Method for producing absorbent article for pets, and absorbent article for pets

Abstract

This method for producing an absorbent article for pets comprises: a step of intermittently applying a hot melt adhesive to one or more elastic members to form a plurality of adhesion regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the one or more elastic members, and adhering the plurality of adhesion regions of the one or more elastic members to a first sheet member in a state in which the one or more elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; a step of laminating a belt-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member with the one or more elastic members interposed therebetween, thereby forming a composite body including the first sheet member, the one or more elastic members, and the second sheet member; and a step of making a cut in the composite body from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side, cutting the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesion regions, and contracting the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesion regions, thereby forming a plurality of highly stretchable regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction in the composite body.

Description

Method for manufacturing absorbent article for pet and absorbent article for pet

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for a pet and an absorbent article for a pet.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a diaper for male dogs including a belt-shaped main body in which both ends are formed so as to be fixable to each other, an absorbent body, and gathers provided over the width direction in a part of the main body so as to expand and contract in the longitudinal direction of the main body. This diaper for male dogs is worn on a dog by winding the main body around the dog's body and fixing both ends of the main body to each other at the back part of the dog.

[0003] Utility Model Registration No. 3141580

[0004] The absorbent article for a pet as described in Patent Document 1 has a region that locally contracts in a part of the longitudinal direction. In order to form a region that contracts only in a part of the absorbent article for a pet, it is required to locally arrange an extended elastic member in the absorbent article for a pet, but such a manufacturing process is complicated and not efficient.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for a pet that can impart elasticity to a desired region of the absorbent article for a pet and an absorbent article for a pet that is partially imparted with elasticity.

[0006] A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, and includes the steps of: preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; intermittently applying hot melt adhesive to one or more elastic members having elasticity to form a plurality of adhesive regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on one or more elastic members, and bonding the plurality of adhesive regions of one or more elastic members to the first sheet member while the one or more elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, one or more elastic members and the second sheet member; and making cuts in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, and shrinking one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a plurality of highly elastic regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the composite.

[0007] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article according to the above embodiment, a hot-melt adhesive is intermittently applied to an elastic member, forming multiple adhesive regions of the elastic member, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, on the first sheet member. The elastic member is then cut between the multiple adhesive regions, forming a composite of multiple highly elastic regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. In other words, in this manufacturing method, the regions to which the hot-melt adhesive is applied become highly elastic regions. With this manufacturing method, the position of the highly elastic regions can be controlled according to the application position of the hot-melt adhesive, so that elasticity can be easily imparted to desired regions of the absorbent pet article.

[0008] An absorbent pet article according to one embodiment has a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and is an absorbent pet article that is wrapped around the body of a pet, and includes a first edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a main body having a surface sheet located on the skin side, a back sheet located on the non-skin side, an absorbent material located between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and one or more elastic members that expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, the main body having one or more elastic members and a highly expandable region in a part of the main body that provides a contracting force in the longitudinal direction, and a notch is formed in the main body, and the notch is located between the first edge and the second edge on the extension line of the one or more elastic members located in the highly expandable region.

[0009] In the absorbent pet article according to the above embodiment, the main body includes one or more elastic members, and a portion of the main body has a highly elastic region that provides longitudinal contraction force, thereby partially imparting elasticity to the absorbent pet article. Furthermore, in this absorbent pet article, the notch is positioned between the first and second edges on the extension of one or more elastic members arranged in the highly elastic region, so, for example, the manufacturing method of the absorbent pet article described above can be employed. Therefore, with this absorbent pet article, elasticity can be easily imparted to a desired area of ​​the absorbent pet article (a portion of the main body as described above).

[0010] According to various aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article that can impart elasticity to a desired area of ​​the absorbent pet article, and an absorbent pet article that has been partially imparted with elasticity.

[0011] This is a plan view of an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment, seen from the skin side. This is a plan view of an absorbent pet article seen from the non-skin side. This is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pet article along line A-A in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of an absorbent pet article along line B-B in Figure 1. (a) and (b) are plan views showing examples of the arrangement of the first and second slits. This is a diagram for explaining the procedure for attaching the absorbent pet article to a pet. This is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a manufacturing apparatus to which the method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article is applied. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a manufacturing apparatus to which the method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article is applied. This is a plan view showing a composite before it is divided into multiple absorbent pet articles.

[0012] [Outline of Embodiments of this Disclosure] An overview of embodiments of this disclosure will be provided below with reference to the following clauses. This disclosure includes any combination of the following clauses.

[0013] (Clause 1) A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, and includes the steps of: preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; intermittently applying a hot melt adhesive to one or more elastic members having elasticity to form a plurality of adhesive regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on one or more elastic members, and bonding the plurality of adhesive regions of one or more elastic members to the first sheet member while the one or more elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, one or more elastic members and the second sheet member; and making cuts in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, and contracting one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a plurality of highly elastic regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the composite.

[0014] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article according to the above embodiment, a hot-melt adhesive is intermittently applied to an elastic member, forming multiple adhesive regions of the elastic member, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, on the first sheet member. The elastic member is then cut between the multiple adhesive regions, forming a composite of multiple highly elastic regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. In other words, in this manufacturing method, the regions to which the hot-melt adhesive is applied become highly elastic regions. With this manufacturing method, the position of the highly elastic regions can be controlled according to the application position of the hot-melt adhesive, so that elasticity can be easily imparted to desired regions of the absorbent pet article.

[0015] (Clause 2) The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 1 further includes the steps of forming a plurality of highly stretchable regions, then placing an absorbent material on a first sheet member, and laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent material, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction of the composite, the absorbent material may be placed between the plurality of highly stretchable regions. In this case, when making cuts in the composite to form the plurality of highly stretchable regions, it is possible to prevent cuts from being made in the absorbent material. Also, since the absorbent material is placed between the plurality of highly stretchable regions, wrinkles in the absorbent material due to contraction of the highly stretchable regions are less likely to occur. Therefore, urine can be effectively absorbed in the absorbent material.

[0016] (Clause 3) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 2, the first sheet member may include a nonwoven fabric layer, the second sheet member may include a resin film layer, and the third sheet member may include a nonwoven fabric layer. In this case, one or more elastic members can be easily adhered to the first sheet member. Furthermore, the second sheet member can impart liquid impermeability to a part of the absorbent article for pets, and the third sheet member can improve the feel of the absorbent article for pets.

[0017] (Clause 4) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 2 or 3, the absorbent material may be placed between the slit and a high-stretch region adjacent to the slit among a plurality of high-stretch regions. In this case, leakage of urine excreted on the absorbent material through the slit can be suppressed.

