Absorbent article

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article capable of reducing leakage to the outside by achieving a high suction property for body fluid while utilizing the absorption capacity thereof by diffusing body fluid to a wide area. This absorbent article (1) comprises: a crotch region (S3); a front-side region (S1); a rear-side region (S2); an absorbent body (30) that is positioned at least in the crotch region; a top sheet (10) that is positioned closer to the skin side than the absorbent body and makes contact with the skin of a wearer; a top compressed region (R40) provided with a top compressed portion (40) in which at least the top sheet is compressed in the thickness direction; and a top non-compressed region (R45) that is positioned closer to the inner side in the width direction than the top compressed region and closer to the inner side in the front-rear direction than the top compressed region, and is not provided with a top compressed portion. The top compressed region is positioned in a region overlapping the absorbent body. The top non-compressed region is provided in a central region (RC) located at the center in the front-rear direction and the center in the width direction of the crotch region.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article in which at least a top sheet is provided with a top compressed portion compressed in the thickness direction.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article in which recesses are provided as top compression portions in which at least the top sheet is compressed in the thickness direction. The recesses in Patent Document 1 are arranged in a lattice pattern and are arranged throughout the entire absorbent article.

[0003] JP 2012-90661 A

[0004] The recesses in Patent Document 1 are arranged throughout the entire absorbent article, diffusing bodily fluids in the planar direction in a uniform manner throughout the entire absorbent article. However, absorbent articles have areas through which bodily fluids are easily guided and areas through which they are difficult to guide. More specifically, the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back direction is likely to be located near the excretory opening, making it easy for bodily fluids to be guided. On the other hand, the ends of the absorbent article in the front-to-back direction are located away from the excretory opening, making it difficult for bodily fluids to be guided. When recesses are provided in areas through which bodily fluids are relatively easily guided, they can be diffused through the recesses to areas through which they are relatively difficult to guide. As a result, bodily fluids are absorbed throughout the entire absorbent article, making full use of the absorbent capacity. However, when a large amount of bodily fluid is guided, while the recesses can diffuse the bodily fluid in the planar direction, the bodily fluids may not be sufficiently absorbed and diffused, causing the bodily fluid to run along the surface of the absorbent article and potentially leak.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide an absorbent article that can prevent leakage by spreading body fluids over a wide area, utilizing absorption capacity while improving the ability to draw in body fluids.

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment has a width direction, a front-to-back direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, a crotch region, a front region located forward of the crotch region, and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region, an absorbent disposed at least in the crotch region, a top sheet located closer to the skin than the absorbent and in contact with the wearer's skin, a top compressed region in which at least the top sheet is provided with a top compressed portion compressed in the thickness direction, and a top non-compressed region located inward of the top compressed region in the width direction and inward of the top compressed region in the front-to-back direction and not provided with the top compressed portion. The top compressed region is located in a region overlapping the absorbent. The top non-compressed region is located in a central region located at the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back direction and the width direction.

[0007] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a first embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to the first embodiment, as seen from the non-skin side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a polymer arrangement region and a sheet compression region in an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a top compression region and a top non-compression region in an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to a second embodiment, as seen from the skin side.

[0008] (1) Overview of the Embodiments The following points become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings. The invention according to Aspect 1 is an absorbent article. The absorbent article has a width direction, a front-to-back direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to one another, a crotch region, a front region located forward of the crotch region, and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region, an absorbent body located at least in the crotch region, a top sheet located closer to the skin than the absorbent body and in contact with the wearer's skin, a top compressed region in which at least the top sheet is provided with a top compressed portion compressed in the thickness direction, and a top non-compressed region located inward in the width direction and inward in the front-to-back direction from the top compressed region and without the top compressed portion. The top compressed region is located in a region overlapping with the absorbent body. The top non-compressed region is located in a central region located at the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back direction and the center of the width direction. The central region is located at the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back and width directions, and facilitates the conduction of body fluids. A top non-compressed region is provided in the central region. The central region does not have a top compressed portion, and the top sheet is thicker and has a lower fiber density than the top compressed region. In the central region, the thick top sheet draws body fluids toward the non-skin side, allowing the body fluids to be transferred to the absorbent body side. The top compressed region is located on both sides of the top non-compressed region in the front-to-back and width directions. In other words, the top non-compressed region is sandwiched between the top compressed regions in the front-to-back and width directions. The top compressed region has a higher fiber density of the top sheet than the top non-compressed region. Body fluids are easily conducted from lower-density regions to higher-density regions. Therefore, body fluids not drawn toward the non-skin side in the top non-compressed region are conducted toward the surrounding top compressed region. Body fluids can be dispersed in the planar direction, absorbing body fluids over a wide area and effectively utilizing the absorption capacity. The top compressed region is positioned in an area that overlaps with the absorbent body, and the relatively high fiber density of the top compressed region allows body fluids that have spread to the surrounding area to be guided toward the absorbent body. In other words, body fluids are spread over a wide area, making full use of the absorbent capacity, while the central region and the top compressed region each enhance the ability to draw in body fluids, thereby preventing leakage.

