Diaper

Abstract

A diaper according to the present invention includes: an absorbent body including a front surface sheet disposed on a skin surface side of a wearer, a rear surface sheet disposed on a non-skin surface side, and an absorber disposed between the front surface sheet and the rear surface sheet; and a pair of fastening tabs. In the absorbent body, a guide mark is colored so as to be visible from the skin surface side. A skin side sheet constituted by one or more sheets which are positioned closer to the skin surface than the guide mark and constitute the absorbent body include the following in a region in which the guide mark is colored when viewed from a thickness direction: a bright region in which the light transmittance of the skin side sheet is a first light transmittance; and a dark region which is disposed adjacent to the bright region and has a second light transmittance in which the light transmittance of the skin side sheet is lower than the first light transmittance.

Description

Diaper

[0001] This disclosure relates to diapers.

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

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

[0004] In the diaper with a mark as described above, the guide mark can allow the user to grasp the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed. Thus, by wearing the absorbent article on the wearer so that a part of the wearer's body fits the appropriate position indicated by the guide mark, the discomfort of the wearer can be reduced. However, in order to obtain such an effect, it is necessary for the user to appropriately grasp the guide mark itself.

[0005] An object of this disclosure is to provide a diaper that can allow the user to appropriately grasp the position of the guide mark by preferably attracting the user's attention to the guide mark.

[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 an absorbent main 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 absorber disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet, and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward in the transverse direction from the absorbent main body. On the absorbent main body, a guide mark for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed is colored so as to be visible from the skin side. The skin-side sheet composed of one or more sheets located on the skin side of the guide mark constituting the absorbent main body includes a light region where the light transmittance of the skin-side sheet is the first light transmittance and a dark region disposed adjacent to the light region and having a second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance in the region where the guide mark is colored when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a diaper that can appropriately attract the user's attention to the guidance mark, thereby enabling the user to properly understand the location of the guidance mark.

[0008] This is a plan view of the diaper according to the embodiment, seen from the skin-facing side. This is a plan view of the diaper in Figure 1, seen from the non-skin-facing side. This is a cross-sectional view of the diaper along line III-III in Figure 1. This figure shows an example of the configuration and positional relationship of the surface sheet and guide marks. This figure shows a part of the configuration of the surface sheet (second sheet) as seen from the skin-facing side. This figure shows a modified example of the surface sheet.

[0009] At least the following 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 material 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 is colored so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed, and the skin-side sheet, which is composed of one or more sheets located on the skin side of the absorbent body than the guide mark, includes a light region in the region where the guide mark is colored when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, where the light transmittance of the skin-side sheet is a first light transmittance, and a dark region adjacent to the light region, where the light transmittance of the skin-side sheet is a second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance.

[0011] In the diaper described above, the skin-facing sheet, located on the side of the guide mark that is closer to the skin, has a bright area with a first light transmittance and a dark area with a second light transmittance within the area where the guide mark is located. This creates a difference in appearance due to contrast (difference in brightness) between the bright and dark areas of the guide mark, based on the difference in light transmittance between the bright and dark areas. As a result, the user's attention to the guide mark can be effectively attracted, and the user can appropriately grasp the location of the guide mark.

[0012] [2] The diaper according to [1], wherein the thickness in the thickness direction of the skin-side sheet in the light region is different from the thickness in the thickness direction of the skin-side sheet in the dark region.

[0013] According to the above configuration, by creating a difference in thickness between the light and dark areas, a three-dimensional difference in the appearance of the guide mark can be created between the light and dark areas. This makes it possible to more effectively attract the user's attention to the guide mark.

[0014] [3] The diaper according to [2], wherein the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the light region is greater than the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the dark region.

[0015] According to the above configuration, for example, by applying pressure in the thickness direction so that the density of the skin-side sheet in the dark region is higher than the density of the skin-side sheet in the light region, a dark region with a higher density than the light region (a region where the sheet material is more densely packed than in the light region, resulting in a lower light transmittance than in the light region) can be formed, thereby easily creating both a light region and a dark region.

[0016] [4] The diaper of [2] in which the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the light region is smaller than the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the dark region.

[0017] According to the above configuration, by making the thickness of the light region smaller than the thickness of the dark region (for example, by simply making the number of layers or basis weight of the skin-side sheet in the light region less than the number of layers or basis weight of the skin-side sheet in the dark region), the light region and the dark region can be easily formed.

[0018] [5] The light area is formed by holes that penetrate in the thickness direction and are provided in the skin-side sheet, any of the diapers [1] to [4].

[0019] According to the above configuration, by maximizing the visibility (brightness) of the guide mark in the light area (perforated area), the contrast (color difference) between the light and dark areas is increased, allowing the user to perceive the guide mark in three dimensions. This makes it possible to more effectively attract the user's attention to the guide mark.

[0020] [6] The diaper of [5] wherein the guide mark has a central region that overlaps with the lateral central portion of the absorbent body, and the hole overlaps with the central region in the thickness direction.

[0021] With the above configuration, the visibility (brightness) of a portion of the guide mark can be sufficiently enhanced in the central part of the absorbent body (i.e., the center of the diaper product).

[0022] [7] The diaper according to any of [1] to [6], wherein each of the light region and the dark region is formed to be large enough to accommodate a circle with a diameter of at least 3 mm when viewed from the thickness direction.

[0023] According to the above configuration, by providing both light and dark areas of a certain size or larger on the guide mark, it is possible to ensure a certain size or larger area where contrast between the light and dark areas occurs. As a result, the user's attention to the guide mark can be more effectively attracted.