[0018] (Clause 5) The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 2 to 4 may further include the step of cutting the composite and the third sheet member between the cut and the multiple highly stretchable regions adjacent to the cut, thereby producing an absorbent article for pets including the composite, the absorbent and the third sheet member. In this case, a suitable absorbent article for pets can be produced without cutting the highly stretchable regions and the cut.

[0019] (Clause 6) The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 5 may further include the step of attaching a bonding sheet to the outer surface of the second sheet member so as to cover the cut. In this case, it is possible to prevent any member from getting caught in the cut of the composite and damaging the composite during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article for pets. In addition, the rigidity of the composite is increased by the bonding sheet, which can prevent the cut from spreading excessively. As a result, deformation of the composite can be prevented.

[0020] (Clause 7) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 6, one or more elastic members include a plurality of elastic members, and the manufacturing method further includes a step of applying a hot melt adhesive to the first sheet member along a plurality of coating areas that are spaced apart from each other in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction, before bonding the plurality of adhesive areas to the first sheet member, and the plurality of elastic members may be arranged between the plurality of coating areas. In this case, the plurality of elastic members can be suitably shrunk without contacting the plurality of coating areas, and as a result, the formation of unnecessary expansion and contraction areas can be suppressed. Furthermore, the plurality of linearly extending coating areas can firmly bond the first sheet member and the second sheet member to each other.

[0021] (Clause 8) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 7, in the step of forming a plurality of highly stretchable regions, a plurality of slits may be formed in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut the plurality of elastic members. In this case, the plurality of elastic members can be easily cut.

[0022] (Clause 9) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 8, the multiple slits may extend in a direction inclined in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the total length of the multiple slits in the short direction becomes relatively short. This makes it possible to suppress the multiple slits from being excessively widened even when the composite is pulled in the longitudinal direction during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article for pets.

[0023] (Clause 10) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in Clause 8 or 9, the multiple slits may be formed at intervals in the short direction. In this case, the total length of the multiple slits in the short direction becomes relatively short. This makes it possible to suppress the multiple slits from being excessively widened even when the composite is stretched in the longitudinal direction during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article for pets.

[0024] (Clause 11) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 8 to 10, the multiple slits may be arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from the thickness direction of the composite. In this case, multiple elastic members can be cut efficiently.

[0025] (Clause 12) In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 8 to 11, the plurality of slits include a first slit and a second slit offset from the first slit in the longitudinal direction, wherein in the short direction, the first slit is positioned to partially overlap the second slit, and the length of the portion of the first slit that overlaps the second slit in the short direction may be shorter than the length of the portion of the first slit that does not overlap the second slit in the short direction. In this case, the relatively short length of the portion of the first slit that overlaps the second slit in the short direction can suppress the elastic member from being cut at two locations corresponding to the first and second slits. Therefore, the generation of cut pieces (remnants) of the elastic member can be suppressed.

[0026] (Clause 13) An absorbent pet article according to one embodiment is an absorbent pet article having a transverse shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, which is wrapped around the body of a pet, and includes a first edge located on one side in the longitudinal direction and a second edge located on the other side in the longitudinal direction, and comprises a main body having a surface sheet located on the skin side, a back sheet located on the non-skin side, an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and one or more elastic members that expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, the main body having one or more elastic members and a highly expandable region in a part of the main body that provides a contracting force in the longitudinal direction, and a notch is formed in the main body, and the notch is located between the first edge and the second edge on the extension line of the one or more elastic members disposed in the highly expandable region.

[0027] In the absorbent pet article according to the above embodiment, the main body includes one or more elastic members, and a portion of the main body has a highly elastic region that provides longitudinal contraction force, thereby partially imparting elasticity to the absorbent pet article. Furthermore, in this absorbent pet article, the notch is positioned between the first and second edges on the extension of one or more elastic members arranged in the highly elastic region, so, for example, the manufacturing method of the absorbent pet article described above can be employed. Therefore, with this absorbent pet article, elasticity can be easily imparted to a desired area of ​​the absorbent pet article (a portion of the main body as described above).

[0028] (Clause 14) In the absorbent pet article described in Clause 13, the notch may include one or more slits extending in a direction inclined in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the total length of the one or more slits in the short direction will be relatively short. This will prevent the one or more slits from being excessively widened, even when the main body is pulled in the longitudinal direction when the absorbent pet article is attached.

[0029] (Clause 15) In the absorbent pet article described in Clause 13 or 14, the notch may include a plurality of slits, and the plurality of slits may be formed spaced apart in the short direction. In this case, the total length of the plurality of slits in the short direction will be relatively short. This will prevent the plurality of slits from being excessively widened, for example, when the main body is pulled in the longitudinal direction when the absorbent pet article is attached.

[0030] (Clause 16) In the absorbent article for pets described in Clause 15, the multiple slits may be arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. In this case, multiple elastic members are efficiently cut during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article for pets.

[0031] (Clause 17) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 13 to 16, the main body further includes a cover sheet disposed between the backing sheet and the absorbent material, and the notch may be formed in at least one of the cover sheet and the backing sheet. In this case, a manufacturing method may be employed in which the elastic member is cut from at least one side of the cover sheet and the backing sheet.

[0032] (Clause 18) In the absorbent pet article described in Clause 17, the cutouts may be covered from the skin side by the surface sheet. In this case, it is possible to prevent the absorbent pet article from feeling uncomfortable against the skin when worn.

[0033] (Clause 19) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 13 to 18, the notch may be formed between the absorbent material and the second edge when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. In this case, it is possible to prevent urine excreted on the absorbent material from leaking through the notch.

[0034] (Clause 20) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 13 to 19, the highly elastic region may be formed between the first edge and the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. In this case, wrinkles in the absorbent material due to contraction of the highly elastic region are less likely to occur, and urine can be effectively absorbed by the absorbent material.

[0035] (Clause 21) A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, and includes the steps of: preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; intermittently applying a hot melt adhesive to the first sheet member to form a plurality of adhesive regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member, and bonding one or more elastic members to the plurality of adhesive regions of the first sheet member while the elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, one or more elastic members and the second sheet member; and making cuts in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, and contracting one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a plurality of highly elastic regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the composite.

