Absorbent article for pets

Abstract

An absorbent article for pets according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a body portion that has a horizontally long shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and includes an obverse surface sheet disposed on a skin-surface side, a reverse surface sheet disposed on a non-skin-surface side, and an absorber disposed between the obverse surface sheet and the reverse surface sheet, the body portion having a first end part disposed on one longitudinal-direction side with respect to the absorber and a second end part disposed on the other longitudinal-direction side with respect to the absorber; an engagement member that is provided to the first end part and engages the first end part and the second end part; and a rigid sheet that is provided to at least one of the first end part and the second end part.

Description

Absorbent article for pets

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article for pets.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article for animals, which is provided with an engaging portion disposed on the first surface of the first region of the absorbent article and detachably engaged with the second surface of the second region, and a squeezing portion forming region having one or a plurality of squeezing portions that at least partially overlap the peripheral region of the engaging portion. Patent Document 2 discloses an absorbent article for pets, which is provided with a first hook member disposed on the back layer side of the first end portion, a second hook member disposed on the back layer side of the second end portion, a first hook member engaging portion provided on the surface sheet side in the vicinity of the second end portion and capable of engaging with the first hook member, and a second hook member engaging portion provided on the second end side of the first hook member on the back layer side in the vicinity of the first end portion and capable of engaging with the second hook member.

[0003] Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020 - 182, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013 - 31380

[0004] The belly wrap - type absorbent article for pets described in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 is worn on a pet by grasping both longitudinal ends by hand and winding it around the pet's torso in an expanded state. At this time, since both ends of the absorbent article for pets are generally composed of a thin and soft material, depending on the size of the absorbent article, it is difficult to maintain the absorbent article in an expanded state while grasping both ends of the absorbent article by hand, and it may take time for the user to wear the absorbent article.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article for pets that can be easily worn on a pet's body.

[0006] In one embodiment, an absorbent pet article is provided that is wrapped around the body of a pet. This absorbent pet article has a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and includes a main body portion comprising a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent material disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body portion having a first end disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent material and a second end disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent material, an engaging member provided at the first end that engages the first end and the second end, and a rigid sheet provided at least one of the first end and the second end.

[0007] In the above-described absorbent pet article, a rigid sheet is provided on at least one of the first end and the second end. When attaching the absorbent pet article, the user can easily spread it out by grasping this rigid sheet with their hand. Furthermore, because the rigid sheet provides rigidity to at least one of the first end and the second end, when the absorbent pet article is pulled in the longitudinal direction while grasping the first end and the second end with the hands, deformation of the portion with the rigid sheet (at least one of the first end and the second end) is suppressed. As a result, the absorbent pet article can be easily maintained in a spread-out state. Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the absorbent pet article can be easily attached to the pet's body.

[0008] In one embodiment, the main body has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and the engaging member is positioned spaced apart from the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, and the shortest distance from the first side edge or the second side edge to the rigid sheet may be shorter than the distance between the engaging member and the first side edge in the longitudinal direction. By positioning the engaging member spaced apart from the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, the user can easily grasp the portion between the engaging member and the first side edge with their hand. Furthermore, by positioning the rigid sheet relatively close to the first side edge or the second side edge, the user can easily grasp the rigid sheet with their hand when grasping the first and second ends with their hand. Therefore, it becomes easier to spread out the absorbent pet product, and as a result, the absorbent pet product can be attached to the pet's body more easily.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rigid sheet may be positioned so as to coincide with the center line of the main body in the shorter direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. According to this embodiment, since the rigid sheet is positioned in the central part of the main body in the shorter direction, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the rigid sheet with their hand.

[0010] In one embodiment, the width of the rigid sheet in the short direction may be more than half the width of the absorbent in the short direction. A relatively wide rigid sheet helps to further suppress deformation of the portion where the rigid sheet is provided (at least one of the first and second ends) when the pet absorbent article is pulled in the long direction while grasping the first and second ends with hands. This makes it easier to maintain the pet absorbent article in an unfolded state.

[0011] In one embodiment, the device further comprises a pair of leak-proof sheets that can stand upright relative to the surface sheet along a pair of upright lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the short direction, and the rigid sheet may extend in the short direction so as to partially overlap the pair of leak-proof sheets when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. By having the rigid sheet extend in the short direction so as to partially overlap the pair of leak-proof sheets for blocking pet urine, rigidity can be provided to the area between the pair of leak-proof sheets of the main body. As a result, deformation of the area is suppressed, making it easier to maintain the pet absorbent article in an unfolded state.

[0012] In one embodiment, the rigid sheet may be placed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. According to this embodiment, the rigid sheet is less likely to peel off the main body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the main body further includes one or more elastic members that extend in the longitudinal direction and provide elasticity to the main body, and the rigid sheet may be positioned to overlap with one or more elastic members, or the extension of one or more elastic members, when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. The fit of the pet absorbent article is improved as the multiple elastic members contract to follow changes in the posture and body shape of the pet. In addition, deformation due to the contraction of the multiple elastic members (for example, the first or second end curling up) is less likely to occur in the portion where the rigid sheet is provided (at least one of the first end and the second end). Therefore, even when multiple elastic members are provided, the pet absorbent article can be easily maintained in an unfolded state.

[0014] In one embodiment, the main body further includes a pair of flap portions arranged on the outside of the absorbent in the short direction, and a pair of outer elastic members provided on each of the flap portions to provide the pair of flap portions with elasticity in the longitudinal direction, wherein the pair of flap portions may, in their natural state, bend inward toward the skin surface on the outside of the rigid sheet in the short direction due to the contraction force of the pair of outer elastic members. The fit of the pet absorbent article is improved as the pair of outer elastic members contract to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape. In addition, because the pair of flap portions are bent inward toward the skin surface on the outside of the rigid sheet in their natural state, the user can easily recognize the position of the rigid sheet. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the rigid sheet with their hand.

[0015] In one embodiment, the ends of the curved pair of flaps may, in their natural state, be located longitudinally outward from the inner edge of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the curvature of the pair of flaps is relatively suppressed, so that the absorbent pet product is not attached to the pet's body with the pair of flaps curved.

