Package group of absorbent article

Abstract

This package group of an absorbent article comprises: a plurality of first absorbent articles (1) having a first article type display part (81); a plurality of second absorbent articles (2) having a second article type display part (82); a plurality of first small packages (101) having a first small package type display part (181); a plurality of second small packages (102) having a second small package type display part (182); a first package (201) having a first package type display part (281); and a second package (202) having a second package type display part (282). The first main colors of the first article type display part (81), the first small package type display part (181), and the first package type display part (281) are formed of mutually similar colors. The second main colors of the second article type display part (82), the second small package type display part (182), and the second package type display part (282) are formed of mutually similar colors that are colors different from the first main colors.

Description

Absorbent article packaging group

[0001] The present invention relates to a group of absorbent article packages having a plurality of absorbent articles, a plurality of small packets, and a plurality of packages.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a package (hereinafter referred to as a small package) that contains a plurality of absorbent articles. Each of the plurality of absorbent articles and the small package has a size indicator that indicates the size of the absorbent article, and the size indicator is displayed in the same color. A wearer can ascertain the size of the absorbent article by visually checking the size indicator on the small package.

[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, instead of each parent having to prepare absorbent articles on their own, the childcare facility periodically receives and stores multiple types of absorbent articles (e.g., absorbent articles of various sizes) in a storage location such as a warehouse. This allows wearers (e.g., childcare workers) to appropriately retrieve absorbent articles of the required type from the storage location as needed, so that absorbent articles suitable for many wearers are available.

[0004] However, since it becomes more difficult to remember the type of absorbent article suitable for each wearer as the number of wearers increases, when changing absorbent articles, the wearer checks the type of absorbent article the wearer is wearing each time they change their absorbent article.The wearer then selects from a storage location an absorbent article of the same type as the confirmed type of absorbent article from among multiple types of absorbent articles, and changes the wearer's absorbent article with the selected absorbent article.

[0005] JP 2011-111165 A

[0006] For example, some childcare facilities, such as childcare facilities, have limited storage space for absorbent articles and do not have the space to store absorbent articles by type, so they often store multiple small packages (e.g., packages) in individual packages (e.g., cardboard boxes) stacked up in the storage area.

[0007] Here, the wearer who has confirmed the type of absorbent article finds a package that contains the desired absorbent article (a small package containing the desired absorbent article) from among the stored packages (i.e., a group of packages) in order to prepare an absorbent article of the same type as the confirmed type (the desired absorbent article), and then takes out the desired absorbent article from the found package.

[0008] However, in Patent Document 1, even if the size of the absorbent article is indicated on a size indicator on the small package, it may be difficult for the wearer to see the size indicator when the small package is contained in the package. As a result, the wearer may have to open the package to check the size indicator on the small package. As a result, it may take time and effort for the wearer to find the desired absorbent article, and there is a concern that the series of steps required to replace the absorbent article may be time-consuming and / or burdensome.

[0009] Therefore, 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 of a series of operations required to replace the absorbent article.

[0010] In one aspect of the absorbent article, the absorbent article packaging group includes a plurality of first absorbent articles, a plurality of second absorbent articles of a type different from the first absorbent articles, a plurality of first small packages containing the first absorbent articles, a plurality of second small packages containing the second absorbent articles, a first package containing the first small packages, and a second package containing the second small packages. Each of the plurality of first absorbent articles has a first article type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is visible to the wearer. Each of the plurality of first small packages has a first small package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on an outer surface of each of the plurality of first small packages. The first package has a first package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the first package. Each of the plurality of second absorbent articles has a second article type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is visible to the wearer. Each of the plurality of second small packages has a second small package type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the respective plurality of second small packages. The second packages have a second package type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the respective second packages. First primary colors that are the primary colors used for the first article type indicator, the first small package type indicator, and the first package type indicator are similar to each other. Second primary colors that are the primary colors used for the second article type indicator, the second small package type indicator, and the second package type indicator are similar to each other but different from the first primary color.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a group of packages according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a small package according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the absorbent article according to an embodiment in an unfolded state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F3-F3 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F4-F4 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a design section 80. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the group of packages. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the group of packages.