[0036] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to the above embodiment, a hot-melt adhesive is intermittently applied to a first sheet member, forming a plurality of adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member. Then, an elastic member is cut between the plurality of adhesive regions, forming a composite of a plurality of highly elastic regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. In other words, in this manufacturing method, the regions to which the hot-melt adhesive is applied become highly elastic regions. With this manufacturing method, the position of the highly elastic regions can be controlled according to the application position of the hot-melt adhesive, so that elasticity can be easily imparted to desired regions of the absorbent article for pets.

[0037] [Examples of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Embodiments of the 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.

[0038] The following describes an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment. Figure 1 is a plan view of the absorbent pet article 1 as seen from the skin side Z1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent pet article 1 as seen from the non-skin side Z2. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article 1 along the line A-A in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent pet article 1 along the line B-B in Figure 1. The absorbent pet article 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a disposable pet diaper that absorbs pet urine.

[0039] Figures 1 to 4 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. In contrast, the natural state means that no external force is applied to the absorbent pet material 1. 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 in the unfolded state will be described.

[0040] 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 1, 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 long direction Y, which is aligned along the circumference of the pet's body. The short direction X and the long direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the short direction X and the long 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.

[0041] The absorbent pet product 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 four corners of the main body 2 are cut so that the width of the main body 2 in the short side direction X is narrowed. However, the four corners of the main body 2 do not necessarily have to be cut. 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 product 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 edge 5 located on one end in the long side direction Y and a second edge 6 located on the other end in the long side direction Y.

[0042] The main body 2 has a first portion 2A positioned on one side of the longitudinal direction Y with respect to the center line P of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, and a second portion 2B positioned on the other side of the longitudinal direction Y with respect to the center line P of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The first portion 2A is the region between the center line P and the first edge 5, and the second portion 2B is the region between the center line P and the second edge 6.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the main body 2 includes a surface sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorbent 30. The surface sheet 10 forms 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, allowing, for example, pet urine to pass through to the absorbent 30. The surface sheet 10 is located approximately in the center in the short direction X. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the surface sheet 10 is bonded to the back sheet 20, the absorbent 30, and the cover sheet 70 with a hot melt adhesive H1. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that make up the surface sheet 10 include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or point-bond nonwoven fabric.

[0044] The backsheet 20 forms the surface that is positioned on the outside during use in the main body 2, and is disposed on the non-skin surface side Z2. The backsheet 20 includes a liquid-impermeable back film 21 and a back non-woven fabric 22 disposed on the non-skin surface side Z2 of the back film 21. The back film 21 has a width substantially the same as the width of the back non-woven fabric 22. The back non-woven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the absorbent article 1 for pets. Examples of the non-woven fabric constituting the back non-woven fabric 22 include an air-through non-woven fabric, a spunbond non-woven fabric, or a point-bond non-woven fabric. The back film 21 is joined to the back non-woven fabric 22 with a hot melt adhesive H2.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the absorber 30 is disposed between the top sheet 10 and the backsheet 20, and is joined to the cover sheet 70 with a hot melt adhesive H6. The absorber 30 is located substantially at the center of the main body 2 and absorbs the urine of the pet. The absorber 30 has a substantially rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorber 30 includes an absorbent core 31 and a core wrap 32. The absorbent core 31 includes pulp having water absorbency and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). As the pulp, for example, cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp, cellulose fiber, rayon, and acetate are used. As the superabsorbent polymer, for example, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers are used. The core wrap 32 covers the surface of the absorbent core 31 and is joined to the absorbent core 31 with a hot melt adhesive H3. Note that the absorber 30 may be a SAP sheet that does not contain pulp and is mainly composed of SAP.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 2 includes a first end portion 7 disposed on one side in the longitudinal direction Y and a second end portion 8 disposed on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y. In one embodiment, the first end portion 7 is a region located between the absorber 30 and the first edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y. The second end portion 8 is a region located between the absorber 30 and the second edge 6 in the longitudinal direction Y. The first end portion 7 is a part of the first portion 2A, and the second end portion 8 is a part of the second portion 2B.

[0047] The absorbent article 1 for pets 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 arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the short-side direction X. The pair of leak-proof gathers 40 are arranged to cover both side portions of the surface sheet 10 in the short-side direction X from the skin-side Z1 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y over the entire length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. By standing up with respect to the surface sheet 10, the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 suppress the urine of the pet excreted on the absorber 30 from leaking in the short-side direction X.

[0048] 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. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front leak-proof gather 41 and the rear leak-proof gather 51 are partially joined to the surface sheet 10 with a hot-melt adhesive H4 and are partially joined to the back sheet 20 with a hot-melt adhesive H5. In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4, the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 are configured as individual members separated from other members. However, in one embodiment, the pair of leak-proof gathers 40 may be formed by folding back the back nonwoven fabric 22 to the surface sheet 10 side outside the main body portion 2 in the short-side direction X. In this case, a part of the back nonwoven fabric 22 folded back to the surface sheet 10 side 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 portion 2.

[0049] The front leak-proof gather 41 includes a front leak-proof sheet 42 and an elastic member 43 positioned along the inner edge 42a of the front leak-proof sheet 42 in the short direction X. The front leak-proof sheet 42 is positioned on one side of the short direction X (the front edge 3 side). The rear leak-proof gather 51 includes a rear leak-proof sheet 52 and an elastic member 53 positioned along the inner edge 52a of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 in the short direction X. The rear leak-proof sheet 52 is positioned on the other side of the short direction X (the rear edge 4 side). Each of the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52 is made of a nonwoven fabric that is water-repellent or hydrophobic. For example, the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52 are made of spunlace nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, thermal bond nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, SMS nonwoven fabric, needle punch nonwoven fabric, air-through nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0050] In Figure 1, for the sake of explanation, the areas of the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that are joined to the surface sheet 10 are shown in shaded areas. The front leak-proof sheet 42 includes a horizontal fixing portion 44, a first vertical fixing portion 45, a second vertical fixing portion 46, and a front upright portion 47. The horizontal fixing portion 44, the first vertical fixing portion 45, and the second vertical fixing portion 46 are the areas of the front leak-proof sheet 42 that are joined to the surface sheet 10. The front upright portion 47 is the area of ​​the front leak-proof sheet 42 that is not joined to the surface sheet 10.

[0051] The lateral fixing portion 44 is positioned on one side of the absorber 30 in the shorter direction X (the side with the front edge 3) and extends along the longer direction Y. A front upright line 44a is formed at the boundary between the lateral fixing portion 44 and the front upright portion 47, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the front upright portion 47 in the shorter direction X.

