Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article (1) has a plurality of design parts (80) composed of designs including at least characters, symbols, or patterns. The plurality of design parts (80) include type-indicating portions (81) that indicate a type of the absorbent article and can be seen when a person who puts an absorbent article on a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type-indicating portions include a largest type-indicating portion (81M) that has the largest size among the plurality of design parts when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The maximum length of the largest type-indicating portion in the front-back direction (L) of the absorbent article in the stretched state is 15% or more of the total length of the absorbent article in the front-back direction when the absorbent article is in a state folded in half in the front-back direction. The maximum length of the largest type-indicating portion in the thickness direction (W) of the absorbent article in the stretched state is 15% or more of the total length of the absorbent article in the width direction.

Description

absorbent articles

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a type indicator that indicates the type of absorbent article and that is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article.

[0002] Conventionally, absorbent articles have been known that have a type indicator that indicates the type of absorbent article and that is visually recognized when a wearer selects an absorbent article. For example, in the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, a type indicator that indicates the size of the absorbent article as the type of absorbent article is located on the crotch side of the absorbent article so that the size of the absorbent article can be confirmed when a plurality of pants-type diapers are stacked and stored as the absorbent article. Also, in the absorbent article of Patent Document 2, the type indicator that indicates the size of the absorbent article is located across the center of the absorbent article in the width direction so that the size of the absorbent article can be easily confirmed after use.

[0003] In recent years, there has been a growing trend to introduce absorbent article subscription services in childcare facilities, such as nurseries, where there are many wearers of absorbent articles, in order to reduce the burden on parents. In childcare facilities that have introduced such services, rather than each parent having to prepare their own absorbent articles, the facility stores and manages a plurality of absorbent articles by type (e.g., by size) so that many wearers can choose an absorbent article that is suitable for them.

[0004] Patent No. 3954549 Patent No. 6880157

[0005] In childcare facilities where multiple absorbent articles are stored and managed, the greater the number of wearers, the more difficult it becomes for a wearer (e.g., a childcare worker) to remember all of the types of absorbent articles worn by each wearer. Therefore, when a wearer who does not remember the types of absorbent articles worn by each wearer visually confirms the type of absorbent article worn by the wearer, the wearer then selects from a storage location an absorbent article of the same type as the confirmed type from among the multiple types of absorbent articles, and replaces the wearer's absorbent article with the selected absorbent article.

[0006] Here, with the absorbent article of Patent Document 1, when a wearer checks the type of absorbent article (size of the absorbent article) worn by the wearer while wearing pants, the size indication may not be visible by simply widening the waist opening of the pants to look into the absorbent article or by rolling up the waist opening of the pants. Furthermore, the wearer must take the trouble of lowering the wearer's pants to a position where the size indication located on the crotch side can be seen. Furthermore, if the wearer lowers the pants to check the size of the absorbent article, the wearer must then pull up the pants. As a result, it takes time to check the type of absorbent article and is likely to be a burden on the wearer.

[0007] Furthermore, the absorbent article of Patent Document 2 is intended for checking the size of the absorbent article after use in a medical setting, and therefore there is a concern that even if a wearer checks the size of the absorbent article while wearing pants by widening the waist opening of the pants to look inside the absorbent article or by rolling up the waist opening of the pants, the size indication portion may be difficult to see.

[0008] As described above, there is a concern that the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article may be time-consuming and burdensome with the absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and relates to an absorbent article that can reduce the time and / or burden required to put on the absorbent article.

[0009] An absorbent article according to one embodiment comprises an absorbent main body disposed at least in the crotch region of the absorbent article and including an absorbent core; a plurality of design elements each having a design consisting of at least letters, symbols, or pictures; and a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article and serving as a base point for folding the absorbent article in half in the front-to-back direction. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a maximum type indicator that is the largest of the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indicator in the front-to-back direction is 15% or more of the length from the outer edge of the waist side of the absorbent article to the fold line in the front-to-back direction. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indicator in the width direction of the absorbent article is 15% or more of the total length of the absorbent main body in the width direction.

[0010] An absorbent article according to another aspect has a plurality of design elements each composed of a design including at least letters, symbols, or pictures. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a maximum type indicator that is the largest among the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The absorbent article has a front portion located forward of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and an indicator that changes color upon contact with body waste. The maximum type indicator is located closer to the waist of the front portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the shortest distance from the inner edge of the maximum type indicator on the fold line side to the outer edge of the indicator on the waist side in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the maximum type indicator in the front-to-back direction.

[0011] An absorbent article according to another aspect has a plurality of design elements each composed of a design including at least letters, symbols, or pictures. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a largest type indicator that is the largest of the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The absorbent article has a front portion located forward of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction, the fold line being a base point, a rear portion located rearward of the fold line in the folded state, and an indicator that changes color upon contact with body waste. The type indicator includes a front type indicator located closer to the waist of the front portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction, and a rear type indicator located closer to the waist of the rear portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction. The indicator has a front outer edge that is the outer edge of the front portion on the waist side, and a rear outer edge that is the outer edge of the rear portion on the waist side. At least one of the front type indication portion and the rear type indication portion is the maximum type indication portion. In the front-to-rear direction when the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the shortest distance from the inner edge of the front type indication portion on the fold line side to the front outer edge of the indicator is shorter than the shortest distance from the inner edge of the rear type indication portion on the fold line side to the rear outer edge of the indicator.

[0012] An absorbent article according to another aspect has a plurality of design portions each composed of a design consisting of at least letters, symbols, or patterns. The plurality of design portions include a type indicator portion that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator portion includes a maximum type indicator portion that is the largest of the plurality of design portions when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The maximum type indicator portion is composed of at least one of the letters, symbols, and patterns, as well as a different color for each of the plurality of absorbent article types.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a front view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to an embodiment in an unfolded state. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F4-F4 shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a design section 80.

[0014] (1) Overview of the Embodiments At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0015] In the invention according to aspect 1, the absorbent article comprises an absorbent main body disposed at least in the crotch region of the absorbent article and including an absorbent core; a plurality of design elements each having a design consisting of at least letters, symbols, or pictures; and a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article and serving as a base point for folding the absorbent article in half in the front-to-back direction. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a maximum type indicator that is the largest of the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indicator in the front-to-back direction is 15% or more of the length from the outer edge of the waist side of the absorbent article to the fold line in the front-to-back direction. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indicator in the width direction of the absorbent article is 15% or more of the total length of the absorbent main body in the width direction. According to this aspect, because the type indicator is the largest, it is easier to see the type indicator even when the wearer is farther away from the type indicator than when the type indicator is smaller. Therefore, even if the wearer widens the waist opening of their pants to check the type indicator and only a small portion of the absorbent article is exposed, (part of) the type indicator is more likely to be exposed. The wearer can easily identify the location of the type indicator and determine the type of the absorbent article. Furthermore, in absorbent articles with multiple design elements, it can be difficult for the wearer to find the type indicator that indicates the type of absorbent article among the multiple design elements, which can take time and effort to determine the type of absorbent article. However, in absorbent articles with the above characteristics, the largest type indicator is the largest of the multiple design elements and is therefore more easily visible to the wearer. This reduces the time and effort required for the wearer to determine the type of absorbent article and reduces the time and / or effort required for the wearer to put on the absorbent article. Furthermore, the wearer can grasp and open the waist opening of the wearer's trousers and immediately know the type of absorbent article if he or she can see the maximum type display portion.According to the above aspect, since the length of the maximum type indicator in the front-to-rear direction relative to the absorbent article is relatively large, the maximum type indicator can be easily seen when the wearer looks into the absorbent article with the waist opening of the pants widened. This makes it easier for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article simply by widening the waist opening of the pants, thereby reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article. Furthermore, since the length of the maximum type indicator in the width direction relative to the absorbent article is relatively large, the maximum type indicator can be easily seen when the wearer looks into the absorbent article with the waist opening of the pants widened. This makes it easier for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article simply by widening the waist opening of the pants, thereby reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article. Note that although pants are used as an example, the same applies to items that are worn to conceal the absorbent article 1 from full view (e.g., bloomer-style overpants).

[0016] In the invention according to aspect 2, the absorbent article has a plurality of design elements composed of designs including at least letters, symbols, or pictures. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a maximum type indicator that is the largest among the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The absorbent article has a front portion located forward of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and an indicator that changes color upon contact with body waste. The maximum type indicator is located closer to the waist of the front portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction. When the absorbent article is in the stretched state in the front-to-back direction, the shortest distance from the inner edge of the maximum type indicator on the fold line side to the outer edge of the indicator on the waist side in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length of the maximum type indicator in the front-to-back direction. According to this aspect, because the type indicator is the largest, the wearer can easily determine the location of the type indicator and the type of the absorbent article. Furthermore, because the largest type indicator is the largest of the multiple design portions, it is easily visible to the wearer. This reduces the time and burden it takes for the wearer to confirm the type of absorbent article, and reduces the time and / or burden required for the wearer to put on the absorbent article. Furthermore, because the distance between the largest type indicator and the indicator is short, the wearer can easily see the largest type indicator when visually checking the indicator to check for the presence or absence of body waste with the waist opening extended from the front. Furthermore, because the indicator changes color upon contact with body waste, the color change makes the indicator more noticeable when urination or the like occurs. Because the largest type indicator is located near the indicator, when the wearer visually recognizes the conspicuous indicator, the largest type indicator also easily comes into the wearer's field of vision, making the largest type indicator more visible.

[0017] In the invention according to Aspect 3, the absorbent article has a plurality of design elements composed of designs including at least letters, symbols, or pictures. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when the wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a largest type indicator that is the largest among the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The absorbent article has a front portion located forward of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction based on the fold line, a rear portion located rearward of the fold line in the folded state, and an indicator that changes color upon contact with body waste. The type indicator includes a front type indicator located closer to the waist of the front portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction, and a rear type indicator located closer to the waist of the rear portion than the indicator in the front-to-back direction. The indicator has a front outer edge, which is the outer edge of the front section on the waist side, and a rear outer edge, which is the outer edge of the rear section on the waist side. At least one of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator is the maximum type indicator. In the front-to-rear direction when the absorbent article is in the stretched state, the shortest distance from the inner edge of the front type indicator on the fold line side to the front outer edge of the indicator is shorter than the shortest distance from the inner edge of the rear type indicator on the fold line side to the rear outer edge of the indicator. According to this aspect, the type indicator is the largest, allowing the wearer to easily identify the location of the type indicator and determine the type of the absorbent article. Furthermore, the maximum type indicator is the largest of the multiple design sections, making it easily visible to the wearer. This reduces the time and burden required for the wearer to confirm the type of absorbent article and the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article. Furthermore, wearers often check the indicator from the front to determine whether or not they have urinated. When the wearer checks the indicator from the front to see if the absorbent article needs to be changed due to urination, the front type display part is easy to see because the distance between the front type display part and the indicator is short.When the front type indicator is the maximum type indicator, it is easier for the wearer to check. On the other hand, the wearer may check from the rear to see if there has been a bowel movement. When the rear type indicator is the maximum type indicator, it is easier for the wearer to check if the absorbent article needs to be changed due to bowel movement.

