Absorbent article

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article capable of diffusing a body fluid in an appropriate manner in each of the front-back direction and the width direction, and easily maintaining the body fluid diffusing ability even when pressed by body pressure or the like. An absorbent article (1) comprises: a front-back direction (L), a width direction (W), and a thickness direction (T) orthogonal to each other; an absorbent body (30) having an absorbent material; a top sheet (21) that is disposed closer to the skin side than the absorbent body and makes contact with the skin of a wearer; a front-back diffusion part (91) that is formed in a recessed shape in the top sheet and diffuses the body fluid in the front-back direction; and a width diffusion part (95) that is formed in a recessed shape in the top sheet and diffuses the body fluid in the width direction. In a free state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion part and the depth of the front-back diffusion part are different.

Description

Absorbent article

[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a longitudinal diffusion portion that diffuses body fluid in the longitudinal direction and a width diffusion portion that diffuses body fluid in the width direction.

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose absorbent articles having a longitudinal diffusion portion that diffuses body fluid in the longitudinal direction and a width diffusion portion that diffuses body fluid in the width direction. The longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion of Patent Document 1 are constituted by lattice-shaped embossings formed on the absorber and the topsheet. The longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion of Patent Document 2 are constituted by convex portions formed on the upper layer of the topsheet.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-358109, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-172354

[0004] However, the absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2 had the following problems. The longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion of Patent Document 1 are both constituted by embossings. Also, the longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion of Patent Document 2 are both constituted by convex portions of the topsheet. That is, the longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are constituted by the same configuration (embossing or convex portion). Therefore, the longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion have a similar depth and are likely to diffuse body fluid in a similar manner. However, generally, the length in the width direction and the length in the longitudinal direction of an absorbent article are different. If the diffusion mode in the longitudinal direction and the diffusion mode in the width direction are the same, body fluid can be diffused in a sufficient range in one direction, but the diffusion range in the other direction may not be sufficient. Also, if the longitudinal diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion have the same shape, when one is crushed due to body pressure or the like, the other may also be crushed, and it may be difficult to maintain the diffusibility of body fluid.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an absorbent article that can diffuse body fluid in an appropriate manner in each of the longitudinal direction and the width direction and that can easily maintain the diffusibility of body fluid even when pressed by body pressure or the like.

[0006] An absorbent article according to one embodiment comprises an absorbent body having an absorbent material in mutually orthogonal front-to-back, width-to-thickness, and width-to-back directions; a top sheet positioned on the skin side of the absorbent body and in contact with the wearer's skin; a front-to-back diffusion section formed in a concave shape in the top sheet for diffusing bodily fluids in the front-to-back direction; and a width diffusion section provided in a concave shape in the top sheet for diffusing bodily fluids in the width-to-back direction. In the natural state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion section and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different.

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, as seen from the non-skin side. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of portion C shown in Figure 3. Figure 5(A) shows the article in its stretched state, and Figure 5(B) shows it in its natural state. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of portion D shown in Figure 4. Figure 6(A) shows the article in its stretched state, and Figure 6(B) shows it in its natural state. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the absorbent article in its natural state.

