Diaper

Abstract

This diaper comprises: an absorbent body including a front surface sheet disposed on a skin surface side of a wearer, a back surface sheet disposed on a non-skin surface side opposite to the skin surface side, and an absorbent core disposed between the front surface sheet and the back surface sheet; and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in a lateral direction from the absorbent body. A guide mark for guiding a position at which a part of the body of the wearer is to be placed is formed on the absorbent body. The absorbent core has a guide region overlapping with the guide mark in a thickness direction, and an adjacent region adjacent to the guide region when viewed from the thickness direction. The guide region includes a high-rigidity portion having a rigidity higher than that of the adjacent region.

Description

Diaper

[0001] This disclosure relates to diapers.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a diaper with a surface sheet on which a guiding mark for guiding the wearer's buttocks position is displayed, a back sheet (cover sheet), an absorbent core (absorbent body) disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and a pair of fastening tabs (locking portions).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-230716

[0004] In a diaper as described above, when the guiding mark is formed on the surface sheet by printing, there is a possibility that the guiding mark cannot be visually recognized in a dark place and its position cannot be confirmed. Also, it is required to suppress the deformation of the absorbent core due to the movement of the wearer.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a diaper that can easily confirm the position of the guiding mark even in a dark place and can suppress the deformation of the absorbent core.

[0006] A diaper according to one embodiment is a diaper extending in a longitudinal direction connecting the ventral side to the dorsal side of the wearer and a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and includes a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side opposite to the skin side, and an absorbent body including an absorbent core disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in the transverse direction from the absorbent body. A guiding mark for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed is formed on the absorbent body. The absorbent core has a guiding region overlapping the guiding mark in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and an adjacent region adjacent to the guiding region when viewed from the thickness direction. The guiding region includes a high-rigidity portion having higher rigidity than the adjacent region.

[0007] According to this disclosure, the position of the guiding mark can be easily confirmed even in a dark place, and the deformation of the absorbent core can be suppressed.

[0008] This is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment, seen from the skin side. This is a plan view of the diaper in Figure 1, seen from the non-skin side. This is a cross-sectional view of the diaper along line III-III in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core of the diaper along line IV-IV in Figure 1. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the first modification. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the second modification. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the third modification. This is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the fourth modification. This is an enlarged view of the area around the guide mark of the absorbent core of the diaper according to the fifth modification, seen from the skin side. This is a plan view of the diaper according to the sixth modification, seen from the skin side. This is a plan view of the diaper according to the seventh modification, seen from the skin side.

[0009] At least [1] to

[15] embodiments are disclosed in this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [1] A diaper extending in a longitudinal direction connecting the ventral side to the dorsal side of the wearer, and in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comprising: an absorbent body including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side opposite to the skin side, and an absorbent core disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet; and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in the transverse direction from the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has guide marks formed on it for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed, and the absorbent core has a guide region that overlaps with the guide marks in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and an adjacent region adjacent to the guide region when viewed from the thickness direction, and the guide region includes a high-rigidity portion that is higher in rigidity than the adjacent region.

[0011] In the diaper described in [1] above, the absorbent core has a guide region that overlaps with the guide mark in the thickness direction perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions, and an adjacent region adjacent to the guide region when viewed from the thickness direction, and the guide region includes a high-rigidity portion that is more rigid than the adjacent region. This makes it possible to make the tactile feel of the high-rigidity portion in the guide region different from that of the adjacent region. As a result, the position of the guide mark can be easily confirmed by the tactile feel of the high-rigidity portion even in the dark. In addition, the inclusion of a high-rigidity portion in the guide region increases the rigidity of the absorbent core. As a result, deformation of the absorbent core can be suppressed. Therefore, with the above diaper, the position of the guide mark can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core can be suppressed.

[0012] [2] The diaper according to [1], wherein the guide mark is formed in the buttock area, which is the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed.

[0013] According to the configuration of [2] above, the wearer's buttocks can be properly guided to the correct position. Here, the buttock area is prone to deformation because it is subjected to load from the wearer's leg movements. On the other hand, according to the configuration of [2] above, the rigidity of the buttock area can be increased by forming guide marks in the buttock area. Therefore, deformation of the buttock area can be suppressed.

[0014] [3] The diaper of [1] or [2], wherein the high-rigidity part is a part provided with a recess formed by compression.

[0015] According to the configuration described in [3] above, a highly rigid section can be easily formed even when the guide mark has a complex shape.

[0016] [4] The diaper of [1] or [2], wherein the high-rigidity portion is a portion provided with a protrusion that protrudes from the adjacent region.

[0017] According to the configuration described in [4] above, the guide mark can be identified more easily.

[0018] [5] The diaper according to [1] or [2], wherein the absorbent core is formed to have a uniform thickness over the guide region and the adjacent region.

[0019] According to the configuration described in [5] above, discomfort when putting on a diaper can be reduced compared to cases where the guide mark is formed by a recess or a protrusion.

