Absorbent article and method for manufacturing absorbent article

Abstract

In the present invention, spillage of an absorbent material is suppressed in an absorbent body obtained by folding together the absorbent material and a core wrap sheet. This absorbent article comprises: a longitudinal direction, a width direction (W), and a thickness direction (T) that cross each other; and an absorbent body (30) obtained by folding together a core wrap sheet (37) and a layered body (35) formed by layering an absorbent material that includes fibers. The core wrap sheet and the layered body, at both end sections of the absorbent body in the width direction, are folded inward in the width direction with the layered body on the inner side in the thickness direction, and the portions folded together overlap each other. In an outer section (31) of the folded portion of the absorbent body, which is located on the outer side in the thickness direction, provided is an extension region (RE) where the core wrap sheet (37) extends beyond the layered body (35) in the width direction.

Description

Absorbent article and method for manufacturing the absorbent article

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having an absorbent body in which a laminate in which absorbent materials are stacked and a core wrap sheet are folded together.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article having an absorbent body in which a laminate of absorbent material and a core wrap sheet are folded together. The absorbent body of Patent Document 1 is folded inward in the width direction at both widthwise sides, and the folded portions are stacked. The overlapping area of ​​the folded portions is located closer to the center than the widthwise side edges of the absorbent body. This increases the body fluid absorption capacity at the center of the width direction of the absorbent body. In addition, folds are formed on both widthwise sides of the absorbent body, where the core wrap sheet and the absorbent material are folded together. Folds where the core wrap sheet and the absorbent material are folded together tend to have higher fold rigidity than folds where the core wrap sheet is folded alone. This makes it easier for the absorbent body to maintain its shape when the absorbent article is subjected to a force from the side in the width direction.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-297073

[0004] However, the above-mentioned absorbent article has the following problems. Of the widthwise side portions of the core wrap sheet and the absorbent material, the outer portions that are placed on the outer surface of the absorbent body in a folded state are exposed on the outer surface of the absorbent body. When worn, the absorbent body is easily pressed in the thickness direction by body pressure, etc. In this case, there is a risk that the absorbent material will be exposed beyond the core wrap sheet in the outer portions exposed on the outer surface of the absorbent body. When the absorbent material is exposed beyond the core wrap sheet, there is a risk that fibers such as pulp and superabsorbent polymers will spill out.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has as its object to prevent spillage of the absorbent material in an absorbent body in which the absorbent material and the core wrap sheet are folded together.

[0006] The absorbent article according to one embodiment includes an absorbent body in which a laminate of absorbent material containing fibers and a core wrap sheet are folded together in the front-rear direction, width direction, and thickness direction, which are orthogonal to each other. The core wrap sheet and the laminate are folded inward in the width direction on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, with the laminate on the inside in the thickness direction, and the folded portions overlap. The folded portions of the absorbent body have an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends beyond the laminate in the width direction in the outer portions located on the outside in the thickness direction.

[0007] A method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one aspect includes an absorbent body forming step of forming a continuous absorbent body by folding together a continuous sheet body in which a core wrap sheet is continuous in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article and a laminate in which an absorbent material containing fiber is laminated. The absorbent body forming step includes a laminating step of arranging a laminate in which an absorbent material containing fiber is laminated on the continuous sheet body, and a folding step of folding both the continuous sheet body and the laminate inward in the thickness direction, about a pair of absorbing creases that are aligned along the front-rear direction and spaced apart in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The folding step arranges the folded portions of the continuous absorbent body so that they overlap each other. The absorbent body forming step forms an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends in the width direction beyond the laminate in an outer portion of the folded portion of the absorbent body that is located on the outside in the thickness direction.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent body, as seen from the skin side. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an absorbent body according to a modified example. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to an embodiment.

[0009] (1) Overview of the embodiment The following points become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. The invention according to aspect 1 is an absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a front-rear direction, a width direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, and an absorbent body in which a laminate in which an absorbent material containing fibers is stacked and a core wrap sheet are folded together. The core wrap sheet and the laminate are folded inward in the width direction on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, with the laminate on the inside in the thickness direction, and the folded portions overlap. An outer portion of the folded portion of the absorbent body that is located on the outside in the thickness direction has an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends in the width direction beyond the laminate.

[0010] According to this aspect, since both the absorbent laminate and the core wrap sheet are folded, the rigidity of the folds of the absorbent is likely to be high. Therefore, when the absorbent article is subjected to a force from the side in the width direction, the shape of the absorbent is easily maintained. Furthermore, since the folded portions of the absorbent overlap each other, the body fluid absorption capacity can be partially increased. Furthermore, the outer portion located on the outer surface side of the absorbent is provided with an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends beyond the laminate. The core wrap sheet in the outer portion covers the laminate overlapping in the thickness direction and extends outward in the width direction beyond the laminate. The laminate in the outer portion is covered by the core wrap sheet in the outer portion and is not exposed to the outer surface of the absorbent. Therefore, spillage of the absorbent material can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the extension region is provided, even when the laminate is pressed by body pressure, etc., exposure of the absorbent material is suppressed, thereby suppressing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1. The fibers of the absorbent material include only short fibers having a length of 0.5 mm or more and 60 mm or less. Compared to a laminate including long fibers, a laminate including only short fibers is more likely to have random fiber orientation and to diffuse body fluids in various directions. This prevents uneven diffusion of body fluids in different regions of the laminate, making it easier for body fluids to be drawn in and diffused in all regions. Furthermore, a laminate including only short fibers has fewer fiber entanglement points than a laminate including long fibers, reducing force transmission. Therefore, when a portion of the laminate deforms, this deformation is prevented from spreading throughout the entire laminate, making it easier for the absorbent body to maintain its shape.

[0012] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 1 or Aspect 2. The laminate of the outer portion abuts the core wrap sheet of the inner portion located on the inside of the folded portion in the thickness direction. The region where the folded portions overlap is a region where the absorbent body is thick and is easy to ensure the body fluid absorption capacity. In the region where the folded portions overlap, the laminate of the outer portion abuts the core wrap sheet of the inner portion, so that the core wrap sheet is disposed between the laminate of the outer portion and the laminate of the inner portion. Compared to a configuration in which the laminates abut each other, friction at the boundary between the inner portion and the outer portion is reduced, making the inner portion and the outer portion more likely to slide at that boundary. Therefore, when the absorbent body is pressed by body pressure or the like, the inner portion and the outer portion move relative to each other to absorb deformation and prevent the absorbent body from twisting or breaking. In addition, since the core wrap sheet divides the laminate in the thickness direction, deformation of the laminate on one side of the division is less likely to be transmitted to the laminate on the other side, making it easier for the absorbent body as a whole to maintain its shape and reducing twisting of the absorbent body.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 4 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to aspect 3. The core wrap sheet in the inner portion may extend in the width direction beyond the laminate in the inner portion. According to this aspect, the core wrap sheet extends beyond the laminate in the inner portion as well, so that the core wrap sheet is disposed between the laminates, making it easier to maintain the folded shape of the absorbent body. Therefore, even when pressed by body pressure or the like, the absorbent body is prevented from losing its shape and its shape is easily maintained.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 5 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4. The absorbent body has, among the four equal regions in the width direction, a pair of side regions located on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and a pair of center regions located between the pair of side regions and arranged on either side of a width center that is the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. The regions where the folded portions overlap are arranged across the pair of center regions. The pair of center regions are regions where excrement is easily guided. Because the folded portions are arranged across both center regions, absorption capacity can be ensured in the regions where excrement is easily guided.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to Aspect 5. Before the absorbent body is folded, both outer widthwise edges of the core wrap sheet and both outer widthwise edges of the laminate are positioned within the pair of center regions when the absorbent body is folded. According to this aspect, because both outer widthwise edges of the core wrap sheet and both outer widthwise edges of the laminate are positioned within the center region, the thickness and absorption capacity of the center region can be made greater than those of the side regions. Therefore, even if a large amount of body fluid is excreted, the body fluid can be absorbed and dispersed in the front-to-rear direction in the center region.

