Shorts-type sanitary pad
The napkin's distinct color-coded design and elastic features facilitate easy alignment of the thigh stretchable region, enhancing fit and reducing leakage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- UNI CHARM CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing brief-type napkins with thigh elastic members on the non-skin side are difficult to align with the excretion opening, leading to potential side leakage due to the non-visual recognition of the elastic member's position.
The napkin design includes a top sheet and side sheets with distinct color differences to visually indicate the position of the thigh stretchable region, facilitated by elastic members, with additional features like base ends and embossed patterns to stabilize and enhance visibility.
The design allows easy alignment of the thigh stretchable region with the excretion opening, reducing side leakage and improving fit and fluid absorption visibility.
Smart Images
Figure JP2025000790_23072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Brief-type napkin
[0001] The present invention relates to a brief-type napkin.
[0002] Patent Document 1 etc. disclose a brief-type napkin. The brief-type napkin of Patent Document 1 has a thigh elastic member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorption core. The center in the width direction of the absorption core bulges toward the skin side by the thigh elastic member, and by fitting this bulged portion to the body, the drawability of body fluid can be enhanced.
[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 004162
[0004] In a brief-type napkin having a thigh elastic member as in Patent Document 1, the drawability of body fluid can be improved by arranging the region overlapping the thigh elastic member to face the excretion opening. However, if the region overlapping the thigh elastic member is displaced in the width direction with respect to the excretion opening, side leakage is likely to occur. However, the thigh elastic member is disposed on the non-skin side of the absorption core and is difficult to directly visually recognize. Therefore, since it is difficult to grasp the position of the thigh elastic member during wearing, there are cases where the region overlapping the thigh elastic member cannot be arranged to face the excretion opening.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a brief-type napkin in which a user can easily grasp the position of a thigh stretchable region overlapping a thigh elastic member during wearing.
[0006] A brief-type napkin according to one aspect has a front-back direction and a width direction that intersect each other, an absorbent body having an absorption core, and a body-around member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body. The absorbent body has a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorption core and abuts against the wearer, and a pair of side sheets that respectively cover the outer portions on both sides in the width direction of the top sheet. In the center in the width direction of the absorbent body, a thigh stretchable region that stretches in the front-back direction by a thigh elastic member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorption core is provided. The top sheet is disposed in the thigh stretchable region. In a state visually recognized from the skin side of the brief-type napkin, the color of the region where the side sheet is disposed is different from the color of the region where the top sheet is disposed.
[0007] Figure 1 is a front view of a panty-type sanitary napkin according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view of the panty-type sanitary napkin in its unfolded state according to the embodiment, as seen from the skin side. Figure 3 is a plan view of the panty-type sanitary napkin in its unfolded state according to the embodiment, as seen from the non-skin side. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B shown in Figure 2. Figure 6 shows a modified panty-type sanitary napkin.
[0008] (1) Outline of Embodiments The following matters will become clear from the description in this specification and the accompanying drawings. The invention according to Embodiment 1 is a shorts-type sanitary napkin having an absorbent body with an absorbent core, and a waist member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, with a front-to-back direction and a width direction that intersect with each other. The absorbent body has a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorbent core and comes into contact with the wearer, and a pair of side sheets that cover the outer parts on both sides of the top sheet in the width direction. In the center of the width direction of the absorbent body, there is a crotch stretch region that stretches in the front-to-back direction by a crotch elastic member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core. The top sheet is disposed in the crotch stretch region. When viewed from the skin side of the shorts-type sanitary napkin, the color of the area where the side sheets are disposed is different from the color of the area where the top sheet is disposed. According to this embodiment, wrinkles or raised parts are formed on the top sheet due to the contraction of the crotch stretch region. The user can grasp the position of the crotch stretch region by the wrinkles, etc., of the top sheet. In this case, the color of the area where the side sheets covering both sides of the top sheet are positioned is different from the color of the area where the top sheet is positioned. This makes it easier to determine the position of the crotch stretch area using the side sheets on the left and right as a reference. Therefore, the user can easily determine the position of the crotch stretch area when putting it on and position it appropriately relative to their body.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 2 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1: The color of the area where the top sheet is placed is white, and the color of the area where the side sheet is placed is colored. According to this embodiment, since the area overlapping with the top sheet is white, the user can easily see bodily fluids such as menstrual blood and easily understand the absorption and diffusion patterns of the bodily fluids.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 3 may have the following features in the invention according to Embodiment 1: The color of the area where the side sheet is placed is white, and the color of the area where the top sheet is placed is colored. According to this embodiment, since the area overlapping with the top sheet, which is placed in the center in the width direction of the absorbent core, is colored, the visibility of bodily fluids such as menstrual blood absorbed by the absorbent core is reduced, making the absorbed bodily fluids less noticeable.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to Embodiment 4 may have the following features in any of the inventions according to Embodiments 1 to 3. The side sheet has a side elastic member that stretches in the front-to-back direction joined to it, and has a side stretchable region that can stand upright on the skin side. According to this embodiment, since the side stretchable region stands upright on the skin side, the user can confirm the position of the side sheets, which are positioned on the left and right sides closer to the eyes, and it becomes easier to grasp the position of the crotch stretchable region. In addition, when worn, the crotch stretchable region can make the absorbent core adhere tightly to the skin to prevent leakage, and the side stretchable region can prevent lateral leakage of bodily fluids.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 5 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 4. On both outer sides in the front-rear direction of the side stretch region, front and rear base ends are provided, respectively, which prevent the side sheet from standing upright on the skin side. At least one of the front and rear base ends is positioned in a region that overlaps with the absorbent core. According to this embodiment, the front and rear base ends overlap with the absorbent core, and their position is stable. Therefore, the position of the upright portion of the side stretch region is easily maintained in a position that covers the skin side of the top sheet, and the position of the crotch stretch region is easily determined with respect to the side sheet.