[0020] [6] The adjacent region includes a recess formed by compression, and the recess in the guide region has a different shape from the recess in the adjacent region, the diaper of [3].

[0021] According to the configuration described in [6] above, the location of the guide mark can be easily confirmed.

[0022] [7] The diaper of [3], wherein the adjacent region does not include a recess formed by compression and includes a flat portion formed of a uniform thickness.

[0023] According to the configuration described in [7] above, the location of the guide mark can be more easily confirmed.

[0024] [8] The diaper of [7], wherein the adjacent region includes a recess formed by a method other than compression.

[0025] According to the configuration described in [8] above, even if a recess is formed in an adjacent area by a method other than compression, the position of the guide mark can be easily confirmed.

[0026] [9] The diaper of any of [1] to [8] wherein the lateral width of the guide mark is 50% or more of the maximum lateral width of the absorbent core.

[0027] According to the configuration described in [9] above, the rigidity of the absorption core can be further increased.

[0028]

[10] A diaper of any of [1] to [9] in which, when viewed from the thickness direction, the smallest rectangular region that encloses the entire guide mark and has sides extending in the horizontal and vertical directions, the horizontal width of the rectangular region is longer than the vertical length of the rectangular region.

[0029] According to the configuration described in

[10] above, the rigidity of the absorption core can be further increased.

[0030]

[11] The recess in the guide region is formed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core of the diaper of [3].

[0031] According to the configuration described in

[11] above, the position of the guide mark can be easily confirmed from the skin side.

[0032]

[12] The recess in the guide region is formed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core of the diaper of [3].

[0033] According to the configuration described in

[12] above, the position of the guide mark can be easily confirmed from the non-skin side even after the diaper has been put on.

[0034]

[13] The guide mark includes a linear portion formed in a linear shape, and the width of the linear portion is 3 mm or more, any of the diapers from [1] to

[12] .

[0035] According to the configuration described in

[13] above, the location of the guide mark can be more easily confirmed.

[0036]

[14] The diaper of [3], wherein the guide area includes a plurality of independent recesses.

[0037] According to the configuration described in

[14] above, the pressure applied to the absorbent core during compression can be distributed.

[0038]

[15] The diaper of [3], wherein the guide area includes a plurality of recesses, the surface sheet is formed by compression and has a plurality of recesses formed by a predetermined pattern, and the plurality of recesses in the guide area are formed by a pattern different from the predetermined pattern.

[0039] According to the configuration described in

[15] above, the location of the guide mark can be easily confirmed.

[0040] [Embodiments] Embodiments of the present 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 numerals, and redundant descriptions will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to those described.

[0041] The configuration of the diaper 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the skin-facing side Z1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the non-skin-facing side Z2. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the diaper 1 along the line III-III shown in Figure 1. Figures 1 and 2 show the diaper 1 in an unfolded state, stretched to a state where no wrinkles are formed. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the positional relationships will be described in the unfolded state. Note that in the cross-sectional view of Figure 3, for the sake of explanation, each member is shown spaced apart in the thickness direction Z, but in the actual product, they are in contact in the thickness direction Z.

[0042] Diaper 1 is a tape-type disposable diaper. Diaper 1 may be a child's diaper or an adult's diaper. In the following description, the person wearing Diaper 1 is referred to as the "wearer," and the person who puts Diaper 1 on the wearer is referred to as the "user." Typically, the wearer is a child or a person receiving care, and the user is a parent or caregiver.

[0043] As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 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 diaper 1, and the longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the length direction of the diaper 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 diaper 1 is worn so as to cover the wearer's abdomen, crotch, and back.

[0044] The diaper 1 comprises an absorbent body 2 and a pair of fastening tabs 90. The absorbent 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) L1 of the absorbent body 2. In the following description, the side on which the ventral edge 2F is located relative to the dorsal edge 2R in the longitudinal direction Y is referred to as the ventral side, and the opposite side is referred to as the dorsal side.

[0045] The absorbent body 2 has a dorsal region 51 located on the dorsal side, a ventral region 52 located on the ventral side, and an intermediate region 53 located between the dorsal region 51 and the ventral region 52. The width of the intermediate region 53 in the lateral direction X is smaller than the widths of the dorsal region 51 and the ventral region 52 in the lateral direction X.

[0046] In the dorsal region 51 of the absorbent body 2, a pair of flap portions 15 that project outward from the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X are formed. The width of the pair of flap portions 15 in the lateral direction X corresponds to the maximum width of the absorbent body 2.