[0016] In one embodiment, a second rigid sheet is further provided in addition to the first rigid sheet, which is a rigid sheet. The first rigid sheet is provided at the first end, and the second rigid sheet is provided at the second end. The length of the first rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction may differ from the length of the second rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction. According to this embodiment, when attaching the absorbent pet article, the user can easily spread the absorbent article by grasping the first rigid sheet and the second rigid sheet with their hands. Furthermore, because the first and second rigid sheets provide rigidity to the first and second ends, respectively, deformation of the first and second ends is suppressed when the absorbent pet article is pulled in the longitudinal direction while grasping the first and second ends with the hands. Moreover, because the length of the first rigid sheet differs from the length of the second rigid sheet, the user can easily recognize the orientation of the absorbent pet article. Therefore, the absorbent pet article can be attached to the pet's body more easily.

[0017] In one embodiment, the bending stiffness of the rigid sheet may be greater than that of the surface sheet. A relatively high bending stiffness of the rigid sheet further suppresses deformation in the area where the rigid sheet is provided. Conversely, a relatively low bending stiffness of the surface sheet allows the area of ​​the surface sheet without the rigid sheet to deform more easily in response to changes in the pet's posture and body shape. Therefore, it becomes easier to attach the pet absorbent article to the pet's body and to improve the fit of the pet absorbent article.

[0018] In one embodiment, the color difference between the rigid sheet and the surface sheet in the L*a*b color system may be 2 or more when viewed from the skin side. According to this embodiment, the rigid sheet can be easily recognized by the user. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the rigid sheet with their hand.

[0019] In one embodiment, the rigid sheet may be positioned so as to overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. According to this embodiment, the engaging member becomes less prone to deformation. Therefore, the engaging member can be easily engaged with the second end.

[0020] In one embodiment, the rigid sheet may be positioned so as not to overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. According to this embodiment, the rigid sheet can be easily grasped by hand without having to grasp the engaging member.

[0021] In one embodiment, the length of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction may differ from the length of the engaging member in the longitudinal direction. According to this embodiment, the rigid sheet and the engaging member can be distinguished from each other, and as a result, the rigid sheet can be easily recognized by the user. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the rigid sheet with their hand.

[0022] In one embodiment, the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction may be greater than the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the short direction. A relatively high tensile strength in the longitudinal direction allows for greater suppression of deformation in the portion of the pet absorbent article provided with the rigid sheet (at least one of the first and second ends) when the pet absorbent article is pulled longitudinally while being grasped by the first and second ends, respectively. Therefore, the pet absorbent article can be more easily maintained in an unfolded state.

[0023] In one embodiment, the backing sheet includes a liquid-impermeable backing film, and the thickness of the rigid sheet may be greater than the thickness of the backing film. The relatively thick rigid sheet allows it to be easily grasped by hand.

[0024] In one embodiment, the backing sheet includes a liquid-impermeable backing film, and the basis weight of the rigid sheet may be greater than that of the backing film. The relatively large basis weight of the rigid sheet allows the rigid sheet to be easily grasped by hand.

[0025] In one embodiment, the main body further includes one or more elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and providing elasticity to the main body, the surface sheet includes a surface nonwoven fabric, the back sheet includes a back nonwoven fabric, and the rigid sheet is positioned to overlap with one or more elastic members when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and at least one of the surface nonwoven fabric and the back nonwoven fabric may include a folded portion that is folded at a position overlapping with the rigid sheet in its natural state. According to this embodiment, when grasping the rigid sheet with the hand, the folded portion catches on the hand, making it easy to grasp the rigid sheet with the hand.

[0026] In one embodiment, the main body includes at least one opening or at least one opening-forming portion provided at at least one of the first end and the second end, which prevents the pet's tail from being inserted when the pet absorbent article is attached to the pet and improves the breathability of the internal space facing the surface sheet, wherein the at least one opening or at least one opening-forming portion may be positioned in a location aligned with the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. According to this embodiment, deformation of the opening or opening-forming portion positioned in a location aligned with the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body is suppressed. For example, if the rigid sheet extends along the short direction, the rigidity of the rigid sheet suppresses deformation or contraction of the main body in the short direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the closing of the opening due to deformation or contraction of the main body in the short direction, thereby effectively improving the breathability of the pet absorbent article.

[0027] In one embodiment, the rigid sheet may be made of a nonwoven fabric. According to this embodiment, the rigid sheet can be easily formed.

[0028] In one embodiment, the device further includes a second rigid sheet separate from the first rigid sheet, which is a rigid sheet. The main body has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The first rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the first side edge, and the second rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the second side edge. According to this embodiment, when attaching the absorbent pet article, the user can easily spread the absorbent article by grasping the first rigid sheet and the second rigid sheet with their hands. Furthermore, the rigidity provided to the first and second ends by the first and second rigid sheets respectively suppresses deformation of the first and second ends when pulling the absorbent pet article in the longitudinal direction while grasping the first and second ends with the hands. Moreover, in this embodiment, the first and second rigid sheets extend along the first and second side edges, respectively. This allows the user to easily grasp the first and second rigid sheets by hand when grasping the first and second ends. According to this embodiment, the absorbent article for pets can be attached to the pet's body more easily.

[0029] According to various aspects of the present invention, absorbent articles for pets can be easily attached to the body of a pet.

[0030] This is a schematic perspective view of an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment. This is a plan view of the absorbent pet article as seen from the skin side. This is a plan view of the absorbent pet article shown in Figure 2 with the leak-proof gathers omitted. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article along line B-B in Figure 2. This is a diagram illustrating the procedure for attaching the absorbent pet article to a pet. This is a plan view of a modified absorbent pet article as seen from the skin side.

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The drawings may be simplified or exaggerated in part for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0032] The following describes an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an absorbent pet article 1 according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pet article 1 as seen from the skin side Z1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent pet article 1 shown in Figure 2 with a pair of leak-proof gathers 40 omitted. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article 1 along the line A-A in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article 1 along the line B-B in Figure 2. The absorbent pet article 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is a disposable pet diaper that absorbs pet urine. Note that in Figure 2, the multiple inner elastic members 61 and multiple outer elastic members 62, which will be described later, are omitted from the illustration.

[0033] Figure 1 shows the absorbent pet material 1 in its natural state. The natural state means that no external force is applied to the absorbent pet material 1. On the other hand, Figures 2 to 5 show the absorbent pet material 1 in its unfolded state. The unfolded state means that the absorbent pet material 1 has been stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed. The skin-side Z1 is the side that faces the pet's skin when the absorbent pet material 1 is being worn, and the non-skin-side Z2 is the side that faces away from the pet's skin when the absorbent pet material 1 is being worn. In the following description, the person who puts the absorbent pet material 1 on the pet is referred to as the "user". Typically, the user is the pet's owner. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships will be described in the unfolded state.