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 6 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 4 or embodiment 5: Front and rear base ends are provided on both outer sides of the side stretch region in the front-rear direction, preventing the side sheet from standing upright on the skin side. A central base end is provided in the center of the side stretch region in the front-rear direction, preventing the side sheet from standing upright on the skin side. The central base end is positioned in a region that overlaps with the absorbent core. If the side stretch region is continuous in the region sandwiched between the front and rear base ends in the front-rear direction, it may be difficult to position it symmetrically on both sides of the crotch stretch region, as the upright position may not be stable and may fall outward in the width direction. However, by providing a central base end that overlaps with the absorbent core, the position of the side stretch region in the width direction is stabilized, making it easier for the user to grasp the position of the crotch stretch region with respect to the side stretch region. In addition, the central base end overlaps with the absorbent core, and its position is stable. Therefore, the position of the upright portion of the side stretch area is easily maintained in a position that covers the skin side of the top sheet, making it easier to determine the position of the crotch stretch area based on the side sheet.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 7 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 4 to 6. In the stretched state of the shorts-type napkin, the widthwise length of the crotch stretch area is longer than the widthwise length of the side stretch area. According to this embodiment, because the widthwise length of the crotch stretch area is long, the crotch stretch area is more noticeable and the user can easily focus on it. Also, because the widthwise length of the side stretch area is shorter than the widthwise length of the crotch stretch area, the crotch stretch area is relatively easier to make noticeable. Therefore, the user can grasp the position of the crotch stretch area and position it appropriately. In addition, because the width of the crotch stretch area is wide, the fit to the urinary opening is improved and leakage can be suppressed.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 8 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 7. The waist member has a skin-side waist sheet that covers the skin side of the outer end of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction. The color of the area where the skin-side waist sheet is placed is different from the color of the area where the top sheet is placed, which is located inside the skin-side waist sheet in the front-rear direction. According to this embodiment, since the area where the top sheet is placed and the area where the skin-side waist sheet is placed have different colors, the area where the top sheet is placed is surrounded by both the side stretch areas located on the left and right, and the skin-side waist sheet located on the outside in the front-rear direction, making it easier to grasp the position of the crotch stretch area located in the center of the top sheet.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 9 may have the following features in any of embodiments 1 to 8: When viewed from the skin side of the shorts-type napkin, the color of the waistband member, which is located in the region extending outward in the width direction from the absorbent main body, is the same color as the side sheet. According to this embodiment, the side sheet and the waistband member become an integrated region, making the crotch stretch region, which is a different color from the integrated region, more conspicuous.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 10 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 9. The absorbent core has a region in which the outer edge of the absorbent core is along the front-rear direction and the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is constant. The region of constant length extends from the center of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction outward in the front-rear direction and is continuous to the outer end of the absorbent core. According to this embodiment, since the length of the absorbent core in the width direction is constant in the region of constant length, the contraction pattern of the crotch stretch area is more likely to be continuous in the front-rear direction in the same manner compared to an absorbent core provided with a constriction. Therefore, the crotch stretch area becomes more noticeable and it is easier for the user to wear the crotch stretch area in a more appropriate position.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 11 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 10. The waist member includes a separation portion that separates the annular waist member into a first region and a second region spaced apart in the width direction, and a connecting portion for connecting the separated first region and the second region. The shorts-type sanitary napkin having the separation portion and the connecting portion is configured so that a part of the waist member can be separated, and the waist opening and leg opening can be partially opened to perform the attachment and detachment operation. More specifically, it can be attached and detached as a normal pant-type shorts-type sanitary napkin with a pair of leg openings, or the waist opening and leg opening can be partially opened to perform the attachment and detachment operation of the shorts-type sanitary napkin as a tape-type shorts-type sanitary napkin without removing clothing such as trousers. When reconnecting the waist member with the connecting portion after it has been separated, it is necessary to align the width direction of the shorts-type sanitary napkin while performing the operation. At this time, the widthwise position of the absorption core can be aligned with the crotch stretch area as a reference, and the position around the legs can be adjusted with the side sheets, making it easy to adjust the position when wearing the garment.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 12 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 11. The separating parts are arranged on both sides of the center of the panty-type napkin in the width direction. The distance between one separating part and the center of the panty-type napkin in the width direction is different from the distance between the other separating part and the center of the panty-type napkin in the width direction. According to this embodiment, by making the positions of the separating parts asymmetrical, it is not only easier to perform asymmetrical attachment operations, but even after tearing, the center of the panty-type napkin in the width direction can be aligned using the left and right side sheets as a reference, making it easier to align the panty-type napkin.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 13 may have the following features in the invention according to any of embodiments 1 to 12. The waist member is provided with a waist stretchable region that expands and contracts in the width direction and is stretched and contracted by waist elastic members arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and a low stretchable region adjacent to the waist stretchable region in the width direction and having a lower stretchable force in the width direction than the waist stretchable region. The waist stretchable region is arranged on both sides of the low stretchable region in the width direction. The low stretchable region is arranged in a region that overlaps with the absorbent body. According to this embodiment, the contraction of the absorbent body in the width direction can be reduced, making it easier to align the front end or rear end of the absorbent body.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 14 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 13. The crotch stretch region is spaced apart from the region where the low stretch region and the absorbent body overlap. According to this embodiment, the region where the low stretch region and the absorbent body overlap is a region where the waist elastic member and the crotch elastic member are not arranged, resulting in less contraction in the width direction and the front-to-back direction, making it easier to align in that region.
