Underwear-type absorbent article

Abstract

An underwear-type absorbent article (1) has an absorbent body (10), a waist member (20), an engagement member (30), and a waist elastic member (26). A pair of separation parts (25) is provided for separating the waist member (20) in the front and back parts. Leak-proof wall elastic members (61) are provided on both sides of the absorbent body (10). A crotch elastic member (50) is provided on the non-skin side of an absorbent core (11). In the longitudinal direction, the front-side end of the leak-proof wall elastic member (61) is positioned further toward the front side than the rearmost waist elastic member (26b) that overlaps the separation part (25) at the front waist part (20f), the front-side end of the crotch elastic member (50) is positioned further toward the rear side than the rearmost waist elastic member (26b), and the rear-side end of the crotch elastic member (50) is positioned further toward the rear side than a center position (CL).

Description

Pant-type absorbent article

[0001] The present invention relates to a pant-type absorbent article.

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper that can also be used as a tape type (deployable type) by separating a part of the waist member formed as a pant type (short type). As such a pant-type absorbent article, there is one provided with a crotch elastic member that stretches along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body in the crotch portion, and a leak-preventing wall elastic member that raises a leak-preventing wall portion on the skin side at both side portions of the absorbent main body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pant-type absorbent article in which, in the vertical direction, the upper ends of the crotch elastic member and the leak-preventing wall elastic member are located above the lower ends of a pair of side joining portions that annularly connect the front waist member and the rear waist member. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a pant-type absorbent article in which, in the vertical direction, the upper ends of the crotch elastic member and the leak-preventing wall elastic member are located below the lower ends of a pair of side joining portions that annularly connect the front waist member and the rear waist member.

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 144990 International Publication No. 2023 / 276530

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, after separating the waist member back and forth into a tape type (deployable type) state, when performing an operation of pulling up the front body obliquely outward during wearing, the pulling force is likely to be transmitted to the crotch elastic member and the leak-preventing wall elastic member, and both are strongly pulled to the front side (abdomen side), so that the absorbent main body may shift to the front side or compress the abdomen, resulting in deteriorated fit. On the other hand, in the case of Patent Document 2, the force of pulling up the front body is difficult to be transmitted to the crotch elastic member and the leak-preventing wall elastic member, and there is a risk that a gap may occur between the absorbent main body and the wearer's body in the crotch portion or the groin portion, or leakage may occur.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to improve the fit in the crotch portion and the groin portion in a pant-type absorbent article provided with a crotch elastic member and a leak-preventing wall elastic member and also usable as a tape type. [[ID=十七]]

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above objective is a pant-type absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body having an absorbent core, having longitudinal, left-right, and thickness directions that intersect each other when unfolded and extended; a waist member having a front waist portion and a rear waist portion; an engaging member whose outer end in the left-right direction is irremovably fixed to the waist member and whose inner end is removably engaged with the non-skin side of the waist member; and a plurality of waist elastic members provided at least on the front waist portion and which expand and contract along the left-right direction, wherein the waist member has a pair of separating portions for separating the waist member front to back at a position overlapping with the engaging member in the left-right direction, and is provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the left-right direction and along the longitudinal direction The pants-type absorbent article is characterized in that it has a leak-proof wall elastic member that expands and contracts, a crotch elastic member provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and expands and contracts along the longitudinal direction, the front end of the portion of the leak-proof wall elastic member on which the expandability acts is located in front of the rearmost of the multiple waist elastic members that are arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, the front end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the expandability acts is located rearward of the rearmost of the multiple waist elastic members that are arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, and the rear end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the expandability acts is located rearward of the center position of the pants-type absorbent article. Other features of the present invention will be made clear by description in this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0007] According to the present invention, in a pant-type absorbent article equipped with an elastic member for the crotch and an elastic member for preventing leakage, which can also be used as a tape-type product, it is possible to improve the fit in the crotch and groin area.

[0008] This is a schematic perspective view of napkin 1. This is a plan view of napkin 1 in its unfolded and extended state, viewed from the thickness direction. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of line A-A in Figure 2. These are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10 in its extended state. Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the operation of separating the waist member 20 of napkin 1 into front and back sections. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the wearing operation of napkin 1. This is a diagram illustrating the state of napkin 1 during the wearing operation. This is a plan view showing an example of a case where napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the central position C-C in the left-right direction. This is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the perforations 25 (separation section 25).

[0009] The following matters become clear from this specification and the accompanying drawings:

[0010] (Aspect 1) A pant-type absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body having an absorbent core and having longitudinal, left-right, and thickness directions intersecting each other when unfolded and extended; a waist member having a front waist portion and a rear waist portion; an engaging member whose outer end in the left-right direction is irremovably fixed to the waist member and whose inner end is removably engaged with the non-skin side of the waist member; and a plurality of waist elastic members provided at least on the front waist portion and which expand and contract along the left-right direction, wherein the waist member has a pair of separating portions for separating the waist member front to back at a position overlapping with the engaging member in the left-right direction, and leak-proof elastic members provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the left-right direction and which expand and contract along the longitudinal direction A pant-type absorbent article characterized in that it has a wall elastic member, a crotch elastic member provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and stretches along the longitudinal direction, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the front end of the portion of the leak-proof wall elastic member on which the stretchability acts is located in front of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, the front end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the stretchability acts is located rearward of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, and the rear end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the stretchability acts is located rearward of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article.

[0011] In the pant-type absorbent article of Embodiment 1, when the waist member, which is divided into front and back sections by tearing the separation section (perforation), is pulled diagonally upward during wear, the pulling force preferentially acts on the leak-proof wall elastic member via the waist elastic member, making it easier to pull up the leak-proof wall elastic member. Therefore, both sides of the absorbent body (leak-proof wall section) fit more easily to the groin area, suppressing lateral leakage of excrement. In addition, the force pulling the waist member diagonally upward does not act excessively on the crotch elastic member, so the absorbent body is less likely to compress the lower abdomen and is less likely to cause discomfort. On the other hand, since the elastic force of the crotch elastic member acts front and back across the crotch area, the fit of the absorbent body in the crotch area is firmly ensured. As a result, the fit in the crotch and groin area can be improved.

[0012] (Aspect 2) The pant-type absorbent article according to aspect 1, wherein, in the extended state, the leak-proof elastic member is positioned outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

[0013] In the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 2, the leak-proof wall elastic member is positioned in a region with lower rigidity on the left-right outer side than the absorbent core. This makes it less likely for the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member to be interfered with by the absorbent core, and also allows the leak-proof wall portion to deform more freely. As a result, when the absorbent article is worn, the leak-proof wall portion is more likely to stand up on the skin side, and it fits more easily to the wearer's groin area.

[0014] (Aspect 3) The pant-type absorbent article according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent body has a pair of leak-proof wall portions on both sides in the left-right direction that stand upright on the skin side based on the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member, and in the longitudinal direction, it has leak-proof wall end fixing portions that fix both ends of the leak-proof wall portions to the skin side of the absorbent body, and in the extended state, the leak-proof wall end fixing portions are positioned outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

[0015] In the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 3, the end fixing portion, which is the starting point for the upright position of the leak-proof wall portion when worn, is located in a region with lower rigidity outside the absorbent core, so that the movement of the leak-proof wall portion when it stands up is less likely to be interfered with. As a result, when the absorbent article is worn, the leak-proof wall portion stands up towards the skin, and fits better to the wearer's groin area.

[0016] (Aspect 4) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein at least a portion of the leak-proof wall end fixing portion provided at the front end of the leak-proof wall portion in the longitudinal direction is located in front of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members that are arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion.

[0017] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 4, when worn, at least a portion of the front end fixing portion is pressed from the non-skin side to the skin side by the elastic force of the waist elastic member. Therefore, at the front end of the leak-proof wall portion, the front end fixing portion is more likely to adhere to the wearer's skin (abdomen) in a flat manner, and when the leak-proof wall portion stands up, displacement and gaps with the skin are less likely to occur. As a result, the fit of the leak-proof wall portion is improved in the wearer's groin area, and lateral leakage of urine, etc., is less likely to occur in the area close to the excretory opening (abdominal side).