[0012] (1) Overview of the Embodiments At least the following matters will become clear from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0013] In the invention according to Aspect 1, a group of absorbent article packages includes a plurality of first absorbent articles, a plurality of second absorbent articles of a type different from the first absorbent articles, a plurality of first small packages containing the plurality of first absorbent articles, a plurality of second small packages containing the plurality of second absorbent articles, a first package containing the plurality of first small packages, and a second package containing the plurality of second small packages. Each of the plurality of first absorbent articles has a first article type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is visible to the wearer. Each of the plurality of first small packages has a first small package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of each of the plurality of first small packages. The first package has a first package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the first package. Each of the plurality of second absorbent articles has a second article type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is visible to the wearer. Each of the plurality of second small packages has a second small package type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the respective second small packages. The second packages have a second packaging type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the respective second packages. The first primary colors that are the primary colors used for the first item type indicator, the first small package type indicator, and the first packaging type indicator are similar to each other. The second primary colors that are the primary colors used for the second item type indicator, the second small package type indicator, and the second packaging type indicator are similar to each other but different from the first primary color. According to this aspect, a wearer can recognize the primary color of a packaging type indicator by visually checking the packaging type indicator (i.e., the first packaging type indicator and / or the second packaging type indicator) located on the outer surface of each package (i.e., the first packaging and the second packaging).For example, if the first absorbent article is the desired absorbent article, the wearer can memorize the primary color of at least one of the first product type indicator and the first small package type indicator. If the primary color of the recognized packaging type indicator is similar to the remembered primary color, the wearer can instantly determine that the desired absorbent article is contained in the package having that packaging type indicator (i.e., the first package). On the other hand, if the primary color of the recognized packaging type indicator is different from the remembered primary color, the wearer can instantly determine that the desired absorbent article is not contained in the package having that packaging type indicator (i.e., the second package). Furthermore, even if the wearer cannot read (e.g., the wearer is a child or a foreign childcare worker), visually checking the packaging type indicator allows the wearer to instantly determine whether the desired absorbent article is contained in the recognized package. This makes it easier for the wearer to find the package containing the desired absorbent article, thereby reducing the time and / or burden of the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 2 is the invention according to aspect 1, wherein the first article type indicator, the first small package type indicator, and the first packaging type indicator indicate the size of the first absorbent article as the type of the first absorbent article. The second article type indicator, the second small package type indicator, and the second packaging type indicator indicate the size of the second absorbent article as the type of the second absorbent article. According to this aspect, a group of packages of absorbent articles of different sizes can be more easily stored in one place than, for example, a group of packages of absorbent articles of different functions. In particular, children's body size changes daily, so the appropriate size of the absorbent article is likely to change frequently. Here, to prevent leakage, it is desirable to select an absorbent article of an appropriate size that matches their changing body size. Storing absorbent articles of different sizes in one place allows the wearer to quickly respond to changes in the size of the absorbent article. According to this aspect, even if a group of packages of absorbent articles of different sizes are stored in one place, by visually checking the packaging type display section (i.e., the first packaging type display section and / or the second packaging type display section), it is possible to see at a glance whether the package being viewed contains absorbent articles of the desired size.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 3 is the invention according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the lightness of the first primary color and the second primary color differs depending on the sizes of the first absorbent article and the second absorbent article. According to this aspect, a wearer can easily intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article, for example, by the lightness of the first primary color. In particular, even a wearer with a color vision impairment that makes it difficult to distinguish hues can easily intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article by the lightness of the first primary color. The same applies to the second absorbent article.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 4 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein each of the first article type indicator, the first small package type indicator, and the first packaging type indicator is configured with a first size-evocative pattern that is a pattern that evokes the size of the first absorbent article. Each of the second article type indicator, the second small package type indicator, and the second packaging type indicator is configured with a second size-evocative pattern that evokes the size of the second absorbent article and is a pattern different from the first size-evocative pattern. According to this aspect, even a wearer who cannot read (e.g., a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) can know the size of the absorbent article from the pattern.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 5 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the first package has a first boundary that is a boundary between the side surface on which the first packaging type indicator is located and the bottom surface, and the second package has a second boundary that is a boundary between the side surface on which the second packaging type indicator is located and the bottom surface, and the height from the first boundary to the bottom end of the first packaging type indicator and the height from the second boundary to the bottom end of the second packaging type indicator differ depending on the size of the first absorbent article and the size of the second absorbent article. According to this aspect, the wearer can easily intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article by, for example, visually checking the first packaging type indicator and understanding the position (height) of the first packaging type indicator. The same applies to the second package.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, in the invention according to aspect 6, in any one of aspects 1 to 5, the first primary color is positioned two or more hues away from the second primary color on the ten primary hues of the Munsell color wheel. According to this aspect, since there is a large color difference between the first primary color and the second primary color, the wearer can more clearly recognize whether the first primary color and the second primary color are the same as the primary color that the wearer remembers as the primary color of the desired absorbent article. As a result, the wearer can more easily find the package containing the desired absorbent article.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect, in Aspect 7, in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, the first absorbent article further includes, in addition to the first article type indicator, a first pattern portion constituted by at least a pattern or symbol including the first primary color. The second absorbent article further includes, in addition to the second article type indicator, a second pattern portion constituted by at least a pattern or symbol including the second primary color. According to this aspect, for example, a wearer who visually checks the first absorbent article to confirm the type of absorbent article can easily recognize the first primary color not only through the first article type indicator but also through the first pattern portion, making it easier to remember the first primary color. As a result, when the wearer visually checks the primary color of the packaging type indicator, it becomes easier to determine whether the primary color is the same as the remembered first primary color, making it easier to determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained. The same applies to the second absorbent article.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 8 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein, when the first absorbent article is in an extended state, the first article type indicator is larger than any other characters, patterns, or symbols provided on the first absorbent article other than the first article type indicator. When the second absorbent article is in an extended state, the second article type indicator is larger than any other characters, patterns, or symbols provided on the second absorbent article other than the second article type indicator. According to this aspect, for example, a wearer visually checking the first absorbent article to confirm the type of absorbent article can more easily visually recognize the first article type indicator than any other characters, patterns, or symbols other than the first article type indicator, and can more easily remember the first primary color of the first article type indicator. As a result, when the wearer visually recognizes the primary color of the packaging type indicator, the wearer can easily determine whether the primary color is the same as the first primary color they have memorized, making it easier to determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained. The same applies to the second absorbent article. Furthermore, since the type display section (first item type display section / second item type display section) is larger than the characters etc. other than the type display section, it is possible to confirm that the absorbent article on which the type display section is provided is the desired type of absorbent article.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect, in Aspect 9, in the invention of any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the first small package type indicator is larger than any letters, pictures, or symbols other than the first small package type indicator that are provided on the outer surface of the first small package. The second small package type indicator is larger than any letters, pictures, or symbols other than the second small package type indicator that are provided on the outer surface of the second small package. According to this aspect, for example, the wearer can more easily visually recognize the first small package type indicator than any letters, pictures, or symbols other than the first small package type indicator, making it easier to remember the first primary color of the first small package type indicator. As a result, when the wearer visually recognizes the primary color of the small package type indicator, it becomes easier to determine whether the primary color is the same as the remembered first primary color, making it easier to know at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained inside. The same applies to the second small package. Furthermore, since the type indication section (first small package type indication section / second small package type indication section) is larger than the characters etc. other than the type indication section, it is possible to confirm that the item contained in the small package in which the type indication section is provided is the desired type of absorbent article.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 is the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the first packaging type indicator is larger than the letters, designs, or symbols provided on the outer surface of the first package. The second packaging type indicator is larger than the letters, designs, or symbols provided on the outer surface of the second package. According to this aspect, for example, a wearer can more easily visually recognize the first packaging type indicator than letters, designs, or symbols other than the first packaging type indicator. As a result, the wearer can easily determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained in the first packaging type indicator based on the primary color of the first packaging type indicator. The same applies to the second package. Furthermore, because the type indicator (first packaging type indicator / second packaging type indicator) is larger than the rest of the type indicator, the wearer can confirm that the desired type of absorbent article is contained in the package on which the type indicator is provided.

[0023] According to a preferred aspect, in the invention according to aspect 11, in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, the first item type indicator, the first small package type indicator, and the first packaging type indicator are all identical in shape. The second item type indicator, the second small package type indicator, and the second packaging type indicator are all identical in shape. According to this aspect, for example, a wearer who visually checks the first item type indicator and the first small package type indicator can easily recognize the first packaging type indicator, which has the same shape. As a result, even when first packages and second packages are mixed and stacked in a storage location, the wearer can easily determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is stored by visually checking the first packaging type indicator. The same applies to the second absorbent article.

[0024] 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 first package has a first coating area where ink is applied. The ratio of the area of ​​the first primary color to the first coating area is 70% or more. The second package has a second coating area where ink is applied. The ratio of the area of ​​the second primary color to the second coating area is 70% or more. According to this aspect, for example, when a wearer visually checks the first package, the first primary color is most easily visible among the ink colors applied in the first coating area. As a result, the wearer can easily tell at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained in the first package by the primary color of the visually checked first packaging type indicator. The same applies to the second package.

[0025] 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 first absorbent article has a first crotch region that serves as a base point for folding the first absorbent article in half in the front-to-rear direction and that straddles a fold line extending in the width direction of the first absorbent article. The first crotch region is not provided with the first article type indicator and is instead provided with the first primary color. The second absorbent article has a second crotch region that serves as a base point for folding the second absorbent article in half in the front-to-rear direction and that straddles a fold line extending in the width direction of the second absorbent article. The second crotch region is not provided with the second article type indicator and is instead provided with the second primary color. According to this aspect, for example, when multiple first absorbent articles folded in half about a fold line are removed from the first small package and stored stacked in the thickness direction, the first crotch region is exposed. Therefore, a wearer can recognize the first primary color by visually checking the exposed first crotch region. As a result, the wearer can determine at a glance whether the first absorbent article is the desired absorbent article by whether the first primary color is the same as the primary color of the desired absorbent article. The same applies to the second absorbent article.

[0026] (2) Overall Schematic Configuration of a Packaging Group of Absorbent Articles According to an Embodiment Hereinafter, the absorbent articles according to an 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, the 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.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a group of packages according to an embodiment. The left side of Fig. 1 shows an unopened package 200, and the right side of Fig. 1 shows an opened package 200 with one small package 100 removed from the package 200. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a small package according to an embodiment. The left side of Fig. 2 shows a small package 100 with a small opening 150 (described below), and the right side of Fig. 2 shows an absorbent article 10 removed from the small package 100.

