Package and absorbent article

Abstract

This package includes a plurality of absorbent articles and a packaging body that accommodates the plurality of absorbent articles. Each absorbent article comprises a front region, a back region, and a crotch region. The back region has a plurality of elastic members that expand and contract in the width direction, and a first sheet to which the plurality of elastic members are joined. A plurality of cut parts that penetrate the first sheet are formed in the first sheet. The absorbent article is accommodated in the packaging body in a third folded state in which the absorbent article is folded once in the longitudinal direction and then further folded once in the longitudinal direction. An outer region that is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article in the third folded state is formed in the back region. The plurality of cut parts have a plurality of outer cut parts formed in the outer region.

Description

Package and absorbent article

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for a pant-type diaper including: an absorbent main body (crotch region) disposed at the crotch of a wearer; a ventral exterior member (ventral region) covering the ventral part of the wearer; and a dorsal exterior member (dorsal region) covering the dorsal part of the wearer. In this pant-type diaper, a plurality of through holes (cut sections) for improving air permeability are formed in the ventral region and the dorsal region.

[0003] International Publication No. 2017 / 175289

[0004] In the aforementioned pant-type diaper, for the purpose of reducing the mental burden on the user when changing the diaper, a pattern may be formed by a plurality of cut sections. However, for example, when taking out a pant-type diaper accommodated in a package, depending on the position of the cut sections, it may be difficult for the user to perceive the cut sections.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an absorbent article that allows a user to easily perceive cut sections, and a package that accommodates the absorbent article.

[0006] A package according to one embodiment includes at least one absorbent article and a packaging body for containing at least one absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article comprises a ventral region located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region positioned between the ventral and dorsal regions in the longitudinal direction, and at least one of the ventral and dorsal regions has at least one elastic member extending along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and expanding and contracting in the width direction, and at least one sheet to which the at least one elastic member is joined, and at least one sheet has at least one cut portion formed through at least one sheet, the absorbent article is contained in the packaging body in a folded state, folded once in the longitudinal direction and then folded at least once more in the longitudinal or width direction, and at least one of the ventral and dorsal regions has an outer region that is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article when folded, and at least one cut portion has at least one outer cut portion formed in the outer region.

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that allows the user to easily perceive the cut portion, and a package for containing the absorbent article.

[0008] This is a front view of a package according to one embodiment. This is a perspective view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment. This is a plan view of the absorbent article as seen from the skin side. This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the absorbent article along line IV-IV in Figure 3. (a) is a diagram showing a part of the back outer casing in an extended state before the cut portion is formed, (b) is a diagram showing a part of the back outer casing in an extended state after the cut portion is formed, and (c) is a diagram showing a part of the back outer casing in a contracted state after the cut portion is formed. (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the peripheral structure of the cut portion in the extended state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the peripheral structure of the cut portion in the contracted state. This is a diagram showing a part of the back outer casing in an extended state. This is a plan view of the absorbent article in Figure 2. This is a plan view showing the absorbent article in Figure 8 folded in the width direction. This is a plan view showing the absorbent article in Figure 9 folded in the longitudinal direction. This is a plan view showing a part of the outer region P in an extended state. This is a plan view showing a part of the outer region of the absorbent article according to the first modified example. This is a plan view showing the outer region of the absorbent article according to the second modified example. This is a plan view showing a portion of the outer region of the absorbent article according to the third modified example. This is a plan view showing a portion of the outer region of the absorbent article according to the fourth modified example.

[0009] The following aspects will become clear from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [1] A package comprising at least one absorbent article and a packaging body for containing the at least one absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article comprises a ventral region located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region positioned longitudinally between the ventral region and the dorsal region, wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has at least one elastic member extending along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and expanding and contracting in the width direction, and at least one sheet to which the at least one elastic member is joined, wherein at least one cut portion is formed in the at least one sheet penetrating the at least one sheet, wherein the absorbent article is contained in the packaging body in a folded state, having been folded once in the longitudinal direction and then folded at least once further in the longitudinal direction or the width direction, wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has an outer region that is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article in the folded state. The package wherein the at least one cut portion has at least one outer cut portion formed in the outer region.