[0009] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1. The top sheet and the absorbent body have main body compression sections compressed in the thickness direction. The main body compression sections are located on both sides of the central region in the front-to-back direction and on both sides of the width direction. In the region where the main body compression sections are located, the top sheet has a high fiber density, and the absorbent body and the top sheet are in close contact. The main body compression sections are located on both sides of the central region in the front-to-back direction and on both sides of the width direction. Therefore, body fluid that cannot be drawn in by the top sheet in the central region can be drawn into the absorbent body by the main body compression sections located around the central region. The main body compression sections also make it possible to draw body fluid toward the non-skin side while diffusing it from the central region to the periphery, thereby further suppressing leakage.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 3 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to Aspect 2. The main body compression section is provided in the top non-compressed region. According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a region where the main body compression section and the top compression section do not overlap. In this region, bodily fluids are less likely to concentrate locally compared to a region where the main body compression section and the top compression section overlap. Therefore, bodily fluids can be diffused and drawn in via the surrounding main body compression section and the surrounding top compression section, respectively, thereby further improving the draw-in and diffusion properties of bodily fluids.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 4 may be the invention according to either Aspect 2 or Aspect 3, and may have the following features. The main body compression portions include first main body compression portions that extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged on both sides of a width centerline that passes through the center of the absorbent in the width direction and extends in the front-rear direction, and second main body compression portions that extend in the width direction and are arranged on both sides of the front-rear centerline that passes through the center of the absorbent in the front-rear direction and extends in the width direction. In the front-rear direction, the second main body compression portions are located outboard of the first main body compression portions. According to this aspect, the body fluid is diffused in the front-rear direction by the first main body compression portions and in the width direction by the second main body compression portions, so that the body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction, absorbing the body fluid over a wide area and effectively utilizing the absorption capacity. Furthermore, the body fluid diffused in the front-rear direction by the first main body compression portions can be further diffused in the width direction by the second main body compression portions located outboard in the front-rear direction. This prevents bodily fluids from flowing too far to the front and rear ends of the absorbent article, thereby preventing front and rear leakage.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 2 to 4, and may have the following features: The main body compression portions are arranged only in the top non-compressed region. The main body compression portions include first main body compression portions that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged on both sides of a width centerline that passes through the center of the absorbent in the width direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and second main body compression portions that extend in the width direction and are arranged on both sides of the front-to-rear centerline that passes through the center of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction and extends in the width direction. The shortest distance between the first main body compression portions and the top compression portions on an imaginary line that extends radially from the center of the central region is longer than the shortest distance between the second main body compression portions and the top compression portions on the imaginary line. Body fluids diffuse radially from the center of the central region (the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back and width directions) and are guided toward the top compression region while passing through an area where neither a main compression section nor a top compression section is provided (the area between the main compression section and the top compression region). Because the shortest distance between the first main compression section and the top compression section is relatively long, the distance to reach the top compression region is long, and the body fluids can be guided away from the skin during this long distance. This makes it difficult for body fluids to be guided toward the outer edges of the absorbent body in the width direction, thereby suppressing side leakage of body fluids.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 2 to 5, and may have the following features. The main body compression portions include first main body compression portions that extend in the front-to-rear direction and pass through the center of the absorbent in the width direction, and are arranged on both sides of a width centerline that extends in the front-to-rear direction; and second main body compression portions that extend in the width direction and pass through the center of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged on both sides of the front-to-rear centerline that extends in the width direction. The first main body compression portions and the second main body compression portions are spaced apart. According to this aspect, because the first main body compression portions and the second main body compression portions are spaced apart, the transmission of bodily fluids can be temporarily interrupted in the spaced-apart region. This increases the ability to draw in fluid within the region surrounded by the first main body compression portions and the second main body compression portions, allowing bodily fluid that could not be absorbed within the spaced apart region to be diffused to the surroundings. The top compressed area and the top non-compressed area allow the body fluid to be diffused in the planar direction, while the main compressed area reduces the amount of body fluid that diffuses to the surrounding area, thereby preventing leakage.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 7 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6: the water retention capacity of the absorbent body in the top non-compressed region is higher than the water retention capacity of the absorbent body in the top compressed region. According to this aspect, because the water retention capacity of the absorbent body is high in the top non-compressed region including the central region, the top non-compressed region is more likely to retain body fluid introduced into the absorbent body, and even if a large amount of body fluid is excreted, the central region can continue to draw in body fluid.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 8 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, and have the following features: The absorbent body has an absorbent sheet in which the skin side and non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer are covered with sheets. The absorbent sheet is disposed in the top non-compressed region. Because the absorption rate of superabsorbent polymer is slower than that of pulp, body fluid is easily absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer after being absorbed by the pulp in the absorbent core. In the top non-compressed region including the central region, body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction while being drawn in by the surrounding pulp, allowing body fluid to be continuously drawn in by the central region. Furthermore, the top sheet disposed closer to the skin than the absorbent sheet does not have a top compressed portion and is relatively thick, thereby maintaining a distance between the body and the absorbent sheet and promoting diffusion in the planar direction.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 9 may have the following feature in the invention according to aspect 8: the absorbent sheet is arranged to straddle the top non-compressed region and the top compressed region in at least one of the front-to-rear direction and the width direction. According to this aspect, because the absorbent sheet straddles the top compressed region and the top non-compressed region, a step is unlikely to occur in the absorbent body at the boundary between the top non-compressed region and the top compressed region, and it is possible to prevent the diffusion of bodily fluids from being interrupted between the top non-compressed region and the top compressed region.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 may be the invention according to aspect 9, which has the following features: The length in the front-to-rear direction of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends outward in the front-to-rear direction from the top non-compressed region and overlaps with the top compressed region is longer than the length in the width direction of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends outward in the width direction from the top non-compressed region and overlaps with the top compressed region. According to this aspect, the width direction length of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends into the top compressed region is short, making it possible to suppress side leakage due to diffusion of body fluids by the top compressed portion and the absorbent sheet. Furthermore, the length in the front-to-rear direction of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends into the top compressed region is short, making it possible to guide body fluids over a wide range in the front-to-rear direction by the top compressed portion.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 11 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 8 to 10, and have the following features: The absorbent sheet has a sheet compression region provided with a sheet compression section that compresses sheets arranged to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction. The sheet compression region is provided at the end of the absorbent sheet in the front-to-rear direction. In the sheet compression region, the fiber density of the sheets constituting the absorbent sheet is high, and the liquid diffusion rate is reduced. By reducing the diffusion rate of body fluids at the end of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent sheet, excessive diffusion of body fluids in the front-to-rear direction within the absorbent sheet can be suppressed, thereby suppressing leakage.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 12 may be the invention according to any one of aspects 8 to 11, and have the following features: The top sheet and the absorbent body have a main body compression section compressed in the thickness direction. The main body compression section compresses the absorbent sheet and the top sheet. According to this aspect, body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction within the top non-compressed region, while the body fluid can be drawn into the absorbent sheet side via the main body compression section.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 13 may be the invention according to any one of aspects 8 to 12, and have the following feature: the main body compression parts are provided only in the area that overlaps with the absorbent sheet. According to this aspect, the body fluid is drawn into the absorbent sheet side via the main body compression parts, and the drawn body fluid is retained by the superabsorbent polymer, thereby further suppressing leakage.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 14 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 13, and may have the following features. The top compression sections are arranged at intervals in the planar direction. The top compression sections include first top compression sections arranged along a first direction extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction, and second top compression sections arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction. When the top compression sections are arranged linearly, high fiber density sections are arranged continuously. On the other hand, when the top compression sections are arranged at intervals, high fiber density sections and low fiber density sections are arranged alternately, and this density gradient allows body fluid to be diffused in the first and second directions. Furthermore, the first top compression sections arranged along the direction extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction allow body fluid to be diffused in the front-rear direction and the width direction, and further in different directions by the second direction intersecting the first direction. Therefore, body fluid can be diffused over a wide area, and the absorption capacity of the absorbent body can be effectively utilized.