[0047] A pair of fastening tabs 90 are respectively provided on the pair of flap portions 15. The pair of fastening tabs 90 extend outward in the lateral direction X from the side edge 2S of the absorbent body 2. Each of the pair of fastening tabs 90 has a base material sheet 91 joined to the flap portion 15 and a joining portion 92 provided on the base material sheet 91. The joining portion 92 is disposed on the surface of the skin side Z1 of the base material sheet 91. The joining portion 92 is, for example, a mechanical fastener and is configured to be joined to a target portion 48 formed on the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent body 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the target portion 48 is provided on the non-skin side Z2 of the ventral region 52 of the absorbent body 2. The target portion 48 has a strip-like shape extending in the lateral direction X. The target portion 48 is disposed ventral to the pair of fastening tabs 90 and engages with the pair of fastening tabs 90. Note that the absorbent body 2 may be configured without the target portion 48, and the joining portion 92 of the pair of fastening tabs 90 may be directly joined to the back sheet 20 of the absorbent body 2 described later.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the absorbent body 2 includes a surface sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorbent core 30. The surface sheet 10 constitutes the surface of the absorbent body 2 that comes into contact with the wearer and is positioned on the skin side Z1. The surface sheet 10 includes a center sheet 11 positioned in the center in the lateral direction X and covering the absorbent core 30, and a pair of side sheets 12 that cover both sides of the center sheet 11 in the lateral direction X. The center sheet 11 is made of, for example, a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric that allows the wearer's urine to pass through to the absorbent core 30, and the side sheets 12 are made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable nonwoven fabric.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, the inner portions of the pair of side sheets 12 in the lateral direction X are folded back to the non-skin side Z2. Between the folded pair of side sheets 12, a pair of elastic members 13 are positioned in an extended state in the vertical direction Y. The pair of side sheets 12 and the pair of elastic members 13 constitute a pair of leak-proof gathers 80. The pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are upright leak-proof gathers and are positioned on the skin side Z1 of the absorbent core 30.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are positioned on the outside of the absorbent core 30 in the lateral direction X, preventing urine excreted in the absorbent core 30 from leaking in the lateral direction X. Each of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 includes an elastic member 13 extending in the vertical direction Y, an upright portion 81 that stands up due to the contraction of the elastic member 13, a lateral fixing portion 82 that serves as the upright fulcrum of the upright portion 81 in the lateral direction X, and a vertical fixing portion 83 that serves as the upright fulcrum of the upright portion 81 in the vertical direction Y.

[0052] The elastic member 13 extends in the longitudinal direction Y along the inner edge of the side sheet 12 in the transverse direction X. The elastic member 13 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex that can be contracted in the longitudinal direction. The elastic members 13 of the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are spaced apart from each other across a longitudinal center line CW that passes through the center of the absorbent body 2 in the transverse direction X, and are fixed to the side sheet 12 in an extended state in the longitudinal direction Y. The dorsal end of the elastic member 13 is located in the dorsal area 51, and the ventral end of the elastic member 13 is located in the ventral area 52.

[0053] The lateral fixing portion 82 is formed on the side sheet 12 at a position outside the lateral direction X of the upright portion 81, covering substantially the entire area of ​​the absorbent body 2 in the vertical direction Y. That is, the lateral fixing portion 82 is positioned outside the absorbent core 30 in the lateral direction X. The lateral fixing portion 82 is part of the side sheet 12 and is fixed to the center sheet 11. The lateral fixing portion 82 serves as the uprighting pivot point of the upright portion 81 in the lateral direction X.

[0054] The vertical fixing portion 83 is formed inward in the lateral direction X relative to the horizontal fixing portion 82. The vertical fixing portion 83 includes a dorsal fixing portion 84 positioned in the dorsal region 51 and a ventral fixing portion 85 positioned in the ventral region 52. The dorsal fixing portion 84 and the ventral fixing portion 85 are part of the side sheet 12 and are fixed to the center sheet 11. The dorsal fixing portion 84 and the ventral fixing portion 85 serve as the dorsal and ventral support points of the upright portion 81, respectively.

[0055] The upright portion 81 is formed between the dorsal fixing portion 84 and the ventral fixing portion 85. That is, the upright portion 81 is positioned inward of the lateral fixing portion 82 in the lateral direction X and inward of the vertical fixing portion 83 in the vertical direction Y. The upright portion 81 is a part of the side sheet 12 that is not fixed to the center sheet 11. An elastic member 13 is connected to the upright portion 81 in an extended state in the vertical direction Y. When the elastic member 13 contracts in the vertical direction Y, the absorbent body 2 deforms in a closing direction, and the upright portion 81 rises up starting from the lateral fixing portion 82. In this way, urine leakage is prevented when the upright portion 81 rises up in a position that sandwiches the absorbent core 30 from the lateral direction X.

[0056] The backing sheet 20 constitutes the outer surface of the absorbent 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 located on the non-skin side Z2 than the backing film 21. The width of the backing film 21 in the lateral direction X is formed to be shorter than the width of the backing nonwoven fabric 22 in the lateral direction X, and the backing nonwoven fabric 22 may extend beyond the backing film 21 on both sides in the lateral direction X. The backing nonwoven fabric 22 constitutes the outermost layer of the diaper 1.