[0018] In the invention according to Aspect 4, the absorbent article has a plurality of design elements composed of designs including at least letters, symbols, or patterns. The plurality of design elements include a type indicator that indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when the wearer selects an absorbent article. The type indicator includes a maximum type indicator that is the largest among the plurality of design elements when the absorbent article is in a stretched state. The maximum type indicator is configured with at least one of the letters, symbols, and patterns, as well as a different color for each of the plurality of absorbent article types. According to this aspect, because the type indicator is the largest, the wearer can identify the location of the type indicator and easily identify the type of the absorbent article. Furthermore, because the maximum type indicator is the largest among the plurality of design elements, it is easily visible to the wearer. This reduces the time and burden required for the wearer to confirm the type of the absorbent article, and reduces the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article. Furthermore, the type of the absorbent article can be identified by the color of the maximum type indicator that the wearer visually recognizes. As a result, for example, if the maximum type display section is composed of characters, even a wearer who cannot read characters (for example, a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) can confirm the type of the absorbent article.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect, in Aspect 5, in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, the absorbent article has a fold line that serves as a base point for folding the absorbent article in half in the front-to-rear direction and extends in the width direction of the absorbent article. The center in the front-to-rear direction of the maximum type indicator is closer to the outer edge of the waist side of the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction than the fold line. According to this aspect, since the maximum type indicator is closer to the waist opening of the pants, the maximum type indicator can be easily seen when the wearer looks into the absorbent article with the waist opening of the pants open.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 is the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the absorbent article has two side stretch regions that stretch in the width direction of the absorbent article and are located on both left and right sides of the waist region in the width direction, and a low-stretch region that has a weaker stretch force than the two side stretch regions and is located between the two side stretch regions. The maximum type indicator is located in the low-stretch region. According to this aspect, because the maximum type indicator is located toward the center in the width direction, the maximum type indicator is easily visible when the wearer grasps the center of the width direction of the waist opening at the front of the pants to widen the waist opening. In addition, because the maximum type indicator is located in the low-stretch region, the number of wrinkles in the maximum type indicator is reduced, making it easier to see.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 7 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the maximum type indicating portion is configured by the pattern that evokes the type of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, even a wearer who cannot read (for example, a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) can confirm the type of the absorbent article.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 8 is the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half. The plurality of design elements include a front type indicator located in the front portion and indicating the type of the absorbent article, and a rear type indicator located in the rear portion and indicating the type of the absorbent article. At least one of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator is the maximum type indicator. According to this aspect, when a wearer unfolds the waist opening of the pants from either the front or the rear, the type indicator (i.e., the front type indicator or the rear type indicator) can be easily seen. If the type indicator on the front (or rear) side is not the largest type indicator and is not visible to the wearer, the largest type indicator is located on the opposite side, the rear (or front), which is easier to see by widening the waist opening of the trousers. This makes it easier for the wearer to check the type of absorbent article by simply widening the waist opening of the trousers.

[0023] According to a preferred aspect, in Aspect 9, in the invention according to Aspect 8, both the front type indicator and the rear type indicator are the maximum type indicator. According to this aspect, even when the wearer opens the waist opening of the pants from either the front or the rear, the maximum type indicator is easily visible. In particular, even when the maximum type indicator cannot be seen from either the front or the rear due to the wearer's posture (e.g., lying face down, lying on their back, etc.), the maximum type indicator is easily visible from the other front or the rear, making it easy to check the type of absorbent article without interfering with the wearer's posture or activity.

[0024] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 is the invention according to aspect 8, wherein one of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator is the largest type indicator. The other of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator is smaller than the largest type indicator. According to this aspect, the wearer can easily distinguish between the front and rear sides of the absorbent article by comparing the sizes of the front and rear type indicators.

[0025] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 11 is the invention according to aspect 10, wherein the type indicator of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator that is smaller than the largest type indicator has a reduced design of the largest type indicator. According to this aspect, since the front type indicator and the rear type indicator have the same design, it is easier for the wearer to recognize that the front type indicator and the rear type indicator indicate the type of the absorbent article, compared to when the front type indicator and the rear type indicator have different designs.

[0026] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 12 is the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half. In the waist region of the absorbent article, each of the front portion and the rear portion has an elastic member extending in the width direction. The color of the elastic member disposed in one of the front portion and the rear portion is different from the color of the elastic member disposed in the other of the front portion and the rear portion. According to this aspect, when a wearer checks the type of absorbent article by widening the waist opening of the pants at the front (or rear), if the elastic member is visible, the wearer can ascertain the color of the elastic member on the front (or rear). This allows the wearer to know that the side on which the stretchable member of the identified color is located is the front (or back), and therefore allows the wearer to quickly determine which side of the absorbent article is the front or back without hesitation when putting on a new absorbent article. As a result, the time and burden required for the wearer to put on the type of absorbent article can be reduced, and the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article can be shortened.

[0027] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 13 is the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half. Nonwoven fabric is disposed in each of the front portion and the rear portion. The color of the nonwoven fabric disposed in one of the front portion and the rear portion is different from the color of the nonwoven fabric disposed in the other of the front portion and the rear portion. According to this aspect, when the wearer checks the type of absorbent article by widening the waist opening of the pants at the front (or rear), if the nonwoven fabric is visible, the wearer can ascertain the color of the nonwoven fabric on the front (or rear). This allows the wearer to know that the side on which the nonwoven fabric of the identified color is located is the front (or back), and therefore allows the wearer to quickly determine which side of the absorbent article is the front or back without hesitation when putting on a new absorbent article. As a result, the time and burden required for the wearer to put on the type of absorbent article can be reduced, and the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article can be reduced.

[0028] According to a preferred aspect, in the invention according to aspect 14, in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, the absorbent article has an indicator that changes color upon contact with bodily waste. The maximum thickness of the characters that make up at least a part of the maximum type indicator is thicker than the width of the indicator. According to this aspect, because the characters that make up the maximum type indicator are thick, the wearer can easily read the characters that indicate the type of absorbent article, thereby reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to confirm the type of absorbent article.

[0029] According to a preferred aspect, in the invention according to aspect 15, in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, the absorbent article has an indicator that changes color upon contact with bodily waste. The maximum thickness of the line constituting the outline of the maximum type indicator is greater than the width of the indicator. According to this aspect, because the thickness of the line constituting the outline of the maximum type indicator is greater, it is easier for the wearer to visually recognize the outline of the maximum type indicator and to recognize the entire maximum type indicator.

[0030] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 16 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein the maximum type indicator is configured as a single design in which the picture and the letters indicating the type of the absorbent article overlap. According to this aspect, the maximum type indicator is configured as a single design using a picture in addition to letters, making it easier for the wearer to notice the design (i.e., the maximum type indicator).

[0031] (2) Absorbent Article According to the Embodiment Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions and the like may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts in which the dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front view of an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state. The plan view shown in FIG. 2 is a view of the absorbent article in a stretched state, as viewed from the non-skin side. The "stretched state" in this specification refers to a state in which the absorbent article 1 is stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed when the side joints 15, which will be described later, are unfolded. The "natural state" in this specification refers to a state in which, for an absorbent article housed in a package, the absorbent article is removed from the package and left in an atmosphere of 20°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 60% ± 5% RH for 24 hours. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F4-F4 in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the design section 80, which will be described later. The front attachment display section 84f, which will be described later, is not shown in FIG. 5.

[0033] The absorbent article 1 may be any absorbent article that covers the waist of a wearer, and may be, for example, a disposable diaper. The absorbent article 1 may be a pants-type absorbent article or an unfolded (tape-type) absorbent article. This embodiment is a pants-type absorbent article. The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-rear direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are perpendicular to each other. The front-to-rear direction L is defined by the direction extending to the front side and the back side of the body. In other words, the front-to-rear direction L is the direction extending from front to back in the unfolded absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 also has a thickness direction T that is perpendicular to both the front-to-rear direction L and the width direction W. The thickness direction T extends between a skin side T1 that faces the wearer and a non-skin side T2 that faces away from the wearer.

[0034] The absorbent article 1 has a crotch region S3, a front waist region S1 located in front of the crotch region S3, and a rear waist region S2 located behind the crotch region S3. The front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2 form a waist region that covers the waist of the wearer. The front waist region S1 is a region that is placed against the wearer's stomach. The rear waist region S2 is a region that is placed against the wearer's back. The crotch region S3 is a region that is located below the crotch of the wearer and is disposed between the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2. As described below, the front waist region S1, rear waist region S2, and crotch region S3 may be defined depending on the structure of the absorbent article 1.

[0035] First, as in the case of a pants-type absorbent article 1, when the absorbent article 1 is provided with a pair of side joints 15 joining the outer sides of the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S2, the front waistline region S1, the rear waistline region S2, and the crotch region S3 may be defined by the side joints 15. Here, the side joints 15 are portions that connect the outer sides of the front waistline region S1 and the outer sides of the rear waistline region S2 to each other. The boundary between the front waistline region S1 and the crotch region S3 may be defined by the rear end edge of the side joints 15 provided in the front waistline region S1. The boundary between the rear waistline region S2 and the crotch region S3 may be defined by the front end edge of the side joints 15 provided in the rear waistline region S2.