[0022] (2) Structure of the Panties-Type Sanitary Napkin Below, the panties-type sanitary napkin 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of each dimension etc. may differ from those of reality. Therefore, specific dimensions etc. should be determined by referring to the following explanation. In addition, there may be parts where the relationships and ratios of dimensions differ between drawings.
[0023] Figure 1 is a front view of the panty-type sanitary napkin 1. Figure 1 schematically shows the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 in its natural state. In the present invention, the natural state refers to the state in which the panty-type sanitary napkin 1, which is contained in a package, is removed from the package and left for 24 hours in an atmosphere of 20°C ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 60% ± 5% RH. Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams of the skin-side T1 and non-skin-side T2 of the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 in its unfolded state. The plan views shown in Figures 2 and 3 show the panty-type sanitary napkin in its stretched state. In the present invention, the stretched state refers to the state in which the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 is stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed, with the side joint portion 60, which will be described later, unfolded. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B shown in Figure 2. In the cross-sectional view, for the sake of explanation, the individual components constituting the shorts-type sanitary napkin 1 are partially spaced apart in the thickness direction T; however, in the actual product, the individual components have a jointed portion.
[0024] The panty-type sanitary napkin 1, in its unfolded state, has a front-to-back direction L, a width direction W, and a thickness direction T, all of which are perpendicular to each other. The front-to-back direction L is defined by the direction extending from the front to the back of the body. In other words, the front-to-back direction L is the direction in which the unfolded panty-type sanitary napkin 1 extends from front to back. The panty-type sanitary napkin 1 also has a thickness direction T that is perpendicular to both the front-to-back direction L and the width direction W. The thickness direction T extends from the skin side T1 facing the wearer and from the non-skin side T2 facing away from the wearer.
[0025] The shorts-type sanitary napkin 1 has a crotch area S3, a front waist area S1 located in front of the crotch area S3, and a rear waist area S2 located behind the crotch area S3. The front waist area S1 and the rear waist area S2 cover the wearer's waist. The front waist area S1 is the area that comes into contact with the wearer's abdominal side. The rear waist area S2 is the area that comes into contact with the wearer's back side. The crotch area S3 is located between the wearer's legs and is positioned between the front waist area S1 and the rear waist area S2.
[0026] The panty-type sanitary napkin 1 is provided with a pair of side joints 60 that connect the outer part of the front waist area S1 and the outer part of the rear waist area S2. The panty-type sanitary napkin 1 is folded in half using the front-to-back center line LC, which extends in the width direction W at the center of the front-to-back direction L of the panty-type sanitary napkin 1, as the starting point, and is joined by the side joints 60 in this folded state to form a panty shape. The side joints 60 are defined by the portion that locks the outer part of the front waist area S1 and the outer part of the rear waist area S2 together, and may extend along the front-to-back direction L in each of the front waist area S1 and the rear waist area S2. Here, Figure 1 shows the state in which the side joints 60 are joined, and Figure 2 shows the state in which the connection at the side joints 60 is released and the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 is unfolded. With the side joint portion 60 formed, the shorts-type napkin 1 has a waist opening 101 through which the wearer's waist passes, and a pair of leg openings 102 into which the wearer's legs are inserted. The waist opening 101 is defined by the front edge of the front waist area S1 and the rear edge of the rear waist area S2. The boundary between the front waist area S1 and the crotch area S3 is defined by the rear edge of the side joint portion 60 provided in the front waist area S1, and the boundary between the rear waist area S2 and the crotch area S3 may be defined by the front edge of the side joint portion 60 provided in the rear waist area S2. Here, the outer part in this invention is a portion that occupies a certain range in the width direction W, including the edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge is the edge in the width direction W. Also, the outer edge in this invention is the edge located outside in the front-rear direction L, and the inner edge is the edge located inside in the front-rear direction L.
[0027] The shorts-type sanitary napkin 1 comprises an absorbent body 2 and a waistband member 5. The absorbent body 2 comprises at least a liquid-permeable top sheet 10, side sheets 12, an absorbent core 31, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 20. The top sheet 10 is a liquid-permeable sheet that covers the skin-side T1 of the absorbent core 31 and comes into contact with the wearer. The top sheet 10 is made of any sheet-like material having a liquid-permeable structure, such as nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, perforated plastic sheet, or mesh sheet.