[0018] (Aspect 5) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the leak-proof wall end fixing portion and the leak-proof wall elastic member are separated by a predetermined distance in the left-right direction.

[0019] In the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 5, the gap between the leak-proof elastic member and the end fixing part acts as a dry edge, making it difficult for the upright tip of the leak-proof part to harden. Therefore, when wearing the absorbent article, the upright tip of the leak-proof part against the skin in the wearer's groin area is softer, which helps to prevent discomfort or unease for the wearer.

[0020] (Aspect 6) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein in the left-right direction, the innermost end of the contour of the waist member is located outside the outermost end of the absorbent core, and in the longitudinal direction, the position where the width of the waist member in the left-right direction is narrowest is located in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article.

[0021] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 6, when the waist member is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing motion, the absorbent core is constantly covered by the waist member, making it difficult to see from the outside. In addition, since the width of the waist member is narrowest in front of the center in the longitudinal direction, wrinkles formed on the surface of the waist member are less noticeable. Therefore, it becomes difficult for outsiders to recognize that an absorbent article is being worn, and the psychological burden on the wearer who does not want others to see the absorbent article can be reduced.

[0022] (Aspect 7) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the waist member has a first portion located in the central part in the longitudinal direction and a second portion located further outward in the longitudinal direction than the first portion and having a greater number of sheet members laminated in the thickness direction than the first portion.

[0023] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 7, in the second portion, which is the part that is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing motion, the number of laminated sheet members is increased compared to the first portion to increase strength, thereby suppressing the tearing of the waist member when the waist member is pulled diagonally upward.

[0024] (Aspect 8) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the first portion overlaps with the central position of the pant-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction, and the second portion overlaps with the separating portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] In the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 8, the strength of the second portion of the waist member located near the perforations (separation part) is increased, making it easier to suppress the tearing of the waist member when the waist member, separated into front and back halves, is pulled diagonally upward during the act of putting on the absorbent article. On the other hand, in the first portion of the waist member located in the crotch area when the absorbent article is worn, the rigidity does not become excessively high and flexibility is easily maintained, thus improving the fit in the crotch area.

[0026] (Aspect 9) A pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the pant-type absorbent article has a pair of side joints at both ends in the left-right direction that join the front waist portion and the rear waist portion to each other, and in the longitudinal direction, in the region in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article, the boundary between the first portion and the second portion is located behind the rear end of the side joint, and in the region in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article, the boundary between the first portion and the second portion is located in front of the front end of the side joint.

[0027] In the absorbent pant-type article of embodiment 9, when the waist member is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing motion, a second section with a larger number of layers is formed over the entire area where force is most likely to be applied, making the waist member more resistant to tearing. In addition, in the first section on the rear (front) side of the side joint, the number of layers of the sheet member constituting the waist member is smaller and the rigidity is reduced, making it easier to fit the waist member to the contours of the wearer's body in the crotch area.

[0028] (Aspect 10) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, wherein the waist member has a high-pressure squeezing section that compresses the sheet member laminated in the second portion in the thickness direction.

[0029] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 10, the rigidity of the laminated portion (second portion) of the waist member is further increased by the provision of a high-pressure squeezing section, making it less likely for the waist member to tear even when it is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing motion. In addition, since the waist member is more likely to maintain a flat shape in the area where the high-pressure squeezing section is provided, when the absorbent article is worn, the waist member can fit snugly over the wearer's waist.

[0030] (Aspect 11) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, wherein both ends of the crotch elastic member are provided in positions that overlap with the second portion in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] In the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 11, the ends of the crotch elastic member are positioned in the highly rigid second portion, which makes it easier for the crotch elastic member to be stably supported. Therefore, when wearing the absorbent article, the absorbent body is lifted towards the wearer's skin in the area where the crotch elastic member is provided, making it easier for it to adhere closely to the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, even when the absorbent body absorbs excrement and its weight increases, it is firmly supported by the crotch elastic member, making it less likely for the absorbent body to sag.

[0032] (Aspect 12) The pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the front end of the portion on which the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member acts is located behind the rear end of the engaging member.

[0033] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 12, when the engaging member is engaged with the waist member during wear, the engaging member prevents the leak-proof wall elastic member from being pressed down in the thickness direction, making it easier for the leak-proof wall portion to stand up on the skin side. Furthermore, since the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member is not easily hindered, even when the wearer moves their body while wearing the absorbent article, the leak-proof wall portion can easily follow the body's movements, making it easier to achieve a good fit.

[0034] (Aspect 13) The pants-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 12, having a pair of side joints at both ends in the left-right direction that join the front waist portion and the rear waist portion to each other, the engaging member having a one-side engaging member provided on one side in the left-right direction and a other-side engaging member provided on the other side in the left-right direction, the side joint having a one-side side joint provided on one side in the left-right direction and a other-side joint provided on the other side in the left-right direction, the one-side engaging member being fixed to the waist portion at the one-side joint, and the other-side engaging member being fixed to the waist portion at the other-side joint, and in the extended state, the length from the other end of the one-side engaging member to the other end of the one-side joint in the left-right direction and the length from one end of the other-side engaging member to one end of the other-side joint are different.

[0035] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 13, the absorbent article in its pant-type state has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction, making it easier for the wearer to recognize that the absorbent article is not a typical pant-type absorbent article but can also be worn in a tape-type state, and that it is preferable to put it on using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0036] (Aspect 14) A pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein, in the extended state, the length from the center of the one-side engaging portion in the left-right direction to the other end of the one-side joint portion is different from the length from the center of the other-side engaging portion in the left-right direction to the one end of the other-side joint portion.

[0037] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 14, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that the absorbent article has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction. Furthermore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the absorbent article using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0038] (Aspect 15) A pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein in the extended state, the area of ​​the one-sided engaging member and the area of ​​the other-sided engaging member are different.

[0039] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 15, the wearer can more easily recognize that the absorbent article has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction. Therefore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the absorbent article using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0040] (Aspect 16) A pant-type absorbent article according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein, in the extended state, the distance from the central position of the crotch elastic member to the other end of the one-sided engaging portion is different from the distance from the central position of the crotch elastic member to the one-sided engaging portion in the left-right direction.

[0041] According to the pant-type absorbent article of embodiment 16, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that the absorbent article has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction. Furthermore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the absorbent article using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0042] ===Embodiments=== As an example of a panty-type (shorts-type) absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention, a panty-type (shorts-type) sanitary napkin 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "napkin 1") will be described. Note that panty-type (shorts-type) absorbent articles also include panty-type (shorts-type) diapers and panty-type (shorts-type) absorbent pads.

[0043] <Basic Structure of Napkin 1> Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of napkin 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of napkin 1 in an unfolded and extended state, viewed from the thickness direction. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the A-A section of Figure 2. Note that the side joint 40 and separation section 25, which will be described later, should not be shown in the cross-section at position A-A in Figure 2, but their positions are shown in Figure 3 for explanatory purposes.

[0044] The "extended state" of the napkin 1 refers to a state in which the entire napkin 1 (the entire product) is extended without wrinkles by extending each elastic member provided in the napkin 1 (for example, the crutch elastic member 50 and the body circumference elastic member 26 described later). Specifically, it refers to a state in which the dimensions of each member constituting the napkin 1 (for example, the non-skin side sheet 21, the skin side sheets 22 and 23 described later) are extended until they match or are close to the dimensions of the member alone.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the napkin 1 has "vertical direction", "left-right direction", and "front-back direction" that are perpendicular to each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, it has a "thickness direction" which is the direction in which each member is laminated. Among the vertical directions, when the wearer wears the napkin 1, the side on the body circumference side of the wearer is defined as the "upper side", and the side on the crutch side of the wearer is defined as the "lower side". Among the front-back directions, the side on the abdominal side of the wearer during wearing is defined as the "front side", and the side on the back side of the wearer is defined as the "back side". Among the thickness directions, the side that contacts the skin of the wearer when the wearer wears the napkin 1 is defined as the "skin side", and the opposite side is defined as the "non-skin side".

[0046] Further, in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2, the napkin 1 has a "longitudinal direction" and a "left-right direction" that are perpendicular to each other. The "longitudinal direction" is a direction along the vertical direction in the panty shape, and the "left-right direction" is a direction along the left-right direction in the panty shape.