[0036] The absorbent article 1 may have a fold line FL extending in the width direction W. The absorbent article 1 may be folded in half in the front-to-back direction L, with the fold line FL as a base point (hereinafter referred to as the "folded in half"). In the folded state, the absorbent article 1 is formed into a pants-like shape by joining the outer portions of the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2 by side joints 15. As shown in FIG. 2 , the fold line FL is located at the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. The fold line FL is a fold line along which the absorbent article 1 is folded in half (or folded) so that the skin-side surfaces T1 of the absorbent article 1 face each other. The center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L is a region surrounding the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. This region may be, for example, a region extending from the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L to a length that is 0.1% of the total length of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. The fold line FL may be shifted in the front-to-back direction L from the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. In this embodiment, the fold line FL coincides with the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-back direction L. Note that the fold line FL is formed before the absorbent article 1 is packaged, and is not formed by the wearer who uses the absorbent article 1.

[0037] Here, the outer portion in the present invention refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W including an edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to an edge in the width direction W. Furthermore, the outer edge in the present invention refers to an edge located on the outer side in the front-to-back direction L, and the inner edge refers to an edge located on the inner side in the front-to-back direction L. Here, Fig. 1 shows a state in which the side joint portions 15 are joined. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the joining at the side joint portions 15 has been released and the absorbent article 1 has been unfolded. With the side joint portions 15 formed, the absorbent article 1 is formed with a waist opening 16 through which the wearer's waist is passed.

[0038] Second, when the absorbent article 1 does not have a pair of side joints 15, as in the case of a tape-type absorbent article 1, the front waist region S1, rear waist region S2, and crotch region S3 may be defined by a pair of leg openings that surround the legs of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn. The boundary between the front waist region S1 and the crotch region S3 may be defined by the front edge of the leg openings, and the boundary between the rear waist region S2 and the crotch region S3 may be defined by the rear edge of the leg openings. The pair of leg openings may be, for example, portions recessed inward in the width direction W from the outer edges of the absorbent article 1. Instead of defining the regions by the leg openings, for example, when the exterior body 11 described below is rectangular, the absorbent article 1 may be divided into four quarters in the front-to-back direction L, with the two central regions defined as the crotch region S3, the region forward of the crotch region S3 defined as the front waist region S1, and the region behind the crotch region S3 defined as the rear waist region S2.

[0039] When folded in half, the absorbent article 1 may have a front portion 12 located in front of the fold line FL and a rear portion 13 located behind the fold line FL. Thus, the front portion 12 may be the portion from the fold line FL to the front edge of the front waist region S1 (i.e., the outer edge 20E in the front-to-back direction L of the front outer body 20 described below), and the rear portion 13 may be the portion from the fold line FL to the rear edge of the rear waist region S2 (i.e., the outer edge 30E in the front-to-back direction L of the rear outer body 30 described below). The front side of the absorbent article 1 may be located on the abdominal side of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn. The rear side of the absorbent article 1 may be located on the dorsal side of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn.

[0040] The absorbent article 1 may have an exterior body 11 and an absorbent main body 40. The exterior body 11 overlaps the absorbent main body 40 in the thickness direction T. The exterior body 11 is arranged in at least the waist region. The exterior body 11 may have a front exterior body 20 arranged in at least the front waist region S1 and a rear exterior body 30 arranged in at least the rear waist region S2. The front exterior body 20 may be arranged on the closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent main body 40 in the front waist region S1. The rear exterior body 30 may be spaced apart from the front exterior body 20 in the front-to-rear direction L and may be arranged on the closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent main body 40 in the rear waist region S2. In another aspect, the front exterior body 20 and the rear exterior body 30 may be integrated without being spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction L.

[0041] The front exterior body 20 may have, for example, a first front sheet 21 located closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent main body 40, and a second front sheet 22 located closer to the skin side T2 than the first front sheet 21. The first front sheet 21 and the second front sheet 22 may be made of, for example, a sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. The second front sheet 22 may be folded back toward the skin side T1 along a fold at the outer edge 20E of the front exterior body 20 (exterior body 11) in the front-to-rear direction L. Note that the portion of the second front sheet 22 that is not folded back and is located closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent main body 40 may be made of a separate sheet different from the second front sheet 22.

[0042] The rear exterior body 30 may have, for example, a first rear sheet 31 located closer to the skin side T2 than the absorbent main body 40, and a second rear sheet 32 ​​located closer to the skin side T2 than the first rear sheet 31. The first rear sheet 31 and the second rear sheet 32 ​​may be made of, for example, a sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. The second rear sheet 32 ​​may be folded back toward the skin side T1 along a fold at an outer edge 30E of the rear exterior body 30 (exterior body 11) in the front-to-rear direction L. Note that the portion of the second rear sheet 32 ​​that is not folded back and is located closer to the skin side T1 than the absorbent main body 40 may be made of a separate sheet different from the second rear sheet 32.

[0043] The outer body 11 may have a stretchable waist elastic member 17. The waist elastic member 17 may be arranged to extend in the width direction W and may be stretchable in the width direction W. Multiple waist elastic members 17 may be arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction L. The waist elastic member 17 may be arranged closer to the skin T1 than the absorbent main body 40. For example, in the front outer body 20, the waist elastic member 17 may be arranged between the first front sheet 21 and the second front sheet 22 in the thickness direction T. For example, in the rear outer body 30, the waist elastic member 17 may be arranged between the first rear sheet 31 and the second rear sheet 32 ​​in the thickness direction T. The waist elastic member 17 may be composed of, for example, rubber thread stretchable in the width direction W and / or an elastic sheet stretchable in the width direction W. The waist elastic member 17 in this embodiment is composed of rubber thread. The waist elastic member 17 may have continuous elastic members 17a and discontinuous elastic members 17b.

[0044] The continuous elastic member 17a is an elastic member that extends continuously in the width direction W at least in the center of the width direction W. The continuous elastic member 17a may extend continuously in the width direction W from one outer side of the waist region to the other outer side. The continuous elastic member 17a may be disposed outward of the absorbent core 41 in the front-to-rear direction L. The discontinuous elastic member 17b is an elastic member that does not extend continuously in the width direction W at least in the center of the width direction W. The discontinuous elastic member 17b may extend discontinuously in the center of the width direction W. On the other hand, the discontinuous elastic member 17b may extend continuously in the width direction W outside the center of the width direction W. The center of the width direction W is the region from at least one outer end to the other outer end of the absorbent core 41 in the width direction W.

[0045] 2, the absorbent article 1 may have two side stretchable regions SR that are stretchable in the width direction W and that are located on both the left and right sides of the waist region in the width direction W, and a low-stretch region LR that has a weaker stretch force than the two side stretchable regions SR and is located between the two side stretchable regions SR. The absorbent article 1 may also have a waist stretchable region WR that is stretchable by continuous elastic members 17a located on the end side of the exterior body 11 in the front-to-rear direction L (the waist opening 16 side).

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the side stretchable regions SR are regions where discontinuous elastic members 17b with at least stretchability are arranged. The side stretchable regions SR are stretchable in the width direction W by the discontinuous elastic members 17b. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the low stretchable regions LR are regions where continuously extending portions of the discontinuous elastic members 17b are not arranged. Therefore, in the low stretchable regions LR, the discontinuous elastic members 17b do not extend continuously, thereby reducing stretchability. Therefore, the low stretchable regions LR have weaker stretchability than the side stretchable regions SR. The low stretchable regions LR may have discontinuously extending portions of the discontinuous elastic members 17b arranged therein. As shown in FIG. 3 , the low stretchable regions LR are arranged inward in the front-to-back direction L from the waist stretchable regions WR. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4 , the side stretchable regions SR may be arranged inward in the front-to-back direction L from the waist stretchable regions WR.

[0047] The absorbent main body 40 is arranged at least in the crotch region S3. The absorbent main body 40 may be arranged across the front waist region S1, the rear waist region S2, and the crotch region S3. The absorbent main body 40 may be configured as a separate body from the front outer body 20 and the rear outer body 30, and may be joined to the front outer body 20 and the rear outer body 30 in the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2. In this embodiment, the absorbent main body 40 has an absorbent core 41, a top sheet 42, a back sheet 43, and an indicator 45.

[0048] The absorbent core 41 has an absorbent material that absorbs liquid. The absorbent core 41 may contain, for example, fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer (SAP), or a mixture thereof. The absorbent core 41 is disposed at least in the crotch region S3. The absorbent core 41 may be disposed in the front waist region S1 or the rear waist region S2. The absorbent core 41 may extend from the front waist region S1 to the rear waist region S2 in the front-to-rear direction L. The absorbent core 41 may be covered by a core wrap (not shown). The core wrap may be made of, for example, tissue or nonwoven fabric.

[0049] The top sheet 42 is a liquid-permeable sheet that covers the skin side T1 of the absorbent core 41. The top sheet 42 may be made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The back sheet 43 is a liquid-impermeable sheet that covers the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 41. The back sheet 43 may be made of, for example, a film. The absorbent main body 40 may include other components. For example, the absorbent main body 40 may include a liquid-permeable sheet between the absorbent core 41 and the top sheet 42. The absorbent main body 40 may also include a non-skin side sheet that covers the non-skin side T2 of the back sheet 43.

[0050] The indicator 45 changes color upon contact with excrement. The excrement may be, for example, urine or feces. The indicator 45 may be disposed between the absorbent core 41 and the backsheet 43 in the thickness direction T. The indicator 45 may be applied, for example, to the skin side of the backsheet 43. The indicator 45 is disposed at least in the crotch region S3. The indicator 45 may be disposed across the fold line FL. In this embodiment, two indicators 45 are disposed with a gap in the width direction W and extend in the front-to-back direction L. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the indicator 45 may have a front outer edge that is the outer edge 45E on the waist side of the front portion 12 and a rear outer edge that is the outer edge 45E on the waist side of the back portion 13.

[0051] The absorbent article 1 has a plurality of design portions 80 that are configured with designs consisting of at least letters, symbols, or pictures. The letters may include, for example, letters that make up words (hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphabet, etc.) and numbers. The symbols may be marks or codes for displaying certain content (other than letters). The symbols may be, for example, star-shaped, heart-shaped, or musical note-shaped symbols. The pictures may be, for example, designed letters and / or symbols, or may be pictures of characters.