[0057] The absorbent core 30 is positioned between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent core 30 contains, for example, an absorbent material that has water-absorbing properties and absorbs the wearer's urine. The absorbent material is composed of, for example, pulp fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface 30a on the skin side Z1 and the lower surface 30b on the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent core 30 may be covered by a core wrap 38. The absorbent core 30 is positioned approximately in the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X.

[0058] The absorbent core 30 has a dorsal edge 30R and a ventral edge 30F. The dorsal edge 30R of the absorbent core 30 has a width W1 in the lateral direction X. The width W1 is the maximum width of the absorbent core 30. The width W1 of the dorsal edge 30R is greater than the distance d between the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 in the non-upright state. The ventral edge 30F of the absorbent core 30 has, for example, the same width as the dorsal edge 30R. Note that the absorbent core 30 does not necessarily have to have a maximum width W1 at its edges 30R and 30F. For example, if the absorbent core 30 has a shape in which the corners on both sides of the lateral direction X of the edges 30R and 30F are cut out, the absorbent core 30 may have its maximum width W1 at a position closer to the center in the longitudinal direction Y than at the edges 30R and 30F. A constricted region 43 is formed between the ventral edge 30F and the dorsal edge 30R, where the width of the absorbent core 30 is narrowed. The constricted region 43 is, for example, a region of the absorbent core 30 in which the width in the lateral direction X is narrowed by 10% or more compared to the width W1 of the ventral edge 30F and the dorsal edge 30R.

[0059] The constricted region 43 includes a narrowed portion 31 in which the width is narrowest in the lateral direction X. The width of the constricted region 43 is continuously narrowed from the dorsal edge 30R toward the narrowed portion 31. Similarly, the width of the constricted region 43 is continuously narrowed from the ventral edge 30F toward the narrowed portion 31. The narrowed portion 31 is positioned near the crotch of the wearer when the diaper 1 is put on the wearer.

[0060] As shown in Figure 1, the diaper 1 further includes an elastic member 40 that is expandable in the longitudinal direction Y. The elastic member 40 is positioned outside the elastic member 13 in the transverse direction X. The dorsal end of the elastic member 40 is positioned in the dorsal area 51, and the ventral end of the elastic member 40 is positioned in the ventral area 52. The elastic member 40 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or spandex that is contractible in the longitudinal direction Y, and extends in the longitudinal direction Y between the surface sheet 10 and the back sheet 20 of the absorbent body 2. When the diaper 1 is worn, the elastic member 40 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, causing the side edge 2S of the absorbent body 2 to fit around the wearer's legs. That is, the elastic member 40 forms a leg-lengthening gather that expands and contracts along the wearer's legs. Note that the diaper 1 may include multiple elastic members 40. As shown in Figure 1, multiple elastic members 40 are arranged in the transverse direction X outside the elastic member 13 and extend in the longitudinal direction Y parallel to each other.

[0061] The absorbent body 2 has guide marks 60 formed on it that indicate the position where a part of the wearer's body (in this example, the wearer's buttocks) should be placed. The guide marks 60 include a recess 32 in the absorbent core 30, which will be described later. In this example, the guide marks 60 are made visible by the shape of the recess 32. The recess 32 is visible from the skin side Z1 via the center sheet 11 and the core wrap 38. 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 this is the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed.

[0062] As shown in Figure 1, the guide mark 60 is formed in the buttock region 54, which is the second region from the dorsal side when the absorbent body 2 is divided into four sections in the longitudinal direction Y. The buttock region 54 is located between the transverse center line CL1 of the absorbent body 2 and the center line CL2 of the transverse center line CL1 and the dorsal edge 2R. The transverse center line CL1 is the center line of the ventral edge 2F and the dorsal edge 2R in the longitudinal direction Y, and is the part where a fold is formed when the diaper 1 is folded in half in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the fold for folding the diaper 1 in half in the longitudinal direction Y may be formed at a position offset in the longitudinal direction Y from the transverse center line CL1. When viewed from the skin side Z1, the guide mark 60 overlaps with the constricted region 43 of the absorbent core 30.

[0063] As shown in Figure 1, the guide mark 60 includes two curved sections 61 that curve smoothly so as to be convex on the ventral side. The two curved sections 61 are arranged symmetrically in the lateral direction X with respect to the longitudinal center line CW. The two curved sections 61 constitute a linear portion 66 formed in a linear shape. 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 longitudinal center line CW of the absorbent body 2. 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 on the dorsal side of the connecting section 65 in the longitudinal direction Y. By forming a guide mark 60 with this shape on the absorbent body 2, the user of the diaper 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 according to the guide mark 60.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, when a minimum rectangular region 55 is defined that encloses the entire guide mark 60 when viewed from the thickness direction Z and has edges extending in the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y, the width W2 of the rectangular region 55 in the horizontal direction X is longer than the length D1 of the rectangular region 55 in the vertical direction Y. In other words, the rectangular region 55 is formed in a rectangular shape with the horizontal direction X as its longitudinal direction. Therefore, the guide mark 60 extends in the horizontal direction X.