[0028] The package group of this embodiment includes a plurality of first absorbent articles 1, a plurality of second absorbent articles 2 of a type different from the first absorbent articles 1, a plurality of first small packages 101 containing the plurality of first absorbent articles 1, a plurality of second small packages 102 containing the plurality of second absorbent articles 2, a first package 201 containing the plurality of first small packages 101, and a second package 202 containing the plurality of second small packages 102. Note that the package group may include other packages such as a third package different from the first package 201 and the second package 202. Therefore, the package group may be composed of three or more packages. In the following, the first absorbent article 1 and the second absorbent article 2 may each be referred to as absorbent article 10, the first small packaging body 101 and the second small packaging body 102 may each be referred to as small packaging body 100, and the first packaging body 201 and the second packaging body 202 may each be referred to as packaging body 200.

[0029] The packaging body 200 may be any material capable of containing a plurality of small packaging bodies 100, such as a cardboard box assembled into a rectangular parallelepiped shape for packaging. The packaging body 200 includes a plurality of small packaging bodies 100 and a container 205 that contains the plurality of small packaging bodies 100. The container 205 may be made of paper (e.g., cardboard). In this embodiment, the packaging body 200 (specifically, the container 205) includes six main surfaces that form the outer surface of the packaging body 200. The six main surfaces may correspond to the respective surfaces of the packaging body 200 when viewed from each of the four side surfaces, the top surface, and the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 1 , the packaging body 200 includes a first side surface 211, a second side surface 212, a third side surface 213, a fourth side surface 214, a top surface 215, and a bottom surface 216. The first side surface 211 may be referred to as the front surface, and the third side surface 213 may be referred to as the back surface. As shown in Figure 1, the package 200 may be opened by opening a flap portion on the top surface, and may have an opening 250 through which the small package 100 can be removed.

[0030] Each package 200 has a packaging type indicator 280 that indicates the type of absorbent article 10 contained in the package 200 and is located on the outer surface of the package 200. In this embodiment, the first package 201 has a first packaging type indicator 281 that indicates the type of the first absorbent article 10 and is located on the outer surface of the first package 201. The second package 202 has a second packaging type indicator 282 that indicates the type of the second absorbent article 2 and is located on the outer surface of the second package 202.

[0031] The small packaging 100 may be any packaging that can accommodate a plurality of absorbent articles 10, and may be, for example, a package. The small packaging 100 includes a plurality of absorbent articles 10 and a storage bag 105 that accommodates the plurality of absorbent articles 10. The storage bag 105 may be made of a sheet such as film or paper. In the present embodiment, the small packaging 100 (specifically, the storage bag 105) includes six main surfaces that constitute the outer surface of the small packaging 100. The six main surfaces may correspond to the respective surfaces of the small packaging 100 when viewed from each of the four side surfaces, the top surface, and the bottom surface. As shown in FIG. 1 , the small packaging 100 includes a first side surface 111, a second side surface 112, a third side surface 113, a fourth side surface 114, a top surface 115, and a bottom surface 116. The first side surface 111 may be referred to as the front surface, and the third side surface 113 may be referred to as the back surface.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 , the small packaging 100 may be provided with a small opening 150 through which the absorbent article 10 can be removed. In the present embodiment, the small opening 150 is provided in the first side surface 111. The small packaging 100 may be opened by providing the small opening 150. The small packaging 100 may have, for example, perforations as a means for forming the small opening 150. The small opening 150 may be formed by the wearer tearing the small packaging 100 along the perforations. In another embodiment, the small opening 150 may be provided in a location other than the first side surface 111. For example, the small opening 150 may be provided in the top surface 115, or in a side surface other than the first side surface 111. The small packaging 100 may also be provided with two or more small openings 150.

[0033] Each small package 100 has a small package type indicator 180 that indicates the type of absorbent article 10 contained in that small package 100 and is located on the outer surface of that small package 100. In the present embodiment, each of the plurality of first small packages 101 has a first small package type indicator 181 that indicates the type of the first absorbent article 10 and is located on the outer surface of each of the plurality of first small packages 101. Also, each of the plurality of second small packages 102 has a second small package type indicator 182 that indicates the type of the second absorbent article 2 and is located on the outer surface of each of the plurality of second small packages 102.

[0034] Each absorbent article 10 has an article type indicator 8 that indicates the type of the absorbent article 10 and is visible to the wearer. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of first absorbent articles 1 may have a first article type indicator 81 that indicates the type of the first absorbent article 1 and is visible to the wearer. Furthermore, each of the plurality of second absorbent articles 2 has a second article type indicator 82 that indicates the type of the second absorbent article 2 and is visible to the wearer. Details of the absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment will be described later.

[0035] The first primary colors used in the first item type display section 81, the first small packaging type display section 181, and the first packaging type display section 281 are similar to each other. The second primary colors used in the second item type display section 82, the second small packaging type display section 182, and the second packaging type display section 282 are similar to each other but different from the first primary color. The primary colors of the first item type display section 81, the first small packaging type display section 181, and the first packaging type display section 281 may be the same color, and the primary colors of the second item type display section 82, the second small packaging type display section 182, and the second packaging type display section 282 may be the same color.

[0036] The wearer can recognize the primary color of the packaging type indicator 280 (i.e., the first packaging type indicator 281 and / or the second packaging type indicator 282) located on the outer surface of each packaging body 200 (i.e., the first packaging body 201 and the second packaging body 202) by visually checking the packaging type indicator 280. For example, if the first absorbent article 1 is the desired absorbent article 10, the wearer can remember the primary color of at least one of the first article type indicator 81 and the first small packaging type indicator 181. If the primary color of the recognized packaging type indicator 280 is similar to the remembered primary color, the wearer can know at a glance that the desired absorbent article 10 is contained in the packaging body 200 (i.e., the first packaging body 201) having the packaging type indicator 280. On the other hand, if the primary color of the packaging type indicator 280 that the wearer recognizes is different from the primary color that the wearer remembers, the wearer can tell at a glance that the desired absorbent article 10 is not contained in the packaging 200 (i.e., the second packaging 202) having the packaging type indicator 280. Furthermore, even if the wearer cannot read text (for example, if the wearer is a child or a foreign childcare worker), the wearer can tell at a glance whether the desired absorbent article 10 is contained in the packaging 200 by visually checking the packaging type indicator 280. Therefore, the wearer can easily find the packaging 200 for the desired type of absorbent article 10, and the time and / or burden of the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article 10 can be reduced.

[0037] Furthermore, the primary color can be used to easily associate the type of absorbent article 10 with the product type display section 8, the small package type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280. As a result, the wearer can understand the type of absorbent article 10 from any of the product type display section 8, the small package type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280 via the primary color. This makes it easier for the wearer to find the desired type of absorbent article 10, reducing the risk of wearing the wrong type of absorbent article 10. Furthermore, for example, young children who cannot read can easily select the appropriate type (e.g., appropriate size) of absorbent article 10 because they can distinguish by color. This promotes independent change in young children, which in turn helps to develop a sense of self-efficacy.

[0038] In the present invention, the primary color is a color that accounts for 95% or more of the colors (hereinafter referred to as "used colors") used in the product type display section 8, small package type display section 180, and packaging type display section 280 (hereinafter referred to as product type display section 8, etc.). Here, color refers to a hue that represents a difference in color tone. Therefore, the lightness (brightness of color) and saturation (vividness of color) of the colors of the product type display section 8, small package type display section 180, and packaging type display section 280 may be different.

