Absorbent article for pets and method for manufacturing absorbent article for pets

Abstract

This absorbent article for pets has a horizontally long shape having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a body portion including a top sheet disposed on a skin-facing side, a back sheet disposed on a non-skin-facing side, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet. The body portion includes a low stretch region disposed at a position overlapping the absorbent body when viewed in a thickness direction of the body portion, and a high stretch region disposed at a position not overlapping the absorbent body when viewed in the thickness direction of the body portion. The low stretch region and the high stretch region are disposed at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the low stretch region and the high stretch region includes an elastic member for providing a stretching force in the longitudinal direction. The shrinkage ratio of the high stretch region in a natural state is greater than the shrinkage ratio of the low stretch region in a natural state.

Description

Absorbent article for pets and method for manufacturing the same

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a diaper for male dogs including a belt-like main body formed such that both ends thereof can be fixed to each other, an absorbent body, and a gather provided across a part of the main body in the width direction 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 torso and fixing both ends of the main body to each other at the back portion of the dog.

[0003] Utility Model Registration No. 3141580

[0004] In order to prevent urine leakage, it is important to improve the fit of the absorbent article for pets. However, in the absorbent article for pets as described above, when a pet urinates and the urine is absorbed by the absorbent body, the absorbent body becomes heavy and hangs down, and a gap may occur between the pet's body and the absorbent article for pets. When such a gap occurs, there is a risk of urine leakage.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to improve the fit of the absorbent article for pets.

[0006] An absorbent article for pets according to one aspect is an absorbent article for pets that is wound around a pet's torso and worn, and has a horizontally long shape having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, and includes a main body portion including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent body disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. The main body portion includes a low-stretch region disposed at a position overlapping the absorbent body when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body portion, and a high-stretch region disposed at a position not overlapping the absorbent body when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body portion. The low-stretch region and the high-stretch region are disposed at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction. Each of the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region includes an elastic member that provides a stretching force in the longitudinal direction, and the shrinkage rate of the high-stretch region in the natural state is higher than the shrinkage rate of the low-stretch region in the natural state.

[0007] In the absorbent pet product according to the above embodiment, the main body includes a low-stretch region positioned to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and a high-stretch region positioned not to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. With this configuration, the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region stretch to follow changes in the posture and body shape of the pet, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent pet product. Furthermore, even when urine is absorbed into the absorbent material, the contractile force of the low-stretch region lifts the absorbent material, preventing it from sagging and maintaining the fit of the absorbent pet product. In addition, the relatively small contraction rate of the low-stretch region in its natural state prevents wrinkles from forming in the absorbent material. This prevents a decrease in the fit of the absorbent pet product due to wrinkles in the absorbent material, and allows the absorbent material to effectively absorb urine. Therefore, this absorbent pet product improves the fit of the product, and as a result, urine leakage can be suppressed.

[0008] 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, 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 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; and 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. The process includes the steps of forming a body, arranging an absorbent on a first sheet member after forming a composite, laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent, and cutting the composite and the third sheet member between a plurality of adhesive regions to produce an absorbent pet article including the composite, the absorbent, and the third sheet member. In the step of producing the absorbent pet article, the composite is cut and one or more elastic members are contracted between a plurality of adhesive regions to form a low-stretch region in the absorbent pet article that overlaps with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region that does not overlap with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article.

[0009] 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, and multiple adhesive regions of the elastic member, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, are formed on the first sheet member. Then, by cutting the composite and shrinking one or more elastic members between the multiple adhesive regions, a low-stretch region is formed in the absorbent pet article, which is positioned to overlap the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region is positioned to not overlap the absorbent pet when viewed from the thickness direction. According to this manufacturing method, an absorbent pet article can be manufactured that can improve the fit for the same reasons as the absorbent pet article described above.

[0010] According to various aspects of the present invention, the fit of absorbent articles for pets can be improved.

[0011] This is a plan view of an absorbent pet article according to one embodiment, viewed from the skin side. This is a plan view of an absorbent pet article viewed 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. This is a diagram illustrating the procedure for attaching an absorbent pet article to a pet. This is a flowchart illustrating 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. This is a plan view of an absorbent pet article according to another embodiment, viewed from the skin side.

[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 pet absorbent article according to one embodiment is a pet absorbent article that is wrapped around the body of a pet and has a transverse shape having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and comprises a main body including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body includes a low-stretch region disposed at a position that overlaps the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and a high-stretch region disposed at a position that does not overlap the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region are disposed at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction, and each of the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region includes an elastic member that provides stretching force in the longitudinal direction, the shrinkage rate of the high-stretch region in its natural state is higher than the shrinkage rate of the low-stretch region in its natural state.