[0008] (1) Outline of Embodiments The absorbent article according to Embodiment 1 has an absorbent body having an absorbent material in front-to-back, width, and thickness directions that are orthogonal to each other, a top sheet positioned on the skin side of the absorbent body and in contact with the wearer's skin, a front-to-back diffusion section formed in a concave shape in the top sheet that diffuses bodily fluids in the front-to-back direction, and a width diffusion section provided in a concave shape in the top sheet that diffuses bodily fluids in the width direction. In the natural state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion section and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different. According to this embodiment, bodily fluids can be diffused in the front-to-back and width directions by the front-to-back diffusion section and the width diffusion section, and bodily fluids can be diffused over a wide area. Furthermore, because the depth of the width diffusion section and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different, the diffusion mode of the front-to-back diffusion section and the diffusion mode of the width diffusion section can be made different, and bodily fluids can be diffused in an appropriate manner in the front-to-back and width directions, respectively. Furthermore, because the depth of the width diffusion section and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different, even if one of the width diffusion section and the front-to-back diffusion section is crushed by pressure such as body pressure, the other can continue to diffuse the bodily fluids.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1. Before use, the absorbent article is folded using a pair of folds as starting points, which extend in the width direction and are positioned on either side of the front-to-back center of the crotch area where it is placed between the wearer's legs. Multiple front-to-back diffusion sections and width diffusion sections are provided in the region between the pair of folds. The region between the pair of folds includes the front-to-back center of the crotch area and is a region where a relatively large amount of bodily fluid is discharged. In this region between the pair of folds, the bodily fluid can be diffused by the multiple front-to-back diffusion sections and width diffusion sections.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2: The absorbent article has a front area located in front of the crotch area. Multiple front and rear diffusion sections and width diffusion sections are provided in both the crotch area and the front area. The applicant has conducted thorough research and studies on the usage of absorbent articles and found that for some wearers, the time they can hold back from urinating after feeling the urge to urinate is shorter than they realize. In particular, elderly people may unintentionally urinate when they feel the urge to urinate while lying down and try to stand up, and a large amount of urine may be discharged in front of the absorbent article, potentially causing leakage. Since multiple front and rear diffusion sections and width diffusion sections are provided not only in the crotch area but also in the front area, even if a large amount of urine is discharged in the front area, the bodily fluids can be diffused to suppress leakage.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 4 may have the following features in any of Embodiments 1 to 3: In the natural state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion portion is greater than the depth of the front-to-back diffusion portion. According to this embodiment, the relatively deep width diffusion portion promotes the diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction. Furthermore, even when body pressure is applied, the width diffusion portion is less likely to collapse, and the diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction can be maintained. In particular, when a large amount of urine is discharged to the front, diffusion in the width direction is easier to promote compared to diffusion in the front-to-back direction, and front leakage can be suppressed.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 5 may have the following features in the invention according to any of Embodiments 1 to 4. The absorbent article has a compressed section formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet. The compressed section extends in the front-rear direction and has a pair of front-rear compressed sections provided on both sides of the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. The number of width diffusion sections provided in the region between the pair of front-rear compressed sections is greater than the number of width diffusion sections provided in the region outside the front-rear compressed section in the width direction. According to this embodiment, because there are many width diffusion sections provided in the region between the pair of front-rear compressed sections, bodily fluids discharged to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction can be diffused in the width direction. Bodily fluids that reach the front-rear compressed section are diffused in the front-rear direction by the front-rear compressed section along with the front-rear diffusion sections. Bodily fluids that have diffused beyond the front-rear compressed section to the outside in the width direction are suppressed from further diffusing to the outside in the width direction because there are fewer width diffusion sections provided in the region outside the front-rear compressed section 81 in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to diffuse bodily fluids over a wide area in the width direction while suppressing lateral leakage of bodily fluids.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 6 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 5. The absorbent article has a central region located in the middle of a region obtained by dividing the area between the pair of front and rear compression parts into three equal parts in the width direction, and side regions located on both sides of the central region in the width direction of the three divided regions. In the area between the pair of folds, the number of width-diffusing parts in the side region is greater than the number of width-diffusing parts in the central region. According to this embodiment, since the number of width-diffusing parts in the side region is greater than the number of width-diffusing parts in the central region, it can work to direct body fluid outward in the width direction within the area between the pair of front and rear compression parts, promoting the diffusion of body fluid outward in the width direction, and enabling efficient absorption of body fluid over a wide area.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 7 may have the following features in the invention according to any of Embodiments 1 to 6: The absorbent article has a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet. The compressed portion extends in the front-rear direction and has a pair of front-rear compressed portions provided on both sides of the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. At least a portion of the width diffusion portion extends across the front-rear compressed portions in the width direction. According to this embodiment, the diffusion of body fluid by the width diffusion portion is not interrupted by the front-rear compressed portions, and body fluid can be diffused over a wide area in the width direction beyond the front-rear compressed portions.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 8 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 7. The width diffusion portion has a first width diffusion portion that protrudes forward in a plan view and a second width diffusion portion that protrudes backward in a plan view. According to this embodiment, since the width diffusion portion has a shape that protrudes forward or backward, body fluid can be diffused in the width direction as well as in the front-rear direction. Compared to a configuration in which body fluid is guided parallel to the width direction, body fluid can be diffused over a wide area, and furthermore, it can suppress body fluid from reaching the outer edge of the absorbent, thereby suppressing lateral leakage.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 9 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 8. The width diffusion portion is provided in the top sheet over 50% or more of the entire widthwise area of ​​the region exposed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent article. According to this embodiment, even if the wearing position relative to the wearer is shifted in the widthwise direction, the diffusion effect of bodily fluids by the width diffusion portion is easily obtained.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 10 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 9: The absorbent article has a crotch area that is positioned between the legs of the wearer. The absorbent material in the crotch area is provided with a high basis weight portion that is higher than the surrounding absorbent material. The width diffusion portion is positioned overlapping the high basis weight portion. According to this embodiment, it is easier to draw body fluids into the high basis weight portion, which has a high absorption capacity for body fluids, via the width diffusion portion. The body fluid absorption effect of the absorbent material can be efficiently utilized, and leakage can be prevented.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 10: It has a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent and the top sheet. The compressed portion has a front compressed portion located at the front end of the absorbent. The front compressed portion has a first compressed portion that extends in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent in the width direction, and a second compressed portion that extends to the rear, connected to the outer edge of the first compressed portion. According to this embodiment, the first compressed portion that extends in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent in the width direction, stops the diffusion of bodily fluids to the front, thereby suppressing front leakage. Furthermore, since the first compressed portion and the second compressed portion extend outward in the width direction, and the second compressed portion extends toward the rear, diffusion not only to the front but also to the outside in the width direction is suppressed, thereby suppressing lateral leakage as well.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 12 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 11: The absorbent body and the top sheet are compressed together. The compressed body has a rear compressed portion located at the rear end of the absorbent body. The rear compressed portion has a third compressed portion that extends in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and a fourth compressed portion that extends forward, connected to the outer edge of the third compressed portion. According to this embodiment, the third compressed portion that extends in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, prevents the diffusion of bodily fluids to the rear, thereby suppressing rear leakage. Furthermore, because the third compressed portion and the fourth compressed portion extend in the width direction, and the fourth compressed portion extends forward, leakage can be suppressed even if a large amount of urine is discharged at once. In particular, diffusion to the rear in a lying position can be prevented, thereby suppressing rear leakage.

[0020] (2) Overall Outline of Absorbent Article The absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of each dimension etc. may differ from those of reality. Therefore, specific dimensions etc. should be determined by referring to the following explanation. Also, there may be parts where the relationships and ratios of dimensions differ between drawings. The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad, or fecal pad. The absorbent article 1 may be an article that is attached to a wearable item such as underwear. The absorbent article 1 of the embodiment is a light incontinence pad.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the skin side T1. Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the non-skin side T2. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the width direction W, and is a cross-section along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the front-to-back direction L, and is a cross-section along the line B-B shown in Figure 1. In the cross-sectional views, for the sake of explanation, each component constituting the absorbent article 1 is partially spaced apart in the thickness direction, but in an actual absorbent article, each component has a jointed portion. The drawings also show the absorbent article 1 in an extended state. Here, "extended state" refers to the state in which the absorbent article has been stretched to the extent that wrinkles in the absorbent article are no longer visible. In contrast, "natural state" refers to the state in which the absorbent article 1 has been left for a predetermined time after the adhesive has been washed off with a solvent such as toluene. For example, an absorbent article removed from its packaging is temporarily placed in an "extended state," and this extended state is maintained for 15 seconds. After that, the tension on the absorbent article is released and it is placed on a flat surface such as a desk. The state in which it is laid flat on a surface for 5 minutes is then considered the natural state. In this invention, the positional relationships (positional relationships in the front-to-back direction, positional relationships in the width direction, and positional relationships where items are placed on top of each other) refer to the positional relationships in the extended state unless otherwise specified.