[0011] In the above configuration, the outer cut portion is formed in an outer region that is visible from the outside of the absorbent article when it is folded. This allows the user to immediately notice the outer cut portion, for example, when removing the absorbent article from its packaging. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the cut portion provided on the absorbent article contained in the package can be easily perceived by the user.

[0012] [2] The package according to [1], wherein the at least one elastic member includes an overlapping elastic member that overlaps the outer cut portion in the longitudinal direction, and the overlapping elastic member is separated by the outer cut portion into a first portion located on one side of the outer cut portion in the width direction and a second portion located on the other side of the outer cut portion in the width direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, when the superimposed elastic member is in a contracted state, the first and second parts of the superimposed elastic member move apart from each other, causing the outer cut portion to be pulled on both sides in the width direction. As a result, wrinkles are formed on both sides in the width direction of the outer cut portion. This makes the cut portion more easily perceptible to the user.

[0014] [3] The package according to [2], wherein the outer cut portion is a notch, and one side and the other side of the outer cut portion in the width direction are separated from each other when the superimposed elastic member is in a contracted state.

[0015] According to the above configuration, when the superimposed elastic member is in a contracted state, an opening is formed between the two ends in the width direction of the outer cut portion. This makes it easier for the user to perceive the cut portion (outer cut portion).

[0016] [4] The package according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a plurality of first arranged cut portions arranged in the width direction, and the width interval, which is the distance between adjacent first arranged cut portions in the width direction among the plurality of first arranged cut portions, includes at least a first width interval and a second width interval different from the first width interval.

[0017] According to the above configuration, by providing multiple variations in the spacing (width spacing) between adjacent first array cut sections in the width direction, it is possible to enrich the variations of patterns formed by multiple outer cut sections and improve the design quality.

[0018] [5] The package according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a plurality of second arranged cut portions arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal interval, which is the interval between adjacent second arranged cut portions in the longitudinal direction among the plurality of second arranged cut portions, includes at least a first longitudinal interval and a second longitudinal interval different from the first longitudinal interval.

[0019] According to the above configuration, by providing multiple variations in the spacing (longitudinal spacing) between adjacent second-arrangement cut sections in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to enrich the variations of the pattern composed of multiple outer cut sections and improve the design quality.

[0020] [6] The package according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the at least one elastic member includes at least a first superimposed elastic member and a second superimposed elastic member arranged along the longitudinal direction, the at least one outer cut portion has at least one first superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the first superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction, and at least one second superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the second superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction, and the arrangement pattern of the at least one first superimposed cut portion is different from the arrangement pattern of the at least one second superimposed cut portion.

[0021] According to the above configuration, by varying the arrangement patterns of the multiple outer cut sections among the multiple elastic members, it is possible to enhance the variety of patterns formed by the multiple outer cut sections and improve the design quality.

[0022] [7] The package according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising an absorbent provided over at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region and the crotch region, wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent in the width direction.

[0023] In the folded state, the overlapping region that overlaps with the absorbent material in the width direction (i.e., the central region of the absorbent article in the width direction) is easily perceived from the outside. With the above configuration, since at least one outer cut portion is formed in a position that overlaps with the overlapping region, the outer cut portion can be more easily perceived by the user.

[0024] [8] The package according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the at least one cut portion has at least one inner cut portion that is not exposed to the outside of the absorbent article in the folded state.

[0025] With the above configuration, the user can perceive the outer cut portion when the product is folded, and the user can perceive the inner cut portion when the absorbent material is unfolded. This makes it easy for the user to perceive the cut portion not only when the product is folded, but also when it is unfolded.

[0026] [9] The package according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has a first pattern formed by the at least one cut portion and a second pattern formed by the portion other than the at least one cut portion, and the second pattern has a portion that overlaps with the first pattern in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the depth in the thickness direction created by the opening in the cut portion of the first design can be applied to the design expression composed of the second design. As a result, the first and second designs enable more complex design expressions, and can evoke a higher level of quality in the user.

[0028]

[10] The package according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has a first pattern formed by the at least one cut portion and a second pattern formed by the portion other than the at least one cut portion, and the first pattern and the second pattern are related to each other to form a third pattern that evokes a new concept different from the concept evoked by the first pattern and the concept evoked by the second pattern.