[0022] (2) Overall Schematic Configuration of the Absorbent Article The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment, as seen from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment, as seen from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 1. For ease of explanation, the components constituting the absorbent article are partially separated in the thickness direction in FIGS. 3 and 4, but in an actual product, the components are joined together in some areas. In the following descriptions of the drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in light of the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0023] The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad, a fecal pad, or a disposable diaper. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is used by being attached to a worn article such as underwear, or an article that is used without being attached to a worn article (e.g., a disposable diaper or a shorts-type napkin). Examples of the absorbent article 1 include an absorbent article primarily intended to absorb urine, an absorbent article primarily intended to absorb menstrual blood such as a napkin, and an absorbent article primarily intended to absorb vaginal discharge such as a panty liner. The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is a light incontinence pad primarily intended to absorb urine.

[0024] The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other, and a thickness direction T that extends from the wearer's skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2. The skin side T1 corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin during use. The non-skin side T2 corresponds to the side opposite the skin side T1, i.e., the side that faces away from the wearer's skin during use. The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front region S1, and a rear region S2. The crotch region S3 is a region that is positioned opposite the wearer's excretory opening, such as the urination opening. When the absorbent article 1 is worn in underwear, the crotch region S3 is positioned in the crotch area of ​​the underwear and is positioned between the wearer's legs. The crotch region S3 may be, for example, a central region among three equal regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L, or may be a region where a constricted portion is provided in an outer edge of the absorbent body or absorbent article. The front region S1 is located in front of the crotch region S3. The rear region S2 is located behind the crotch region S3. The absorbent article has a constricted portion where the outer edge of the absorbent article is constricted inward in the width direction. The constricted portion is located in a region spanning the center of the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction. The region where the constricted portion is located is the crotch region S3.

[0025] The absorbent article 1 has five regions obtained by dividing the crotch region S3 into equal parts in the width direction W, including a central width region S11 located at the center in the width direction W, side width regions S12 located at the outer sides of the central width region S11, and a middle width region S13 located between the central width region S11 and the side width regions S12. In a configuration in which the length of the crotch region S3 in the width direction W varies, the central width region S11, side width regions S12, and middle width region S13 may be defined based on the length in the width direction W at the longest position of the crotch region S3 (in this embodiment, the outer edge of the crotch region S3). The absorbent article 1 also has five regions obtained by dividing the crotch region S3 into equal parts in the front-to-back direction L, including a front-to-rear central region S31 located at the center in the front-to-rear direction L, front-to-rear end regions S32 located at the outer edges of the central width region S31, and a front-to-rear middle region S33 located between the front-to-rear central region S31 and the front-to-rear end regions S32. In the crotch region S3, a central region RC located at the center in the front-to-rear direction L and the center in the width direction of the crotch region S3 may be the region of the width central region S11 and the front-to-rear central region S31.

[0026] In the present invention, the outer portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. The outer edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction is an edge connecting points located on the outer side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. In the present invention, the inner portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge refers to the inner edge in the width direction W. The inner edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction is an edge connecting points located on the inner side of the component in the width direction W, over the entire component. In the present invention, the front end and rear end refer to portions occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L, including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end refers to the front end and rear end, and the outer edge refers to the front edge and rear edge. In addition, the inner side refers to a side that includes the inner side edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The outer side is a side that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. In this specification, the term "along the front-to-rear direction L" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-to-rear direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.

[0027] The absorbent article 1 may have at least an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 10, and a back sheet 20. The top sheet 10 is positioned closer to the skin T1 than the absorbent body 30 and contacts the wearer. The top sheet 10 may have a center sheet 11 overlapping the center of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction, and side sheets 12 positioned closer to the skin T1 than the center sheet 11 and overlapping outer portions of the center sheet 11 in the width direction W. The side sheets 12 may be positioned closer to the skin T1 than the center sheet 11. In a modified example, the top sheet 10 may be formed from a single sheet without including the center sheet 11 and the side sheets 12. The center sheet 11 and the side sheets 12 may be formed from nonwoven fabrics, and at least the center sheet 11 may be liquid permeable, and the surface of the side sheets 12 may be hydrophobically treated.

[0028] The side sheets 12 may be folded back so as to cover the sides of the absorbent body from the region covering the outer portion of the center sheet 11 and to cover the non-skin side of the back sheet 20. The folds located on the outer edges of the side sheets 12 are located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edges of the absorbent body 30. The side sheets 12 overlap between the folds of the side sheets 12 and the outer edges of the absorbent body 30. Side elastic members 18 that are stretchable in the front-to-rear direction L are arranged between the overlapping side sheets 12. The side elastic members 18 extend along the front-to-rear direction L and are arranged two on each side with a gap in the width direction W. When the side elastic members 18 contract, the outer portions of the absorbent article 1 stand on the skin side T1, thereby suppressing side leakage.

[0029] In this embodiment, the center sheet 11 is made of an air-through nonwoven fabric, and the side sheets 12 may be an SMS nonwoven fabric. The outer edges of the side sheets 12 are located at the outer edges of the absorbent article 1, and the inner edges of the side sheets 12 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the central width region S11, outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the intermediate width region S13, and outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the main body compression sections 80, overlapping the outer portions of the absorbent body 30. The outer edges of the center sheet 11 may be located outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the central width region S11, outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the intermediate width region S13, and outward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the main body compression sections 80.

[0030] The center sheet 11 may be provided with convex portions (not shown) protruding toward the skin side and concave portions (not shown) located between the convex portions. The convex portions and concave portions may be formed by regions of different basis weight of the fibers constituting the top sheet 10, or may be formed by compressing the top sheet 10 in the thickness direction T. The convex portions and concave portions may be formed alternately adjacent in the front-to-rear direction L and alternately adjacent in the width direction W. The convex portions and concave portions can improve the diffusion of bodily fluids in the front-to-rear direction L.

[0031] The back sheet 20 is arranged on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 30. The back sheet 20 is arranged over the entire area of ​​the absorbent article 1 and is arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent article 1 in the thickness direction T. The back sheet 20 is liquid-impermeable and may be made of a film. The non-skin side of the back sheet 20 may be provided with fastening parts 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to a worn article. The fastening parts 60 may be provided at least in the area overlapping with the absorbent body 30. The fastening parts 60 may be provided with an adhesive or a mechanical hook. The fastening parts 60 in this embodiment extend in the front-to-rear direction L and are arranged at intervals in the width direction W, with three fastening parts arranged on each side of the center of the absorbent article in the width direction W. The outer edge of the fastening part 60 (the outer edge of the fastening part 60 located outermost in the width direction) is located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the central width region S11, and may be located further outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the main body compression part 80, may be located further inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, and may be located further inward in the width direction than the inner edge of the side sheet 12 and the outer edge of the center sheet 11. The fastening part 60 is removably covered with a release sheet 65 before use.