[0047] The napkin 1 of the present embodiment includes a liquid-absorbing absorbent body 10 that absorbs excreted liquids such as menstrual blood, a body circumference member 20 that is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 10 and is disposed around the body circumference of the wearer when the napkin 1 is worn, and engaging members 30 provided on both sides in the left-right direction of the body circumference member 20.

[0048] (Absorbent Body 10) FIG. 4 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body 10 in an extended state. As shown in FIG. 4, the absorbent body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view with its longitudinal direction along the vertical direction of the napkin 1. The absorbent body 10 has an absorbent core 11 along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), a top sheet 12 disposed closer to the skin side than the absorbent core 11, and a back sheet 13 disposed closer to the non-skin side than the absorbent core 11. However, the absorbent body 10 may include other sheet members. For example, a second sheet may be provided between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction. Further, a groin elastic member 50, which will be described later, is provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11.

[0049] The absorbent core 11 is a member that absorbs and holds liquids such as menstrual blood, and is formed of, for example, liquid-absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers mixed with a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). In the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the absorbent core 11 is covered by a liquid-permeable core wrap sheet 18 made of tissue paper, non-woven fabric, or the like. However, the core wrap sheet 18 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0050] The top sheet 12 is a liquid-permeable sheet member that can contact the skin of the wearer during use, and is formed of, for example, a hydrophilic air-through non-woven fabric, a spunbond non-woven fabric, or the like.

[0051] The back sheet 13 is formed in a two-layer structure including a liquid-impermeable sheet 13a for suppressing leakage of liquids such as menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core 11 to the outside, and a hydrophobic sheet 13b disposed on the non-skin side of the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a. As the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a, for example, a resin film or the like is used, and as the hydrophobic sheet 13b, for example, a non-woven fabric having flexibility or the like is used.

[0052] Furthermore, a pair of leak-proof walls 60, 60 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction. The leak-proof walls 60 correspond to so-called three-dimensional gathers, and when the napkin 1 is worn, the leak-proof walls 60 stand up on the skin side of the wearer from both sides of the absorbent body 10 in the left-right direction, thereby suppressing leakage of menstrual blood and other excretory fluids to the outside of the absorbent body 10. As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 4, in the napkin 1, the hydrophobic sheet 13b of the backsheet 13 described above, which is provided to cover the absorbent core 11 from the non-skin side, is folded back towards the skin side on both sides in the left-right direction and bent at multiple points to form a pair of leak-proof walls 60, 60. A leak-proof elastic member 61 (for example, elastic thread) is attached to the leak-proof walls 60 in an extended state along the longitudinal direction. When the napkin 1 is worn, the leak-proof wall portion 60 stands up on the skin side based on the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member 61, and fits to the wearer's groin area.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the crotch area of ​​the absorbent body 10 of this embodiment is provided with multiple crotch elastic members 50 that expand and contract along the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). The crotch elastic members 50 are made of, for example, elastic thread and are positioned on the non-skin side of the absorbent core 11 (between the liquid-impermeable sheet 13a and the hydrophobic sheet 13b in Figure 4) in a state of being stretched in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). In the napkin 1 of this embodiment, five crotch elastic members 50 are provided at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction, but the number of crotch elastic members 50 can be adjusted as appropriate. The stretch ratio of the crotch elastic members 50 is preferably about 1.4 to 3.3 times. The stretch ratio is expressed as the value obtained by dividing the length of the elastic member in the stretched state by the length of the elastic member in the natural state. By setting the elongation ratio of the crotch elastic member 50 to a sufficiently high ratio, the relatively rigid absorbent core 11 is contracted from the non-skin side in the thickness direction, causing a convex deformation towards the skin side, making it easier to fit the absorbent body 10 to the wearer's body when wearing the napkin 1. In other words, the elasticity exhibited by the crotch elastic member 50 lifts the absorbent body 10 towards the wearer's skin, making it easier for the absorbent body 10 to adhere closely to the wearer's crotch area, thus reducing the likelihood of leakage of menstrual blood and other excretory fluids.

[0054] Furthermore, the absorbent body 10 is provided with high-density sections 70 formed by compressing at least the absorbent core 11 and the top sheet 12 in the thickness direction. In Figure 4, a pair of high-density sections 70 are provided in the left-right direction, each formed in a curved shape (dotted line shape) by intermittently arranging multiple dot-shaped compressed sections along the longitudinal direction. In the absorbent body 10, the areas where the high-density sections 70 are provided have a higher density than other areas, and the absorbent core 11 is more likely to undergo three-dimensional bending deformation using the high-density sections 70 as bending points. In other words, the linear high-density sections 70 function like hinges, making it easier for the planar absorbent core 11 to deform according to the contours of the wearer's body, and thus making it easier to fit the wearer's crotch area.

[0055] In the napkin 1, at least one (three in Figure 4) crotch elastic members 50 are positioned between a pair of high-density sections 70, 70 that are spaced apart in the left-right direction. In the parts of the absorbent core 11 that have increased rigidity due to the high-density sections 70, excessive contraction of the crotch elastic members 50 is suppressed, thereby preventing the entire absorbent core 11 from being strongly pressed against the crotch area. Furthermore, the elasticity of the crotch elastic members 50 positioned between the pair of high-density sections 70, 70 makes it easier for the area between the pair of high-density sections 70, 70 to undergo convex deformation toward the skin, allowing it to adhere more closely to the vagina or other excretory openings in the wearer's crotch area. This further improves the fit of the absorbent body 10.

[0056] Furthermore, in addition to the high-density section 70, a compression section (not shown in Figure 2) that compresses the absorbent core 11 in the thickness direction may also be provided. For example, by providing a compression section different from the high-density section 70 at the longitudinal end of the absorbent core 11, it becomes easier to control the thickness of the absorbent core 11. That is, even if the absorbent core 11 deforms convexly toward the skin based on the elasticity of the crotch elastic member 50 when the napkin 1 is worn, the increase in the thickness of the absorbent core 11 is suppressed by the other compression section (not shown) at the longitudinal end of the absorbent core 11, thereby suppressing the absorbent core 11 from being pressed too hard against the skin or reducing breathability, making it less likely to cause discomfort to the wearer.

[0057] (Waistband Member 20) The waistband member 20 is an outer casing composed of multiple sheet members, and includes at least a non-skin side sheet 21, skin side sheets 22, 23, and multiple waistband elastic members 26, 26... (see Figures 2 and 3). In the following description, the portion of the waistband member 20 in the longitudinal direction that is in front of the central position CL (abdominal side) is also called the front waistband portion 20f, and the portion that is behind the central position CL (back side) is also called the rear waistband portion 20b. The front waistband portion 20f is the part that touches the abdominal side of the wearer's body when the napkin 1 is worn, and corresponds to the "front panel" of the napkin 1. The rear waistband portion 20b is the part that touches the back side of the wearer's body when the napkin 1 is worn, and corresponds to the "back panel" of the napkin 1. In addition, a pair of separation portions 25, which will be described later, are provided at both left and right ends of the front waistband portion 20f (front panel) of the napkin 1.

[0058] The non-skin side sheet 21 is a non-stretchable sheet member positioned on the non-skin side of the napkin 1, and is provided continuously from the front to the back in the longitudinal direction. The non-skin side sheet 21 is formed from, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric or SMS nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, as shown in the plan view of Figure 2, the non-skin side sheet 21 has a shape that is constricted inward in the left-right direction at the central part in the longitudinal direction (the part including the central position CL). Also, as shown in Figure 3, the non-skin side sheet 21 may be folded back at the longitudinal end so that the waist member 20 has a configuration of three or more layers in part.

[0059] The skin-side sheet 22 is a sheet member laminated on the skin side of the non-skin-side sheet 21 on the front (ventral) side in the longitudinal direction, and is made of the same nonwoven fabric as the non-skin-side sheet 21. The skin-side sheet 23 is a sheet member laminated on the skin side of the non-skin-side sheet 21 on the rear (back) side in the longitudinal direction, and is made of the same nonwoven fabric as the non-skin-side sheet 21.