[0065] The width W2 of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X is 50% or more of the width W1, which is the maximum width of the absorbent core 30 in the lateral direction X. Also, the width b of the linear portion 66 of the guide mark 60 is 3 mm or more. In this example, the width b of the linear portion 66 of the guide mark 60 is formed uniformly throughout. However, the width b of the linear portion 66 does not have to be formed uniformly throughout. In this case, it is sufficient that the maximum width of the width b of the linear portion 66 is 3 mm or more.

[0066] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent core 30 along the line IV-IV in Figure 1. The absorbent core 30 has a guide region 44 that overlaps with the guide mark 60 in the thickness direction Z, and an adjacent region 45 that is adjacent to the guide region 44 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In this example, the guide region 44 forms the guide mark 60. Specifically, the guide region 44 is provided with a recess 32 formed by compression, and the guide mark 60 is formed by this recess 32.

[0067] The adjacent region 45 surrounds the guide region 44 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The adjacent region 45 does not contain any recesses formed by compression and includes a flat portion 34 formed with a uniform thickness T1. In this example, the flat portion 34 is formed over the entire adjacent region 45.

[0068] The recess 32 of the guide region 44 is formed on the skin side Z1 of the absorbent core 30. The recess 32 is formed on the upper surface 30a of the absorbent core 30 and is formed by compressing the absorbent core 30 from the skin side Z1. The recess 32 is formed, for example, by embossing. The recess 32 is formed throughout the entire guide region 44 and is formed continuously along the linear portion 66 of the guide mark 60 when viewed, for example, from the thickness direction Z.

[0069] As described above, the guide mark 60 is formed to be visible by the shape of the recess 32. That is, the user can see the recessed portion (guide area 44) formed by the recess 32 from the skin side Z1. With this configuration in which the guide mark 60 is represented by the shape of the absorbent core 30, the sheet material can be omitted, for example, compared to printing a colored guide mark on a sheet material placed between the center sheet 11 and the core wrap 38, thus reducing the manufacturing costs associated with adding sheet material.

[0070] In this example, the recess 32 is formed by compressing the absorbent core 30 from the skin side Z1 via the center sheet 11 and core wrap 38. Furthermore, the core wrap 38 is adhered to the bottom surface of the recess 32, and the center sheet 11 is adhered to the core wrap 38 at a position overlapping with the recess 32. As a result, recesses corresponding to the recess 32 of the absorbent core 30 are formed in both the center sheet 11 and the core wrap 38, making the guide mark 60 easier to see.

[0071] The guide region 44 includes a high-rigidity portion 33 that is more rigid than the adjacent region 45. The high-rigidity portion 33 is the portion where the recess 32 is formed by compression. In this example, the high-rigidity portion 33 is the portion that overlaps with the recess 32 and is located between the recess 32 and the lower surface 30b of the absorbent core 30 in the thickness direction Z. The thickness T2 of the high-rigidity portion 33 is smaller than the thickness T1 of the flat portion 34 of the adjacent region 45. The high-rigidity portion 33 is the portion where the absorbent material of the absorbent core 30 is densely packed as a result of being compressed in the thickness direction Z when the recess 32 was formed. Therefore, the density of the absorbent material in the high-rigidity portion 33 is higher than the density of the absorbent material in the flat portion 34 of the adjacent region 45. As a result, the rigidity of the high-rigidity portion 33 is higher than the rigidity of the flat portion 34 of the adjacent region 45.

[0072] [Function and Effects] In diaper 1, the absorbent core 30 has a guide region 44 that overlaps with the guide mark 60 in the thickness direction Z, and an adjacent region 45 adjacent to the guide region 44 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. The guide region 44 includes a high-rigidity portion 33 that is more rigid than the adjacent region 45. This makes it possible to make the tactile feel of the high-rigidity portion 33 in the guide region 44 different from that of the adjacent region 45. As a result, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed by the tactile feel of the high-rigidity portion 33 even in the dark. In addition, the inclusion of the high-rigidity portion 33 in the guide region 44 increases the rigidity of the absorbent core 30. As a result, deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed. Thus, with diaper 1, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed.

[0073] Furthermore, guide marks 60 are formed in the buttock area 54, which is the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed. This allows for proper guidance of the wearer's buttocks to be positioned. However, the buttock area 54 is an area that is easily subjected to load due to the wearer's leg movements, and is therefore prone to deformation. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the formation of guide marks 60 in the buttock area 54 increases the rigidity of the buttock area 54. Therefore, deformation of the buttock area 54 can be suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, the high-rigidity portion 33 is the portion provided with a recess 32 formed by compression. This allows the high-rigidity portion 33 to be easily formed by compression even when the guide mark 60 has a complex shape. In other words, even when the guide mark 60 has a complex pattern, forming the high-rigidity portion 33 by compression is relatively easier than forming the high-rigidity portion 33 by changing the lamination pattern of the absorbent core 30 (for example, by increasing the number of layers of the absorbent core 30, and by increasing the basis weight within the same layer and compressing it). In addition, the rigidity of the absorbent core 30 can be increased because the guide region 44 includes the high-rigidity portion 33 formed by compression. As a result, deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed.