[0022] The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-back direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other, and a thickness direction T that extends from the wearer's skin side T1 to the non-skin side T2. In the front-to-back direction L, the side that comes into contact with the wearer's lower abdomen is called the "front side," and the side that comes into contact with the wearer's buttocks is called the "back side." The width direction W is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction L and corresponds to the wearer's left-to-right direction. The "skin side" corresponds to the side that faces the wearer's skin during use. The "non-skin side" corresponds to the side that is turned away from the wearer's skin during use.

[0023] The absorbent article 1 has a crotch area S3, a front area S1, and a rear area S2. The crotch area S3 is the area positioned between the wearer's legs. In a form where the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 or the outer edge of the absorbent core 31 has a portion that is narrowed inward in the width direction, the area where the narrowed portion is provided may constitute the crotch area S3. Alternatively, the crotch area S3, the front area S1, and the rear area S2 may be composed of areas obtained by dividing the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the front-to-back direction L. The crotch area S3 is the area facing the wearer's excretory opening, for example, the urinary opening. When the absorbent article 1 is attached to underwear, the crotch area S3 is positioned in the crotch area of ​​the underwear and is the area positioned between the wearer's legs. The front area S1 is the area located in front of the crotch area S3. The rear area S2 is the area located behind the crotch area S3.

[0024] In this invention, the outer part refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge refers to the outer edge in the width direction W. The outer edge of a component that occupies a certain range in the front-rear direction L is an edge that connects points located outside the width direction W of the component over the entire component. In this invention, the inner part refers to a portion occupying a certain range in the width direction W, including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge refers to the inner edge in the width direction W. The inner edge of a component that occupies a certain range in the front-rear direction L is an edge that connects points located inside the width direction W of the component over the entire component. Furthermore, the front end and rear end refer to a portion occupying a certain range in the front-rear direction L, including the edge in the front-rear direction L, and the front end edge and rear end edge refer to the edge in the front-rear direction L. The outer end includes the front end and rear end, and the outer edge includes the front end edge and rear end edge. Furthermore, the inner edge includes the inner edge and is an edge that extends along the front-rear direction L. The outer edge is an edge that includes the outer edge and extends along the front-to-back direction L. In this specification, the term "along the front-to-back direction L" means a direction with an angle of less than 45° with respect to the front-to-back direction L, and the term "along the width direction W" means a direction with an angle of less than 45° with respect to the width direction W.

[0025] The absorbent article 1 may have at least an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 21, and a back sheet 25. The absorbent body 30 has an absorbent material. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., pulp), and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent body 30 may have an absorbent sheet (a so-called SAP sheet) in which the skin-side T1 and non-skin-side T2 of the superabsorbent polymer are covered with a sheet, or it may have an absorbent core 31 made of laminated pulp. The absorbent core 31 may be covered with a core wrap 32 such as tissue. The absorbent body of this embodiment has an absorbent core 31 having pulp and a superabsorbent polymer, and a core wrap 32 covering the absorbent core 31.

[0026] The absorbent body 30 may have regions with different basis weights of the absorbent material. The absorbent body 30 may have a high basis weight section 35 in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is high, and a low basis weight section 36 in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the high basis weight section 35. In Figure 1, the high basis weight section 35 is hatched. The high basis weight section 35 is a region in which the basis weight of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 31 is high, and the low basis weight section 36 is a region in which the basis weight of the absorbent material constituting the absorbent core 31 is lower than that of the high basis weight section 35. The high basis weight section 35 in this embodiment has a first high basis weight section 351 that straddles the width center 30CW, which is the center of the width direction W of the absorbent body 30, and a second high basis weight section 352 that is arranged on both sides of the width direction W relative to the first high basis weight section 351. The low basis weight section 36 is arranged between the first high basis weight section 351 and the second high basis weight section 352. The first high-basis-weight section 351 is located in the crotch area S3. The second high-basis-weight section 352 is located on the outer side of the absorption core 31, spanning the crotch area S3, the front area S1, and the rear area S2.

[0027] The top sheet 21 is positioned on the skin side T1 of the absorbent material 30 and is in contact with the wearer's skin. The top sheet 21 may cover the skin side T1 of the absorbent material 30. The top sheet 21 is positioned across the center width 30 CW. The top sheet 21 is permeable to liquids and may be made of a nonwoven fabric. The top sheet 21 may cover a portion of the absorbent material 30 (for example, the center in the width direction) or the entire width W of the absorbent material 30. The composition of the top sheet 21 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The backsheet 25 is positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent material 30 and constitutes the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent article 1. The backsheet 25 is liquid-impermeable and may be made of film. The non-skin side T2 of the backsheet 25 may be provided with fastening portions 60 for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the wearer's garment. The fastening portions 60 may be provided in areas that overlap with the absorbent material 30. The fastening portions 60 may be provided with an adhesive or a mechanical hook. In this embodiment, the fastening portions 60 extend in the front-rear direction L and are spaced apart in the width direction W, with three portions on each side of the center of the width direction W of the absorbent article. In a modified example, the fastening portions may extend in the width direction W and be spaced apart in the front-rear direction L. The fastening portions 60 may be covered with a release sheet 65 or a packaging sheet (not shown) for individually packaging the absorbent article 1 before use.