[0014] In the absorbent pet product according to the above embodiment, the main body includes a low-stretch region positioned to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and a high-stretch region positioned not to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body. With this configuration, the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region stretch to follow changes in the posture and body shape of the pet, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent pet product. Furthermore, even when urine is absorbed into the absorbent material, the contractile force of the low-stretch region lifts the absorbent material, preventing it from sagging and maintaining the fit of the absorbent pet product. In addition, the relatively small contraction rate of the low-stretch region in its natural state prevents wrinkles from forming in the absorbent material. This prevents a decrease in the fit of the absorbent pet product due to wrinkles in the absorbent material, and allows the absorbent material to effectively absorb urine. Therefore, this absorbent pet product improves the fit of the product, and as a result, urine leakage can be suppressed.

[0015] (Clause 2) In the absorbent pet article described in Clause 1, the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly stretchable region in the unfolded state may be higher than the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the less stretchable region in the unfolded state. A relatively high elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly stretchable region in the unfolded state makes it easier for the highly stretchable region to expand and contract to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape. Furthermore, a relatively low elongation ratio of the elastic member in the less stretchable region in the unfolded state can further suppress the decrease in the fit of the absorbent pet article due to wrinkles in the absorbent material. Therefore, the fit of the absorbent pet article can be further improved.

[0016] (Clause 3) In the absorbent article for pets described in Clause 2, each of the elastic members in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region is joined to the main body, and the length of the portion where the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the main body are joined may be longer than the length of the portion where the elastic member in the less stretchable region and the main body are joined. The relatively longer length of the portion where the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the main body are joined makes it easier to maintain the high elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly stretchable region.

[0017] (Clause 4) In the absorbent articles for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 3, the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region may be a continuous, integrated elastic member. In this case, the highly stretchable region and the less stretchable region work together to lift the absorbent, thereby further suppressing the sagging of the absorbent.

[0018] (Clause 5) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 3, the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region may be separate elastic members that are discontinuous from each other. In this case, it is possible to suppress the formation of wrinkles in the main body between the highly stretchable region and the less stretchable region. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in the fit of the absorbent pet article due to wrinkles in the main body.

[0019] (Clause 6) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 5, the main body further comprises a pair of outer elastic members arranged on the outside of the absorbent material in the short direction, which provide elasticity to the main body, and the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly elastic region in the deployed state may be higher than the elongation ratio of the outer elastic member in the deployed state. In this case, the fit of the absorbent pet article is improved as the pair of outer elastic members expand and contract to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape. Furthermore, because the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly elastic region in the deployed state is relatively high, the highly elastic region expands and contracts more easily to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape.

[0020] (Clause 7) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 6, the pair of outer elastic members may partially overlap the highly stretchable region in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the outer elastic members and the part of the highly stretchable region that overlaps with the outer elastic members can further suppress the sagging of the absorbent material. Furthermore, since the other part of the highly stretchable region does not overlap with the outer elastic members, excessive tightening of the absorbent pet article can be suppressed.

[0021] (Clause 8) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 7, the main body further comprises an indicator that changes color in reaction with pet urine, and the indicator may be formed in a position that does not overlap with the elastic members of the high-stretch region and the low-stretch region when viewed from the thickness direction. In this case, the user can recognize whether or not the pet has urinated. In addition, the indicator can be prevented from hindering the stretching of the high-stretch region and the low-stretch region.

[0022] (Clause 9) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 8, the main body has a first part located on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and a second part located on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body in the longitudinal direction, the highly expandable region is located in the first part, and the second part of the main body has a notch formed on the extension line of the elastic member located in the highly expandable region, and the second part may be provided with an engaging member that is arranged to overlap the notch when viewed from the thickness direction and for engaging the first part and the second part. The notch is formed in the main body by cutting the elastic member during the manufacturing process of the absorbent pet article. In this absorbent pet article, the rigidity of the main body is increased by the engaging member, and the notch can be prevented from spreading excessively. As a result, deformation of the main body can be prevented.

[0023] (Clause 10) In any one of Clauses 1 to 9, the elastic member located in the low-stretch region may extend in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. In this case, the sagging of the absorbent material can be further suppressed by the contraction of the low-stretch region along the longitudinal and short directions.

[0024] (Clause 11) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 10, the longitudinal length of the elastic member placed in the low-stretch region may be 3 / 4 or less of the longitudinal length of the absorbent material. In this case, since the length of the low-stretch region is relatively short, the formation of wrinkles in the absorbent material can be further suppressed.

[0025] (Clause 12) In the absorbent article for pets described in any one of Clauses 1 to 11, the longitudinal length of the elastic member placed in the low-stretch region may be 1 / 4 or more of the longitudinal length of the absorbent material. In this case, because the length of the low-stretch region is relatively long, the contraction force of the low-stretch region can further suppress the sagging of the absorbent material.

[0026] (Clause 13) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 12, the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region may each include a plurality of elastic members arranged along the short direction and extending in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the arrangement of the plurality of elastic members along the short direction makes it easier for the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region to stretch and contract to follow changes in the posture and body shape of the pet. In addition, the contraction of the low-stretch region effectively suppresses the sagging of the absorbent material. Therefore, the fit of the absorbent pet article can be further improved.