[0039] For example, if the color used by the product type indicator 8, etc. is a single color, that color accounts for 100% of the color used by the product type indicator 8, etc. Here, the color used by the product type indicator 8, etc. is a color different from the color of the base on which the product type indicator 8, etc. is provided. The different color used by the product type indicator 8, etc. from the color of the base allows the wearer to recognize the product type indicator 8, etc. Therefore, for example, if the product type indicator 8, etc. is provided by applying ink by printing or the like, the color used is the color of the portion where the ink different from the color of the base is applied. On the other hand, if ink is applied to surround the color of the base, the color of the portion where the ink is present around the base and the base is exposed (i.e., the color of the base) is not the color used. For example, if a character is formed by being surrounded by ink, the color of the character surrounded by ink (i.e., the color of the base) is not the color used, but the color of the ink is the color used.

[0040] Similar colors are defined based on the Munsell color system. Specifically, the colors of the item type display section 8, the small packaging type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280 are similar colors when they are located within a range of 36 degrees on the Munsell color wheel (a color wheel of the Munsell color system). On the other hand, the colors of the item type display section 8, the small packaging type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280 are not similar colors when they are located within a range of more than 36 degrees on the Munsell color wheel. Here, the 10 major hues of the Munsell color wheel consist of 10 colors: 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). For example, if the color of the item type display section 8 is red (5R), the colors of the small package type display section 180 and the packaging type display section 280 are determined to be similar colors if they are within the range of reddish purple (10RP) to red (10R), and are determined to be different colors if they are outside the range of reddish purple (10RP) to red (10R) (i.e., within the range of reddish purple (9RP) to yellow-red (1YR)).

[0041] Furthermore, the first primary color may be located two or more degrees away from the second primary color on the ten primary hues of the Munsell color wheel. For example, if the color closest to the first primary color is red (5R), yellow-red (5Y) and red-purple (5RP) are one degree away, and yellow (5Y) and purple (5P) are two degrees away. Therefore, if the second primary color is in the range from yellow-red (5R) to blue-purple (5PB), it can be determined to be different from the first primary color. On the other hand, if the second primary color 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), it can be determined to be similar to the first primary color. If the angle between the first primary color and the second primary color on the Munsell color wheel is 72 degrees or more, it can be determined that the colors are different. On the other hand, if the angle is less than 72 degrees, it can be determined that the colors are similar. In this way, because there is a large difference in color between the first primary color and the second primary color, the wearer can more clearly recognize whether the first primary color and the second primary color are the same as the primary color that the wearer remembers as the primary color of the desired absorbent article 10. As a result, the wearer can easily find the package 200 that contains the desired absorbent article 10.

[0042] The colors of the maximum type indicators 81M, which will be described later, may be colors that are separated by three or more hues on the 10 major hues of the Munsell color wheel. Also, the article type indicators 8 may be configured with different colors for each of the multiple types of absorbent articles 1.

[0043] Furthermore, the lightness of the first and second primary colors may differ depending on the sizes of the first absorbent article 1 and the second absorbent article 2. For example, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the higher the lightness of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, when the size of the first absorbent article 1 is larger than the size of the second absorbent article 2, the lightness of the first primary color may be higher than the lightness of the second primary color. Alternatively, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the lower the lightness of the absorbent article 10. For example, the lightness of the first primary color makes it easier for the wearer to intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article. In particular, even a wearer with a color vision impairment that makes it difficult to distinguish hues can easily intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article by the lightness of the first primary color. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2. Furthermore, since it is said that one in twenty Japanese men and one in five hundred Japanese women have color vision deficiency, even if the wearer is a childcare worker with color vision deficiency, the difference in lightness between the first primary color and the second primary color will make it easier for the wearer to intuitively grasp the difference in size of the absorbent article 10. As a result, it becomes easier for the wearer to find the package 200 or small package 100 containing the desired absorbent article 10, or the desired absorbent article 10, and it is possible to reduce the time and / or burden of the series of steps required to put on the absorbent article 10.

[0044] Furthermore, the saturation of the first primary color and the second primary color may differ depending on the sizes of the first absorbent article 1 and the second absorbent article 2. For example, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the higher the saturation of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, when the size of the first absorbent article 1 is larger than the size of the second absorbent article 2, the lightness of the first primary color may be higher than the saturation of the second primary color. Alternatively, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the lower the saturation of the absorbent article 10.

[0045] The lightness and saturation can be determined by measuring the color of two points (two regions) to be measured using a commercially available colorimeter, and then quantifying the color based on the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*) color space defined in JIS Z 8729. Specifically, a measuring device (for example, a KONICA MIONLTA color difference meter CR-400) is prepared, and the L*a*b* coordinates of the portion of the sample to be measured are measured at 10 or more points at different positions, and the average value ([L*, a*, b*]) of these coordinates is calculated. The value of L* is the lightness, and [a ２ +b ２ ] １／２ The value is the saturation.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the article type display section 8, the small packaging type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280 indicate the size of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, the first article type display section 81, the first small packaging type display section 181, and the first packaging type display section 281 (hereinafter referred to as the first article type display section 81, etc. as appropriate) indicate the size of the first absorbent article 1 as the type of the first absorbent article 1. The first article type display section 81, etc. indicate that the size of the first absorbent article 1 is "Large (L)." Furthermore, the second article type display section 82, the second small packaging type display section 182, and the second packaging type display section 282 (hereinafter referred to as the second article type display section 82 as appropriate) indicate the size of the second absorbent article 2 as the type of the second absorbent article 2. The second article type display section 82, etc. indicate that the size of the second absorbent article 2 is "Middle (Middle)."

[0047] A group of packages containing absorbent articles 10 of different sizes is more likely to be stored in one place than, for example, a group of packages containing absorbent articles 10 with different functions. In particular, children's body size changes daily, so the appropriate size of the absorbent article 10 is likely to change frequently. To prevent leakage, it is desirable to select an absorbent article of an appropriate size that matches their changing body size. Storing absorbent articles of different sizes in one place allows the wearer to quickly respond to changes in the size of the absorbent article. Therefore, even when a group of packages containing absorbent articles of different sizes are stored in one place, by visually checking the packaging type indicator 280 (i.e., the first packaging type indicator 281 and / or the second packaging type indicator 282) that indicates the size of the absorbent article 10, it is possible to determine at a glance whether the desired size of absorbent article 10 is contained in the package 200. Furthermore, even when the small packaging body 100 is removed from the packaging body 200 and stored, by visually checking the small packaging type indicator 180, it is possible to know at a glance whether or not the absorbent article 10 of the desired size is contained in the small packaging body 100. Furthermore, even when the absorbent article 10 is removed from the small packaging body 100 and stored, it is possible to know at a glance whether or not the absorbent article 10 of the desired size is contained in the small packaging body 100 by visually checking the article type indicator 8.

[0048] (3) Details of the absorbent article Next, the absorbent article 10 will be described in detail. In the following, the first absorbent article 1 will be described as an example. The second absorbent article 2 has a similar configuration, so its description will be omitted. Hereinafter, the first absorbent article 1 may be simply referred to as the "absorbent article 1." Furthermore, the first article type display section 81 may be simply referred to as the "type display section 81."

[0049] FIG. 1 is a front view of a (first) 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 seen 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, with the side joints 15 (described later) 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 (described later). The front attachment display section 84f (described later) is omitted from FIG. 5.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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).

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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)).

[0072] 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.

[0073] (4) Details of the design section 80 Next, details of the design section 80 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 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.

[0074] 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:

[0075] 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".

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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).

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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:

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] Here, the size of each design portion 80 may be determined by at least one of the following:

[0088] 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).

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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).

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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).

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.).