[0060] The waist elastic members 26 are formed from, for example, elastic thread, and are arranged in multiples between the non-skin-facing sheet 21 and the skin-facing sheet 22 (23) at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and are attached in a state that is stretched in the horizontal direction. The elasticity of these waist elastic members 26 in the horizontal direction allows the waist member 20 to fit the wearer's waist.

[0061] The torso elastic member 26 can be attached using an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. For example, the torso elastic member 26 can be attached by applying a hot melt adhesive to the torso elastic member 26, stretching it to a predetermined elongation ratio, and sandwiching it between the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23). In other words, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23) are joined by adhesive via the torso elastic member 26. Alternatively, the torso elastic member 26 may be attached by applying adhesive to the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22 (23) rather than to the torso elastic member 26.

[0062] From the unfolded state shown in Figure 2, the napkin 1 is folded in half longitudinally (front-to-back direction) with the central position CL in the longitudinal direction as the folding position, so that the skin-facing sides of the front waist portion 20f (front body) and the skin-facing sides of the back waist portion 20b (back body) face each other. In this folded state, the left and right ends 40f, 40f of the front waist portion 20f and the left and right ends 40b, 40b of the back waist portion 20b, which overlap front and back, are joined using known joining means such as seal welding to form a side joint portion 40. As a result, the folded waist members 20 (20f and 20b) are connected in a ring on the front (abdominal side) and back (back side), forming one waist opening 1a and a pair of leg openings 1b, 1b as shown in Figure 1, resulting in a panty-type napkin 1.

[0063] (Engaging members 30) A pair of engaging members 30 are provided on both the left and right sides of the napkin 1. Each engaging member 30 has a base sheet 31 and an engaging portion 32.

[0064] The base sheet 31 is a sheet member made of nonwoven fabric or the like, and one side in the left-right direction (the outer side in the left-right direction in Figure 2) is fixed to the waist member 20 inseparably. Hereinafter, the part that fixes the engaging member 30 (base sheet 31) to the waist member 20 inseparably will also be called the base sheet fixing part 35. In this embodiment, the base sheet 31 and the waist member 20 are fixed inseparably by the side joint part 40 of the waist member 20 described above. That is, the side joint part 40 also serves as the base sheet fixing part 35. However, the base sheet 31 and the waist member 20 may be fixed inseparably by a base sheet fixing part 35 different from the side joint part 40.

[0065] Furthermore, an engagement portion 32 is provided on the other side of the base sheet 31 in the left-right direction (in the left-right direction in Figure 2). The engagement portion 32 is a member for detachably engaging the engagement member 30 with the waist member 20, and is provided in a predetermined area on the skin side of the engagement member 30 (near the inner end in the left-right direction). The engagement portion 32 in this embodiment is, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener with a plurality of locking hook members (locking projections not shown) made of polypropylene or the like on the skin side. By hooking these locking hook members onto the fibers of the nonwoven fabric constituting the non-skin side sheet 21 provided on the outermost layer of the waist member 20, the engagement portion 32 (engagement member 30) is detachably locked to the non-skin side of the waist member 20.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, in the panty-type napkin 1 of this embodiment, the engaging portion 32 of the engaging member 30 is engaged with the front waist portion 20f in an area that is further inward in the left-right direction than the side joint portion 40.

[0067] <Regarding the operation of wearing napkin 1> Next, we will explain the operation of wearing napkin 1. In its initial state, napkin 1 is a panty-type (shorts-type) as shown in Figure 1, and can be worn as a normal panty-type absorbent item. When removing napkin 1 from the body, the waistband member 20, which is formed in a ring shape along the wearer's waist, can be separated into a front waistband portion 20f and a rear waistband portion 20b, and the napkin 1 can be removed by unfolding it. After separating the waistband member 20, the engaging member 30, which is attached to either the front waistband portion 20f or the rear waistband portion 20b, can be engaged with the other of the front waistband portion 20f or the rear waistband portion 20b, allowing it to be worn as a tape-type absorbent item.

[0068] When putting on the napkin 1, you may tear the perforation 25 (separation part 25) on either the left or right side beforehand. For example, you may put on the napkin 1 by passing one leg through the leg opening 1b on the other side (the side where the perforation 25 is not torn) and pulling it up to the crotch area, and then engaging the engaging member 30 on one side with the waist member 20 (see Figure 6 described later). You may also perform other attachment and detachment operations.

[0069] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the operation of separating the waistband member 20 of the napkin 1 into front and back sections. Figure 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the napkin 1 in pant-type form, viewed from the upper side (the side of the waistband opening 1a) in the vertical direction, and Figure 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state after the waistband member 20 has been separated into front and back sections.

[0070] In the panty-type napkin 1, the front waistband portion 20f and the rear waistband portion 20b are joined to each other by side joint portions 40, 40 provided at both ends in the left-right direction, thereby forming an annular waistband opening 1a as shown in Figure 5A. A pair of engaging members 30 are provided on both sides of the waistband member 20 in the left-right direction, and these engaging members 30 are engaged with the non-skin side of the front waistband portion 20f by engaging portions 32.

[0071] Furthermore, in Figure 5A, a pair of separation portions 25 are provided on both sides of the front waist portion 20f in the left-right direction. The separation portions 25 are provided to separate the waist member 20, which is formed in an annular shape along the wearer's waist, into the front waist portion 20f and the rear waist portion 20b, and are provided in either the left-right direction, inside the side joint portion 40 and outside the inner end of the engaging member 30. In other words, the separation portions 25 are provided in a position that overlaps with the engaging member 30 in the left-right direction. These separation portions 25 make it possible to separate the waist member 20 into a portion including at least the central part of the front waist portion 20f and a portion including at least the central part of the rear waist portion 20b.

[0072] In this embodiment, the separation section 25 is composed of so-called perforations, in which a plurality of grooves (cut sections 25a, described later) that penetrate the body member 20 in the thickness direction are intermittently arranged along the vertical direction from the body opening 1a to the leg opening 1b (see Figure 9, etc.). By tearing the body member 20 along these perforations, the front body section 20f and the rear body section 20b can be easily separated. Hereinafter, the separation section 25 will also be referred to as "perforations 25".

[0073] At the separation section 25 (perforation 25), the napkin 1, in which the waist member 20 is separated into a front waist member 20f and a rear waist member 20b, is in the state shown in Figure 5B. That is, the separation section 25 in Figure 5A is separated into a separation end 25fe on the front waist member 20f side and a separation end 25be on the rear waist member 20b side, and the front waist member 20f and the rear waist member 20b are separated front to back. In Figure 5B, on both the left and right sides, a pair of engaging members 30, 30 are joined to the rear waist member 20b side via a base sheet fixing section 35 (side joint section 40), and the engaging portions 32, 32 provided on the engaging members 30, 30 are engaged with the front waist member 20f, respectively. As a result, the waist member 20 is formed in an annular shape. To remove the napkin 1 from the wearer's body in this state, the napkin 1 can be unfolded and easily removed by peeling the engaging portion 32 from the front waist portion 20f.

[0074] Next, as an example of the operation when putting on the napkin 1, we will explain the operation method when separating the waist member 20 into front and back by tearing the perforations 25, and then engaging the engaging member 30 with the waist member 20 to put on the napkin 1 again. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation when putting on the napkin 1. Figure 6 shows the case when putting on the napkin 1 in a state where one of the pair of perforations 25, 25 provided on both the left and right sides has been torn, while the other perforation 25 remains intact.

[0075] In Figure 6, when wearing the napkin 1, first, the wearer puts one leg (the left leg in Figure 6) through the leg opening 1b on the side where the perforations 25 have not been torn and pulls it up to about the knee. Next, the front waist section 20f and the back waist section 20b, separated by tearing the perforations 25, are grasped by both hands and pulled diagonally upward, pulling the entire napkin 1, including the absorbent body 10, up to the crotch. In Figure 6, on the wearer's right leg side, the wearer grasps the end of the front waist section 20f with their left hand and pulls it diagonally upward, and grasps the end (engaging member 30) of the back waist section 20b with their right hand and pulls it diagonally upward. Then, while holding the front waist section 20f with the left hand, the back waist section 20b is wrapped around the wearer's abdomen with the right hand, engaging the engaging member 30 with the non-skin side of the front waist section 20f, and the napkin 1 is formed into a pant shape. This action allows for easy attachment of napkin 1.

