Absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article according to one aspect comprises a main body part including: a front surface sheet, a back surface sheet, and an absorber disposed between the front surface sheet and the back surface sheet, the main body part having: a front region; a back region; and a crotch region disposed between the front region and the back region in a longitudinal direction. The main body part includes a pair of back flap parts projecting outward in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the back region, and disposed along a waist of a wearer when worn. The maximum width between side end edges of the pair of back flap parts in the lateral direction is the maximum width of the main body part in the lateral direction. A guide mark for guiding a position at which the buttocks of the wearer are to be placed in the longitudinal direction is formed on the main body part so as to be visible from a skin surface side. The guide mark overlaps the absorber and is disposed between the side end edges of the pair of back flap parts when viewed from the skin surface side.

Description

Absorbent article

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

[0002] A general tape-type absorbent article includes a main body portion including a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a pair of fastening tabs extending outside the main body portion. When wearing this type of absorbent article, the wearer is laid on their back on the unfolded absorbent article, the absorbent article is pulled up ventrally through the wearer's crotch, and the pair of fastening tabs are locked to a locking portion disposed on the ventral side of the main body portion.

[0003] If the position where the wearer is laid when wearing the absorbent article is incorrect, the positions of both longitudinal ends of the absorbent article in the vertical direction of the body will not align, so the pair of fastening tabs cannot be locked to the locking portion at the correct position. When the position of the absorbent article is displaced in the longitudinal direction, gaps are likely to form around the wearer's legs and waist, causing urine leakage. To solve such problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2014-230716, Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0001847, and International Publication No. 2024 / 005031 disclose diapers with marks on the top sheet for guiding the wearer's buttocks position.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-230716, Korean Patent Publication No. 2017-0001847, International Publication No. 2024 / 005031

[0005] When wrinkles occur near the buttocks, the visibility of the mark for guiding the buttocks position decreases, making it difficult to recognize the position where the buttocks should be placed. Also, if the main body portion is worn with wrinkles remaining, when a strong load is applied from the buttocks to the portion where the absorbent body is folded due to the wrinkles, there is a risk that the urine absorbed by the absorbent body will flow back to the skin side and adhere to the wearer's buttocks.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article capable of suppressing the generation of wrinkles in the main body portion during wearing.

[0007] An absorbent article according to one embodiment includes a surface sheet placed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet placed on the non-skin side of the wearer, and an absorbent material placed between the surface sheet and the back sheet. The article comprises a main body having an abdominal region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region located between the abdominal region and the back region in the longitudinal direction. The main body includes a pair of back flaps that protrude outward in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the back region and are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. The maximum width between the side edges of the pair of back flaps in the transverse direction is the maximum width of the main body in the transverse direction. Guide marks are formed on the main body so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed in the longitudinal direction. The guide marks overlap the absorbent material and are located between the side edges of the pair of back flaps when viewed from the skin side.

[0008] In the absorbent article according to the above embodiment, guide marks for guiding the wearer's buttocks to the appropriate position are positioned between the side edges of a pair of back flaps. When worn, the pair of back flaps of the main body are pulled along the wearer's waist, so lateral tension is applied to the main body near the guide marks, and wrinkles that have formed in the main body near the guide marks are stretched out. In other words, the formation of wrinkles in the main body near the guide marks can be suppressed when worn. As a result, when the weight of the buttocks is applied to the wrinkled part of the main body, it is prevented that urine absorbed by the absorbent material will flow back to the skin side.

[0009] An absorbent article according to one embodiment includes one or more pairs of fastening tabs joined to a pair of dorsal flaps and engaging with the ventral region of the main body from the non-skin side, and a portion of the absorbent material may be positioned between at least one pair of the fastening tabs when viewed from the skin side. By positioning a portion of the absorbent material between at least one pair of fastening tabs, wrinkles in the absorbent material are stretched when the absorbent article is put on by pulling the at least one pair of fastening tabs. Therefore, a decrease in the visibility of the mark can be suppressed.

[0010] In one embodiment, one or more pairs of fastening tabs include a pair of first fastening tabs and a pair of second fastening tabs, and in the longitudinal direction, with the direction from the ventral region to the dorsal region being defined as the dorsal side, at least one of the pair of first fastening tabs and the pair of second fastening tabs may be provided on the dorsal side relative to the guide mark. In this embodiment, when worn, the pair of first fastening tabs and the pair of second fastening tabs are pulled laterally, which stretches the wrinkles in the absorbent material on the dorsal side of the guide mark. Therefore, when a load is applied to the absorbent material from the wearer's buttocks or back, it is possible to suppress the urine absorbed by the absorbent material from flowing back and adhering to the wearer's buttocks or back.

[0011] An absorbent article according to one embodiment further comprises a pair of panel sheets joined to a pair of dorsal flaps, extending laterally outward from the pair of dorsal flaps when in use, and the pair of panel sheets may be provided with one or more pairs of fastening tabs that engage with the ventral region of the main body from the non-skin side. In this embodiment, when worn, the pair of dorsal flaps are pulled along the wearer's waist direction via one or more pairs of fastening tabs, so that lateral tension is applied to the main body near the guide mark, and wrinkles that have formed on the main body near the guide mark are stretched out. Therefore, the formation of wrinkles on the main body near the guide mark can be suppressed when worn.

[0012] In one embodiment, each of the pair of panel sheets may be temporarily secured in a folded state along a vertically extending fold line. The temporary securing of the folded pair of panel sheets ensures that the pair of panel sheets are fixed in a folded state during transport.

[0013] In one embodiment, the guide mark may be colored in a different color from the surface sheet. In this case, the visibility of the guide mark can be improved.

[0014] In one embodiment, the guide mark may be formed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent material. In this case, the guide mark can be seen from the skin-facing side.

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide mark may be formed on the surface sheet. In this case, the visibility of the guide mark can be improved.

[0016] In one embodiment, the main body further includes a cushion sheet placed between the surface sheet and the absorbent, and the guide mark may be formed on the cushion sheet. By forming the guide mark on the cushion sheet placed between the surface sheet and the absorbent, the guide mark can be seen from the skin side through the surface sheet.

[0017] In one embodiment, the absorbent material includes a low-basis-weight region and a high-basis-weight region arranged at positions offset from each other in the vertical direction. The basis weight of the absorbent material in the high-basis-weight region is greater than that of the absorbent material in the low-basis-weight region, and the guide mark may be positioned to overlap the high-basis-weight region when viewed from the skin side. Since the high-basis-weight region has relatively high rigidity, the positioning of the guide mark to overlap the high-basis-weight region makes it less likely for wrinkles to form near the guide mark. Therefore, the visibility of the guide mark can be improved.

[0018] In one embodiment, each of the high-basis-weight region and the low-basis-weight region has one or more absorbent layers, and the number of absorbent layers in the high-basis-weight region may be greater than the number of absorbent layers in the low-basis-weight region. In this case, the water absorption capacity of the high-basis-weight region can be increased, so that urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed in the high-basis-weight region.

[0019] In one embodiment, the basis weight of the high basis weight region in the lateral direction may be substantially uniform. In this case, urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed in the high basis weight region.

[0020] In one embodiment, the lateral width of the absorbent material at the position overlapping with the guide mark may be greater than the lateral width of the edge of the absorbent material in the vertical direction. In this case, urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed over a wider area of ​​the absorbent material.

[0021] In one embodiment, the main body further includes a pair of ventral flaps that protrude laterally outward in the ventral region and are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn, and the side edges of the pair of dorsal flaps in the lateral direction have a widened portion that widens laterally outward as it approaches the dorsal edge and a straight portion connecting the widened portion and the dorsal edge, and the length of the straight portion of the pair of dorsal flaps in the lateral direction may be longer than the length of the straight portion of the pair of dorsal flaps in the longitudinal direction. By making the length of the straight portion of the pair of dorsal flaps relatively longer, the force pulling the pair of dorsal flaps of the main body along the wearer's waist when worn acts over a wide area, so that the occurrence of wrinkles can be further suppressed.