[0016] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 7 may have the following features in any of the inventions according to Aspects 1 to 6. A superabsorbent polymer is disposed in the laminate of the outer portion. Because an extension region is provided in the outer portion, even if the absorbent polymer in the laminate of the outer portion spills, the absorbent polymer can be covered by the core wrap sheet, preventing the superabsorbent polymer from spilling from the absorbent body. The outer portion is located on the outer surface of the absorbent body. Therefore, the superabsorbent polymer disposed in the outer portion is more likely to swell and retain body fluids more easily.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 8 may have the following feature in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 7: The length in the width direction of the extension region is longer than the average fiber length of the fibers of the laminate. According to this aspect, even if fibers spill out of the laminate, the fibers can be covered by the core wrap sheet in the extension region, preventing exposure of the fibers.

[0018] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 9 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8. The absorbent material includes a superabsorbent polymer. The length in the width direction of the extension region is longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer after immersion in saline for 60 minutes and then draining for 15 minutes. According to this aspect, even if the superabsorbent polymer spills from the laminate, the superabsorbent polymer can be covered in the extension region by the core wrap sheet, preventing exposure of the superabsorbent polymer.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 10 may have the following characteristics in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 9: The length in the width direction of the extension region is longer than the thickness of the laminate in the outer portion. According to this aspect, even if the laminate in the outer portion is crushed by body pressure or the like, the laminate can be covered by the core wrap sheet in the extension region, preventing exposure of the fibers.

[0020] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 10. The core wrap sheet in the inner part of the folded portion located on the inside in the thickness direction has a folded-back region folded back toward the outer part. According to this aspect, the core wrap sheets can be overlapped and arranged between the laminate of the inner part and the laminate of the outer part, so that the core wrap sheets can slide against each other to absorb external forces and maintain the intended folded state of the absorbent body.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 12 may have the following feature in the invention according to Aspect 11: the widthwise length of the region where the folded portions overlap is longer than the widthwise length of the folded-back region. This aspect makes it easier to achieve the effect of suppressing spillage of the absorbent material due to the overlapping region of the folded portions, while ensuring ease of deformation of the absorbent body and diffusion of bodily fluids in the front-to-rear direction due to the folded-back region.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 13 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 12, and have the following features: An adhesive-applied adhesive region is provided across the outer edge of the extension region in the width direction. The absorbent body is adhered to an outer member that overlaps the absorbent body via the adhesive region. According to this aspect, the adhesive region extends across the outer edge of the extension region, and the absorbent body and the outer member are adhered via the adhesive region, thereby preventing the outer edge of the extension region from lifting up. Therefore, the extension region continues to cover the laminate, preventing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0023] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 14 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 13: An absorbent adhesive region is provided to which an adhesive is applied to bond the laminate and the core wrap sheet. The absorbent adhesive region spans the absorbent folds provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction. According to this aspect, when the absorbent body is pressed in the thickness direction by body pressure or the like, deformation can be absorbed while maintaining the opposing surfaces of the laminate and the core wrap sheet. Therefore, the laminated state of the absorbent body can be maintained, and gaps between the core wrap sheet and the laminate can be reduced, thereby suppressing leakage of body fluids.

[0024] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 15 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, and may have the following features: The absorbent article has fastening parts arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent article for fastening the absorbent article to a worn article. The fastening parts are arranged on both sides of a width center, which is the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. At least a portion of the extension region overlaps with a region sandwiched between the fastening parts on both sides of the width center. The region sandwiched between the fastening parts on both sides of the width center is not fastened to the worn article, and is prone to deform into a convex shape toward the skin, starting from the left and right fastening parts. When this region deforms into a convex shape, the laminate is covered by the extension region, thereby preventing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0025] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 16 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, and may have the following features. Pressed regions that press the absorbent in the thickness direction are formed continuously across the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent on both sides of the width direction of the absorbent. The pressed regions are located on both sides of a width center that is the center of the absorbent in the width direction. At least a portion of the extended region overlaps the region sandwiched between the pressed regions in the width direction. The pressed region is formed by pressing the absorbent in the thickness direction and has higher rigidity than a portion where the pressed region is not formed. By providing a pressed region with relatively high rigidity on the side of the absorbent, it is possible to suppress twisting of the side of the absorbent and maintain the shape of the absorbent. Furthermore, the pressed region is formed continuously in the front-to-rear direction. At least a portion of the extended region is located between the pressed regions. Therefore, when the absorbent deforms into a convex shape using the left and right pressed regions as base points, the laminate is covered by the extended region in the region deformed into the convex shape, thereby suppressing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0026] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 17 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of Aspects 1 to 16. The absorbent article has a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorbent body and is arranged on the skin side of the absorbent article, and an embossed portion that compresses the top sheet and the absorbent body in the thickness direction. At least a portion of the embossed portion overlaps the extended region. According to this aspect, the extended region is pressed down by the embossed portion, preventing the extended region from lifting up. Therefore, the extended region continues to cover the laminate, preventing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0027] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to aspect 18 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 17: The embossed portion spans the outer edge of the extension region in the width direction. By having the embossed portion span the outer edge of the core wrap sheet in the extension region in the width direction, the outer edge of the core wrap sheet is less likely to lift up, and spillage of absorbent material from the extension region can be more effectively suppressed.

[0028] A nineteenth aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes an absorbent body forming step in which a continuous sheet body in which a core wrap sheet is continuous in the front-rear direction of the absorbent article and a laminated body in which an absorbent material containing fiber are laminated are folded together to form a continuous absorbent body. The absorbent body forming step includes a laminating step in which an absorbent material containing fiber is laminated on the continuous sheet body to form a laminate, and a folding step in which the continuous sheet body and the laminate are folded together, with the laminate being on the inside in the thickness direction, around a pair of absorbing creases that are aligned along the front-rear direction and spaced apart in the width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The folding step involves arranging the folded portions of the continuous absorbent body so that they overlap each other. The absorbent body forming step forms an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends beyond the laminate in the width direction at an outer portion of the folded portion of the continuous absorbent body that is located on the outside in the thickness direction. The absorbent article obtained by the manufacturing method of this aspect is likely to have high fold rigidity in the absorbent body because the laminate and the core wrap sheet are folded together. Therefore, when the absorbent article is subjected to a force from the side in the width direction, the shape of the absorbent body is easily maintained. Furthermore, since the folded portions of the absorbent body overlap each other, the body fluid absorption capacity can be partially increased. Furthermore, an extension region is provided in the outer portion. The laminate of the outer portion is covered by the core wrap sheet of the outer portion and is not exposed to the outer surface of the absorbent body. Therefore, spillage of the absorbent material can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the extension region is provided, even when the laminate is pressed by body pressure, etc., exposure of the absorbent material is suppressed, and spillage of the absorbent material can be suppressed.

[0029] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 20 may be the invention according to Aspect 19, which may have the following features. The folding step includes a standing step of standing both outer portions of the continuous sheet and the laminate in the width direction at standing base points, and a folding step of folding both outer portions of the continuous sheet and the laminate at folding base points located outside the standing base points in the width direction after the standing step. In the folding step, the continuous sheet and the laminate are folded together, so the thickness of the folded area is thicker than in a process of folding only the continuous sheet. By including the standing step S121 and the folding step S122, the continuous sheet and the laminate can be first stood at the standing base points and then folded at the folding base points. A thick absorbent body can be folded in stages, making it easy to fold stably into the intended shape.