[0024] [8] Any of the diapers [1] to [7], wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, a plurality of regions composed of the other of the light region and the dark region are scattered within a region continuously provided by one of the light region and the dark region.

[0025] According to the above configuration, areas where contrast between light and dark regions is created can be scattered on the guide mark. This effectively enhances the visibility of the guide mark and effectively attracts the user's attention to it.

[0026] [9] The skin-facing sheet includes a plurality of light regions and a plurality of dark regions, and the plurality of light regions and the plurality of dark regions are arranged alternately along a predetermined direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, any of the diapers [1] to [7].

[0027] According to the above configuration, by arranging light and dark areas alternately along a predetermined direction, a striped contrast can be created on the guide mark. This effectively enhances the visibility of the guide mark and effectively attracts the user's attention to it.

[0028]

[10] The diaper of [1], wherein the guide mark is colored on the sheet located on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet.

[0029] With the above configuration, compared to the case where the guide mark is ink-colored on the non-skin side of the skin-facing sheet itself, the ink bleeding onto the skin-facing side of the skin-facing sheet can be suppressed. This prevents the ink of the guide mark from adhering to the wearer's skin while wearing the mask.

[0030]

[11] The absorbent body has an intermediate sheet disposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent material, and the guide mark is colored on the intermediate sheet, any of the diapers from [1] to

[10] .

[0031] According to the above configuration, by providing an intermediate sheet, the liquid (such as the wearer's urine) that moves from the surface sheet to the absorbent material can be appropriately diffused, improving the absorption rate into the absorbent material. Furthermore, such an intermediate sheet can be used as a sheet for printing guide marks.

[0032]

[12] The skin-facing sheet includes, in the region that overlaps with the guide mark when viewed from the thickness direction, a first pattern region including the light region and the dark region, and a second pattern region different from the first pattern region, any of the diapers from [1] to

[11] .

[0033] According to the above configuration, by mixing a first pattern area, which generates at least the aforementioned contrast between light and dark areas, with a second pattern area that differs from the first pattern, on the guide mark, the difference in the overall appearance of the guide mark can be made more pronounced. In other words, by creating a difference in patterns (a difference in the impression given to the user) between the first and second pattern areas, in addition to the contrast in light and dark within the first pattern area, the user's attention to the guide mark can be effectively attracted.

[0034]

[13] The diaper according to

[12] , wherein the guide mark is colored on a sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a pair of first sheets that include an opening provided in the lateral central part of the absorbent body and form the second pattern regions provided on both sides of the opening in the lateral direction, and a second sheet that includes a portion of the pair of first sheets that overlaps with the opening in the thickness direction and forms the first pattern region in that portion.

[0035]

[14] The guide mark is colored on a sheet positioned on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet positioned in the lateral central part of the absorbent body on the skin-side of the first sheet, the second sheet includes the light region and the dark region, the first pattern region is formed by a region that overlaps with the second sheet in the thickness direction, and the second pattern region is formed by regions on both the lateral sides of the second sheet where the first sheet exists when viewed from the thickness direction, the diaper of

[12] .

[0036]

[15] The guide mark is colored on a sheet positioned on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet positioned in the lateral central part of the absorbent body on the skin-side of the first sheet, the first sheet includes the light region and the dark region, the second pattern region is formed by a region that overlaps with the second sheet in the thickness direction, and the first pattern region is formed by regions where the first sheet exists on both sides of the second sheet in the lateral direction when viewed from the thickness direction, the diaper of

[12] .

[0037] According to the configurations described in

[13] to

[15] above, by making the surface sheet a two-layer structure of a first sheet and a second sheet as described above, a configuration that provides a first pattern region and a second pattern region can be easily realized.

[0038] [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 match those described.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the structure of a diaper 1, which is an example of an absorbent article according to the embodiment, will be described. Figure 1 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the skin side Z1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the diaper 1 as seen from the non-skin 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.

[0040] Diaper 1 is a tape-type disposable diaper. Diaper 1 may be a diaper for children or a diaper for adults. In the following description, the person wearing diaper 1 is referred to as the "wearer", and the person who causes the wearer to wear diaper 1 is referred to as the "user". Typically, the wearer is a child or a care recipient, and the user is a parent or a caregiver.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, diaper 1 extends in a transverse direction X arranged along the circumferential direction of the wearer's torso and a longitudinal direction Y connecting the ventral side to the dorsal side of the wearer. The transverse direction X corresponds to the width direction of diaper 1, and the longitudinal direction Y corresponds to the longitudinal direction of diaper 1. The transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The thickness direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and includes a skin side Z1 facing the wearer's skin surface in the worn state and a non-skin side Z2 facing the side opposite to the wearer's skin surface in the worn state. Diaper 1 is worn so as to cover the wearer's abdomen, crotch and back.

[0042] Diaper 1 includes 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. The ventral edge 2F is arranged in the circumferential direction of the wearer on the ventral side during wearing, and the dorsal edge 2R is arranged in the circumferential direction of the wearer on the dorsal side during wearing. 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 where the ventral edge 2F is located with respect 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.

[0043] 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 transverse direction X is smaller than the widths of the dorsal region 51 and the ventral region 52 in the transverse direction X.

[0044] In the dorsal region 51 of the absorbent body 2, a pair of flap portions 15 projecting outward in the transverse direction X from the absorbent body 2 are formed. The width of the pair of flap portions 15 in the transverse direction X corresponds to the maximum width of the absorbent body 2.