[0075] The adjacent region 45 does not include a recess formed by compression, but includes a flat portion 34 formed with a uniform thickness T1. This makes it easier to confirm the position of the guide mark 60 compared to the case where the adjacent region 45 includes a recess formed by compression. In other words, the difference between the guide region 44 with the recess 32 and the flat adjacent region 45 can be made more pronounced, allowing the user to easily grasp the position of the guide mark 60 (guide region 44) by touch.

[0076] The width W2 in the lateral direction X of the guide mark 60 is 50% or more of the maximum width in the lateral direction X of the absorbent core 30. This allows for increased rigidity of the absorbent core 30.

[0077] In the smallest rectangular region 55 that encloses the entire guide mark 60 when viewed from the thickness direction Z and has edges extending in the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y, the length of the rectangular region 55 in the horizontal direction X is longer than the length of the rectangular region 55 in the vertical direction Y. This makes it possible to further increase the rigidity of the absorbent core 30.

[0078] The recess 32 of the guide area 44 is formed on the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 30. This makes it easy to confirm the position of the guide mark 60 from the skin-facing side Z1.

[0079] The width b of the linear portion 66 is 3 mm or more. This makes it easier to confirm the position of the guide mark 60.

[0080] [Variations] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to those described above, but a variety of materials and shapes can be used.

[0081] Figure 5 shows a diaper 1A according to the first modified example. Diaper 1A differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the recess 32 is formed on the lower surface 30b of the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent core 30. With diaper 1A according to the first modified example, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed, just as with the embodiment described above. Furthermore, since the recess 32 is formed on the non-skin side Z2 of the absorbent core 30, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed from the non-skin side Z2 even after the diaper 1A has been put on.

[0082] Figure 6 shows a diaper 1B according to a second modification. Diaper 1B differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the recess 32 is formed on both the upper surface 30a and the lower surface 30b of the absorbent core 30. Diaper 1B according to the second modification provides the effects of both diaper 1 according to the embodiment and diaper 1A according to the first modification.

[0083] Figure 7 shows a diaper 1C according to a third modified example. Diaper 1C differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the high-rigidity portion 33 of the guide region 44 is a portion provided with a protrusion 35 that protrudes from the adjacent region 45. In diaper 1C, the protrusion 35 is formed on the skin-side Z1 of the absorbent core 30. The thickness T2 of the high-rigidity portion 33 is greater than the thickness T1 of the adjacent region 45. Also, the density of the absorbent material in the high-rigidity portion 33 is equal to the density of the absorbent material in the adjacent region 45. The protrusion 35 is formed, for example, by stacking a plurality of absorbent cores 30 in the thickness direction Z. In this configuration, although the density of the absorbent material is equal in the high-rigidity portion 33 and the adjacent region 45, the rigidity of the high-rigidity portion 33 is increased because the thickness T2 of the high-rigidity portion 33 is greater than the thickness T1 of the adjacent region 45.

[0084] In the third modified diaper 1C, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, similar to the embodiment described above. Furthermore, because the high-rigidity portion 33 is provided with a protrusion 35, the guide mark 60 can be more easily confirmed by touch compared to the case where a recess 32 is provided. In the third modified diaper 1C, the density of the absorbent material in the high-rigidity portion 33 does not necessarily have to be equal to the density of the absorbent material in the adjacent region 45, and the density of the absorbent material in the high-rigidity portion 33 may be higher than the density of the absorbent material in the adjacent region 45.

[0085] Figure 8 shows a diaper 1D according to the fourth modified example. Diaper 1D differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the absorbent core 30 is formed with a uniform thickness T1 over the guide region 44 and the adjacent region 45. In other words, in diaper 1D, the thickness T2 of the high-rigidity portion 33 is equal to the thickness T1 of the adjacent region 45. Also, the density of the absorbent material in the high-rigidity portion 33 is higher than the density of the absorbent material in the adjacent region 45. The high-rigidity portion 33 in diaper 1D is formed, for example, by compressing the convex portion 35 of the diaper 1C (see Figure 7) according to the third modified example in the thickness direction Z.

[0086] In the fourth modified diaper 1D, as in the above embodiment, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed. That is, even if the high-rigidity part 33 is not provided with recesses or protrusions, as in this example, and it is difficult to see the guide mark 60, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed by the feel of the high-rigidity part 33 (i.e., the difference in hardness between the high-rigidity part 33 and the adjacent area 45). Therefore, the guide mark 60 does not necessarily have to be visible by an uneven structure provided on the absorbent core 30. In addition, since the absorbent core 30 is formed with a uniform thickness T1 over the guide area 44 and the adjacent area 45, discomfort for the wearer when putting on the diaper can be suppressed.