[0030] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 21 may be the invention according to Aspect 19 or Aspect 20, and have the following feature: the folding step starts folding one outer side portion in the width direction of the continuous sheet body and the laminate, and then folds the other outer side portion in the width direction of the continuous sheet body and the laminate. According to this aspect, compared to a configuration in which both side portions of the continuous sheet body and the laminate are folded simultaneously, twisting during folding is suppressed, and it is easier to stably fold the absorbent body at the intended position.

[0031] According to a preferred aspect, the invention according to Aspect 22 may be the invention according to any one of Aspects 19 to 21, and may have the following feature. In the folding step, the continuous sheet web of one of the outer portions that was previously folded is folded together with the other outer portion in the width direction of the continuous sheet web and the laminate. According to this aspect, a fold-back region can be formed in the continuous sheet web of one of the outer portions by folding the continuous sheet web of one of the outer portions together with the other outer portion. Therefore, the fold-back region can be formed by the step of folding both side portions of the continuous sheet web and the laminate, without separately performing a step of forming a fold-back region.

[0032] (2) Absorbent Article According to the Embodiment Hereinafter, an absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description of the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual product. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. Furthermore, in the cross-sectional views, for the sake of convenience, the components are shown spaced apart, but in the actual product, the components are in contact with each other.

[0033] The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an incontinence pad, a fecal pad, a disposable diaper, or a shorts-type napkin. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is used by being attached to a worn article such as underwear, or an absorbent article that is used without being attached to a worn article. The absorbent article 1 of the embodiment is a sanitary napkin. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin side T1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment as viewed from the non-skin side T2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body. Here, the "skin side" corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side that faces away from the wearer's skin during use. The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-back direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T that are perpendicular to each other. In the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent article 1, the side that contacts the user's lower abdomen is referred to as the "front side," and the side that contacts the user's buttocks is referred to as the "rear side." The thickness direction T extends between the skin side T1 and the non-skin side T2.

[0035] In the present invention, the outer portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. The outer edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction is an edge connecting points located on the outer side in the width direction of the component, over the entire component. In the present invention, the inner portion refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge refers to the inner edge in the width direction W. The inner edge of a component occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction is an edge connecting points located on the inner side in the width direction of the component, over the entire component. In the present invention, the front end and rear end refer to portions occupying a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L, including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end refers to the front end and rear end, and the outer edge refers to the front edge and rear edge. In addition, the inner side refers to a side that includes the inner side edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. The outer side is a side that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-to-rear direction L. In this specification, the term "along the front-to-rear direction L" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-to-rear direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction that has an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.

[0036] The absorbent article 1 has front side regions S1, rear side regions S2, and a crotch region S3. The crotch region S3 is a region that is positioned under the crotch of the worn article and between the wearer's legs when the absorbent article 1 is worn on the worn article. The front side regions S1 are located forward of the crotch region S3. The front edge of the front side region S1 defines the front edge of the absorbent article 1. The rear side region S2 is located rearward of the crotch region S3. The rear edge of the rear side region S2 defines the rear edge of the absorbent article 1. The crotch region S3 may be the region where the wings 5 ​​are provided in an absorbent article having wings 5, or may be the region where the constricted portion is provided in an absorbent body having a constricted portion that is constricted inward in the width direction. Alternatively, the crotch region S3 may be the central region among three equal regions obtained by dividing the absorbent article in the front-to-rear direction L.

[0037] The absorbent article 1 has at least an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 10, and a back sheet 20. The absorbent article 1 may have a vertically elongated shape. The top sheet 10 is a sheet that covers the skin side T1 of the absorbent body 30 and is arranged on the surface of the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1. The top sheet 10 contacts the wearer's skin. The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet. The top sheet 10 may be configured to cover the entire skin side of the absorbent article 1 with a single sheet, as in this embodiment, or may have a center sheet that covers the center of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W, and side sheets that are arranged outside the center sheet in the width direction W. The absorbent article 1 may have a second sheet 25 arranged between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30.

[0038] The absorbent article 1 may have an embossed portion 40 formed by compressing at least the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T. The embossed portion 40 may be formed by compressing at least the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30, and may also be formed by compressing other components (e.g., the second sheet 25). The embossed portion 40 may be arranged linearly or intermittently. The embossed portion 40 of the present embodiment includes a linearly arranged line embossed portion and intermittently arranged dot-like embossed portions. The line embossed portion may include a first annular line embossed portion 411 arranged across the front region S1, the crotch region S3, and the rear region S2, a second line embossed portion 412 arranged inside the first line embossed portion 411 and extending in the width direction W, and a curved third line embossed portion 413 arranged behind the first line embossed portion 411 and protruding toward the rear. The dotted embossed portion is circular (including elliptical) in plan view, and may have a first dotted embossed portion 421 arranged inside the first line embossed portion 411, and a second dotted embossed portion 422 arranged outside the first line embossed portion 411 in the width direction W.

[0039] The back sheet 20 is a liquid-impermeable sheet that is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent body 30. The back sheet 20 is a liquid-impermeable sheet. The back sheet 20 can be made of a polyethylene sheet, a laminated nonwoven fabric mainly made of polypropylene or the like, a breathable resin film, or a sheet in which a breathable resin film is bonded to a nonwoven fabric such as spunbond or spunlace.

[0040] The absorbent article 1 may have a fastening portion disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to a worn article. The fastening portion is disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the backsheet 20. The fastening portion is a region provided with an adhesive for adhering to the worn article or a region provided with a mechanical hook for engaging with the worn article. The fastening portion is covered with a release sheet or an individual packaging sheet (not shown) before use. The fastening portion may have a central fastening portion 61 disposed in a region overlapping with the absorbent body 30 and wing fastening portions 62 disposed on the wings 5. The wings 5 ​​extend outward in the width direction W beyond the absorbent body 30 and are disposed on the non-skin side T2 of the worn article during use. The central fastening portion 61 constitutes the "fastening portion" of the present invention. The central fastening portions 61 may extend along the front-to-rear direction L and be disposed at intervals in the width direction W. The central fastening parts 61 may be arranged on both sides of a width center CW, which is the center of the width direction W of the absorbent body 30. The width center CW is an imaginary line that passes through the center of the width direction W of the absorbent body 30 and extends in the front-to-rear direction L. The width center CW may coincide with an imaginary line that passes through the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 and extends in the front-to-rear direction L.

[0041] The absorbent body 30 has at least a laminate 35 in which absorbent materials including fibers 351 are laminated, and a core wrap sheet 37. The absorbent body 30 of this embodiment is formed by folding the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 together. The laminate 35 is formed by laminating absorbent materials. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers 351, pulp, and superabsorbent polymer (SAP) 352. The absorbent material needs to have at least the fibers 351, and may also include SAP 352. The core wrap sheet 37 is a sheet disposed on top of the laminate 35. The configuration of the absorbent body 30 will be described in detail below.

[0042] Examples of the core wrap sheet 37 include tissue and nonwoven fabric. By using the core wrap sheet 37, the fibers 351 are arranged irregularly in the planar direction, which reduces the planar transmission of force applied to the absorbent body 30. This makes the deformation of the absorbent body localized, thereby reducing deformation of the entire absorbent body. Furthermore, because the fibers 351 are arranged irregularly in the planar direction, body fluids can be drawn into the non-skin side T2 without being excessively diffused in the planar direction.