[0045] A pair of fastening tabs 90 are provided on the pair of flap portions 15, respectively. 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 on 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the absorbent body 2 includes a skin sheet 10, a back sheet 20, and an absorber 30. The skin sheet 10 constitutes the surface of the absorbent body 2 that is applied to the wearer and is disposed on the skin side Z1. The skin sheet 10 includes a surface sheet 11 disposed at the center in the lateral direction X and covering the absorber 30, and a pair of side sheets 12 covering both sides of the surface sheet 11 in the lateral direction X. The surface sheet 11 is made of, for example, a liquid-permeable non-woven fabric that allows the wearer's urine to permeate toward the absorber 30 side, and the side sheet 12 is made of, for example, a liquid-impermeable non-woven fabric.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 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 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are disposed. The pair of side sheets 12 and the pair of elastic members 13 constitute a pair of leakage-preventing gathers 80. The pair of leakage-preventing gathers 80 are upright leakage-preventing gathers and are disposed on the skin side Z1 of the absorber 30.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 are positioned 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. 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 body 30 in the lateral direction X. The lateral fixing portion 82 is part of the side sheet 12 and is fixed to the surface sheet 11. The lateral fixing portion 82 serves as the uprighting pivot point of the upright portion 81 in the lateral direction X.

[0052] 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 surface 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.

[0053] 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 surface 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 body 30 from the lateral direction X.

[0054] 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.

[0055] The absorbent body 30 is positioned between the surface sheet 11 and the back sheet 20. The absorbent body 30 includes an absorbent core 31 and a core wrap 32 that covers the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent core 31. The absorbent core 31 includes, for example, an absorbent material having water-absorbing properties and absorbs the wearer's urine. The absorbent material is composed of, for example, pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The core wrap 32 is composed of, for example, tissue. As shown in Figure 3, the upper surface of the skin-facing side Z1 and the lower surface of the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent core 31 are covered by the core wrap 32. The absorbent body 30 is positioned approximately in the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X.

[0056] The absorbent core 31 has a dorsal edge 31R and a ventral edge 31F. In this embodiment, the dorsal edge of the absorbent body 30, which includes the absorbent core 31 and the core wrap 32, substantially coincides with the edge 31R of the absorbent core 31, and the ventral edge of the absorbent body 30 substantially coincides with the edge 31F of the absorbent core 31. The dorsal edge 31R of the absorbent core 31 has a width W1 in the lateral direction X. The width W1 is the maximum width of the absorbent core 31. The width W1 of the dorsal edge 31R is greater than the distance d between the pair of leak-proof gathers 80 in the non-upright state. The ventral edge 31F of the absorbent core 31 has, for example, the same width as the dorsal edge 31R. A constricted region is formed between the ventral edge 31F and the dorsal edge 31R, where the width of the absorbent core 31 is narrowed. The constricted region is, for example, a region of the absorbent core 31 in which the width in the lateral direction X is narrowed by 10% or more compared to the width W1 of the ventral edge 31F and the dorsal edge 31R.

[0057] 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 skin-facing 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.

[0058] The absorbent body 2 has guide marks 60 formed on it to indicate the position where a part of the wearer's body (in this example, the wearer's buttocks) should be placed. In this embodiment, the guide marks 60 are colored on an intermediate sheet 55, which is a sheet material placed between the surface sheet 11 and the absorbent body 30. The intermediate sheet 55 is, for example, tissue containing pulp. For example, the skin-facing side Z1 surface 55a of the intermediate sheet 55 is bonded to the surface sheet 11, and the non-skin-facing side Z2 surface 55b of the intermediate sheet 55 is bonded to the skin-facing side Z1 surface of the core wrap 32. For example, a hot melt adhesive is used to bond the intermediate sheet 55. Note that only one of the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the intermediate sheet 55 may be bonded to the surface sheet 11 or the core wrap 32.

[0059] The guide mark 60 may be printed on the skin-facing side Z1 of the intermediate sheet 55, or on the non-skin-facing side Z2 (absorbent side 30). From the viewpoint of improving visibility from the skin-facing side Z1, it is preferable that the guide mark 60 be printed on the skin-facing side Z1. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of suppressing ink transfer of the guide mark 60 to the wearer's skin, it is preferable that the guide mark 60 be printed on the non-skin-facing side Z2. The guide mark 60 printed on the intermediate sheet 55 is visible from the skin-facing side Z1 through the surface sheet 11. To prevent misidentification as blood or stool, the guide mark 60 may be printed with ink of a color other than red and yellow. 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 included in the range of 5GY to 10RP of the Munsell color circle, for example.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example, the guide mark 60 has a horizontally elongated shape that is long in the horizontal direction X, and has a shape that resembles the inverted M shape of the buttocks. For example, the guide mark 60 is formed in the second region from the dorsal side (buttock region) when the absorbent body 2 is divided into four sections in the vertical direction Y. The buttock region is located between the transverse center line CL of the absorbent body 2 and the center line between the transverse center line CL and the dorsal edge 2R. The transverse center line CL is the center line between the ventral edge 2F and the dorsal edge 2R in the vertical direction Y, and is the part where a fold is formed when the diaper 1 is folded in half in the vertical direction Y. However, the fold for folding the diaper 1 in half in the vertical direction Y may be formed at a position offset in the vertical direction Y from the transverse center line CL. The intermediate sheet 55, on which the guide mark 60 is printed, has a ventral end 55F, a dorsal end 55R, and a transverse side edge 55S, and is formed in a rectangular shape that includes the guide mark 60, and is positioned dorsally to the transverse center line CL. That is, the ventral end 55F of the intermediate sheet 55 is located dorsally to the transverse center line CL. As an example, the transverse width X of the intermediate sheet 55 is smaller than the maximum transverse width X of the absorber 30. Also, the dorsal end 55R of the intermediate sheet 55 is located ventral to the dorsal edge 31R of the absorber 30. That is, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, the intermediate sheet 55 is contained within the region where the absorber 30 is located.