[0052] The first vertical fixing portion 45 is positioned on one side in the longitudinal direction Y (the side with the first edge 5) and is joined to the main body portion 2 in a state where it is tilted inward in the short direction X. An upright line 45a is formed at the boundary between the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the front upright portion 47, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the front upright portion 47 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0053] The second vertical fixing portion 46 is positioned on the other side (the second end edge 6 side) in the longitudinal direction Y and is joined to the main body portion 2 in a state where it is tilted inward in the short direction X. An upright line 46a is formed at the boundary between the second vertical fixing portion 46 and the front upright portion 47, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the front upright portion 47 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0054] The first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 are spaced apart inward in the short direction X relative to the horizontal fixing portion 44. The first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 partially overlap the absorbent 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. However, the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 do not necessarily have to overlap the absorbent 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Each of the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 is bonded to the surface sheet 10 by a hot melt adhesive H4 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0055] The front upright portion 47 is positioned between the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 on the inside of the front upright line 44a in the short direction X, and is a region that is not joined to the main body 2. The front upright portion 47 can be erected along the front upright line 44a. Since the first vertical fixing portion 45 and the second vertical fixing portion 46 of the front leak-proof sheet 42 are joined to the main body 2, as shown in Figure 3, the front upright portion 47 is tilted inward in the short direction X when unfolded.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, a portion of the inner part of the front leak-proof sheet 42 in the short direction X is folded back to the non-skin side Z2, and an elastic member 43 is placed between the folded front leak-proof sheet 42. The elastic member 43 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex that can be contracted in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0057] The elastic member 43 is joined to the front leak-proof sheet 42 with hot-melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. As a result, when the elastic member 43 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, the front upright portion 47 contracts together with the elastic member 43 in the longitudinal direction Y. Consequently, the front upright portion 47 stands upright along the front upright line 44a on the outside of the short direction X of the absorbent body 30. The upright position of the front upright portion 47 prevents pet urine from leaking to the front side along the surface of the surface sheet 10.

[0058] The rear leak-proof sheet 52 of the rear leak-proof gather 51 includes a horizontal fixing portion 54, a first vertical fixing portion 55, a second vertical fixing portion 56, and a rear upright portion 57. The horizontal fixing portion 54, the first vertical fixing portion 55, and the second vertical fixing portion 56 are areas of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that are joined to the surface sheet 10. The rear upright portion 57 is an area of ​​the rear leak-proof sheet 52 that is not joined to the surface sheet 10.

[0059] 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. A rear upright line 54a is formed at the boundary between the lateral fixing portion 54 and the rear upright portion 57, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the rear upright portion 57 in the short direction X.

[0060] The first vertical fixing portion 55 is positioned on one side in the longitudinal direction Y (the side of the first end edge 5) and is joined to the main body portion 2 in a state where it is tilted inward in the short direction X. An upright line 55a is formed at the boundary between the first vertical fixing portion 55 and the rear upright portion 57, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the rear upright portion 57 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0061] The second vertical fixing portion 56 is positioned on the other side (the second end edge 6 side) in the longitudinal direction Y and is joined to the main body portion 2 in a state where it is tilted inward in the short direction X. An upright line 56a is formed at the boundary between the second vertical fixing portion 56 and the rear upright portion 57, which serves as the uprighting fulcrum of the rear upright portion 57 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0062] The first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 are spaced apart inward in the short direction X relative to the horizontal fixing portion 54. The first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 do not overlap the absorbent 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. However, the first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 may partially overlap the absorbent 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Each of the first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 is bonded to the surface sheet 10 by a hot melt adhesive H4 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0063] The rear upright portion 57 is positioned between the first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 on the inside of the rear upright line 54a in the short direction X, and is a region that is not joined to the main body 2. The rear upright portion 57 can be erected along the rear upright line 54a. Since the first vertical fixing portion 55 and the second vertical fixing portion 56 of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 are joined to the main body 2, as shown in Figure 3, the rear upright portion 57 is tilted inward in the short direction X when unfolded.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, a portion of the inner part of the rear leak-proof sheet 52 in the short direction X is folded back to the non-skin side Z2, and an elastic member 53 is placed between the folded rear leak-proof sheet 52. The elastic member 53 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex that can be contracted in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0065] The elastic member 53 is joined to the rear leak-proof sheet 52 by hot-melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. As a result, when the elastic member 53 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, the rear upright portion 57 contracts together with the elastic member 53 in the longitudinal direction Y. Consequently, the rear upright portion 57 stands upright along the rear upright line 54a on the outside of the short direction X of the absorbent body 30. The upright position of the rear upright portion 57 prevents pet urine from leaking to the rear side along the surface of the surface sheet 10.

[0066] The absorbent article 1 for pets further includes an outer elastic member 61, an outer elastic member 62, a plurality of inner elastic members 63, and a cover sheet 70. The outer elastic member 61, the outer elastic member 62, and the plurality of inner elastic members 63 are made of an elastic material such as rubber, an elastic nonwoven fabric, an elastic film, or spandex, and are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. The number of outer elastic members 61, the outer elastic member 62, and the inner elastic members 63 may be two or more. The outer elastic members 61, 62, and the inner elastic members 63 stretch to follow changes in the pet's body shape and posture in the longitudinal direction Y (for example, when the pet twists its body).

[0067] The outer elastic member 61 is provided between the front upright line 44a and the front edge 3 in the short direction X, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y. The outer elastic member 61 is positioned between the front leak-proof gather 41 and the back sheet 20. The outer elastic member 61 is joined to the front leak-proof sheet 42 and the back sheet 20 by hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0068] The outer elastic member 62 is provided between the rear upright line 54a and the rear end edge 4 in the short direction X, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y. The outer elastic member 62 is positioned between the rear leak-proof gather 51 and the back sheet 20. The outer elastic member 62 is joined to the rear leak-proof sheet 52 and the back sheet 20 by hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0069] The cover sheet 70 is a sheet to which a plurality of inner elastic members 63 are fixed. The cover sheet 70 is made of a nonwoven fabric such as an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a point-bond nonwoven fabric. The cover sheet 70 extends in the longitudinal direction Y along the entire length of the main body 2. The cover sheet 70 is placed between the back sheet 20 (back film 21) and the absorbent 30. The cover sheet 70 is bonded to the back film 21 by a hot melt adhesive H10. The hot melt adhesive H10 is applied along a plurality of coated areas CR that are spaced apart from each other in the short direction X and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction Y. This creates space between adjacent hot melt adhesives H10 for arranging the inner elastic members 63.