[0076] In the wearing procedure of the napkin 1 shown in Figure 6, when the front waist portion 20f and the rear waist portion 20b are pulled diagonally upward, it is desirable that the absorbent body 10 is also pulled upward so that it fits snugly to the wearer's crotch area. Specifically, it is desirable that the leak-proof wall portions 60 that stand up on the skin side on both the left and right sides of the absorbent body 10 fit snugly along the wearer's groin area without any gaps, while the absorbent core 11 fits to the wearer's anal opening.

[0077] Figure 7 illustrates the state of the napkin 1 during the wearing process, showing the state of the waist elastic member 26, the leak-proof wall elastic member 61, and the crotch elastic member 50 when the napkin 1 is worn as shown in Figure 6. When the front waist portion 20f end, which has been separated by the perforations 25 (separation section), is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing of the napkin 1, the multiple waist elastic members 26, 26... provided on the front waist portion 20f are also pulled diagonally upward.

[0078] Here, in the front waist section 20f, among the multiple waist elastic members 26, 26... that are arranged overlapping with the perforations 25 (separation section) in the longitudinal direction, the waist elastic member 26 located at the rearmost position (the lowest position in the vertical direction in Figure 7) is defined as the rear waist elastic member 26b. At this time, the rear waist elastic member 26b and the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 are arranged to intersect each other. In other words, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the front end 61ef (upper end) of the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 is located in front of (above) the rear waist elastic member 26b. On the other hand, the waist elastic member 26b and the crotch elastic member 50 do not intersect each other. In other words, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the front end 50ef (upper end) of the crotch elastic member 50 is located behind (below) the waist elastic member 26b. Furthermore, the ends of the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 and the crotch elastic member 50 in the longitudinal direction refer to the ends of the portion where the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 and the crotch elastic member 50 is acting (the so-called "effective length" of the elastic member).

[0079] If, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the front end 61ef (upper end) of the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 is located behind (below) the rear end waist elastic member 26b, then when pulling the end of the front waist portion 20f separated at the perforations 25 (separation portion), the force pulling the waist elastic member 26b diagonally upward will not be easily transmitted to the leak-proof wall elastic member 61. In this case, the leak-proof wall portion 60 will not stand up properly against the skin, and there is a risk that a gap may form between the absorbent body 10 and the skin in the wearer's groin area, or that excretion may leak.

[0080] In contrast, in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, the rear waist elastic member 26b and the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 intersect. Therefore, when the rear waist elastic member 26b is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing motion, the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 is also pulled upward toward the front in the longitudinal direction (upper in the vertical direction) in conjunction with the rear waist elastic member 26b. In other words, the force pulling the front waist portion 20f diagonally upward acts preferentially on the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 via the waist elastic member 26 (26b), making it easier for the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 to be pulled up. Consequently, on both sides of the absorbent body, the leak-proof wall portion 60 stands up on the skin side of the wearer and fits snugly in the groin area, making it difficult for gaps to form and thus making it easier to suppress lateral leakage of excrement.

[0081] Furthermore, if, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the front end 50ef (upper end) of the crotch elastic member 50 is located in front of (above) the rear waist elastic member 26b, then when wearing the napkin 1, a force pulling the rear waist elastic member 26b diagonally upward is more easily transmitted to the crotch elastic member 50. In this case, the elastic force of the crotch elastic member 50 acts strongly on the crotch area of ​​the wearer, which may cause the absorbent body 10 to shift towards the abdomen or compress the abdomen, resulting in a poor fit.

[0082] In contrast, in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, because the rear waist elastic member 26b and the crotch elastic member 50 do not intersect, even if the rear waist elastic member 26b is pulled diagonally upward during wearing, the crotch elastic member 50 is less likely to move in conjunction with the rear waist elastic member 26b, and the crotch elastic member 50 is less likely to be pulled upward in the longitudinal direction (upper in the vertical direction). In other words, the force pulling the rear waist elastic member 26b (front waist portion 20f) diagonally upward is less likely to act excessively on the crotch elastic member 50. Therefore, the absorbent body 10 is less likely to shift towards the abdomen or compress the wearer's lower abdomen or ostomy opening, thus reducing discomfort.

[0083] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, the rear end 50eb of the crotch elastic member 50 is located behind the central position CL of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) (see Figure 2). That is, the crotch elastic member 50 is positioned to straddle the central position CL in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the crotch elastic member 50 as a whole can easily apply elastic force over a wide area from front to back across the crotch, and when the napkin 1 is worn, a secure fit of the absorbent body 10 in the crotch area can be easily ensured. With these configurations, the fit in the crotch and groin area can be improved when wearing the napkin 1.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, when the absorbent body 10 is extended, the leak-proof elastic member 61 is positioned outside the outermost edge 11es of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction. In other words, when viewed in the thickness direction, the leak-proof elastic member 61 is positioned so as not to overlap with the highly rigid absorbent core 11. By positioning the leak-proof elastic member 61 in a less rigid region outside the absorbent core 11, the elasticity of the leak-proof elastic member 61 in the leak-proof wall portion 60 is less likely to be interfered with by the absorbent core 11, and the leak-proof wall portion 60 becomes more easily deformable. As a result, when wearing the napkin 1, the leak-proof wall portion 60 is more likely to stand up on the skin side, and it fits more easily to the wearer's groin area.

[0085] Furthermore, at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the leak-proof wall portion 60, there are leak-proof wall end fixing portions 66 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "end fixing portions 66") that fix the leak-proof wall portion 60 to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12. The end fixing portions 66 are formed with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive, and in Figure 4, the front end of the leak-proof wall portion 60 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12 via a pair of front end fixing portions 66f, 66f. Similarly, the rear end of the leak-proof wall portion 60 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12 via a pair of rear end fixing portions 66b, 66b. When the napkin 1 is worn, the portion of the leak-proof wall portion 60 that is not fixed to the top sheet 12 between the front end fixing portion 66f and the rear end fixing portion 66b in the longitudinal direction separates from the skin-facing side of the top sheet 12 and stands up on the skin side, making close contact with the wearer's groin.

[0086] Furthermore, when the absorbent body 10 is extended, the end fixing portions 66 (66f, 66b) are positioned outside the outermost end 11es of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction. In other words, when viewed in the thickness direction, the end fixing portions 66 are positioned so as not to overlap with the highly rigid absorbent core 11. As described above, when the napkin 1 is worn, the leak-proof wall portion 60 stands up on the skin side between the front end fixing portion 66f and the rear end fixing portion 66b. That is, in the longitudinal direction, the rear end of the front end fixing portion 66f and the front end of the rear end fixing portion 66b become the starting points for the uprighting of the leak-proof wall portion 60. Because these starting points for uprighting, the end fixing portions 66, are positioned outside the absorbent core 11 in a region with low rigidity, the movement of the leak-proof wall portion 60 when it stands up is less likely to be interfered with. As a result, when the napkin 1 is worn, the leak-proof wall portion 60 is more likely to stand up on the skin side, making it easier to fit the wearer's groin area.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in the longitudinal direction, at least a portion of the front end fixing portion 66f is located in front of the rear end waist elastic member 26b. That is, when viewed in the thickness direction, at least a portion of the waist elastic member 26 and the front end fixing portion 66f overlap. With this configuration, when the napkin 1 is worn, the portion of the front end fixing portion 66f that overlaps with the waist elastic member 26 is pressed from the non-skin side to the skin side by the elastic force of the waist elastic member 26. Therefore, at the front end of the leak-proof wall portion 60, the front end fixing portion 66f is more likely to adhere to the wearer's skin (abdomen) in a planar manner, and when the leak-proof wall portion 60 stands up, displacement or gaps with the skin are less likely to occur. As a result, the fit of the leak-proof wall portion 60 is improved in the wearer's groin area, and lateral leakage of urine, etc., is less likely to occur in the area close to the excretory opening on the wearer's abdominal side.