[0043] The absorbent body 30 may have pressed regions RP formed by pressing the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T, which are continuously formed across the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent body 30. In FIG. 4, the pressed regions RP are indicated by diagonal lines. The pressed regions RP are omitted in FIG. 3 and are shown in FIG. 5. Unlike the embossed portions 40, the pressed regions RP compress only the absorbent body 30. The pressed regions RP may be provided intermittently by linear or dot-like pressed portions, or may be provided in a planar manner by pressed portions of a certain range. The pressed regions RP of this embodiment are provided in a planar manner on both side portions of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W. The pressed regions RP are arranged on both sides of the width center CW, spaced apart from the width center CW.

[0044] The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is configured to prevent leakage of the absorbent material from the absorbent body 30, in which the absorbent material and the core wrap sheet 37 are folded together. Next, the configuration for preventing leakage of the absorbent material from the absorbent body 30 will be described in detail. The core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35 that constitute the absorbent body 30 are folded inward in the width direction W on both sides of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W, with the laminate 35 positioned more inward in the thickness direction T than the core wrap sheet 37, and the folded portions overlap each other. Therefore, an absorption fold FL30 is formed at the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, where the core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35 are folded together. The absorption fold FL30 has a first absorption fold FL31 located on one side in the width direction W and a second absorption fold FL32 located on the other side in the width direction W. The absorption crease FL30 is a crease formed by folding both the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37, and therefore tends to have higher rigidity than a crease formed by folding only the core wrap sheet 37. Therefore, the absorbent body 30 of this embodiment tends to maintain its shape when the absorbent article 1 is subjected to a force from the side in the width direction W.

[0045] The folded portions of the absorbent body 30 overlap each other. That is, the portion folded by the first absorbent crease FL31 and the portion folded by the second absorbent crease FL32 overlap in the thickness direction T. The folded and overlapping portions of the absorbent body 30 include an outer portion 31 located on the outer side of the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T, and an inner portion 32 located on the inner side of the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T. In this embodiment, the outer portion 31 is provided in the portion folded by the first absorbent crease FL31, and the inner portion 32 is provided in the portion folded by the second absorbent crease FL32. The stacked region RL where the folded portions overlap is, in other words, the region where the outer portion 31 and the inner portion 32 overlap. The thickness of the absorbent body 30 is thicker in the stacked region RL than in the region where the folded portions do not overlap. This allows the body fluid absorption capacity to be partially increased in the stacked region RL.

[0046] The laminated region RL may be formed by overlapping at least one of the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37. The outer portion 31 may be formed by at least the core wrap sheet 37, and the laminate 35 may also be disposed therein. The inner portion 32 may be formed by at least the core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35. In the stacked region RL of this embodiment, the following regions are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction W: a region where the core wrap sheet 37 folded along the first absorption fold line FL31, the core wrap sheet 37 folded along the second absorption fold line FL32, and the laminate 35 are stacked; a region where the core wrap sheet 37 folded along the first absorption fold line FL31, the laminate 35 folded along the second absorption fold line FL32, and the laminate 35 are stacked; and a region where the core wrap sheet 37 folded along the first absorption fold line FL31, the laminate 35, and the core wrap sheet 37 folded along the second absorption fold line FL32 are stacked. Therefore, even within the stacked region RL, the thickness at the center in the width direction W is thicker than at the sides.

[0047] The length of the stacked region RL in the width direction W may be shorter than the entire width of the absorber 30 in the width direction W, and may preferably be 60% or less of the width direction W of the absorber 30, and more preferably be 50% or less of the entire area in the width direction W of the absorber 30. With this configuration, the thickness and absorption capacity of a portion of the absorber 30 in the width direction W can be increased, and the absorption capacity of bodily fluids can be ensured without increasing the thickness over the entire area of ​​the absorber 30. Furthermore, the length of the stacked region RL in the width direction W may be 30 mm or less, and preferably 20 mm or less. The stacked region RL may be formed continuously over the entire area in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorber 30.

[0048] The outer portion 31 has an extension region RE in which the core wrap sheet 37 extends beyond the laminate 35 in the width direction W. The extension region RE is a region in which the core wrap sheet 37 extends beyond the laminate 35 in a direction away from the absorption fold FL30. The core wrap sheet 37 of the outer portion 31 covers the outer side of the laminate 35 in the thickness direction T, overlapping it in the thickness direction T, and extends beyond the laminate 35 to the outer side in the width direction W. The laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 is covered by the core wrap sheet 37 of the outer portion 31 and is not exposed on the outer surface of the absorbent body 30. This prevents the absorbent material from spilling from the outer portion 31. Furthermore, the extension region RE prevents the absorbent material from being exposed and thus prevents spillage, even when the laminate is pressed by body pressure or the like. The extension region RE may be formed continuously across the entire front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent body 30.

[0049] The fibers 351 of the absorbent material may contain only short fibers having a length of 0.5 mm or more and 60 mm or less. In other words, the fibers 351 of the absorbent material may not contain long fibers longer than 60 mm. A laminate containing only short fibers is more likely to have random fiber orientation and to diffuse body fluids in various directions than a laminate containing long fibers. This reduces the unevenness of the diffusibility of body fluids in the laminate 35 and maintains the diffusibility of body fluids throughout the laminate 35. Furthermore, a laminate 35 containing only short fibers has fewer fiber entanglements than a laminate containing long fibers, reducing the transmission of force. Therefore, when a portion of the laminate 35 deforms, this deformation is prevented from spreading throughout the entire laminate 35, and the shape of the absorber 30 is more easily maintained. Note that a configuration in which the fibers of the absorbent material contain only short fibers may also contain absorbent materials other than fibers, such as short fibers and SAP.

[0050] The fiber length in the present invention can be measured by the following method. The product is disassembled, and the target fibers are collected. At this time, samples are prepared by collecting portions that have not been affected by embossing, adhesives, cutters, etc. When the fibers are pulp, the average fiber length of the pulp fibers refers to the length-weighted average fiber length (l) measured by the centerline fiber length (Cant). The length-weighted average fiber length is measured as the L(l) value using a Kajaani FiberLab fiber properties (off-line) manufactured by Metso Automation. This method is also recommended in JIS P 226-2 (Pulp - Fiber length measurement method by engineering automatic analysis method, conforming to the non-polarized light method). The average fiber length of fibers other than pulp fibers is measured in accordance with "A7.1.1 Method A (standard method) - measuring the length of individual fibers on a graduated glass plate" in "A7.1 Measurement of fiber length" of Appendix A of JIS L 1015:2010.

[0051] The configuration of the absorbent body 30 is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment, and modified examples are also possible. Figure 6 shows an absorbent body 30 according to a modified example, and more specifically, a modified stacking configuration of the outer portion 31 and the inner portion 32. The stacking region RL in this embodiment is a region where at least one of the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 in the outer portion 31 and at least one of the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 in the inner portion 32 overlap. Therefore, the region with the largest number of layers in the stacking region RL is the region where both the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 in the outer portion 31 and both the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 in the inner portion 32 overlap (see, for example, Figure 5 according to the embodiment and Figures 6(A), (B), and (J) according to the modified example).

[0052] Preferably, in the laminated region RL, the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 and the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 may overlap (see, for example, FIG. 5 according to the embodiment and FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6J according to the modified example). By overlapping the laminates 35, the thickness of the laminated region RL can be increased and the absorption capacity of the laminated region RL can also be increased.

[0053] The laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 may abut against the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32. The laminate region RL is a region where the absorbent 30 is thick and where it is easy to ensure the body fluid absorption capacity. In the laminate region RL, the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 abuts against the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32, so the core wrap sheet 37 is disposed between the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 and the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32. Compared to a configuration in which the laminates 35 abut against each other, friction at the boundary between the inner portion 32 and the outer portion 31 is reduced, making it easier for the inner portion 32 and the outer portion 31 to slide at that boundary. Therefore, when the absorbent 30 is pressed by body pressure or the like, the inner portion 32 and the outer portion 31 move relative to each other to absorb deformation and prevent the absorbent 30 from twisting or breaking. In addition, since the core wrap sheet 37 divides the laminate 35 in the thickness direction, deformation of the laminate 35 on one side of the division is less likely to be transmitted to the laminate 35 on the other side, making it easier for the absorbent body 30 as a whole to maintain the shape of the laminate 35, and reducing twisting of the absorbent body 30.