[0052] The design portion 80 is defined as a single design portion 80 that is integrated with letters, symbols, pictures, or a combination thereof. For example, a single design portion 80 may be composed of a single design using multiple meaningful characters (e.g., words, abbreviations). A single design portion 80 may also be composed of a combination of letters and pictures. For example, a single design portion 80 may be composed of a single design in which letters and pictures overlap. In this way, the design portion 80 may be composed of a combination of two or more of letters, symbols, and pictures. Hereinafter, letters, symbols, pictures, or combinations thereof may be abbreviated as letters, etc.

[0053] Furthermore, the design portion 80 may be letters or the like that are colored in a color different from the color of the base (for example, the color of the nonwoven fabric (white, etc.)) or the background color of the letters or the like. Therefore, letters, symbols, and pictures (or a combination thereof) surrounded by the color of the base (for example, white) or background color may be one design portion 80. Furthermore, letters or the like may be recognized by the color of the base or background color. Therefore, for example, ink may be applied so as to surround the periphery of the letters or the like. If the color of the base is white, the letters are outlined letters.

[0054] The multiple design elements 80 are arranged in positions visible to the wearer. The design elements 80 may be arranged, for example, on the exterior body 11 or on the absorbent main body 40. The design elements 80 may be provided by applying a coating to the skin side and / or the non-skin side of a member constituting the exterior body 11 (e.g., the first front sheet 21, the second front sheet 22, the first rear sheet 31, or the second rear sheet 32). The design elements 80 may be provided by applying a coating to the skin side and / or the non-skin side of a member constituting the absorbent main body 40 (e.g., the back sheet 43, or a sheet arranged non-skin side of the back sheet 43 (excluding the sheets constituting the exterior body 11)).

[0055] The plurality of design sections 80 have, for example, a display section that shows information related to the absorbent article 1. The plurality of design sections 80 may have, as display sections, for example, a type display section 81 (described later) and a wearing display section 84 (described later). Furthermore, the plurality of design sections 80 may be configured with a design consisting of at least letters, symbols, or patterns, and may have a non-display section that does not show information related to the absorbent article 1. The non-display section may be, for example, a simple illustration (e.g., a character, a circle, a flower, or the like) that is not related to the absorbent article 1. Note that something that is not a letter, symbol, or pattern, for example, a dyed portion where a component constituting the absorbent article is dyed with a dye, does not have to be a design section 80.

[0056] (3) Details of the design section 80 Next, details of the design section 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the multiple design sections 80 are configured by a type display section 81 and a wearing display section 84. Therefore, specifically, the absorbent article 1 has two type display sections 81 and two wearing display sections 84 as the multiple design sections 80.

[0057] The type display section 81 indicates the type of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent articles 1 are classified into a plurality of types (according to predetermined criteria). The type display section 81 indicates which type out of the plurality of types the absorbent article 1 having the type display section 81 is classified into. The type display section 81 may indicate the type of the corresponding absorbent article 1 out of the plurality of types of absorbent articles 1. The type display section 81 may also indicate the overall function of the absorbent article 1. The type display section 81 may indicate at least one of the following types of absorbent article 1, for example:

[0058] First, the type display section 81 may indicate the size of the absorbent article 1. The type display section 81 indicating the size may be particularly referred to as a size display section. The size of the absorbent article 1 may be classified, for example, according to the size of the absorbent article 1. The type display section 81 may indicate the size using letters such as "S", "M", "L", "BIG", "small", "medium", "large", and "extra large".

[0059] The type display unit 81 may also indicate the size by a picture (not including letters or symbols). The type display unit 81 may also indicate the size by the type of animal. For example, if the type display unit 81 has a picture of an ant, it may indicate a small size, if it has a picture of a lion, it may indicate a medium size, and if it has a picture of an elephant, it may indicate a large size. In this way, the type display unit 81 may indicate a larger size of the absorbent article 1 as the type display unit 81 indicates a larger type of animal with a larger body length. The type display unit 81 may also indicate the size by the growth stage of the animal. For example, if the type display unit 81 has a picture of an egg, it may indicate a small size, if it has a picture of a chick, it may indicate a medium size, and if it has a picture of a chicken, it may indicate a large size. In this way, the type display unit 81 may indicate a larger size of the absorbent article 1 as the type display unit 81 indicates a more mature animal. The type display unit 81 may also indicate the size by the wearer's stage of movement development. For example, the type display unit 81 may indicate a small size when the pattern shows a character lying down (so-called "sleeping"), a medium size when the pattern shows a character sitting down (so-called "sitting up"), and a fourth size when the pattern shows a character standing up (so-called "standing up" or "walking"). In this way, the type display unit 81 may indicate that the size of the absorbent article 1 increases as the developmental stage progresses.

[0060] Furthermore, the type indicator 81 may indicate the size by the size of the pattern itself. For example, the size of an absorbent article 1 having a relatively small type indicator 81 may be smaller than the size of an absorbent article 1 having a relatively large type indicator 81. The comparative type indicator 81 may be the largest type indicator 81M described below. The patterns may have similar shapes (i.e., the same shape and different sizes depending on the size) or different shapes (i.e., the shape and size vary depending on the size). Furthermore, the type indicator 81 may indicate the size by letters and a pattern. Therefore, the type indicator 81 may be composed of letters and a pattern. For example, the type indicator 81 may be composed of letters surrounded by a pattern (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0061] Second, the type display unit 81 may indicate the person who will wear the absorbent article 1. For example, the person may be classified by gender. The type display unit 81 may indicate, for example, whether the absorbent article 1 is for men or women. The type display unit 81 may indicate the person by, for example, characters such as "male" or "female," symbols such as a symbol indicating a male or a symbol indicating a female, or a picture of a male character or a female character.

[0062] Third, the type display unit 81 may indicate whether the absorbent article 1 is pants-type or tape-type. Whether the absorbent article 1 is pants-type or tape-type may be determined based on the wearing method of the absorbent article 1 (or the structure of the absorbent article 1 that determines the wearing method). A pants-type absorbent article 1 is generally a type in which a wearer puts on the absorbent article 1 by putting their legs through the absorbent article 1 while standing. A tape-type absorbent article 1 is generally a type in which a wearer puts on the absorbent article 1 while lying down by placing the absorbent article 1 against the wearer's stomach and back and fastening the tapes. The type display unit 81 may indicate pants-type / tape-type using characters such as "tape" or "pants." The type display unit 81 may also indicate pants-type / tape-type using a picture of the tape-type absorbent article or pants-type absorbent article. The type display unit 81 may also indicate pants-type / tape-type using characters and a picture.

[0063] Fourth, the type indicator 81 may indicate the intended use of the absorbent article 1. The absorbent article 1 may be classified based on its intended use. For example, the type indicator 81 may indicate whether the absorbent article 1 is for day use or night use (i.e., whether it is for night use or not). Whether the absorbent article 1 is for day use or night use may be classified based on, for example, the difference in the amount of body exudates absorbed while maintaining comfort. A night use absorbent article 1 has a greater absorption amount than a day use absorbent article 1. The type indicator 81 may indicate day / night use using, for example, characters such as "day" or "night." The type indicator 81 may also indicate day (e.g., the sun) or night (e.g., the moon, stars, etc.) using a picture. In another aspect, the type indicator 81 may indicate the intended use of the absorbent article 1, for example, for training, for water play only, for childcare facilities only, etc.

[0064] The wearing display unit 84 indicates information used when wearing the absorbent article 1. The wearing display unit 84 may be used in common regardless of the type of absorbent article 1. The wearing display unit 84 does not indicate the type of absorbent article 1, and is therefore not a type display unit 81. The wearing display unit 84 may indicate at least one of the following, for example:

[0065] First, the wearing indicator 84 may indicate the front or back of the absorbent article 1. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wearing indicator 84 may have a front wearing indicator 84f located on the front portion 12 and a rear wearing indicator 84r located on the rear portion 13. The front wearing indicator 84f may indicate the front side of the absorbent article 1, and the rear wearing indicator 84r may indicate the rear side of the absorbent article 1. The wearing indicator 84 may indicate the front side / rear side using characters such as "front" and "back." The wearing indicator 84 may indicate the front side / rear side using a picture of a character facing forward or a character showing their back. The wearing indicator 84 may indicate the front side / rear side using characters and a picture (a shape surrounding "front" or a shape surrounding "back" as shown in FIG. 2 ), for example. By visually checking the wearing indicator 84 when putting on the absorbent article 1, the wearer can determine whether the side they are looking at is the front or rear of the absorbent article 1. This reduces the time it takes to put on the absorbent article 1 and reduces wearing errors caused by putting on the absorbent article 1 without checking the front or rear of the absorbent article 1, compared to when the wearer visually checks both the front and rear of the absorbent article 1, for example.

[0066] Second, the wearing indicator 84 may indicate the order in which the absorbent article 1 is worn. For example, the wearing indicator 84 may indicate the order in which the fastening tapes of a tape-type absorbent article are fastened. In this case, the wearing indicator 84 may be disposed on or near the corresponding fastening tape. The wearing indicator 84 may indicate the order by using numbers indicating the fastening order, for example.

[0067] Furthermore, the type display unit 81 is visible when the wearer selects the absorbent article 1. For example, the type display unit 81 may be visible when the wearer is actually wearing the absorbent article 1. This is because the wearer may check the type of absorbent article they are currently wearing in order to change (select) an absorbent article. Furthermore, the type display unit 81 may be visible on an unused absorbent article 1. This is because, when multiple types of unused absorbent articles 1 are stored, the wearer may select an absorbent article 1 that is suitable for the wearer.