[0070] The main body portion 2 includes a highly stretchable region HR, which is a region that provides contraction force to the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The highly stretchable region HR is positioned so as to not overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. More specifically, the highly stretchable region HR is located at the first end 7 of the main body portion 2. The highly stretchable region HR includes a plurality of inner elastic members 63 that provide stretching force in the longitudinal direction Y. The plurality of inner elastic members 63 are provided between the front upright line 44a and the rear upright line 54a in the short direction X, and impart elasticity to the main body portion 2. In one embodiment, the plurality of inner elastic members 63 are provided at the first end 7 of the main body portion 2. More specifically, the plurality of inner elastic members 63 extend linearly in the longitudinal direction Y between the absorber 30 and the engaging member 80 (described later) when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0071] Multiple inner elastic members 63 are arranged along the shorter direction between the front upright line 44a and the rear upright line 54a. As shown in Figure 4, the inner elastic members 63 extend in the longitudinal direction Y between adjacent hot melt adhesive H10 (coating area CR). The inner elastic members 63 are positioned between the cover sheet 70 and the back film 21 and are joined to the cover sheet 70 by the hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0072] The absorbent article 1 for pets further comprises an engaging member 80. The engaging member 80 is a member that engages the first portion 2A and the second portion 2B. As shown in Figure 1, the engaging member 80 has a rectangular shape that is long in the short-side direction X and is provided at the first end 7 of the first portion 2A. The engaging member 80 is provided on the surface of the surface sheet 10. The engaging member 80 is, for example, a mechanical fastener having a number of hooks and is capable of engaging with the back sheet 20 of the second portion 2B from the non-skin side Z2. The engaging member 80 may also engage with a part of the surface sheet 10 in the second portion 2B. That is, a part of the surface sheet 10 in the first portion 2A may engage with another part of the surface sheet 10 in the second portion 2B.

[0073] In one embodiment, a target member 81 is provided on the outer surface of the back sheet 20 of the second portion 2B. As shown in Figure 2, the target member 81 is, for example, a mechanical fastener having multiple loops that engage with multiple hooks of the engaging member 80, and has a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y. When the absorbent article 1 for pets is attached, the engaging member 80 is engaged with the back sheet 20 via the target member 81 provided on the back sheet 20. The engaging member 80 may also be directly engageable with the back sheet 20.

[0074] The absorbent article 1 for pets further comprises an indicator 90 that changes color in reaction with pet urine. The indicator 90 is formed of, for example, a hot-melt adhesive. The indicator 90 is positioned, for example, between the absorbent body 30 and the cover sheet 70. The indicator 90 extends along the longitudinal direction Y from the center of the main body 2 in the short direction X.

[0075] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body portion 2 has a plurality of first slits SL1 and a plurality of second slits SL2 formed therein. The first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 are elongated cuts formed in the main body portion 2 when the inner elastic member 63 is cut and contracted in the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1 for pets. Therefore, each of the plurality of first slits SL1 and the plurality of second slits SL2 is positioned on the extension line of the plurality of inner elastic members 63 located in the highly expandable region HR between the first edge 5 and the second edge 6.

[0076] The first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed between the absorbent body 30 and the second edge 6. That is, the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed at the second end 8. In this case, leakage of urine excreted in the absorbent body 30 through the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 can be suppressed. The first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are covered from the non-skin side Z2 by a target member 81 provided in the second portion 2B.

[0077] Multiple first slits SL1 and multiple second slits SL2 are formed with spacing in the short direction X. In this case, the total length of each of the multiple first slits SL1 and multiple second slits SL2 in the short direction X (the sum of the lengths of the slits) is relatively short. As a result, even when the main body 2 is pulled in the long direction Y when the absorbent pet article 1 is attached, for example, it is possible to suppress the first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 from being excessively widened.

[0078] The second slit SL2 is offset from the first slit SL1 in the longitudinal direction Y. Specifically, the first slit SL1 is positioned with a gap between it and the second slit SL2, on the second edge 6 side.

[0079] The first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 may be formed only on the back sheet 20, or only on the cover sheet 70, or they may be formed across both the back sheet 20 and the cover sheet 70. In one embodiment, the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are not formed on the surface sheet 10, but are covered by the surface sheet 10 from the skin side Z1. In this case, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the feel against the skin when the absorbent pet article 1 is attached.

[0080] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are plan views showing examples of the arrangement of the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) correspond to enlarged views of a portion of the absorbent pet article 1 shown in Figure 1. The multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from the thickness direction Z. That is, the first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 are arranged in two rows in the longitudinal direction Y and are formed at offset positions from each other in the short direction X.

[0081] In one embodiment, each of the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the total length (sum of slit lengths) of each of the multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 in the short direction X becomes relatively short. This prevents the first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 from being excessively widened, even when the main body 2 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y when, for example, the absorbent pet article 1 is attached. In the examples of Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 extend in a direction inclined by the same angle with respect to the longitudinal direction Y.

[0082] As shown in Figure 5(a), the first slit SL1 may be positioned so as not to overlap with the second slit SL2 in the short direction X. In other words, the first slit SL1 may be positioned between two adjacent second slits SL2 in the short direction X. The length of the first slit SL1 along the direction in which it extends (the inclined direction) may be substantially the same as the length of the second slit SL2 along the direction in which it extends (the inclined direction).

[0083] As shown in Figure 5(b), the first slit SL1 may be positioned so as to partially overlap the second slit SL2 in the short-side direction X. The length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that overlaps the second slit SL2 in the short-side direction X may be shorter than the length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that does not overlap the second slit SL2 in the short-side direction X. In the example in Figure 5(b), both ends of one first slit SL1 overlap with two adjacent second slits SL2. If the lengths of the portions of the first slit SL1 that overlap the two second slits SL2 in the short-side direction X are lengths L11 and L12, respectively, and the length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that does not overlap the second slit SL2 in the short-side direction X is length L2, then the sum of lengths L11 and L12 may be shorter than length L2.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5(b), the length of the first slit SL1 along the direction in which it extends (the inclined direction) and the length of the second slit SL2 along the direction in which it extends (the inclined direction) may be different from each other. For example, the length of the first slit SL1 may be longer than the length of the second slit SL2.

[0085] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the procedure for attaching the absorbent pet item 1 to a pet will be described. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the procedure for attaching the absorbent pet item 1 to a pet. First, the user presses the second end 8 of the absorbent pet item 1 against the pet's back and holds the area around the second end 8 with one hand. Next, the user holds the first end 7 of the absorbent pet item 1 with the other hand and wraps the absorbent pet item 1 around the pet's abdomen. At this time, the absorbent pet item 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 first end 7 upward so that the absorbent pet item 1 is tightly fitted around the pet's body, and then engages the engaging member 80 of the first end 7 with the target member 81. By engaging the engaging member 80 and the target member 81 in this way, the absorbent pet item 1 can be attached to the pet in the appropriate position.