[0054] The laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 abuts against the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 as shown in Figure 5 for the embodiment and Figures 6(A), (B), (D), and (J) for the modified example, and it is sufficient that at least a portion of the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 abuts against the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32. However, preferably, the entire area of ​​the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 abuts against the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32, as shown in Figure 5 for the embodiment and Figures 6(A), (D), and (J) for the modified example.

[0055] 6(D) to (I) of the modified example, in the laminated region RL, the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 and the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 do not have to overlap. In a configuration in which the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 and the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 do not overlap, at least one of the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 and the core wrap sheet 37 overlaps with the core wrap sheet 37 of the outer portion.

[0056] Preferably, the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 may extend in the width direction W beyond the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 (see, for example, Figure 5 for the embodiment and Figures 6 (D) to (F) for the modified example). According to this aspect, the core wrap sheet 37 of the laminate 35 in the inner portion 32 maintains the boundary between the inner portion 32 and the outer portion 31, making it easy to maintain the folded shape of the absorbent body 30. Therefore, even when pressed by body pressure or the like, the absorbent body 30 is prevented from losing its shape and its shape is easily maintained. Furthermore, the length in the width direction W by which the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 extends beyond the laminate 35 may be longer than the thickness of the laminate 35 in the inner portion 32. According to this aspect, even if the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 is crushed by body pressure or the like, the extended core wrap sheet 37 covers the laminate 35, preventing the exposure of the fibers 351.

[0057] The thickness in the present invention can be measured by a known method. For example, the thickness was evaluated by freezing a measurement sample with liquid nitrogen, cutting the sample across the target portion, and then measuring the thickness by taking an image of the cross section of the target portion of the measurement sample using a digital microscope VHX-100 (lens VH-Z20R + variable lighting attachment VH-K20) manufactured by Keyence Corporation, with a measurement area of ​​20 mm length × 20 mm width.

[0058] As shown in modified examples in Figures 6(A), (G), and (J), the outer edge of the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 may coincide with the outer edge of the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32. Alternatively, as shown in modified examples in Figures 6(B), (C), (H), and (I), the outer edge of the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 may not extend beyond the outer edge of the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 and may not cover at least a portion of the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32. Note that when the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 does not extend beyond the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32, it is preferable that the outer portion 31 covers the laminate 35 that extends beyond the core wrap sheet 37 in the inner portion 32, as shown in modified examples in Figures 6(B), (C), and (H). Covering the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 with the outer portion 31 can prevent the absorbent material of the inner portion 32 from spilling out.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6(J) of a modified example, the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 may have a folded-back region RF folded back toward the outer portion 31. The folded-back region RF is a region where the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 is folded outward in the thickness direction T (the opposite side from the laminate 35). The folded-back region RF may be located within the region covered by the outer portion 31 (more inward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the extension region RE), or may extend outward in the width direction W than the outer portion 31 (more outward in the width direction W than the outer edge of the extension region RE). By providing the folded-back region RF, the core wrap sheets 37 can be arranged overlapping each other between the laminate 35 of the inner portion 32 and the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31. The core wrap sheets 37 slide against each other to absorb external forces and maintain the intended folded state of the absorbent body 30.

[0060] The folded-back region RF may be formed continuously across the entire area of ​​the core wrap sheet 37 in the front-to-back direction L. In a configuration in which the core wrap sheet 37 is made of tissue, the core wrap sheet 37 has higher planar diffusibility than the laminate 35. Therefore, by providing the folded-back region RF continuously in the front-to-back direction L, the area where the core wrap sheets 37 overlap extends in the front-to-back direction L, and this area diffuses body fluids in the front-to-back direction L, allowing the body fluids to be retained over a wide area of ​​the absorbent body 30.

[0061] The folded region RF may be located in the stacked region RL. Even if the folded region RF causes bodily fluids to diffuse widely, the region can be covered by the outer portion 31, thereby promoting the diffusion and retention of bodily fluids within the absorbent body 30. The length in the width direction W of the stacked region RL may be longer than the length in the width direction W of the folded region RF. According to this embodiment, the folded region RF ensures the ease of deformation of the absorbent body 30 and the diffusibility of bodily fluids in the front-to-rear direction L, while more easily achieving the effect of suppressing spillage of the absorbent material by the stacked region RL. The folded region RF in this embodiment is located within the stacked region RL, and its length in the width direction W is 5 mm. Furthermore, the length in the width direction W of the stacked region RL in this embodiment is 20 mm.

[0062] The absorbent article 1 has a pair of side regions RS located on both sides of the absorbent 30 in the width direction W, among the regions obtained by dividing the absorbent 30 into four equal parts in the width direction W, and a pair of center regions RC located between the pair of side regions RS and arranged on either side of the width center CW. The stacked region RL may be arranged across the pair of center regions RC. The pair of center regions RC are likely to be arranged opposite the excretion opening, and are regions through which excrement is likely to be guided. Because the stacked region RL is arranged in the region through which excrement is likely to be guided, absorption capacity can be ensured in the region through which excrement is likely to be guided.

[0063] The stacked region RL only needs to be located in the center region RC, and may also be located beyond the center region RC in the side region RS. The stacked region RL may be located away from the outer edge (absorbent crease FL30) of the side region RS. The outer edge (absorbent crease FL30) of the side region RS is likely to come into contact with the legs when worn. Reducing the thickness of the portion that comes into contact with the legs can reduce discomfort when worn. The stacked region RL may also be located across the width center CW. The length of the stacked region RL in the width direction W is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 5 mm or more, preferably 10 mm or more. The length of the stacked region RL in the width direction W may be less than half the length of the absorbent core in the width direction W, preferably 30 mm or less.

[0064] Before the absorbent body 30 is folded, both outer edges 37E in the width direction W of the core wrap sheet 37 and both outer edges 35E of the laminate 35 may be positioned within a pair of center regions RC when the absorbent body 30 is folded. Because both outer edges 37E in the width direction W of the core wrap sheet 37 and both outer edges 35E of the laminate 35 are located within the center region RC, the thickness and absorption capacity of the center region RC can be made greater than those of the side regions RS. Therefore, even if a large amount of body fluid is excreted, the body fluid can be drawn in and dispersed in the front-to-rear direction L in the center region RC.

[0065] The laminate 35 may have not only the fibers 351 but also the SAP 352. Preferably, the SAP 352 may be disposed in the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31. Because the extended region RE is provided in the outer portion 31, even if the SAP 352 of the laminate 35 of the outer portion 31 spills out, the SAP 352 is covered by the core wrap sheet 37, and the SAP 352 can be prevented from spilling out of the absorbent body 30. The outer portion 31 is located on the outer surface of the absorbent body 30. Therefore, the SAP 352 disposed in the outer portion 31 is more likely to swell and more likely to retain body fluids.

[0066] In the absorbent body 30 of this embodiment, the core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35 are folded toward the non-skin side T2 from the absorption fold FL30. Therefore, the laminate region RL is provided in the non-skin side T2 region of the absorbent body 30. With this configuration, even if the skin side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1 rubs against the skin, the shape of the laminate region RL is easily maintained. However, in a modified example, the absorbent body 30 may be folded such that the core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35 are folded toward the skin side T1 from the absorption fold FL30. In other words, the laminate region RL may be provided in the skin side T1 region of the absorbent body 30. This increases the absorption capacity of the skin side T1 region of the absorbent body 30 and improves the absorption of body fluids. In addition, by providing a laminated region RL in the skin side T1 region of the absorbent body 30 and arranging SAP352 in the outer portion 31, the body fluid retention ability in the region of the absorbent body 30 close to the skin can be increased, and rewetting of body fluids that have once been absorbed can be suppressed.