[0068] According to this aspect, the type indicator 81 has a maximum type indicator 81M that is the largest among the multiple design elements 80 when the absorbent article 1 is stretched. Because the maximum type indicator 81M (i.e., the type indicator 81) is the largest, the maximum type indicator 81M is more easily visible than when the maximum type indicator 81M is not present, even when the wearer is farther away from the maximum type indicator 81M. Therefore, even when the wearer widens the waist opening of the wearer's pants to check the maximum type indicator 81M and only a small portion of the absorbent article 1 is exposed, the wearer can easily identify the location of the maximum type indicator 81M and easily determine the type of absorbent article 1. In particular, in childcare facilities that offer absorbent article subscription services, children's body sizes change daily, so the appropriate size of the absorbent article 1 changes frequently, even for the same wearer. For this reason, the wearer (specifically, a childcare worker) may visually check the absorbent article 1 actually worn by the wearer to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1. When the wearer unfolds the waist opening of the wearer's pants and peers at them, the wearer can determine the position of the maximum type indicator 81M, making it easier to determine the type of absorbent article 1. Furthermore, when the wearer is a child, children are often constantly moving and unable to sit still, so the wearer may only be able to unfold the waist opening of the wearer's pants for a moment. Even in such cases, the wearer can easily instantly visually check the maximum type indicator 81M, thereby reducing the time required to repeatedly unfold and check the absorbent article 1 or to calm the child. As a result, the time and / or burden of the series of tasks required to put on the absorbent article 1 can be reduced. This is particularly effective in cases where the wearer selects the absorbent article 1 for a wearer who is not usually in their care due to extended childcare hours or temporary childcare. It should be noted that the time and / or burden of the series of tasks required to put on the absorbent article 1 can be reduced not only in childcare facilities but also in nursing homes with a large number of wearers and ordinary households with multiple children. Furthermore, by checking the maximum type display section 81M, the wearer can select an appropriate type of absorbent article 1, and mistakes in putting on the absorbent article 1 can be reduced.

[0069] Furthermore, in an absorbent article 1 having multiple design portions 80, it may be difficult for the wearer to find the type indicating portion 81 among the multiple design portions 80, and it may take time or be burdensome for the wearer to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1. For example, when the wearer checks the type of the absorbent article 1 by widening the waist opening of the wearer's pants and peering through it, the wearer may not be able to immediately determine which of the multiple design portions 80 indicates the type of the absorbent article 1. However, in the absorbent article 1 according to this aspect, the largest type indicating portion 81M is the largest of the multiple design portions 80, and is therefore easily visible to the wearer. This reduces the time and burden required for the wearer to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1. As a result, the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article 1 can be reduced.

[0070] Here, the size of each design portion 80 may be determined by at least one of the following:

[0071] First, the size of each design section 80 may be determined by its length in the front-to-rear direction L when the absorbent article 1 is stretched. Therefore, the maximum length in the front-to-rear direction L of the largest type display section 81M may be the largest compared to the other design sections 80 when the absorbent article 1 is stretched. As shown in FIG. 5 , the maximum length Lm of the largest type display section 81M in the front-to-rear direction L (hereinafter referred to as the "maximum front-to-rear length") is greater than the maximum front-to-rear length Le of the wearing indicator section 84. In this embodiment, the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the front type display section 81f (described later) is greater than the maximum front-to-rear length Ln of the rear type display section 81r (described later). Note that, as shown in FIG. 5 , the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the largest type display section 81M is the length in the front-to-rear direction L from the outer edge (the outer edge 81Mo on the waist side) of the largest type display section 81M to the inner edge (the inner edge 81Mi on the fold line FL side) of the largest type display section 81M. The maximum front-to-rear length Ln of the other type display section 81 (in this embodiment, the rear type display section 81r) that is not the largest type display section 81M is the length in the front-to-rear direction L from the outer edge (the outer edge 81no on the waist side) of the other type display section 81 to the inner edge (the inner edge 81ni on the fold line FL side).

[0072] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 1 is stretched, the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the maximum type indication portion 81M may be 15% or more of the length from the outer edge of the waist side of the absorbent article 1 (in this embodiment, the outer edge 20E in the front-to-rear direction L of the front exterior body 20) to the fold line FL (hereinafter referred to as the overall length of the absorbent article 1 in a folded state). The wearer can grasp and open the waist opening of the wearer's trousers and immediately determine the type of the absorbent article 1 by checking the maximum type indication portion 81M. Here, because the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the maximum type indication portion 81M is relatively large compared to the absorbent article 1, the wearer can easily view the maximum type indication portion 81M when looking into the absorbent article 1 with the waist opening of the trousers opened. This makes it easier for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1 simply by opening the waist opening of the trousers, thereby reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1.

[0073] The maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the largest type indicating portion 81M may preferably be 18% or more of the total length of the absorbent article 1 in a folded state. The maximum front-to-rear length Lm may also be 20% or more. The maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the largest type indicating portion 81M may also be 3 cm or more, preferably 4 cm or more. The outer edge on the waist side of the absorbent article 1 is the outer edge 20E in the front-to-rear direction L of the exterior body 11 (specifically, the front exterior body 20) where the largest type indicating portion 81M is located.

[0074] Second, the size of each design section 80 may be determined by its length in the width direction W when the absorbent article 1 is stretched. Therefore, the largest type display section 81M may have the largest maximum length in the width direction W when stretched compared to the other design sections 80. As shown in FIG. 5 , the largest type display section 81M has a maximum length in the width direction W (hereinafter referred to as the maximum width length) Wm greater than the maximum width length We of the wearing display section 84. In this embodiment, the maximum width length Wm of the front type display section 81f, which is the largest type display section 81M, is greater than the maximum front-to-rear length Wn of the rear type display section 81r. The maximum width length Lm of the largest type display section 81M is the length in the width direction W from one outer edge 81Me of the largest type display section 81M to the other outer edge 81Me. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5 , the maximum width length Lm of the largest type display section 81M is the length in the width direction W from one outer edge 81Me of the largest type display section 81M to the other outer edge 81Me. The maximum width length Wn of the other type display section 81 (in this embodiment, the rear type display section 81r) other than the largest type display section 81M is the length in the width direction W from one outer edge 81ne to the other outer edge 81ne.

[0075] Furthermore, when the absorbent article 1 is stretched, the maximum width length We of the maximum type indication portion 81M may be 15% or more of the overall length in the width direction W of the absorbent main body 40. Because the maximum width length We of the maximum type indication portion 81M is relatively large compared to the absorbent main body 40, the maximum type indication portion 81M is easily visible when the wearer looks into the absorbent article 1 with the waist opening of the trousers widened. This makes it easier for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1 simply by widening the waist opening of the trousers, reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1.

[0076] The maximum width length We of the largest type indication section 81M may preferably be 20% or more, more preferably 30% or more, of the total length in the width direction W of the absorbent main body 40. The maximum width length We of the largest type indication section 81M may be 4 cm or more, preferably 6 cm or more. The maximum width length We of the largest type indication section 81M may be longer than the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the largest type indication section 81M. The total length in the width direction W of the absorbent main body 40 is the maximum length (maximum width) in the width direction W from one outer edge to the other outer edge in the width direction W of the absorbent main body 40.

[0077] Third, the size of each design portion 80 may be determined by the area of ​​the absorbent article 1 in a stretched state. Therefore, the maximum type display portion 81M may have the largest area in a stretched state compared to the other design portions 80. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , the area of ​​the maximum type display portion 81M is larger than the area of ​​the wearing display portion 84.

[0078] In addition, when the absorbent article 1 is in a stretched state, the area of ​​the maximum type display section 81M may be 3% or more of the area of ​​the absorbent article 1 in a folded state. The area of ​​the maximum type display section 81M may be preferably 5% or more, more preferably 7% or more of the area of ​​the absorbent article 1. The area of ​​the maximum type display section 81M is 10 cm ２ More than 15cm, preferably ２ More preferably, 20 cm ２ It may be more than that.

[0079] The size of each design portion 80 may be determined based on the natural state. Similar to the first to third determinations described above, the size of each design portion 80 may be determined based on the natural state of the absorbent article 1. Because there is significant individual variation among absorbent articles 1 in the natural state, the size of each design portion 80 may be measured based on the average value of a predetermined number of design portions 80 or more (for example, the number of absorbent articles 1 included in one package).

[0080] The largest type indication section 81M may be the largest in the natural state compared to the other design sections 80. The largest type indication section 81M may (a) have the largest maximum length in the front-to-rear direction L in the stretched state, (b) have the largest maximum length in the width direction W in the natural state, and / or (c) have the largest area in the natural state compared to the other design sections 80. Furthermore, in the natural state, the largest front-to-rear maximum length Lm of the largest type indication section 81M may be 15% or more, preferably 17% or more, and more preferably 19% or more of the total length in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 in the folded state. In the natural state, the largest front-to-rear maximum length Lm of the largest type indication section 81M may be 3 cm or more, preferably 4 cm or more. Furthermore, in the natural state, the largest widthwise maximum length Wm of the largest type indication section 81M may be 15% or more, preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 30% or more of the total length in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 in the folded state. In the natural state, the maximum width and length We of the largest type indicating portion 81M may be 4 cm or more, preferably 6 cm or more. In addition, in the natural state, the area of ​​the largest type indicating portion 81M may be 3% or more, preferably 5% or more, more preferably 7% or more of the area of ​​the absorbent article 1 in the folded state. In the natural state, the area of ​​the largest type indicating portion 81M may be 10 cm or more. ２ More than 15cm, preferably ２ More preferably, 20 cm ２ It may be more than that.

[0081] In cases where the wearer visually checks the type of absorbent article 1 that they are currently wearing, the state of the absorbent article 1 is closer to a stretched state than to a natural state. For this reason, the maximum type indicating portion 81M only needs to be the largest of the multiple design portions 80 in the stretched state, and does not have to be the largest of the multiple design portions 80 in the natural state.

[0082] The type indicator 81 may have a front type indicator 81f located on the front portion 12 and a rear type indicator 81r located on the rear portion 13. The front type indicator 81f may be located closer to the waist of the front portion 12 than the indicator 45 in the front-to-rear direction L. The rear type indicator 81r may be located closer to the waist of the rear portion 13 than the indicator 45 in the front-to-rear direction L. At least one of the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r may be a maximum type indicator 81M. When the wearer widens the waist opening of the pants from either the front or the back, the type indicator (i.e., the front type indicator 81f or the rear type indicator 81r) can be easily viewed. If the type indicator 81 on the front (or rear) side is not the maximum type indicator 81M and cannot be seen by the wearer, the maximum type indicator 81M is located on the opposite side, the rear (or front), which can be easily seen by widening the waist opening of the trousers. This makes it easy for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1 by simply widening the waist opening of the trousers.

[0083] According to another aspect, both the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r may be the maximum type indicator 81M. This makes it easy to view the maximum type indicator 81M even when the wearer widens the waist opening of the pants from either the front or the rear. In particular, even if the maximum type indicator 81M cannot be viewed from one side of the front or the rear due to the wearer's posture (e.g., lying face down or on their back), the maximum type indicator 81M can be easily viewed from the other side of the front or the rear, making it easy to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1 without interfering with the wearer's posture or activity. Alternatively, as in the present embodiment, one of the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r may be the maximum type indicator 81M, and the other of the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r may be smaller than the maximum type indicator 81M. By comparing the sizes of the front type display portion 81f and the rear type display portion 81r, the wearer can easily distinguish between the front and rear sides of the absorbent article 1. In this embodiment, the front type display portion 81f is the largest type display portion 81M, and the rear type display portion 81r is not the largest type display portion 81M.

