer when wearing the diaper. The front body F refers to the entire area in front of the center of the diaper in the front-to-back direction LD, and the back body B refers to the entire area in back of the center of the diaper in the front-to-back direction LD. As shown in Figure 10, the front body F and back body B each have a torso region T defined as the area between a pair of side seals 21 and a crotch region L located between the edges of a pair of left and right leg openings LO. The torso region T is composed of a waist region W extending from one side seal 21 to the other along its upper edge, and a lower waist region U extending from one side seal 21 to the other adjacent to the lower edge of the waist region W. If the torso region T has a boundary where stretchability in the width direction WD changes (e.g., where the thickness or maximum elongation rate of the elastic member changes), the waist region W is defined above the uppermost boundary (near the waist opening WO). (If there is a gap between the lowermost elastic member of the waist region W and the uppermost elastic member of the lower waist region U, the boundary is the center of that gap.) The length of these portions in the front-to-back direction LD can be determined appropriately depending on the size of the product. For example, the waist region W can be 15 to 40 mm, and particularly 25 to 35 mm. The crotch region L also has a central region L1 defined as the region between a left imaginary straight line V1 along the front-to-back direction LD that passes through a point on the left leg opening edge 29 that is located closest to the center in the width direction WD, and a right imaginary straight line V2 along the front-to-back direction LD that passes through a point on the right leg opening edge 29 that is located closest to the center in the width direction WD, a left leg area region L2 defined as the region between the left leg opening edge 29 and the left imaginary straight line V1, and a right leg area L3 defined as the region between the right leg opening edge 29 and the right imaginary straight line V2.

[0032] The front body F and back body B in the illustrated example comprise an outer body 20 that continues from the edge of the waist opening WO of the front body F to the edge of the waist opening WO of the back body B, and an inner body 10 including an absorbent body 13 that is fixed to the outer body 20 so as to extend from the front body F to the back body B, and the side seal portion 21 is formed by joining both side ends of the outer body 20 in the front body F to both side ends of the outer body 20 in the back body B, and the outer body 20 in the front body F and the outer body 20 in the back body B each have portions that form the torso region T and the crotch region L, but this is not limited to this and other known structures may be adopted.

[0033] (Structural example of inner body) As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the inner body 10 has a structure including an absorbent body 13 between a liquid-permeable top sheet 11 and a liquid-impermeable sheet 12, and the absorbent body 13 absorbs and retains excrement that has permeated the top sheet 11. There are no particular restrictions on the planar shape of the inner body 10, but it is generally a substantially rectangular shape as shown in the example shown. The inner body 10 is preferably configured to have the absorbent body 13 at least in the crotch region M of the outer body 20. The crotch region M refers to the middle portion when the crotch region L is divided into three equal parts in the front-to-rear direction.

[0034] (Absorbent body) The absorbent body 13 may be a known material, such as a pulp fiber stack, an aggregate of filaments such as cellulose acetate, or a material based on nonwoven fabric, with a superabsorbent polymer mixed, fixed, etc., as needed. The absorbent body 13 may be wrapped in a wrapping sheet 14 such as crepe paper or nonwoven fabric that has liquid permeability and liquid retention, as needed, to maintain the shape and retain the polymer.

[0035] The superabsorbent polymer particles can be those used in this type of absorbent article as they are. For example, it is desirable that the proportion of particles remaining on a 500 μm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006) after sieving (shaking for 5 minutes) is 30% by weight or less, and it is also desirable that the proportion of particles remaining on a 180 μm standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006) after sieving (shaking for 5 minutes) is 60% by weight or more.

[0036] The superabsorbent polymer particles are not particularly limited, but those with a water absorption speed of 35 to 60 seconds and a water absorption capacity of 50 to 70 g / g can be suitably used. Examples of superabsorbent polymer particles include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based particles, and those such as starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymers, crosslinked products of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and acrylic acid (salt) polymers can be suitably used. The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles can be determined appropriately depending on the absorption capacity required for the product. Therefore, although it cannot be generalized, it is generally preferred to use a weight of 100 to 350 g / m. ２ It can be said that:

[0037] The planar shape of the absorber 13 can be determined as appropriate, and in the illustrated example, it has a shape with a narrower constricted portion 13N in the front-to-rear direction range including the crotch region M than both the front and rear ends thereof, but it can be any appropriate shape such as a rectangle. The dimensions of the constricted portion 13N can be determined as appropriate, and the length of the constricted portion 13N in the front-to-rear direction can be about 20 to 50% of the total length Y of the diaper, and the width of its narrowest part 13m can be about 40 to 60% of the total width of the absorber 13.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 3 to 5, it is preferable to have diffusion grooves 17 extending in the front-to-back direction LD in the middle of the width direction WD of the absorbent body 13, as this improves the diffusion of urine in the front-to-back direction LD. From the viewpoint of urine diffusion, it is preferable that the diffusion grooves 17 extend to both the front and back sides of the crotch region L. There may be only one diffusion groove 17 in the center of the width direction WD, but multiple diffusion grooves 17 can also be provided at intervals in the width direction WD. In the illustrated example, the diffusion grooves 17 extend linearly, but they may also extend curvedly.

[0039] The diffusion grooves 17 are preferably slits that penetrate the absorbent body 13 in the thickness direction as in the illustrated example, but may also be recesses that do not penetrate the absorbent body 13 in the thickness direction and are provided on at least one of the front and back sides of the absorbent body 13. When recesses are formed in the absorbent body 13, they can be formed by reducing the basis weight at the recess formation position compared to the surrounding area, or by compressing the recess formation position by embossing.

[0040] The position of the diffusion groove 17 is not limited as long as it is provided in the middle of the width direction WD of the absorbent body 13, but it is usually desirable to provide it in the center of the width direction WD, and it is desirable that the width (width 17d of the diffusion groove 17 in the case of a single groove) be 5 to 20% of the overall width 13w of the absorbent body 13. Furthermore, the length 17L of the diffusion groove 17 in the front-to-rear direction LD can be determined as appropriate, and can be, for example, about 30 to 70% of the overall length of the absorbent body 13.

[0041] (Top Sheet) The top sheet 11, which is placed on the front side of the absorbent body 13 and forms the skin contact surface, is preferably made of a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, etc. In the illustrated example, the top sheet 11 is folded back onto the back side of the absorbent body 13 so as to fit along the side edges of the absorbent body 13, but is not limited to this and other known structures can be adopted.

[0042] (Liquid-impermeable sheet) The liquid-impermeable sheet 12 placed on the back side of the absorbent body 13 is typically a liquid-impermeable plastic sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene, although in recent years, moisture-permeable sheets have been preferred to prevent stuffiness. Examples of this water-proof / moisture-permeable sheet include microporous sheets obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler into an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet uniaxially or biaxially. In the illustrated example, the liquid-impermeable sheet 12 is folded back to the back side on both sides of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction WD together with the top sheet 11, but this is not limited to this and other known structures can be used.