[0029] According to the above configuration, the combination of the first and second patterns enables more complex design expressions, allowing users to evoke a higher level of quality.

[0030]

[11] An absorbent article comprising: a ventral region located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn; a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn; and a crotch region positioned between the ventral region and the dorsal region in the longitudinal direction; configured to be folded once in the longitudinal direction and then folded at least once in the longitudinal direction or in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region having at least one elastic member extending along the width direction and expanding and contracting in the width direction, and at least one sheet to which the at least one elastic member is joined; at least one sheet has at least one cut portion that penetrates the at least one sheet; at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has an outer region that is exposed to the outside when folded; and the at least one cut portion has at least one outer cut portion formed in the outer region.

[0031] In the above configuration, the outer cut portion is formed in an outer region that is visible from the outside of the absorbent article when it is folded. This allows the user to notice the outer cut portion without unfolding the absorbent article. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the cut portion provided on the absorbent article can be easily perceived by the user when it is folded.

[0032] [Embodiments] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail 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 explanations will be omitted. The drawings may be simplified or exaggerated in part for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of package 100, which is an example of a package according to the embodiment, will be described. Figure 1 is a front view of package 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, package 100 includes a plurality of absorbent articles 1 and a packaging body 102 that houses the plurality of absorbent articles 1 in a folded state. As an example, the packaging body 102 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape when it houses the plurality of absorbent articles 1. The plurality of absorbent articles 1 are housed inside the packaging body 102 in a state folded in the longitudinal direction Y, which will be described later. In the example of Figure 1, the folded absorbent articles 1 are stacked in two layers, upper and lower, inside the packaging body 102. However, package 100 does not necessarily have to contain a plurality of absorbent articles 1, and may contain only one absorbent article 1.

[0034] (Structure of Absorbent Article) The overall structure of an absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent article 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as seen from the skin side Z1, and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the absorbent article 1 along the line IV-IV in Figure 3.

[0035] In the following description, "wearer" refers to the person wearing absorbent article 1. "Skin-facing side" refers to the side of absorbent article 1 that faces the wearer's skin when it is worn by the wearer (hereinafter referred to as "wearing state"). "Non-skin-facing side" refers to the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. The "user" of absorbent article 1 includes the wearer as described above, as well as assistants (caregivers / caregivers) who raise or care for the wearer, who is a child or a person requiring care.

[0036] As shown in Figure 2, as an example, the absorbent article 1 is a pant-type disposable diaper (pant-type absorbent article) that absorbs the wearer's urine and other excretions. Specifically, the absorbent article 1 has a waist opening H1 through which the wearer's torso passes, and a pair of leg openings H2 through which the wearer's legs pass. The absorbent article 1 is designed to be cut by tearing a pair of side seals 1s provided on both the left and right sides of the wearer.

[0037] Figures 3 and 4 show the absorbent article 1 in an extended state, where it has been cut along a pair of side seal portions 1s and stretched to a state where no wrinkles are formed. More specifically, the extended state is a hypothetical state assuming that none of the elastic members (multiple elastic members 24, multiple leg elastic members LE, and multiple elastic members 34) described later have contracted. For example, if the absorbent article 1 is simply stretched in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X, some of the elastic members 34 between the cut portions 50 (the first and second portions described later) will contract, causing each cut portion 50 to open as shown in Figure 2. In contrast, the extended state described above assumes a state in which such contraction force of the elastic members 34 that would normally occur does not act (i.e., a state in which there is no contraction force of any elastic members at all). For this reason, in Figure 3, which shows the extended state, each cut portion 50 is not open. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the shape and positional relationship of each part of the absorbent article 1 in the extended state will be described. Furthermore, the state in which all of the elastic members described later (multiple elastic members 24, multiple leg-around elastic members LE, and multiple elastic members 34) contract naturally without any external force being applied is called the contracted state.

[0038] The absorbent article 1 extends in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y when stretched. The width direction X is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and corresponds to the left-right direction of the wearer when worn. The longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the absorbent article 1 extends between the ventral and dorsal sides of the wearer when worn. The thickness direction Z is perpendicular to both the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. In the following description, one end of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction Y may be referred to as the ventral side, and the other end in the longitudinal direction Y may be referred to as the dorsal side.