[0022] In one embodiment, the absorbent material includes an absorbent core that has water-absorbing properties, and the lateral width of the area overlapping the guide mark of the absorbent core, as viewed from the skin side, may be the maximum width of the absorbent material in the lateral direction. In this case, urine excreted from the wearer can be effectively absorbed over a wide area of ​​the absorbent material.

[0023] An absorbent article according to another embodiment includes a surface sheet placed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet placed on the non-skin side of the wearer, and an absorbent material placed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and comprises a main body having an ventral region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region located longitudinally between the ventral region and the back region, and a pair of panel sheets joined to the back region of the main body, extending outward from the main body in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and positioned along the wearer's waist when worn, and the main body has guide marks formed so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed longitudinally, and the guide marks overlap the absorbent material and are located between the pair of panel sheets when viewed from the skin side.

[0024] In the absorbent article according to the above embodiment, guide marks are placed between a pair of panel sheets to guide the wearer's buttocks to the correct position. When worn, the pair of panel sheets of the main body are pulled along the wearer's waist, so that lateral tension is applied to the main body near the guide marks, and any wrinkles that have formed in the main body near the guide marks are stretched out. In other words, the formation of wrinkles in the main body near the guide marks can be suppressed when worn. As a result, when the weight of the buttocks is applied to the wrinkled part of the main body, it is prevented that urine absorbed by the absorbent material will flow back to the skin side.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pair of panel sheets may have a dividing line for dividing the pair of panel sheets in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the pair of panel sheets can be divided vertically by cutting along the dividing line.

[0026] In one embodiment, the pair of panel sheets may be stretchable. In this case, the fit of the absorbent article can be improved.

[0027] According to various aspects and embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the main body when worn.

[0028] This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment, viewed from the skin side. This is a plan view of the absorbent article shown in Figure 1, viewed from the non-skin side. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in Figure 1 along line A-A. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in Figure 1 along line B-B. This is a plan view of the absorbent core. This is a magnified view of the area around the guide mark. This is a schematic diagram of a deformed absorbent article. This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to another embodiment, viewed from the skin side. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in Figure 8 along line C-C. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article shown in Figure 8 along line D-D. This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to yet another embodiment. This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to yet another embodiment. This is a plan view showing an absorbent article comprising a pair of folded panel sheets. This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to yet another embodiment. This is a plan view of an absorbent article according to yet another embodiment. This is a diagram showing a modified example of the guide mark.

[0029] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to those described.

[0030] Figure 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the non-skin side. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the line A-A shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the line B-B shown in Figure 1. Figures 1 and 2 show the absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state, stretched to a state where no wrinkles are formed. In the cross-sectional views shown in Figures 3 and 4, for the sake of explanation, each component is shown spaced apart in the thickness direction, but in the actual product they are in contact in the thickness direction. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationship in the unfolded state will be described.

[0031] The absorbent item 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is a tape-type disposable diaper. The absorbent item 1 may be a child's diaper or an adult's diaper. In the following description, the person wearing the absorbent item 1 will be referred to as the "wearer," and the person who puts the absorbent item 1 on the wearer will be referred to as the "user." Typically, the wearer is a child or a person receiving care, and the user is a parent or caregiver.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent article 1 extends in the transverse direction X, which is aligned with the wearer's waist, and in the longitudinal direction Y, which connects the wearer's ventral side to their back. The transverse direction X corresponds to the width direction of the absorbent article 1, and the longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1. The transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to the transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and includes a skin-facing side Z1 that faces the wearer's skin when worn, and a non-skin-facing side Z2 that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The absorbent article 1 is worn so as to cover the wearer's abdomen, crotch, and back.

[0033] The absorbent article 1 comprises a main body 2. The main body 2 has a ventral edge 2F located on one side in the longitudinal direction Y, and a dorsal edge 2R located on the other side in the longitudinal direction Y. When worn, the ventral edge 2F is positioned on the ventral side in the direction of the wearer's waist, and the dorsal edge 2R is positioned on the dorsal side in the direction of the wearer's waist. The distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the ventral edge 2F and the dorsal edge 2R is the total length (maximum length) of the main body 2. In the following description, the direction from the dorsal edge 2R towards the ventral edge 2F is sometimes referred to as the ventral side, and the direction from the ventral edge 2F towards the dorsal edge 2R is sometimes referred to as the dorsal side.

[0034] The main body 2 has a dorsal region 51 located on the back, a ventral region 53 located on the front, and a crotch region 52 located between the dorsal region 51 and the ventral region 53 in the longitudinal direction Y. The dorsal region 51 covers the wearer's back when worn, and the ventral region 53 covers the wearer's abdomen when worn. The dorsal region 51, the crotch region 52, and the ventral region 53 are arranged in this order from the back.

[0035] The back region 51 of the main body 2 is provided with a pair of back flaps 15 that protrude outward in the lateral direction X. The pair of back flaps 15 are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. Each of the pair of back flaps 15 has a side edge 15a in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of back flaps 15 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width W2 of the crotch region 52 in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of back flaps 15 corresponds to the maximum width of the main body 2.

[0036] The side edges 15a of the pair of back flap portions 15 have a widened portion 15c and a straight portion 15s. The widened portion 15c curves outward in the lateral direction X as it approaches the back, and connects the side edge of the crotch area 52 to the straight portion 15s. The widened portion 15c may also spread linearly outward in the lateral direction X as it approaches the back, along a direction inclined in the longitudinal direction Y. The straight portion 15s extends linearly along the longitudinal direction Y between the widened portion 15c and the back edge 2R. The width between the straight portions 15s in the lateral direction X corresponds to the maximum width W1 between the side edges 15a of the pair of back flap portions 15.

[0037] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 comprises a pair of panel sheets 16 joined to a pair of back flap portions 15. Each of the pair of panel sheets 16 is made of nonwoven fabric and has a substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal planar shape. The pair of panel sheets 16 are joined to the pair of back flap portions 15 by hot melt adhesive (HMA), sonic processing, embossing, etc. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the pair of panel sheets 16 extend outward in the lateral direction X from the straight portion 15s of the pair of back flap portions 15. The pair of panel sheets 16 are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. The pair of panel sheets 16 may be stretchable.

[0038] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is provided with one or more pairs of fastening tabs. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the absorbent article 1 is provided with a pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B. The pair of first fastening tabs 90A and the pair of second fastening tabs 90B are provided on a pair of panel sheets 16, respectively. The pair of first fastening tabs 90A is positioned on the back side of the pair of second fastening tabs 90B. The pair of first fastening tabs 90A and the pair of second fastening tabs 90B are positioned on the back side of the guide marks 60, which will be described later.

[0039] A pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B extend outward in the lateral direction X from the outer edge of a pair of panel sheets 16. Each of the pair of first fastening tabs 90A and the pair of second fastening tabs 90B has a base sheet 91 joined to the panel sheet 16 and a joining portion 92 provided on the base sheet 91. The joining portion 92 is located on the skin-side Z1 surface of the base sheet 91. The joining portion 92 is, for example, a mechanical fastener and is configured to be engageable with the back sheet 20 of the main body 2 from the non-skin-side Z2 side.

[0040] The ventral region 53 of the main body 2 is provided with a pair of ventral flap portions 17 that protrude outward in the lateral direction X. The pair of ventral flap portions 17 are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. Each of the pair of ventral flap portions 17 has a lateral edge 17a in the lateral direction X. The maximum width W3 between the lateral edges 17a of the pair of ventral flap portions 17 in the lateral direction X is greater than the width W2 of the crotch region 52 in the lateral direction X. As described above, the main body 2 has a constricted shape between a pair of dorsal flap portions 15 and a pair of ventral flap portions 17.