[0027] (Clause 14) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 13, the highly expandable region is located between the absorbent body and the edge of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and the absorbent pet article may further include an engaging member provided between the highly expandable region and the edge in the longitudinal direction and joined to the surface sheet from the skin side. In this case, it is possible to prevent the engaging member from deforming in a wavy manner due to the contraction force of the highly expandable region. Therefore, for example, when engaging the engaging member with the back sheet to engage the surface sheet and the back sheet, it is possible to prevent the engagement between the surface sheet and the back sheet from being unintentionally released.

[0028] (Clause 15) In the absorbent pet article described in any one of Clauses 1 to 13, the highly stretchable region is located between the absorbent body and the edge of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and the absorbent pet article further comprises an engaging member joined to the surface sheet from the skin side, and when viewed from the thickness direction, the engaging member may at least partially overlap the highly stretchable region. In this case, for example, when engaging the engaging member with the back sheet to engage the surface sheet and the back sheet, the engaging member is pulled by the contraction force of the highly stretchable region, thereby firmly engaging the surface sheet and the back sheet. This prevents the absorbent pet article from coming off unintentionally.

[0029] (Clause 16) 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, 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 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; and 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. The process includes the steps of forming a body, arranging an absorbent on a first sheet member after forming a composite, laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent, and cutting the composite and the third sheet member between a plurality of adhesive regions to produce an absorbent pet article including the composite, the absorbent, and the third sheet member. In the step of producing the absorbent pet article, the composite is cut and one or more elastic members are contracted between a plurality of adhesive regions to form a low-stretch region in the absorbent pet article that overlaps with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region that does not overlap with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article.

[0030] 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, and multiple adhesive regions of the elastic member, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, are formed on the first sheet member. Then, by cutting the composite and shrinking one or more elastic members between the multiple adhesive regions, a low-stretch region is formed in the absorbent pet article, which is positioned to overlap the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region is positioned to not overlap the absorbent pet when viewed from the thickness direction. According to this manufacturing method, an absorbent pet article can be manufactured that can improve the fit for the same reasons as the absorbent pet article described above.

[0031] (Clause 17) 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, comprising 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, which are stretchable, to the plurality of adhesive regions of the first sheet member while they are stretched in the longitudinal direction; and 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. The process includes the steps of forming a composite, arranging an absorbent on a first sheet member after forming the composite, laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent, and cutting the composite and the third sheet member between a plurality of adhesive regions to produce an absorbent pet article including the composite, the absorbent, and the third sheet member. In the step of producing the absorbent pet article, the composite is cut and one or more elastic members are contracted between a plurality of adhesive regions to form a low-stretch region in the absorbent pet article that overlaps with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region that does not overlap with the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article.

[0032] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article 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, by cutting the composite and shrinking one or more elastic members between the plurality of adhesive regions, a low-stretch region positioned to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent pet article, and a high-stretch region positioned not to overlap the absorbent material when viewed from the thickness direction, are formed on the absorbent pet article. According to this manufacturing method, an absorbent pet article can be manufactured that has improved fit for the same reasons as the absorbent pet article described above.

[0033] [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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The backing sheet 20 constitutes the outer surface of the main body 2 when worn and is positioned on the non-skin side Z2. The backing sheet 20 includes a liquid-impermeable backing film 21 and a backing nonwoven fabric 22 positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the backing film 21. The backing film 21 has substantially the same width as the backing nonwoven fabric 22. The backing nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the absorbent pet article 1. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that make up the backing nonwoven fabric 22 include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or point-bond nonwoven fabric. The backing film 21 is bonded to the backing nonwoven fabric 22 with a hot-melt adhesive H2.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the absorbent body 30 is placed between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 and is joined to the cover sheet 70 with hot melt adhesive H6. The absorbent body 30 is located approximately in the center of the main body 2 and absorbs pet urine. The absorbent body 30 has a roughly rectangular shape extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent core 31 and a core wrap 32. The absorbent core 31 contains water-absorbing pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). As the pulp, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon, acetate, and other cellulose fibers can be used. As the superabsorbent polymer, for example, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers can be used. The core wrap 32 covers the surface of the absorbent core 31 and is joined to the absorbent core 31 with hot melt adhesive H3. Note that the absorbent body 30 may not contain pulp and may be an SAP sheet mainly composed of SAP.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1, the main body 2 includes a first end portion 7 located on one side in the longitudinal direction Y and a second end portion 8 located 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 part of the first portion 2A, and the second end portion 8 is part of the second portion 2B.