[0034] In this specification, "pet" broadly encompasses vertebrates and invertebrates, and typically includes companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and hamsters. The absorbent pet article 1 is particularly suitable for use with male pets whose urethral opening is located anterior to the base of their hind legs. As shown in Figure 2, the absorbent pet article 1 extends in a short direction X, which is aligned along the anterior-posterior direction of the pet (the direction connecting the head and hindquarters), and in a longitudinal direction Y, which is aligned along the circumference of the pet's body. The short direction X and the longitudinal direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the short direction X and the longitudinal direction Y and includes a skin-facing side Z1 that faces the pet's skin when worn, and a non-skin-facing side Z2 that faces away from the pet's skin when worn. The absorbent pet article 1 is wrapped around the pet's body.

[0035] The absorbent pet article 1 comprises a main body 2. The main body 2 has a roughly rectangular (horizontally elongated) planar shape with a short side direction X and a long side direction Y. The main body 2 has a front edge 3 located on one end in the short side direction X and a rear edge 4 located on the other end in the short side direction X. When the absorbent pet article 1 is attached to a pet, the front edge 3 is located on the front leg side of the pet, and the rear edge 4 is located on the hind leg side of the pet. In the following description, the direction from the rear edge 4 toward the front edge 3 may be referred to as the front side, and the direction from the front edge 3 toward the rear edge 4 may be referred to as the rear side. The main body 2 also has a first side edge 5 located on one end in the long side direction Y and a second side edge 6 located on the other end in the long side direction Y.

[0036] The main body portion 2 includes a first end portion 7 located on one side in the longitudinal direction Y, a second end portion 8 located on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y, and a central portion 9 located between the first end portion 7 and the second end portion 8. In one embodiment, the first end portion 7 is a region located between the absorber 30 (described later) and the first side edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y. The second end portion 8 is a region located between the absorber 30 and the second side edge 6 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0037] The main body 2 includes a surface sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorbent body 30. The surface sheet 10 constitutes the surface of the main body 2 that comes into contact with the pet and is positioned on the skin side Z1. The surface sheet 10 has liquid permeability, for example, allowing the pet's urine to pass through to the absorbent body 30. The surface sheet 10 is located approximately in the center in the short direction X. The surface sheet 10 is joined to the back sheet 20 and the absorbent body 30 with, for example, a hot melt adhesive. The surface sheet 10 is made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric (surface nonwoven fabric). Examples of nonwoven fabrics that make up the surface sheet 10 include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or point-bond nonwoven fabric.

[0038] The backing sheet 20 constitutes the outer surface of the main body 2 when worn and is positioned on the non-skin side Z2. The backing sheet 20 includes a liquid-impermeable backing film 21 and a backing nonwoven fabric 22 positioned on the non-skin side Z2 than the backing film 21. In the short direction X, the width of the backing film 21 is narrower than the width of the backing nonwoven fabric 22, and the backing nonwoven fabric 22 extends on both sides of the short direction X than the backing film 21. The backing film 21 may have substantially the same width as the backing nonwoven fabric 22. The backing nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the absorbent pet article 1. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that make up the backing nonwoven fabric 22 include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or point-bond nonwoven fabric. The backing film 21 is joined to the backing nonwoven fabric 22 and the absorbent body 30, for example, with a hot-melt adhesive. Furthermore, the back sheet 20 does not necessarily have to include both the back film 21 and the back nonwoven fabric 22; it may be composed of only one of the back film 21 or the back nonwoven fabric 22.

[0039] The absorbent body 30 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent body 30 is located approximately in the center of the main body 2 and absorbs pet urine. The absorbent body 30 has a roughly rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction Y. In one embodiment, the absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent core containing water-absorbing pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and a core wrap covering the surface of the absorbent core. As the pulp of the absorbent core, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon, acetate, and other cellulose fibers are used. As the superabsorbent polymer, for example, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers are used. The absorbent body 30 may also be an SAP sheet that does not contain pulp and is mainly composed of SAP. The absorbent body 30 shown in Figure 4 is bonded to the surface sheet 10 with hot melt adhesive H1 and to the back sheet 20 (back film 21) with hot melt adhesive H2.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the absorbent pet article 1 further includes a pair of leak-proof gathers 40. The pair of leak-proof gathers 40 are provided on the surface sheet 10 and are spaced apart from each other in the short direction X. The pair of leak-proof gathers 40 are positioned to cover both sides of the surface sheet 10 in the short direction X from the skin side Z1 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y along the entire length of the main body 2.

[0041] The pair of leak-proof gathers 40 includes a front leak-proof gather 41 provided along the front edge 3 and a rear leak-proof gather 51 provided along the rear edge 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 are configured as separate components separated from other components, but the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 may also be formed by folding the back nonwoven fabric 22 towards the surface sheet 10 on the outside of the main body 2 in the short direction X. In this case, a part of the back nonwoven fabric 22 folded towards the surface sheet 10 constitutes the pair of leak-proof gathers 40, and the other part of the back nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the back sheet 20 of the main body 2.

[0042] The front leak - proof gather 41 includes a front leak - proof sheet 42 and a front elastic member 43 arranged along the inner edge 42a of the front leak - proof sheet 42 in the short - hand direction X. The front leak - proof sheet 42 is arranged on one side (front - edge 3 side) in the short - hand direction X. The rear leak - proof gather 51 includes a rear leak - proof sheet 52 and a rear elastic member 53 arranged along the inner edge 52a of the rear leak - proof sheet 52 in the short - hand direction X. The rear leak - proof sheet 52 is arranged on the other side (rear - edge 4 side) in the short - hand direction X. Each of the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 is composed of a water - repellent or hydrophobic non - woven fabric. For example, the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 are composed of a spunlace non - woven fabric, a spunbond non - woven fabric, a thermal - bond non - woven fabric, a melt - blown non - woven fabric, an SMS non - woven fabric, a needle - punch non - woven fabric, an air - through non - woven fabric, etc.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, a part of the inner portion of the front leak - proof sheet 42 in the short - hand direction X is folded back to the non - skin - side Z2, and the front elastic member 43 is arranged between the folded - back front leak - proof sheets 42. The front elastic member 43 is composed of a stretchable material such as rubber or spandex that can contract in the longitudinal direction Y, for example. The front elastic member 43 is joined to the front leak - proof sheet 42 by a hot - melt adhesive in a state of being stretched in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0044] A part of the inner portion of the rear leak - proof sheet 52 in the short - hand direction X is folded back to the non - skin - side Z2, and the rear elastic member 53 is arranged between the folded - back rear leak - proof sheets 52. The rear elastic member 53 is composed of a stretchable material such as rubber or spandex that can contract in the longitudinal direction Y, for example. The rear elastic member 53 is joined to the rear leak - proof sheet 52 by a hot - melt adhesive in a state of being stretched in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 are partially joined to the surface sheet 10 or the back sheet 20 outside the absorber 30. In FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the area joined to the surface sheet 10 among the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 is shown shaded.