[0041] The side edges 17a of the pair of ventral flap portions 17 have a widened portion 17c and a straight portion 17s. The widened portion 17c widens outward in the transverse direction X as it approaches the ventral side, connecting the side edge of the crotch region 52 with the straight portion 17s. The straight portion 17s extends linearly along the longitudinal direction Y between the widened portion 17c and the ventral edge 2F. The width between the straight portions 17s in the transverse direction X corresponds to the maximum width W3 between the side edges 17a of the pair of ventral flap portions 17. The length of the straight portion 15s of the pair of dorsal flap portions 15 along the longitudinal direction Y may be longer than the length of the straight portion 17s of the pair of ventral flap portions 17 along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the main body 2 includes a surface sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorbent body 30. The surface sheet 10 constitutes the surface of the main body 2 that comes into contact with the wearer and is positioned on the skin side Z1. The surface sheet 10 is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric that allows the wearer's urine to pass through to the absorbent body 30. Examples of nonwoven fabrics that make up the surface sheet 10 include air-through nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric, or point-bond nonwoven fabric.

[0043] The back sheet 20 forms the surface that is positioned on the outside during wear in the main body part 2 and is disposed on the non-skin surface side Z2. The back sheet 20 includes a liquid-impermeable back film 21 and a back non-woven fabric 22 that is positioned on the non-skin surface side Z2 relative to the back film 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the width of the back film 21 in the lateral direction X is formed to be shorter than the width of the back non-woven fabric 22 in the lateral direction X, and the back non-woven fabric 22 may extend beyond both sides of the back film 21 in the lateral direction X. The back non-woven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the absorbent article 1.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorber 30 includes an absorbent core 31 containing pulp and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP: Superabsorbent Polymer), and a core wrap 32 covering the surface of the absorbent core 31. As the pulp of the absorbent core 31, for example, cellulose fibers such as chemical pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon, and acetate are used. As the SAP, for example, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers are used. The core wrap 32 covers the upper surface of the absorbent core 31 facing the surface sheet 10 and the lower surface of the absorbent core 31 facing the back sheet 20. The absorbent core 31 is provided so as to straddle the dorsal region 51, the crotch region 52, and the ventral region 53.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the absorbent core 31 as viewed from the skin surface side Z1. As shown in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the absorbent core 31 includes a dorsal part 33 disposed in the dorsal region 51, a crotch part 34 disposed in the crotch region 52, and a ventral part 35 disposed in the ventral region 53. The dorsal part 33 is disposed dorsal to the center line CL1 of the main body part 2 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the ventral part 35 is disposed ventral to the center line CL1 of the main body part 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The crotch part 34 includes a first part 34a and a second part 34b. The first part 34a is disposed between the dorsal part 33 and the second part 34b. The second part 34b is disposed between the first part 34a and the ventral part 35.

[0046] The width w1 of the dorsal part 33 in the transverse direction X is greater than the width w3 of the first part 34a in the transverse direction X. The width w2 of the ventral part 35 in the transverse direction X is greater than the width w3 of the first part 34a in the transverse direction X. The width w3 of the first part 34a in the transverse direction X is greater than the width w4 of the second part 34b in the transverse direction X. That is, the absorbent core 31 is locally constricted in the transverse direction X in the crotch part 34. The width of the absorbent core 31 changes stepwise in the longitudinal direction Y. That is, the width of the absorbent core 31 is narrowed as it approaches the first part 34a in the region between the dorsal part 33 and the first part 34a, and is narrowed as it approaches the second part 34b in the region between the first part 34a and the second part 34b. Also, the width of the absorbent core 31 is widened as it approaches the ventral part 35 in the region between the second part 34b and the ventral part 35. The width w1 of the dorsal part 33 or the width w2 of the ventral part 35 is the maximum width of the absorbent core 31.

[0047] Also, the width w5 in the transverse direction X of the dorsal edge 31R, which is the dorsal edge of the absorbent core 31, is smaller than the width w1 of the dorsal part 33. The width w6 in the transverse direction X of the ventral edge 31F, which is the ventral edge of the absorbent core 31, is smaller than the width w2 of the ventral part 35. The width of the absorbent core 31 is narrowed as it approaches the dorsal edge 31R in the region between the dorsal part 33 and the dorsal edge 31R, and is narrowed as it approaches the ventral edge 31F in the region between the ventral part 35 and the ventral edge 31F.

[0048] Note that the width of the absorbent core 31 may change continuously in the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the absorbent core 31 may be widest in the dorsal region 51 and the ventral region 53 and have an hourglass-shaped planar shape constricted in the crotch region 52.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the absorbent core 31 may have one or more channel portions 38 formed therein. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the absorbent core 31 has three channel portions 38 formed therein. The three channel portions 38 extend linearly parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction Y. The three channel portions 38 may also be curved with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. The basis weight of the channel portions 38 is set lower than the basis weight of the other parts of the absorbent core 31. Therefore, the density of pulp fibers and SAP present in the channel portions 38 is lower than the density of pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymer present in the other parts of the absorbent core 31. In one embodiment, the channel portions 38 may be slits with a basis weight of zero.

[0050] Of the three channel portions 38, the central channel portion 38 extends in the vertical direction Y along the center line CL2 of the main body portion 2 in the horizontal direction X. That is, the central channel portion 38 is positioned on the center line CL2 of the main body portion 2 when viewed from the skin side Z1. Of the three channel portions 38, the two outer channel portions 38 are positioned on both sides of the center line CL2 of the main body portion 2 in the horizontal direction X. In the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 1, the three channel portions 38 are positioned ventrally with respect to the guide mark 60, which will be described later.

[0051] Since the basis weight of the channel portion 38 is lower than that of the other parts of the absorbent core 31, the channel portion 38 has lower rigidity than the other parts of the absorbent core 31. Therefore, when the absorbent core 31 comes into contact with the wearer's feet when the wearer puts on the absorbent article 1, the main body portion 2 easily bends into a V-shape in cross-section starting from the channel portion 38 of the absorbent core 31. Thus, the absorbent article 1 can be easily passed between the wearer's feet.

[0052] In one embodiment, the absorber 30 may include a low basis weight region 30l and a high basis weight region 30h. As shown in Figure 4, the low basis weight region 30l and the high basis weight region 30h are positioned offset from each other in the longitudinal direction Y. Specifically, the high basis weight region 30h is positioned on the center line CL1 of the absorber 30 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the low basis weight region 30l is positioned ventrally and dorsally to the high basis weight region 30h.

[0053] The basis weight of the absorber 30 in the high basis weight region 30h is greater than the basis weight of the absorber 30 in the low basis weight region 30l. For example, the amount of SAP per unit area in the high basis weight region 30h is greater than the amount of SAP per unit area in the low basis weight region 30l. More specifically, each of the high basis weight region 30h and the low basis weight region 30l has one or more absorbent layers 36 containing SAP, and the number of absorbent layers 36 in the high basis weight region 30h may be greater than the number of absorbent layers 36 in the low basis weight region 30l. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the high basis weight region 30h has two absorbent layers 36, and the low basis weight region 30l has one absorbent layer 36. Therefore, the water retention capacity per unit area of ​​the high basis weight region 30h is greater than the water retention capacity per unit area of ​​the low basis weight region 30l. Note that the basis weight of the high basis weight region 30h in the lateral direction X may be substantially uniform.

[0054] In one embodiment, the absorbent article 1 includes a pair of upright leak-proof gathers 80 positioned on the skin-facing side of the surface sheet 10. The leak-proof gathers 80 stand upright on the outside of the absorbent body 30 in the lateral direction X, preventing urine excreted in the absorbent body 30 from leaking in the lateral direction X. In one embodiment, each of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 includes a side sheet 12 and an expandable member 13. The pair of side sheets 12 are formed of, for example, a nonwoven fabric having water-repellent or hydrophobic properties. The pair of side sheets 12 are spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction X and extend over the entire lengthwise Y area of ​​the main body 2 between the ventral edge 2F and the dorsal edge 2R. As shown in Figure 3, the outer edge of the side sheet 12 in the lateral direction X coincides with the outer edge of the backing nonwoven fabric 22 in the lateral direction X, and together with one of the outer edges of the backing nonwoven fabric 22, constitutes the side edge of the main body 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the inner portion of each side sheet 12 in the lateral direction X is folded back to the non-skin side Z2. Between the folded side sheets 12, an expandable member 13 is positioned, which is extended in the vertical direction Y. The expandable member 13 is, for example, a rubber thread that provides the main body 2 with expandability in the vertical direction Y.