[0067] The length in the width direction W of the extension region RE may be longer than the average fiber length of the fibers 351 of the laminate 35. According to this configuration, even if the fibers 351 fall out of the laminate 35, the fibers 351 can be covered by the core wrap sheet 37 in the extension region RE, preventing exposure of the fibers 351. The length in the width direction W of the extension region RE may preferably be 1 mm or more, and the maximum length in the width direction W of the extension region RE may be 5 mm.

[0068] The length of the extension region RE in the width direction W may be longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles after immersion in saline for 60 minutes and then draining for 15 minutes. According to this embodiment, even if the superabsorbent polymer spills from the laminate 35, the superabsorbent polymer can be covered by the core wrap sheet 37 in the extension region RE, preventing the superabsorbent polymer from being exposed.

[0069] The average diameter of SAP particles immersed in saline for 60 minutes and then drained for 15 minutes was measured according to the following procedure, referring to "JIS K 7223-1996: Test Method for Water Absorption of Superabsorbent Polymers." First, SAP was prepared by disassembling a single package of SAP and extracting the SAP under conditions of 20°C temperature, 60% relative humidity, and 1 atm (101.325 kPa) pressure (e.g., in a laboratory maintained under these conditions). If there was insufficient SAP in a single package, products from the same production date or production lot were collected and used. The SAP was stored in a designated container and shaken upside down at least 10 times to uniformly mix the SAP particles. Using a medicine spoon or similar tool, accurately measure out 1.00 g of the mixed SAP and place it in a separately prepared nylon net bag. The nylon net bag can be made by overlapping two 200 mm x 200 mm square nylon nets, heat sealing three sides of the square at a position 5 mm from the edge of the nylon nets, and molding the bag into one with only one side open. For example, 250 mesh nylon net (N-No. 250HD) manufactured by NBC Industries can be used as the nylon net.

[0070] After placing the SAP in the nylon net bag, the opening of the nylon net bag is heat-sealed to seal the SAP so that it does not spill out of the nylon net bag. Then, 100 ml of saline is poured into a beaker, and the nylon bag (SAP) is immersed in the saline so that one edge of the nylon bag containing the SAP touches the bottom of the beaker. One edge of the top of the nylon bag is then fixed to the edge of the beaker with a clothespin or similar to minimize contact between the SAP and the nylon mesh. The bag is left in this state for 60 minutes.

[0071] The saline solution used was prepared by placing a 3-liter beaker on an electronic balance, resetting it to zero, and then adding 27.0 g of sodium chloride (reagent grade) to 3000.0 g of ion-exchanged water and stirring with a stirring rod until the sodium chloride was visibly dissolved. After leaving it for 60 minutes, the nylon bag containing the SAP was removed from the beaker, and the upper center of the nylon bag (e.g., 5 mm from the top edge and 50 mm from both ends) was clamped with clothespins and suspended in the air for 15 minutes to drain. After 15 minutes, 20 SAP pieces were removed and their diameters were measured. The average of the measured diameters was defined as "the length in the width direction W of the extended region RE is the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer after immersion in saline for 60 minutes and draining for 15 minutes."

[0072] The length of the extension region RE in the width direction W may be longer than the thickness of the laminate 35 in the outer portion 31. According to this aspect, even if the laminate 35 in the outer portion 31 is crushed by body pressure or the like, the core wrap sheet 37 in the extension region RE covers the laminate 35, thereby preventing the fibers 351 from being exposed.

[0073] As shown in Figure 3, an adhesive-applied adhesive region AR may be provided across the outer edge of the extension region RE in the width direction W. The absorbent body 30 may be adhered to an outer member that overlaps the absorbent body 30 via the adhesive region. The outer member is a member that abuts the absorbent body 30 and is adhered via the adhesive region, and in this embodiment, it is the backsheet 20. According to this aspect, the adhesive region AR straddles the outer edge of the extension region RE, and the absorbent body 30 and the outer member are adhered via the adhesive region AR, thereby preventing the outer edge of the extension region RE from lifting up. Therefore, the extension region RE continues to cover the laminate 35, preventing leakage of the absorbent material.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5 , an absorbent adhesive region 30AR may be provided, with adhesive applied to bond the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37. The absorbent adhesive region 30AR may straddle the absorbent folds 30FL provided on both sides of the absorbent 30 in the width direction W. The absorbent adhesive region 30AR is provided between the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37. With this configuration, in the region extending inward in the width direction W from the absorbent folds 30FL, two layers of the absorbent adhesive region 30AR are overlapped. When the absorbent is pressed in the thickness direction T by body pressure or the like, the inner and outer portions move relative to each other to absorb deformation, and deformation can be absorbed while maintaining the opposing surfaces of the laminate and the core wrap sheet. This maintains the laminated state of the absorbent, while reducing gaps between the core wrap sheet 37 and the laminate 35, thereby suppressing leakage of bodily fluids.

[0075] 3, at least a portion of the extension region RE may overlap with a region RG sandwiched between the central fastening parts 61 on both sides of the width center CW. The region RG sandwiched between the central fastening parts 61 on both sides of the width center CW is not fastened to the worn article and is prone to deform into a convex shape toward the skin side T1 from the left and right central fastening parts 61. When this region deforms into a convex shape, the laminate 35 is covered by the extension region RE, which can prevent the absorbent material from spilling out.

[0076] At least a portion of the core wrap sheet 37 of the inner portion 32 may be arranged overlapping the region RG sandwiched between the central fastening portions 61. The presence of the core wrap sheet 37 makes it easier for the inner portion 32 and the outer portion 31 to slide at their boundary, making it easier for the absorbent body 30 to deform. Furthermore, at least a portion of the folded-back region RF according to the modified example may be arranged overlapping the region RG sandwiched between the central fastening portions 61. The folds of the core wrap sheet 37 in the folded-back region RF can support the convex deformation of the absorbent body 30.

[0077] As described above, the absorbent body 30 may be provided with a pressed region RP. At least a portion of the extension region RE may overlap the region RPG sandwiched between the pressed regions RP in the width direction W. The pressed region RP is formed by pressing the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T, and has higher rigidity than portions where the pressed region RP is not formed. By providing the relatively rigid pressed region RP on the side of the absorbent body 30, it is possible to suppress twisting of the side of the absorbent body 30 and maintain the shape of the absorbent body 30. Furthermore, the pressed region RP is formed continuously in the front-to-rear direction. At least a portion of the extension region RE is disposed between the pressed regions RP. Therefore, when the absorbent body 30 is deformed into a convex shape using the left and right pressed regions RP as base points, the laminate 35 is covered by the extended region RE in the region deformed into the convex shape, thereby suppressing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0078] The rigidity of the pressed region RP may be higher than the rigidity of the region RPG sandwiched between the pressed regions RP. Because the rigidity of the pressed region RP is relatively high, deformation of the absorbent body when subjected to a force from the side of the absorbent body is suppressed, and the shape of the absorbent body can be maintained. Furthermore, the stacked region RL may be disposed within the region RPG sandwiched between the pressed regions RP. That is, the pressed region RP and the stacked region RL may be spaced apart in the width direction W. With this configuration, the thickness of the absorbent body in the stacked region RL can be maintained, and the body fluid absorption ability of the stacked region RL can be maintained. In this configuration, the rigidity of the pressed region RP may be higher than the rigidity of the stacked region RL. The body fluid absorption ability of the stacked region RL can be maintained while suppressing deformation of the absorbent body due to an external force from the side of the absorbent body.