[0104] Furthermore, the maximum type indicator 81M may be configured with at least one of letters, symbols, and patterns, as well as different colors for each of the multiple types of absorbent articles 1. The color of the maximum type indicator 81M may be darker than the background color of the maximum type indicator 81M. This makes it easier for the wearer to see the dark-colored maximum type indicator 81M when looking at the absorbent article 1 from inside their pants, since the inside of the pants is dimly lit. Alternatively, as in the present embodiment, the color of the letters in the maximum type indicator 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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).

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] In the above description, the (first item) type display unit 81 has been given as an example of the item type display unit 8, but the small packaging type display unit 180 and the packaging type display unit 280 may also have a similar configuration. Therefore, each of the small packaging type display unit 180 and the packaging type display unit 280 may have a design unit similar to the design unit 80 described above.

[0130] For example, each of the first item type display section 81, the first small package type display section 181, and the first packaging type display section 281 may be configured with a pattern (hereinafter referred to as a first size-evocative pattern) that evokes the size of the first absorbent article 1. Each of the second item type display section 82, the second small package type display section 182, and the second packaging type display section 282 may be configured with a pattern (hereinafter referred to as a second size-evocative pattern) that evokes the size of the second absorbent article 2 and that is different from the first size-evocative pattern. This allows even a wearer who cannot read (e.g., a child, a foreign childcare worker, etc.) to understand the size of the absorbent article from the pattern. The first size-evocative pattern and the second size-evocative pattern may be, for example, a pattern of an animal, a pattern of an animal's growth process, a pattern of a wearer's developmental stages, or the like, as a pattern that evokes the size of the absorbent article 1. As an example, the first size-evoking picture may be a lion, which is an animal design that indicates an L size, and the second size-evoking picture may be a rabbit, which is an animal design that indicates an M size.

[0131] (5) Modified Examples Next, modified examples of the packaging body group according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the packaging body group. Fig. 8A is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the packaging body 200. Fig. 8B is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the small packaging body 100. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the absorbent article 10. Fig. 9A is a diagram for explaining a modified example (part 1) of the absorbent article 10, and Fig. 9B is a diagram for explaining a modified example (part 2) of the absorbent article 10. Note that explanations of content that has already been explained will be omitted as appropriate.

[0132] The first packaging body 201 may have a first boundary that is a boundary between the first side surface 211, where the first packaging type indicator 281 is located, and the bottom surface 216. The second packaging body 202 may have a second boundary that is a boundary between the first side surface 211, where the second packaging type indicator 282 is located, and the bottom surface 216. As shown in FIG. 8A , the height of the packaging type indicator 280 may vary depending on the size of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, a height h21 from the first boundary to the bottom end of the first packaging type indicator 281 and a height h22 from the second boundary to the bottom end of the second packaging type indicator 282 may vary depending on the size of the first absorbent article 1 and the size of the second absorbent article 2. For example, the height of the packaging type indicator 280 may be greater as the size of the absorbent article 10 increases. Specifically, when the size of the first absorbent article 1 is larger than the size of the second absorbent article 2, h21 may be greater than h22. Alternatively, the height of the packaging type indicator 280 may be lower as the size of the absorbent article 10 increases. This makes it easier for the wearer to intuitively grasp the size of the first absorbent article 1, for example, by visually checking the first packaging type indicator 281 and understanding the position (height) of the lower end of the first packaging type indicator 281. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2.

[0133] Furthermore, the height of the packaging type display unit 280 (the upper end and / or the lower end of the packaging type display unit 280) may be different on some of the main surfaces on which the packaging type display unit 280 is provided, and may be the same on the remaining main surfaces on which the packaging type display unit 280 is provided. As shown in FIG. 8A , for example, the height of the packaging type display unit 280 may be different on the first side surface 211 (front surface) and the height of the packaging type display unit 280 may be the same on the second side surface 212. Note that the height being the same only requires that the center of the packaging type display unit 280 is the same. In another aspect, the height may be different depending on the size of the absorbent article 10 on all surfaces on which the packaging type display unit 280 is provided. Here, the heights of the design elements other than the packaging type display unit 280 may be the same regardless of the size of the absorbent article 10. In this way, the height of the packaging type display unit 280 changes relative to the heights of the other design elements, making it easier for the wearer to grasp the difference in height of the packaging type display unit 280.

[0134] 8B , the height of the small package type indicating section 180 may vary depending on the size of the absorbent article 10. Specifically, a height h11 from the bottom surface 216 of the first small package 101 to the first small package type indicating section 181 and a height h12 from the bottom surface 116 of the second small package 102 to the second small package type indicating section 182 may vary depending on the size of the first absorbent article 1 and the size of the second absorbent article 2. For example, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the higher the height from the bottom surface 116 to the small package type indicating section 180 may be. Specifically, when the size of the first absorbent article 1 is larger than the size of the second absorbent article 2, h11 may be higher than h12. Alternatively, the larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the lower the height from the bottom surface 116 to the small package type indicating section 180 may be.

[0135] Similarly, the distance from the fold line FL to the article type indicator 8 in the front-to-rear direction L may vary depending on the size of the absorbent article 10. The larger the size of the absorbent article 10, the longer the distance may be. Alternatively, the opposite may be true. As shown in Fig. 9A , the article type indicator 8 here may be larger than the letters, patterns, or symbols other than the article type indicator 8 provided on the absorbent article 10 when the absorbent article 10 is in a stretched state. Therefore, the article type indicator 8 may be the largest type indicator among the plurality of design portions 80 when the absorbent article 1 is in a stretched state.

[0136] 8A , the packaging type display section 280 may further include a packaging design section 286 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the primary color of the packaging type display section 280 in addition to the packaging type display section 280. For example, the first package 201 may further include a first packaging design section 286 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the first primary color in addition to the first packaging type display section 281. The second package 202 may further include a second packaging design section 286 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the second primary color in addition to the second packaging type display section 282.

[0137] Furthermore, the packaging type indicator 280 may be larger than the letters, patterns, or symbols other than the packaging type indicator 280 that are provided on the outer surface of the package 200. For example, the first packaging type indicator 281 may be larger than the letters, patterns, or symbols provided on the outer surface of the first package 201. The second packaging type indicator 282 may be larger than the letters, patterns, or symbols provided on the outer surface of the second package 202. This makes it easier for the wearer to visually recognize the first packaging type indicator 281 than the letters, patterns, or symbols other than the first packaging type indicator 281. As a result, the wearer can easily determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article 10 is contained therein by the primary color of the visually recognized first packaging type indicator 281. Furthermore, because the packaging type indicator 280 is larger than the letters, etc. other than the packaging type indicator 280, it is possible to confirm that the desired type of absorbent article 10 is contained in the package 200 in which the packaging type indicator 280 is provided. The same applies to the second package 202. For example, the first packaging type indication portion 281 may be larger than the first packaging design portion 286, and the second packaging type indication portion 282 may be larger than the second packaging design portion 286.

[0138] Furthermore, each package 200 may have a design other than the package type indication portion 280. In Fig. 9A , the package 200 has a package design portion 286 as the design. As shown in Fig. 9A , the package design portion 286 may be the same (except for the main color). The height from the bottom surface 216 to the package design portion 286 may be the same regardless of the size of the absorbent article 10.

[0139] Furthermore, each packaging body 200 may have, for example, a coated area where ink is applied (e.g., printed) and a non-coated area where ink is not applied (e.g., printed). Therefore, the outer surface of each packaging body 200 may be composed of a coated area and a non-coated area. The color of the coated area may be composed of multiple ink colors or a single color. On the other hand, the non-coated area is a portion where ink is not applied. Therefore, the color of the non-coated area is the base color of the packaging body 200.