[0055] Each of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 includes an upright portion 81 that stands upright due to the contraction of the expandable member 13, a lateral fixing portion 82 that serves as the pivot point for the upright portion 81 in the lateral direction X, and a vertical fixing portion 83 that serves as the pivot point for the upright portion 81 in the vertical direction Y. The upright portion 81, the lateral fixing portion 82, and the vertical fixing portion 83 are made of side sheets 12. The upright portion 81 is the portion of the side sheet 12 that is not joined to the surface sheet 10, and the expandable member 13 is positioned in an extended state on the upright portion 81.

[0056] The lateral fixing portion 82 is the part of the side sheet 12 that is fixed to the surface sheet 10 with hot melt adhesive or the like, and serves as the pivot point for the upright portion 81 in the lateral direction X. The lateral fixing portion 82 is formed over the entire area of ​​the main body portion 2 in the vertical direction Y, at a position outside the lateral direction X of the upright portion 81.

[0057] The vertical fixing portion 83 is the portion of the side sheet 12 that is joined to the surface sheet 10 with hot melt adhesive or the like, and serves as the pivot point for the upright portion 81 in the vertical direction Y. In one embodiment, the vertical fixing portion 83 includes a ventral fixing portion 83F and a dorsal fixing portion 83R. The ventral fixing portion 83F is located inward in the lateral direction X from the horizontal fixing portion 82 and is formed in a position ventral to the center line CL1 of the main body portion 2 in the vertical direction Y. The ventral fixing portion 83F serves as the ventral pivot point for the upright portion 81. The dorsal fixing portion 83R is located inward in the lateral direction X from the horizontal fixing portion 82 and is formed in a position dorsal to the center line CL1 of the main body portion 2 in the vertical direction Y. The dorsal fixing portion 83R serves as the dorsal pivot point for the upright portion 81.

[0058] The upright portion 81 is positioned between the ventral fixing portion 83F and the dorsal fixing portion 83R, and is located inward in the lateral direction X relative to the lateral fixing portion 82. An expandable / contractible member 13, which is extended in the vertical direction Y, is connected to the upright portion 81, and when the expandable / contractible member 13 contracts in the vertical direction Y, the main body portion 2 deforms in a closing direction. Due to this deformation, the upright portion 81 stands upright between the ventral fixing portion 83F and the dorsal fixing portion 83R, with the lateral fixing portion 82 as the starting point. In this way, the upright portion 81 stands upright in a position that sandwiches the absorbent material 30 from the lateral direction X, thereby preventing urine leakage.

[0059] As shown in Figure 1, the absorbent article 1 may further comprise one or more leg-circumference stretchable members 40 that are expandable in the longitudinal direction Y. The leg-circumference stretchable members 40 include a pair of leg-circumference stretchable members 40 positioned outward in the lateral direction X relative to the stretchable member 13. The dorsal end of the leg-circumference stretchable member 40 is positioned in the dorsal region 51, and the ventral end of the leg-circumference stretchable member 40 is positioned in the ventral region 53. The leg-circumference stretchable member 40 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex that is contractible in the longitudinal direction, and is positioned along the side edge of the main body 2 between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 of the main body 2. When the absorbent article 1 is worn, the leg-circumference stretchable members 40 contract in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the side edge of the main body 2 to fit around the wearer's legs. That is, the leg-circumference stretchable members 40 constitute leg gathers that expand and contract along the wearer's legs. The absorbent article 1 may comprise multiple leg-circumference stretchable members 40. As shown in Figure 1, the multiple leg extension members 40 are arranged in the lateral direction X on the outside of the extension member 13 and extend in the vertical direction Y parallel to each other.

[0060] In one embodiment, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the leg-lengthening member 40 partially overlaps the absorbent body 30. Specifically, the pair of leg-lengthening members 40 may overlap the dorsal portion 33 of the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1.

[0061] The absorbent article 1 is contained within the packaging in a state where it is folded into thirds in the vertical direction Y along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. Therefore, when the folded absorbent article 1 is removed from the packaging, creases are formed on the main body 2 along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. These creases are linear wrinkles formed along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. In particular, at least a portion of the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 is formed by folding the main body 2 in a valley fold when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 are formed at positions that divide the absorbent article 1 into three equal parts in the vertical direction Y.

[0062] The first fold line FL1 is formed between the center line CL1 of the main body 2 in the vertical direction Y and the dorsal edge 2R, and extends in the transverse direction X so as to traverse the absorbent 30. The second fold line FL2 is formed between the center line CL1 of the main body 2 in the vertical direction Y and the ventral edge 2F, and extends in the transverse direction X so as to traverse the absorbent 30. In particular, the first fold line FL1 traverses the dorsal portion 33 of the absorbent core 31 when viewed from the skin side Z1. On the other hand, the second fold line FL2 traverses the region between the dorsal portion 33 and the ventral portion 35 of the absorbent core 31 when viewed from the skin side Z1. Therefore, the width of the absorbent 30 along the first fold line FL1 is greater than the width of the absorbent 30 along the second fold line FL2. On the first fold line FL1, the pulp and polymer absorbent within the absorbent core 31 may become unevenly distributed due to the folding, causing a localized decrease in the basis weight of the absorbent core 31. In contrast, by relatively increasing the width of the absorbent core 31 on the first fold line FL1, the water absorption of the absorbent core 31 on the first fold line FL1 can be ensured.

[0063] The first fold line FL1 is positioned ventrally relative to the pair of first fastening tabs 90A and the pair of second fastening tabs 90B. The second fold line FL2 is positioned between the pair of dorsal flap portions 15 and the pair of ventral flap portions 17 in the longitudinal direction Y. The first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 cross the expandable member 13 and the leg-around expandable member 40 of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80.

[0064] In one embodiment, a pair of third fold lines FL3 may be formed on the main body portion 2. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are spaced apart from each other across the center line CL2 of the main body portion 2 in the lateral direction X and extend in the vertical direction Y. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are fold marks formed by folding the main body portion 2 in a valley fold when viewed from the skin side Z1. The pair of third fold lines FL3 are located outside the guide mark 60, which will be described later, in the lateral direction X.

[0065] Viewed from the skin side Z1, the portion of the first fold line FL1 between the pair of third fold lines FL3 is a valley fold, and the portion of the first fold line FL1 outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the lateral direction X may be a mountain fold. Similarly, viewed from the skin side Z1, the portion of the second fold line FL2 between the pair of third fold lines FL3 is a valley fold, and the portion of the second fold line FL2 outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the lateral direction X may be a mountain fold. That is, each of the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 includes a valley fold portion located between the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the lateral direction X and a mountain fold portion located outside the pair of third fold lines FL3 in the lateral direction X. The first fold line FL1, the second fold line FL2, and the pair of third fold lines FL3 described above are formed by folding the pair of dorsal flap portions 15 and the pair of ventral flap portions 17 of the main body 2 inward along the pair of third fold lines FL3, and then folding the main body 2 in three vertical folds in the Y direction along the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2.

[0066] The region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 partially overlaps with the high basis weight region 30h when viewed from the skin side Z1. The region dorsal to the first fold line FL1 of the main body 2, and the region ventral to the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2, partially overlap with the low basis weight region 30l. In other words, part or all of the portion of the absorber 30 that overlaps with region R is the high basis weight region 30h, and part or all of the portion of the absorber 30 that does not overlap with region R is the low basis weight region 30l. As described above, since the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 overlaps with the high basis weight region 30h when viewed from the skin side Z1, the rigidity of this region R is higher than that of the region between the first fold line FL1 and the dorsal edge 2R of the main body 2, and the region between the second fold line FL2 and the ventral edge 2F of the main body 2.