[0079] The rigidity of the absorbent body in the present invention can be measured in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standards JIS L1913:2010 General Nonwoven Fabric Test Method 6.7.4 Gurley Method. To collect a sample, unnecessary layers other than the absorbent body are peeled off. This may be done by heating with a hair dryer or cooling in a refrigerator to facilitate peeling, but care must be taken to avoid affecting the rigidity. Next, a predetermined portion of the absorbent body is cut into a 12.5 mm x 38 mm shape using scissors or a punching blade to obtain a sample. However, the size may be changed to any size to avoid areas affected by embossing or other factors that affect the rigidity. Measurements are then performed using this sample using the Gurley method.

[0080] As described above, the absorbent article 1 may be provided with embossed portions (dot embossed portions and line embossed portions) 40. At least a portion of the embossed portions 40 may overlap the extension region RE. According to this aspect, the extension region RE is pressed down by the embossed portions 40, and the extension region RE can be prevented from lifting up. Therefore, the extension region RE continues to cover the laminate 35, and spillage of the absorbent material can be prevented.

[0081] Among the embossed portions 40, the line embossed portions that are arranged on either side of the width center CW and extend along the front-to-rear direction L may be arranged further outward in the width direction W than the outer edges of the laminated region RL. The line embossed portions that are arranged on either side of the width center CW and extend along the front-to-rear direction L are portions of the first line embossed portions 411 in this embodiment that extend in the front-to-rear direction L. When the absorbent article 1 is subjected to a force that acts inward in the width direction W while being worn, the region sandwiched between the first line embossed portions is likely to deform into a convex shape toward the skin side T1, with the first line embossed portion 411 extending along the front-to-rear direction L as a base point. Because the laminated region RL is arranged in the region that deforms into a convex shape toward the skin side T1 with the first line embossed portion 411 as a base point, the relatively thick laminated region RL can be more easily placed against the body, improving fit to the body and absorption of bodily fluids.

[0082] The embossed portion 40 may straddle the outer edge of the extension region RE in the width direction W. The embossed portion arranged straddling the outer edge of the extension region RE in the width direction W is the portion of the first line embossed portion 411 of this embodiment that extends in the width direction W, the second line embossed portion 412, and the third line embossed portion 413. According to this aspect, since the embossed portion 40 straddles the outer edge of the core wrap sheet 37 in the extension region RE in the width direction W, the outer edge of the core wrap sheet 37 is less likely to lift up, and leakage of the absorbent material from the extension region RE can be more effectively suppressed.

[0083] (3) Manufacturing method of absorbent article according to embodiment Next, one embodiment of a manufacturing method of absorbent article for manufacturing the above-mentioned absorbent article will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out the steps of the manufacturing method of absorbent article, and Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent continuum in the step shown in Fig. 7. The manufacturing method of absorbent article according to the embodiment has an absorbent body forming step S100 for forming the absorbent body 30. For the steps other than the absorbent body forming step S100, steps of well-known manufacturing methods of absorbent articles may be used.

[0084] In the absorbent body forming process S100, a continuous sheet 37C in which the core wrap sheet 37 is continuous in the front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 and a laminate 35 in which an absorbent material containing fibers 351 is laminated are folded together to form a continuous absorbent body 30C. MD shown in FIG. 7 indicates the machine direction, and the continuous absorbent body 30C is manufactured sequentially along the machine direction MD. The front-to-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 is along the machine direction MD, and the continuous sheet 37C is continuous in the machine direction MD. The absorbent body forming process S100 includes at least a stacking process S110 and a folding process S120.

[0085] In the lamination step S110, an absorbent material containing fibers 351 is laminated on the continuous sheet 37C to form the laminate 35. Fig. 8(A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the continuous absorbent body 30C taken along the cross direction CD (a direction perpendicular to the machine direction MD) based on line CC in Fig. 7, showing the continuous absorbent body 30C in the lamination step S110. In the lamination step S110, the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35 are not folded but are laminated in the thickness direction T.

[0086] In the folding step S120, both the continuous sheet body 37C and the laminate 35 are folded around a pair of absorbing creases FL30 that extend along the front-rear direction L and are spaced apart in the width direction W. FIG. 8(B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent continuum 30C along the cross direction CD, based on line D-D in FIG. 7, showing the absorbent continuum 30C in the folding step S120. FIG. 8(C) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent continuum 30C along the cross direction CD, based on line E-E in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8(D) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent continuum 30C along the cross direction CD, based on line F-F in FIG. 7, both of which show the absorbent continuum 30C in the folding step S120. In the folding step S120, the portions folded around the pair of absorbing creases FL30 are arranged so that they overlap each other. In the absorbent body 30 manufactured in this manner, since both the laminate 35 and the core wrap sheet 37 are folded, the rigidity of the absorption fold FL30 tends to be high. Therefore, when the absorbent article is subjected to a force from the side in the width direction, the shape of the absorbent body tends to be maintained. Furthermore, since the folded portions of the absorbent body overlap each other, the body fluid absorption capacity can be partially increased.

[0087] In the absorbent body forming process S100, an extension region RE is formed in the outer portion 31 of the folded portion of the absorbent body 30, located on the outer side in the thickness direction T, where the continuous sheet 37C extends in the width direction W beyond the laminate 35. Specifically, in the laminating process S110, the laminate 35 is positioned inward in the cross direction from the outer edge of the continuous sheet 37C, which forms the outer portion. The distance between the laminate 35 and the outer edge of the continuous sheet 37C is adjusted taking into account the thickness of the laminate 35 and the misalignment of the laminate 35 caused by the folding process. The core wrap sheet in the outer portion covers the laminate, making it less likely to be exposed on the outer surface of the absorbent body. This prevents spillage of the absorbent material. Furthermore, the provision of the extension region RE prevents exposure of the absorbent material, even when the laminate 35 is pressed by body pressure or the like, thereby preventing spillage of the absorbent material.

[0088] The folding step S120 may include a standing step S121 in which both outer portions in the width direction W of the continuous sheet body 37C and the laminate 35 are stood up at a standing base point P1, and a folding step S122 in which, after the standing step S121, the continuous sheet body 37C and the laminate 35 are folded at a folding base point P2 located outside the standing base point P1 in the width direction W. Fig. 8(B) shows the continuous absorbent body 30C in the standing step S121, and Figs. 8(C) and (D) show the continuous absorbent body 30C in the folding step S122.

[0089] The standing step S121 may be performed, for example, by a sailor roll 120. The rotation axis of the sailor roll 120 is perpendicular to the machine direction MD and aligned along the cross direction CD. The edge of the sailor roll 120 in the cross direction CD is positioned more inward in the cross direction CD than the outer edges of the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35. That is, the length of the sailor roll 120 in the cross direction CD is shorter than the widthwise lengths of the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35. The sailor roll 120 feeds the laminate 35 and the continuous sheet 37C along the machine direction MD while pressing the outer edges of the laminate 35 and the continuous sheet 37C from the laminate 35 side (the upper side in FIG. 7 ). As a result, the edge of the sailor roll 120 in the cross direction CD serves as a standing base point P1, causing both widthwise outer edges of the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35 to stand up.

[0090] The folding step S122 may be performed by, for example, a circle 140. The circle 140 may have a pair of guides 141 and 142 spaced apart in the cross direction CD. The circle 140 folds both outer edges in the width direction of the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35, which are erected from an erection base point P1, at folding base points P2 using the guides 141 and 142. The folding base point P2 in the folding step S122 may form an absorbing fold FL30.