[0043] (Rising Gathers) It is preferable that rising gathers BS that fit the wearer's crotch area are formed on both sides of the inner body 10, but these can be omitted. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, these rising gathers BS are formed by a gathered sheet 15 that is folded over and doubles up: a fixed portion fixed to the side of the back surface of the inner body 10 with an adhesive or the like, a main portion extending from this fixed portion along the side of the inner body 10 to the side of the front surface of the inner body 10, a collapsed portion formed by fixing the front and rear ends of the main portion in a collapsed state to the side of the front surface of the inner body 10 with an adhesive or the like, and a free portion formed by leaving the collapsed portion unfixed. The gathered sheet 15 is preferably made of a water-repellent nonwoven fabric coated with a silicone-based, paraffin metal-based, or alkylchromic clod-based water repellent agent or the like.

[0044] Furthermore, elongated gather elastic members 16 are disposed at the tips of the free portions between the double gathered sheets 15. The gather elastic members 16 are used to raise the free portions by elastic stretching force to form standing gathers BS in the finished product state, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5.

[0045] The gathered elastic member 16 can be made of commonly used materials such as styrene rubber, olefin rubber, urethane rubber, ester rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene butadiene, silicone, polyester, etc. To make it difficult to see from the outside, it is recommended that the thickness be 925 dtex or less, the elongation rate at the time of attachment be 150 to 350%, and the spacing be 10.0 mm or less. In addition to the thread-like gathered elastic member 16 shown in the figure, a tape-like member of a certain width can also be used.

[0046] (Inner body joining region) The joining region 18 of the inner body 10 to the outer body 20 may be provided in a rectangular shape, for example, over almost the entire inner body 10, or may have any other suitable shape, such as a width in the middle in the front-to-rear direction LD that is narrower than the widths on both the front and rear sides, as shown in FIG.

[0047] (Example of Outer Body) The outer body 20 may have any known structure without particular limitation. In the illustrated example, the outer body 20 is continuous across the front and back trunk sections F and B and is constricted in the middle in the front-to-back direction LD, with both side edges of this constriction forming the edges 29 of the leg openings of the diaper. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The width of the constricted portion 13N may be narrower than the width of the inner body 10, or the outer body 20 of the front trunk section F and the outer body 20 of the back trunk section B may be provided separately and spaced apart in the front-to-back direction LD at the center of the diaper (not shown), thereby forming the edges 29 of the leg openings of the diaper by the edges of the outer body 20 and the side edges of the inner body 10.

[0048] 1 to 9, the crotch region M of the outer body 20 includes a pair of inner thigh portions 31 that extend outward in the width direction WD beyond the circumscribed rectangle of the absorbent body 13 (meaning an imaginary rectangle that circumscribes the absorbent body 13 in a plan view in the unfolded state; in this example, one opposite side of the circumscribed rectangle of the absorbent body 13 is approximately equal to both side edges of the inner body 10), and the portions of the inner thigh portions 31 along the edges 29 of the leg openings form a pair of leg tube portions 30 that surround the bases of the thighs. The dimensions of the inner thigh portions 31 may be determined appropriately depending on the length of the leg tube portions 30, but typically, the width 31x of the inner thigh portions 31 at the narrowest portions of the outer body 20 is preferably approximately 1 to 5% of the overall length Y of the diaper. The diaper need not have such inner thigh portions 31 and leg tube portions 30.

[0049] When a pair of inner thigh portions 31 and leg tube portions 30 are provided, as shown in FIG. 11, in the front body F, an angle θ of 20 degrees with respect to the width direction WD is set from an imaginary point P1 located on the edge 29 of the leg opening closest to the center in the width direction WD. １When an imaginary line V3 is drawn outward in the width direction WD toward the waist, it is preferable that this imaginary line V3 intersects with the side edge of the exterior body 20 in the front-to-back direction LD range having the side seal portion 21 at a point P2, and the front-to-back direction LD distance 30f from this intersection point P2 to the edge 29 of the leg opening is preferably equal to or greater than the width 31x of the inner thigh portion 31 at the narrowest part of the exterior body 20, and preferably is substantially the same. Meanwhile, in the back body B, an angle θ of 30 degrees with respect to the width direction WD is formed from an imaginary point P1 located on the edge 29 of the leg opening, which is closest to the center in the width direction WD. ２ When an imaginary line V4 is drawn outward in the width direction WD toward the waist, it is preferable that there is an intersection P3 between this imaginary line V4 and the side edge of the exterior body 20 in the front-to-back direction LD range where the side seal portions 21 are located, and the front-to-back direction LD distance 30b from this intersection P3 to the edge 29 of the leg openings may be equal to or less than the width 31x of the inner thigh portion 31 at the narrowest part of the exterior body 20. Of course, these conditions may not be satisfied and the dimension of the crotch region L in the front-to-back direction LD may be long and the dimension of the side seal portions 21 in the front-to-back direction LD may be short, as in the example shown in Figure 12.

[0050] 4, various elastic members 24 to 28 for imparting stretchability are disposed on the exterior body 20. The exterior body 20 has an inner sheet layer 22 and an outer sheet layer 23 in at least the region having the elastic members 24 to 28 (the entire region in the illustrated example), and it is preferable that the elastic members 24 to 28 are sandwiched between the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23.

[0051] (Constituent Sheets of the Exterior Body 20) The inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 may each be formed from a single sheet material, or may be formed by folding back a single sheet material in part or in whole. The illustrated exterior body 20 has a first sheet 20A and a second sheet 20B. In the lower waist region U, the inner sheet layer 22 is formed from the first sheet 20A, and the outer sheet layer 23 is formed from the second sheet 20B. In the waist region W, the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 are each formed from a folded-back portion 20C of the second sheet 20B folded back at the edge of the waist opening WO and a portion facing outward therefrom. The first sheet 20A in the illustrated example may be omitted, and the folded portion 20C of the second sheet 20B in the figure may be extended toward the crotch side, with all elastic members sandwiched between the sheets of the folded portion 20C, or all elastic members may be sandwiched between the first sheet 20A and the second sheet 20B regardless of whether or not the folded portion 20C is provided.

[0052] When the elastic members 24-28 are stretched in the stretch direction, at least the portions located at both ends in the stretch direction (in this case, the width direction WD) are fixed to the inner sheet layer 22 contacting the inside of the elastic members 24-28 and the outer sheet layer 23 contacting the outside of the elastic members 24-28. This integrates the elastic members 24-28 with the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23. The portions where the elastic members 24-28 are disposed elastically stretch and contract between a natural length state in which they are contracted by the contractile force of the elastic members 24-28 and an expanded state in which they are stretched together with the elastic members 24-28. At this time, if the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 do not elastically stretch and contract together with the elastic members 24-28, the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 will contract by the contractile force of the elastic members 24-28 in the natural length state, forming folds on the inner and outer surfaces, which will then widen as they are stretched, and disappear in the expanded state. Conversely, when the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 contract from the expanded state, they are pleated as they contract, and are most tightly pleated in the natural length state.