[0067] As shown in Figure 1, the main body 2 has guide marks 60 formed on it so that they are visible from the skin side Z1, which guide the wearer to the position where a part of their body should be placed in the vertical direction Y. In one embodiment, the guide marks 60 guide the wearer to the position where their buttocks should be placed in the vertical direction Y. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the guide marks 60 have a roughly W-shape that mimics the buttocks in order to make the user recognize that it is the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed.

[0068] The guide mark 60 is positioned on the skin-facing side Z1 relative to the absorbent material 30. For example, the guide mark 60 is printed on the surface sheet 10 so that it is visible from the skin-facing side Z1. The guide mark 60 may be colored in a different color from the surface sheet 10. For example, the guide mark 60 may be printed in blue or green. More specifically, the guide mark 60 may be printed in a color that falls within the range of 5GY to 10RP on the Munsell color circle. The guide mark 60 can be colored using, for example, ink, colored hot-melt adhesive, pressure-sensitive paper, or thermosensitive paper.

[0069] Figure 6 is a magnified view of the area around the guide mark 60. As shown in Figure 6, the guide mark 60 includes two curved sections 61 that curve smoothly so as to be convex on the ventral side. Each of the two curved sections 61 has one end 62 and the other end 63, and extends in a substantially semi-circular arc between the one end 62 and the other end 63. The one end 62 of the two curved sections 61 are connected to each other by a connecting section 65. The connecting section 65 is located on the center line CL2 of the main body 2 in the lateral direction X. The other end 63 of the two curved sections 61 is located outside the connecting section 65 in the lateral direction X. Also, the other end 63 of the two curved sections 61 is located behind the connecting section 65 in the vertical direction Y. The other end 63 of the two curved sections 61 has a rounded contour. However, the other end 63 of the two curved sections 61 may have an angular contour. Since the guide mark 60 having the shape described above is formed on the main body 2, the user of the absorbent article 1 will associate the shape of the guide mark 60 with the shape of the buttocks and recognize that the wearer's buttocks should be positioned in accordance with the guide mark 60.

[0070] Furthermore, the guide mark 60 has a width W4 in the horizontal direction X and a width L1 in the vertical direction Y. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the horizontal direction X corresponds to the distance in the horizontal direction X between the other ends 63 of the two curved sections 61. The width L1 of the guide mark 60 in the vertical direction Y corresponds to the distance in the vertical direction Y between the lowest point 64 and the other end 63 of the two curved sections 61, when the lowest point 64 is defined as the part of the two curved sections 61 that protrudes the most ventral side. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the horizontal direction X is greater than the width L1 of the guide mark 60 in the vertical direction Y. Therefore, the guide mark 60 has a horizontally elongated shape that is longer in the horizontal direction X.

[0071] As shown in Figure 1, the three channel portions 38 extend in the longitudinal direction Y between the guide mark 60 and the ventral edge 2F. The width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X is greater than the distance d1 between the two outermost channel portions 38 in the lateral direction X. Also, the width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X is less than the distance d2 between the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 in the non-upright state. However, the width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X may be greater than the distance d2 between the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 in the non-upright state. In this case, when the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are in the non-upright state, the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60 are covered by the pair of leak-proof gathers 80, and when the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are in the upright state, the entire guide mark 60, including the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61, is exposed to the skin side Z1.

[0072] As shown in Figure 6, the two curved sections 61 have a substantially constant line width t1 from one end 62 to the other end 63. The line width t1 of the two curved sections 61 may be 10% or more and 50% or less of the width W4 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X. For example, the line width t1 of the two curved sections 61 is 2 cm or more. By making the line width t1 2 cm or more, the visibility of the guide mark 60 can be improved.

[0073] The guide mark 60 is positioned to overlap the absorbent material 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1. More specifically, when viewed from the skin side Z1, at least a portion of the guide mark 60 is located in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2. For example, the ratio of the area of ​​the portion located in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 to the total area of ​​the guide mark 60 may be 30% or more, 50% or more, or 80% or more. Alternatively, the entire guide mark 60 may be located in the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2.

[0074] As described above, the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 are creases formed as valley folds when viewed from the skin side Z1. Therefore, when the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, a restoring force F acts on the main body 2, causing it to return to its folded shape with the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 as the starting points (see Figure 7). That is, when viewed from the skin side Z1, a force acts on the portions of the main body 2 on both sides of the first fold line FL1 in the vertical direction Y, causing the first fold line FL1 to bend inward, and a force acts on the portions of the main body 2 on both sides of the second fold line FL2 in the vertical direction Y, causing the second fold line FL2 to bend inward. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the main body 2 bends with the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 inward, and the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 deforms so that it bulges upward (towards the skin side Z1).

[0075] In nursing or medical settings, when an absorbent item 1 is fitted to a disabled adult receiving care, the wearer may be placed in a lateral position before the absorbent item 1 is fitted. In this case, the absorbent item 1 is spread out and placed under the wearer's waist after the wearer is placed in a lateral position, and the wearer is then turned back onto their back so that their buttocks rest on the absorbent item. The absorbent item is then pulled up towards the wearer's abdomen through their crotch, and the pair of first fastening tabs 90A and second fastening tabs 90B are fastened to the locking parts. At this time, if the distance between the wearer's buttocks in the lateral position and the guide marks 60 formed on the main body 2 is large, it may be difficult to accurately position the wearer's buttocks with the guide marks 60.

[0076] In contrast, as shown in Figure 7, the region R between the first fold line FL1 and the second fold line FL2 of the main body 2 deforms to bulge upward (towards the skin side Z1), thereby reducing the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and region R when the wearer is lying on their side. That is, the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60 can be reduced, making it easier to align the wearer's buttocks 100 with the guide mark 60. As a result, it becomes easier to attach the absorbent article 1.

[0077] Similarly, when the absorbent article 1 is unfolded, a restoring force is generated in the main body 2 that causes it to return to its folded shape starting from the pair of third fold lines FL3. As a result, the main body 2 folds inward with the pair of third fold lines FL3, and the area between the pair of third fold lines FL3 of the main body 2 deforms so that it bulges upward. Since the guide mark 60 is positioned between the pair of third fold lines FL3 when viewed from the skin side Z1, the deformation so that the area between the pair of third fold lines FL3 bulges upward can further reduce the distance D between the wearer's buttocks 100 and the guide mark 60. Therefore, it becomes easier to align the wearer's buttocks 100 with the guide mark 60.

[0078] In one embodiment, a portion of the guide mark 60 may be positioned on the first fold line FL1. Alternatively, the guide mark 60 may be positioned between the widened portions 15c of the pair of back flap portions 15 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the guide mark 60 may be provided on the back portion 33 of the absorbent core 31 between the widened portions 15c of the pair of back flap portions 15. Therefore, the width in the lateral direction X of the absorbent core 31 at the position overlapping with the guide mark 60 is greater than the width in the lateral direction X of the ventral edge 31F and the back edge 31R of the absorbent body 30. Since the back portion 33 is the region with the maximum width of the absorbent core 31, the positioning of the guide mark 60 on the back portion 33 allows for effective absorption of urine excreted by the wearer at the back portion 33. Also, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 is positioned between the region where the pair of leg-around stretchable members 40 and the absorbent body 30 overlap.

[0079] In the absorbent article 1 described above, when worn, the first fastening tab 90A and the second fastening tab 90B are pulled along the wearer's waist, so that a lateral tension X is applied to the pair of back flap portions 15 near the guide mark 60, and the wrinkles that have formed in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60 are stretched out. Therefore, the formation of wrinkles in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60 can be suppressed when worn. As a result, when the wearer's buttocks apply weight to the wrinkled portion of the main body portion 2, it is prevented that the urine absorbed by the absorbent material 30 will flow back to the skin side.