[0029] The absorbent article 1 may be provided with a compression section 80 formed by compressing at least the top sheet 21 and the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction. The compression section 80 only needs to compress at least the absorbent body 30 and the top sheet 21 together, and may also compress other members (for example, the second sheet). The compression section 80 in this embodiment may have front and rear compression sections 81 located on both sides of the width center 30CW and extending along the front-rear direction L, a front compression section 82 located at the front end of the absorbent body 30, and a rear compression section 83 located at the rear end of the absorbent body 30. The front end of the absorbent body 30 may be the portion located in the front region S1. At least a part of the front compression section 82 may be located in the front region S1. The front compression section 82 may be located in front of the front and rear compression sections 81. The rear end of the absorbent body 30 may be the portion located in the rear region S2. At least a part of the front compression section 82 may be located in the rear region S2. The rear compression section 83 may be positioned behind the front and rear compression sections 81. Also, in this embodiment, the front and rear compression sections 81 and the rear compression section 83 are connected. However, the front and rear compression sections 81 and the rear compression section 83 may be spaced apart.

[0030] Before use, the absorbent article 1 may be folded using a pair of folds FL1 and FL2 as a base point, which are positioned on either side of the center in the front-to-back direction of the crotch area S3 that is placed between the wearer's legs, and which extend in the width direction W. The pair of folds FL1 and FL2 may be spaced apart in the front-to-back direction L. The pair of folds in this embodiment may have a first fold FL1 and a second fold FL2 located behind the first fold FL1. The first fold FL1 is located in front of the center in the front-to-back direction L of the crotch area S3, and the second fold FL2 is located behind the center in the front-to-back direction L of the crotch area S3. The pair of folds FL1 and FL2 may be folds that cause the skin-side T1 surfaces of the absorbent article 1 to face each other.

[0031] The absorbent article 1 may have a pair of leak-proof gathers 70 located on both sides of the center width 30CW. Each leak-proof gather 70 comprises at least a side sheet 71 and a leak-proof elastic member 72. The leak-proof gather 70 is positioned on the skin side T1 of the top sheet 21 and is configured to stand upright on the skin side T1. The side sheet 71 covers the skin side T1 surface of the outer part of the top sheet 21.

[0032] The absorbent article 1 of this embodiment is configured to diffuse body fluids in an appropriate manner in both the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W, and to easily maintain the diffusivity of body fluids even when pressed by body pressure or the like. Next, the configuration for maintaining the diffusivity of body fluids will be described in detail. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part C shown in Figure 3. Figure 5(A) is a view of the stretched state, and Figure 5(B) is a view of the natural state. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part D shown in Figure 4. Figure 6(A) is a view of the stretched state, and Figure 6(B) is a view of the natural state. The absorbent article 1 has a front-to-back diffusion section 91 formed in a concave shape in the top sheet 21 that diffuses body fluids in the front-to-back direction L, and a width diffusion section 95 provided in a concave shape in the top sheet 21 that diffuses body fluids in the width direction W. The front-to-back diffusion section 91 is omitted in Figure 3, etc., but is shown in Figure 5. The width diffusion section 95 is omitted in Figure 4, etc., but is shown in Figure 6.

[0033] The front and rear diffusion portion 91 only needs to be configured to diffuse body fluid at least in the front-to-back direction L, and may have a portion that diffuses in the width direction W. The imaginary line connecting the front and rear edges of the front and rear diffusion portion 91 only needs to be less than 45 degrees with respect to the front-to-back direction L, preferably less than 10 degrees, and more preferably less than 5 degrees. The width diffusion portion 95 only needs to be configured to diffuse body fluid at least in the width direction W, and may have a portion that diffuses in the front-to-back direction L. The imaginary line connecting both outer edges in the width direction of the width diffusion portion 95 only needs to be less than 45 degrees with respect to the width direction W, preferably less than 30 degrees, and more preferably less than 15 degrees. The concave shape is a shape that is recessed when viewed from the skin side T1 of the absorbent article 1, and the bottom of the concave shape is located on the non-skin side T2.

[0034] In the natural state of the absorbent article 1, the depth 95D1 of the width diffusion portion 95 and the depth 91D1 of the front and rear diffusion portions 91 are different. As shown in Figure 5(B), the depth 91D1 of the front and rear diffusion portions 91 is the distance in the thickness direction between the skin-side surface of the top sheet 21 and the concave bottom of the front and rear diffusion portions 91 in the natural state. As shown in Figure 6(B), the depth 95D1 of the width diffusion portion 95 is the distance in the thickness direction T between the skin-side surface T1 of the top sheet 21 and the concave bottom of the width diffusion portion 95 in the natural state.

[0035] Since the absorbent article has a front-to-back diffusion section 91 and a width diffusion section 95, bodily fluids can be diffused in the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W by the front-to-back diffusion section 91 and the width diffusion section 95. Furthermore, since the depth of the width diffusion section 95 and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different, the diffusion mode of the front-to-back diffusion section and the diffusion mode of the width diffusion section 95 can be made different, allowing bodily fluids to be diffused in an appropriate manner in both the front-to-back direction and the width direction. For example, by making the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section 91 relatively deep, the diffusivity of bodily fluids in the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent 30 can be improved, and by making the depth of the width diffusion section 95 relatively deep, the diffusivity of bodily fluids in the front-to-back direction L of the absorbent 30 can be improved. In addition, since the depth of the width diffusion section 95 and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section 91 are different, even if one of the width diffusion section 95 or the front-to-back diffusion section 91 is crushed by pressure such as body pressure, the other can continue to diffuse the bodily fluids.