[0061] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the surface sheet 11 comprises a pair of first sheets 111 and a second sheet 112. The basis weight, density, thickness, etc. of the nonwoven fabric constituting the first sheet 111 may be the same as, or different from, the basis weight, density, thickness, etc. of the nonwoven fabric constituting the second sheet 112.

[0062] The pair of first sheets 111 include an opening 111a provided in the central part of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X. That is, the pair of first sheets 111 are arranged facing each other in the lateral direction X, with a rectangular opening 111a extending in the vertical direction Y in the central part of the lateral direction X. The pair of first sheets 111 constitute both side portions of the surface sheet 11 in the lateral direction X, and extend from the ventral edge 2F to the dorsal edge 2R of the absorbent body 2.

[0063] The second sheet 112 is positioned on the skin-side Z1 of the first sheet 111 so as to overlap with the opening 111a of the pair of first sheets 111 in the thickness direction Z. The second sheet 112 constitutes the central portion of the surface sheet 11 in the transverse direction X and extends from the ventral edge 2F to the dorsal edge 2R of the absorbent body 2. The first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 are joined to each other by a hot melt adhesive or the like at locations facing each other in the thickness direction Z.

[0064] The edges 112a on both sides of the second sheet 112 in the lateral direction X are located further outward in the lateral direction X than the edge of the opening 111a of the first sheet 111. Also, the outermost end 60S of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X is located between the edge of the opening 111a and the edge 112a of the second sheet 112 in the lateral direction X.

[0065] In this embodiment, the skin-side sheet, which is composed of one or more sheets located on the skin-side Z1 from the guide mark 60 that constitutes the absorbent body 2, is the surface sheet 11 (first sheet 111 and second sheet 112). The skin-side sheet (surface sheet 11) has a first region A1 that overlaps with the opening 111a in the region that overlaps with the guide mark 60 in the thickness direction Z (i.e., a region that overlaps only with the second sheet 112), and a second region A2 that overlaps with both the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 outside the opening 111a in the lateral direction X.

[0066] The guide mark 60 has a central region 601 that overlaps with the central part of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X. The central region 601 is the region that overlaps with the opening 111a of the first sheet 111 in the thickness direction Z. That is, the central region 601 is the region that overlaps with the first region A1 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, since the guide mark 60 is located in the central part of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X, the central region 601 is the region where the central part of the guide mark 60 itself in the lateral direction X is located.

[0067] The guide mark 60 has a pair of adjacent regions 602 on both sides of the central region 601 in the lateral direction X. The adjacent regions 602 are regions that overlap with the second region A2 in the thickness direction Z.

[0068] The skin-side sheet (in this embodiment, the surface sheet 11) includes, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, a bright region in which the guide mark 60 is colored (i.e., the region comprising the central region 601 and the adjacent region 602) has a first light transmittance, and a dark region adjacent to the bright region having a second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance.

[0069] Light transmittance is the transmittance of visible light. Light transmittance is the ratio of visible light that passes through the skin-side sheet to visible light incident from the skin-side Z1. In other words, the higher the light transmittance, the higher the visibility (brightness) of the guide mark 60 from the skin-side Z1. Light transmittance can be measured by any known measurement method. For example, light transmittance is measured using a measuring instrument manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Ltd. (e.g., haze meter NDH700SPII). Note that the brightness and darkness in the "bright area" and "dark area" are based on the relative levels of light transmittance and do not represent absolute brightness.

[0070] Figure 5(A) shows a partial configuration of the second sheet 112 as seen from the skin side Z1. As an example, the second sheet 112 is configured as an open sheet with multiple holes H that penetrate in the thickness direction Z. In this case, both the first region A1 and the second region A2 have light and dark regions, as shown below. Note that the dotted pattern of the multiple holes H is not limited to the pattern shown in the example of Figure 5(A). Furthermore, the second sheet 112 may have multiple regions to which different dotted patterns are applied, or regions with and without dotted holes H may be mixed.

[0071] In the first region A1, the area overlapping with the pore H has no portion that blocks visible light from the skin side Z1, and therefore theoretically functions as a bright region with a transmittance of 100% (first transmittance). On the other hand, in the first region A1 that does not overlap with the pore H, visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through the second sheet 112, and therefore functions as a dark region with a predetermined transmittance lower than 100% (second transmittance).

[0072] In the second region A2, the area overlapping with the perforation H functions as a bright region with a predetermined light transmittance (first light transmittance) lower than 100% because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through the first sheet 111. On the other hand, in the second region A2 that does not overlap with the perforation H, the area overlapping with the perforation H functions as a dark region with a lower light transmittance (second light transmittance) than the area overlapping with the perforation H because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through both the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112.

[0073] [Function and Effects] In diaper 1, on the skin-side sheet (surface sheet 11 in this embodiment) located on the skin-side Z1 of the guide mark 60, within the area where the guide mark 60 is provided (in this embodiment, each of the first area A1 and the second area A2), there is a bright area with a first light transmittance (an area overlapping with the hole H) and a dark area with a second light transmittance (an area not overlapping with the hole H). As a result, the difference in light transmittance between the bright area and the dark area creates a difference in appearance due to contrast (difference in brightness) between the part of the guide mark 60 belonging to the bright area and the part belonging to the dark area. As a result, the user's attention to the guide mark 60 can be suitably attracted, and the user can appropriately grasp the position of the guide mark 60.