[0080] In one embodiment, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 is positioned to overlap with the high-basis-weight region 30h. In this case, urine excreted by the wearer can be effectively absorbed in the high-basis-weight region 30h. Alternatively, when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 may be positioned on the extension of one or more channel portions 38. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the guide mark 60 is positioned on the extension of three channel portions 38.

[0081] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the main body 2 may have a central guide mark 70 formed on it so as to be visible from the skin side Z1 for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed in the lateral direction X. The central guide mark 70 includes a ventral central guide mark 71 positioned between the guide mark 60 and the ventral edge 2F in the vertical direction Y, and a dorsal central guide mark 72 positioned between the guide mark 60 and the dorsal edge 2R in the vertical direction Y.

[0082] The ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are positioned on the skin side Z1 relative to the absorbent material 30. For example, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are printed on the surface sheet 10 so that they are visible from the skin side Z1. The ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 may be colored in a different color from the surface sheet 10. For example, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are printed in blue or green. More specifically, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are printed in a color that falls within the range of 5GY to 10RP on the Munsell color circle, for example.

[0083] The guide mark 60, the ventral central guide mark 71, and the dorsal central guide mark 72 may be printed on the main body 2 with ink. In this case, the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark 60 may be greater than the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72. For example, if the guide mark 60, the ventral central guide mark 71, and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are represented by a collection of minute ink dots, the density of ink dots in the guide mark 60 may be higher than the density of dots in the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72. By relatively increasing the amount of ink per unit area of ​​the guide mark 60, the guide mark 60 will appear darker, thereby improving the visibility of the guide mark 60. Note that the guide mark 60 and the central guide mark 70 may have different hues, brightness, or saturation. The identifiability of the guiding mark 60 and the central guiding mark 70 is improved by having different hues, brightness, or saturations from each other.

[0084] The ventral central guide mark 71 extends linearly along the centerline CL2 of the main body in the transverse direction X between the guide mark 60 and the ventral edge 2F. The ventral central guide mark 71 has a dorsal end 71r and a ventral end 71f, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y between the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f so as to overlap with the centerline CL2 of the main body 2 when viewed from the skin side Z1. As shown in Figure 6, the dorsal end 71r of the ventral central guide mark 71 is positioned to overlap with the absorbent 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1, and is spaced apart from the connecting portion 65 of the guide mark 60. In other words, the guide mark 60 and the ventral central guide mark 71 are not connected to each other.

[0085] The ventral end 71f of the ventral central guide mark 71 is positioned on the ventral edge 2F side of the center line CL1 in the vertical direction Y of the main body 2. For example, the ventral end 71f is positioned on the ventral edge 2F. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the ventral central guide mark 71 overlaps at least partially with the central channel portion 38 of the multiple channel portions 38. The dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f have rounded contours. However, the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f may have angular contours. The contour shapes of the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f may differ from the contour shapes of the other ends 63 of the two curved portions 61. The ventral central guide mark 71 has a substantially constant line width t2 between the dorsal end 71r and the ventral end 71f. The line widths t1 of the two curved portions 61 of the guide mark 60 may be thicker than the line width t2 of the ventral central guide mark 71. By making the line width t1 of the two curved sections 61 relatively thicker, the visibility of the guide mark 60 is improved.

[0086] The dorsal central guide mark 72 extends linearly along the centerline CL2 of the main body in the lateral direction X between the guide mark 60 and the dorsal edge 2R. The dorsal central guide mark 72 has a dorsal end 72r and a ventral end 72f, and extends in the vertical direction Y between the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f so as to overlap with the centerline CL2 of the main body 2 when viewed from the skin side Z1. The dorsal end 72r of the dorsal central guide mark 72 is positioned on the dorsal edge 2R. The ventral end 72f of the dorsal central guide mark 72 is positioned to overlap with the absorbent 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1, and is spaced apart from the connecting portion 65 of the guide mark 60. In other words, the guide mark 60 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are not connected to each other.

[0087] The dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f have rounded contours. However, the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f may have angular contours. The contour shapes of the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f may differ from the contour shapes of the other ends 63 of the two curved sections 61. The dorsal central guide mark 72 has a substantially constant line width t3 between the dorsal end 72r and the ventral end 72f. The line widths t1 of the two curved sections 61 of the guide mark 60 may be thicker than the line width t3 of the dorsal central guide mark 72. By making the line widths t1 of the two curved sections 61 relatively thicker, the visibility of the guide mark 60 is improved.

[0088] As described above, the central guide mark 70 is a mark for guiding the central position of the absorbent article 1 in the lateral direction X. As shown in Figure 1, the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 may be dashed, dotted, or chained lines. The fact that the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 are dashed, dotted, or chained lines makes it easier for the user to recognize that the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 indicate the center of the absorbent article 1.

[0089] Furthermore, if the guide mark 60 and the central guide mark 70 are connected when viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 may not appear to be shaped like the buttocks, and the user may not recognize that the guide mark 60 is guiding the position where the buttocks should be placed. In contrast, as shown in Figure 1, by making the guide mark 60 and the central guide mark 70 unconnected, the user can easily recognize that the guide mark 60 is the position where the buttocks should be placed.

[0090] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, an outer central guide mark 73 extending along the center line CL2 in the transverse direction X may be formed on the outer surface of the back sheet 20 so as to be visible from the non-skin side Z2. The outer central guide mark 73 is printed on the back film 21, for example, and is visible from the non-skin side Z2 through the back nonwoven fabric 22. The outer central guide mark 73 extends linearly along the center line CL2 over the entire area of ​​the main body 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. The width of the outer central guide mark 73 in the transverse direction may be greater than the line width t2 of the ventral central guide mark 71 and the line width t3 of the dorsal central guide mark 72 in the transverse direction X.

[0091] As described above, the main body 2 has a ventral central guide mark 71 and a dorsal central guide mark 72 that extend along the lateral X-axis centerline CL2. By aligning the ventral central guide mark 71 and the dorsal central guide mark 72 with the wearer's midline and attaching the absorbent article 1, lateral displacement of the absorbent article 1 can be suppressed. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can be easily attached to the correct position. In addition, since an outer central guide mark 73 is formed on the outer surface of the back nonwoven fabric 22, the lateral X-axis centerline CL1 of the main body 2 can be recognized from the non-skin side Z2 as well. Therefore, when attaching the absorbent article 1, if the ventral region 53 is placed against the wearer's abdomen, aligning the outer central guide mark 73 with the wearer's midline and attaching the absorbent article 1 can more effectively suppress lateral displacement of the absorbent article 1.

[0092] Next, an absorbent article according to another embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1A according to another embodiment, as seen from the skin side Z1. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1A shown in Figure 8 along the line C-C. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1A shown in Figure 8 along the line D-D. The absorbent article 1A differs from the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 1 in that guide marks 60 are formed on the cushion sheet 55, which will be described later. In the following description, the differences from the absorbent article 1 will be mainly explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the main body 2 of the absorbent article 1A further includes a cushion sheet 55 disposed between the surface sheet 10 and the absorbent 30. The cushion sheet 55 is made of, for example, a resin-made opening film, an SAP sheet, a nonwoven fabric, tissue, or a laminate thereof. The opening film is made of a resin film having a number of openings penetrating in the thickness direction. Typically, polyethylene or polypropylene is used as the material for the resin film. The SAP sheet is a sheet material having one or more absorbent layers in which SAP is sandwiched between nonwoven fabrics.

[0094] In one embodiment, the cushion sheet 55 may be colored in a different color from the surface sheet 10. The coloring of the cushion sheet 55 allows it to be easily seen through the surface sheet 10. For example, the cushion sheet 55 may be colored blue or green.