[0084] According to another aspect, the type indicators 81 of the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r that are smaller than the largest type indicator 81M may have a design that is a scaled-down version of the largest type indicator 81M. That is, the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r may be similar to each other so that one overlaps the other when enlarged or reduced. Because the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r have the same design, it is easier for the wearer to recognize that the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r indicate the type of absorbent article, compared to when the front type indicator 81f and the rear type indicator 81r have different designs. All of the multiple type indicators 81 included in the absorbent article 1 may be similar to each other. Furthermore, among the multiple type indicators 81, indicators indicating the same thing (e.g., size) may be similar to each other, while indicators indicating other things (e.g., target person) may not be similar to each other. When each type display section 81 is composed of at least characters, the font of the characters may be the same in each type display section 81. Also, as in this embodiment, the front type display section 81f and the rear type display section 81r may have different designs (i.e., they are not similar to each other).

[0085] In this embodiment, the maximum type indicator 81M is a size indicator. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the maximum type indicator 81M is composed of (white) letters formed in the base color by applying ink around the base color, and ink surrounding the letters. Therefore, since the maximum type indicator 81M has a design in which letters and a pattern are combined and integrated, the size of the maximum type indicator 81M (type indicator 81) is the size of the design that includes not only the (white) letters but also the ink surrounding the letters (e.g., the pattern). Therefore, the maximum type indicator 81M may be composed of a single design in which the pattern and letters indicating the type of absorbent article 1 overlap. Because the maximum type indicator 81M is composed of a single design consisting of letters and a pattern, the wearer can easily notice the maximum type indicator 81M. 1, 2, and 5, the entire character (e.g., "L") may overlap the picture (i.e., the entire character may exist within the picture). Alternatively, only a portion of the character may overlap the picture (i.e., a portion of the character may exist within the picture, and the remaining portion of the character may exist within the picture). In this embodiment, the size of the rear type display portion 81r is the size of the design of the character portion (including the character and the outline portion that constitutes the character), since it is composed of the character.

[0086] The maximum type display section 81M may be configured with a pattern that evokes the type of the absorbent article 1. For example, this allows even a wearer who cannot read (e.g., a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1. When the maximum type display section 81M indicates the size (i.e., is a size display section), the pattern that evokes the size of the absorbent article 1 may be, for example, a pattern of an animal (e.g., an ant, a lion, an elephant, etc.), a pattern of an animal's growth process (e.g., an egg, a chick, a chicken, etc.), a pattern of a wearer's developmental stage (e.g., a character sleeping, a character sitting, a character standing, etc.), etc. Furthermore, when the maximum type display section 81M indicates the person who will wear the absorbent article, it may be, for example, a pattern of a character representing a man or a character representing a woman. As a result, by visually recognizing the largest type indicator 81M with a picture of a character representing a man, the wearer can easily recall that the absorbent article 1 is for men, and by visually recognizing the largest type indicator 81M with a picture of a character representing a woman, the wearer can easily recall that the absorbent article 1 is for women. Furthermore, when the largest type indicator 81M indicates whether the absorbent article 1 is for daytime or nighttime use, the largest type indicator 81M may be a picture that evokes daytime (for example, a sun) or a picture that evokes nighttime (for example, night, stars, etc.).

[0087] Furthermore, the maximum type indicator 81M may be configured with at least one of letters, symbols, and pictures, as well as different colors for each of the multiple types of absorbent articles 1. For example, the color of the maximum type indicator 81M for an absorbent article 1 of a first size (e.g., size S) may be different from the color of the maximum type indicator 81M for an absorbent article 1 of a second size (e.g., size M). The color of the maximum type indicator 81M visually recognized by the wearer enables the wearer to ascertain the type of absorbent article 1. As a result, for example, if the maximum type indicator 81M is configured with letters, even a wearer who cannot read letters (e.g., a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) can confirm the type of absorbent article 1.

[0088] Furthermore, the color of the maximum type display portion 81M may be darker than the background color of the maximum type display portion 81M. This makes it easier for the wearer to see the dark color of the maximum type display portion 81M when looking at the absorbent article 1 from inside the pants because the inside of the pants is dimly lit. Alternatively, as in this embodiment, the color of the letters in the maximum type display portion 81M may be a white background, with the surrounding pattern being a color other than white. This makes it easier for the wearer to see the white letters even inside the dimly lit pants.

[0089] Whether the colors are different can be determined, for example, based on the Munsell color system. First, the color of the largest type indicator 81M of each absorbent article 1 is determined based on the Munsell color system. If the color of the largest type indicator 81M is composed of multiple colors, the color that makes up the largest proportion of the colors constituting the largest type indicator 81M may be determined to be the color of the largest type indicator 81M. Next, it is determined whether the colors of each largest type indicator 81M are located two or more degrees apart on the 10 major hues of the Munsell color wheel (the color wheel of the Munsell color system). If the colors of each largest type indicator 81M are located two or more degrees apart, it can be determined that the colors are different from each other. On the other hand, if the colors of each largest type indicator 81M are located not two or more degrees apart, it can be determined that the colors are not different from each other (the same or similar).

[0090] The ten major hues of the Munsell color wheel are red (R), yellow-red (YR), yellow (Y), yellow-green (GY), green (G), blue-green (BG), blue (B), blue-purple (PB), purple (P), and red-purple (RP). Each of the ten colors may be divided into ten sub-ranges. For example, if red (5R) is the closest color to the color of the first maximum type display section 81M, yellow-red (5Y) and red-purple (5RP) are one sub-range away, and yellow (5Y) and purple (5P) are two sub-range away. Therefore, the second maximum type display section 81M can determine that colors in the range from yellow-red (5R) to blue-purple (5PB) are different from the color of the first maximum type display section 81M. On the other hand, the color of the second maximum type display section 81M, which is in the range from a color (4YR) closer to red (5R) than yellow-red (5Y) to a color (e.g., 6RP) closer to red (R) than blue-purple (5PB), can be determined to be no different from the color of the first maximum type display section 81M.

[0091] Whether the colors are different, i.e., whether the colors of the respective largest type display sections 81M are separated by two or more degrees, may be determined based on the angle of the Munsell color wheel. If the angle between the color of the first largest type display section 81M and the color of the second largest type display section 81M on the Munsell color wheel is 72 degrees or greater, it may be determined that the colors are different. On the other hand, if the angle is less than 72 degrees, it may be determined that the colors are similar.

[0092] The colors of the maximum type indication portions 81M may be colors that are separated by three or more hues in the 10 major hues of the Munsell color wheel. Also, the type indication portions 81 may be configured with different colors for each of the multiple types of absorbent articles 1.

[0093] The color of the maximum type display part 81M may be different from the color of the indicator 45 before discoloration, or may be different from the color of the indicator 45 after discoloration. This reduces the likelihood that the wearer will mistakenly confuse the maximum type display part 81M and the indicator 45 as the maximum type display part 81M when checking the type of the absorbent article 1 before and / or after the indicator 45 has discolored.

[0094] The maximum type indicator 81M may be located closer to the waist of the front portion 12 than the indicator 45 in the front-to-rear direction L. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 , in the stretched state, the shortest distance Df from the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M on the fold line FL side to the outer edge 45E (i.e., the front outer edge) of the indicator 45 on the waist side in the front-to-rear direction L may be shorter than the length Lm of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-rear direction L. Because the distance between the maximum type indicator 81M and the indicator 45 is short, the wearer can easily see the maximum type indicator 81M when visually checking the indicator 45 to check for the presence or absence of body waste with the waist opening 16 unfolded from the front. Furthermore, since the indicator 45 changes color upon contact with body waste, the discoloration of the indicator 45 makes it more noticeable when urination or the like occurs. Since the maximum type display part 81M is located near the indicator 45, when the wearer visually recognizes the conspicuous indicator 45, the maximum type display part 81M also easily comes into the wearer's field of vision, making it easier to visually recognize the maximum type display part 81M.

[0095] 3 and 5 , in the front-to-rear direction L when the absorbent article 1 is stretched, the shortest distance Df from the inner edge 81ni of the front type indicator 81f on the fold line FL side to the outer edge 45E of the indicator 45 on the waist side of the front portion 12 (i.e., the front outer edge of the indicator 45) may be shorter than the shortest distance Dr from the inner edge 81ni of the rear type indicator 81r on the fold line FL side to the outer edge 45E of the indicator 45 on the waist side of the rear portion 13 (i.e., the rear outer edge of the indicator 45). The wearer often checks the indicator 45 from the front to determine whether or not they have urinated. When the wearer checks the indicator 45 from the front to determine whether or not they need to change the absorbent article 1 due to urination, the short distance between the front type indicator 81f and the indicator 45 makes the front type indicator 81f easier to see. When the front type indicator 81f is the maximum type indicator 81M, the wearer can more easily check the indicator 45. On the other hand, the wearer may check the presence or absence of bowel movements from the rear to see if the wearer has had a bowel movement. If the rear type indicator 81r is the maximum type indicator 81M, the wearer can more easily check if the absorbent article needs to be changed due to bowel movements. In particular, it is easier for the wearer to determine whether or not the wearer has had a bowel movement based on differences in odor or the appearance of the absorbent article 1 near the buttocks, compared to urination. For this reason, the indicator 45, which is often used to check the presence or absence of urination, is located close to the front type indicator 81f, making it easier to see the front type indicator 81f. For this reason, the front type indicator 81f may be the maximum type indicator 81M.

[0096] Furthermore, the maximum thickness of the characters constituting at least a part of the maximum type indicator 81M may be thicker than the width of the indicator 45. Because the characters constituting the maximum type indicator 81M are thick, the wearer can easily read the characters indicating the type of the absorbent article 1, thereby reducing the time and burden it takes for the wearer to confirm the type of the absorbent article 1. In this embodiment, the maximum thickness of the character "L" in the maximum type indicator 81M (i.e., the front type indicator 81f) is thicker than the width of the indicator 45. Note that the characters may be formed by applying ink, or may be (white-out) characters formed in the base color by applying ink around the periphery (see, in particular, FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, the indicator 45 extends linearly along the front-rear direction L, and therefore the width of the indicator 45 is the length of one indicator 45 in the width direction W.