[0088] Furthermore, the end fixing portion 66 is provided at a predetermined distance from the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 in the left-right direction (see Figure 4). That is, a predetermined gap is formed between the end fixing portion 66 and the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 in the left-right direction. When the leak-proof wall portion 60 stands up on the skin side, the portion where the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 is provided becomes the upright tip and contacts the wearer's groin. If the end fixing portion 66 were provided overlapping with the leak-proof wall elastic member 61, the adhesive forming the end fixing portion 66 would increase the rigidity of the upright tip of the leak-proof wall portion 60 (the portion where the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 is provided), potentially causing discomfort or a hard sensation in the wearer's groin. In contrast, with napkin 1, the gap between the leak-proof wall elastic member 61 and the end fixing portion 66 acts as a dry edge, making it difficult for the upright tip of the leak-proof wall portion 60 to harden. Therefore, when wearing the napkin 1, the upright tip of the leak-proof wall portion 60 in the wearer's groin area will feel soft against the skin, preventing discomfort or unease for the wearer.

[0089] Furthermore, in the left-right direction, the innermost end of the contour (outer edge) of the waist member 20 is located outside the outermost end 11es of the absorbent core 11, and is located in front of the central position CL in the longitudinal direction. In Figure 2, if the position where the width of the waist member 20 in the left-right direction is narrowest is defined as the narrowest position NP, then at the narrowest position NP, the inner end 20np of the waist member 20 in the left-right direction is located outside the outer end 11es of the absorbent core 11 in the left-right direction. Moreover, the narrowest position NP is located in front of the central position CL of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0090] With this configuration, when the waist member 20 is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing of the napkin 1 (see Figures 6 and 7), the absorbent core 11 is constantly covered by the waist member 20, making it difficult to see from the outside. Furthermore, since the width of the waist member 20 is narrowest in front of the longitudinal center position CL, large wrinkles are less likely to form on the surface of the waist member 20 when it is pulled diagonally upward, making the wrinkles less noticeable. Therefore, it becomes difficult for others to recognize that the napkin 1 is being worn, reducing the psychological burden on the wearer who does not want others to know that they are wearing a napkin. In addition, because the width of the waist member 20 is narrower in front of the longitudinal center position CL of the napkin 1, when the legs are moved forward while wearing the napkin 1 (for example, when walking), the waist member 20 is less likely to interfere with the wearer's legs, reducing discomfort during wear.

[0091] Furthermore, the waist member 20 of the napkin 1 is constructed by laminating multiple sheet members in the thickness direction. In Figure 3, the waist member 20 is constructed by laminating two sheet members: a non-skin side sheet 21 and a skin side sheet 22 (skin side sheet 23). The waist member 20 has parts with a large number of laminated sheet members and parts with a small number of laminated sheet members. In Figure 3, one non-skin side sheet 21 is arranged over the entire length, and at the front and rear ends in the length direction, the skin side sheet 22 (skin side sheet 23) is laminated to the non-skin side sheet 21. In other words, the waist member 20 is constructed from one sheet member in the central part in the length direction, and from two or more sheet members at both ends in the length direction.

[0092] Thus, the portion in the longitudinal center with a small number of laminated sheet members is designated as the first portion FL. The portion located further outward (closer to the end) in the longitudinal direction than the first portion FL, and with a larger number of laminated sheet members than the first portion FL, is designated as the second portion ML. As shown in Figure 3, in the napkin 1 of this embodiment, one non-skin side sheet 21 is provided in the first portion FL located in the longitudinal center. At least two sheet members, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 22, are provided in the second portion ML, which is in front of the first portion FL in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, at least two sheet members, the non-skin side sheet 21 and the skin side sheet 23, are provided in the second portion ML, which is in rear of the first portion FL in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the first portion FL may have two laminated sheet members, and the second portion ML may have three or more laminated sheet members.

[0093] Of the waistband member 20, the second portion ML located at the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction is the part that is pulled diagonally upward when the napkin 1 is worn (see Figure 6). Therefore, by increasing the number of laminated sheet members in the second portion ML compared to the first portion FL, the strength of the second portion ML can be increased, thereby preventing the waistband member 20 from tearing when it is pulled diagonally upward.

[0094] In Figure 3, the non-skin-facing sheet 21 is folded back at the front and rear ends in the longitudinal direction, resulting in a partial three-layer stack of sheet material in the second section ML. With this configuration, the strength of the front and rear ends of the body wrap member 20 in the longitudinal direction is further increased, making the body wrap member 20 more resistant to tearing.

[0095] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the first portion FL overlaps with the central position CL of the napkin 1 in the longitudinal direction, and the second portion ML overlaps with the perforation 25 (separation portion) and the side joint portion 40 in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the strength of the second portion ML located near the perforation 25 (separation portion) of the waist member 20 is increased, making it easier to suppress the tearing of the waist member 20 when the waist member 20, which is separated into front and back halves, is pulled diagonally upward during the wearing of the napkin 1. On the other hand, in the first portion FL of the waist member 20 located near the central position CL in the crotch area when the napkin 1 is worn, the rigidity is not excessively high and flexibility is easily maintained, thus improving the fit in the crotch area.

[0096] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction, in the region forward of the central position CL, the boundary between the first portion FL and the second portion ML is located behind the rear end 40fb of the side joint 40f provided on the front waist portion 20f (see Figure 3). Similarly, in the longitudinal direction, in the region backward of the central position CL, the boundary between the first portion FL and the second portion ML is located forward of the front end 40bb of the side joint 40b provided on the rear side in the longitudinal direction (see Figure 3). Therefore, the waist member 20 is composed of a second portion ML with a larger number of laminated sheet members over the entire portion that overlaps with the side joint 40f (40b) in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, when the waist member 20 is pulled diagonally upward, the second portion ML with a larger number of laminated sheets is formed over the entire portion where force is likely to be applied, making the waist member 20 more resistant to tearing. Furthermore, in the first portion FL located behind (front of) the front end 40fb (rear end 40bb) of the side joint portion 40f (40b), the number of laminated sheet members constituting the waist member 20 is reduced, resulting in lower rigidity. This makes it easier to fit the waist member 20 more snugly to the contours of the wearer's body in the crotch area.

[0097] Furthermore, in the second portion ML of the waist member 20, where two or more sheet members are laminated, a high-pressure compression section 91 may be formed to join the sheet members by compressing them in the thickness direction. In Figure 2, a high-pressure compression section 91 is provided in the waist member 20 in a predetermined width area that overlaps with the perforations 25, where the density is higher than the surrounding area due to the compression of the sheet members. The high-pressure compression section 91 is a part where the non-skin-side sheet 21 and the skin-side sheet 22, which are laminated in the thickness direction, are joined to each other by compression. For example, it is formed by providing multiple dot-shaped compression sections dispersed in the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 2. By providing such a high-pressure compression section 91, the rigidity around the perforations 25 (separation section) is increased, making it more difficult for parts other than the perforations 25 to tear, thus making it easier to cleanly tear the waist member 20 along the perforations 25. Furthermore, since the rigidity of the laminated portion (second portion ML) of the waist member 20 is increased, even if the waist member 20 is pulled diagonally upward after tearing the perforations 25 during the wearing of the napkin 1, the waist member 20 is less likely to tear. In addition, since the waist member 20 is more likely to maintain a flat shape in the area where the high-pressure squeezing portion 91 is provided, when the napkin 1 is worn, the waist member 20 can fit snugly over the wearer's waist.

[0098] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction, both ends of the crotch elastic member 50 are positioned to overlap with the second portion ML (see Figure 3). By positioning both ends of the crotch elastic member 50 in the second portion ML, which has high rigidity, both ends of the crotch elastic member 50 are more easily and stably supported. In other words, it is easier to prevent the crotch elastic member 50 from slipping off due to the crotch member 20 tearing or the joint of the crotch elastic member 50 coming undone. This makes it easier to apply the elastic force of the crotch elastic member 50 to the absorbent body 10 (absorbent core 11). Therefore, when wearing the napkin 1, the absorbent core 11 is lifted towards the wearer's skin in the area where the crotch elastic member 50 is provided, deforming into a convex shape and making it easier to adhere to the wearer's crotch. Also, even if the absorbent body 10 absorbs menstrual blood or other excretions and its weight increases, the crotch elastic member 50 supports it, preventing the absorbent body 10 from sagging. This helps to prevent deterioration in fit around the crotch area.