[0095] As shown in Figure 8, the guide mark 60 is formed on the cushion sheet 55. For example, the guide mark 60 is printed on the skin-facing side Z1 or the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the cushion sheet 55. The guide mark 60 may have a different color from the cushion sheet 55. For example, if the cushion sheet 55 is colored blue or green, the guide mark 60 may be white. The colors of the surface sheet 10, the cushion sheet 55, and the guide mark 60 may be different from each other.

[0096] Note that the guide mark 60 does not necessarily have to be formed on the cushion sheet 55. In this case, the guide mark 60 is provided so as to overlap the cushion sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, it is printed on the surface sheet 10 at a position that overlaps the cushion sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1. Typically, the guide mark 60 is formed so that its entirety overlaps the cushion sheet 55 when viewed from the skin side Z1.

[0097] The cushion sheet 55 is provided locally near the guide mark 60. Specifically, the cushion sheet 55 is provided on the dorsal side with respect to the center line CL1 in the vertical direction Y, and its entirety overlaps the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1. For example, the cushion sheet 55 has a rectangular or square planar shape, the ventral end 55f of the cushion sheet 55 is positioned on the dorsal side with respect to the center line CL1 in the vertical direction Y, and the dorsal end 55r of the cushion sheet 55 is positioned ventrally to the ventral edge 31F of the absorbent body 30. The first fold line FL1 may be formed between the ventral end 55f and the dorsal end 55r of the cushion sheet 55. The ventral end 55f of the cushion sheet 55 may be provided on the dorsal side to the dorsal ends of the plurality of channel portions 38. Both side edges 55s of the cushion sheet 55 in the lateral direction X are positioned laterally inward with respect to the lateral fixing portions 82 of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80.

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the cushion sheet 55 is positioned to overlap the high-basis-weight region 30h when viewed from the skin side Z1. This prevents urine absorbed in the high-basis-weight region 30h from flowing back to the skin side Z1.

[0099] In absorbent article 1A, when the first fastening tab 90A and the second fastening tab 90B are pulled along the wearer's waistline during wear, a lateral tension X is applied to the pair of back flap portions 15 near the guide mark 60, so that wrinkles that have formed in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60 are stretched out. Therefore, the formation of wrinkles in the main body portion 2 near the guide mark 60 during wear can be suppressed. In addition, in absorbent article 1A, a cushion sheet 55 is provided between the surface sheet 10 and the absorbent body 30, so that urine absorbed by the absorbent body 30 is blocked by the cushion sheet 55 and prevented from flowing back to the skin side Z1. Since the cushion sheet 55 is positioned to overlap with the guide mark 60 where the wearer's buttocks are located, it is possible to prevent urine that has flowed back from the absorbent body 30 from adhering to the wearer's buttocks.

[0100] Figure 11 is a plan view of an absorbent article 1B according to yet another embodiment, as seen from the skin side Z1. The absorbent article 1B shown in Figure 11 differs from the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 1 in that it does not have a pair of panel sheets 16, and instead a pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B are joined to a pair of back flap portions 15. In the absorbent article 1B, the guide mark 60 is positioned between the straight portions 15s of the pair of back flap portions 15, as seen from the skin side Z1.

[0101] Figure 12 is a plan view of an absorbent article 1C according to yet another embodiment, as seen from the skin side Z1. The main body 2 of the absorbent article 1C shown in Figure 12 does not have a pair of dorsal flap portions 15 and a pair of ventral flap portions 17, and differs from the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 1 in that the width of the main body 2 in the lateral direction X is constant at each position in the vertical direction Y. As shown in Figure 12, the absorbent article 1C includes a pair of panel sheets 16 joined to the main body 2. The pair of panel sheets 16 extend outward from the main body 2 in the lateral direction X when viewed from the skin side Z1. The pair of panel sheets 16 are positioned along the wearer's waist when worn. In the absorbent article 1C, the guide mark 60 is positioned between the pair of panel sheets 16 and overlaps the absorbent body 30 when viewed from the skin side Z1. As shown in Figure 12, the pair of panel sheets 16 are provided with a pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B.

[0102] Each of the pair of panel sheets 16 may have a dividing line 16d formed on it for dividing each panel sheet 16 in the longitudinal direction Y. The dividing line 16d is, for example, a perforation and is formed in the longitudinal direction Y between a pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B. When each panel sheet 16 is cut along the dividing line 16d, each panel sheet 16 is divided into a ventral portion and a dorsal portion.

[0103] In one embodiment, when the folded absorbent article 1C is removed from the packaging, each of the pair of panel sheets 16 may be temporarily fixed in a folded state along a fold line extending in the vertical direction Y. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the pair of panel sheets 16 are folded inward once or more times along one or more fold lines extending in the vertical direction Y, with a pair of first fastening tabs 90A and a pair of second fastening tabs 90B folded inward along the side edges of the pair of panel sheets 16. The folded pair of panel sheets 16 and the surface sheet 10 are then temporarily fixed together. Temporary fixing means that they are weakly joined so that they do not separate during transport but can be separated by force applied by the user during use. For example, temporary fixing can be done with adhesive, embossing, or sonic processing. By temporarily fixing the folded pair of panel sheets 16 and the surface sheet 10, the pair of panel sheets 16 are fixed in a folded state during transport.

[0104] Although various embodiments of absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C 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.

[0105] For example, in the above embodiment, the guide mark 60 has a shape that mimics the buttocks in order to guide the wearer's buttocks to the position where they should be placed. However, the guide mark 60 is not limited to a shape that mimics the buttocks as long as it can guide the wearer's body part to the position where it should be placed in the vertical direction. For example, the guide mark 60 may guide the wearer's urinary opening or groin to the position where they should be placed. For example, Figure 14 shows an example of a guide mark 60 for guiding the wearer's urinary opening to the position where they should be placed. Figure 15 shows an example of a guide mark 60 for guiding the wearer's groin to the position where they should be placed.

[0106] Furthermore, the shape of the guide mark 60 that indicates the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed is not limited to the example shown in Figure 6. For example, the guide mark 60 may have a pattern, design, or geometric shape as shown in Figures 16(a) to (f). It should be noted that the various embodiments described above can be combined in a consistent manner.

[0107] The absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C do not necessarily have fastening tabs. For example, the absorbent articles 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C may be disposable absorbent pads that are replaceable and attached to the skin-facing side of a cloth or non-woven diaper cover having a pair of fastening tabs.

[0108] The present invention will be described with reference to the following clauses. The present invention may also include any combination of the following clauses, even without a specific enumeration.

[0109] [1] An absorbent article comprising a main body having a front sheet placed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet placed on the non-skin side of the wearer, and an absorbent material placed between the front sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a front region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region placed longitudinally between the front region and the back region, the main body having a pair of back flap portions that protrude outward in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the back region and are placed along the wearer's waist when worn, the maximum width between the side edges of the pair of back flap portions in the transverse direction is the maximum width of the main body in the transverse direction, the main body having guide marks formed so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed in the longitudinal direction, the guide marks overlapping the absorbent material and placed between the side edges of the pair of back flap portions when viewed from the skin side.

[0110] [2] The absorbent article according to [1], comprising one or more pairs of fastening tabs joined to the pair of dorsal flaps and engaging with the ventral region of the main body from the non-skin side, wherein, as viewed from the skin side, a portion of the absorbent material is positioned between at least one pair of the fastening tabs.

[0111] [3] The absorbent article according to [2], wherein the pair or more pairs of fastening tabs include a pair of first fastening tabs and a pair of second fastening tabs, and when the direction from the ventral region toward the dorsal region is defined as the dorsal side, at least one of the pair of first fastening tabs and the pair of second fastening tabs is provided on the dorsal side with respect to the guide mark in the longitudinal direction.

[0112] [4] The absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [3], further comprising a pair of panel sheets joined to the pair of dorsal flap portions and extending laterally outward from the pair of dorsal flap portions when in use, wherein the pair of panel sheets are provided with one or more pairs of fastening tabs that engage with the ventral region of the main body portion from the non-skin side.