[0074] The thickness in the thickness direction Z of the skin-side sheet (surface sheet 11) in the light region is different from the thickness in the thickness direction Z of the skin-side sheet in the dark region. As shown in Figure 4, in the first region A1, the thickness of the light region (the part where the holes H are provided) is 0. On the other hand, the thickness of the dark region (the part where the holes H are not provided) is the thickness of the second sheet 112. In the second region A2, since the light region is the area that overlaps with the holes H of the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112, the thickness of the light region is the thickness of the first sheet 111. Since the dark region is the area that overlaps with the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 (the part other than the holes H), the thickness of the dark region is the sum of the thickness of the first sheet 111 and the thickness of the second sheet 112. With the above configuration, by creating a difference in thickness between the light region and the dark region, a three-dimensional difference in the appearance of the guide mark 60 can be created between the light region and the dark region. This makes it possible to more effectively attract the user's attention to the guide mark 60.

[0075] In both the first region A1 and the second region A2, the thickness of the skin-side sheet in the light region is smaller than the thickness of the skin-side sheet in the dark region. With the above configuration, by making the thickness of the light region smaller than the thickness of the dark region (for example, by simply making the number of layers of skin-side sheets in the light region less than the number of layers of skin-side sheets in the dark region), the light region and the dark region can be easily formed. As another way to make the thickness of the light region smaller than the thickness of the dark region, the light region may be made thinner than the dark region by making the basis weight of the light region smaller than the basis weight of the dark region in a single skin-side sheet.

[0076] The bright area within the first region A1 is formed by holes H provided in the skin-facing sheet (second sheet 112). With this configuration, the visibility (brightness) of the guide mark 60 in the bright area (hole H) is maximized, thereby increasing the contrast (color difference) between the bright area and the dark area, and allowing the user to perceive the guide mark 60 in three dimensions. This makes it possible to more effectively attract the user's attention to the guide mark 60.

[0077] Furthermore, the guide mark 60 has a central region 601 that overlaps with the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X, and the hole H overlaps with the central region 601 in the thickness direction Z. With the above configuration, the visibility (brightness) of a part of the guide mark 60 can be sufficiently increased in the central part of the absorbent body 2 (i.e., the center of the diaper 1).

[0078] Preferably, each of the light and dark regions is formed to a size that can accommodate a circle with a diameter of at least 3 mm when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In the example of Figure 5(A), it is preferable that the hole H, which is the light region, is provided to a size that can accommodate at least the above-mentioned circle, and that the dark region (the part other than the hole H) is also provided to a size that can accommodate at least the above-mentioned circle. With the above configuration, by providing both the light and dark regions on the guide mark 60 to a certain size or larger, it is possible to ensure that the area where contrast between the light and dark regions occurs is of a certain size or larger. As a result, the user's attention to the guide mark 60 can be more effectively attracted.

[0079] In both the first region A1 and the second region A2, when viewed from the thickness direction Z, multiple regions composed of light regions (holes H) are scattered within a region continuously provided by dark regions (regions where holes H are not provided). With the above configuration, areas where contrast between light regions and dark regions occurs can be scattered on the guide mark 60. This effectively enhances the visibility of the guide mark 60 and effectively attracts the user's attention to the guide mark 60. In the example of Figure 5(A), multiple regions (holes H) composed of light regions are scattered in a dot-like manner within a continuously provided dark region (parts other than holes H). As an example, the holes H are formed in a vertically elongated ellipse shape, but the shape of the holes H is not limited to this, and may be circular (perfectly circular), or may be formed in a shape other than a circle or ellipse.

[0080] The guide mark 60 is colored on an intermediate sheet 55 (a sheet different from the skin-side sheet) which is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the skin-side sheet (in this embodiment, the surface sheet 11). With the above configuration, compared to the case where the guide mark is ink-colored on the non-skin side Z2 of the skin-side sheet itself, the ink bleeding onto the skin side Z1 of the skin-side sheet can be suppressed. This prevents the ink of the guide mark 60 from adhering to the wearer's skin when worn.

[0081] As described above, the absorbent body 2 has an intermediate sheet 55 positioned between the surface sheet 11 and the absorbent material 30, and the guide mark 60 is colored on the intermediate sheet 55. With the above configuration, by providing the intermediate sheet 55, the liquid (such as the wearer's urine) that moves from the surface sheet 11 to the absorbent material 30 can be appropriately diffused, improving the absorption rate into the absorbent material 30, and such an intermediate sheet 55 can be used as a printing sheet for the guide mark 60.

[0082] The skin-facing sheet (surface sheet 11) includes a first region A1 (first pattern region) having a first light and dark pattern including light and dark regions in the region overlapping with the guide mark 60 when viewed from the thickness direction Z, and a second region A2 (second pattern region) having a second light and dark pattern different from the first pattern. In other words, the region of the skin-facing sheet that overlaps with the guide mark 60 is provided with multiple regions (in this embodiment, the first region A1 and the second region A2 shown in Figure 4) having different light and dark patterns from each other. Here, "light and dark pattern" includes combinations of brightness (transmittance) of light and dark regions, arrangement and shape of light and dark regions, etc. In this embodiment, the first region A1 and the second region A2 have the same arrangement and shape patterns of light and dark regions, but the combination of transmittance of light and dark regions in the first region A1 is different from the combination of transmittance of light and dark regions in the second region A2. Therefore, the first region A1 and the second region A2 have different light and dark patterns from each other. Furthermore, a single "pattern" can also be formed when there is a uniform transmittance without distinction between light and dark regions (for example, when density, thickness, etc., are constant). Therefore, for example, even if the first region A1 is formed as a region containing both light and dark regions, and the second region A2 is formed as a region with uniform transmittance, the first region A1 and the second region A2 can be said to have different light and dark patterns.