[0028] The side sheets 12 are a pair of sheets that cover the outer parts on both sides of the top sheet 10 in the width direction W. The side sheets 12 are positioned on both sides of the widthwise center line WC, which extends in the front-to-back direction L at the center of the width direction W of the shorts-type napkin 1. The side sheets 12 only need to cover the outer parts of the top sheet 10, and may be positioned only on the skin side T1 of the top sheet 10, or they may cover the non-skin side T2 of the back sheet 20 and be folded back from the outside in the width direction W of the absorbent core 31 towards the skin side. In this embodiment, the side sheets 12 are made of a part of the main nonwoven fabric sheet 29, which will be described later. The side sheets 12 may be a part of the main nonwoven fabric sheet 29, or they may be separate from the main nonwoven fabric sheet 29. The side sheets 12 may be positioned without standing upright relative to the top sheet 10, or they may have a side elastic member that expands and contracts in the front-to-back direction L joined to them, and may have a side stretchable region that can stand upright on the skin side T1. The side sheet 12 of this embodiment has a side expansion region R41. The side expansion region R41 will be described in detail later.
[0029] The absorbent core 31 has an absorbent material that absorbs liquid. Examples of the absorbent material include hydrophilic fibers, pulp, and superabsorbent polymers (SAP). The absorbent core 31 only needs to contain an absorbent material, and may be an absorbent sheet (a so-called SAP sheet) in which a superabsorbent polymer as the absorbent material is sandwiched between sheets. The skin-side T1 and non-skin-side T2 surfaces of the absorbent core 31 may be covered with a core wrap sheet 32.
[0030] The backsheet 20 is a liquid-impermeable sheet located on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent core 31. The backsheet 20 can be made of a breathable resin film, spunbond, or a sheet in which a breathable resin film is bonded to a nonwoven fabric.
[0031] The main nonwoven fabric sheet 29 may have a folded portion 28 that is folded back from the non-skin side T2 toward the skin side T1 relative to the absorbent core 31, starting from a fold 29FL located outside the outer edge in the width direction W of the absorbent core 31. This folded portion 28 constitutes the side sheet 12. The folded portion 28 is laminated in two layers, and a side elastic member 41 that expands and contracts in the front-rear direction L is joined between the two layers. The side sheet 12 has a side stretchable region R41 that can stand upright toward the skin side T1 due to the expansion and contraction of the side elastic member 41. On both outer sides in the front-rear direction L of the side stretchable region R41, there are front and rear base ends 42 that prevent the side sheet 12 from standing upright toward the skin side T1. The front and rear base ends 42 are the parts where the side sheet 12 is joined to the top sheet 10 and the side sheet 12 does not stand upright relative to the top sheet 10. The side stretchable region R41 stands upright in the front-rear direction L with the front and rear base ends 42 as the base point, and in the width direction with the fold line 29FL as the base point. The range of the side stretchable region R41 in the front-rear direction L is the area between the front and rear base ends 42 on the front side and the front and rear base ends 42 on the rear side. The range of the side stretchable region R41 in the width direction W is the area between the fold line 29FL and the inner edge of the side sheet 12 in the width direction.
[0032] The absorbent body 2 has an elastic crotch member 27 positioned on the non-skin side T2 from the absorbent core 31. The elastic crotch member 27 is positioned between the core wrap sheet 32 and the back sheet 20 on the non-skin side T2 from the absorbent core 31. In a modified example, the elastic crotch member 27 may be positioned between the back sheet 20 and the main body nonwoven fabric sheet 29. Multiple elastic crotch members 27 may be positioned at intervals in the width direction W. In this embodiment, three elastic crotch members 27 are positioned. The elastic crotch member 27 is a member that facilitates contact between the absorbent body 2, and by extension the absorbent core 31, and the wearer's excretory opening. In the center of the width direction W of the absorbent body 2, there is an elastic crotch region R27 that expands and contracts in the front-to-back direction by the elastic crotch member 27. The crotch stretch region R27 is a region that stretches in the front-rear direction by the crotch elastic member 27, and may be the region where the crotch elastic member 27 is located. In a configuration having multiple crotch elastic members, it also includes the region sandwiched between the crotch elastic members 27. At least the top sheet 10 and the absorption core 31 are located in the crotch stretch region R27.
[0033] The waist member 5 has a non-skin waist sheet 110 positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the absorbent main body 2. The non-skin waist sheet 110 may have a first sheet 111 and a second sheet 112 positioned on the non-skin side T2 of the first sheet 111. In this embodiment, the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 are positioned on both sides of the front-rear center line LC, and are positioned in the front waist area S1 and the rear waist area S2, respectively. More specifically, the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 are positioned in the front-rear direction L from the waist opening 101 in the front waist area S1 to just before the front-rear center line LC, and from the waist opening 101 in the rear waist area S2 to just before the front-rear center line LC. Furthermore, the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 are positioned in the width direction W from one side joint 60 to the other side joint 60. In the modified example, the non-skin-side waist sheet 110 is not positioned in the front waist area S1 and the rear waist area S2, but may extend continuously from the front waist area S1 to the rear waist area S2, spanning the crotch area S3.
[0034] The first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 are folded inward at the waist opening 101. The second sheet 112, folded in the rear waist area S2, covers the skin side T1 of the outer end of the absorbent body 2 in the front-rear direction L, and constitutes the "skin-side waist sheet" of the present invention. Waist elastic members 115 that expand and contract in the width direction W may be arranged on the waist member 5. Multiple waist elastic members 115 are arranged between the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112, extending from one side joint 60 to the other side joint 60 and spaced apart in the front-rear direction L. Multiple waist elastic members 115 are joined to the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112 by a waist sheet inter-adhesive layer (not shown) made of hot melt adhesive, while in an extended state relative to the first sheet 111 and the second sheet 112.