[0053] In such an elastic structure, if the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 are free from each other, one sheet layer may partially or entirely float relative to the other sheet layer, causing unnecessary folds or bulges, which may lead to poor fit or slippage when worn. Therefore, it is preferable that the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 are directly or indirectly bonded over almost their entire length.

[0054] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, a cover sheet 50 may be provided to cover the front and rear ends of the inner body 10 attached to the inner surface of the outer body 20 and prevent leakage from the front and rear edges of the inner body 10. More specifically, the cover sheet 50 extends across the entire width direction WD from the inner surface of the folded-back portion 20C located at the end of the front body F closest to the waist opening WO to a position overlapping the front end of the inner body 10, and from the inner surface of the folded-back portion 20C located at the end of the back body B closest to the waist opening WO to a position overlapping the rear end of the inner body 10. When such a cover sheet 50 is provided, the inner surface of the torso region T of the outer body 20 is formed by the cover sheet 50. The folded-back portion 20C, formed by folding the outer body 20 onto the inner surface of the diaper, may also be extended to a portion overlapping the inner body 10 to form a portion equivalent to the cover sheet 50 shown in the illustration. In this case, the folded-back portion 20C forms the inner surface of the outer body 20. The cover sheet 50 may be bonded continuously or intermittently over almost the entire surface thereof using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive or a welding method such as ultrasonic welding or heat sealing, or a non-adhesive portion may be provided over the entire width direction WD (or just the center portion) at the edge on the inner body 10 side, and this non-adhesive portion may be raised above the top sheet 11 to function as a leak-proof wall.

[0055] The elastic members 24 to 28 may be appropriately selected from among elongated elastic members such as threads or strips, as well as elastic sheets such as elastic films.

[0056] As the constituent sheets of the exterior body 20 (in the illustrated example, the second sheet 20B, the first sheet 20A, and the cover sheet 50) from the viewpoint of breathability and texture, nonwoven fabric is suitable, but as long as welding at the side seal portion 21 is possible, there are no particular limitations on the type of material that can be used. For example, instead of or in addition to the nonwoven fabric, other materials, such as thermoplastic resin sheets such as elastic films, can also be used. When using nonwoven fabric, it is recommended that the fineness be 1 to 3 dtex and the basis weight be 10 to 25 g / m. ２ Although a spunbond nonwoven fabric of this order is preferred, a short-fiber nonwoven fabric may be used for some or all of the layers. The constituent sheets of the exterior body 20 may be ordinary nonwoven fabrics that have almost no elastic stretch (maximum stretch rate in the width direction WD of less than 110%), or may be sheets that have a certain degree of stretchability (maximum stretch rate in the width direction WD of 200% or more), such as stretchable nonwoven fabrics made of elastomeric fibers or elastic films.

[0057] To explain the illustrated example in more detail, in each of the front body F and the back body B, the exterior body 20 in the waist region W has a plurality of elongated waist elastic members 24 extending in the width direction WD arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction LD, and a plurality of elongated lower waist elastic members 25 extending in the width direction WD arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction LD in the lower waist region U. The waist region W is a stretchable region that elastically stretches between a natural length state in which the waist elastic members 24 contract in the width direction WD due to contraction, and an expanded state in which the waist elastic members 24 expand as the waist elastic members 24 expand, and the lower waist region U is a stretchable region that elastically stretches between a natural length state in which the waist elastic members 25 contract in the width direction WD due to contraction, and an expanded state in which the waist elastic members 25 expand as the waist elastic members 25 expand. The waist elastic member 24 is mainly for tightening the edge of the waist opening WO of the diaper to prevent the diaper from slipping down or leaking, and the lower waist elastic member 25 is mainly for improving the fit of the diaper around the waist over a wide range.

[0058] The garment also has elongated rear support elastic members 27 extending from a first position E1 located on the boundary between the left side seal portion 21 and the waist portion W to at least the left leg region L2, and from a second position E2 located on the boundary between the right side seal portion 21 and the waist portion W to at least the right leg region L3, each extending toward the center in the width direction WD and toward the crotch region L. The portion of the back body B where the rear support elastic members 27 are located elastically stretches and contracts between a natural length state in which the rear support elastic members 27 contract along the rear support elastic members 27 as they contract, and an expanded state in which the rear support elastic members 27 stretch along the rear support elastic members 27 as they expand. The function and other details of the rear support elastic members 27 will be described later.

[0059] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the front body F and the back body B each have elongated leg elastic members 26 extending from a third position E3 located at the boundary between the left side seal portion 21 and the lower end of the waist lower portion U to at least the left leg region L2, and from a fourth position E4 located at the boundary between the right side seal portion 21 and the lower end of the waist lower portion U to at least the right leg region L3, approaching the center in the width direction WD and approaching the crotch region L. The leg elastic members 26 are primarily intended to improve the fit of the diaper in the areas along the edges 29 of the leg openings. Unlike the illustrated example, the leg elastic members 26 may be provided on only one of the front body F and the back body B, or not on both. Furthermore, when the leg elastic members 26 are provided on both the front body F and the back body B, all of the group of leg elastic members 2628 arranged on the front body F side and all of the group of leg elastic members 26 arranged on the back body B side may be spaced apart in the front-to-back direction LD without intersecting each other, or some of the leg elastic members 26 may intersect (not shown). In the illustrated example, almost all of the leg elastic members 26 are arranged in a curved shape, but some may be arranged in a straight shape.

[0060] 13 , the garment may have elongated front support elastic members 28 extending from a fifth position E5 located at the boundary between the left side seal portion 21 and the waist portion W to at least the left leg region L2, and from a sixth position E6 located at the boundary between the right side seal portion 21 and the waist portion W to at least the right leg region L3, each extending toward the center in the width direction WD and toward the crotch region L. The portions of the front body F where the front support elastic members 28 are located elastically stretch and contract between a natural length state in which they contract along the front support elastic members 28 as the front support elastic members 28 contract, and an expanded state in which they stretch along the front support elastic members 28 as the front support elastic members 28 stretch. Details of the function of the front support elastic members 28 will be described later.

[0061] 2 does not include any elastic members other than the waist elastic members 24, lower waist elastic members 25, leg elastic members 26, and rear support elastic members 27 and front support elastic members 28 described below, but other elastic members may be included as long as the functions of these members are not impaired. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, in addition to (or instead of) the leg elastic members 26, a plurality of elongated elastic members 26S extending along the width direction WD may be arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction LD on at least one of the front body F and the back body B in the crotch region L of the exterior body 20.