[0036] The width diffusion section 95 can be identified by the following method. First, a measurement sample is prepared. If the absorbent material is individually packaged with a packaging sheet, the adhesive part of the packaging is cut without cutting the absorbent material, and the absorbent material is removed. The packaging sheet and release sheet are removed from the absorbent material, leaving only the absorbent material. If the absorbent material has an adhesive, the adhesive is washed off with toluene. Then, the absorbent material is cut in the width direction at the pair of folds closest to the depth measurement point, and this is used as the object of observation. When preparing the sample, care is taken not to deform the surface shape (irregularities, etc.) of the top sheet. If the absorbent material is provided with leak-proof gathers, the elastic members of the leak-proof gathers are cut at 5 mm intervals. At that time, cutting of the material surrounding the elastic members should be kept to the minimum necessary to cut the elastic members.

[0037] Next, the measuring equipment is prepared. The measuring equipment used is the KEYENCE VHX-X1 one-shot 3D shape measuring machine. When measuring the depth of an absorbent material in its natural state, the absorbent material in its natural state is placed on the measuring stand. At this time, care is taken to ensure that the top sheet of the absorbent material is as horizontal as possible to the measuring stand. When measuring the depth of an absorbent material in an extended state, the extended state is reproduced by attaching the non-skin side of the extended absorbent material to a board using adhesive or the like. The measurement magnification is set to 20x, and the position of the absorbent material or the measuring stand is adjusted so that two adjacent recesses are included within the measurement range. After measuring the 3D shape of the top sheet of the absorbent material by operating the operating software, the measurement data is analyzed, and if a continuous area with a width of less than 5 mm, a length of 5 mm or more, and a depth of 0.5 mm or more exists independently in the planar direction from other areas within an arbitrary depth range, that area is defined as a width diffusion area. Specifically, the operating software and measuring stand were operated as follows. After selecting "Depth UP" in the software and setting it to the mode for acquiring 3D data, the height of the base was adjusted and the focus was set so that the depth could be measured correctly. Next, "Automatic Synthesis Mode" was selected and 3D data of the top sheet of the absorbent material was acquired. Then, by selecting "3D Display," the 3D image of the acquired data was displayed, and by selecting "Volume," "Specify Reference Plane," and "Recess," it was possible to extract only the area existing below a specified depth. After that, an arbitrary depth value was entered in the "Z Position of Reference Plane" input field, and if a continuous area with a width of less than 5 mm and a length of 5 mm or more was extracted independently in the planar direction from the other areas, and if the state of a continuous area with a width of less than 5 mm and a length of 5 mm or more existing independently in the planar direction from the other areas was maintained even at a depth 500 μm or more away from the set depth value, then that area was defined as a width diffusion area. Note that if the length of the extracted area was 5 mm or more, even if the part exceeding 5 mm was cut off from the measurement area, it was interpreted as an independent area.

[0038] The front and rear diffusion sections 91 can be identified by the following method. First, a measurement sample is prepared. If the absorbent material is individually packaged with a packaging sheet, the adhesive part of the packaging is cut without cutting the absorbent material, and the absorbent material is removed. The packaging sheet and release sheet are removed from the absorbent material, leaving only the absorbent material. If the absorbent material has an adhesive, the adhesive is washed off with toluene. Then, the absorbent material is cut in the width direction at the pair of folds closest to the depth measurement site, and only the top sheet is taken from the absorbent material in a 25 mm x 25 mm square using a sharp blade or sharp scissors, and this is to be observed. At that time, care is taken to ensure that the uneven shape of the top sheet does not change as much as possible by washing off the adhesive with a solvent such as toluene as necessary to release the adhesion to other components. If the absorbent material to be measured has areas where the top sheet to the absorbent material is embossed, or areas where the top sheet and side sheets are heat-embossed, the parts that do not include these areas are observed as much as possible.

[0039] Next, the measuring equipment is prepared. The measuring equipment used is the KEYENCE VHX-X1 one-shot 3D shape measuring machine. The cut top sheet is placed on the measuring stand. At this time, care is taken to ensure that the non-skin side of the top sheet is as parallel as possible to the measuring stand by adhering the measuring stand and the top sheet with double-sided tape, and efforts are made to remove any folds or wrinkles in the top sheet as much as possible. The measurement magnification is set to 20x, and the position of the absorbent article or the measuring stand is adjusted so that the two adjacent recesses are included within the measurement range. After measuring the 3D shape of the absorbent article's top sheet by operating the operating software, the measurement data is analyzed, and if a continuous area with a width of less than 5 mm and a length of 10 mm or more exists independently in the planar direction from other areas at an arbitrary depth, that area is designated as the front-to-back diffusion area. Specifically, the operating software and measuring stand were operated as follows. "Depth UP" is selected in the software to set it to the mode for acquiring 3D data, and then the height of the base is adjusted and the focus is set so that the depth can be measured correctly. Next, "Automatic Synthesis Mode" was selected to acquire 3D data of the top sheet of the absorbent material. Then, by selecting "3D Display," a 3D image of the collected data was displayed, and by selecting "Volume," "Specify Reference Plane," and "Recess," it was possible to extract only the area existing below a specified depth. Subsequently, an arbitrary depth value was entered in the "Z Position of Reference Plane" input field, and if a continuous area with a width of less than 5 mm and a length of 10 mm or more was independently extracted in the planar direction from the other areas, that area was defined as the front-to-back diffusion area. In addition, if the length of the extracted area was 10 mm or more, even if the part exceeding 10 mm was cut off from the measurement area, it was interpreted as an independent area.