[0097] In another aspect, the maximum thickness of the lines constituting the outline of the largest type display section 81M may be thicker than the width of the indicator 45. The largest type display section 81M may be composed of not only letters but also symbols and / or pictures. For example, if the largest type display section 81M is composed of a picture, the maximum thickness of the lines constituting the outline of the picture may be thick. Because the lines constituting the outline of the largest type display section 81M are thick, the wearer can easily visually recognize the outline of the largest type display section 81M and easily recognize the entire largest type display section 81M. Note that the lines constituting the outline of the largest type display section 81M may constitute the entire outline of the letters, etc., or may constitute only part of the outline of the letters, etc.

[0098] The maximum type indicator 81M is preferably easily visible when the absorbent article 1 is being worn. In particular, when a wearer wears pants or the like covering the absorbent article 1 and opens the waist opening of the pants or the like to look inside to check the type (e.g., size) of the absorbent article 1, the maximum type indicator 81M is preferably easily visible. Therefore, the center of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-rear direction L may be closer to the outer edge (in this embodiment, the outer edge 20E) on the waist side of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L than the fold line FL. Because the maximum type indicator 81M is closer to the waist opening of the pants, the maximum type indicator 81M is easily visible when the wearer looks into the absorbent article 1 with the waist opening of the pants opened. In this way, the wearer can view the maximum type indicator 81M without having to pull down their pants. Therefore, the maximum type indicator 81M can be viewed even when the wearer is, for example, sitting or lying down. The wearer can check the type of the absorbent article 1 without changing the wearer's posture, and the time and burden required for the wearer to check the type of the absorbent article 1 can be reduced.

[0099] Furthermore, the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the low-elasticity region LR. Because the maximum type indicator 81M is located toward the center in the width direction W, the maximum type indicator 81M becomes easier to see when the wearer grasps the center of the width direction of the waist opening at the front of the trousers to widen the waist opening. In addition, because the maximum type indicator 81M is located in the low-elasticity region LR, the number of wrinkles in the maximum type indicator 81M is reduced, making it easier to see the maximum type indicator 81M even when the absorbent article 1 is in its natural state.

[0100] The entire maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the low-elasticity region LR. Thus, the outer edge 81Mo and inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-rear direction L and both outer edges 81Me of the maximum type indicator 81M in the width direction W may be located in the low-elasticity region LR. Alternatively, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the waist stretch region WR, and the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the low-elasticity region LR.

[0101] Alternatively, at least the center portion of the maximum type indicator 81M in the width direction W may be located in the low-stretch region LR, and at least one outer edge 81Me of the maximum type indicator 81M in the width direction W may be located in the side stretch region SR. Both outer edges 81Me of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the side stretch region SR, or only one outer edge 81Me of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the side stretch region SR. Alternatively, all of the characters constituting the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the low-stretch region LR, and the picture constituting the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in an area other than the low-stretch region LR. This makes it easier for the wearer to recognize the characters. Here, the characters may indicate the type (e.g., size) of the absorbent article 1.

[0102] The side elastic regions SR are regions where continuously extending discontinuous elastic members 17b are arranged. When multiple discontinuous elastic members 17b are arranged at intervals in the front-to-back direction L, the spaces between the continuously extending discontinuous elastic members 17b are side elastic regions SR. On the other hand, the side elastic regions SR are regions where discontinuously extending discontinuous elastic members 17b or waist elastic members 17 themselves are not arranged.

[0103] The maximum type indicator 81M may be located only in the outer casing 11 and not necessarily in the crotch region S3. For example, the maximum type indicator 81M may be located only in the front waistline region S1 or only in the rear waistline region S2. Therefore, when the maximum type indicator 81M is located in the front portion 12, the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-back direction L may be located in the front waistline region S1. When the maximum type indicator 81M is located in the rear portion 13, the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-back direction L may be located in the rear waistline region S2.

[0104] Alternatively, the maximum type indicator 81M may be positioned so as to straddle the boundary between the front waistline region S1 and the crotch region S3. The maximum type indicator 81M may be positioned so as to straddle the boundary between the front waistline region S1 and the crotch region S3. Therefore, when the maximum type indicator 81M is located in the front portion 12, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indicator 81M in the front-to-back direction L may be located in the front waistline region S1, and the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the crotch region S3. When the maximum type indicator 81M is located in the back portion 13, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the rear waistline region S2, and the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the crotch region S3. Alternatively, the inner edge 81ni of the front type indicator 81f may be located in the front waistline region S1, and the inner edge 81ni of the rear type indicator 81r may be located in the crotch region S3. Alternatively, the inner edge 81ni of the front type indicator 81f may be located in the crotch region S3, and the inner edge 81ni of the rear type indicator 81r may be located in the rear waistline region S2.

[0105] The inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M may be located near the boundary between the waist region and the crotch region S3. For example, the distance from the inner edge 81Mi to the boundary in the front-to-back direction L may be shorter than the maximum front-to-back length Lm of the maximum type indicator 81M. On the other hand, the distance from the inner edge 81Mi of the maximum type indicator 81M to the boundary may be longer than the distance from the boundary to the outer edge 45E of the indicator 45 on the waist side.

[0106] Furthermore, the distance from the outer edge 81Mo on the waist side of the maximum type indication portion 81M to the outer edge 20E of the exterior body 11 (for example, the front exterior body 20) in the front-to-rear direction L may be shorter than the maximum front-to-rear length Lm of the maximum type indication portion 81M. This makes it easier for the wearer to see the maximum type indication portion 81M when looking into the absorbent article 1 with the waist opening of the trousers wide open.

[0107] Furthermore, in the front-to-back direction L, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indication portion 81M may be located more inward than the outer edge of the absorbent main body 40 in the front-to-back direction L. Furthermore, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indication portion 81M may be located more inward than the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 in the front-to-back direction L. This makes it difficult for wrinkles to form in the maximum type indication portion 81M due to the rigidity of the absorbent main body 40 and the rigidity of the absorbent core 41, making it easier for the wearer to see the maximum type indication portion 81M. In particular, when at least a portion of the maximum type indication portion 81M is composed of letters, it is preferable that the letters (all of them) overlap the absorbent core 41. This makes it difficult for wrinkles to form in the letter portion due to the rigidity of the absorbent core 41, making it easier for the wearer to recognize the letters.

[0108] Furthermore, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indicating portion 81M may be located outside the outer edge of the absorbent main body 40 in the front-to-rear direction L. Furthermore, the outer edge 81Mo of the maximum type indicating portion 81M may be located outside the outer edge of the absorbent core 41 in the front-to-rear direction L. This brings the maximum type indicating portion 81M closer to the waist opening 16, making it easier for the wearer to see the maximum type indicating portion 81M when they open the waist opening of their trousers and look inside.

[0109] Furthermore, in the front-to-rear direction L, the distance from the outer edge 81no of the front type indication unit 81f to the outer edge 20E of the front exterior body 20 may be shorter than the distance from the outer edge 81no of the rear type indication unit 81r to the outer edge 30E of the rear exterior body 30. On the other hand, the distance from the outer edge 81no of the rear type indication unit 81r to the outer edge 30E of the rear exterior body 30 may be longer than the maximum front-to-rear length Ln of the rear type indication unit 81r. The distance from the outer edge 81no of the rear type indication unit 81r to the outer edge 30E of the rear exterior body 30 may be shorter than the distance from the inner edge 81ni of the front type indication unit 81f to the outer edge 20E of the front exterior body 20. Note that in another aspect, the positional relationship between the front type indication unit 81f and the rear type indication unit 81r may be reversed. Therefore, the front type display section 81f (or the rear type display section 81r) may be replaced with the rear type display section 81r (or the front type display section 81f).

[0110] Furthermore, both the front type indication portion 81f and the rear type indication portion 81r may be arranged so as to straddle the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1. This allows the wearer to view the type indication portion 81 by visually checking the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 from either the front or the back of the wearer.

[0111] Furthermore, in the front-to-rear direction L, another design element 80 does not have to be arranged between the maximum type display element 81M and the indicator 45. In this embodiment, the front-mounted display element 84f, which is another design element 80, is not arranged between the front type display element 81f and the indicator 45. On the other hand, another design element 80 (for example, the rear-mounted display element 84r) may be arranged between the rear type display element 81r and the indicator 45.

[0112] In another aspect, the absorbent article 1 may have a post-processing member for maintaining the absorbent article 1 in a rolled state when the absorbent article 1 is disposed of. The post-processing member is arranged on the closest non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article. At least a portion of the maximum type indicator 81M may not overlap with the post-processing member. This allows the maximum type indicator 81M to be completely hidden by the post-processing member, making it easier for the wearer to recognize the maximum type indicator 81M. Also, the entire maximum type indicator 81M may not overlap with the post-processing member. Furthermore, if at least a portion of the maximum type indicator 81M is composed of characters, all of the characters may not overlap with the post-processing member. Note that if the post-processing member is provided on the rear portion 13, at least a portion or all of the rear type indicator 81r may not overlap with the post-processing member.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the front and rear portions 12 and 13 of the absorbent article 1 each have a waist elastic member 17, which is a stretchable member extending in the width direction W in the waist region. The color of the waist elastic member 17 disposed in one of the front and rear portions 12 and 13 may be different from the color of the waist elastic member 17 disposed in the other of the front and rear portions 12 and 13. When the wearer checks the type of absorbent article 1 by widening the waist opening of the pants at the front (or rear), if the wearer can visually identify the waist elastic member 17, the wearer can identify the color of the front (or rear) waist elastic member 17. This allows the wearer to determine that the side where the waist elastic member 17 of the identified color is located is the front (or rear), and therefore, when putting on a new absorbent article 1, the wearer can quickly determine which side of the absorbent article is the front or rear without any confusion. As a result, the time and burden required for the wearer to put on the absorbent article 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, wearing the absorbent article 1 with the front and back incorrectly can lead to leakage of body waste. In this embodiment, when the absorbent article 1 is being worn, the wearer can tell the front and back of the absorbent article 1 at a glance at the waist elastic member 17, so that the wearer can quickly notice if the absorbent article 1 is worn with the front and back incorrectly, and can prevent leakage of body waste due to the incorrect wearing.