[0062] These elongated elastic members 24-28 are spaced apart to form predetermined stretchable regions without contacting or intersecting each other, and are fixed in a stretched state at a predetermined stretch rate along each continuous direction. As a result, stretchable regions are formed in the torso region T and the crotch region L. Of these, the portion having only the waist elastic member 24 and the lower waist elastic member 25 elastically stretches and contracts in the direction along the waist elastic member 24 and the lower waist elastic member 25, while the portion having only the rear support elastic member 27 elastically stretches and contracts in the direction along the rear support elastic member 27. When the leg elastic members 26 are included, the portion having only the leg elastic members 26 elastically stretches and contracts in the direction along the leg elastic members 26. When the front support elastic members 28 are included, the portion having only the front support elastic members 28 elastically stretches and contracts in the direction along the front support elastic members 28. Furthermore, the portion having the waist elastic member 24, the lower waist elastic member 25, and the rear support elastic member 27 elastically stretches and contracts not only in the width direction WD but also in the direction along the rear support elastic member 27. The portion having the rear support elastic member 27 and the leg elastic member 26 elastically stretches and contracts not only in the direction along the rear support elastic member 27 but also in the direction along the leg elastic member 26. The portion having the waist elastic member 24, the lower waist elastic member 25, and the leg elastic member 26 elastically stretches and contracts not only in the width direction WD but also in the direction along the leg elastic member 26. The portion having the waist elastic member 24, the lower waist elastic member 25, and the front support elastic member 28 elastically stretches and contracts not only in the width direction WD but also in the direction along the front support elastic member 28. The portion having the front support elastic member 28 and the leg elastic member 26 elastically stretches and contracts not only in the direction along the front support elastic member 28 but also in the direction along the leg elastic member 26.

[0063] The maximum elongation rate of each portion can be adjusted by the thickness, number, spacing, and elongation rate at the time of attachment of the elastic members 24-28. In particular, the thickness, number, and spacing of the elastic members 24-28 are preferably selected so that the maximum elongation rate of a particular portion of the outer body 20 is approximately equal to the elongation rate at the time of attachment of the elastic members 24-28 that contract that particular portion when the inner body 10 is unfastened or removed (e.g., 80% or more, more preferably 90% or more of the elongation rate at the time of attachment). As an example, in the case of a pants-type disposable diaper for adults, the maximum elongation rate in the width direction WD of the waist region W and lower-waist region U can be approximately 160-320%, and the maximum elongation rate in the direction along the rear support elastic member 27 of the portion having only the rear support elastic member 27 can be approximately 270-330%. When leg elastic members 26 are included, the maximum elongation rate in the direction along the leg elastic member 26 of the portion having only the leg elastic member 26 can be approximately 250-310%. When the front support elastic members 28 are provided, the maximum elongation rate of the portion having only the front support elastic members 28 in the direction along the front support elastic members 28 can be set to approximately 270 to 330%.

[0064] The thickness, number, and spacing in the front-to-back direction LD of the waist elastic members 24 can be determined as appropriate. For example, the waist elastic members 24 can have a thickness of about 790 to 1090 dtex, a number of about 5 to 9, and a spacing in the front-to-back direction LD of about 3 to 7 mm, the lower waist elastic members 25 can have a thickness of about 470 to 770 dtex, a number of about 10 to 20, and a spacing in the front-to-back direction LD of about 10 to 20 mm, the leg elastic members 26 can have a thickness of about 470 to 770 dtex, a number of about 3 to 7, and a spacing in the direction perpendicular to the leg elastic members 26 of about 5 to 15 mm, and the rear support elastic members 27 and the front support elastic members 28 can have a thickness of about 940 to 1240 dtex, a number of about 3 to 7, and a spacing in the direction perpendicular to each other of about 5 to 15 mm.

[0065] The numbers of waist elastic members 24, lower waist elastic members 25, and leg elastic members 26 are preferably the same in the front body F and the back body B, but may be different for one or all of the elastic members. Similarly, the numbers of rear support elastic members 27 and front support elastic members 28 are preferably the same, but may be different.

[0066] The elastic members 24-28 are attached continuously in the width direction WD from one side seal portion 21 to the other side seal portion 21, or from one leg opening edge 29 to the other leg opening edge 29. The elastic members 25-28 other than the waist elastic member 24 are preferably cut into small pieces in a central region CP in the width direction WD to partially or completely eliminate or reduce the stretch provided by the elastic members 25-28, forming a non-stretchable region in at least one of the front body F and the back body B. The regions on both sides of the non-stretchable region are preferably not cut, maintaining the stretch provided by the elastic members 25-28. The cut region may be, for example, a region that includes the entire width direction WD of the joining region 18 of the inner body 10, or it may be only the middle portion of the joining region 18 in the width direction WD (for example, a region that includes the entire width direction WD of the diffusion groove 17, as shown in FIG. 16). The maximum stretch rate of the non-stretchable region in the width direction WD is preferably less than 110%.

[0067] Methods for cutting the elastic members 24 to 28 to form the non-stretchable regions include, for example, the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2002-35029, 2002-178428, and 2002-273808. Of course, as shown in Figure 12, any one or all of the elastic members 25 to 28 may be left uncut, so that they extend continuously from one side seal portion 21 to the other side seal portion 21, or from the edge 29 of one leg opening to the edge 29 of the other leg opening.

[0068] An adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is preferably used as a means for fixing the elastic members 24-28 to the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23. On the other hand, the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 can be bonded together using an adhesive, or, to reduce the amount of adhesive used, the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 can be welded together by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, or the like. As an example, when the elastic members 24-28 are elongated, bonding the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 with adhesives B1 and B2 at the positions where the elastic members 24-28 pass can serve to both bond the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 and fix the elastic members 24-28 to the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23. In particular, it is preferable that the adhesive B1 used to secure the elastic members 24, 25, such as the waist elastic member 24 and the lower waist elastic member 25, which are linearly arranged in the width direction WD, be applied only to the area where the waist elastic member 24 is located and its vicinity and the area where the lower waist elastic member 25 is located and its vicinity, thereby securing the waist elastic member 24 and the lower waist elastic member 25 to the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 and joining the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23. Such application of adhesive B1 can be achieved by sandwiching the elastic members 24, 25, whose outer surfaces have been coated with adhesive B1, between the sheet layers 20A, 20B.