[0039] The absorbent article 1 has a so-called three-piece configuration, comprising an absorbent main body 10 that covers the wearer's groin area, an abdominal outer body 20 that covers the wearer's abdominal side, and a dorsal outer body 30 that covers the wearer's back.

[0040] A pair of side seal portions 1s are provided at both end portions 20a in the width direction X of the ventral outer cover 20. A pair of side seal portions 1s are provided at both end portions 30a in the width direction X of the dorsal outer cover 30. In the absorbent article 1, the absorbent main body 10 is folded in two along the longitudinal direction Y such that the ventral outer cover 20 and the dorsal outer cover 30 face each other, and the side seal portion 1s of the ventral outer cover 20 and the side seal portion 1s of the dorsal outer cover 30 are welded, whereby both end portions 20a of the ventral outer cover 20 are respectively connected to both end portions 30a of the dorsal outer cover 30. Then, the ventral outer cover 20 and the dorsal outer cover 30 are connected in a belt shape. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article 1 provided with a waist opening H1 and leg openings H2 is formed.

[0041] The absorbent article 1 has a ventral region 1a, a crotch region 1c, and a dorsal region 1b arranged along the longitudinal direction Y. The ventral region 1a is positioned on the ventral side of a wearer in a worn state, the dorsal region 1b is positioned on the dorsal side of the wearer in the worn state, and the crotch region 1c is arranged between the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the ventral region 1a is defined as a portion included in the range from the ventral end 1d of the absorbent article 1 to the dorsal end of the side seal portion 1s of the ventral outer cover 20 in the stretched state. Similarly, the dorsal region 1b is defined as a portion included in the range from the dorsal end 1e of the absorbent article 1 to the ventral end of the side seal portion 1s of the dorsal outer cover 30 in the stretched state. Both ends in the width direction X of the ventral region 1a correspond to both end portions 20a of the ventral outer cover 20, and both ends in the width direction X of the dorsal region 1b correspond to both end portions 30a of the dorsal outer cover 30.

[0043] The absorbent main body 10 is provided across the ventral region 1a, the dorsal region 1b, and the crotch region 1c. The absorbent main body 10 is adhered to the ventral outer cover 20 and the dorsal outer cover 30 from the skin side Z1 by, for example, a hot-melt adhesive. The absorbent main body 10 has a substantially rectangular planar shape that is elongated in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorbent main body 10 includes a top sheet 11, a back sheet 12, and an absorbent body 13.

[0044] In a worn state, the top sheet 11 is positioned on the wearer's skin side Z1 and constitutes the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin. As an example, the top sheet 11 is formed of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric such as spunbonded nonwoven fabric, and covers the absorber 13 from the skin side Z1. Typically, the top sheet 11 is white and plain. The top sheet 11 is adhered to the surface of the skin side Z1 of the absorber 13, for example, by a hot-melt adhesive.

[0045] In a worn state, the back sheet 12 is a sheet positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the wearer. Specifically, the back sheet 12 is positioned on the opposite side to the top sheet 11 with the absorber 13 interposed therebetween. As an example, the back sheet 12 includes a liquid-impermeable (water-impermeable) back film 12a and a back nonwoven fabric 12b disposed on the non-skin side Z2 relative to the back film 12a. The back film 12a is adhered to the surface of the non-skin side Z2 of the absorber 13, for example, by a hot-melt adhesive.

[0046] The absorber 13 contains, for example, plant-derived pulp fibers and superabsorbent polymer (SAP), and has water absorbency. The absorber 13 is disposed between the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12, and absorbs the wearer's urine that has permeated through the top sheet 11. The absorber 13 is provided across at least one of the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b, as well as the crotch region 1c. In the present embodiment, the absorber 13 is provided across the ventral region 1a, the dorsal region 1b, and the crotch region 1c. As an example, the absorber 13 has an hourglass shape in which a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction Y is constricted in plan view. The absorber 13 may be covered with a liquid-permeable sheet such as tissue paper. The length of the absorber 13 in the longitudinal direction Y is smaller than the length of each of the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 in the longitudinal direction Y. Each of the top sheet 11 and the back sheet 12 extends outward of the absorber 13 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0047] The ventral outer casing 20 has a roughly rectangular planar shape that is elongated in the width direction X. The ventral outer casing 20 has a first sheet 21, a second sheet 22, a third sheet 23, and a plurality of (19 in this embodiment) elastic members 24. The ventral region 1a is composed of the first sheet 21, the second sheet 22, the third sheet 23, and the plurality of elastic members 24. As an example, each of the first sheet 21, the second sheet 22, and the third sheet 23 is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric such as spunbond nonwoven fabric.