[0032] The absorbent article 1 may have a main body compression section 80 in which the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30 are compressed in the thickness direction. The main body compression section 80 may be provided from the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent body 30 to straddle the absorbent body 30. The main body compression section 80 may include first main body compression sections 81 extending in the front-rear direction L, arranged on both sides of a width centerline 30CW that passes through the center of the width direction W of the absorbent body 30 and extends in the front-rear direction L, and second main body compression sections 82 extending in the width direction W, arranged on both sides of a front-rear centerline 30CL that passes through the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent body 30 and extends in the width direction W. The main body compression section 80 may be a collection of dot-like compression sections arranged at intervals in a plan view, or may be linear. The dot-like compression sections may be arranged at intervals, and may have a circular or polygonal shape, or may have a pattern such as a heart pattern. The first body compression portion 81 may extend in the front-to-rear direction across the front-to-rear centerline 30CL. The outer edge of the first body compression portion 81 may be located in the crotch region S3, more specifically, in the front and rear end regions S32. The first body compression portion 81 may be located in the intermediate width region S13 in the width direction. The second body compression portion 82 may straddle the crotch region S3 and the front side region S1 (or the rear side region S2). The second body compression portion 82 may be located in a region overlapping with a sheet compression region R36 (described later). The second body compression portion 82 may be located across the intermediate width region S13 and the central width region S11 in the width direction W.

[0033] The absorbent body 30 is disposed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent body 30 is required to be disposed in at least the crotch region S3, and may extend across at least one of the front region S1 and the back region S2. The absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent material for absorbing bodily fluids. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., pulp), and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent body 30 of this embodiment may include an absorbent sheet 31 in which the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2 of a superabsorbent polymer 35 are covered with sheets 36. The absorbent sheet 31 may be a so-called SAP sheet, and may be a single sheet in which the superabsorbent polymer 35 is sandwiched between two sheets 36, or, as in this embodiment, a plurality of sheets 36 in which the superabsorbent polymer 35 is sandwiched between two sheets 36. The absorbent sheet 31 may contain only the superabsorbent polymer 35 between the sheets 36, or may contain the superabsorbent polymer 35 and cellulosic fibers together.

[0034] The "absorbent sheet" in the present invention refers to a sheet having only a superabsorbent polymer 35 as an absorbent material, with the skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer 35 sandwiched between sheets, or a sheet containing a superabsorbent polymer and cellulosic fibers as an absorbent material, and having (1) a weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer in the absorbent material of 50% or more, preferably 70% or more, and (2) a basis weight of the cellulosic fibers of 100 g / m ２ (3) A sheet that satisfies all of (1) to (3) above, with a thickness of less than 1 mm (including 0 mm) excluding the sheet itself.

[0035] The absorbent article 1 has a sheet compression region R36 in the absorbent sheet 31, in which a sheet compression section is provided that compresses sheets 36 arranged with a superabsorbent polymer 35 sandwiched in the thickness direction T. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the polymer arrangement region R35 in which the superabsorbent polymer 35 of the absorbent sheet 31 is arranged, and the sheet compression region R36 in which the sheet compression section is provided, in the plan view shown in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 5 , the polymer arrangement region R35 and the sheet compression region R36 are hatched differently. The outer edge of the polymer arrangement region R35 may be located inside the outer edge of the absorbent sheet 31. In the region between the outer edge of the polymer arrangement region R35 and the outer edge of the absorbent sheet 31, no superabsorbent polymer 35 may be arranged, and only the sheet 36 may be arranged. The outer edge of the polymer arrangement region R35 may be located inside the second main body compression section 82 in the front-rear direction, or inside the sheet compression region R36 in the front-rear direction L. A plurality of polymer placement regions R35 may be provided at intervals in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the polymer placement region R35 includes a first polymer placement region R351 positioned across the width centerline 30CW, and a second polymer placement region R352 positioned at an interval in the width direction W from the first polymer placement region R351 and positioned outward in the width direction from the first polymer placement region R351. The second polymer placement region R352 is positioned on both sides of the first polymer placement region R351. The polymer placement region R35 may be positioned in a region that does not overlap with the main body compression section 80. More specifically, the outer edge of the first polymer placement region R351 may be positioned inward in the width direction from the inner edge of the first main body compression section 81. The inner edge of the second polymer placement region R352 may be positioned outward in the width direction from the outer edge of the first main body compression section 81. The outer edge of the second polymer placement region R352 may reach the outer edge of the absorbent sheet.

[0036] The absorbent body 30 may have an absorbent core 32 containing cellulosic fibers as the main absorbent material. The absorbent core 32 may have a weight ratio of cellulosic fibers of 50% or more of the absorbent material. The absorbent core 32 is a laminate of absorbent materials such as cellulosic fibers, and its skin side T1 and non-skin side T2 may be covered by a core wrap sheet 37. The absorbent body 30 of this embodiment has an absorbent sheet 31 and an absorbent core 32 arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent sheet 31. In a modified example, the absorbent body 30 may have either the absorbent sheet 31 or the absorbent core 32, or the absorbent sheet 31 may be arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 32, or the core wrap sheet 37 may not be included.

[0037] 3 and 4, the front edge 32F of the absorbent core 32 may be located forward of the front edge 31F of the absorbent sheet 31, and the rear edge 32R of the absorbent core 32 may be located rearward of the rear edge 31R of the absorbent sheet 31. The outer edge 32E of the absorbent core 32 may be located outward in the width direction W of the outer edge 31E of the absorbent sheet 31.

[0038] The absorbent article 1 may have a second sheet 15. The second sheet 15 is disposed on the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 30 and on the non-skin side T2 of the top sheet 10, and guides bodily fluids to the absorbent body 30. The outer edge of the second sheet 15 may reach the outer edge of the absorbent article 1. The outer edge of the second sheet 15 may be located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the center sheet 11 and the outer edges of the side sheets 12, or more inward in the width direction W than the main body compression section 80. The second sheet 15 may be made of nonwoven fabric, and preferably made of air-through nonwoven fabric. The absorbent article 1 does not necessarily have to have the second sheet 15.