[0035] The elastic member around the body may have a continuous elastic member 115X that extends from one side joint to the other side joint. Multiple continuous elastic members are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L, outside the front-rear outer edge of the absorption core in the front-rear direction. Inside the front-rear direction of the continuous elastic member 115X, a discontinuous elastic member 115Y may be arranged, extending inward in the width direction from one side joint and not continuing to the other side joint.
[0036] The shorts-type sanitary napkin 1 is configured so that the user can easily determine the position of the crotch elastic region R27 that overlaps with the crotch elastic member 27 when wearing it. Next, the configuration for the user to easily determine the position of the crotch elastic region R27 that overlaps with the crotch elastic member 27 when wearing it will be described in detail.
[0037] When viewed from the skin-side T1 of the panty-type sanitary napkin, the color of the area R12 where the side sheet 12 is located is different from the color of the area R10 where the top sheet 10 is located. The area where the top sheet 10 is located is the area where the top sheet 10 is located and the side sheet 12 is not located. When viewing from the skin-side T1 of the panty-type sanitary napkin, the panty-type sanitary napkin 1 is placed in an unfolded state with the side joint 60 separated and extended on a white stand, and the object is viewed by a subject with good visual acuity (1.0 or better) in both eyes at a distance of approximately 30 to 50 cm in a brightly lit room (approximate color temperature of 4600 to 5400 K (Kelvin)) with daylight white light (approximate color temperature of 500 to 750 lx (lux)). If the subject can distinguish between the area where the side sheet 12 is located and the area where the top sheet 10 is located, then the colors of the two areas are considered to be different.
[0038] Alternatively, if the color difference ΔE of both regions is 3.0 or greater, the color of region R12 where the side sheet 12 is placed will be different from the color of region R10 where the top sheet 10 is placed. The color difference ΔE can be determined by measuring the colors of two points (two regions) to be measured using a commercially available colorimeter and comparing the numerical values obtained based on the CIE 1976 (L*a*b*) color space specified in JIS Z 8781. Specifically, when the difference in L* values between the two points to be measured is ΔL*, the difference in a* is Δa*, and the difference in b* values is Δb*, the color difference ΔE = [(ΔL*) 2 +(Δa*) 2 +(Δb*) 2 ] 1 / 2 It is determined by [method].
[0039] The configuration in which the region R10 on which the top sheet 10 is placed and the region R12 on which the side sheet 12 is placed have different colors is not limited to a configuration in which the color of the top sheet 10 is different from the color of the side sheet 12, but may also be a configuration in which the color of the member visible from the skin side T1 through the top sheet 10 (e.g., second sheet, core wrap sheet) is different from the color of the side sheet 12, or the color of the member visible from the skin side T1 through the top sheet 10 is different from the color of the member visible from the side sheet 12 (e.g., side elastic member), or the color of the member visible from the skin side T1 through the top sheet 10 is different from the color of the member visible from the side sheet 12.
[0040] The top sheet 10 develops wrinkles and raised areas on the skin side due to the contraction of the crotch stretch area R27. The user can determine the position of the crotch stretch area R27 by the wrinkles on the top sheet 10. At this time, since the color of the area where the side sheets 12 covering both sides of the top sheet 10 are located is different from the color of the area where the top sheet 10 is located, it becomes easier to determine the position of the crotch stretch area R27 using the side sheets 12 located on the left and right as a reference. Therefore, the user can easily determine the position of the crotch stretch area R27 when putting it on and put the crotch stretch area R27 in the appropriate position relative to the body.
[0041] In this embodiment, the area R10 on which the top sheet 10 is located is white, and the area R12 on which the side sheet 12 is located may be colored. In this embodiment, since the area R10 overlapping with the top sheet 10 is white, the user can easily see bodily fluids such as menstrual blood and easily understand the absorption and diffusion patterns of the bodily fluids. In other embodiments, the area R12 on which the side sheet is located is white, and the area R10 on which the top sheet is located may be colored. In other embodiments, since the area R10 overlapping with the top sheet 10 located in the center of the width direction W of the absorbent core 31 is colored, when bodily fluids such as menstrual blood are absorbed by the absorbent core 31, the visibility of the bodily fluids is reduced, making the absorbed bodily fluids less noticeable. Note that white may be a color with a lightness of 9.5 or higher in the Munsell color system. Colored may be a color other than white. In this embodiment, the colored is pink.
[0042] The side sheet 12 may be joined with a side elastic member 41 that expands and contracts in the front-rear direction L, and may have a side expansion / contraction region R41 that can stand up on the skin side T1. According to this aspect, since the side expansion / contraction region R41 stands up on the skin side T1, the user can confirm the position of the side sheet 12 arranged on the left and right at a position closer to the eyes, and it becomes easier to grasp the position of the crotch expansion / contraction region R27. Also, when worn, the crotch expansion / contraction region R27 makes the absorption core 31 adhere closely to the skin to suppress leakage along the body, and the side expansion / contraction region R41 can suppress lateral leakage of body fluids.
[0043] Front and rear base ends 42 may be respectively arranged on both sides of the side expansion / contraction region R41 in the front-rear direction L, and at least one of the front and rear base ends 42 may be arranged in a region overlapping the absorption core 31. According to this aspect, the front and rear base ends 42 overlap the absorption core 31, and their positions are stabilized. Therefore, the position of the standing portion of the side expansion / contraction region R41 is easily maintained at a position covering the skin side T1 of the top sheet 10, and it becomes easier to grasp the position of the crotch expansion / contraction region R27 with reference to the side sheet 12. In a preferred form, both the front and rear base ends 42 of the front torso surrounding region S1 and the front and rear base ends 42 of the rear torso surrounding region S2 may be arranged in a region overlapping the absorption core 31.