[0046] The front leak - proof sheet 42 includes a lateral fixing part 44, a first longitudinal fixing part 45, a second longitudinal fixing part 46, and a front standing part 47. The lateral fixing part 44, the first longitudinal fixing part 45, and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 are regions of the front leak - proof sheet 42 that are joined to the surface sheet 10. The front standing part 47 is a region of the front leak - proof sheet 42 that is not joined to the surface sheet 10.

[0047] The lateral fixing part 44 is arranged on one side (front - end edge 3 side) in the lateral direction X with respect to the absorber 30 and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. The lateral fixing part 44 is joined to the surface sheet 10 by, for example, a hot - melt adhesive H. Note that a part of the front leak - proof sheet 42 arranged outside the lateral fixing part 44 in the lateral direction X of the front leak - proof sheet 42 may also be fixed to the surface sheet 10. At the boundary between the lateral fixing part 44 and the front standing part 47, a front standing line 44a serving as a standing fulcrum of the front standing part 47 in the lateral direction X is formed.

[0048] The front standing line 44a is arranged between the center line CL in the lateral direction X of the main body part 2 and the front - end edge 3 and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the front standing line 44a is arranged between the edge of the absorber 30 on the front side and the front - end edge 3. Note that the front standing line 44a may partially overlap the absorber 30 when viewed in the thickness direction Z.

[0049] The first longitudinal fixing part 45 and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 are arranged outside the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. The first longitudinal fixing part 45 is arranged on one side (first side - edge 5 side) in the longitudinal direction Y and is joined to the main body part 2 in a state of falling inward in the lateral direction X. The second longitudinal fixing part 46 is arranged on the other side (second side - edge 6 side) in the longitudinal direction Y and is joined to the main body part 2 in a state of falling inward in the lateral direction X. Each of the first longitudinal fixing part 45 and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 is joined to the surface sheet 10 by, for example, a hot - melt adhesive H.

[0050] The first longitudinal fixing part 45 and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 are arranged spaced inward in the lateral direction X with respect to the lateral fixing part 44. Each of the first longitudinal fixing part 45 and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 is a set of a plurality of fixing parts (four in the example of FIG. 2) arranged at intervals from each other in the lateral direction X.

[0051] The front upright portion 47 is composed of the portion of the front leak-proof sheet 42 between the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 (i.e., the portion of the front leak-proof sheet 42 in which the front elastic member 43 is positioned and which is not joined to the surface sheet 10). The front upright portion 47 stands up due to the expansion and contraction of the front elastic member 43. As an example, the front upright portion 47 is configured to stand up relative to the surface sheet 10 along the front upright line 44a when the front elastic member 43 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, with both ends in the longitudinal direction Y fixed by the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46.

[0052] The rear leak-proof sheet 52 includes a lateral fixing portion 54 and a rear upright portion 55. The lateral fixing portion 54 is the area of ​​the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that is joined to the surface sheet 10. The rear upright portion 55 is the area of ​​the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that is not joined to the surface sheet 10.

[0053] The lateral fixing portion 54 is positioned on the other side (rear edge 4 side) of the absorber 30 in the short direction X and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. The lateral fixing portion 54 is joined to the surface sheet 10 by, for example, a hot melt adhesive H. A portion of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that is positioned outside the lateral fixing portion 54 in the short direction X may also be fixed to the surface sheet 10. A rear upright line 54a is formed at the boundary between the lateral fixing portion 54 and the rear upright portion 55, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the rear upright portion 55 in the short direction X.

[0054] The rear upright line 54a is positioned between the center line CL in the short direction X of the main body 2 and the rear end edge 4, and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the rear upright line 54a is positioned between the end edge of the absorber 30 at the rear and the rear end edge 4. The rear upright line 54a may partially overlap the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0055] The rear upright portion 55 is composed of the portion of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that is located inside the shorter direction X of the lateral fixing portion 54 (i.e., the portion of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 in which the rear elastic member 53 is located and which is not joined to the surface sheet 10). The rear upright portion 55 stands up due to the expansion and contraction of the rear elastic member 53. As an example, the rear upright portion 55 is configured to stand up relative to the surface sheet 10 along the rear upright line 54a when the rear elastic member 53 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0056] As described above, the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52 stand upright relative to the surface sheet 10 along the front upright line 44a and the rear upright line 54a, which extend in the longitudinal direction Y, at positions spaced apart from each other in the short direction X. This prevents pet urine excreted in the absorbent body 30 from leaking in the short direction X.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the main body 2 further includes a plurality of inner elastic members 61 and a plurality of outer elastic members 62. Each of the inner elastic members 61 and outer elastic members 62 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, stretchable nonwoven fabric, stretchable film, or spandex, and is stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the main body 2 to be given elasticity in the longitudinal direction Y, and the main body 2 can be contracted to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture. Therefore, the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 is effectively improved.

[0058] The inner elastic member 61 and the outer elastic member 62 extend over the entire area of ​​the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner elastic member 61 and the outer elastic member 62 may extend over a part of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner elastic member 61 is positioned so as to overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The outer elastic member 62 is positioned so as to not overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z (outside the absorber 30 in the short direction X). In the example shown in Figures 3 to 5, three outer elastic members 62 are arranged on the front side and three outer elastic members 62 are arranged on the rear side. The inner elastic member 61 is positioned between the front outer elastic member 62 and the rear outer elastic member 62.