[0039] The absorbent article 1 has a top compressed section 40 where at least the top sheet 10 is compressed in the thickness direction T. The top compressed section 40 may be a section where only the top sheet 10 is compressed in the thickness direction T, or a section where both the top sheet 10 and the second sheet 15 are compressed. The top compressed section 40 may compress members that are positioned closer to the skin than the absorbent body 30, and does not compress the absorbent body 30. The top compressed section 40 of this embodiment is a section where the top sheet 10 and the second sheet 15 are compressed. The top compressed section 40 is a section where the top sheet 10 formed into a sheet shape is compressed, and does not include fused fiber sections formed during the sheet forming process. The fused fiber sections are formed throughout the entire top sheet 10, but the top compressed section 40 is formed in a partial area of ​​the top sheet 10.

[0040] The absorbent article 1 has a top compression region R40 in which a top compression section 40 is provided. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing only the top compression section 40 in the plan view shown in Fig. 1, with other parts such as the main body compression section 80 omitted. The top compression region R40 includes not only the part in which the top compression section 40 is provided but also the area surrounded by the top compression sections 40. In this embodiment, a plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged at intervals. The plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged in a lattice pattern. The area in which the lattice-shaped top compression sections 40 are arranged constitutes the top compression region R40.

[0041] The top compression units 40 may be linear, but preferably multiple top compression units 40 may be arranged at intervals in the planar direction. When the top compression units 40 are arranged linearly, high fiber density portions are arranged continuously. On the other hand, when the top compression units 40 are arranged at intervals, high fiber density portions and low fiber density portions are arranged alternately, and this density gradient can diffuse body fluids in the planar direction. The top compression units 40 may have first top compression units arranged at intervals along a first direction D1 extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction, and second top compression units arranged at intervals along a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction. The first direction D1 extends in the front-rear direction L and also in the width direction, and the second direction D2 may be a direction intersecting the first direction. The second direction may also extend in the front-rear direction L and also in the width direction. A plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged at intervals on an imaginary line extending along the first direction D1, and a plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged at intervals on an imaginary line extending in the second direction D2. A plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged along the first direction and a plurality of top compression sections 40 are arranged along the second direction, and the top compression sections are arranged in a lattice pattern. According to this aspect, the first top compression sections extending in the front-rear direction and width direction diffuse body fluid in the front-rear direction and width direction, and can also diffuse in different directions by the second direction intersecting the first direction. This allows body fluid to be diffused over a wide area, and the absorption capacity can be effectively utilized. The lattice-like arrangement of the top compression sections 40 allows body fluid to diffuse in a lattice pattern through the top compression sections 40, facilitating diffusion of body fluid throughout the entire absorbent article 1. Furthermore, the length of each diamond-shaped portion constituting the lattice pattern in the front-rear direction L is longer than the length in the width direction W. Therefore, the diffusion of body fluids in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 can be improved, while the diffusion in the width direction W can be suppressed, thereby improving the diffusion of body fluids in the planar direction while suppressing side leakage.

[0042] The absorbent article has a top non-compressed region R45 that is located widthwise inward of the top compressed region R40 and front-to-back inward of the top compressed region R40 and does not have a top compressed portion. Figure 6 shows the boundary BL between the top compressed region R40 and the top non-compressed region R45. The top compressed region R40 is located in an area overlapping the absorbent body 30. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the top compressed region overlaps the absorbent body 30. In this embodiment, the top compressed region R40 is located on the outer side and outer edge of the absorbent body 30. More specifically, the top compressed region R40 is located in the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 30 where the absorbent sheet 31 is not located and in a portion of the area overlapping the absorbent sheet 31. Furthermore, the top compressed region R40 is located in the entire area extending outward from the absorbent body 30 (the area between the outer edge of the absorbent body and the outer edge of the absorbent article).

[0043] The top non-compressed region R45 is provided in a central region RC, which is located at the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W. The central region RC is located at the center of the crotch region S3 in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W, and is therefore easily guided toward bodily fluids. The top non-compressed region R45 is provided in the central region RC. The top compressed portion 40 is not provided in the central region RC, and the top sheet 10 is thicker and has a lower fiber density than the top compressed region R40. In the central region RC, the thick top sheet 10 draws bodily fluids toward the non-skin side, allowing the drawn bodily fluids to migrate toward the absorbent body 30. The top compressed regions R40 are located on both sides of the top non-compressed region R45 in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W. In other words, the top non-compressed region R45 is sandwiched between the top compressed regions R40 in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W. The top compressed region R40 has a higher fiber density of the top sheet 10 than the top non-compressed region R45. Body fluid is more easily guided from lower-density areas to higher-density areas. Therefore, body fluid not drawn to the non-skin side T2 in the top non-compressed region R45 is guided toward the surrounding top compressed region R40. Body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction, absorbing body fluid over a wide area and effectively utilizing absorption capacity. Furthermore, the top compressed region R40 is positioned in an area overlapping the absorbent body 30, allowing the top compressed section 40, which has a relatively high fiber density, to guide body fluid that has diffused to the periphery toward the absorbent body 30. In other words, body fluid can be diffused over a wide area to utilize absorption capacity, while the central region RC and the top compressed section 40 each enhance the drawability of body fluid and suppress leakage. Furthermore, because the top non-compressed region R45, which is relatively thick in the top sheet 10, is surrounded by the relatively thin top compressed region R40, the central region RC appears puffy. By visually checking the expanded central region RC, the user can be assured that bodily fluids are being absorbed in a region where they are more likely to be guided, and can feel reassured about the absorbent performance.

[0044] The top non-compressed region R45 may be provided in at least a portion of the central region RC, but may preferably be provided throughout the entire central region RC. As shown in FIG. 6 , the front edge of the top non-compressed region R45 may be located in the front region S1, and the rear edge of the top non-compressed region R45 may be located in the rear region S2. At the widthwise centerline 30CW, the top non-compressed region R45 may span the entire crotch region S3, a portion of the front region S1, and a portion of the rear region S3. The outer edge of the top non-compressed region R45 may be located in the widthwise side region S12. At the front-to-rear centerline 30CL, the top non-compressed region R45 may span the entire widthwise central region S11, the entire widthwise intermediate region S13, and a portion of the widthwise side region S12.

[0045] The main body compression sections 80 may be positioned on both sides of the central region RC in the front-to-back direction L and on both sides of the width direction W. In the regions where the main body compression sections 80 are provided, the fiber density of the top sheet 10 is high, and the absorbent body 30 and the top sheet 10 are in close contact with each other. Therefore, body fluid that cannot be drawn in by the top sheet 10 in the central region RC can be drawn into the absorbent body 30 by the main body compression sections 80 positioned around it. The main body compression sections 80 can also draw body fluid from the central region RC to the non-skin side T2 while diffusing it to the surrounding area, further suppressing leakage. Note that it is sufficient that at least a portion of the main body compression sections 80 is positioned on both sides of the central region RC in the front-to-back direction L and on both sides of the width direction W. However, the main body compression sections 80 may be positioned in regions that do not overlap with the central region RC.