[0086] Next, the method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 described above will be explained with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 according to one embodiment. Figures 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a manufacturing apparatus to which the method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 is applied. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the composite before it is divided into multiple absorbent pet articles 1. This method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 continuously produces the absorbent pet article 1 described above by performing each of the steps described later. In the following explanation, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with reference to the transport direction CD described later.

[0087] As shown in Figure 8, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an elastic member supply device 102, a second sheet member supply device 104, a cutting device 106, and a bonding sheet supply device 108.

[0088] In a method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article 1 according to one embodiment, first, a first sheet member 270, a second sheet member 220, and a third sheet member 210 are prepared (step ST1). The first sheet member 270 is a strip-shaped sheet member in which the cover sheet 70 is continuous in the longitudinal direction Y. The second sheet member 220 is a strip-shaped sheet member in which the back sheet 20 is continuous in the longitudinal direction Y. The second sheet member 220 is a composite including a strip-shaped sheet member in which the back film 21 is continuous in the longitudinal direction Y and a strip-shaped sheet member in which the back nonwoven fabric 22 is continuous in the longitudinal direction Y. The third sheet member 210 is a strip-shaped sheet member in which the surface sheet 10 is continuous in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, the first sheet member 270 includes a nonwoven fabric layer, the second sheet member 220 includes a resin film layer (back film 21), and the third sheet member 210 includes a nonwoven fabric layer.

[0089] The first sheet member 270, the second sheet member 220, and the third sheet member 210 are conveyed in the conveying direction CD by a conveying roller 112, for example, as shown in Figure 9. The conveying direction CD is the direction along the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent pet article 1. The third sheet member 210 may have a plurality of engaging members 80 formed thereon, which are arranged at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction CD (see Figure 10).

[0090] Next, as shown in Figure 8, the first sheet member 270 is coated with hot melt adhesive H10 (step ST2). The hot melt adhesive H10 is applied by a coating device (not shown) located upstream of the elastic member supply device 102. The coating device applies the hot melt adhesive H10 to the first sheet member 270 along a plurality of coating regions CR that are spaced apart from each other in the short direction X and extend linearly in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y).

[0091] Next, the elastic member supply device 102 adheres the inner elastic members 63 to the first sheet member 270 (step ST3). The elastic member supply device 102 intermittently applies hot melt adhesive to the multiple stretchable inner elastic members 63. This forms multiple adhesive regions AR on the multiple inner elastic members 63, spaced apart in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y). The elastic member supply device 102 adheres the multiple adhesive regions AR of the multiple inner elastic members 63 to the first sheet member 270 while the multiple inner elastic members 63 are stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. At this time, each of the multiple inner elastic members 63 is positioned between the multiple coated regions CR.

[0092] Next, the second sheet member supply device 104 laminates the second sheet member 220 onto the first sheet member 270 via a plurality of inner elastic members 63. The second sheet member 220 is bonded to the first sheet member 270 by a hot melt adhesive H10 (a plurality of coating areas CR). This forms a composite 300 including the first sheet member 270, the plurality of inner elastic members 63, and the second sheet member 220 (step ST4). The composite 300 is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction CD.

[0093] Next, the cutting device 106 makes cuts in the composite 300 from either the first sheet member 270 side or the second sheet member 220 side, cutting the multiple inner elastic members 63 between the multiple adhesive regions AR (step ST5). As shown in Figure 8, the cutting device 106 includes a pair of rotatable rollers. One of the rollers is provided with a cutter (not shown) for cutting the inner elastic members 63.

[0094] When an incision is made in the composite 300 from the first sheet member 270 side, the multiple inner elastic members 63 are cut together with the first sheet member 270. As a result, the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed in at least the first sheet member 270. When an incision is made in the composite 300 from the second sheet member 220 side, the multiple inner elastic members 63 are cut together with the second sheet member 220. As a result, the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed in at least the second sheet member 220.

[0095] The cut inner elastic member 63 shrinks along the longitudinal direction Y between the multiple adhesive regions AR. In other words, the non-adherent regions of the inner elastic member 63 that are not adhered to the first sheet member 270 are pulled back into the adhesive regions AR. As a result, multiple highly stretchable regions HR are formed in the composite 300, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. The highly stretchable regions HR are regions of the inner elastic member 63 that include the adhesive regions AR.

[0096] Next, the bonding sheet supply device 108 attaches the bonding sheet 281 to the outer surface of the second sheet member 220 (step ST6). As shown in Figure 8, the bonding sheet supply device 108 includes a pair of rotatable rollers. One of the rollers is provided with a cutter (not shown) for cutting the bonding sheet 281. In one embodiment, the bonding sheet supply device 108 attaches the bonding sheet 281 to the outer surface of the second sheet member 220 with hot melt adhesive so as to cover the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 from the non-skin side. The bonding sheet supply device 108 cuts the bonding sheet 281 to a predetermined length, thereby forming the target member 81 shown in Figure 2.

[0097] As shown in Figure 9, the manufacturing apparatus 100 further comprises a plurality of transport rollers 112, elastic member supply devices 114, 116, absorbent supply device 118, bonding device 120, and cutting device 122. The plurality of transport rollers 112 transport the third sheet member 210 and the composite 300 to which the target member 81 is attached, respectively, downstream in the transport direction CD.

[0098] Following step ST6, the elastic member supply device 114 fixes the elastic members 43 and 53 to the third sheet member 210 (step ST7). The elastic members 43 and 53 are fixed to the third sheet member 210 in an extended state in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y). Next, the elastic member supply device 116 fixes the outer elastic members 61 and 62 to the second sheet member 220 (step ST8). The outer elastic members 61 and 62 are fixed to the second sheet member 220 of the composite 300 in an extended state in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y). The third sheet member 210 with the elastic members 43 and 53 fixed, and the composite 300 with the outer elastic members 61 and 62 fixed, are transported downstream in the transport direction CD.

[0099] Next, the absorbent supply device 118 places a plurality of absorbents 30 on the first sheet member 270 (step ST9). The plurality of absorbents 30 are placed on the first sheet member 270 at predetermined intervals in the transport direction CD. As shown in Figure 10, the absorbents 30 are placed between a plurality of highly expandable regions HR when viewed from the thickness direction (thickness direction Z) of the composite 300.