[0091] In the folding step S120 of this embodiment, both the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35 are folded, so the thickness of the folded area is thicker than in a step in which only the continuous sheet 37C is folded. By including the standing step S121 and the folding step S122, the absorbent body 30 can be first stood at the standing base point P1 and then folded at the folding base point P2. The relatively thick absorbent body 30 can be folded in stages, making it easy to stably fold it into the intended shape. Furthermore, because the folding base point P2 is located outside the standing base point P1 in the width direction W, it is easy to stably fold the laminate 35 at the intended position of the absorption crease FL30, even if the laminate 35 is thick.

[0092] In the folding step S120, folding of one outer portion in the width direction W of the continuous sheet web 37C and the laminate 35 may be started, and then the other outer portion in the width direction W of the continuous sheet web 37C and the laminate 35 may be folded. For example, by first bringing one outer portion in the width direction W of the continuous sheet web 37C and the laminate 35 into contact with the guide 141 of the sail plate 140, and then bringing the other outer portion in the width direction W of the continuous sheet web 37C and the laminate 35 into contact with the guide 142 of the sail plate 140, it is possible to differentiate the timing at which folding of one outer portion and the other outer portion begins. According to this aspect, compared to a configuration in which both outer portions of the continuous sheet web 37C and the laminate 35 are folded simultaneously, twisting during folding is suppressed, and the absorbent body can be easily and stably folded at the intended position.

[0093] In the folding step S120, the continuous sheet 37C of one of the outer portions that was folded earlier may be folded together with the continuous sheet 37C and the other outer portion in the width direction W of the laminate 35. FIG. 8(D) shows a state in which the continuous sheet 37C of one of the outer portions that was folded earlier is also folded when folding the continuous sheet 37C and the other outer portion in the width direction W of the laminate 35. The continuous sheet 37C of one of the outer portions that was folded earlier is folded back toward the outside of the absorbent body, forming a folded-back region RF. According to this aspect, by folding the continuous sheet of one of the outer portions together with the other outer portion, a folded-back region is formed in the continuous sheet of one of the outer portions, folded back toward the absorbent fold on one side. Therefore, the folded-back region RF can be formed by the step of folding both outer portions of the continuous sheet 37C and the laminate 35, without performing a separate step of forming a folded-back region.

[0094] 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.

[0095] It is possible to provide an absorbent article in which spillage of the absorbent material is suppressed in an absorbent body in which the absorbent material and the core wrap sheet are folded together.

[0096] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Absorbent article 10: Top sheet 30: Absorbent body 30C: Absorbent continuum 31: Outer portion 32: Inner portion 35: Laminated body 37: Core wrap sheet 37C: Continuous sheet body 40: Embossed portion 61: Central fastening portion (fastening portion) 351: Fiber AR: Adhesive region CW: Width center FL30: Absorbent crease FL31: First absorbent crease FL32: Second absorbent crease L: Front-to-rear direction P1: Standing base point P2: Folding base point RC: Center region RE: Extension region RF: Folded region RL: Lamination region RP: Pressed region RS: Side region S100: Absorbent body forming process S110: Lamination process S120: Folding process S121 : Standing step S122: Folding step T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having mutually perpendicular front-to-rear, width and thickness directions, and an absorbent body in which a laminate made of absorbent material containing fibers and a core wrap sheet are folded together, wherein the core wrap sheet and the laminate are folded inward in the width direction on both sides of the width direction of the absorbent body, with the laminate on the inside of the thickness direction, and the folded portions overlap, and the outer portions of the folded portions of the absorbent body that are located on the outside in the thickness direction have an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends in the width direction beyond the laminate.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the fibers of the absorbent material include only short fibers having a length of 0.5 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

3. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the laminate of the outer portion abuts the core wrap sheet of the inner portion located on the inside of the folded portion in the thickness direction.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein the core wrap sheet of the inner portion extends beyond the laminate of the inner portion in the width direction.

5. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the absorbent body is divided into four equal regions in the width direction, and the absorbent body has a pair of side regions located on both sides of the width direction, and a pair of center regions located between the pair of side regions and arranged on either side of the width center that is the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and the region where the folded portions overlap is arranged across the pair of center regions.

6. An absorbent article as described in claim 5, wherein both outer edges of the core wrap sheet in the width direction before the absorbent body is folded and both outer edges of the laminate are positioned within the pair of center regions when the absorbent body is folded.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a highly absorbent polymer is disposed in the laminate of the outer portion.

8. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length in the width direction of the extension region is longer than the average fiber length of the fibers of the laminate.

9. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the absorbent material comprises a superabsorbent polymer, and the length in the width direction of the extension region is longer than the average diameter of the superabsorbent polymer when immersed in saline for 60 minutes and then drained for 15 minutes.

10. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the widthwise length of the extension region is longer than the thickness of the laminate in the outer portion.

11. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the core wrap sheet in the inner portion of the folded portion, which is located on the inside in the thickness direction, has a folded-over region that is folded back toward the outer portion.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 11, wherein the widthwise length of the area where the folded portions overlap is longer than the widthwise length of the folded-back area.

13. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an adhesive region to which adhesive is applied is provided across the outer edge of the extension region in the width direction, and the absorbent body is adhered to an outer member that overlaps the absorbent body via the adhesive region.

14. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an absorbent adhesive region is provided with adhesive to bond the laminate and the core wrap sheet, and the absorbent adhesive region spans the absorbent folds provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction.

15. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, having fastening parts arranged on the non-skin side of the absorbent article for fastening the absorbent article to a wearable article, the fastening parts being arranged on both sides of a width center which is the center of the width direction of the absorbent body, and at least a part of the extension region overlaps with the region sandwiched between the fastening parts on both sides of the width center.

16. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein pressed regions that press the absorbent in the thickness direction are formed continuously across the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent on both sides of the width direction of the absorbent, the pressed regions being arranged on both sides of a width center that is the center of the width direction of the absorbent, and at least a portion of the extended region overlaps the region sandwiched between the pressed regions in the width direction.

17. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorbent body and is placed on the skin side of the absorbent article; and an embossed portion that compresses the top sheet and the absorbent body in the thickness direction, wherein at least a portion of the embossed portion overlaps the extended area.

18. The absorbent article according to claim 17, wherein the embossed portion spans the outer edge of the extended region in the width direction.

19. A method for manufacturing absorbent articles, comprising an absorbent body forming step of forming an absorbent body by folding together a continuous sheet body in which core wrap sheets are continuous in the front-to-rear direction of the absorbent article and a laminate in which absorbent material containing fibers is laminated, wherein the absorbent body forming step comprises: a laminating step of laminating absorbent material containing fibers on the continuous sheet body to arrange the laminate; and a folding step of folding both the continuous sheet body and the laminate inward in the thickness direction, around a pair of absorption folds that are aligned in the front-to-rear direction and spaced apart in the width direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, wherein the folding step arranges portions folded around the pair of absorption folds so that they overlap each other, and the absorbent body forming step forms an extension region in which the core wrap sheet extends in the width direction beyond the laminate at the outer portion of the folded portion of the absorbent body that is located on the outside in the thickness direction.

20. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article as described in claim 19, wherein the folding process comprises: an erecting process for erecting both outer portions of the continuous sheet and the laminate in the width direction at erecting base points; and a folding process for folding, after the erecting process, both outer portions of the continuous sheet and the laminate at folding base points located outside the erecting base points in the width direction.

21. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article as described in claim 19, wherein the folding step begins by folding one outer edge of the continuous sheet and the laminate in the width direction, and then folds the other outer edge of the continuous sheet and the laminate in the width direction.

22. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article as described in claim 19, wherein the folding step involves folding the continuous sheet at the outer portion on one side that was previously folded together with the other outer portion in the width direction of the continuous sheet and the laminate.

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