[0046] The main body compression section 80 may be provided in the top non-compressed region R45. A region where the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 do not overlap can be provided. In this region, bodily fluids are less likely to concentrate locally compared to a region where the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 overlap. Therefore, bodily fluids can be diffused and drawn in via the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 arranged around them, respectively, further improving the draw-in and diffusion properties of bodily fluids.

[0047] The main body compression section 80 may have a first main body compression section 81 and a second main body compression section 82. The main body compression section 80 can not only draw body fluid to the non-skin side T2 but also diffuse the body fluid. This improves the diffusibility of body fluid in the planar direction. Therefore, the first main body compression section 81 can draw body fluid that travels from the central region RC outward in the width direction W to the non-skin side while diffusing it in the front-to-back direction L. Furthermore, the second main body compression section can draw body fluid that travels from the central region outward in the front-to-back direction to the non-skin side T2 while diffusing it in the width direction.

[0048] The second main body compressing portions 82 may be located further outward in the front-to-rear direction L than the first main body compressing portions 81. That is, the outer edge of the second main body compressing portions 82 may be located further outward in the front-to-rear direction L than the outer edge of the first main body compressing portions 81. With this configuration, the body fluid diffused in the front-to-rear direction L by the first main body compressing portions 81 can be further diffused in the width direction by the second main body compressing portions 82 located on the outside in the front-to-rear direction. This prevents the body fluid from advancing too far to the ends of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L, thereby preventing front leakage and rear leakage.

[0049] The first body compression portion 81 and the second body compression portion 82 may be spaced apart. The body compression portion 80 not only draws body fluid to the non-skin side T2 but also diffuses the body fluid. This improves the planar diffusion of body fluid. Therefore, the first body compression portion 81 can draw body fluid that travels from the central region RC outward in the width direction W to the non-skin side T2 while diffusing it in the front-to-back direction L. Furthermore, the second body compression portion 82 can draw body fluid that travels from the central region RC outward in the front-to-back direction L to the non-skin side T2 while diffusing it in the width direction W. At this time, because the first body compression portion 81 and the second body compression portion 82 are spaced apart, the transmission of body fluid can be temporarily interrupted in the spaced apart region. This improves the drawing ability within the region surrounded by the first body compression portion 81 and the second body compression portion 82, allowing body fluid that could not be absorbed within the surrounded region to be diffused to the surroundings. The top compressed region R40 and the top non-compressed region R45 diffuse body fluids in the planar direction while reducing the amount of body fluid that diffuses to the surrounding area, thereby suppressing leakage.

[0050] The main body compression section 80 may be disposed only within the top non-compression region R45. That is, the entire main body compression section 80 may be provided in the top non-compression region R45. This configuration can improve the diffusion and attraction of bodily fluids via both the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40. In a modified example, the main body compression section 80 may be disposed in both the top compression region R40 and the top non-compression region R45. This modified example allows for diffusion and attraction of bodily fluids via the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 in the region where the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 do not overlap, and allows for smooth transfer of bodily fluids from the main body compression section 80 to the top compression section 40 in the region where the main body compression section 80 and the top compression section 40 overlap.

[0051] In a configuration in which the main body compression portions 80 are disposed only in the top non-compressed region R45, the shortest distance G81 between the first main body compression portion 81 and the top compression portion 40 on an imaginary line EL extending radially from the center of the central region RC may be longer than the shortest distance G82 between the second main body compression portion 82 and the top compression portion 40 on the imaginary line EL. Body fluids are discharged into the central region RC and diffuse from the central region RC to the surrounding area. This diffusion path approximates the imaginary line EL extending radially from the center of the central region RC (the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back and width directions). Therefore, the body fluids diffuse radially from the center of the central region RC (the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back and width directions) and are guided toward the non-skin side T2 and the top compression region R40 via a region where neither the main body compression portion 80 nor the top compression portion 40 is provided (the region between the main body compression portion and the top compression region). At this time, because the shortest distance G81 between the first main body compression section 81 and the top compression section 40 is long, the distance to reach the top compression region R40 is long, and the body fluid can be guided to the non-skin side T2 during the long distance. Therefore, the body fluid is less likely to be guided to the outer edge in the width direction of the absorbent body 30, and side leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed.

[0052] The shortest distance G81 between the first main body compressing section 81 and the top compressing section 40 need only be longer than the shortest distance G82 between the second main body compressing section 82 and the top compressing section 40, but is preferably at least 1.1 times the shortest distance G82, and more preferably at least 1.5 times the shortest distance G82. The shortest distance G81 between the first main body compressing section 81 and the top compressing section 40 may be at least 4 mm and at most 30 mm. The shortest distance G82 between the second main body compressing section 82 and the top compressing section 40 may be at least 5 mm and at most 30 mm. In this embodiment, G81 is 10.64 mm, G82 is 5.77 mm, and G81 / G82 is 1.84. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, G81 is 6.27 mm, G82 is 5.62 mm, and G81 / G82 is 1.15.

[0053] Furthermore, the distance between the first body compression portion 81 and the top compression portion 40 on some of the multiple virtual lines EL may be longer than the distance between the first body compression portion 81 and the center of the central region RC on the same virtual line EL. That is, on some virtual lines, the first body compression portion 81 may be closer to the center of the central region RC than the top compression portion 40. Body fluid diffusing outward in the width direction from the center of the central region RC is drawn in by the first body compression portion 81, and the remaining body fluid is drawn in over a wide range by the top non-compressed region R45 before reaching the top compression portion. On the other hand, on any virtual line, the distance between the second body compression portion 82 and the top compression portion 40 may be shorter than the distance between the second body compression portion 82 and the center of the central region on the same virtual line EL. That is, on any virtual line, the second body compression portion 82 may be closer to the top compression portion 40 than the center of the central region RC. Furthermore, if the maximum length in the front-to-back direction of the top non-compressed region is 100, the length connecting the outer edges of the main body compressing portion 80 in the front-to-back direction L may be 90 or more.

[0054] The water retention capacity of the absorber 30 in the top non-compressed region R45 may be higher than the water retention capacity of the absorber 30 in the top compressed region R40. According to this aspect, the water retention capacity of the absorber 30 in the top non-compressed region R45, which includes the central region RC, is high, so that the top non-compressed region R45 can easily retain body fluid guided toward the absorber 30, and even when a large amount of body fluid is excreted, the central region RC can continue to draw in the body fluid.