[0043] 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 spaced apart from each other in the short - hand direction X. The pair of leak - proof gathers 40 are arranged to cover both side portions of the surface sheet 10 in the short - hand direction X from the skin - facing side Z1 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y over the entire length of the main body portion 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The pair of leak - proof gathers 40 stand up with respect to the surface sheet 10 to suppress the leakage of the urine of the pet excreted on the absorbent body 30 in the short - hand direction X.

[0044] The pair of leak - proof gathers 40 includes a front - side leak - proof gather 41 provided along the front - end edge 3 and a rear - side leak - proof gather 51 provided along the rear - end edge 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front - side leak - proof gather 41 and the rear - side 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 - surface 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 the back - surface non - woven fabric 22 to the surface - sheet 10 side outside the main body portion 2 in the short - hand direction X. In this case, a part of the back - surface non - woven fabric 22 folded to the surface - sheet 10 side constitutes the pair of leak - proof gathers 40, and the other part of the back - surface non - woven fabric 22 constitutes the back - surface sheet 20 of the main body portion 2.

[0045] The front leak - proof gather 41 includes a front leak - proof sheet 42 and an elastic member 43 arranged along the inner edge 42a of the front leak - proof sheet 42 in the short - hand direction X. The front leak - proof sheet 42 is arranged on one side in the short - hand direction X (the front - end edge 3 side). The rear leak - proof gather 51 includes a rear leak - proof sheet 52 and an elastic member 53 arranged along the inner edge 52a of the rear leak - proof sheet 52 in the short - hand direction X. The rear leak - proof sheet 52 is arranged on the other side in the short - hand direction X (the rear - end edge 4 side). Each of the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 is composed of a water - repellent or hydrophobic non - woven fabric. For example, the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 are composed of a spunlace non - woven fabric, a spunbond non - woven fabric, a thermal - bond non - woven fabric, a melt - blown non - woven fabric, an SMS non - woven fabric, a needle - punched non - woven fabric, an air - through non - woven fabric, etc.

[0046] In FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the regions of the front leak - proof sheet 42 and the rear leak - proof sheet 52 joined to the surface sheet 10 are shown shaded. The front leak - proof sheet 42 includes a lateral fixing part 44, a first longitudinal fixing part 45, a second longitudinal fixing part 46, and a front standing part 47. The lateral fixing part 44, the first longitudinal fixing part 45, and the second longitudinal fixing part 46 are regions of the front leak - proof sheet 42 joined to the surface sheet 10. The front standing part 47 is a region of the front leak - proof sheet 42 not joined to the surface sheet 10.

[0047] The lateral fixing part 44 is arranged on one side in the short - hand direction X (the front - end edge 3 side) with respect to the absorber 30 and extends along the longitudinal direction Y. At the boundary between the lateral fixing part 44 and the front standing part 47, a front standing line 44a serving as the standing fulcrum of the front standing part 47 in the short - hand direction X is formed.

[0048] The first longitudinal fixing part 45 is arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction Y (the first end - edge 5 side) and is joined to the main body part 2 in a state of falling inward in the short - hand direction X. At the boundary between the first longitudinal fixing part 45 and the front standing part 47, a standing line 45a serving as the standing fulcrum of the front standing part 47 in the longitudinal direction Y is formed.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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).

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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).

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The main body 2 includes low-stretch regions LR1 and LR2 and high-stretch region HR. Low-stretch region LR1 is positioned to overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. High-stretch region HR is positioned not to overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Low-stretch region LR2 is positioned to overlap with the engaging member 80 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Low-stretch region LR2 is offset to one side of the longitudinal direction Y (first edge 5 side) relative to high-stretch region HR. Low-stretch region LR1 is offset to the other side of the longitudinal direction Y (second edge 6 side) relative to high-stretch region HR. Each of the low-stretch regions LR1 and LR2 and high-stretch region HR is a region that provides contraction force to the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0067] In one embodiment, the low-stretch region LR1 is located between the center line P of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y and the edge 30a of the absorber 30 on one side (the first edge 5 side) in the longitudinal direction Y. The high-stretch region HR is located at the first end 7 of the main body 2. More specifically, the high-stretch region HR is located between the first edge 5 of the main body 2 and the edge 30a of the absorber 30. The low-stretch region LR1 and the high-stretch region HR may overlap with the edge 30a of the absorber 30. The low-stretch region LR2 is located in the longitudinal direction Y between the first edge 5 and the edge 80a of the engaging member 80 on the other side (the second edge 6 side) in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0068] Each of the low-stretch regions LR1, LR2, and high-stretch 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 arranged along the short direction X and extend in the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the low-stretch regions LR1, LR2, and high-stretch region HR are made more flexible to follow changes in the posture and body shape of the pet. The inner elastic members 63 include a straight section 63A and curved sections 63B, 63C. The high-stretch region HR includes a straight section 63A and stretches in the longitudinal direction Y by the stretching of the straight section 63A. The low-stretch region LR1 includes a curved section 63B and stretches in the longitudinal direction Y by the stretching of the curved section 63B. The low-stretch region LR2 includes a curved section 63C and stretches in the longitudinal direction Y by the stretching of the curved section 63C. In one embodiment, the elastic member in the highly stretchable region HR and the elastic members in the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 are a continuous, integrated inner elastic member 63. In this case, the highly stretchable region HR and the less stretchable region LR1 work together to lift the absorber 30, thereby further suppressing the sagging of the absorber 30.