[0040] The width diffusion portion 95 only needs to be formed in a natural state, and its configuration is not limited. The width diffusion portion 95 may be formed, for example, by a furrow structure formed by high and low basis weight portions of the fibers constituting the top sheet 21, or by a top compression portion formed by compressing the top sheet 21 in the thickness direction T, or by irregularities formed on the top sheet 21 when the top sheet 21 conforms to irregularities formed on the skin-side surface of a member located on the non-skin side T2 of the top sheet 21 (for example, a second sheet or absorbent), or by a low basis weight portion of the absorbent 30 extending in the width direction W and a fastening portion extending in the width direction and spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The width diffusion portion 95 only needs to be formed on the skin-side surface of the top sheet 21, and may be formed spanning the top sheet 21 and the absorbent.

[0041] The front and rear diffusion portions 91 only need to be formed in their natural state, and their configuration is not limited. They may be formed by a top compression portion formed by compressing the top sheet 21 in the thickness direction, or by compression portions such as the front and rear compression portions 81, or by irregularities formed on the top sheet when the top sheet conforms to irregularities formed on the skin-side surface of a member located on the non-skin side of the top sheet (for example, a second sheet or absorber). The front and rear diffusion portions 91 only need to be formed on the skin-side surface of the top sheet 21.

[0042] In the natural state of the absorbent article 1, the depth 95D1 of the width diffusion portion 95 may be deeper than the depth 91D1 of the front-to-back diffusion portion 91. According to this embodiment, the relatively deep width diffusion portion 95 can promote the diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction. Furthermore, even when body pressure is applied, the width diffusion portion 95 is less likely to collapse, and the diffusion of bodily fluids in the width direction can be maintained. In particular, when a large amount of urine is discharged to the front, diffusion in the width direction W is easier to promote than diffusion in the front-to-back direction L, and front leakage can be suppressed. Also, the depth 91D2 of the front-to-back diffusion portion 91 in the stretched state of the absorbent article 1 may be deeper than the depth 95D2 of the width diffusion portion 95 in the stretched state. Furthermore, the front-to-back diffusion portion 91 and the width diffusion portion 95 may be formed overlapping. The depth of the portion where the front-to-back diffusion portion 91 and the width diffusion portion 95 overlap may be deeper than the depth of the portion where only the front-to-back diffusion portion 91 is formed, and deeper than the depth of the portion where only the width diffusion portion 95 is formed.

[0043] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the depth of the front and rear diffusion sections 91 may change less between the natural state and the stretched state compared with the width diffusion section 95. Specifically, the depth 91D1 of the front and rear diffusion section 91 in the natural state may be 0.8 to 1.2 times, preferably 0.9 to 1.1 times, the depth of the front and rear diffusion section 91 in the stretched state. The depth of the width diffusion section 95 may change more significantly between the natural state and the stretched state compared with the front and rear diffusion section 91. The depth 95D1 of the width diffusion section 95 in the natural state may be deeper than the depth 95D2 of the width diffusion section 95 in the stretched state, and may be 2 times or more, preferably 5 times or more, the depth of the width diffusion section 95 in the stretched state. When the absorbent material is curved in the front-to-back direction with the non-skin side facing inward, such as when riding a bicycle, the top sheet 21 is in a stretched state. In this stretched state, when bodily fluids are discharged, the fluids tend to diffuse in the width direction at the contact surface between the top sheet 21 and the skin, making lateral leakage likely. By increasing the depth of the width diffusion portion 95 in the stretched state, lateral leakage in the stretched state can be suppressed. The depth 95D2 of the width diffusion portion 95 in the stretched state is lower than the depth 95D2 of the width diffusion portion 95 in the natural state, and may be slightly recessed as shown in Figure 6, or the recess may disappear.

[0044] The front-back diffusion parts 91 and the width diffusion parts 95 may be provided in plural in the region between the pair of creases FL1 and FL2. The region between the pair of creases FL1 and FL2 includes the center of the front-back direction L of the crotch region S3 and is a region where a relatively large amount of body fluid is discharged. In the region between the pair of creases FL1 and FL2, the body fluid can be diffused by the plurality of front-back diffusion parts 91 and width diffusion parts 95. The front-back diffusion parts 91 are arranged in plural at intervals in the width direction W in a natural state, and the pitch in the width direction of the front-back diffusion parts 91 may be 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The width diffusion parts 95 are arranged in plural at intervals in the front-back direction L in a natural state, and the pitch in the front-back direction L of the width diffusion parts 95 may be 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

[0045] The pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the region between the pair of creases FL1 and FL2 may be shorter than the pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the region on the front side of the first crease FL1 and may be shorter than the pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the region on the rear side of the second crease FL2. Also, the pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the crotch region S3 may be shorter than the pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the front side region S1 and may be shorter than the pitch of the width diffusion parts 95 in the rear side region S2. Note that the pitch is an average pitch, which is calculated by calculating the number of all the width diffusion parts 95 in the region and dividing the region by the number.

[0046] The front-back diffusion parts 91 and the width diffusion parts 95 may be provided in plural in each of the crotch region S3 and the front side region S1. When the applicant intensively investigated and studied the usage mode of the absorbent article 1, it was found that for some wearers, the time that they can endure excretion after feeling the urge to urinate may be shorter than their recognition. Especially in the case of the elderly, there may be a situation where they involuntarily excrete during the process of trying to stand up after feeling the urge to urinate in a lying posture, and a large amount of urine is discharged to the front side of the absorbent article, and there is a risk of front leakage. Since the front-back diffusion parts 91 and the width diffusion parts 95 are provided in plural not only in the crotch region but also in the front side region, even if a large amount of urine is discharged in the front side region S1, the body fluid can be diffused to suppress front leakage. Also, the front-back diffusion parts 91 and the width diffusion parts 95 may be provided in plural in the rear side region S2.