[0083] According to the above configuration, by mixing a first region A1 on the guide mark 60, in which a contrast occurs between at least the light region (the region overlapping with the hole H in this embodiment) and a dark region (the region not overlapping with the hole H), and a second region A2 having a light and dark pattern (second pattern) different from the light and dark pattern (first pattern) of the first region A1, the difference in the overall appearance of the guide mark 60 can be made more pronounced. In other words, by creating a difference in patterns between the first region A1 and the second region A2 (a difference in the impression given to the user) in addition to the light and dark contrast within the first region A1, the user's attention to the guide mark 60 can be effectively attracted.

[0084] The surface sheet 11 comprises a pair of first sheets 111 and a second sheet 112. The pair of first sheets 111 include an opening 111a provided in the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X, and form a second region A2 provided on both sides of the opening 111a in the lateral direction X. The second sheet 112 includes a portion that overlaps with the opening 111a of the pair of first sheets 111 in the thickness direction Z, and forms a first region A1 in that portion. With the above configuration, by making the surface sheet 11 a two-layer structure of the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 as described above, a configuration that provides a first region A1 having a first light and dark pattern and a second region A2 having a second light and dark pattern can be easily realized.

[0085] [Variations] The form of the diaper of this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to those described above, and various materials and shapes can be used. In addition, some of the components included in the above-described embodiment may be changed or omitted, or other components may be added. Several variations of the absorbent article will be described below. The components of the above embodiment and the various variations described thereafter can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not contradict each other.

[0086] For example, the arrangement pattern of light and dark regions is not limited to the dot pattern shown in Figure 5(A). For example, the surface sheet 11 may have a second sheet 112A shown in Figure 5(B) instead of the second sheet 112. The second sheet 112A is provided with a plurality of striped regions C that have been compressed by pressing in the thickness direction Z. Regions C are high-density regions that have a higher density than other regions (regions without hatching) due to this compression. In this case, since regions C, being high-density regions, transmit less visible light than other regions, the light transmittance of region C is lower than that of other regions. Therefore, when the second sheet 112A is used, regions C function as dark regions and other regions function as light regions. That is, the second sheet 112A has a stripe pattern in which dark regions (region C) and light regions (regions other than region C) extending in a predetermined direction (vertical direction Y in this example) are arranged alternately in a direction that intersects the predetermined direction (horizontal direction X in this example).

[0087] The second sheet 112B, shown in Figure 5(C), differs from the second sheet 112A in that the region C, which extended in a continuous linear manner in the second sheet 112A, is provided in a dashed line manner. The second sheet 112B can be said to correspond to a dot pattern in which multiple dark regions (individual parts of region C) are scattered within a light region, and if the region C extending in a dashed line in a predetermined direction (vertical direction Y) is considered as a single region, it can be said to correspond to a stripe pattern similar to that of the second sheet 112A.

[0088] As shown in the examples in Figures 5(B) and (C), the skin-side sheets (second sheets 112A, 112B) include a plurality of light regions (regions other than region C) and a plurality of dark regions (region C), and the plurality of light regions and the plurality of dark regions may be arranged alternately along a predetermined direction (in this example, the horizontal direction X) perpendicular to the thickness direction Z. With the above configuration, by arranging the light regions and dark regions alternately along the predetermined direction, a striped contrast can be created on the guide mark 60. This effectively enhances the visibility of the guide mark 60 and effectively attracts the user's attention to the guide mark 60. The predetermined direction may be the vertical direction Y, or an oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in the examples in Figures 5(B) and (C), the thickness of the skin-side sheet (second sheet 112A, 112B) in the light region may be greater than the thickness of the skin-side sheet in the dark region (region C). With the above configuration, for example, by applying pressure in the thickness direction Z to a part of the skin-side sheet (the region that will become region C) so that the density of the skin-side sheet in the dark region (region C) is higher than the density of the skin-side sheet in the light region, a dark region with a higher density than the light region (region C in which the sheet material is packed more densely than in the light region, resulting in a lower light transmittance than in the light region) can be formed, thereby easily creating a light region and a dark region.

[0090] As shown in Figure 6(A), the diaper 1 may have a surface sheet 11A instead of the surface sheet 11. The surface sheet 11A differs from the surface sheet 11 in that it has a first sheet 111A and a second sheet 112C instead of the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112. The first sheet 111A differs from the first sheet 111 in that it does not have an opening 111a (i.e., it is configured as a single continuous sheet that is placed over the entire surface sheet 11 when viewed from the thickness direction Z). The second sheet 112C differs from the second sheet 112 in that its edge 112a in the lateral direction X is located inside the end 60S of the guide mark 60 in the lateral direction X.

[0091] The surface sheet 11A includes a first sheet 111A and a second sheet 112C positioned in the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X on the skin-facing side Z1 of the first sheet 111A. The second sheet 112C includes a light region and a dark region. For example, the second sheet 112C has a dot pattern with multiple holes H (see Figure 5(A)), similar to the second sheet 112. Thus, the second sheet 112C includes a light region with holes H and a dark region without holes H.

[0092] The area of ​​the skin-side sheet (surface sheet 11A) that overlaps with the guide mark 60 in the thickness direction Z has a third area A3 (first pattern area) and a pair of fourth areas A4 (second pattern areas). The third area A3 is formed by the area that overlaps with the second sheet 112C in the thickness direction Z. The fourth area A4 is formed by the areas where the first sheet 111A exists on both sides of the second sheet 112C in the lateral direction X when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0093] In the third region A3, the area overlapping with the perforation H functions as a bright region having a predetermined light transmittance (first light transmittance) lower than 100% because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through the first sheet 111A. On the other hand, in the third region A3, the area not overlapping with the perforation H functions as a dark region having a lower light transmittance (second light transmittance) than the area overlapping with the perforation H because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through both the first sheet 111A and the second sheet 112C.