[0069] The shrinkage rate of the highly stretchable region HR in its natural state is higher than the shrinkage rates of the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 in their natural state. In other words, the shrinkage force of the highly stretchable region HR is higher than the shrinkage force of the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2. The shrinkage rate of the highly stretchable region HR or the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 in their natural state is expressed as (L2 - L1) / L2 × 100 [%], where L1 is the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the highly stretchable region HR or the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 in their natural state, and L2 is the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the highly stretchable region HR or the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 in their unfolded state. Note that the shrinkage rates of the less stretchable regions LR1 and LR2 may be zero.

[0070] In the absorbent pet product 1, the low-stretch area LR1 and the high-stretch area HR expand and contract to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape, thereby improving the fit of the absorbent pet product 1. Furthermore, even when urine is absorbed by the absorbent material 30, the contractile force of the low-stretch area LR1 lifts the absorbent material 30, preventing it from sagging and maintaining the fit of the absorbent pet product 1. In addition, the relatively small contraction rate of the low-stretch area LR1 in its natural state prevents wrinkles from forming on the absorbent material 30. This suppresses the decrease in the fit of the absorbent pet product 1 due to wrinkles on the absorbent material 30, and allows the absorbent material 30 to effectively absorb urine.

[0071] The straight section 63A extends linearly in the longitudinal direction Y between the first edge 5 of the main body 2 and the edge 30a of the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Multiple straight sections 63A are provided between the front upright line 44a and the rear upright line 54a in the short direction X and are arranged along the short direction X. The straight sections 63A extend in the longitudinal direction Y between adjacent hot melt adhesive H10 (coating area CR). The straight sections 63A 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 in an extended state in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0072] The curved portion 63B is connected to the straight portion 63A and extends in a curved manner between the center line P of the main body portion 2 and the edge 30a of the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. At least a portion of the curved portion 63B extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, the sagging of the absorber 30 can be further suppressed by the contraction of the low-stretch region LR1 along the longitudinal direction Y and the short direction X. Multiple curved portions 63B are arranged along the short direction between the edges of the absorber 30 in the short direction X. The curved portions 63B are joined to the cover sheet 70 with hot melt adhesive. The lengths of each of the multiple curved portions 63B may differ from one another.

[0073] The length of the curved portion 63B in the longitudinal direction Y may be 3 / 4 or less of the length of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, since the length of the low-stretch region LR1 is relatively short, the formation of wrinkles in the absorber 30 can be further suppressed. The length of the curved portion 63B in the longitudinal direction Y may be 1 / 4 or more of the length of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this case, since the length of the low-stretch region LR1 is relatively long, the sagging of the absorber 30 can be further suppressed by the contraction force of the low-stretch region LR1.

[0074] The curved portion 63C is connected to the straight portion 63A and extends in a curved manner between the first end edge 5 of the main body portion 2 and the end edge 80a of the engaging member 80 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. Multiple curved portions 63C are arranged along the shorter direction. The curved portions 63C are joined to the cover sheet 70 with hot melt adhesive. The lengths of each of the multiple curved portions 63C may differ from one another.

[0075] The elongation ratio of the straight section 63A in the unfolded state is higher than the elongation ratios of the curved sections 63B and 63C in the unfolded state. In other words, the contraction force of the straight section 63A is higher than the contraction force of the curved sections 63B and 63C in the unfolded state. The elongation ratio of the straight section 63A or the curved sections 63B and 63C in the unfolded state indicates the degree of elongation when the natural length of the straight section 63A or the curved sections 63B and 63C is set to 1. The natural length of the straight section 63A or the curved sections 63B and 63C is the length of the straight section 63A or the curved sections 63B and 63C when no external force is applied. For example, the elongation ratio of the straight section 63A can be calculated by (length of the straight section 63A in the unfolded state) / (length of the straight section 63A in the natural state). The elongation ratio of the straight section 63A in the unfolded state may be higher than the elongation ratio of the outer elastic members 61 and 62 in the unfolded state.

[0076] Because the elongation ratio of the straight section 63A in the unfolded state is relatively high, the highly elastic region HR expands and contracts more easily to follow changes in the pet's posture and body shape. Furthermore, because the elongation ratio of the curved section 63B in the unfolded state is relatively low, the decrease in the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 due to wrinkles in the absorbent material 30 can be further suppressed. Therefore, the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 can be further improved.