[0044] A central base end 45 may be provided in the center of the side stretch region R41 in the front-to-back direction L, where the side sheet 12 cannot stand upright against the skin side T1. The central base end 45 is the portion where the side sheet 12 is joined to the top sheet 10, and where the side sheet 12 does not stand upright relative to the top sheet 10. The central base end 45 may be positioned in a region that overlaps with the absorbent core 31. If the side stretch region R41 is continuous in the region sandwiched between the front and rear base ends 42 in the front-to-back direction, the upright position may not be stable, and it may fall outward in the width direction, making it difficult to position it symmetrically on both sides of the crotch stretch region R27. However, by providing a central base end 45 that overlaps with the absorbent core 31, the position of the side stretch region R41 in the width direction is stabilized, making it easier for the user to grasp the position of the crotch stretch region R27 with respect to the side stretch region R41. The central base end 45 may be positioned spaced apart from the front and rear base ends 42, which are positioned on both sides in the front-to-back direction L. Furthermore, the central base portion 45 may straddle the front-to-rear centerline LC. The central base portion 45 extends inward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the side sheet and does not need to reach the inner edge of the side sheet 12.
[0045] The length L in the front-rear direction of the central base portion 45 may be shorter than the distance L in the front-rear direction between the central base portion 45 and the front and rear base portions 42 of the front body circumference region S1, and may also be shorter than the distance in the front-rear direction between the central base portion 45 and the front and rear base portions 42 of the rear body circumference region S2. According to this embodiment, the central base portion stabilizes the widthwise position of the side expansion and contraction region, while securing the area of the side expansion and contraction region R41, and the effect of suppressing leakage with the upright side expansion and contraction region R41 can be obtained.
[0046] In the extended state of the shorts-type napkin, the length W27 in the width direction W of the crutch stretch region R27 may be longer than the length W41 in the width direction W of the side stretch region R41. The length W41 in the width direction W of the side stretch region R41 is the distance in the width direction W between the fold line 29FL and the inner edge in the width direction of the side sheet. The outer edge of the crutch stretch region R27 is the position of the crutch elastic member located most outward in the width direction. The length W27 in the width direction W of the crutch stretch region R27 is the distance between the crutch elastic members located on both sides in the width direction W. When comparing the regions, it is not the total length of the pair of side stretch regions R41, but the length of one side stretch region R41 and the length of the crutch stretch region R27 that are compared.
[0047] According to this aspect, since the length in the width direction W of the crutch stretch region R27 is long, the crutch stretch region R27 is likely to stand out, and it is easy for the user to pay attention to the crutch stretch region R27. Also, since the length in the width direction W of the side stretch region is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the crutch stretch region R27, it is relatively easy to make the crutch stretch region R27 stand out. Therefore, the user can grasp the position of the crutch stretch region R27 and arrange the crutch stretch region R27 at an appropriate position. Also, since the width of the crutch stretch region R27 is wide, the fitness with respect to the discharge port can be improved and leakage can be suppressed.
[0048] Also, the length in the width direction W of the region where the crutch elastic member constituting the crutch stretch region R27 is arranged may be longer than the length in the width direction W of the region where the side elastic member is arranged. Also with this configuration, the crutch stretch region R27 is likely to stand out, and it is easy for the user to pay attention to the crutch stretch region R27. Also, since the length in the width direction W of the side stretch region is shorter than the length in the width direction W of the crutch stretch region R27, it becomes relatively easy to make the crutch stretch region R27 stand out.
[0049] In a modified example, embossed portions (not shown) may be provided on both outer sides in the width direction W of the crotch stretch region R27, formed by compressing the top sheet 10 and the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction T. The embossed portions only need to compress at least the top sheet 10 and the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction, and other members (e.g., the second sheet) may also be compressed together. The embossed portions may be arranged along the front-to-back direction. According to this embodiment, when the shorts-type sanitary napkin is pressed from the outside to the inside in the width direction W during wear, the embossed portions lift up with the embossed portions as a base point, making it easier for the crotch stretch region R27 to come into contact with the body.
[0050] The absorbent core 31 has a region R35 along its outer edge in the front-rear direction, where the length in the width direction W of the absorbent core 31 is constant. The region R35 of constant length extends from the center in the front-rear direction of the absorbent core 31 outwards in the front-rear direction and may be continuous to the outer end of the absorbent core 31. The region of constant length is a region where the difference from the average value calculated by measuring the length in the width direction W of the absorbent core 31 every 10 mm is within 5%. According to this embodiment, since the length in the width direction W of the absorbent core 31 is constant in the region of constant length, the contraction pattern of the crotch stretch region R27 is more likely to be continuous in the front-rear direction in the same manner compared to an absorbent core 31 with a constricted portion. Therefore, the crotch stretch region R27 becomes more noticeable, and it is easier for the user to wear the crotch stretch region R27 in a more appropriate position.