[0099] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the unfolded and extended napkin 1, the front end 61ef of the leak-proof elastic member 61 is located behind the rear end 30eb of the engaging member 30 (see Figure 2). In other words, the leak-proof elastic member 61 is positioned so as not to overlap with the engaging member 30 in the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, when the napkin 1 is worn and the engaging member 30 is engaged with the waist member 20 (front waist portion 20f), the leak-proof elastic member 61 is prevented from being pressed down in the thickness direction by the engaging member 30, and the leak-proof portion 60 is more likely to stand up on the skin side. In addition, since the elasticity of the leak-proof elastic member 61 is not easily hindered, even if the wearer moves their body while wearing the napkin 1, the leak-proof portion 60 is more likely to follow the body's movements, making it easier to maintain a good fit.

[0100] <Regarding awareness of napkin 1> In the above embodiment, it was explained that napkin 1 can be used in both pant-type and tape-type states. Generally, the method of wearing and the procedure for wearing pant-type absorbent items and tape-type napkins are different. In particular, wearing in tape-type state requires different procedures for the left and right sides, so it is necessary for the wearer to be aware of the method of wearing.

[0101] For example, in the case of a panty-type sanitary napkin 1, the napkin can be worn by inserting both legs through the pair of leg openings 1b from the waist opening 1a side, and then pulling the napkin 1 up until the waist opening 1a reaches the wearer's waist. In other words, a panty-type sanitary napkin 1 can be worn on both sides of the wearer's body with almost symmetrical and similar movements.

[0102] On the other hand, when wearing the napkin 1 in a tape-type state, for example, the perforation 25 on one side in the left-right direction of the pant-type state is used to tear one end of the front waistband portion 20f in the left-right direction, and the engaging member 30 on one side is engaged with the front waistband portion 20f to pass one leg of the wearer through the leg opening 1b on one side in the left-right direction of the napkin 1. Subsequently, the perforation 25 on the other side in the left-right direction of the front waistband portion 20f is torn, and the engaging member 30 on the other side is engaged with the front waistband portion 20f to pass the wearer's other leg through the leg opening 1b on the other side in the left-right direction of the napkin 1.

[0103] However, since typical panty-type (shorts-type) absorbent products have a symmetrical shape when viewed from above, absorbent products that can be worn in both panty-type and tape-type configurations, such as napkin 1, may not be easily recognized by the wearer as requiring different procedures for the left and right sides when worn in tape-type configuration. In particular, since napkin 1 is in panty-type configuration when removed from the package, it may be difficult for the wearer to recognize that the procedure for wearing napkin 1 in tape-type configuration differs between the left and right sides.

[0104] Therefore, with respect to the panty-type napkin 1, by making its shape asymmetrical with respect to the center position in the left-right direction when extended, it may be made easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0105] Figure 8 is a plan view showing an example of a napkin 1 with an asymmetrical shape with respect to the central position C-C in the left-right direction. In Figure 8, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the engaging member 30 provided on one side in the left-right direction is referred to as the one-side engaging member 30a, and the engaging member 30 provided on the other side in the left-right direction is referred to as the other-side engaging member 30b. The same applies to other parts other than the engaging members 30 (for example, the side joint 40 and the engaging part 32, etc.).

[0106] As shown in Figure 8, in the extended state, the length L1a from the other end 30aei of one-side engaging member 30a to the other end 40au of one-side side joint 40a (one-side fixing part 35a) in the left-right direction is different from the length L1b from the one end 30bei of the other-side engaging member 30b to the one end 40bu of the other-side side joint 40b (other-side fixing part 35b) (L1a ≠ L1b).

[0107] Because the lengths L1a and L1b of the napkin 1 in its stretched state are different in the left-right direction, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center C-C in the left-right direction. Therefore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize and be aware that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side. In particular, in the case of absorbent items that can be worn in a panty-type state, such as the napkin 1, panty-type absorbent items generally have a symmetrical shape, so wearers can easily become confused when trying to put them on in a tape-type state. In contrast, with the napkin 1 shown in Figure 8, the initial panty-type state of the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center C-C in the left-right direction, making it easier for the wearer to recognize that the napkin 1 is not a typical panty-type absorbent item but can also be worn in a tape-type state, and that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0108] Furthermore, in the extended state of the napkin 1, it is preferable that the length L3a from the center 32ac in the left-right direction of one side engaging portion 32a to the other end 35au of one side joint portion 40a (one side fixing portion 35a) and the length L3b from the center 32bc in the left-right direction of the other side engaging portion 32b to the one end 35bu of the other side joint portion 40b (other side fixing portion 35b) are different (L3a ≠ L3b).

[0109] This makes it easier for the wearer to recognize that the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center C-C in the left-right direction, compared to when lengths L3a and L3b are the same length. It also makes it easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0110] Furthermore, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the area of ​​the engagement member 30a on one side and the area of ​​the engagement member 30b on the other side may be different. By visually observing the engagement member 30a and the engagement member 30b of different sizes, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction, compared to when the engagement member 30a and the engagement member 30b have the same area. Therefore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to use different procedures for one side and the other side of the napkin 1 in the left-right direction when putting it on.

[0111] Furthermore, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the shape of the engagement member 30a on one side and the shape of the engagement member 30b on the other side may be different. For example, the engagement member 30a on one side may be semicircular, and the engagement member 30b on the other side may be rectangular (not shown in Figure 8). By visually observing the engagement member 30a on one side and the engagement member 30b on the other side, the wearer can more easily recognize that the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center in the left-right direction. Therefore, it becomes easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0112] Furthermore, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the length L4a from the central position C-C of the crotch elastic member 50 to the other end 30aei of one side engaging member 30a in the left-right direction is different from the length L4b from the central position C-C of the crotch elastic member 50 to the one end 30bei of the other side engaging member 30b (L4a ≠ L4b).

[0113] This makes it easier for the wearer to recognize that the napkin 1 has an asymmetrical shape with respect to the center C-C in the left-right direction, compared to when lengths L4a and L4b are the same length. It also makes it easier for the wearer to recognize that it is preferable to put on the napkin 1 using different procedures on one side and the other side in the left-right direction.

[0114] <About the configuration of the perforations 25 (separation section 25)> The perforations 25 (separation section 25) provided on the waist member 20 may have the following configuration. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the perforations 25 (separation section 25). As shown in Figure 9, the separation section 25 has a plurality of "cut sections 25a" and a plurality of "non-cut sections 25b" that are alternately arranged in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). In the cut sections 25a, all or part of the sheet members (non-skin side sheet 21 and skin side sheet 22) laminated in the front waist section 20f is cut. In other words, the cut section 25a is an opening through which the entire sheet member is cut in the thickness direction, or a groove that is recessed in the thickness direction where a part of the sheet member is cut. In the separation section 25, the strength of the front waist section 20f is reduced by the cut sections 25a, and the front waist section 20f becomes more prone to tearing in the vertical direction.

[0115] The separation section 25 extends vertically from the upper end 20fu (body opening 1a) to the lower end 20fl (leg opening 1b) of the front body section 20f. Therefore, by tearing the front body section 20f vertically along the separation section 25, the body member 20 is separated into front and rear sections.

[0116] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the multiple notches 25a include an "upper notch 25a1" located second from the top, a "lower notch 25a2" located second from the bottom, and an "intermediate notch 25a3" located between the upper notch 25a1 and the lower notch 25a2. Moreover, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the vertical length L25a3 of the intermediate notch 25a3 is longer than the vertical length L25a1 of the upper notch 25a1 and the vertical length L25a2 of the lower notch 25a2 (L25a3 > L25a1, L25a3 > L25a2).

[0117] In other words, an intermediate cut portion 25a3, which is longer in the vertical direction, is provided at a position inward in the vertical direction from the upper and lower ends of the waist member 20 (front waist portion 20f). Therefore, compared to a separation portion without an intermediate cut portion 25a3 (i.e., a separation portion consisting only of short cut portions), the longer intermediate cut portion 25a3 acts as a starting point, making the separation portion 25 more prone to tearing. Thus, it becomes easier to separate the waist member 20 when attaching or detaching the napkin 1.