[0055] The water retention capacity of the absorbent body 30 can be measured by the following method. First, the absorbent body to be measured is cut out from the absorbent article 1. More specifically, the absorbent body in the top non-compressed region and the absorbent body in the top compressed region are cut out separately. Next, the weight of the sample is measured (E), and the entire sample is immersed in physiological saline (0.9% NaCl solution) poured into a plate-shaped container for 30 minutes. Next, after 30 minutes, the sample is left suspended with clips attached to the ends of the sample for 10 minutes. Finally, the sample is placed in a spin dryer (150 G) and dehydrated for 90 seconds, after which its weight (F) is measured. The water retention capacity of the absorbent body is calculated using the formula F (g) - E (g). For absorbent bodies without an absorbent core or superabsorbent polymer, the water retention capacity is the water retention capacity of the sheets (core wrap sheet or sheets sandwiching the superabsorbent polymer).

[0056] The absorbent sheet 31 may be disposed in the top non-compressed region R45. Because the absorption rate of the superabsorbent polymer 35 is slower than that of pulp, body fluid is easily absorbed by the superabsorbent polymer 35 after being absorbed by the pulp in the absorbent core 32. In the top non-compressed region R45, which includes the central region RC, body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction while being drawn in by the surrounding pulp, allowing the central region RC to continue drawing in body fluid. Furthermore, the top sheet 10, which is disposed closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent sheet 31, does not have a top compressed portion 40 and is relatively thick, so it can maintain a distance between the body and the absorbent sheet 31 and promote diffusion in the planar direction.

[0057] The absorbent sheet 31 only needs to be disposed in the top non-compressed region R45. However, preferably, the absorbent sheet 31 may be disposed so as to straddle the top non-compressed region R45 and the top compressed region R40 in at least one of the front-to-rear direction L and the width direction W. Because the absorbent sheet 31 straddles the top compressed region R40 and the top non-compressed region R45, a step is unlikely to occur at the boundary BL between the top non-compressed region R45 and the top compressed region R40, thereby preventing the diffusion of bodily fluids from being interrupted between the top non-compressed region R45 and the top compressed region R40. The absorbent sheet 31 of this embodiment straddles the top non-compressed region R45 and the top compressed region R40 in the front-to-rear direction L, and also straddles the top non-compressed region R45 and the top compressed region R40 in the width direction W. The outer edge of the top non-compressed region R45 is located more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the absorbent sheet 31. The outer edges (front and rear edges) of the top non-compressed region R45 are located further outward in the front-to-back direction L than the outer edges of the absorbent sheet 31, but the distance between the outer edges of the top non-compressed region and the absorbent sheet is 10 mm or less, and the absorbent sheet 31 is arranged over almost the entire area of ​​the top non-compressed region R45.

[0058] The front-to-rear length L31 of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends outward in the front-to-rear direction L from the top non-compressed region R45 and overlaps with the top compressed region R40 may be longer than the widthwise length W31 of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends outward in the widthwise direction W from the top non-compressed region R45 and overlaps with the top compressed region R40. L31 is the front-to-rear length, on the widthwise centerline 30CW, of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends outward in the front-to-rear direction L from the top non-compressed region R45 and is located in the top compressed region R40, and W31 is the widthwise length, on the front-to-rear centerline 30CL, of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends outward in the widthwise direction W from the top non-compressed region R45 and is located in the top compressed region R40. In the region of the top compression region R40 where the absorbent sheet 31 is disposed, the top compression sections 40 diffuse the body fluid in the planar direction, draw the body fluid toward the non-skin side T2, and diffuse the body fluid in the planar direction by the absorbent sheet 31. Generally, the length in the width direction W of the absorber 30 is shorter than the length in the front-to-back direction L of the absorber 30. Therefore, it is necessary to guide the absorber 30 over a wide range in the front-to-back direction L to utilize its absorption capacity, while preventing side leakage by not directing the absorber 30 over an excessively wide range in the width direction W. Because the width direction length of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends into the top compression region R40 is short, side leakage due to diffusion of body fluid by the top compression sections 40 and the absorbent sheet 31 can be prevented. Furthermore, because the length in the front-to-back direction L of the region where the absorbent sheet 31 extends into the top compression region R40 is short, the top compression sections 40 can guide the body fluid over a wide range in the front-to-back direction L.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5 , the sheet compression region R36 may be provided at an end of the absorbent sheet 31 in the front-to-rear direction L. In the sheet compression region R36, the fiber density of the sheet 36 constituting the absorbent sheet 31 is high, and the liquid diffusion rate is reduced. By reducing the diffusion rate of bodily fluid at the end of the absorbent sheet 31 in the front-to-rear direction L, excessive diffusion of bodily fluid in the front-to-rear direction L within the absorbent sheet 31 is suppressed, thereby suppressing leakage. In this embodiment, the sheet compression region R36 is provided over the entire width direction W of the absorbent sheet 31 from the front edge toward the rear of the absorbent sheet 31, and is also provided over the entire width direction W of the absorbent sheet 31 from the rear edge toward the front of the absorbent sheet 31. The sheet compression region R36 at the front end of the absorbent sheet 31 and the sheet compression region R36 at the rear end of the absorbent sheet 31 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L. The sheet compression region R36 is located in an area that does not overlap with the polymer placement region R35. That is, the sheet compressing section compresses only the sheet 36 and does not compress the superabsorbent polymer 35 .

[0060] The main body compression sections 80 may compress the absorbent sheet 31 and the top sheet 10. According to this embodiment, body fluid can be diffused in the planar direction within the top non-compressed region R45 while being drawn into the absorbent sheet 31 side via the main body compression sections 80. The main body compression sections 80 may be provided at least on the absorbent sheet 31, and may also be provided on the absorbent core 32. The main body compression sections 80 may be provided only in the region overlapping with the absorbent sheet 31. According to this embodiment, the body fluid is drawn into the absorbent sheet 31 side via the main body compression sections 80, and the drawn body fluid is retained by the superabsorbent polymer 35, thereby further suppressing leakage. The main body compression sections 80 may be provided in a region of the absorbent sheet 31 that does not overlap with the superabsorbent polymer 35. In other words, the main body compression sections 80 may be located in a region of the absorbent sheet 31 other than the polymer placement region R35.

[0061] The top compressed sections 40 may be arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction L in areas that overlap the convex sections of the top sheet 10. The convex sections are divided into areas where the top compressed sections 40 are provided and areas where the top compressed sections 40 are not provided. The convex sections can have areas of high and low fiber, improving the diffusion of bodily fluids.