[0113] [5] The absorbent article according to [4], wherein each of the pair of panel sheets is temporarily fastened in a folded state along the longitudinally extending fold line.

[0114] [6] The absorbent article described in any one of items [1] to [5], wherein the guide mark is colored in a different color from the surface sheet.

[0115] [7] The guide mark is formed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent material, as described in any one of items [1] to [6].

[0116] [8] The guide mark is formed on the surface sheet and is an absorbent article according to any one of items [1] to [7].

[0117] [9] The main body further includes a cushion sheet disposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent, and the guide mark is formed on the cushion sheet, the absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [8].

[0118]

[10] The absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the absorbent material includes a low basis weight region and a high basis weight region arranged at positions offset from each other in the vertical direction, the basis weight of the absorbent material in the high basis weight region is greater than the basis weight of the absorbent material in the low basis weight region, and the guide mark is positioned to overlap the high basis weight region when viewed from the skin side.

[0119]

[11] The absorbent article according to

[10] , wherein each of the high basis weight region and the low basis weight region has one or more absorbent layers, and the number of absorbent layers in the high basis weight region is greater than the number of absorbent layers in the low basis weight region.

[0120]

[12] The absorbent article according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the basis weight of the high basis weight region in the lateral direction is substantially uniform.

[0121]

[13] The absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the lateral width of the absorbent at the position overlapping with the guide mark is greater than the lateral width of the edge of the absorbent in the vertical direction.

[0122]

[14] The absorbent article according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the main body portion further includes a pair of ventral flap portions that protrude outward in the lateral direction in the ventral region and are positioned along the waist circumference of the wearer when worn, the lateral edges of the pair of dorsal flap portions having a widened portion that widens outward in the lateral direction as it approaches the dorsal edge and a straight portion connecting the widened portion and the dorsal edge, the lateral edges of the pair of ventral flap portions having a widened portion that widens outward in the lateral direction as it approaches the ventral edge and a straight portion connecting the widened portion and the ventral edge, and the length of the straight portion of the pair of dorsal flap portions along the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the straight portion of the pair of ventral flap portions along the longitudinal direction.

[0123]

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

[14] , wherein the absorbent body includes an absorbent core having water absorption properties, and the lateral width of the region of the absorbent core that overlaps with the guide mark when viewed from the skin side is the maximum width of the absorbent body in the lateral direction.

[0124]

[16] An absorbent article comprising: a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer; a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the wearer; and an absorbent disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body having an abdominal region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region disposed longitudinally between the abdominal region and the back region; and a pair of panel sheets joined to the back region of the main body, extending outward from the main body in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and positioned along the wearer's waist when worn, wherein the main body has guide marks formed so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed in the longitudinal direction, and the guide marks, when viewed from the skin side, overlap the absorbent and are positioned between the pair of panel sheets.

[17] The absorbent article according to [4] or [5], wherein the pair of panel sheets has a dividing line for dividing the pair of panel sheets in the longitudinal direction.

[18] The pair of panel sheets are elastic absorbent articles according to [4], [5], or

[17] .

[0125] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C... Absorbent material, 2... Main body, 2F... Ventral edge, 2R... Dorsal edge, 10... Surface sheet, 15... Dorsal flap, 15a... Side edge, 15c... Widened section, 15s... Straight section, 16... Panel sheet, 17... Ventral flap, 15a, 17a... Side edge, 15c, 17c... Widened section, 15s, 17s... Straight section, 20... Back sheet, 30... Absorbent material, 30h... High basis weight area, 30l... Low basis weight area, 36... Absorbent layer, 51... Dorsal area, 52... Crotch area, 53... Ventral area, 55... Cushion sheet, 60... Guide mark, 90A... First fastening tab, 90B... Second fastening tab, 100... Buttocks, X... Transverse direction, Y... Vertical direction, Z... Thickness direction, Z1... Skin side, Z2... Non-skin side.

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a surface sheet placed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet placed on the non-skin side of the wearer, and an absorbent material placed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body having a ventral region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region placed longitudinally between the ventral region and the back region, the main body including a pair of back flap portions that protrude outward in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the back region and are placed along the wearer's waist when worn, the maximum width between the side edges of the pair of back flap portions in the transverse direction is the maximum width of the main body in the transverse direction, the main body has guide marks formed so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed in the longitudinal direction, and the guide marks overlap the absorbent material and are placed between the side edges of the pair of back flap portions when viewed from the skin side.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, comprising one or more pairs of fastening tabs joined to the pair of dorsal flaps and engaging with the ventral region of the main body from the non-skin side, wherein, as viewed from the skin side, a portion of the absorbent material is positioned between at least one pair of the fastening tabs.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the pair or more pairs of fastening tabs include a pair of first fastening tabs and a pair of second fastening tabs, and when the direction from the ventral region toward the dorsal region is defined as the dorsal side, at least one of the pair of first fastening tabs and the pair of second fastening tabs is provided on the dorsal side with respect to the guide mark in the longitudinal direction.

4. The absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of panel sheets joined to the pair of dorsal flap portions and extending laterally outward from the pair of dorsal flap portions when in use, wherein the pair of panel sheets are provided with one or more pairs of fastening tabs that engage with the ventral region of the main body portion from the non-skin side.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein each of the pair of panel sheets is temporarily secured in a folded state along the longitudinally extending fold line.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is colored in a different color from the surface sheet.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is formed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent material.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is formed on the surface sheet.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body further includes a cushion sheet disposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent, and the guide mark is formed on the cushion sheet.

10. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent material includes a low basis weight region and a high basis weight region arranged at positions offset from each other in the vertical direction, the basis weight of the absorbent material in the high basis weight region is greater than the basis weight of the absorbent material in the low basis weight region, and the guide mark is positioned to overlap the high basis weight region when viewed from the skin side.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein each of the high basis weight region and the low basis weight region has one or more absorbent layers, and the number of absorbent layers in the high basis weight region is greater than the number of absorbent layers in the low basis weight region.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 10, wherein the basis weight of the high basis weight region in the lateral direction is substantially uniform.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the lateral width of the absorbent at the position overlapping with the guide mark is greater than the lateral width of the edge of the absorbent in the vertical direction.

14. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the main body portion further includes a pair of ventral flap portions that protrude laterally outward in the ventral region and are positioned along the waist circumference of the wearer when worn, the lateral edges of the pair of dorsal flap portions having a widened portion that widens laterally outward as it approaches the dorsal edge of the main body portion and a straight portion connecting the widened portion and the dorsal edge, the lateral edges of the pair of ventral flap portions having a widened portion that widens laterally outward as it approaches the ventral edge of the main body portion and a straight portion connecting the widened portion and the ventral edge, and the length of the straight portion of the pair of dorsal flap portions along the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the straight portion of the pair of ventral flap portions along the longitudinal direction.

15. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body includes an absorbent core having water-absorbing properties, and the lateral width of the region of the absorbent core that overlaps with the guide mark when viewed from the skin side is the maximum width of the absorbent body in the lateral direction.

16. An absorbent article comprising: a surface sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer; a back sheet positioned on the non-skin side of the wearer; and an absorbent material positioned between the surface sheet and the back sheet, the main body having an abdominal region that covers the wearer's abdomen when worn, a back region that covers the wearer's back when worn, and a crotch region positioned longitudinally between the abdominal region and the back region; and a pair of panel sheets joined to the back region of the main body, extending outward from the main body in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and positioned along the wearer's waist when worn, wherein the main body has guide marks formed so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where the wearer's buttocks should be positioned in the longitudinal direction, and the guide marks, when viewed from the skin side, overlap the absorbent material and are positioned between the pair of panel sheets.

17. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the pair of panel sheets has a dividing line for dividing the pair of panel sheets in the longitudinal direction.

18. The absorbent article according to claim 4, wherein the pair of panel sheets are stretchable.

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