[0069] On the other hand, the adhesive for fixing the elastic members 26 to 28, which are arranged so that their positions change in the front-to-back direction LD, such as the leg elastic members 26, rear support elastic members 27, and front support elastic members 28, can be applied by continuously applying adhesive B2 in the width direction WD with the required application width in the front-to-back direction LD, as shown in Figure 9, or by arranging rectangular adhesive application areas (not shown) in a stepped pattern to match the positional changes of the elastic members, so that the adhesive is applied only to the areas where the elastic members 26 to 28 are arranged and within a predetermined vertical and horizontal distance from them. One of these application patterns can be adopted over the entire area where the elastic members 26 to 28 are arranged in the front-to-back direction LD, or one can be selected and adopted depending on the location.

[0070] In these cases, although not shown, in order to reinforce the fixation of the elastic members 24 to 28, additional hot melt adhesive can be applied only to predetermined areas including both end portions of the elastic members 24 to 28.

[0071] Furthermore, although not shown, it is also possible to fix only predetermined regions including both ends and midpoints of the elastic members 24 to 28 to the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 with a hot melt adhesive, and join the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 at positions other than the positions where the elastic members 24 to 28 pass by using a welding means such as ultrasonic welding.

[0072] When the elastic members 24-28 are elastic sheets such as elastic films, the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 can be joined directly or indirectly via the elastic sheet at multiple joints arranged at intervals. A direct joint is one in which through-holes are formed in the elastic sheet in the thickness direction, and the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 are joined only within the through-holes. An indirect joint is one in which the elastic sheet does not have through-holes, and the inner sheet layer 22 and the outer sheet layer 23 are joined via the elastic sheet. These joints can be achieved using a welding method such as ultrasonic welding, or by using an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive.

[0073] The adhesive applicator may be selected as appropriate. When applying the adhesive intermittently, a contact applicator in which a sprayer is brought into contact with the object to be coated when applying the hot melt adhesive is suitable. Examples of contact applicators include slot coaters and roll coaters. On the other hand, when applying the adhesive continuously over a wide area, a non-contact applicator in which the sprayer is not brought into contact with the object to be coated but the hot melt adhesive is sprayed by air is suitable. Examples of non-contact applicators include a spiral applicator capable of applying a spiral coat, an omega applicator or control seam applicator capable of applying a wave coat, a curtain applicator capable of applying a surface coat, and a dot applicator capable of applying a dot coat.

[0074] (Rear Support Elastic Member) As shown in Fig. 17, the rear body portion B of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 has a rear support elastic member 27. When the pants-type disposable diaper 1 is used, as shown in Fig. 18, when the wearer 60 is in an upright position, almost no stretching force is applied to the rear body portion B in the front-to-rear direction LD, and therefore the rear support elastic member 27 is in a nearly natural length state (contracted state) in the front-to-rear direction LD. However, when the wearer 60 changes posture from a standing position to a sitting position, the hip joints flex and the buttocks of the wearer 60 protrude, increasing the distance between the waist and the gluteal crease on the body surface of the wearer 60. As shown in Figure 17, the waist region W of the pants-type disposable diaper 1 is pressed above the iliac crest of the wearer by the waist elastic member 24, making it difficult for the rear body section B to slip down, the rear support elastic member 27 extends from above the iliac crest so as to pass closer to the center of the body than the greater trochanter, and when the wearer's legs are inserted into both leg openings LO, the front body section F acts as a catch, making it difficult for the rear body section B to slip up.As a result, an extension force (see the arrows of the wearer in a seated position in Figure 18) is effectively applied to the rear support elastic member 27, and the rear support elastic member 27 is elongated from its natural length or a state close to it in accordance with the increase in the distance between the waist and gluteal crease on the surface of the wearer's 60 body, accumulating a contractile force. Therefore, in the pants-type disposable diaper 1, when the wearer 60 stands up from this sitting position, the contractile force of the rear support elastic member 27 acts in a direction that assists in the extension of the hip joint (see the arrow of the standing wearer in Figure 18), thereby assisting the wearer 60 in standing up.

[0075] 2 and other figures, the rear support elastic member 27 preferably extends from the first position E1 through at least the left leg region L2 to a portion of the central region L1 located in the crotch region M, and from the second position E2 through the right leg region L3 to a portion of the central region L1 located in the crotch region M. It is also preferable that the rear support elastic member 27 extend from the first position E1 through at least the left leg region L2, the central region of the crotch, and the right leg region L3 to the second position E2.

[0076] 2 , in particular, when the leg elastic members 26 are provided, if the rear support elastic member 27 extends from the first position E1 to at least the position where it intersects with the leg elastic member 26 in the left leg region L2, and from the second position E2 to at least the position where it intersects with the leg elastic member 26 in the right leg region L3, then the contractile force of the rear support elastic member 27 pulling the first position E1 side and the second position E2 side in opposite directions is supported over a wide area of ​​the waist part W by the waist elastic member 24, and the force pulling the left leg region L2 and the right leg region L3 in opposite directions is supported over a wide area of ​​the left leg region L2 and the right leg region L3 by the leg elastic member 26. As a result, in this mode, not only is the left leg region L2 and the right leg region L3 less likely to slip out of place when sitting, but the accumulation of contractile force required for assisting standing up is less likely to become insufficient. In contrast, without the leg elastic members 26, the rear support elastic members 27 would pull and shift the left and right leg regions L2, L3 toward the wearer's buttocks when sitting, causing the regions to contract, which could result in insufficient accumulation of contractile force for assisting standing up. Furthermore, the left and right leg regions L2, L3 could shift toward the wearer's buttocks when sitting, which could result in a worsening fit.

[0077] In the illustrated example, the group of rear support elastic members 27 includes those extending from the first position E1 and the second position E2, as well as those extending from a seventh position E7 located at the boundary between the left side seal portion 21 and the upper end of the lower waist portion U, and an eighth position E8 located at the boundary between the right side seal portion 21 and the upper end of the lower waist portion U. As can be seen from this example, it is not necessary for all of the rear support elastic members 27 to extend from the first position E1 and the second position E2, but all of the rear support elastic members 27 may extend from the first position E1 and the second position E2. The same applies to the group of front support elastic members 28.

[0078] The arrangement pattern of the rear support elastic members 27 can be determined as appropriate as long as the above-mentioned standing-up assist function is achieved. For example, if the region of the lower waist portion U between the left imaginary line V1 and the right imaginary line V2 is defined as a central region U1, the region between the left imaginary line V1 and the left side seal portion 21 is defined as a left region U2, and the region between the right imaginary line V2 and the right side seal portion 21 is defined as a right region U3, as shown in the illustration, the rear support elastic members 27 preferably extend from the first position E1 through the left region U2 to at least the left leg region L2 and from the second position E2 through the right region U3 to at least the right leg region L3 in a pattern in which the acute-side crossing angle of the tangent to the front-to-back direction LD continuously decreases and then passes through a single inflection point 27i (or may be a diagonal straight line portion) and continuously increases, as shown in the illustration, for ease of manufacture.