[0047] The number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region between the pair of front and rear squeezing parts 81 may be larger than the number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region outside the front and rear squeezing parts 81 in the width direction W. The region between the pair of front and rear squeezing parts 81 is a region sandwiched by the front and rear squeezing parts 81 in the width direction W. It is a region combining the central region CR and the side region SR described later. According to this aspect, since the number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region between the pair of front and rear squeezing parts 81 is large, the body fluid discharged to the center in the width direction W can be diffused in the width direction. The body fluid reaching the front and rear squeezing parts 81 is diffused in the front and rear direction L by the front and rear squeezing parts 81 together with the front and rear diffusion parts 91. The body fluid diffused to the outside in the width direction beyond the front and rear squeezing parts 81 is suppressed from further diffusing to the outside in the width direction because the number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region outside the front and rear squeezing parts 81 in the width direction is small. Therefore, while diffusing the body fluid over a wide range in the width direction, lateral leakage of the body fluid can be suppressed.

[0048] In the region between the pair of front and rear squeezing parts 81, among the regions obtained by dividing the region into three equal parts in the width direction, a central region CR located at the center and side regions SR located on both sides of the central region CR in the width direction W are provided. In the region between the pair of fold lines FL1 and FLX, the number of the width diffusion parts 95 in the side region SR may be larger than the number of the width diffusion parts 95 in the central region CR. According to this aspect, since the number of the width diffusion parts 95 in the side region SR is larger than the number of the width diffusion parts 95 in the central region CR, the capillary effect of diffusing the body fluid acts toward the outside in the width direction, and the diffusion of the body fluid to the outside in the width direction can be promoted, and the body fluid can be efficiently absorbed in a wide range.

[0049] At least a part of the width diffusion part 95 may extend across the front and rear squeezing parts 81 in the width direction W. It is sufficient that at least a part of the plurality of width diffusion parts 95 crosses the front and rear squeezing parts 81. According to this aspect, the diffusion of the body fluid by the width diffusion part 95 is not interrupted by the front and rear squeezing parts 81, and the body fluid can be diffused to a wide range in the width direction W beyond the front and rear squeezing parts 81. Further, in a form in which the number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region between the pair of front and rear squeezing parts 81 is larger than the number of the width diffusion parts 95 provided in the region outside the front and rear squeezing parts 81 in the width direction, even if the body fluid diffuses to the outside in the width direction beyond the front and rear squeezing parts 81, it is difficult for the body fluid to reach the outer edge of the absorber 30, and lateral leakage can be suppressed.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the width diffusion portion 95 may have a first width diffusion portion 951 that protrudes forward in a plan view, and a second width diffusion portion 952 that protrudes backward in a plan view. According to this embodiment, because the width diffusion portion 95 has a shape that protrudes forward or backward, bodily fluids can be diffused in both the width direction and the front-rear direction. Compared to a configuration in which bodily fluids are guided parallel to the width direction, bodily fluids can be diffused over a wider area, and furthermore, the bodily fluids can be prevented from reaching the outer edge of the absorbent, thereby suppressing lateral leakage. The second width diffusion portion 952 may be positioned outside the first width diffusion portion 951 in the front-rear direction, and the first width diffusion portion 951 may be positioned outside the second width diffusion portion 952 in the front-rear direction L. Note that the first width diffusion portion 951 only needs to have one point in the center of the width diffusion portion located forward of both outer edges of the width diffusion portion, and may be wavy as well as convex in a plan view. Similarly, the second width diffusion portion 952 only needs to have one point in its center located behind both outer edges of the width diffusion portion, and may be wavy as well as convex in plan view.

[0051] The width diffusion portion 95 may be provided in an area of ​​50% or more of the width W of the region exposed on the skin-side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1 on the top sheet 21. The region exposed on the skin-side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1 on the top sheet 21 is the region exposed as seen from the skin-side T1 surface of the absorbent article 1, and in this embodiment, it is the region of the top sheet 21 that is not covered by the side sheet 71. The width diffusion portion 95 may be formed over an area of ​​50% or more of the width W of the exposed region. According to this embodiment, even if the position of the absorbent article relative to the wearer shifts in the width direction due to a shift in the position of the absorbent article relative to the wearable article, the diffusion effect of bodily fluids by the width diffusion portion 95 is easily obtained.

[0052] In this embodiment, the front and rear diffusion portions 91 are formed over the entire front-to-rear direction L of the top sheet 21 in both the natural and extended states, and are formed spanning the front area S1, the rear area S2, and the crotch area S3. Furthermore, the front and rear diffusion portions 91 are formed along the front-to-rear direction with spacing in the width direction W over the entire width direction W of the top sheet 21. Also, the width diffusion portions 95 are not formed in the extended state, but may be formed in the natural state. In this embodiment, the width diffusion portions 95 have a shallower depth and fewer number in the extended state than in the natural state. In this embodiment, the width diffusion portions 95 are not formed over the entire width direction of the top sheet 21, but are formed only in the center of the width direction of the top sheet 21, and do not need to reach the outer edge of the top sheet.

[0053] The width diffusion section 95 may be positioned overlapping the high basis weight section 35. According to this embodiment, bodily fluids are more easily drawn into the high basis weight section 35, which has a higher absorption capacity for bodily fluids, via the width diffusion section 95. The bodily fluid absorption effect of the absorbent material can be efficiently utilized, and leakage can be prevented. In this embodiment, the width diffusion section 95 is not formed in a region that overlaps with the second high basis weight section 352, but is formed in a region that overlaps with the first high basis weight section 351, and the front and rear diffusion sections 91 are formed in regions that overlap with the first high basis weight section 351 and regions that overlap with the second high basis weight section 352.