[0114] For example, the waist elastic members 17 in one or more of the front regions 12 may be white, and the waist elastic members 17 in one or more of the back regions 13 may be a color other than white (e.g., black). Or vice versa. Furthermore, the non-white (i.e., colored) waist elastic members 17 may be colored continuous elastic members 17a. The colored continuous elastic members 17a may be positioned closest to the waist end in the front-to-back direction L compared to the non-colored (i.e., white) continuous elastic members 17a.

[0115] Furthermore, in the absorbent article 1, nonwoven fabric may be disposed in each of the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13. The color of the nonwoven fabric disposed in one of the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13 may be different from the color of the nonwoven fabric disposed in the other of the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13. When the wearer checks the type of absorbent article 1 by widening the waist opening of the pants at the front (or rear) side, if the wearer can visually recognize the nonwoven fabric, the wearer can identify the color of the nonwoven fabric at the front (or rear) side. This allows the wearer to know that the side where the nonwoven fabric of the identified color is disposed is the front (or rear), and therefore, when putting on a replacement absorbent article, the wearer can quickly determine which side of the absorbent article 1 is the front or rear without any confusion. As a result, the time and / or burden required for the wearer to determine the type of absorbent article 1 and put it on can be reduced, and the time and / or burden required for the series of steps required for putting on the absorbent article can be reduced. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the wearer can tell the front and back of the absorbent article 1 at a glance of the nonwoven fabric, so that the wearer can quickly notice if the absorbent article 1 is worn incorrectly, and can prevent leakage of excrement due to incorrect wearing.

[0116] For example, the nonwoven fabric constituting the front exterior body 20 may be white, and at least one of the nonwoven fabrics constituting the rear exterior body 30 may be a color other than white (for example, black). The nonwoven fabric constituting each of the first front-side sheet 21 and the second front-side sheet 22 may be white, and at least one of the nonwoven fabrics constituting each of the first rear-side sheet 31 and the second rear-side sheet 32 ​​may be a color other than white (for example, black). Or, the reverse may be possible. Thus, a white nonwoven fabric may be arranged in the front exterior body 20, and a colored (other than white) nonwoven fabric may be arranged in the front exterior body 20. Or, the reverse may be possible.

[0117] (4) Other Embodiments In the above-described embodiment, the type indicator 81 and the wear indicator 84 are given as examples of the multiple design elements 80, but this is not limiting. The absorbent article 1 may have, as the design element 80, non-type indicators (including the wear indicator 84) that display information other than the type indicator 81. The non-type indicators may include, for example, indicators indicating partial functions or effects of the absorbent article 1 (e.g., a poop pocket, full ventilation, instant absorption), an indicator indicating the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1 (e.g., a recycled product), an indicator indicating the manufacturer of the absorbent article 1, and / or an indicator indicating the product logo of the absorbent article 1. The type indicator 81 may be larger than all of the non-type indicators. The size indicator, which is the type indicator 81, may be larger than all of the non-type indicators. When a wearer selects (specifically, replaces) an absorbent article 1, they often want to know the type (particularly, size) of the absorbent article 1. The type display section 81 (particularly the size display section) is larger than the non-type display section, making it easier to notice the type display section 81.

[0118] In another embodiment, the entire maximum type indicator 81M may be located in the waist stretchable region WR. When the wearer is wearing the absorbent article 1, the waist stretchable region WR is expanded, making the maximum type indicator 81M located in the waist stretchable region WR more visible. In addition, because the maximum type indicator 81M is larger than the other design portions 80, the maximum type indicator 81M is easily visible even in a natural state.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, a pants-type disposable diaper has been described as an example of the absorbent article 1, but the absorbent article 1 is not limited thereto. For example, the absorbent article 1 may be a tape-type disposable diaper, a sanitary shorts-type napkin, a disposable diaper for pets, or the like. In an absorbent article (e.g., a panty liner) that does not have side seams 15 and leg openings, the front waist region S1, rear waist region S2, and crotch region S3 may be defined by three equal regions that divide the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction. The front waist region S1 is a region in front of the crotch region S3, the rear waist region S2 is a region behind the crotch region S3, and the crotch region S3 is a region between the front waist region S1 and the rear waist region S2.

[0120] 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.

[0121] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-073110, filed on April 26, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0122] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can reduce the time and / or burden involved in the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article.

[0123] 1: Absorbent article 12: Front portion 13: Rear portion 80: Design portion 81: Type display portion 81M: Maximum type display portion 81f: Front type display portion 81r: Rear type display portion LR: Low stretch region SR: Side stretch region L: Front-to-back direction T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising: an absorbent main body disposed at least in the crotch region of the absorbent article and including an absorbent core; a plurality of design parts constituted by a design consisting of at least letters, symbols or pictures; and a fold line which serves as a base point for folding the absorbent article in half in the front-to-back direction and extends in the width direction of the absorbent article, wherein the plurality of design parts indicate the type of the absorbent article and have type indication parts which are visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article, and the type indication part has a maximum type indication part which is the largest of the plurality of design parts when the absorbent article is in a stretched state, and when the absorbent article is in a stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indication part in the front-to-back direction is 15% or more of the length from the outer edge of the waist side of the absorbent article to the fold line in the front-to-back direction, and when the absorbent article is in a stretched state, the maximum length of the maximum type indication part in the width direction of the absorbent article is 15% or more of the total length of the absorbent main body in the width direction.

2. An absorbent article having a plurality of design parts constituted by designs consisting of at least letters, symbols or pictures, the plurality of design parts having a type indicator part which indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article, the type indicator part having a maximum type indicator part which is the largest of the plurality of design parts when the absorbent article is in a stretched state, the absorbent article having a front part which is forward of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is in a folded state in which the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction around the fold line, and an indicator which changes color when it comes into contact with excrement, the maximum type indicator part being located closer to the waist of the front part than the indicator in the front-to-back direction, and the shortest distance from the inner edge of the maximum type indicator part on the fold line side to the outer edge of the indicator on the waist side in the front-to-back direction in the front-to-back direction when the absorbent article is in the stretched state is shorter than the length of the maximum type indicator part in the front-to-back direction.

3. An absorbent article having a plurality of design parts constituted by designs consisting of at least letters, symbols or pictures, the plurality of design parts indicating the type of the absorbent article and having a type indicator part visible when a wearer selects an absorbent article, the type indicator part having a largest type indicator part that is the largest among the plurality of design parts when the absorbent article is in a stretched state, the absorbent article having: a front part located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction based on the fold line, a rear part located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half, and an indicator that changes color when it comes into contact with excrement, the type indicator part having: a front type indicator part located closer to the waist of the front part than the indicator in the front-to-back direction, and a rear type indicator part located closer to the waist of the rear part than the indicator in the front-to-back direction, the indicator has a front outer edge which is the outer edge on the waist side of the front portion, and a rear outer edge which is the outer edge on the waist side of the rear portion, at least one of the front type indication portion and the rear type indication portion is the maximum type indication portion, and in the front-to-rear direction when the absorbent article is in the stretched state of the absorbent article, the shortest distance from the inner edge on the fold line side of the front type indication portion to the front outer edge of the indicator is shorter than the shortest distance from the inner edge on the fold line side of the rear type indication portion to the rear outer edge of the indicator.

4. An absorbent article having a plurality of design parts constituted by a design consisting of at least letters, symbols or patterns, the plurality of design parts having a type indication part which indicates the type of the absorbent article and is visible when the wearer selects an absorbent article, the type indication part having a maximum type indication part which is the largest of the plurality of design parts when the absorbent article is in an extended state, the maximum type indication part being constituted by at least one of the letters, symbols and patterns and a different color for each of the plurality of types of absorbent articles.

5. An absorbent article as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, which has a fold line that serves as a base point for folding the absorbent article in half in the front-to-rear direction and extends in the width direction of the absorbent article, and the center of the maximum type indicating section in the front-to-rear direction is closer to the outer edge of the absorbent article on the waist side in the front-to-rear direction than the fold line.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has two side stretch regions that stretch in the width direction of the absorbent article and are located on both the left and right sides of the width direction in the waist area, and a low stretch region that has a weaker stretch force than the two side stretch regions and is located between the two side stretch regions, and the maximum type display unit is located in the low stretch region.

7. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maximum type display section is configured by the picture that evokes the type of the absorbent article.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction, with the fold line as a base point, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half, and the plurality of design portions have a front type indication portion located in the front portion and indicating the type of the absorbent article, and a rear type indication portion located in the rear portion and indicating the type of the absorbent article, and at least one of the front type indication portion and the rear type indication portion is the maximum type indication portion.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein both the front type indicator and the rear type indicator are the maximum type indicator.

10. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein one of the front type indication portion and the rear type indication portion is the maximum type indication portion, and the other of the front type indication portion and the rear type indication portion is smaller than the maximum type indication portion.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the type indicator of the front type indicator and the rear type indicator that is smaller than the largest type indicator has a reduced design of the largest type indicator.

12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction, with the fold line as a base point, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half, wherein in the waist region of the absorbent article, each of the front portion and the rear portion has an elastic member extending in the width direction, and the color of the elastic member located in one of the front portion and the rear portion is different from the color of the elastic member located in the other of the front portion and the rear portion.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has a front portion located in front of a fold line extending in the width direction of the absorbent article when the absorbent article is folded in half in the front-to-back direction, the fold line being the base point, and a rear portion located behind the fold line when the absorbent article is folded in half, wherein nonwoven fabric is arranged in each of the front portion and the rear portion, and the color of the nonwoven fabric arranged in one of the front portion and the rear portion is different from the color of the nonwoven fabric arranged in the other of the front portion and the rear portion.

14. An absorbent article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has an indicator that changes colour upon contact with bodily waste, and the maximum thickness of the characters constituting at least a part of the maximum type display section is thicker than the width of the indicator.

15. An absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absorbent article has an indicator that changes color upon contact with bodily waste, and the maximum thickness of the line constituting the outline of the maximum type display section is thicker than the width of the indicator.

16. An absorbent article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the maximum type display section is constituted by a single design in which the picture and the letters indicating the type of the absorbent article overlap.

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