[0079] The position and angle of the inflection point 27i (or the straight line portion) can be determined as appropriate. However, the inflection point 27i (or the straight line portion) is located on the center side of the width direction WD of the left region U2 and the center side of the width direction WD of the right region U3, and the tangent (or the straight line portion) of the inflection point 27i is positioned at an acute angle side crossing angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction LD. ３ When the angle is 5 to 30 degrees, the rear support elastic member 27 is sure to pass closer to the center of the body than the greater trochanter, and this is particularly effective in extending the rear support elastic member 27 (accumulating contractile force) when the wearer changes posture from a standing position to a sitting position, and in assisting hip joint extension (utilizing contractile force) by contracting the rear support elastic member 27 when the wearer stands up from a sitting position, which is preferable.

[0080] For the same reasons, it is preferable that the inflection point 27i (or straight line portion) be located in the central region when the back body B is divided into thirds in the front-to-back direction LD and thirds in the width direction WD, in addition to or instead of the position of the inflection point 27i (or straight line portion).

[0081] In order to improve the reliability of stretching (accumulation of contractile force) of the rear support elastic members 27 when the wearer changes posture from standing to sitting, it is preferable that the ends of the rear support elastic members 27 on the first position E1 side and the second position E2 side, and the portions located in the left leg region L2 and the right leg region L3, are less likely to slip off the surface of the wearer's body. From this perspective, in the illustrated example, it is preferable that the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 24 150% in the length direction is equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the length direction, and that the number of waist elastic members 24 is greater than the number of rear support elastic members 27 (or that the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 24 150% in the length direction is greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the length direction, and the number of waist elastic members 24 is greater than the number of rear support elastic members 27). (or the force required to stretch one leg elastic member 26 150% in the lengthwise direction may be equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of leg elastic members 26 is greater than the number of rear support elastic members 27 (or the force required to stretch one leg elastic member 26 150% in the lengthwise direction is greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of leg elastic members 26 is equal to the number of rear support elastic members 27). This makes it more difficult for the waist region W, left leg region L2, and right leg region L3 to slip when sitting, and makes it more unlikely that the accumulation of contractile force required to assist standing up will be insufficient.

[0082] Furthermore, to improve the reliability of hip joint extension assistance (utilization of contractile force) by the contraction of the rear support elastic members 27 when the wearer stands up from a seated position, it is preferable to reduce the occurrence of elongation inhibition (inhibition of the accumulation of contractile force required for standing up). From this perspective, when the garment has lower waist elastic members 25 as shown in the illustration, it is preferable that the force required to stretch one lower waist elastic member 25 150% in the longitudinal direction be smaller than the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 24 150% in the longitudinal direction, the force required to stretch one leg elastic member 26 150% in the longitudinal direction, and the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the longitudinal direction. This magnitude relationship can be achieved by appropriately selecting at least one of the thickness and material of each elastic member.

[0083] 13, when the front support elastic member 28 is provided, the portions of the rear support elastic member 27 on the first position E1 side and the portions of the front support elastic member 28 on the fifth position E5 side, as well as the portions of the rear support elastic member 27 on the second position E2 side and the portions of the front support elastic member 28 on the sixth position E6 side, can be pressed above the iliac crest and hooked onto the iliac crest. Therefore, the provision of the front support elastic member 28 makes it less likely that the ends of the rear support elastic member 27 on the first position E1 side and the second position E2 side will slip down when sitting, making it less likely that the extension of the rear support elastic member 27 will be hindered (i.e., the accumulation of contractile force to assist standing up will be hindered).

[0084] The arrangement pattern of the front support elastic members 28 is preferably asymmetrical to the arrangement pattern of the rear support elastic members 27, but may be symmetrical as appropriate. As an example, as shown in Fig. 13, the front support elastic members 28 extend from a fifth position E5 to the central region U1 (or the left region U2) and from a sixth position E6 to the central region U1 (or the right region U3) in a pattern in which the acute side crossing angle of the tangent to the front-to-back direction LD continuously decreases, then passes through a single inflection point 28i (or may be a diagonal straight line portion), and then the acute side crossing angle of the tangent to the front-to-back direction LD continuously increases, preferably not reaching the crotch region L.

[0085] The position and angle of the inflection point 28i (or the straight line portion) can be determined as appropriate. However, as shown in FIG. 10 , the inflection point 28i (or the straight line portion) is located in the central region U1 (or may be located on the center side of the left region U2 in the width direction WD and on the center side of the right region U3 in the width direction WD), and the tangent line (or the straight line portion) of the inflection point 28i is positioned at an acute angle side crossing angle θ with respect to the front-rear direction LD. ４ The acute angle θ of the tangent (or straight line) of the inflection point 27i of the rear support elastic member with respect to the front-to-rear direction LD ３ It is preferable that the angle be larger than the angle (for example, about 5 to 40 degrees).

[0086] It is also preferable that the force required to stretch one front support elastic member 28 150% in the lengthwise direction be smaller than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the lengthwise direction, but conversely, it is also preferable that the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 27 150% in the lengthwise direction be smaller than the force required to stretch one front support elastic member 28 150% in the lengthwise direction. Such a magnitude relationship can be achieved by appropriately selecting at least one of the thickness and material of the front support elastic member 28 and the rear support elastic member 27.

[0087] 14, the inner edge of the side seal 21 adjacent to the waist portion W preferably has a protrusion 21P located closer to the center in the width direction WD than the inner edge of the side seal 21 adjacent to the lower waist portion U. By providing the side seal 21 with such a protrusion 21P, the protrusion 21P can be hooked above the wearer's iliac crest, making it less likely that the ends of the rear support elastic member 27 on the first position E1 side and the second position E2 side will slip down when the wearer is seated, and making it less likely that the rear support elastic member 27 will be hindered from elongating (hindering the accumulation of contractile force to assist in standing up).

[0088] As long as the protrusion 21P is provided on the portion of the side seal 21 adjacent to the waist portion W, it may be the entire portion adjacent to the waist portion W, the upper end, the lower end, or an intermediate portion therebetween. For example, when a plurality of rear support elastic members 27 are provided as in the illustrated example, it is preferable that at least one rear support elastic member 27 is located closer to the waist opening WO than the lower edge of the protrusion 21P.

[0089] 15, it is also preferable that the waist region W of the back body B has an anti-slip portion 40 on the inner surface in the range in the width direction WD where the rear support elastic member 27 is located, but that no anti-slip portion 40 is located between the waist region W and the crotch region L. This makes it difficult for the end portions of the rear support elastic member 27 on the first position E1 side and the second position E2 side to slip down when sitting, and makes it difficult for the rear support elastic member 27 to be hindered from stretching (hindering the accumulation of contractile force to assist standing up).