[0140] Here, in each package 200, the ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the coated area may be 70% or more. For example, the first package 201 may have a first coated area where ink is applied. The second package 202 may have a second coated area where ink is applied. The ratio of the area of ​​the first primary color to the first coated area may be 70% or more. The ratio of the area of ​​the second primary color to the second coated area may be 70% or more. This makes it possible, for example, for a wearer to visually check the first package 201 and most easily recognize the first primary color among the colors of the first ink printed in the first coated area. As a result, the wearer can easily determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained therein by the primary color of the visually checked first packaging type indicator 281. The same applies to the second package 202.

[0141] The ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the coated area may be 100%. When this ratio is 100%, only the primary color ink (i.e., a single color) is coated on the outer surface of the packaging body 200. For example, when the brightness of the primary color is higher than a predetermined value, the ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the coated area may be 100%. On the other hand, when the brightness of the primary color is lower than a predetermined value, the ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the coated area may be 70% or more but less than 100%. In this case, ink of a color other than the primary color is also coated on the outer surface of the packaging body 200. The brightness of the color other than the primary color is higher than a predetermined value. For example, a display unit that displays information regarding the transportation of the packaging body 200 may be provided by coating ink of a color other than the primary color (e.g., black).

[0142] Furthermore, for example, if the primary color is a color that easily absorbs infrared rays (e.g., blue, dark blue, dark green, black, etc.), the ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the applied area may be 100%. On the other hand, if the color is a color that easily reflects infrared rays (e.g., white, red, yellow, orange, etc.), the ratio of the area of ​​the primary color to the applied area may be 70% or more and less than 100%. As a result, in this case, ink of a color other than the primary color is also applied to the outer surface of the packaging body 200 by infrared rays. By applying ink of a color other than the primary color to provide an indicator that can be read by infrared rays, the indicator can be read, while still making it easy to understand the type of absorbent article 1 at a glance by the primary color of the packaging type indicator 280.

[0143] Furthermore, if each package 200 has a coating area in which inks of multiple colors including a primary color are applied, the area of ​​the primary color may be the largest among the areas of each ink color in the coating area. Therefore, the area of ​​the primary color may be larger than the areas of each color other than the primary color in the coating area. For example, a first coating area may be provided in which first inks of multiple colors including a first primary color are applied. In the first coating area, the area of ​​the first primary color may be the largest among the areas of each first ink color. A second package may have a second coating area in which second inks of multiple colors including the first primary color are applied. In the second coating area, the area of ​​the second primary color may be the largest among the areas of each second ink color.

[0144] Furthermore, the main color of the packaging type display section 280 and the main color of the design other than the packaging type display section 280 may be the same for each package 200. Each package 200 may be printed using only the main color ink. Therefore, each package 200 may be a single color except for the base color. The ink color of each package 200 may be, for example, other than the base color and black.

[0145] 8B , the small package type indicator 180 may further include a small package design portion 186 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the primary color of the small package type indicator 180 in addition to the small package type indicator 180. For example, the first small package 101 may further include a first small package design portion 186 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the first primary color in addition to the first small package type indicator 181. The second small package 102 may further include a second small package design portion 186 constituted at least by a design or symbol including the second primary color in addition to the second small package type indicator 182.

[0146] Furthermore, the small package type indicator 180 may be larger than the letters, pictures, or symbols other than the small package type indicator 180 that are provided on the outer surface of the small package 100. For example, the first small package type indicator 181 may be larger than the letters, pictures, or symbols other than the first small package type indicator 181 that are provided on the outer surface of the first small package 101. The second small package type indicator 182 may be larger than the letters, pictures, or symbols other than the second small package type indicator 182 that are provided on the outer surface of the second small package 102. This makes it easier for the wearer to see the first small package type indicator 181 than the letters, pictures, or symbols other than the first small package type indicator 181, and makes it easier to remember the first primary color of the first small package type indicator 181, for example. As a result, when the wearer visually recognizes the primary color of the small package type indicator 180, it becomes easier for the wearer to determine whether the primary color is the same as the first primary color that the wearer has memorized, and it becomes easier to know at a glance whether the desired absorbent article 10 is contained. Furthermore, because the small package type indicator 180 is larger than the characters and the like other than the small package type indicator 180, the wearer can confirm that the small package 100 in which the small package type indicator 180 is provided contains the desired type of absorbent article 10. The same applies to the second small package 102. For example, the first small package type indicator 181 may be larger than the first small package pattern portion 186, and the second small package type indicator 182 may be larger than the second small package pattern portion 186.

[0147] Furthermore, each small package 100 may have a design other than the small package type indicator 180. In Fig. 9B, the small packages 100 have a small package design portion 186 as the design. As shown in Fig. 9A, the small package design portion 186 may be the same (except for the main color). Furthermore, the height from the bottom surface 116 to the small package design portion 186 may be the same regardless of the size of the absorbent article 10.

[0148] Furthermore, the outer surface of each small packaging 100 may be configured with a coated area and a non-coated area, similar to the packaging 200. The coated area of ​​each small packaging 100 may have the same configuration as the packaging 200 described above. Furthermore, when the side surface of each small packaging 100 is divided into a top surface 115 side and a bottom surface 116 side, the proportion of the coated area on the top surface 115 side may be greater than the proportion of the coated area on the bottom surface 116 side. For example, on the first side surface 111 (front), the proportion of the coated area on the top surface 115 side may be greater than the proportion of the coated area on the bottom surface 116 side. Here, consider a case in which small packaging 100 that increases in height as the size of the absorbent article 10 increases are stored. For example, when a first small package 101 containing a larger-sized first absorbent article 1 and a second small package 102 containing a smaller-sized second absorbent article 2 are placed in a row and the first small package 101 is placed further back than the second small package 102, a portion of the side surface on the top surface 115 side of the first small package 101 is exposed and not hidden by the second small package 102. For this reason, when the proportion of the coated area on the top surface 115 side is larger than the proportion of the coated area on the bottom surface 116 side, the coated area on the top surface 115 side is likely to be exposed. If the wearer can visually recognize the primary color by visually checking the coated area on the top surface 115 side, they can determine the type of absorbent article 10 contained in the small package 100.

[0149] 9A , the article type indicator 8 may further include a pattern portion 86 constituted at least by a pattern or symbol including the primary color of the article type indicator 8 in addition to the article type indicator 8. For example, the first absorbent article 1 may further include a first pattern portion 86 constituted at least by a pattern or symbol including the first primary color in addition to the first article type indicator 81. The second absorbent article 2 may further include a second pattern portion 86 constituted at least by a pattern or symbol including the second primary color in addition to the second article type indicator 82. This allows, for example, a wearer who views the first absorbent article 1 to check the type of the absorbent article 10 to easily recognize the first primary color not only from the first article type indicator 81 but also from the first pattern portion 86, making it easier to remember the first primary color. As a result, when the wearer visually checks the primary color of the article type indicator 8, it becomes easier for the wearer to determine whether the primary color is the same as the first primary color that the wearer has memorized, and it becomes easier for the wearer to know at a glance whether the desired absorbent article 10 is contained. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2.