[0048] The first sheet 21 is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the ventral end 10a of the absorbent body 10. The first sheet 21 is bonded to the non-skin side Z2 surface of the second sheet 22, for example, by a hot melt adhesive.

[0049] The second sheet 22 is positioned between the ventral end 10a and the first sheet 21. The second sheet 22 is bonded to the non-skin side Z2 of the back nonwoven fabric 12b, for example, by a hot melt adhesive.

[0050] The third sheet 23 is a cover sheet positioned on the skin-facing side Z1 of the ventral end 10a. The third sheet 23 has a roughly rectangular planar shape that is elongated in the width direction X. In plan view, the third sheet 23 has a smaller area than the respective areas of the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22, and is positioned in the approximate center of the ventral region 1a in the longitudinal direction Y. The third sheet 23 is bonded to the skin-facing side Z1 surface of the second sheet 22 and the skin-facing side Z1 surface of the surface sheet 11, for example, by hot melt adhesive. For example, by giving the third sheet 23 functions such as sweat absorption or a pleasant feel against the skin, the wearer's comfort can be improved.

[0051] Multiple elastic members 24 are sandwiched between the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 from the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2, and are bonded to the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 by, for example, a hot-melt adhesive. In the ventral region 1a, the multiple elastic members 24 extend along the width direction X and are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y, and expand and contract in the width direction X. As a result, the ventral outer casing 20 expands and contracts in the width direction X to fit the wearer's waist. The multiple elastic members 24 are made of, for example, a thread-like elastic material such as rubber or spandex. Alternatively, the multiple elastic members 24 may be fixed to the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 by ultrasonic bonding of the portions of each of the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 that sandwich the multiple elastic members 24.

[0052] The dorsal outer casing 30 has a shape that combines a roughly rectangular planar shape that is long in the width direction X in the dorsal region 1b and a roughly trapezoidal planar shape in the crotch region 1c. For example, the width of the dorsal outer casing 30 in the width direction X is constant in the dorsal region 1b and gradually narrows towards the ventral side in the crotch region 1c. The dorsal outer casing 30 has a first sheet 31, a second sheet 32, a third sheet 33, and a plurality of (19 in this embodiment) elastic members 34. The dorsal region 1b is composed of the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, the third sheet 33, and the plurality of elastic members 34. For example, each of the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33 is made of a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric such as spunbond nonwoven fabric. The first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33 constitute a plurality of sheets.

[0053] The first sheet 31 is positioned on the non-skin side Z2 of the dorsal end 10b of the absorbent body 10. The first sheet 31 is bonded to the non-skin side Z2 surface of the second sheet 32, for example, by a hot melt adhesive. The first sheet 31 has the same planar shape as the dorsal outer casing 30.

[0054] The second sheet 32 ​​is positioned between the back end 10b and the first sheet 31. The second sheet 32 ​​is bonded to the non-skin side Z2 of the back nonwoven fabric 12b, for example, by a hot melt adhesive. The second sheet 32 ​​has the same planar shape as the back outer casing 30.

[0055] The third sheet 33 is a cover sheet positioned on the skin side Z1 of the back end 10b. The third sheet 33 has a roughly rectangular planar shape that is long in the width direction X. In plan view, the third sheet 33 has a smaller area than the respective areas of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32, and is positioned in the approximate center of the back region 1b in the longitudinal direction Y. The third sheet 33 is bonded to the skin side Z1 surface of the second sheet 32 ​​and the skin side Z1 surface of the surface sheet 11, for example, by a hot melt adhesive. For example, the comfort of the wearer can be improved by giving the third sheet 33 functions such as sweat absorption or a pleasant feel against the skin. In this embodiment, the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the back third sheet 33 is longer than the length in the longitudinal direction Y of the ventral third sheet 23.