[0118] Furthermore, the upper and lower notches 25a1 and 25a2 located at the upper or lower end of the waist member 20 are more likely to become the starting point for tearing of the separation portion 25 compared to the intermediate notch 25a3. Therefore, by making the intermediate notch 25a3 longer, rather than the upper and lower notches 25a1 and 25a2, unintended tearing of the separation portion 25 before use or while wearing the napkin 1 can be suppressed, and the annular waist member 20 is maintained.

[0119] Furthermore, the vertical length L25a3 of the intermediate cut portion 25a3 in this embodiment is longer than the vertical length of each of the cut portions 25a, including the upper cut portion 25a1 and the lower cut portion 25a2. Also, in the extended state of the napkin 1, the separation portion 25 in this embodiment has a straight shape along the vertical direction, but the separation portion 25 may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction or may have a curved shape.

[0120] Furthermore, in the stretched state of the napkin 1, it is preferable that the average vertical length of all notches 25a other than the intermediate notch 25a3 (for example, L25aave in Figure 9) is longer than the average vertical length of all non-notched sections 25b (for example, L25bave in Figure 9) (L25aave > L25bave). This increases the proportion of the total length of the notches 25a in the separation section 25, making the separation section 25 more prone to tearing. However, the above is not limited to the above; the average length L25aave of the notches 25a may be less than or equal to the average length L25bave of the non-notched sections 25b. Also, in Figure 9, the vertical lengths of the notches 25a other than the uppermost and lowermost notches 25a and the intermediate notch 25a3 that reach the upper and lower ends of the waist member 20 are constant, but the vertical lengths of the notches 25a may be irregular. Similarly, the vertical length of the non-cut portion 25b is not limited to being constant, but may be irregular.

[0121] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the napkin 1, the front end (upper end) 61ef of the leak-proof elastic member 61 is located behind (below) the rear end (lower end) 25a3b of the intermediate cut portion 25a3. In other words, in the longitudinal direction, the portion where the elasticity of the leak-proof elastic member 61 acts and the intermediate cut portion 25a3 do not overlap. By positioning the intermediate cut portion 25a3 in a location less affected by the expansion and contraction of the leak-proof elastic member 61, it becomes easier to maintain a wide-open shape of the intermediate cut portion 25a3 when tearing the separation portion (perforation) 25, making it easier to separate the waist member 20 when attaching or detaching the napkin 1. Similarly, in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction), the front end (upper end) 50ef of the crotch elastic member 50 is located behind (below) the rear end (lower end) 25a3b of the intermediate cut portion 25a3 (not shown in Figure 9). Therefore, the separation portion 25 can be made easier to tear.

[0122] ===Other=== The above embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

[0123] In the above-described embodiment, a pair of perforations 25 (separation sections 25) were provided on both sides of the waist member 20 in the left-right direction, but the perforations 25 may be provided on only one side. In other words, the waist member 20 may be configured so that only one side in the left-right direction is separable front to back.

[0124] 1. Napkin (pant-type absorbent item), 1a. Waist opening, 1b. Leg opening, 10. Absorbent body, 11. Absorbent core, 12. Top sheet, 13. Back sheet, 13a. Liquid impermeable sheet, 13b. Hydrophobic sheet, 18. Core wrap sheet, 20. Waist member, 20f. Front waist section, 20b. Rear waist section, 21. Non-skin side sheet, 22. Skin side sheet, 23. Skin side sheet, 25. Perforation (separation section), 25fe. Separation end, 25be. Separation end, 25a. Cut section, 25b. Non-cut section, 26. Waist elastic member, 26b. Rear waist elastic member, 30. Engaging member, 31. Base sheet, 32. Engaging section, 35. Base sheet fixing section, 40. Side joint, 40f. Side joint (front), 40b Side joint (rear), 50 Crotch elastic member, 50ef Front end, 50eb Rear end, 60 Leak-proof wall section, 61 Leak-proof wall elastic member, 61ef Front end, 66 End fixing section (leak-proof wall end fixing section), 66f Front end fixing section, 66b Rear end fixing section, 70 High-density section, 91 High-pressure compression section, CL Center position, FL First section, ML Second section

Claims

1. A pant-type absorbent article having an absorbent body with an absorbent core, having longitudinal, left-right, and thickness directions that intersect each other when unfolded and extended; a waist member having a front waist portion and a rear waist portion; an engaging member whose outer end in the left-right direction is irremovably fixed to the waist member and whose inner end is removably engaged with the non-skin side of the waist member; and a plurality of waist elastic members provided at least on the front waist portion and expanding and contracting along the left-right direction, wherein the waist member has a pair of separating portions for separating the waist member front to back at a position overlapping with the engaging member in the left-right direction; a leak-proof wall elastic member provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the left-right direction and expanding and contracting along the longitudinal direction; a crotch elastic member provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent core and expanding and contracting along the longitudinal direction, A pant-type absorbent article characterized in that the front end of the portion of the leak-proof wall elastic member on which the elasticity acts is located in front of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, the front end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the elasticity acts is located rearward of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion, and the rear end of the portion of the crotch elastic member on which the elasticity acts is located rearward of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article.

2. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the stretched state, the leak-proof elastic wall member is positioned outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

3. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the absorbent body has a pair of leak-proof wall portions on both sides in the left-right direction that stand upright on the skin side based on the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member, the pant-type absorbent article has leak-proof wall end fixing portions that fix both ends of the leak-proof wall portions to the skin side of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, and in the extended state, the leak-proof wall end fixing portions are positioned outside the outermost end of the absorbent core in the left-right direction.

4. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the leak-proof wall end fixing portion provided at the front end of the leak-proof wall portion in the longitudinal direction is located in the longitudinal direction in front of the rearmost of the plurality of waist elastic members that are arranged in the front waist portion overlapping with the separation portion.

5. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the left-right direction, the leak-proof wall end fixing portion and the leak-proof wall elastic member are separated by a predetermined distance.

6. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the left-right direction, the innermost end of the contour of the waist member is located outside the outermost end of the absorbent core, and in the longitudinal direction, the position where the width of the waist member is narrowest in the left-right direction is located in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article.

7. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the waist member has a first portion located in the central part in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion located further outward in the longitudinal direction than the first portion, and having a greater number of sheet members laminated in the thickness direction than the first portion.

8. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 7, characterized in that the first portion overlaps with the central position of the pant-type absorbent article in the longitudinal direction, and the second portion overlaps with the separating portion in the longitudinal direction.

9. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the pant-type absorbent article has a pair of side joints at both ends in the left-right direction that join the front waist portion and the rear waist portion to each other, and in the longitudinal direction, in the region in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article, the boundary between the first portion and the second portion is located behind the rear end of the side joint, and in the region in front of the center position of the pant-type absorbent article, the boundary between the first portion and the second portion is located in front of the front end of the side joint.

10. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 7, characterized in that the waist member has a high-pressure compression section that compresses the sheet member laminated in the second portion in the thickness direction.

11. The pants-type absorbent article according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, both ends of the crotch elastic member are provided at positions that overlap with the second portion.

12. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the longitudinal direction, the front end of the portion on which the elasticity of the leak-proof wall elastic member acts is located further back than the rear end of the engaging member.

13. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the article has a pair of side joints at both ends in the left-right direction that join the front waist portion and the rear waist portion to each other, the engaging member has a one-side engaging member provided on one side in the left-right direction and a other-side engaging member provided on the other side in the left-right direction, the side joint has a one-side side joint provided on one side in the left-right direction and a other-side joint provided on the other side in the left-right direction, the one-side engaging member is fixed to the waist portion at the one-side joint, and the other-side engaging member is fixed to the waist portion at the other-side joint, and in the extended state, the length from the other end of the one-side engaging member to the other end of the one-side joint in the left-right direction is different from the length from one end of the other-side engaging member to one end of the other-side joint.

14. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the stretched state, the length from the center of the one-side engaging portion in the left-right direction to the other end of the one-side joint portion is different from the length from the center of the other-side engaging portion in the left-right direction to the one end of the other-side joint portion.

15. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the stretched state, the area of ​​the one-sided engaging member and the area of ​​the other-sided engaging member are different.

16. A pant-type absorbent article according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the stretched state, the distance from the central position of the crotch elastic member to the other end of the one-sided engagement portion in the left-right direction is different from the distance from the central position of the crotch elastic member to the one-sided engagement portion.

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