[0059] The inner elastic member 61 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20, and is joined to either the surface sheet 10 or the back sheet 20 using hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. The outer elastic member 62 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and one of the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 and the back sheet 20, and is joined to the surface sheet 10 and one of the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 and the back sheet 20 using hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the inner elastic member 61 and the outer elastic member 62 are positioned on the non-skin side Z2 relative to the absorber 30.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent article for pets 1 further includes an engaging member 70. The engaging member 70 is a member that engages the first end 7 and the second end 8, and has a rectangular shape that is long in the short direction X. The engaging member 70 is provided on the first end 7 and is positioned spaced apart from the first side edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y. The engaging member 70 is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 20. The engaging member 70 is, for example, a mechanical fastener having a number of hooks and is capable of engaging with the surface sheet 10 from the skin side Z1. The engaging member 70 may also be capable of engaging with the second end 8 via another engaging member (target member) provided on the surface sheet 10. The engaging member 70 may be provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 at the first end 7. In this case, the engaging member 70 may be able to engage with another engaging member provided on the back sheet 20 (back nonwoven fabric 22) from the non-skin side Z2, or it may be able to engage directly with the back sheet 20 from the non-skin side Z2.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the absorbent article 1 for pets further includes a first rigid sheet 81 and a second rigid sheet 82. The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 are members for providing rigidity to the main body 2. The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 have a rectangular shape that is long in the short-side direction X and are made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric or a film. By making the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 from a nonwoven fabric, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 can be easily formed.

[0062] The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be formed into sheets by coating them with a resin such as a non-tack type hot melt adhesive or a UV-curing resin. A coating method using a coater may be employed. Alternatively, other coating methods (comb-shaped coating, omega-shaped coating, spiral coating, or curtain coating, etc.) may be employed, in which case it is preferable that the ratio of the uncoated area to the coated area is 10% or less. When using a non-tack type hot melt adhesive, it is preferable that the basis weight of the hot melt adhesive after curing is 15 gsm or more greater than the basis weight of the surrounding area. In this embodiment, the basis weight of the back film 21 is, for example, 15 gsm. In this case, the presence or absence of the rigid sheet can be confirmed by touch. Furthermore, the 180-degree peel strength (room temperature tackiness after curing) of the hot melt adhesive after curing, measured in accordance with JIS Z0237, is, for example, 1.0 N / 25 mm or less, and preferably 0 N / 25 mm. In this case, the rigid sheet will not become sticky when touched by the user. Furthermore, the rigid sheet becomes less prone to deformation. For example, the width in the short direction X of the area to which the hot melt adhesive is applied is more than half the width of the absorber 30 in the short direction X, and the length in the long direction Y of the said area is 5 mm or more.

[0063] The first rigid sheet 81 is provided at the first end 7 and extends in the short direction X along the first side edge 5. The outer edge 81a of the first rigid sheet 81 in the longitudinal direction Y may overlap with the first side edge 5 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The outer edge 81a may be located inside the main body 2 with respect to the first side edge 5. As shown in Figure 5, the first rigid sheet 81 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 (back film 21). This makes it difficult for the first rigid sheet 81 to peel off from the main body 2. The first rigid sheet 81 is bonded to the surface sheet 10 with hot melt adhesive H3 and to the back film 21 with hot melt adhesive H4. The first rigid sheet 81 may be provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 or on the outer surface of the back sheet 20. The first rigid sheet 81 and another rigid sheet may be provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 and on the outer surface of the back sheet 20, respectively. In this case, the user can easily recognize the first rigid sheet 81.

[0064] The second rigid sheet 82 is provided at the second end 8 and extends in the short direction X along the second side edge 6. The outer edge 82a of the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y may overlap with the second side edge 6 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The outer edge 82a may be located inside the main body 2 with respect to the second side edge 6. The second rigid sheet 82 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 (back film 21), similar to the first rigid sheet 81 shown in Figure 5. This makes it difficult for the second rigid sheet 82 to peel off from the main body 2. The second rigid sheet 82 is bonded to the surface sheet 10 and the back film 21 with a hot melt adhesive. The second rigid sheet 82 may be provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 or on the outer surface of the back sheet 20. The second rigid sheet 82 and another rigid sheet may be provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 and on the outer surface of the back sheet 20, respectively. In this case, the user can easily recognize the second rigid sheet 82.

[0065] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the procedure for attaching the pet absorbent article 1 to a pet will be described. First, the user grasps the pet absorbent article 1 with one hand and spreads it out, then presses the first end 7 of the pet absorbent article 1 against the pet's back with the other hand. Next, the user holds the second end 8 of the pet absorbent article 1 with the other hand and wraps the pet absorbent article 1 around the pet's abdomen. At this time, the pet absorbent article 1 is attached so that the front leak-proof gather 41 is positioned in front of the pet's urethra and the rear leak-proof gather 51 is positioned behind the pet's urethra. Next, the user pulls the second end 8 upward so that the pet absorbent article 1 is tightly fitted around the pet's body, and then engages the engaging member 70 of the first end 7 with the surface sheet 10.

[0066] As described above, the absorbent pet article 1 has a first rigid sheet 81 and a second rigid sheet 82 provided at the first end 7 and the second end 8, respectively. When attaching the absorbent pet article 1, the user can easily spread it out by grasping the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hands. Furthermore, the first rigid sheet 81 provides rigidity to the first end 7, and the second rigid sheet 82 provides rigidity to the second end 8, so when the absorbent pet article 1 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y while grasping the first end 7 and the second end 8 with their hands, deformation of the first end 7 and the second end 8 is suppressed. As a result, the absorbent pet article 1 can be easily maintained in a spread-out state. Therefore, with the absorbent pet article 1, the absorbent pet article 1 can be easily attached to the pet's body.

[0067] Unlike the engaging member 70 and the target member, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 are members that do not contribute to the engagement between the first end 7 and the second end 8. For this reason, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 do not need to have hook-like projections like the engaging member 70. For example, if each of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 is provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10 or the outer surface of the back sheet 20, the user will grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 directly with their hands. In this case, because the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 do not have projections, the user can easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hands.

[0068] The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 provide rigidity to the main body 2, thereby suppressing deformation of the pet absorbent article 1 when worn. As a result, for example, the pet absorbent article 1 is less likely to shift towards the pet's hind legs when worn, thus suppressing displacement of the pet absorbent article 1.

[0069] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the first rigid sheet 81 extends in the short direction X along the first side edge 5, and the second rigid sheet 82 extends in the short direction X along the second side edge 6. This allows the user to easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 when grasping the first end 7 and the second end 8 with their hands. Therefore, it becomes easier to unfold the absorbent pet article 1, and as a result, the absorbent pet article 1 can be attached to the pet's body more easily.