[0094] The fourth region A4 overlaps with the first sheet 111A in the thickness direction Z throughout its entire area. Furthermore, the first sheet 111A is formed with a uniform thickness and density throughout its entire area. In other words, the first sheet 111A does not have any intentional differences in thickness or density throughout its entire area and has a substantially constant light transmittance. Therefore, the fourth region A4 is a region without distinction between light and dark regions.

[0095] As described above, the third region A3 has a light-dark pattern (first pattern) that includes multiple scattered light areas (areas overlapping with the holes H) and dark areas (areas not overlapping with the holes H). On the other hand, the fourth region A4 has a light-dark pattern (second pattern) that does not distinguish between light and dark areas.

[0096] By making the surface sheet 11A a two-layer structure consisting of a first sheet 111A and a second sheet 112C as described above, a configuration can be easily realized that provides a third region A3 having a first light / dark pattern and a fourth region A4 having a second light / dark pattern.

[0097] As shown in Figure 6(B), the diaper 1 may have a surface sheet 11B instead of surface sheet 11. Surface sheet 11B differs from surface sheet 11 in that it has a first sheet 111B and a second sheet 112D instead of the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112. The first sheet 111B differs from the first sheet 111A in that it has a plurality of holes H. The second sheet 112D differs from the second sheet 112C in that it does not have a plurality of holes H. In other words, surface sheet 11B has a configuration that is the reverse of the configuration of the first sheet and the second sheet in surface sheet 11A.

[0098] The surface sheet 11B includes a first sheet 111B and a second sheet 112D positioned in the center of the absorbent body 2 in the lateral direction X on the skin-facing side Z1 of the first sheet 111B. The first sheet 111B includes light regions and dark regions. For example, the first sheet 111B, like the second sheet 112, has a dot pattern with a plurality of holes H (see Figure 5(A)). Thus, the first sheet 111B includes light regions with holes H and dark regions without holes H.

[0099] The area of ​​the skin-side sheet (surface sheet 11B) that overlaps with the guide mark 60 in the thickness direction Z has a fifth area A5 (second pattern area) and a pair of sixth areas A6 (first pattern areas). The fifth area A5 is formed by the area that overlaps with the second sheet 112D in the thickness direction Z. The sixth area A6 is formed by the areas where the first sheet 111B exists on both sides of the second sheet 112D in the lateral direction X when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

[0100] In the fifth region A5, the area overlapping with the pore H functions as a bright region with a predetermined light transmittance (first light transmittance) lower than 100% because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through the second sheet 112D. On the other hand, in the fifth region A5, the area not overlapping with the pore H functions as a dark region with a lower light transmittance (second light transmittance) than the area overlapping with the pore H because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through both the first sheet 111B and the second sheet 112D.

[0101] In the sixth region A6, the area overlapping with the pore H has no portion that blocks visible light from the skin side Z1, and therefore theoretically functions as a bright region with a transmittance of 100% (first transmittance). On the other hand, in the sixth region A6, the area not overlapping with the pore H has a dark region with a predetermined transmittance lower than 100% (second transmittance), because visible light from the skin side Z1 passes through the first sheet 111B.

[0102] As described above, the fifth region A5 has a light and dark pattern (second pattern) that includes multiple scattered light areas (areas overlapping with the holes H) and dark areas (areas not overlapping with the holes H). The sixth region A6 also has a light and dark pattern (first pattern) that includes multiple scattered light areas (areas overlapping with the holes H) and dark areas (areas not overlapping with the holes H). However, the fifth region A5 has a lower light transmittance than the sixth region A6 because it overlaps with the second sheet 112D. That is, the guide mark 60 that overlaps with the fifth region A5 (central region 601 in Figure 4) will appear darker overall than the guide mark 60 that overlaps with the sixth region A6 (adjacent region 602 in Figure 4). Therefore, although the fifth region A5 and the sixth region A6 have the same pattern in terms of the arrangement of light and dark areas, they have light and dark patterns that differ in overall brightness (combination of light transmittance of light and dark areas). Furthermore, in the fifth region A5, since the holes H of the first sheet 111B are covered by the second sheet 112D which is on the skin side Z1 of the first sheet 111B, the light-shielding effect of the second sheet 112D becomes dominant, and the influence of the holes H of the first sheet 111B may become smaller. In such a case, the fifth region A5 may substantially form a light and dark pattern without distinction between light and dark regions.

[0103] By making the surface sheet 11B a two-layer structure consisting of the first sheet 111B and the second sheet 112D as described above, a configuration can be easily realized that provides a sixth region A6 having a first light / dark pattern and a fifth region A5 having a second light / dark pattern.

[0104] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which two regions (for example, a first region A1 and a second region A2) having different light and dark patterns (a first pattern and a second pattern) are provided in the region overlapping with the guide mark 60 of the skin-side sheet by using two-layer surface sheets 11, 11A, and 11B. However, a single-layer surface sheet may also be used. In this case, for example, the single-layer surface sheet may be configured such that in the region overlapping with the guide mark 60 of the single-layer surface sheet, regions having light and dark patterns as shown in Figures 5(A) to (C) and regions without distinction between light and dark areas are mixed. For example, the above configuration can be realized by providing a plurality of holes H as shown in Figure 5(A) only in a part of the region overlapping with the guide mark 60 of the single-layer surface sheet (for example, the central region 601).