[0051] The waist member 5 may have a skin-side waist sheet 113 that covers the skin side of the outer end of the absorbent body 2 in the front-rear direction L. In this embodiment, the skin-side waist sheet 113 is made up of a second sheet 112 folded in the rear waist area S2 and covers the rear end of the absorbent body 2. In this embodiment, the front end of the absorbent body 2 is not covered by the skin-side waist sheet 113, but in other forms, the front end of the absorbent body may also be covered by the second sheet 112 folded in the front waist area S1. Furthermore, the skin-side waist sheet 113 may be made up of a part of a non-skin-side waist sheet such as the second sheet, or it may be made up of a sheet separate from the non-skin-side waist sheet.
[0052] The color of the area where the skin-side waist sheet 113 is placed may differ from the color of the area R10 where the top sheet 10 is placed, which is located inward in the front-to-back direction L from the skin-side waist sheet 113. Because the area where the top sheet 10 is placed and the area where the skin-side waist sheet 113 is placed have different colors, the side stretch areas R41 located on the left and right, along with the skin-side waist sheet 113, surround the area where the top sheet 10 is placed, making it easier to grasp the position of the crotch stretch area R27 located in the center of the top sheet 10.
[0053] The color of the area where the skin-side waist sheet 113 is placed may differ from the color of the crotch stretch area R27. This configuration makes it easier to grasp the position of the crotch stretch area R27 located in the center of the top sheet 10. The color of the area where the skin-side waist sheet 113 is placed may be the same color as the area where the side stretch area R41 is placed. In this embodiment, both the side sheet 12 and the skin-side waist sheet 113 located on the outside in the front-to-back direction surround the area R10 where the top sheet 10 is placed, making it easier to grasp the position of the crotch stretch area R27 located in the center of the width direction W of the top sheet 10. The same color may be any color belonging to one of the 24 color charts classified by the Ostwald color circle. In addition, the colored color may be achromatic, and the same color in the case of achromatic colors may be a color with a saturation of 0 in the Munsell notation system and adjacent lightness values (for example, a color included in lightness 5 and lightness 6). In this embodiment, the skin-facing torso sheet 113 and the side sheet 12 are both the same color, specifically pink. In other embodiments, the same color may be gray.
[0054] When viewed from the skin side T1 of the shorts-type sanitary napkin, the color of the waistband member 5, which is positioned in the region extending outward in the width direction W from the absorbent main body 2, may be the same color as the side sheet 12. The first sheet 111 is positioned in the region extending outward in the width direction W from the absorbent main body 2. According to this embodiment, the side sheet 12 and the waistband member 5 extending outward in the width direction W from the absorbent main body 2 become an integrated region, making the crotch stretch region R27, which is a different color from the integrated region, more conspicuous. Preferably, the side sheet 12 may be positioned at the outer edge in the width direction W from the absorbent main body 2. According to this embodiment, the side sheet 12 and the waistband member 5 extending outward in the width direction W from the absorbent main body 2 become more easily integrated. In this embodiment, the non-skin-side waistband sheet (first sheet 111 and second sheet 112) and the side sheet 12 are all the same color, specifically pink.
[0055] The waist member 5 is provided with a waist stretchable region R110 that expands and contracts due to the waist elastic member 115, and a low stretchable region R120 adjacent to the waist stretchable region R110 in the width direction W, where the stretching force in the width direction W is lower than that of the waist stretchable region R110. The low stretchable region R120 is an area adjacent to the waist stretchable region R110 in the width direction W, and is an area where the waist elastic member 115 is not arranged, or an area where the waist elastic member 115 is arranged in a state in which it does not exert an elongation force. In this embodiment, the area where the discontinuous elastic member 115Y is arranged constitutes the waist stretchable region R110. In the area between the waist stretchable regions R110, the waist elastic member 115 is cut and not arranged in an extended state. This area between the waist stretchable regions R110 constitutes the low stretchable region. The low stretchable region R120 may be an area where the stretching force by the waist elastic member 115 is low, or it may be an area where it does not expand or contract due to the waist elastic member 115.
[0056] The low-stretch region R120 may be located in an area that overlaps with the absorbent body 2. According to this embodiment, contraction of the absorbent body in the width direction W can be suppressed, making it easier to align the front or rear end of the absorbent body 2. The low-stretch region R120 may be located in at least a part of the absorbent body 2, or it may be located throughout the entire width direction W of the absorbent body 2. Furthermore, the low-stretch region R120 may be located across the width direction center line WC.
[0057] The crotch stretch region R27 may be positioned at a distance from the region where the low stretch region R120 and the absorbent body 2 overlap. In the region where the low stretch region R120 and the absorbent body 2 overlap, the waist elastic member 115 and the crotch elastic member 27 are not positioned, resulting in a region with less contraction in the width direction W and in the front-to-back direction, making it easier to align the garment in that region.
[0058] Next, a modified example of the shorts-type sanitary napkin 1X will be described based on Figure 6. In the following description of the modified example, components similar to those in the above-described embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. The waistband member of the shorts-type sanitary napkin 1X includes a separation portion 51 that separates the annular waistband member into a first region R1 and a second region R2 spaced apart in the width direction, and a connecting portion 55 for connecting the separated first region R1 and the second region R2. The shorts-type sanitary napkin 1 is configured so that a part of the waistband member 5 can be separated, and the waistband opening 101 and the leg opening 102 can be partially opened to perform attachment and detachment operations. Figure 6(A) shows the state in which the waistband member 5 is not separated, and Figure 6(B) shows the state in which the waistband member is separated.