[0077] In one embodiment, the length of the portion where the straight portion 63A and the cover sheet 70 are joined may be longer than the length of the portion where the curved portion 63B and the cover sheet 70 are joined. The length of the portion where the straight portion 63A and the cover sheet 70 are joined is the length of the portion of the straight portion 63A that is joined to the cover sheet 70, along the straight portion 63A. The length of the portion where the curved portion 63B and the cover sheet 70 are joined is the length of the portion of the curved portion 63B that is joined to the cover sheet 70, along the curved portion 63B. By making the length of the portion where the straight portion 63A and the cover sheet 70 are joined longer in this way, it becomes easier to maintain a high elongation ratio of the straight portion 63A.

[0078] In one embodiment, the pair of outer elastic members 61 and 62 partially overlap the highly stretchable region HR (straight section 63A) in the longitudinal direction Y. More specifically, the pair of outer elastic members 61 and 62 overlap the portion of the highly stretchable region HR located on the absorbent body 30 side. In this case, the sagging of the absorbent body 30 can be further suppressed by the outer elastic members 61 and 62 and the portion of the highly stretchable region HR that overlaps with the outer elastic members 61 and 62. Furthermore, since the other part of the highly stretchable region HR (the portion of the highly stretchable region HR located on the first edge 5 side) does not overlap with the outer elastic members 61 and 62, excessive tightening of the pet absorbent article 1 can be suppressed.

[0079] 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, 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.

[0080] In one embodiment, a target member 81 (engaging member) 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 a mechanical fastener having multiple loops that engage with multiple hooks of the engaging member 80, for example, 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.

[0081] The engaging member 80 is provided between the highly expandable region HR and the first end edge 5 of the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, and is joined to the surface sheet 10 from the skin side Z1. In other words, the engaging member 80 does not overlap with the highly expandable region HR when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In this case, it is possible to prevent the engaging member 80 from deforming in a wavy manner due to the contraction force of the highly expandable region HR. Therefore, when engaging the engaging member 80 with the back sheet 20 to engage the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20, it is possible to prevent the engagement between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 from being unintentionally released.

[0082] The absorbent article 1 for pets further comprises an indicator 90 that changes color in reaction with pet urine. The indicator 90 is formed, for example, from 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. The indicator 90 is formed in a position that does not overlap with the inner elastic member 63 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. More specifically, the indicator 90 is positioned to overlap with the absorbent body 30 and is offset to the other side of the longitudinal direction Y (towards the second edge 6) with respect to the low-stretch region LR1. In this case, the indicator 90 can be prevented from hindering the stretching and contraction of the high-stretch region HR and the low-stretch region LR1.

[0083] 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 (a plurality of straight sections 63A) located in the highly expandable region HR between the first edge 5 and the second edge 6.

[0084] The first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed between the absorber 30 and the second edge 6. That is, the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are formed at the second end 8. 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. In this case, the rigidity of the main body 2 is increased by the target member 81, which can suppress the excessive spreading of the first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2. As a result, deformation of the main body 2 can be suppressed.

[0085] Multiple first slits SL1 and multiple second slits SL2 are formed at intervals in the short direction X. The second slits SL2 are offset from the first slits SL1 in the long direction Y. Specifically, the first slits SL1 are positioned at a distance from the second slits SL2 toward the second edge 6.

[0086] 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. The first slit SL1 and the second slit SL2 are covered from the skin side Z1 by the surface sheet 10. In this case, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the feel against the skin when the absorbent pet article 1 is attached.

[0087] The curved portions 63B and 63C of the inner elastic member 63 are formed, for example, as follows. In the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 1 for pets, the regions (adhesive regions) corresponding to the straight portions 63A of each of the multiple inner elastic members 63 are bonded to the cover sheet 70 while the multiple inner elastic members 63 are stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. Then, an incision is made in the main body 2 (a first slit SL1 and a second slit SL2 are formed in the main body 2), and a portion of the inner elastic member 63 that is not bonded to the cover sheet 70 is cut off. At this time, the portion of the inner elastic member 63 is pulled back into the adhesive region of the inner elastic member 63 by contracting along the longitudinal direction Y. The portion of the inner elastic member 63 is curved during the process of being pulled back, and is joined to the main body 2 by the adhesion of the surrounding hot melt adhesive. This forms the curved portions 63B and 63C of the inner elastic member 63 that provide expansion and contraction force in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0088] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the procedure for attaching the absorbent pet item 1 to a pet will be described. Figure 5 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.

[0089] In the absorbent pet article 1 described above, the main body portion 2 had a first slit SL1 and a second slit SL2 formed therein. However, in the absorbent pet article 1, the main body portion 2 does not necessarily have to have a first slit SL1 and a second slit SL2 formed therein. The manufacturing method for the absorbent pet article 1 in this case will be explained with reference to Figures 6 to 9.