[0090] The non-slip portion 40 can be provided by applying or attaching a non-slip material as shown in the example in Fig. 15, or by forming irregularities or the like on the target portion by mechanical processing such as embossing. The non-slip material can be a non-slip resin such as rubber, or a material with a high static friction coefficient such as a non-woven fabric that has been given non-slip properties by processing such as embossing, or a polyvinyl chloride film or urethane foam. When the non-slip portion 40 is provided using a non-slip material, it is possible to provide a single non-slip portion 40 covering the entire target portion, but from the standpoint of breathability, it is preferable to arrange dot-like or linear non-slip portions 40 at intervals as shown in the example.

[0091] <Effectiveness Confirmation Test> Samples A and B described below were subjected to a test to confirm their effectiveness in assisting the wearer to stand up.

[0092] The wearers (subjects) were seven men in their 50s.

[0093] (Sample A) Sample A was a pants-type disposable diaper having the same structure as the pants-type disposable diaper shown in Figures 1 to 11 except that it did not have a rear support elastic member. Aside from the diaper, only a long-sleeved upper body undergarment and a robe were worn. Waist elastic member: spandex rubber thread, thickness 940 dtex, elongation rate when attached: 280% Lower waist elastic member: spandex rubber thread, thickness 620 dtex, elongation rate when attached: 300% Leg elastic member: spandex rubber thread, thickness 620 dtex, elongation rate when attached: 280%

[0094] (Sample B) Sample B was a pants-type disposable diaper having the same structure as the pants-type disposable diaper shown in Figures 1 to 11, except that the elastic members 24 to 27 were not cut at the middle in the width direction WD but were continuous from one side seal portion 21 to the other side seal portion 21. Rear support elastic member: natural rubber thread, basis weight 0.3 g / m, elongation at attachment 280%. Other conditions were the same as those of Sample A.

[0095] (Measurement equipment and measurement conditions) EMG (electromyogram) was measured and mEMG (mean myoelectric potential) was calculated using a DataLITE system manufactured by Biometrics, an accelerometer, a joint angle meter, and analysis software "TRISASI" manufactured by DKH. The measurement conditions were as follows: Sampling rate: 1000 Hz Resolution: 24 bits High-pass filter: 10 Hz

[0096] (Measurement Procedure) Measurement was performed for each sample according to the following procedure. This measurement was performed using the ankle joint angle θ ５ The test was conducted in two different sitting positions: one where the joint angle θ was 90 degrees and the other where it was 70 degrees. ５The measurements were performed using a goniometer. (1) Electrodes were attached to the subject's gluteus maximus, vastus medialis, and tibialis anterior muscles (positions with minimal influence from other muscles). (2) The subject was wearing a diaper. (3) As shown in Figure 8, a chair 65 was placed on a horizontal floor. From a predetermined seated position with the soles of the feet on the floor, the subject stood up straight while keeping the soles of the feet on the floor, and then returned to the original seated position. Two sets were performed, each consisting of four repetitions. The time from the start of the stand-up movement to the completion of the sit-down movement was limited to 10 seconds per repetition. After the first set was completed, the second set was started as soon as the subject was ready to perform the movement. EMG was measured from the first stand-up movement to the final sit-down movement of the second set. (4) From the EMG measurement results, the mEMG of each muscle from the stand-up movement to the sit-down movement during the second, third, and fourth repetitions of the second set was calculated, and the sum of these three repetitions was calculated as the average muscle activity.

[0097] (Measurement results) Ankle joint angle θ in a seated position ５ The measurement results for each muscle (average and maximum values ​​for seven subjects) when the angle of the ankle joint θ ５ The measurement results of the average muscle activity for each muscle when the angle was set to 70 degrees (the average value and range up to the maximum value for seven subjects) are shown in Figure 20. Comparing Samples A and B, these results show that the average muscle activity for Sample B was lower, and that Sample B, which has a rear support elastic member, was able to stand up with less muscle activity than Sample A, which does not have a rear support elastic member.

[0098] <Explanation of Terms Used in the Specification> The following terms used in the specification have the following meanings unless otherwise specified in the specification. "Front-rear direction" means the direction (longitudinal direction) indicated by the symbol LD in the drawings, "width direction" means the direction (left-right direction) indicated by the symbol WD in the drawings, and the front-rear direction and the width direction are perpendicular to each other. "Front side" means the side closer to the wearer's skin, and "back side" means the side farther from the wearer's skin. "Front side" means the side closer to the wearer's skin, and "back side" means the side farther from the wearer's skin. "Curved" does not include straight lines. "Stretch rate" means a value when the natural length is 100%. For example, a stretch rate of 200% is synonymous with a stretch ratio of 2. For example, a stretch rate of 200% is synonymous with a stretch ratio of 2. "Basis weight" is measured as follows. After pre-drying the sample or test piece, leave it in a test room or device under standard conditions (the test location is a temperature of 23±1°C and a relative humidity of 50±2%) until it reaches a constant weight. Pre-drying refers to bringing the sample or test piece to a constant weight in an environment at 100°C. Note that pre-drying is not necessary for fibers with an official moisture regain of 0.0%. From the test piece that has reached a constant weight, a sample measuring 100mm x 100mm is cut using a sample collection template (100mm x 100mm). The weight of the sample is measured and multiplied by 100 to calculate the weight per square meter, which is used as the basis weight. The "thickness" of thick components such as absorbents is measured using a thickness gauge (Peacock, large dial thickness gauge type, model J-B (measurement range 0-35mm) or model K-4 (measurement range 0-50mm)) manufactured by Ozaki Seisakusho Co., Ltd., with the sample and the thickness gauge positioned horizontally. The "thickness" of thin sheets such as nonwoven fabrics was measured using an automatic thickness measuring device (KES-G5 handy compression measurement program) with a load of 10 gf / cm ２ , and pressure area: 2 cm ２Measurements are performed automatically under the following conditions. ・"Unfolded state" means a state in which the product is stretched to its elastic limit (in other words, deployed flat without contraction or slack). ・"Maximum elongation" means the elongation rate in the unfolded state. ・Unless otherwise specified, the dimensions and positional relationship of each part refer to the dimensions and positional relationship in the unfolded state, not the natural length state. ・If no specification is given about the environmental conditions for tests or measurements, the tests or measurements shall be performed in a test room or device under standard conditions (test location: temperature 23±1°C, relative humidity 50±2%).

[0099] The present invention can be used for pants-type disposable wearing articles such as the trunks-type disposable diapers and trunks-type sanitary napkins described above.