[0100] More specifically, the absorber 30 is positioned between a plurality of notches SL consisting of a first slit SL1 and a second slit SL2, and a plurality of highly expandable regions HR adjacent to the plurality of notches SL. In one embodiment, the absorber 30 is positioned between the plurality of notches SL and the highly expandable regions HR adjacent to the plurality of notches SL on the upstream side of the transport direction CD. That is, the highly expandable regions HR are positioned upstream of the absorber 30 in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y), and the plurality of notches SL are positioned downstream of the absorber 30 in the transport direction CD (longitudinal direction Y).

[0101] Next, with the second sheet member 220, the first sheet member 270, the multiple absorbers 30, and the third sheet member 210 stacked in order, the bonding device 120 uses a hot melt adhesive to bond the composite 300 to the third sheet member 210 (step ST10). In other words, the third sheet member 210 is stacked on the first sheet member 270 via the multiple absorbers 30. The composite 300, with the third sheet member 210 and the multiple absorbers 30 stacked, is then transported downstream in the transport direction CD.

[0102] Next, the cutting device 122 cuts the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 along the shorter direction X to produce a pet absorbent article 1 including the composite 300, the absorbent 30, and the third sheet member 210 (step ST11). As shown in Figure 9, the cutting device 122 includes a pair of rotatable rollers 122A and a cutter 122B for cutting the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210. The cutter 122B is attached to the outer circumferential surface of one of the pair of rollers 122A and extends along the axial direction of the roller 122A. The cutter 122B cuts the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 conveyed by the pair of rollers 122A, dividing the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 into a plurality of pet absorbent articles 1. As a result, a plurality of pet absorbent articles 1 are produced.

[0103] Referring to Figure 10, the cutting positions of the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 will be described. The cutting device 122 cuts the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 along a cutting line CL located between a plurality of cuts SL and a plurality of highly expandable regions HR adjacent to the plurality of cuts SL. In one embodiment, the cutting line CL is located between a plurality of cuts SL and a highly expandable region HR adjacent to the plurality of cuts SL on the downstream side in the transport direction CD. More specifically, the cutting line CL is located between a plurality of cuts SL and the engaging member 80. The composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 are cut along the cutting line CL, forming the first edge 5 and the second edge 6.

[0104] In the manufacturing method of the absorbent pet article 1 described above, hot melt adhesive is intermittently applied to the inner elastic member 63, and multiple adhesive regions AR of the inner elastic member 63, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y, are formed on the first sheet member 270. Then, the inner elastic member 63 is cut between the multiple adhesive regions AR, and multiple highly stretchable regions HR, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y, are formed on the composite 300. In other words, in this manufacturing method, the regions to which the hot melt adhesive is applied become the highly stretchable regions HR. With this manufacturing method, the position of the highly stretchable regions HR can be controlled according to the application position of the hot melt adhesive, so that elasticity can be easily imparted to desired regions of the absorbent pet article 1.

[0105] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1 for pets includes the steps of forming a plurality of highly stretchable regions HR, then placing the absorbent body 30 on the first sheet member 270 (step ST9), and laminating the third sheet member 210 on the first sheet member 270 via the absorbent body 30 (step ST10). Also, as shown in Figure 10, when viewed from the thickness direction of the composite 300, the absorbent body 30 is positioned between the plurality of highly stretchable regions HR. In this case, when making cuts SL in the composite 300 to form the plurality of highly stretchable regions HR, it is possible to prevent cuts SL from being made in the absorbent body 30. Furthermore, because the absorbent body 30 is positioned between the plurality of highly stretchable regions HR, wrinkles in the absorbent body 30 due to the contraction of the highly stretchable regions HR are less likely to occur. Therefore, urine can be effectively absorbed in the absorbent body 30.

[0106] As shown in Figure 10, the absorbent body 30 is positioned between the multiple notches SL and the multiple highly stretchable regions HR adjacent to the multiple notches SL. In this case, it is possible to suppress leakage of urine excreted in the absorbent body 30 through the notches SL.

[0107] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 includes a step (step ST11) of cutting the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 between a plurality of cuts SL and a plurality of highly stretchable regions HR adjacent to the cuts SL, thereby producing the absorbent pet article 1 including the composite 300, the absorbent 30, and the third sheet member 210. In this case, a suitable absorbent pet article 1 can be produced without cutting the highly stretchable regions HR and the cuts SL.

[0108] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the manufacturing method of the absorbent pet article 1 includes a step (step ST6) of attaching a bonding sheet 281 to the outer surface of the second sheet member 220 so as to cover the notch SL. In this case, it is possible to prevent any member from getting caught in the notch SL of the composite 300 and causing damage to the composite 300 during the manufacturing process of the absorbent pet article 1. In addition, the rigidity of the composite 300 is increased by the bonding sheet 281, which prevents the notch SL from spreading excessively. As a result, deformation of the composite 300 can be suppressed.

[0109] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1 for pets includes a step (step ST2) of applying hot melt adhesive H10 to the first sheet member 270 along a plurality of coating areas CR that are spaced apart from each other in the short direction X and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction Y, before bonding the plurality of adhesive areas AR to the first sheet member 270, and the plurality of inner elastic members 63 are arranged between the plurality of coating areas CR. In this case, the plurality of inner elastic members 63 can be suitably shrunk without contacting the plurality of coating areas CR, and as a result, the formation of unnecessary expansion and contraction areas can be suppressed. Furthermore, the plurality of linearly extending coating areas CR can firmly bond the first sheet member 270 and the second sheet member 220 to each other.

[0110] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the step of forming multiple highly stretchable regions HR (step ST5), a first slit SL1 and a second slit SL2 are formed in the composite 300 from either the first sheet member 270 side or the second sheet member 220 side, thereby cutting the multiple inner elastic members 63. In this case, the multiple inner elastic members 63 can be easily cut.

[0111] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 may extend in a direction inclined to the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the total length of each of the multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 in the short direction X becomes relatively short. This makes it possible to suppress the excessive widening of the first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 even when the composite 300 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article 1 for pets.

[0112] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 may be formed at intervals in the short direction X. In this case, the total length of each of the multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 in the short direction X becomes relatively short. This makes it possible to suppress the excessive widening of the first slits SL1 and the second slits SL2 even when the composite 300 is pulled in the longitudinal direction Y during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article 1 for pets.

[0113] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), when viewed from the thickness direction (thickness direction Z) of the composite 300, the multiple first slits SL1 and the multiple second slits SL2 are arranged in a staggered pattern. In this case, the multiple inner elastic members 63 can be cut efficiently.