[0090] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing an absorbent pet article 1 according to one embodiment. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams showing an example of a manufacturing apparatus to which the method for manufacturing the absorbent pet article 1 is applied. Figure 9 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 description, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used with reference to the transport direction CD described later.

[0091] As shown in Figure 7, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes an elastic member supply device 102, a second sheet member supply device 104, and a bonding sheet supply device 108.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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 8. 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 9).

[0094] Next, as shown in Figure 7, 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).

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] Next, the bonding sheet supply device 108 attaches the bonding sheet 281 to the outer surface of the second sheet member 220 (step ST5). As shown in Figure 7, 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. 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.

[0098] As shown in Figure 8, 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.

[0099] Following step ST5, the elastic member supply device 114 fixes the elastic members 43 and 53 to the third sheet member 210 (step ST6). 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 ST7). 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.

[0100] Next, the absorbent supply device 118 places a plurality of absorbents 30 on the first sheet member 270 (step ST8). 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 9, the absorbents 30 are placed between a plurality of adhesive regions AR when viewed from the thickness direction (thickness direction Z) of the composite 300.

[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 ST9). 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 ST10). As shown in Figure 8, 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 9, 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 adhesive regions AR. In one embodiment, the cutting line CL is located between the adhesive region AR and the absorber 30 adjacent to the adhesive region AR on the upstream side of the transport direction CD. More specifically, the cutting line CL is located between the absorber 30 and the engaging member 80. The first edge 5 and the second edge 6 are formed when the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 are cut along the cutting line CL.

[0104] As the cutting device 122 cuts the composite 300 and the third sheet member 210 at the cutting line CL, the inner elastic member 63 contracts between the multiple adhesive regions AR. This forms the highly expandable region HR shown in Figure 1 within the adhesive region AR. Furthermore, as a portion of the cut inner elastic member 63 is pulled back into the adhesive region AR, this portion of the inner elastic member 63 curves, and the surrounding hot-melt adhesive adheres to it, joining it to the main body 2. This forms the highly expandable regions LR1 and LR2, which include the curved portions 63B and 63C, respectively, within the main body 2.

[0105] In the manufacturing method of the pet absorbent article 1 described above, a 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, by cutting the composite 300 and shrinking the inner elastic member 63 between the multiple adhesive regions AR, as shown in Figure 1, a low-stretch region LR1 is formed in the pet absorbent article 1, which is positioned to overlap with the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z, and a high-stretch region HR is formed in which the pet absorbent article 1 is positioned not to overlap with the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. According to this manufacturing method, a pet absorbent article 1 can be manufactured that can improve the fit for the same reasons as the pet absorbent article 1 described above.

[0106] Next, an absorbent pet article according to yet another embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a plan view of an absorbent pet article 1A according to another embodiment, as seen from the skin side Z1. The absorbent pet article 1A shown in Figure 10 differs from the absorbent pet article 1 shown in Figure 1 in that the elastic member in the highly stretchable region HR and the elastic member in the low stretchable region LR1 are separate elastic members that are discontinuous from each other.

[0107] The absorbent pet article 1A further comprises a plurality of inner elastic members 65. The inner elastic members 65 are made of an elastic material such as rubber, elastic nonwoven fabric, elastic film, or spandex, and are stretchable in the longitudinal direction Y. The number of inner elastic members 65 may be two or more. The inner elastic members 65 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). The high-stretch region HR includes an inner elastic member 63 and stretches in the longitudinal direction Y by the stretching of the inner elastic member 63. The low-stretch region LR1 includes an inner elastic member 65 and stretches in the longitudinal direction Y by the stretching of the inner elastic member 65.

[0108] The inner elastic member 65 extends in a curved manner between the center line P of the main body 2 and the edge 30a of the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The inner elastic member 65 is not connected to the straight portion 63A of the inner elastic member 63 and is separated from the inner elastic member 63 on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y (towards the second edge 6). The inner elastic member 63 does not overlap with the absorber 30 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The inner elastic member 63 in the high-stretch region HR and the inner elastic member 65 in the low-stretch region LR1 are separate elastic members that are discontinuous from each other. In this case, it is possible to suppress the formation of wrinkles in the main body 2 between the high-stretch region HR and the low-stretch region LR1. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in the fit of the pet absorbent article 1 due to wrinkles in the main body 2.

[0109] Multiple inner elastic members 65 are arranged along the short direction between the edges of the absorber 30 in the short direction X. The inner elastic members 65 are joined to the cover sheet 70 by hot melt adhesive while stretched in the longitudinal direction Y. The lengths of each of the multiple inner elastic members 65 may differ from each other.

[0110] 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.

[0111] For example, in the absorbent pet article 1,1A, the engaging member 80 was provided between the highly expandable region HR and the first edge 5 in the longitudinal direction Y, but the engaging member 80 may at least partially overlap the highly expandable region HR when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In this case, for example, when engaging the engaging member 80 with the back sheet 20 to engage the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20, the engaging member 80 is pulled by the contraction force of the highly expandable region HR, so that the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 are firmly engaged. This prevents the absorbent pet article 1 from coming off unintentionally.