[0150] Furthermore, the article type indicator 8 may be larger than characters, patterns, or symbols other than the article type indicator 8 that are provided on the absorbent article 10. For example, in a stretched state of the first absorbent article 1, the first article type indicator 81 may be larger than characters, patterns, or symbols other than the first article type indicator that are provided on the first absorbent article 1. In a stretched state of the second absorbent article 2, the second article type indicator 82 may be larger than characters, patterns, or symbols other than the second article type indicator that are provided on the second absorbent article 2. This allows, for example, a wearer who views the first absorbent article 1 to check the type of the absorbent article 10 to more easily view the first article type indicator 81 than characters, patterns, or symbols other than the first article type indicator 81, and to more easily remember the first primary color of the first article type indicator 81. As a result, when the wearer visually checks the primary color of the article type indicator 8, it becomes easier for the wearer to determine whether the primary color is the same as the first primary color that the wearer has memorized, and it becomes easier to know at a glance whether the desired absorbent article is contained therein. Furthermore, because the article type indicator 8 is larger than the characters and the like other than the article type indicator 8, the wearer can confirm that the absorbent article 10 provided with the article type indicator 8 is the desired type of absorbent article 10. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2. For example, the first article type indicator 81 may be larger than the first pattern portion 86, and the second article type indicator 82 may be larger than the second pattern portion 86.

[0151] As described above, each absorbent article 10 may have a design other than the article type indicator 8. In FIG. 9A , the absorbent article 10 has a patterned portion 86 as the design. The patterned portion 86 may be the same for each absorbent article 10 (except for the main color). Similarly to the packaging body 200, each absorbent article 10 may have the largest proportion of the area where ink is applied (printed) with the main color ink among the ink-applied (printed) areas. The main color of the article type indicator 8 and the main color of the design other than the article type indicator 8 may be the same for each absorbent article 10. Each absorbent article 10 may be printed with only the main color ink. Therefore, each absorbent article 10 may be a single color except for the base color. The ink color of each absorbent article 10 may be, for example, a color other than the base color.

[0152] 9A , each absorbent article 10 may have a crotch region CR that straddles the fold line FL. The crotch region CR includes the region around the fold line FL and is a region that is visible in a plan view of the absorbent article 10 when the absorbent article 10 is folded in half in its natural state. For example, the crotch region CR may be a region that extends from the fold line FL to a length that is 0.5% of the total length of the absorbent article 1 in the front-to-rear direction L when the absorbent article 1 is folded in half when the absorbent article 1 is stretched.

[0153] The first absorbent article 1 may have a first crotch region CR1 as the crotch region CR, and the second absorbent article 2 may have a second crotch region CR2 as the crotch region CR. The crotch region CR may not be provided with an article type indicator 8, but may instead have the primary color of the article type indicator 8. For example, the first crotch region CR1 may be provided with the first primary color without the first article type indicator 81. The second crotch region CR2 may be provided with the second primary color without the second article type indicator 82. As a result, for example, when multiple first absorbent articles folded in half along the fold line FL are removed from the first small package and stored stacked in the thickness direction, the first crotch region is exposed. Therefore, a wearer can recognize the first primary color by visually checking the exposed first crotch region CR1. As a result, the wearer can determine at a glance whether the first absorbent article 1 is the desired absorbent article 10 based on whether the first primary color is the same as the primary color of the desired absorbent article 10. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2. Furthermore, if the crotch region CR is visible through the small opening 150 formed in the small package 100, the wearer can determine at a glance whether the absorbent article 10 contained in the small package 100 is the desired absorbent article 10 by visually checking the crotch region CR, even if they do not visually check the article type indicator 8, etc.

[0154] 8 and 9A , the first item type indicator 81, the first small packaging type indicator 181, and the first packaging type indicator 281 may have the same shape. The second item type indicator 82, the second small packaging type indicator 182, and the second packaging type indicator 282 may have the same shape. This allows, for example, a wearer who visually recognizes the first item type indicator 81 and the first small packaging type indicator 181 to easily recognize the first packaging type indicator 281, which has the same shape. As a result, even when the first packages 201 and the second packages 202 are mixed and stacked in a storage location, the wearer can easily determine at a glance whether the desired absorbent article 10 is contained therein by visually identifying the first packaging type indicator 281. The same applies to the second absorbent article 2. The first item type display sections 81, etc. may have the same shape, and may be similar to each other so that one of them overlaps the other when enlarged or reduced. The first item type display sections 81, etc. may have different sizes.

[0155] In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9B , each absorbent article 10 may have only one type of article type indicator 8 that is similar in color to the primary color used for the small package type indicator 180 and the packaging type indicator 280. In Fig. 9B , the article type indicator 8 is made up of multiple article type indicators 8 that indicate the size of the absorbent article 10 as one type of article type indicator 8. Each absorbent article 10 does not need to have any other design other than the one type of article type indicator 8. This makes it easier for the wearer to focus on one of the multiple article type indicators 8.

[0156] Note that each absorbent article 10 may have only one article type indicator 8. For example, in Fig. 9A, the absorbent article 10 may not have a picture portion 86. Furthermore, the absorbent article 10 may not have a crotch region CR where the main color of the article type indicator 8 is located. Therefore, in the absorbent article 10, only one article type indicator 8 may be coated with ink. This makes it easier for the wearer to focus on one article type indicator 8.

[0157] As shown in Figure 9B, multiple product type indicators 8 constituting one type of product type indicator 8 may have the same shape and size. The multiple product type indicators 8 may be spaced apart in the width direction W. For example, the multiple product type indicators 8 may be arranged in the low-elasticity region LR and the side-elasticity region SR. Alternatively, the multiple product type indicators 8 may be arranged in the waist-elasticity region WR (only). When the wearer is wearing the absorbent article 1, the waist-elasticity region WR is wide, making it easy for the wearer to see the product type indicators 8.

[0158] Furthermore, one type of article type indicator 8 may be arranged on only one of the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13. This allows the wearer to easily distinguish between the front and rear of the absorbent article 10 based on the presence or absence of the article type indicator 8. One type of article type indicator 8 may be arranged on both the front portion 12 and the rear portion 13. This allows the wearer to view the article type indicator 8 from either the front or the rear of the wearer. Note that the portion of the absorbent article 10 on which colored ink is applied may be only one type of article type indicator 8. Therefore, the absorbent article 10 may, for example, not have a color-changing indicator 45 but only have one type of article type indicator 8 of a single color (e.g., one article type indicator 8 of a single color).

[0159] (6) 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] In another embodiment, at least a portion of the top surface 115 of the small package 100 (hereinafter referred to as the main colored portion) may be a color similar to the main color of the small package type indicator 180. The main colored portion of the top surface 115 may be 50% or more of the top surface 115. Alternatively, the main colored portion of the top surface 115 may be 10% or less. The small package type indicator 180 may be provided on the top surface 115. The main colored portion of the top surface 115 may be provided on the front side and not necessarily on the back side. The top surface 115 of the small package 100 may be provided with a grippable handle. The main colored portion of the top surface 115 may be provided on the handle. The top surface 115 of the small package 100 may not be provided with a grippable handle, and the top surface 115 of the small package 100 may be flat.

[0162] Each of the small package type indicators 180 and 280 may have a design portion similar to the design portion 80 described above. Accordingly, each package 200 and each small package 100 may also have a non-type indicator, similar to the absorbent article 10. For example, the non-type indicators may include an indicator indicating a partial function or effect of the absorbent article 1, an indicator indicating the use of the absorbent article 1, an indicator indicating the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1, an indicator indicating the manufacturer of the absorbent article 1, and / or an indicator indicating the product logo of the absorbent article 1. The color of each non-type indicator may be similar to the main color of the article type indicator 8, etc. Alternatively, the color of each non-type indicator may be a color different from the main color of the article type indicator 8, etc.