[0070] As shown in Figure 2, the engaging member 70 is positioned at a distance from the first side edge 5. This allows the user to easily grasp the portion between the engaging member 70 and the first side edge 5 (the portion where the first rigid sheet 81 is located in Figure 2) with their hand. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the distance from the first side edge 5 to the first rigid sheet 81 in the longitudinal direction Y is shorter than the distance D between the engaging member 70 and the first side edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the distance from the second side edge 6 to the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y is shorter than distance D. In other words, the first rigid sheet 81 is positioned relatively close to the first side edge 5, and the second rigid sheet 82 is positioned relatively close to the second side edge 6. This allows the user to easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hand when grasping the first end 7 and the second end 8 with their hand. Therefore, it becomes easier to spread out the absorbent pet item 1, and as a result, the absorbent pet item 1 can be attached to the pet's body more easily. Note that when the outer edge 81a of the first rigid sheet 81 overlaps with the first side edge 5, the distance from the first side edge 5 to the first rigid sheet 81 is zero. Similarly, when the outer edge 82a of the second rigid sheet 82 overlaps with the second side edge 6, the distance from the second side edge 6 to the second rigid sheet 82 is zero.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 are positioned so as to coincide with the center line CL of the main body 2 in the short-side direction X when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Because the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 are positioned in the central part of the main body 2 in the short-side direction X, it is easier for the user to grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hands. In one embodiment, the center lines of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 in the short-side direction X coincide with the center line CL of the main body 2.

[0072] As shown in Figure 2, the width W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 and the width W2 of the second rigid sheet 82 in the short direction X are each more than half the width W3 of the absorbent 30 in the short direction X. The relatively wide widths W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 and W2 of the second rigid sheet 82 suppress deformation of the first end 7 and the second end 8 when the absorbent pet article 1 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y while being grasped by the first end 7 and the second end 8 by hand, respectively. This makes it easier to maintain the absorbent pet article 1 in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, the widths W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 and W2 of the second rigid sheet 82 are smaller than the width W3 of the absorbent 30. The width W3 of the absorbent 30 is smaller than the width W4 of the engaging member 70 in the short direction X. The centerlines of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 in the short direction X coincide with the centerline of the absorbent 30 in the short direction X.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 each extend in the short-side direction X such that they partially overlap with the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. That is, the width W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 and the width W2 of the second rigid sheet 82 in the short-side direction X are greater than the distance between the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 in the short-side direction X. This makes it possible to provide rigidity to the portion of the main body 2 that does not overlap with the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52. Therefore, deformation of that portion is suppressed, and the absorbent pet article 1 can be more easily maintained in an unfolded state. In one embodiment, the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 are positioned between the front upright line 44a and the rear upright line 54a when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 each are positioned to overlap with the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0074] As shown in Figure 3, each of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 is positioned to overlap with the multiple inner elastic members 61 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. This makes it difficult for deformation due to the contraction of the multiple inner elastic members 61 (for example, the first end 7 or the second end 8 to curl up) to occur at the first end 7 and the second end 8. Therefore, even when multiple inner elastic members 61 are provided, the absorbent pet article 1 can be easily maintained in an unfolded state. If the inner elastic members 61 extend over a part of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, each of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be positioned to overlap with the extension line of the inner elastic member 61 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0075] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the main body 2 includes a pair of flap portions F arranged on the outside of the absorber 30 in the short direction X. The pair of flap portions F includes a pair of first flap portions F1 arranged on the outside of the first rigid sheet 81 and a pair of second flap portions F2 arranged on the outside of the second rigid sheet 82 in the short direction X. The first flap portion F1 is composed of a portion between the front edge 3 and the front edge of the first rigid sheet 81, and a portion between the rear edge 4 and the rear edge of the first rigid sheet 81. The second flap portion F2 is composed of a portion between the front edge 3 and the front edge of the second rigid sheet 82, and a portion between the rear edge 4 and the rear edge of the second rigid sheet 82. As shown in Figure 3, the plurality of outer elastic members 62 extend over the entire area of ​​the pair of flap portions F in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the multiple outer elastic members 62 are provided on the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2 (overlapping with the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2). The multiple outer elastic members 62 provide the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2 with elasticity in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2 may, in their natural state, bend backward toward the skin side Z1 due to the contraction force of the multiple outer elastic members 62. This allows the user to easily recognize the position of the first rigid sheet 81 located between the pair of first flap portions F1 and the position of the second rigid sheet 82 located between the pair of second flap portions F2. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hands.

[0077] As shown in Figure 1, the outer end of the curved first flap portion F1 in the longitudinal direction Y (the end on the first side edge 5 side) may, in its natural state, be located outside the inner edge 81b of the first rigid sheet 81 in the longitudinal direction Y. Similarly, the outer end of the curved second flap portion F2 in the longitudinal direction Y (the end on the second side edge 6 side) may, in its natural state, be located outside the inner edge 82b of the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, since the curvature of the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2 is relatively suppressed, it is possible to prevent the absorbent pet article 1 from being attached to the pet's body with the first flap portion F1 and the second flap portion F2 curved.

[0078] As shown in Figure 2, the length L1 of the first rigid sheet 81 in the longitudinal direction Y is different from the length L2 of the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the length L1 of the first rigid sheet 81 is shorter than the length L2 of the second rigid sheet 82. In this case, the user can easily recognize the orientation of the absorbent pet item 1. Therefore, the absorbent pet item 1 can be attached to the pet's body in the correct orientation. The width W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 may also be different from the width W2 of the second rigid sheet 82. For example, the width W1 of the first rigid sheet 81 may be smaller than the width W2 of the second rigid sheet 82.

[0079] The bending rigidity of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be greater than the bending rigidity of the surface sheet 10. The relatively high bending rigidity of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 further suppresses deformation in the areas where the first and second rigid sheets 82 are provided. Furthermore, the relatively low bending rigidity of the surface sheet 10 allows the areas of the surface sheet 10 where the first and second rigid sheets 81 and 82 are not provided to deform more easily in response to changes in the pet's posture and body shape. Therefore, the pet absorbent article 1 can be more easily attached to the pet's body, and the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 can be improved.

[0080] The first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be colored differently from the surface sheet 10. For example, the color difference between the first rigid sheet 81 and the surface sheet 10 in the L*a*b color system may be 2 or more when viewed from the skin side Z1. The color difference between the second rigid sheet 82 and the surface sheet 10 in the L*a*b color system may also be 2 or more when viewed from the skin side Z1. This allows the user to easily recognize the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 with their hands.

[0081] The first rigid sheet 81 may be positioned so as to at least partially overlap the engaging member 70 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In this case, the engaging member 70 becomes less prone to deformation. Therefore, the engaging member 70 can be easily engaged with the second end portion 8.