[0087] Figure 9 shows a diaper 1E according to the fifth modified example. Diaper 1E differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the guide area 44 includes a plurality of independent recesses 32. In diaper 1E, each recess 32 is formed in the shape of a circular dot. The plurality of recesses 32 together form the shape of the guide mark 60. The plurality of recesses 32 are formed, for example, by dot embossing which forms a dot-shaped uneven structure.

[0088] With the fifth modified diaper 1E, similar to the above embodiment, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed. Furthermore, with diaper 1E, the pressure applied to the absorbent core 30 when the recess 32 is compressed can be distributed.

[0089] In addition, in the diaper 1E according to the fifth modified example, the surface sheet 10 may have a plurality of recesses having a predetermined pattern formed by compression (for example, recesses formed by embossing similar to the plurality of recesses 32). In this case, the plurality of recesses 32 in the guide area 44 are formed by a pattern different from the predetermined pattern of the plurality of recesses in the surface sheet 10. For example, the period of the pattern of the recesses 32 in the guide area 44 (the distance between adjacent recesses 32, the pattern in which the plurality of recesses 32 are scattered (for example, a triangular lattice, a square lattice, etc.)) may differ from the period of the pattern of the recesses in the surface sheet 10. As another example, the size of each recess 32 may differ from the size of the recesses in the surface sheet 10. As yet another example, the ratio of the area of ​​the recesses 32 per unit area in the guide area 44 may be greater than the ratio of the area of ​​the recesses per unit area in the surface sheet 10. Even in this case, the tactile feel of the recesses 32 in the guide area 44 can be made different from the tactile feel of the recesses in the adjacent area 45. Therefore, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed.

[0090] Figure 10 shows a diaper 1F according to the sixth modified example. Diaper 1F differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the guide mark 60 is a mark that guides the wearer's groin area to be placed. In diaper 1F, the guide mark 60 is composed of four marks 67. The four marks 67 are formed at positions corresponding to the wearer's groin area. The four marks 67 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center point C, which is the intersection of the longitudinal center line CW and the transverse center line CL1 when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0091] The four marks 67 are composed of a pair of marks 67a and a pair of marks 67b. The pair of marks 67a are formed in the region dorsal to the transverse centerline CL1 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal centerline CW. The pair of marks 67b are formed in the region ventral to the transverse centerline CL1 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal centerline CW. Each mark 67 extends along a virtual line 68 that passes through the center point C and is inclined with respect to the transverse X and longitudinal Y directions. Each mark 67 is curved so as to be convex inward in the transverse X direction. The line width of each mark 67 decreases as it approaches the center point C.

[0092] Even with the diaper 1F according to the sixth modified example, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0093] Figure 11 shows a diaper 1G according to the seventh modified example. Diaper 1G differs from diaper 1 according to the embodiment in that the guide mark 60 is a mark that guides the position where the wearer's urinary opening should be placed. In diaper 1G, the guide mark 60 is formed at a position corresponding to the wearer's urinary opening. In this example, the guide mark 60 is formed on the longitudinal center line CW and is located ventrally to the transverse center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y. The guide mark 60 is formed, for example, in a circular shape. Even with diaper 1G according to the seventh modified example, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed even in the dark, and deformation of the absorbent core 30 can be suppressed, just as in the above embodiment.

[0094] The configurations of the above embodiments and the first to seventh modified examples may be combined in any way. For example, the configurations of the first to fifth modified examples may be applied to the guide mark 60 of the sixth modified example. Also, the configurations of the first to fifth modified examples may be applied to the guide mark 60 of the seventh modified example.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the flat portion 34 of the adjacent region 45 was formed over the entire adjacent region 45, but the adjacent region 45 may include a recess formed by compression. In this case, the recess 32 of the guide region 44 has a different shape from the recess formed in the adjacent region 45. Specifically, the depth of the recess 32 of the guide region 44 is different from the depth of the recess formed in the adjacent region 45. The size of the recess 32 of the guide region 44 may also be different from the size of the recess formed in the adjacent region 45. Even in this case, the tactile feel of the recess 32 in the guide region 44 can be made different from the tactile feel of the recess in the adjacent region 45. Therefore, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed.