[0112] In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets shown in Figure 6, 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. The various embodiments described above can be combined within a non-contradictory range.

[0113] 1, 1A... Absorbent article for pets, 2... Main body, 2A... First part, 2B... Second part, 10... Surface sheet, 20... Back sheet, 30... Absorbent material, 61, 62... Outer elastic member, 63, 65... Inner elastic member (elastic member), 80... Engaging member, 90... Indicator, HR... High stretch area, LR1, LR2... Low stretch area, SL1... First slit (cut), SL2... Second slit (cut).

Claims

1. An absorbent pet article that is wrapped around the body of a pet, having a horizontally elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, comprising a main body including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side, and an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, wherein the main body includes a low-stretch region disposed at a position overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, and a high-stretch region disposed at a position not overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the main body, wherein the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region are disposed at positions offset from each other in the longitudinal direction, and each of the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region includes an elastic member that provides stretching force in the longitudinal direction, wherein the shrinkage rate of the high-stretch region in its natural state is higher than the shrinkage rate of the low-stretch region in its natural state.

2. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the highly stretchable region in the unfolded state is higher than the elongation ratio of the elastic member in the less stretchable region in the unfolded state.

3. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 2, wherein each of the elastic members in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region is joined to the main body, and the length of the portion where the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the main body are joined is longer than the length of the portion where the elastic member in the less stretchable region and the main body are joined.

4. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region are continuous, integral elastic members.

5. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member in the highly stretchable region and the elastic member in the less stretchable region are separate elastic members that are discontinuous from each other.

6. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion further comprises a pair of outer elastic members arranged on the outside of the absorbent body in the short direction and providing elasticity to the main body portion, and the elongation ratio of the elastic members in the highly elastic region in the unfolded state is higher than the elongation ratio of the outer elastic members in the unfolded state.

7. The absorbent article for pets according to claim 6, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the pair of outer elastic members partially overlap the highly stretchable region.

8. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body further comprises an indicator that changes color in reaction with the pet's urine, and the indicator is formed in a position that does not overlap with the elastic member in the high-stretch region and the low-stretch region when viewed from the thickness direction.

9. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion has a first portion located on one side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction, and a second portion located on the other side in the longitudinal direction with respect to the center line of the main body portion in the longitudinal direction, the highly expandable region is located in the first portion, the second portion of the main body portion has a notch formed thereon located on the extension line of the elastic member located in the highly expandable region, and the second portion is provided with an engaging member that is arranged to overlap the notch when viewed from the thickness direction and for engaging the first portion and the second portion.

10. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member arranged in the low-stretch region extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

11. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the length in the longitudinal direction of the elastic member arranged in the low-stretch region is 3 / 4 or less of the length of the absorbent in the longitudinal direction.

12. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the length in the longitudinal direction of the elastic member arranged in the low-stretch region is 1 / 4 or more of the length of the absorbent in the longitudinal direction.

13. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the low-stretch region and the high-stretch region includes a plurality of elastic members arranged along the short direction and extending in the longitudinal direction.

14. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the highly expandable region is positioned between the absorbent body and the edge of the main body in the longitudinal direction, and the pet absorbent article further comprises an engaging member provided between the highly expandable region and the edge in the longitudinal direction and joined to the surface sheet from the skin side.

15. The pet absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein in the longitudinal direction, the highly expandable region is positioned between the absorbent body and the edge of the main body in the longitudinal direction, the pet absorbent article further comprises an engaging member joined to the surface sheet from the skin side, and, viewed from the thickness direction, the engaging member at least partially overlaps the highly expandable region.

16. 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 on the one or more elastic members at intervals in the longitudinal direction, 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; placing an absorbent on the first sheet member after forming the composite; and laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets, comprising the steps of: cutting the composite and the third sheet member between the plurality of adhesive regions to produce an absorbent article for pets including the composite, the absorbent and the third sheet member, wherein in the step of producing the absorbent article for pets, the composite is cut and the one or more elastic members are contracted between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a low-stretch region located in a position overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent article for pets, and a high-stretch region located in a position not overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent article for pets.

17. 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 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; 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; placing an absorbent on the first sheet member after forming the composite; and laminating a strip-shaped third sheet member extending in the longitudinal direction on the first sheet member via the absorbent. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for pets, comprising the steps of: cutting the composite and the third sheet member between the plurality of adhesive regions to produce an absorbent article for pets including the composite, the absorbent and the third sheet member, wherein in the step of producing the absorbent article for pets, the composite is cut and the one or more elastic members are contracted between the plurality of adhesive regions to form a low-stretch region located in a position overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent article for pets, and a high-stretch region located in a position not overlapping the absorbent when viewed from the thickness direction of the absorbent article for pets.

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