[0082] The first rigid sheet 81 may be positioned so as not to overlap with the engaging member 70 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In this case, the first rigid sheet 81 can be easily grasped by hand without having to grasp the engaging member 70. As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment, the first rigid sheet 81 is positioned between the first side edge 5 and the engaging member 70 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0083] As shown in Figure 2, the length L1 of the first rigid sheet 81 may differ from the length L3 of the engaging member 70 in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the length L1 of the first rigid sheet 81 may be shorter than the length L3 of the engaging member 70 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the first rigid sheet 81 and the engaging member 70 can be distinguished from each other, and as a result, the user can easily recognize the first rigid sheet 81. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the first rigid sheet 81 with their hand.

[0084] The tensile strength of the first rigid sheet 81 in the longitudinal direction Y may be greater than the tensile strength of the first rigid sheet 81 in the short direction X. The tensile strength of the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y may be greater than the tensile strength of the second rigid sheet 82 in the short direction X. Because the tensile strengths of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 in the longitudinal direction Y are relatively large, when the absorbent pet article 1 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y while grasping the first end 7 and the second end 8 by hand, the deformation of the first end 7 and the second end 8 is further suppressed. Therefore, the absorbent pet article 1 can be more easily maintained in an unfolded state.

[0085] The thickness of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be greater than the thickness of the backing film 21. The relatively thick thickness of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 allows them to be easily grasped by hand.

[0086] The basis weight of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 may be greater than the basis weight of the backing film 21. The relatively large basis weight of the first rigid sheet 81 and the second rigid sheet 82 allows them to be easily grasped by hand.

[0087] As shown in Figure 5, the surface sheet 10 may include portions 10a that are not joined to the first rigid sheet 81. Portions 10a are portions to which the hot melt adhesive H3 is not applied and which overlap with the first rigid sheet 81 in the thickness direction Z without the hot melt adhesive H3 interposed. Portions 10a are portions that are not fixed to the first rigid sheet 81. For example, if the hot melt adhesive H3 is provided at intervals in the short direction X or the long direction Y, portions 10a will be positioned at the intervals corresponding to those intervals. When the inner elastic member 61 contracts in its natural state, portions 10a bend in accordance with the deformation of the surface sheet 10. As a result, portions 10a form a bent portion that overlaps with the first rigid sheet 81 in its natural state. With this configuration, when grasping the first rigid sheet 81 by hand, the bent portion catches on the hand, making it easy to grasp the first rigid sheet 81 by hand. Similarly, a portion of the surface sheet 10 may form a bent portion that overlaps with the second rigid sheet 82 in its natural state. Furthermore, a portion of the back nonwoven fabric 22 may form a bent portion that overlaps with the first rigid sheet 81 or the second rigid sheet 82 in its natural state.

[0088] [Modified Example] Figure 7 is a plan view of the pet absorbent article 1A according to the modified example, as seen from the skin side Z1. The pet absorbent article 1A differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 2 in that the main body portion 2 includes a plurality of openings 15.

[0089] The main body portion 2 is provided at the first end portion 7 and includes a plurality of openings 15 that prevent the pet's tail from being inserted when the pet absorbent article 1A is attached to the pet, and that improve the ventilation of the internal space facing the surface sheet 10. The plurality of openings 15 penetrate the main body portion 2 along the thickness direction Z. The plurality of openings 15 are arranged so as to sandwich the center line CL of the main body portion 2 between the absorbent body 30 and the engaging member 70 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0090] The multiple openings 15 are positioned in the longitudinal direction Y, aligned with the first rigid sheet 81, when viewed from the thickness direction Z. This suppresses deformation of the multiple openings 15. For example, as shown in Figure 7, when the first rigid sheet 81 extends along the short direction X, the rigidity of the first rigid sheet 81 suppresses deformation or contraction of the main body 2 in the short direction X. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the closing of the multiple openings 15 due to deformation or contraction of the main body 2 in the short direction X, thereby effectively improving the breathability of the pet absorbent article 1A. The multiple openings 15 may be provided at the second end 8. The main body 2 may include multiple opening-forming sections for forming the multiple openings 15. These opening-forming sections are, for example, multiple notches provided in the main body 2. When using the pet absorbent article 1A, the multiple openings 15 are formed by opening these notches.

[0091] Although various embodiments and modifications of absorbent articles for pets have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modified forms can be constructed without changing the gist of the invention. In other words, it should be noted that the embodiments and modifications described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0092] For example, in each of the absorbent pet articles 1 and 1A described above, a first rigid sheet 81 and a second rigid sheet 82 were provided at the first end 7 and the second end 8, respectively, but each of the absorbent pet articles 1 and 1A may not have either the first rigid sheet 81 or the second rigid sheet 82. The various embodiments and modifications described above can be combined within a non-consistent range.

[0093] This disclosure includes the following:

[0094] [1] An absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising: a main body having a transverse shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a first end disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent, and a second end disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent; an engaging member provided on the first end and engaging the first end and the second end; and a rigid sheet provided on at least one of the first end and the second end, the absorbent article for pets.

[0095] [2] The main body portion has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, the engaging member is located spaced apart from the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, and the shortest distance from the first side edge or the second side edge to the rigid sheet is shorter than the distance between the engaging member and the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, as described in [1].

[0096] [3] The rigid sheet is positioned such that it coincides with the center line of the main body in the short direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, as described in [1] or [2].

[0097] [4] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the width of the rigid sheet in the short direction is half or more of the width of the absorbent in the short direction.

[0098] [5] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a pair of leak-proof sheets that can stand upright relative to the surface sheet along a pair of upright lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the short direction, wherein the rigid sheet extends in the short direction such that it partially overlaps with the pair of leak-proof sheets when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

[0099] [6] The rigid sheet is placed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and is an absorbent pet article according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0100] [7] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the main body further includes one or more elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and providing elasticity to the main body, and the rigid sheet is positioned so as viewed from the thickness direction of the main body that it overlaps with the one or more elastic members or the extension line of the one or more elastic members.

[0101] [8] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the main body further includes a pair of flap portions arranged on the outside of the absorbent in the short direction, and a pair of outer elastic members provided on each of the pair of flap portions to impart elasticity to the pair of flap portions in the longitudinal direction, and the pair of flap portions, in their natural state, are curved toward the skin side on the outside of the rigid sheet in the short direction due to the contraction force of the pair of outer elastic members.

[0102] [9] The pet absorbent article according to [8], wherein the ends of the curved pair of flap portions are located, in the natural state, outside in the longitudinal direction of the inner edge of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction.