[0062] Next, an absorbent article 1X according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 . In the absorbent article according to the second embodiment, components similar to those of the absorbent article according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1X according to the second embodiment, as viewed from the skin side T1. The absorbent body 30 according to the second embodiment includes an absorbent sheet 31 and a lower absorbent layer 34, but does not include an absorbent core 32. The lower absorbent layer 34 is located closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent sheet 31 and is made of tissue. That is, the lower absorbent layer 34 does not include pulp or a superabsorbent polymer. As in the first embodiment, the absorbent sheet 31 is a so-called SAP sheet including a superabsorbent polymer 35 and a sheet 36 covering the superabsorbent polymer 35, and is provided with a sheet compression region R36. The polymer placement regions R35 according to the second embodiment are rectangular (diamond-shaped) and are spaced apart in the width direction and the front-to-rear direction. The polymer disposition regions R35 are disposed at regular intervals across the entire absorbent sheet.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the main body compressing section 80 includes a first main body compressing section 81 and a second main body compressing section 82 that are connected without any space between them. In a configuration in which the first main body compressing section 81 and the second main body compressing section 82 are connected, the portion inclined at 45 degrees or less with respect to the front-to-rear direction constitutes the first main body compressing section 81, and the portion inclined at less than 45 degrees with respect to the front-to-rear direction constitutes the second main body compressing section 82. While the main body compressing section 80 in the first embodiment is disposed in a region that does not overlap with the polymer placement region R35, the main body compressing section 80 in the second embodiment is disposed in a region that overlaps with the polymer placement region R35.

[0064] In the absorbent article of the second embodiment, the top compressed region R40 is also positioned in an area overlapping the absorbent body 30, and the top non-compressed region R45 is provided in the central region RC. Therefore, in the central region, the thick top sheet draws body fluid toward the non-skin side, allowing the drawn body fluid to migrate toward the absorbent body. Furthermore, body fluid that is not drawn toward the non-skin side in the top non-compressed region is guided toward the surrounding top compressed region, allowing the body fluid to be spread in the planar direction, absorbing the body fluid over a wide area and effectively utilizing the absorption capacity. Furthermore, the body fluid that has spread to the periphery can be guided toward the absorbent body by the top compressed portion, which has a relatively high fiber density. In other words, the body fluid is spread over a wide area, utilizing the absorption capacity, while the central region and top compressed portion each enhance the body fluid draw-in and suppress leakage.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention.

[0066] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-068879, filed on April 22, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] By spreading body fluids over a wide area and utilizing the absorption capacity while increasing the ability to draw in body fluids, an absorbent article can be provided that can prevent leakage.

[0068] 1, 1X: Absorbent article 10: Top sheet 30: Absorbent body 30CL: Front-to-back centerline 30CW: Width centerline 31: Absorbent sheet 35: Superabsorbent polymer 36: Sheet 40: Top compressed section 80: Main body compressed section 81: First main body compressed section 82: Second main body compressed section D1: First direction D2: Second direction L: Front-to-back direction R36: Sheet compressed area R40: Top compressed area R45: Top non-compressed area RC: Central region S1: Front region S2: Back region S3: Crotch region T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having width, front-to-back, and thickness directions which are perpendicular to one another; a crotch region, a front region located forward of the crotch region, and a rear region located rearward of the crotch region; an absorbent body located at least in the crotch region; a top sheet located closer to the skin than the absorbent body and in contact with the wearer's skin; a top compression region in which at least a top compression portion is provided where the top sheet is compressed in the thickness direction; and a top non-compression region located inward in the width direction and inward in the front-to-back direction than the top compression region and in which the top compression portion is not provided, wherein the top compression region is located in a region which overlaps with the absorbent body, and the top non-compression region is located in a central region which is located in the center of the crotch region in the front-to-back direction and the center of the width direction.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the top sheet and the absorbent body have main body compression sections compressed in the thickness direction, and the main body compression sections are positioned on both sides of the central region in the front-to-rear direction and on both sides of the width direction.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the main body compressed portion is provided in the top non-compressed region.

4. An absorbent article as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the main body compression portions include a first main body compression portion that passes through the center of the absorbent body in the width direction and is arranged on both sides of a width center line extending in the front-to-rear direction, and a second main body compression portion that passes through the center of the absorbent body in the front-to-rear direction and is arranged on both sides of the front-to-rear center line extending in the width direction, and extends in the width direction; and the second main body compression portion is located outward in the front-to-rear direction than the first main body compression portion.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the main body compression portions are arranged only within the top non-compressed region, and the main body compression portions include first main body compression portions that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged on both sides of a width center line that passes through the center of the width direction of the absorbent body and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and second main body compression portions that extend in the width direction and are arranged on both sides of the front-to-rear center line that passes through the center of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent body and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and the shortest distance between the first main body compression portion and the top compression portion on an imaginary line that extends radially from the center of the central region is longer than the shortest distance between the second main body compression portion and the top compression portion on the imaginary line.

6. An absorbent article as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the main body compression portions include first main body compression portions that extend in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged on both sides of a width center line that passes through the center of the width direction of the absorbent body and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and second main body compression portions that extend in the width direction and are arranged on both sides of the front-to-rear center line that passes through the center of the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent body and extends in the width direction, and the first main body compression portion and the second main body compression portion are spaced apart.

7. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water retention capacity of the absorbent body in the top non-compressed region is higher than the water retention capacity of the absorbent body in the top compressed region.

8. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent body has an absorbent sheet in which the skin side and non-skin side of a superabsorbent polymer are covered with sheets, and the absorbent sheet is arranged in the top non-compressed region.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the absorbent sheet is disposed across the top non-compressed region and the top compressed region in at least one of the front-rear direction and the width direction.

10. An absorbent article as described in claim 9, wherein the length of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends outward in the front-to-back direction from the top non-compressed region and overlaps with the top compressed region is longer than the length of the region of the absorbent sheet that extends outward in the width direction from the top non-compressed region and overlaps with the top compressed region.

11. An absorbent article as described in claim 8, wherein the absorbent sheet has a sheet compression region provided with a sheet compression section that compresses sheets arranged to sandwich the superabsorbent polymer in the thickness direction, and the sheet compression region is provided at the end of the absorbent sheet in the front-to-rear direction.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the top sheet and the absorbent body have a main body compression section compressed in the thickness direction, and the main body compression section compresses the absorbent sheet and the top sheet.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 12, wherein the main body compression portion is provided only in the area overlapping with the absorbent sheet.

14. An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the top compression portions are arranged at intervals in a planar direction, and the top compression portions have a first top compression portion arranged along a first direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and the width direction, and a second top compression portion arranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

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