[0054] The fastening portion 60 may be positioned in an area overlapping the width diffusion portion 95 and in an area overlapping the front and rear diffusion portion 91. The area where the fastening portion 60 is provided is an area that fastens to the wearable item and is less likely to wrinkle during use of the absorbent item. In this area, the shape of the width diffusion portion 95 and the shape of the front and rear diffusion portion 91 are easily maintained, and the diffusion effect of bodily fluids is easily maintained.

[0055] The front compression section 82 may have a first compression section 821 that extends in the width direction, straddling the width center 30CW, and a second compression section 822 that extends to the rear side, connected to the outer edge of the first compression section 821. In this embodiment, the front compression section 82 has a shape based on a part of a star pattern and has radially extending edges. The first compression section 821 extends from the vertex of the star pattern located at the front end edge to both sides in the width direction, extending outward and towards the rear in the width direction W. The second compression section 822 extends from the outer edge (rear end edge) of the first compression section 821 outward and towards the rear in the width direction W. According to this embodiment, the first compression section 821 that extends in the width direction, straddling the width center of the absorbent 30, can stop the diffusion of bodily fluids to the front side, thereby suppressing front leakage. Furthermore, since the first compression section 821 and the second compression section 822 are connected and extend outward in the width direction, and the second compression section 822 extends toward the rear, diffusion not only toward the front but also toward the outside in the width direction is suppressed, and lateral leakage can also be suppressed.

[0056] The rear compression section 83 may have a third compression section 833 extending in the width direction, straddling the width center 30CW, and a fourth compression section 834 extending forward, connected to the outer edge of the third compression section 833. According to this embodiment, the third compression section 833 extending in the width direction W, straddling the width center 30CW, stops the diffusion of bodily fluids to the rear, thereby suppressing rear leakage. Furthermore, since the third compression section 833 and the fourth compression section 834 are connected and extend in the width direction W, and the fourth compression section 834 extends toward the front, leakage can be suppressed even if a large amount of urine is discharged at once. In particular, diffusion to the rear in a lying position can be stopped, thereby suppressing rear leakage.

[0057] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the embodiments described above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way to the present invention.

[0058] Furthermore, the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-190106, filed on October 29, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0059] This provides an absorbent article that can diffuse bodily fluids in an appropriate manner in both the front-to-back and width-to-back directions, and that easily maintains the diffusibility of bodily fluids even when pressed by body pressure or the like.

[0060] 1: Absorbent article 21: Top sheet 30: Absorbent material 35: High basis weight section 351: First high basis weight section 352: Second high basis weight section 80: Compression section 81: Front and rear compression sections 82: Front compression section 83: Rear compression section 91: Front and rear diffusion section 95: Width diffusion section 821: First compression section 951: First width diffusion section 952: Second width diffusion section FL1, FL2: Fold L: Front and rear direction S1: Front side area S2: Rear side area S3: Crotch area T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body having an absorbent material in mutually orthogonal front-to-back, width, and thickness directions; a top sheet positioned on the skin side of the absorbent body and in contact with the wearer's skin; a front-to-back diffusion section formed in a concave shape in the top sheet for diffusing bodily fluids in the front-to-back direction; and a width diffusion section provided in a concave shape in the top sheet for diffusing bodily fluids in the width direction, wherein in the natural state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion section and the depth of the front-to-back diffusion section are different.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein, before use, the absorbent article is positioned on either side of the center in the front-to-back direction of the crotch area that is placed between the legs of the wearer, and is folded with a pair of folds extending in the width direction as the starting point, and the front-to-back diffusion portion and the width diffusion portion are provided in a plurality in the region between the pair of folds.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, having a front area located in front of the crotch area, wherein the front and rear diffusion portions and the width diffusion portions are provided in multiples in the crotch area and the front area, respectively.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, in the natural state of the absorbent article, the depth of the width diffusion portion is greater than the depth of the front and rear diffusion portions.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, having a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet, wherein the compressed portion extends in the front-rear direction and has a pair of front-rear compressed portions provided on both sides of the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and the number of width diffusion portions provided in the region between the pair of front-rear compressed portions is greater than the number of width diffusion portions provided in the region outside the front-rear compressed portion in the width direction.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the region between the pair of front and rear compressed portions is divided into three equal parts in the width direction, and the region comprises a central area located in the middle and side areas located on both sides of the central area in the width direction, and in the region between the pair of folds, the number of width-diffusing portions in the side areas is greater than the number of width-diffusing portions in the central area.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, having a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet, wherein the compressed portion extends in the front-rear direction and has a pair of front-rear compressed portions provided on both sides of the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and at least a portion of the width-diffusing portion extends across the front-rear compressed portions in the width direction.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the width diffusion portion comprises a first width diffusion portion that protrudes forward in a plan view and a second width diffusion portion that protrudes backward in a plan view.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the width diffusion portion is provided in the top sheet in an area of ​​50% or more of the entire area in the width direction of the area exposed on the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article.

10. An absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, having a crotch area positioned between the legs of the wearer, wherein the absorbent material in the crotch area is provided with a high basis weight portion that is higher in basis weight than the surrounding area and the absorbent material, and the width diffusion portion is positioned overlapping the high basis weight portion.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, having a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet, wherein the compressed portion has a front compressed portion located at the front end of the absorbent body, and the front compressed portion has a first compressed portion extending in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and a second compressed portion extending to the rear side, connected to the outer edge of the first compressed portion.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, having a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body and the top sheet, wherein the compressed portion has a rear compressed portion located at the rear end of the absorbent body, and the rear compressed portion has a third compressed portion extending in the width direction, straddling the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, and a fourth compressed portion extending forward, connected to the outer edge of the third compressed portion.

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