[0103]

[10] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [9], further comprising a second rigid sheet separate from the first rigid sheet which is the rigid sheet, wherein the first rigid sheet is provided at the first end, the second rigid sheet is provided at the second end, and the length of the first rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is different from the length of the second rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction.

[0104]

[11] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the bending rigidity of the rigid sheet is greater than the bending rigidity of the surface sheet.

[0105]

[12] The color difference between the rigid sheet and the surface sheet in the L*a*b color system is 2 or more when viewed from the skin side, the absorbent pet article according to any one of [1] to

[11] .

[0106]

[13] The rigid sheet is positioned to overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, as described in any one of [1] to

[12] , an absorbent article for pets.

[0107]

[14] The rigid sheet is positioned in a location that does not overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, as described in any one of [1] to

[12] .

[0108]

[15] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the length of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is different from the length of the engaging member in the longitudinal direction.

[0109]

[16] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is greater than the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the short direction.

[0110]

[17] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[16] , wherein the back sheet includes a liquid-impermeable back film, and the thickness of the rigid sheet is greater than the thickness of the back film.

[0111]

[18] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the back sheet includes a liquid-impermeable back film, and the basis weight of the rigid sheet is greater than the basis weight of the back film.

[0112]

[19] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[18] , wherein the main body further includes one or more elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and providing elasticity to the main body, the surface sheet includes a surface nonwoven fabric, the back sheet includes a back nonwoven fabric, the rigid sheet is positioned to overlap with the one or more elastic members when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and at least one of the surface nonwoven fabric and the back nonwoven fabric includes a bent portion that is folded in a natural state at a position overlapping with the rigid sheet.

[0113]

[20] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[19] , wherein the main body portion includes at least one of the first end and the second end portion and includes at least one opening or at least one opening forming portion for forming the at least one opening, wherein the pet's tail is not inserted when the pet absorbent article is attached to the pet and the internal space facing the surface sheet is improved, and the at least one opening or at least one opening forming portion is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion as viewed from the thickness direction and is aligned with the rigid sheet.

[0114]

[21] The pet absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[20] , wherein the rigid sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric.

[0115]

[22] The absorbent pet article according to any one of [1] to

[21] , further comprising a second rigid sheet separate from the first rigid sheet which is the rigid sheet, wherein the main body has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, the first rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the first side edge, and the second rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the second side edge.

[0116] 1, 1A... Absorbent article for pets, 2... Main body, 5... First side edge, 6... Second side edge, 7... First end, 8... Second end, 10... Surface sheet, 15... Opening, 20... Back sheet, 21... Back film, 22... Back nonwoven fabric, 30... Absorbent material, 42... Front leak-proof sheet, 44a... Front upright line, 52... Rear leak-proof sheet, 54a... Rear upright line, 61... Inner elastic member, 62... Outer elastic member, 70... Engaging member, 81... First rigid sheet, 81b... Inner edge, 82... Second rigid sheet, 82b... Inner edge, F... Flap portion.

Claims

1. An absorbent pet article that is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising: a main body having a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a first end disposed on one side of the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent, and a second end disposed on the other side of the longitudinal direction relative to the absorbent; an engaging member provided at the first end and engaging the first end and the second end; and a rigid sheet provided at least one of the first end and the second end.

2. The main body portion has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, the engaging member is located spaced apart from the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, and the shortest distance from the first side edge or the second side edge to the rigid sheet is shorter than the distance between the engaging member and the first side edge in the longitudinal direction, as described in claim 1.

3. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheet is positioned so as to coincide with the center line of the main body in the short direction when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

4. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the width of the rigid sheet in the short direction is half or more of the width of the absorbent in the short direction.

5. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of leak-proof sheets that are able to stand upright relative to the surface sheet along a pair of upright lines extending in the longitudinal direction at positions spaced apart from each other in the short direction, wherein the rigid sheet extends in the short direction such that it partially overlaps with the pair of leak-proof sheets when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

6. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheet is disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet.

7. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes one or more elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and providing elasticity to the main body, and the rigid sheet is positioned so as viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, it overlaps with the one or more elastic members or the extension lines of the one or more elastic members.

8. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a pair of flap portions arranged on the outside of the absorbent in the short direction, and a pair of outer elastic members provided on each of the pair of flap portions to impart elasticity to the pair of flap portions in the longitudinal direction, and the pair of flap portions, in their natural state, are curved toward the skin side on the outside of the rigid sheet in the short direction due to the contraction force of the pair of outer elastic members.

9. The pet absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein, in the natural state, the ends of the pair of curved flaps are located longitudinally outward from the inner edge of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction.

10. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a second rigid sheet separate from the first rigid sheet which is the rigid sheet, wherein the first rigid sheet is provided at the first end, the second rigid sheet is provided at the second end, and the length of the first rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is different from the length of the second rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction.

11. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the bending rigidity of the rigid sheet is greater than the bending rigidity of the surface sheet.

12. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the color difference between the rigid sheet and the surface sheet in the L*a*b color system is 2 or more when viewed from the skin side.

13. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheet is positioned to overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

14. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheet is positioned so as not to overlap with the engaging member when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

15. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the length of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is different from the length of the engaging member in the longitudinal direction.

16. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the longitudinal direction is greater than the tensile strength of the rigid sheet in the short direction.

17. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the backing sheet includes a liquid-impermeable backing film, and the thickness of the rigid sheet is greater than the thickness of the backing film.

18. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the back sheet includes a liquid-impermeable back film, and the basis weight of the rigid sheet is greater than the basis weight of the back film.

19. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes one or more elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and providing elasticity to the main body, the surface sheet includes a surface nonwoven fabric, the back sheet includes a back nonwoven fabric, the rigid sheet is positioned to overlap with the one or more elastic members when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and at least one of the surface nonwoven fabric and the back nonwoven fabric includes a bent portion that is folded in a natural state at a position overlapping with the rigid sheet.

20. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes at least one of the first end and the second end, and includes at least one opening or at least one opening forming portion for forming the at least one opening, wherein the pet's tail is not inserted when the pet absorbent article is attached to the pet and the internal space facing the surface sheet is improved, and the at least one opening or at least one opening forming portion is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the main body as viewed from the thickness direction, and is aligned with the rigid sheet.

21. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric.

22. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a second rigid sheet separate from the first rigid sheet which is the rigid sheet, wherein the main body has a first side edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second side edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, the first rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the first side edge, and the second rigid sheet extends in the short direction along the second side edge.

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