[0100] 1...Pants-type disposable diaper, 10...inner body, 11...top sheet, 12...liquid-impermeable sheet, 13...absorbent body, 13N...constricted portion, 14...packaging sheet, 15...gathered sheet, 16...gathered elastic member, 17...diffusion groove, 18...bonding region, 20...outer body, 20C...folded-up portion, 21...side seal portion, 21P...protruding portion, 22...inner sheet layer, 23...outer sheet layer, 24...waist elastic member, 25...lower waist elastic member, 26...leg elastic member, 27...rear support elastic member, 27i...inflection point, 28...front support elastic member, 29...edge of leg opening, 30...leg tube portion, 31...inner thigh portion, 40...anti-slip portion, 60...wearer, B...back body portion, B1, B2...adhesive, BS...standing gathers, C1...crossing position, E1...first position, E2...second position, E3...third position, E4...fourth position, E5...fifth position, E6...sixth position, E7...seventh position, E8...eighth position, F...front body portion, L...crotch region, L2...left leg region, L3...right leg region, LD...front-to-back direction, LO...leg opening, M...crotch portion, T...torso region, U...lower waist portion, U2...left region, U3...right region, V1...left imaginary line, V2...right imaginary line, V3...imaginary line, V4...imaginary line, W...waist portion, WD...width direction, WO...waist opening.

Claims

1. A garment comprising a front body, a back body, a pair of left and right side seals formed by joining both side edges of the front body and both side edges of the back body, respectively, a waist opening, and a pair of left and right leg openings, wherein the front body and the back body each have a torso region defined as the region between the pair of left and right side seals, and a crotch region located between the edges of the pair of left and right leg openings, the torso regions of the front body and the back body each comprise a waist region extending along the upper edge from the left side seal to the right side seal, and a lower waist region adjacent below the waist region and extending from the left side seal to the right side seal, the waist region having a waist elastic member and elastically stretching between a natural length state in which it is contracted in the width direction due to contraction of the waist elastic member and an expanded state in which it is stretched as the waist elastic member stretches, the crotch region has a central region defined as a region between a left imaginary line extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through a point on the left edge of the leg opening that is located closest to the center in the width direction, and a right imaginary line extending in the front-to-rear direction and passing through a point on the right edge of the leg opening that is located closest to the center in the width direction, a left leg region defined as a region between the left edge of the leg opening and the left imaginary line, and a right leg region defined as a region between the right edge of the leg opening and the right imaginary line, wherein the back body has elongated rear support elastic members extending from a first position located on the boundary between the left side seal portion and the waist portion to at least the left leg region, and from a second position located on the boundary between the right side seal portion and the waist portion to at least the right leg region, respectively, so as to approach the center in the width direction and approach the crotch region, a portion of the rear body where the rear support elastic members are arranged elastically stretches and contracts between a natural length state where the portion contracts along the rear support elastic members as the rear support elastic members contract, and an expanded state where the portion stretches along the rear support elastic members as the rear support elastic members expand.

2. The pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1, wherein the torso region and the crotch region of the front body and the back body have elongated leg elastic members that extend from a third position located on the boundary between the left side seal portion and the lower end of the waistband lower portion to at least the left leg region, and from a fourth position located on the boundary between the right side seal portion and the lower end of the waistband lower portion to at least the right leg region, while approaching the center in the width direction and approaching the crotch region; the portions of the leg elastic members elastically expand and contract between a natural length state in which they contract along the leg elastic members as the leg elastic members contract, and an expanded length state in which they stretch along the leg elastic members as the leg elastic members stretch; and the rear support elastic members extend from the first position to at least a position where they intersect with the leg elastic members in the left leg region, and from the second position to at least a position where they intersect with the leg elastic members in the right leg region.

3. The waist elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the width direction at intervals in the front-to-back direction, the rear support elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rear support elastic members, and the leg elastic members are elongated elastic members arranged in the direction perpendicular to the rear support elastic members, and the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the number of waist elastic members is greater than the number of rear support elastic members, or the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is greater than the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the number of waist elastic members is equal to the number of rear support elastic members, 3. The pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 2, wherein the force required to stretch one of the leg elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction is equal to or greater than the force required to stretch one of the rear support elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of the leg elastic members is greater than the number of the rear support elastic members; or the force required to stretch one of the leg elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction is greater than the force required to stretch one of the rear support elastic members 150% in the lengthwise direction, and the number of the leg elastic members is equal to the number of the rear support elastic members.

4. A pants-type disposable wearing article as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lower waist portion has a plurality of elongated lower waist elastic members arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction and extending in the width direction, and the lower waist portion has the lower waist elastic members and elastically expands and contracts between a natural length state in which the lower waist elastic members contract in the width direction as they contract, and an expanded state in which the lower waist elastic members expand as they stretch, and the force required to stretch one lower waist elastic member 150% in the length direction is smaller than the force required to stretch one waist elastic member 150% in the length direction, the force required to stretch one leg elastic member 150% in the length direction, and the force required to stretch one rear support elastic member 150% in the length direction.

5. A pants-type disposable wearing article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the front body has elongated front support elastic members that extend from a fifth position located at the boundary between the left side seal portion and the waist portion and from a sixth position located at the boundary between the right side seal portion and the waist portion, respectively, approaching the widthwise center and approaching the crotch region, and the portion of the front body where the front support elastic members are arranged elastically stretches and contracts between a natural length state in which the front support elastic members contract along the front support elastic members as the front support elastic members contract, and an expanded state in which the front support elastic members stretch along the front support elastic members as the front support elastic members stretch.

6. The pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner edge of the side seal portion adjacent to the waist portion has a protruding portion that is located closer to the center in the width direction than the inner edge of the side seal portion adjacent to the lower waist portion.

7. The pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the waist portion of the rear body has a non-slip portion on the inner surface of the widthwise range having the rear support elastic member, but no non-slip portion is provided between the waist portion and the crotch region.

8. The pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower waist portion has a central region defined as the region between the left imaginary straight line and the right imaginary straight line, a left region defined as the region between the left imaginary straight line and the left side seal portion, and a right region defined as the region between the right imaginary straight line and the right side seal portion, and the rear support elastic members extend from the first position through the left region to at least the left leg region and from the second position through the right region to at least the right leg region, in a pattern in which the acute crossing angle of the tangent to the front-to-back direction continuously decreases and then, after passing through a single inflection point or straight line portion, continuously increases, and the inflection point or straight line portion is located on the widthwise center side of the left region and the right region, respectively, and the acute crossing angle of the tangent to the inflection point or straight line portion with respect to the front-to-back direction is 5 to 30 degrees.

9. A pants-type disposable wearing article according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: an integrated outer body extending from the front to the back body, or outer bodies provided separately for the front and back body; and an inner body including an absorbent, fixed to the outer body so as to extend from the front to the back body; the side seal portions are formed by joining both side ends of the outer body on the front body to both side ends of the outer body on the back body; the outer body on the front body and the outer body on the back body have portions forming the torso region and the crotch region, respectively; and the outer body has the waist elastic member and the rear support elastic member.

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