[0059] The shorts-type sanitary napkin 1X can be attached and detached as a regular pair of pants-type absorbent items with a pair of leg openings 102, or as a tape-type absorbent item by partially opening the waist opening 101 and leg openings 102, allowing for attachment and detachment without removing clothing such as trousers. When reconnecting the waist members at the connecting part after they have been separated, it is necessary to align the position of the shorts-type sanitary napkin in the width direction W. At this time, the position of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction W can be aligned with the crotch stretch area R27 as a reference, and the position of the leg area can be aligned with the side sheets 12, making it easy to align the position when attaching the item.
[0060] The separation sections 51 may be positioned on both sides of the center line WC in the width direction. The distance between one separation section 51 and the center line WC in the width direction may be different from the distance between the other separation section 51 and the center line WC in the width direction. The separation sections 51 may be positioned offset from the center line WC in the width direction. By making the positions of the separation sections 51 asymmetrical, it is not only easier to perform asymmetrical attachment operations, but even after tearing, the center of the panty-type napkin in the width direction can be aligned using the left and right side sheets 12 as a reference, making it easier to align the panty-type napkin 1X.
[0061] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the embodiments described above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way to the present invention.
[0062] 1, 1X: Shorts-type sanitary napkin 2: Absorbent main body 5: Waist member 10: Top sheet 12: Side sheet 20: Back sheet 27: Crotch elastic member 31: Absorbent core 32: Core wrap sheet 41: Side elastic member 42: Front and rear base ends 45: Central base end 51: Separation part 55: Connecting part 60: Side joint part 113: Skin-side waist sheet 115: Waist elastic member L: Front-to-back direction R10: Area where the top sheet is located R12: Area where the side sheets are located R27: Crotch stretch area R41: Side stretch area S1: Front waist area S2: Rear waist area S3: Crotch area T: Thickness direction T1: Skin side T2: Non-skin side W: Width direction
Claims
1. A panty-type sanitary napkin having an absorbent body with an absorbent core, and a waist member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent body, wherein the absorbent body has a top sheet that covers the skin side of the absorbent core and comes into contact with the wearer, and a pair of side sheets that cover the outer parts on both sides of the top sheet in the width direction, and a crotch stretchable region that stretches in the front-to-back direction by a crotch elastic member disposed on the non-skin side of the absorbent core in the center of the width direction of the absorbent body, the top sheet is disposed in the crotch stretchable region, and when viewed from the skin side of the panty-type sanitary napkin, the color of the region where the side sheets are disposed is different from the color of the region where the top sheet is disposed.
2. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein the color of the area where the top sheet is placed is white, and the color of the area where the side sheet is placed is colored.
3. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to claim 1, wherein the color of the area where the side sheet is placed is white, and the color of the area where the top sheet is placed is colored.
4. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side sheet has a side elastic member that stretches in the front-to-back direction joined to it, and has a side stretchable region that can stand upright on the skin side.
5. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to claim 4, wherein the side sheets are provided with front and rear base ends on both outer sides in the front-to-back direction of the side stretchable area, and at least one of the front and rear base ends is positioned in a region that overlaps with the absorbent core.
6. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to claim 4, wherein the side sheets are provided with front and rear base ends on both outer sides in the front-to-back direction of the side stretchable region, and the side sheets are provided with a central base end in the center of the side stretchable region in the front-to-back direction, and the central base end is located in a region that overlaps with the absorbent core.
7. The panty-type sanitary napkin according to claim 4, wherein, in the stretched state of the panty-type sanitary napkin, the length in the width direction of the crotch stretch region is longer than the length in the width direction of the side stretch region.
8. The panty-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the waistband member has a skin-side waistband sheet that covers the skin side of the outer end of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction, and the color of the area where the skin-side waistband sheet is placed is different from the color of the area where the top sheet is placed, which is located inward from the skin-side waistband sheet in the front-rear direction.
9. The panty-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, when viewed from the skin side of the panty-type sanitary napkin, the color of the waistband member positioned in the region extending outward in the width direction from the absorbent main body is the same color as the side sheet.
10. The shorts-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the absorbent core has an outer edge along the front-rear direction and a region of a constant length in the width direction of the absorbent core, and the region of a constant length extends from the center of the absorbent core in the front-rear direction outward in the front-rear direction and is continuous to the outer end of the absorbent core.
11. The panty-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the waist member comprises a separation portion that separates the annular waist member into a first region and a second region spaced apart in the width direction, and a connecting portion for connecting the separated first region and the second region.
12. The panty-type sanitary napkin according to claim 11, wherein the separating portions are arranged on both sides of the center of the panty-type sanitary napkin in the width direction, and the distance between one separating portion and the center of the panty-type sanitary napkin in the width direction is different from the distance between the other separating portion and the center of the panty-type sanitary napkin in the width direction.
13. The waistband member is provided with a waistband stretchable region that expands and contracts in the width direction and is stretched and contracted by waistband elastic members arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and a low-stretch region adjacent to the waistband stretchable region in the width direction and having a lower stretching force in the width direction than the waistband stretchable region, wherein the waistband stretchable region is arranged on both sides of the low-stretch region in the width direction, and the low-stretch region is arranged in a region that overlaps with the absorbent main body, the shorts-type sanitary napkin according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
14. The crotch stretch area is positioned at a distance from the area where the low-stretch area and the absorbent main body overlap, as described in claim 13.