[0105] Furthermore, the area overlapping with the guide mark 60 on the skin-side sheet does not necessarily have to contain areas with multiple light and dark patterns (first pattern, second pattern) as described above. For example, a single-layer surface sheet consisting only of the first sheet 111B may be used. In that case, the entire area overlapping with the guide mark 60 is composed of a sixth area A6 having the first light and dark pattern as described above.

[0106] Furthermore, in the dot pattern shown in Figure 5(A), a pattern may be provided on the skin-side sheet such that the area corresponding to the pore H is a dark area and the area without pore H is a light area. For example, in Figure 5(A), the above-described dot pattern can be constructed by replacing the pore H with an area that has a large sheet basis weight and is compressed (higher density) in the thickness direction Z.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example of a guide mark was described as a mark that guides the wearer's buttocks to be placed, but the shape of the guide mark is not limited to the above embodiment (the inverted M-shaped guide mark 60 that resembles the buttocks). Also, the guide mark may be a mark that guides the wearer's body to be placed to a part other than the buttocks. For example, the guide mark may be a mark that guides the wearer's groin or urinary opening to be placed. The shape and position of the guide mark may be changed as appropriate depending on the position that the guide mark guides. Note that the diaper may be provided with multiple guide marks (for example, a guide mark 60 that guides the buttocks and a guide mark that guides the groin). In that case, it is sufficient that the configuration described in the above embodiment is satisfied in the printed sheet corresponding to at least one of the guide marks.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the guide mark 60 is colored on the intermediate sheet 55, but the guide mark 60 may also be colored on, for example, the core wrap 32 on the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent 30. Alternatively, the guide mark 60 may be colored on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the skin-facing sheet (for example, the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the first sheet 111A in Figure 6(A)).

[0109] 1...Diaper, 11, 11A, 11B...Front sheet, 20...Back sheet, 30...Absorbent, 55...Middle sheet, 60...Guide mark, 90...Fastening tab, 111, 111A, 111B...First sheet, 111a...Opening, 112, 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D...Second sheet, 601...Central area, A1...First area (First pattern area), A2...Second area (Second pattern area), A3...Third area (First pattern area), A4...Fourth area (Second pattern area), A5...Fifth area (Second pattern area), A6...Sixth area (First pattern area), H...Hole, X...Horizontal 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 material disposed between the surface sheet and the back sheet; and a pair of fastening tabs extending outward from the absorbent body in the transverse direction, wherein the absorbent body is colored so as to be visible from the skin side for guiding the position where a part of the wearer's body should be placed, and the skin-side sheet, which is composed of one or more sheets located on the skin side of the absorbent body relative to the guide marks, includes a light region where the light transmittance of the skin-side sheet is a first light transmittance in the region where the guide marks are colored when viewed from a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a dark region adjacent to the light region where the light transmittance of the skin-side sheet is a second light transmittance lower than the first light transmittance.

2. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the thickness in the thickness direction of the skin-facing sheet in the light region is different from the thickness in the thickness direction of the skin-facing sheet in the dark region.

3. The diaper according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the light region is greater than the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the dark region.

4. The diaper according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the light region is smaller than the thickness of the skin-facing sheet in the dark region.

5. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the bright area is formed by holes provided in the skin-facing sheet that penetrate in the thickness direction.

6. The diaper according to claim 5, wherein the guide mark has a central region that overlaps with the lateral central portion of the absorbent body, and the hole overlaps with the central region in the thickness direction.

7. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein each of the light region and the dark region is formed to a size that can accommodate a circle with a diameter of at least 3 mm when viewed from the thickness direction.

8. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed from the thickness direction, a plurality of regions, each composed of the other of the light region and the dark region, are scattered within a region continuously provided by one of the light region and the dark region.

9. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the skin-facing sheet includes a plurality of light regions and a plurality of dark regions, and the plurality of light regions and the plurality of dark regions are arranged alternately along a predetermined direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.

10. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the guide mark is colored on the sheet positioned on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet.

11. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body has an intermediate sheet disposed between the surface sheet and the absorbent material, and the guide mark is colored on the intermediate sheet.

12. The diaper according to claim 1, wherein the skin-facing sheet includes, in the region that overlaps with the guide mark when viewed from the thickness direction, a first pattern region including the light region and the dark region, and a second pattern region different from the first pattern region.

13. The diaper according to claim 12, wherein the guide mark is colored on a sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a pair of first sheets that include an opening provided in the lateral central part of the absorbent body and form the second pattern regions provided on both sides of the opening in the lateral direction, and a second sheet that includes a portion of the pair of first sheets that overlaps with the opening in the thickness direction and forms the first pattern region in that portion.

14. The diaper according to claim 12, wherein the guide mark is colored on a sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet disposed on the skin-side of the first sheet in the lateral central part of the absorbent body, the second sheet includes the light region and the dark region, the first pattern region is formed by a region that overlaps with the second sheet in the thickness direction, and the second pattern region is formed by regions on both sides of the second sheet in the lateral direction as viewed from the thickness direction where the first sheet exists.

15. The diaper according to claim 12, wherein the guide mark is colored on a sheet disposed on the non-skin side of the skin-side sheet, the skin-side sheet includes the surface sheet, the surface sheet includes a first sheet and a second sheet disposed in the lateral central part of the absorbent body on the skin-side of the first sheet, the first sheet includes the light region and the dark region, the second pattern region is formed by a region that overlaps with the second sheet in the thickness direction, and the first pattern region is formed by regions where the first sheet exists on both lateral sides of the second sheet when viewed from the thickness direction.

Images