[0163] The product type display section 8, the small package type display section 180, and the packaging type display section 280 may each have a common design section with the same shape. The size of the common design section may be different or the same. The common design section may be, for example, a non-type display section. The common design section may be a design other than a size display section. The common design section may be, for example, a product logo. This creates a sense of unity as a product brand. The common design section may also indicate the purpose of the absorbent article 10 (e.g., for empty-handed use). This makes it easy to distinguish between absorbent articles 10 for different purposes (e.g., absorbent articles for empty-handed use and absorbent articles not limited to empty-handed use) even when they are mixed together by visually recognizing the common design section. The color of the common design section may be the same regardless of the type of absorbent article 10. This makes it possible to distinguish the group of packages according to this embodiment from other groups of packages. For example, if the color of the size indicator varies depending on the size of the absorbent article 10, the common color of the common design portion may be a different color from that of the size indicator. Alternatively, the color of the common design portion may be the same as the color of the size indicator, which varies depending on the size of the absorbent article 10. This allows the wearer to know the size of the absorbent article 10 simply by visually checking not only the type indicator but also the common design portion. Furthermore, the colors of the ink applied to each of the absorbent article 10, the small package 100, and the package 200 may be similar colors, and preferably a single common color. This allows the wearer to know the type of the absorbent article 10 simply by visually checking the areas where the ink is applied.

[0164] Furthermore, in a case where the package group includes three or more different packages, if the types of the absorbent articles 10 are ordered, the positions of the primary colors of the article type indicator 8, the first small package type indicator 181, and the first package type indicator 281 on the Munsell color wheel may correspond to the order. For example, the greater the difference in size between the absorbent articles 10, the greater the difference in the positions of the primary colors of the article type indicator 8, etc. on the Munsell color wheel. The wearer can understand the relationship between the sizes of the absorbent articles 10 from the relative positions of the primary colors of the article type indicator 8, etc. on the Munsell color wheel. Therefore, even if the wearer cannot read text, the relationship between the sizes of the absorbent articles 10 can be understood from the relationship between the colors. For example, if the primary color of the first article type indicator 81, etc., indicating the smallest size is red (R), the primary color of the second article type indicator 82, etc., indicating the medium size may be yellow-green (GY), and the primary color of the third article type indicator, etc., indicating the largest size may be blue-green (BG). In the Munsell hue circle, red and blue-green are at the furthest positions, and yellow-green is located between red and blue-green.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-073111, filed on April 26, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0168] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can reduce the time and / or burden of a series of operations required to replace the absorbent article.

[0169] 1: First absorbent article (absorbent article) 2: Second absorbent article 8: Article type indicator 10: Absorbent article 81: First article type indicator 82: Second article type indicator 86: First pattern section, second pattern section 101: First small package 102: Second small package 181: First small package type indicator 182: Second small package type indicator 201: First package 202: Second package 281: First package type indicator 282: Second package type indicator CR: Crotch region CR1: First crotch region CR2: Second crotch region FL: Fold line L: Front-to-back direction T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. A group of absorbent article packages comprising: a plurality of first absorbent articles; a plurality of second absorbent articles of a type different from the type of the first absorbent articles; a plurality of first small packages containing the plurality of first absorbent articles; a plurality of second small packages containing the plurality of second absorbent articles; a first package containing the plurality of first small packages; and a second package containing the plurality of second small packages, wherein each of the plurality of first absorbent articles has a first article type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is visible to the wearer; each of the plurality of first small packages has a first small package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of each of the plurality of first small packages; the first package has a first package type indicator that indicates the type of the first absorbent article and is located on the outer surface of the first package; and each of the plurality of second absorbent articles has a second article type indicator that indicates the type of the second absorbent article and is visible to the wearer. a group of absorbent article packages, wherein each of the plurality of second small packages has a second small package type indicator indicating the type of the second absorbent article and located on the outer surface of each of the plurality of second small packages; the second packages have a second package type indicator indicating the type of the second absorbent article and located on the outer surface of the second package; first primary colors which are the primary colors used for the first article type indicator, the first small package type indicator and the first package type indicator are similar to each other; and second primary colors which are the primary colors used for the second article type indicator, the second small package type indicator and the second package type indicator are similar to each other but different from the first primary color.

2. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1, wherein the first article type display unit, the first small package type display unit, and the first package type display unit indicate the size of the first absorbent article as the type of the first absorbent article, and the second article type display unit, the second small package type display unit, and the second package type display unit indicate the size of the second absorbent article as the type of the second absorbent article.

3. A group of absorbent article packages according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brightness of the first primary color and the second primary color differs depending on the size of the first absorbent article and the second absorbent article.

4. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the first item type display section, the first small package type display section, and the first packaging type display section is configured with a first size-evocative pattern that is a pattern that evokes the size of the first absorbent article, and each of the second item type display section, the second small package type display section, and the second packaging type display section is configured with a second size-evocative pattern that is a pattern that evokes the size of the second absorbent article and is a pattern different from the first size-evocative pattern.

5. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first package has a first boundary which is the boundary between the side surface on which the first packaging type display section is located and the bottom surface, and the second package has a second boundary which is the boundary between the side surface on which the second packaging type display section is located and the bottom surface, and the height from the first boundary to the bottom end of the first packaging type display section and the height from the second boundary to the bottom end of the second packaging type display section differ depending on the size of the first absorbent article and the size of the second absorbent article.

6. A group of absorbent article packages according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first primary color is at least two hues away from the second primary color on the ten primary hues of the Munsell color wheel.

7. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first absorbent article further has, in addition to the first article type indicator, a first pattern portion which is at least composed of a pattern or symbol including the first primary color, and the second absorbent article further has, in addition to the second article type indicator, a second pattern portion which is at least composed of a pattern or symbol including the second primary color.

8. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the first absorbent article is in an extended state, the first article type indicator is larger than any letters, patterns or symbols other than the first article type indicator provided on the first absorbent article, and when the second absorbent article is in an extended state, the second article type indicator is larger than any letters, patterns or symbols other than the second article type indicator provided on the second absorbent article.

9. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first small package type indicator is larger than the letters, pictures or symbols other than the first small package type indicator that are provided on the outer surface of the first small package, and the second small package type indicator is larger than the letters, pictures or symbols other than the second small package type indicator that are provided on the outer surface of the second small package.

10. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first packaging type display portion is larger than the letters, pictures or symbols provided on the outer surface of the first package, and the second packaging type display portion is larger than the letters, pictures or symbols provided on the outer surface of the second package.

11. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the shapes of the first item type display section, the first small package type display section, and the first packaging type display section are the same, and the shapes of the second item type display section, the second small package type display section, and the second packaging type display section are the same.

12. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first package has a first coating area where ink is applied, and the ratio of the area of ​​the first primary color to the first coating area is 70% or more, and the second package has a second coating area where ink is applied, and the ratio of the area of ​​the second primary color to the second coating area is 70% or more.

13. A group of absorbent article packages as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first absorbent article has a first crotch region that serves as a base point for folding the first absorbent article in two in the front-to-back direction and that straddles a fold line extending in the width direction of the first absorbent article, and the first crotch region is not provided with the first article type indicator and is arranged with the first primary color; and the second absorbent article has a second crotch region that serves as a base point for folding the second absorbent article in two in the front-to-back direction and that straddles a fold line extending in the width direction of the second absorbent article, and the second crotch region is not provided with the second article type indicator and is arranged with the second primary color.

Images