[0096] Furthermore, the adjacent region 45 may include recesses formed by methods other than compression. Specifically, the recesses in the adjacent region 45 may be formed by reducing the basis weight (weight per unit area) of the absorbent core 30. Also, the recesses in the adjacent region 45 may be openings, or they may be cuts with gaps such as slits. Even in this case, the tactile feel of the high-rigidity portion 33 provided with the recess 32 in the guide region 44 can be made different from the tactile feel of the portion of the adjacent region 45 provided with the recess. Therefore, the position of the guide mark 60 can be easily confirmed.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the recess 32 may be colored. The recess 32 may be colored with ink of a color other than red and yellow, for example. The recess 32 may be printed in blue or green, for example. This makes the guide mark 60 easier to see.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the guide mark 60 may be printed on a sheet (for example, a core wrap 38, a center sheet 11, or a sheet material placed between the core wrap 38 and the center sheet 11) that overlaps with the guide area 44 in the thickness direction Z and is placed on the skin side Z1 of the absorbent core 30. In this case, since the guide mark 60 is printed, it can be easily seen in bright places. That is, in dark places the position of the guide mark 60 can be confirmed by touch, and in bright places the position of the guide mark 60 can be confirmed not only by touch but also by sight, making it easier to confirm the position of the guide mark 60.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the recess 32 was formed by compressing the absorbent core 30 from the skin side Z1 via the center sheet 11 and core wrap 38. However, it is not always necessary to compress the absorbent core 30 via the center sheet 11 and core wrap 38 when forming the recess 32. For example, the recess 32 may be formed by compressing only the absorbent core 30.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the core wrap 38 was adhered to the bottom surface of the recess 32, but the core wrap 38 does not necessarily have to be adhered to the bottom surface of the recess 32. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the center sheet 11 was adhered to the core wrap 38 at a position overlapping with the recess 32, but it does not necessarily have to be adhered to the core wrap 38. In this case, the center sheet 11 can be prevented from being significantly recessed at the position overlapping with the recess 32, thereby reducing discomfort when wearing the diaper.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the adjacent region 45 completely surrounded the guide region 44 when viewed from the thickness direction Z, but the adjacent region 45 does not necessarily have to completely surround the guide region 44. For example, the high-rigidity portion 33 of the guide region 44 may be formed over the entire region dorsal to the center line CL2, with the transverse center line CL1 and the center line CL2 of the dorsal edge 2R as the boundary. In this case, the adjacent region 45 is formed over the entire region ventral to the center line CL2 and is adjacent to the center line CL2. Even in this case, the user may recognize the guide mark 60 by tactilely recognizing the difference in rigidity between the guide region 44 and the adjacent region 45 at the center line CL2.

[0102] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the guide mark 60 does not have to be formed in the buttock region 54. Also, the width W2 in the lateral direction X of the guide mark 60 may be less than 50% of the width W1 in the lateral direction X of the absorbent core 30. The width W2 of the rectangular region 55 surrounding the entire guide mark 60 may be equal to the length D1 in the vertical direction. Also, the width W2 of the rectangular region 55 may be shorter than the length D1 in the vertical direction. The width b of the linear portion 66 of the guide mark 60 may be less than 3 mm.

[0103] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G... Diaper, 2... Absorbent body, 10... Surface sheet, 20... Back sheet, 30... Absorbent core, 32... Recess, 33... High rigidity part, 34... Flat part, 35... Convex part, 44... Guide area, 45... Adjacent area, 54... Buttock area, 55... Rectangular area, 60... Guide mark, 66... ​​Linear part, 90... Fastening tab, D1... Length, W1... Width (maximum width), b, W2... Width, T1, T2... Thickness, X... Transverse direction, Y... Vertical direction, Z... Thickness direction, Z1... Skin side, Z2... Non-skin side.

Claims

1. A diaper extending in a longitudinal direction connecting the ventral side to the dorsal side of the wearer, and in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comprising: an absorbent body including a surface sheet disposed on the skin side of the wearer, a back sheet disposed on the non-skin side opposite to the skin side, and an absorbent core disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet; and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in the transverse direction from the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has guide marks formed on it for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed, and the absorbent core has a guide region that overlaps with the guide marks in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and an adjacent region adjacent to the guide region when viewed from the thickness direction, and the guide region includes a high-rigidity portion that is higher in rigidity than the adjacent region.

2. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is formed in the buttock area, which is the position where the wearer's buttocks should be placed.

3. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the high-rigidity portion is a portion provided with a recess formed by compression.

4. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the high-rigidity portion is a portion provided with a protrusion that extends from the adjacent region.

5. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent core is formed with a uniform thickness across the guide region and the adjacent region.

6. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the adjacent region includes a recess formed by compression, and the recess in the guide region has a different shape from the recess in the adjacent region.

7. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the adjacent region does not include a recess formed by compression, but includes a flat portion formed of a uniform thickness.

8. The diaper according to claim 7, wherein the adjacent region includes a recess formed by a method other than compression.

9. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the lateral width of the guide mark is 50% or more of the maximum lateral width of the absorbent core.

10. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, the smallest rectangular region that encloses the entire guide mark and has edges extending in the horizontal and vertical directions, the horizontal width of the rectangular region is longer than the vertical length of the rectangular region.

11. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the recess in the guide region is formed on the skin-facing side of the absorbent core.

12. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the recess in the guide region is formed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core.

13. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark includes a linear portion formed in a linear shape, and the width of the linear portion is 3 mm or more.

14. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the guide area includes a plurality of independent recesses.

15. The diaper according to claim 3, wherein the guide area includes a plurality of recesses, the surface sheet has a plurality of recesses formed by compression and in a predetermined pattern, and the plurality of recesses in the guide area are formed in a pattern different from the predetermined pattern.

Images