[0114] As shown in Figure 5(b), the length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that overlaps with the second slit SL2 in the short direction X may be shorter than the length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that does not overlap with the second slit SL2 in the short direction X. By making the length of the portion of the first slit SL1 that overlaps with the second slit SL2 in the short direction X relatively short, it is possible to suppress the inner elastic member 63 from being cut at two locations corresponding to the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of cut pieces (remnants) of the inner elastic member 63.

[0115] Although various embodiments of absorbent articles for pets and methods for manufacturing absorbent articles for pets have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments 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 described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0116] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets shown in Figure 7, in step ST3, a plurality of adhesive regions AR were formed on the inner elastic member 63, spaced apart in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the plurality of adhesive regions AR may also be formed on the first sheet member 270 by intermittently applying hot melt adhesive to the first sheet member 270. In this case, the inner elastic member 63, which has elasticity, may be stretched in the longitudinal direction Y and then bonded to the plurality of adhesive regions AR on the first sheet member 270.

[0117] In the method for manufacturing absorbent articles for pets shown in Figure 7, the hot melt adhesive was applied intermittently in step ST3, but the hot melt adhesive may be applied continuously to the inner elastic member 63. In this case, in step ST5, multiple cuts SL may be made between multiple regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction Y of the composite 300 from the first sheet member 270 side or the second sheet member 220 side to cut the inner elastic member 63 between the multiple regions, and by contracting the inner elastic member 63 between the multiple regions, multiple highly elastic regions HR may be formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction Y of the multiple regions.

[0118] In other words, the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets may be "a method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising the steps of: preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; continuously applying a hot-melt adhesive to one or more elastic members having elasticity to adhere the one or more elastic members to the first sheet member while the one or more elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, the one or more elastic members and the second sheet member; and making a plurality of cuts between a plurality of regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut the one or more elastic members between the plurality of regions to form a plurality of highly elastic regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction in the plurality of regions." In this case, instead of one or more elastic members, the first sheet member may be continuously coated with hot-melt adhesive. The various embodiments described above can be combined in a consistent manner.

[0119] 1... Absorbent article for pets, 2... Main body, 5... First edge, 6... Second edge, 10... Surface sheet, 20... Back sheet, 30... Absorbent material, 63... Inner elastic member (elastic member), 70... Cover sheet, 210... Third sheet member, 220... Second sheet member, 270... First sheet member, 281... Joining sheet, 300... Composite, AR... Adhesive area, CR... Coating area, H10... Hot melt adhesive, HR... High expansion area, SL... Notch, SL1... First slit, SL2... Second slit.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising the steps of: preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; intermittently applying hot melt adhesive to one or more elastic members having elasticity to form a plurality of adhesive regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the one or more elastic members, and adhering the plurality of adhesive regions of the one or more elastic members to the first sheet member while the one or more elastic members are stretched in the longitudinal direction; laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, the one or more elastic members and the second sheet member; making cuts in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, and shrinking the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a plurality of highly elastic regions arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the composite, A method for manufacturing absorbent articles for pets, including [the specified element].

2. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: arranging an absorbent on the first sheet member after forming the plurality of highly stretchable regions; and laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction of the composite, the absorbent is arranged between the plurality of highly stretchable regions.

3. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein the first sheet member includes a nonwoven fabric layer, the second sheet member includes a resin film layer, and the third sheet member includes a nonwoven fabric layer.

4. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein the absorbent material is arranged between the notch and a high-stretch region adjacent to the notch among the plurality of high-stretch regions.

5. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, further comprising the step of cutting the composite and the third sheet member between the cut and a plurality of highly stretchable regions adjacent to the cut, thereby producing an absorbent article for pets comprising the composite, the absorbent and the third sheet member.

6. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, further comprising the step of attaching a bonding sheet to the outer surface of the second sheet member so as to cover the cut.

7. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the one or more elastic members include a plurality of elastic members, and further comprises the step of applying a hot melt adhesive to the first sheet member along a plurality of coating regions that are spaced apart from each other in a short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extending linearly in the longitudinal direction, before bonding the plurality of adhesive regions to the first sheet member, and the plurality of elastic members are arranged between the plurality of coating regions.

8. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 7, wherein in the step of forming the plurality of highly stretchable regions, a plurality of slits are formed in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut the plurality of elastic members.

9. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of slits extend in a direction inclined in the longitudinal direction.

10. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of slits are formed at intervals in the shorter direction.

11. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of slits are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from the thickness direction of the composite.

12. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of slits include a first slit and a second slit offset from the first slit in the longitudinal direction, the first slit is positioned to partially overlap the second slit in the short direction, and the length of the portion of the first slit that overlaps the second slit in the short direction is shorter than the length of the portion of the first slit that does not overlap the second slit in the short direction.

13. An absorbent pet article having a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, which is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising a main body having a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and one or more elastic members that expand and contract in the longitudinal direction, wherein the main body includes the one or more elastic members and has a highly expandable region in a part of the main body that provides contraction force in the longitudinal direction, and the main body has a notch formed therein, the notch is located between the first and second edges and on the extension line of the one or more elastic members disposed in the highly expandable region.

14. The pet absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein the notch includes one or more slits extending in a direction inclined in the longitudinal direction.

15. The pet absorbent article according to claim 14, wherein the notch includes a plurality of slits, and the plurality of slits are formed at intervals in the short direction.

16. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of slits are arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body.

17. The pet absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein the main body further includes a cover sheet disposed between the back sheet and the absorbent, and the notch is formed in at least one of the cover sheet and the back sheet.

18. The pet absorbent article according to claim 17, wherein the notch is covered from the skin side by the surface sheet.

19. The pet absorbent article according to claim 13, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, the notch is formed between the absorbent material and the second edge.

20. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 13, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, the highly expandable region is formed between the first edge and the absorbent material.

21. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets that is wrapped around the body of a pet, comprising: a step of preparing a strip-shaped first sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction; a step of intermittently applying a hot-melt adhesive to the first sheet member to form a plurality of adhesive regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member, and adhering one or more elastic members, which are stretchable, to the plurality of adhesive regions of the first sheet member while they are stretched in the longitudinal direction; a step of laminating a strip-shaped second sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the one or more elastic members to form a composite including the first sheet member, the one or more elastic members, and the second sheet member; a step of making cuts in the composite from the first sheet member side or the second sheet member side to cut the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, and shrinking the one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a plurality of highly stretchable regions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on the composite, A method for manufacturing absorbent articles for pets.

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