[0056] Multiple (19 in this embodiment) elastic members 34 are sandwiched between the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​from the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2, and are bonded to the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​by, for example, a hot-melt adhesive. The multiple elastic members 34 extend along the width direction X and are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y in the back region 1b, and expand and contract in the width direction X. As a result, the back outer casing 30 expands and contracts in the width direction X to fit the wearer's waist. The multiple elastic members 34 are made of, for example, a thread-like elastic material such as rubber or spandex. Alternatively, the multiple elastic members 34 may be fixed to the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​by ultrasonic bonding of the portions of each of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​that sandwich the multiple elastic members 34.

[0057] The dorsal outer casing 30 further comprises a plurality (three in this embodiment) of leg-circumference elastic members LE. The plurality of leg-circumference elastic members LE extend along the width direction X and are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y, and expand and contract in the width direction X. Each leg-circumference elastic member LE includes a portion that extends in a curved shape along the edge of each dorsal portion of a pair of leg openings H2. The plurality of leg-circumference elastic members LE expand and contract in the width direction X to fit around the wearer's legs. The plurality of leg-circumference elastic members LE are made of a thread-like elastic material such as rubber or spandex.

[0058] In the dorsal region 1b, a high-rigidity region HR and two low-rigidity regions LR with less rigidity than the high-rigidity region HR are formed. In this embodiment, the high-rigidity region HR is composed of a first sheet 31, a second sheet 32, and a third sheet 33, and each low-rigidity region LR is composed of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. The high-rigidity region HR is the region that overlaps with the third sheet 33 in the thickness direction Z. The outer edge of the high-rigidity region HR coincides with the outer edge of the third sheet 33 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. One low-rigidity region LR is positioned ventrally relative to the high-rigidity region HR, and the other low-rigidity region LR is positioned dorsally relative to the high-rigidity region HR.

[0059] For example, the first sheet 21, the second sheet 22, the first sheet 31, and the second sheet 32 ​​are plain white, while the third sheet 23 and the third sheet 33 are colored in a color different from white. For example, the third sheet 23 and the third sheet 33 are plain light blue. For example, in addition to the color represented as "N9.5" in the Munsell color system or "255,255,255" in the RGB color space (so-called pure white), colors with a color difference of less than 12 from pure white are also included in the definition of white. For measuring the color difference of white, for example, a Konica Minolta CR-400 can be used as a color difference meter, and a C light source (International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standard) can be used as the light source of the measuring instrument. In this case, the diameter of the measuring window of the measuring instrument is 40 mm. The color difference ΔE is (L) relative to the white reference plate. ＊ a ＊ b ＊ΔE is the square root of the sum of the squares of ΔL, Δa, and Δb in the color space. The color difference relative to a white reference plate can be calculated by measuring the Lab values ​​of the white reference plate and the Lab values ​​of the target sample, respectively. The white reference plate is set to Lab0 at (X93.19, Y95.20, Z112.28). Here, L is a value that indicates brightness, and a and b are the planar coordinates of chromaticity. If the Lab values ​​of the white reference plate are L0, a0, and b0, and the Lab values ​​of the target sample are L1, a1, and b1, then ΔL = L0 - L1, Δa = a0 - a1, and Δb = b0 - b1 are calculated. The color difference ΔE is (ΔL ２ +Δa ２ +Δb ２ ) １／２ This is how it is calculated. "A color different from white" means that the color difference ΔE between it and the aforementioned pure white is greater than 12. The color difference ΔE may also be 13 or greater. In this case, the user can recognize the difference in color more reliably.

[0060] (Overview of Cut Sections and Cut Elastic Members) As shown in Figures 2 and 3, at least one of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​in the dorsal region 1b has a plurality of cut sections 50 (46 in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the plurality of cut sections 50 are formed to penetrate all of the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33. The plurality of cut sections 50 are arranged along the width direction X. In the manufacture of the absorbent article 1, the plurality of cut sections 50 cut a plurality of elastic members 34 (four in this embodiment) that are included in the plurality of elastic members 34. Hereafter, an elastic member 34 that includes a portion cut by at least one of the plurality of elastic members 34 will be referred to as a cut elastic member 40.

[0061] Multiple cutting elastic members 40 are arranged in the high-rigidity region HR. That is, in this embodiment, multiple cutting portions 50 are formed in the high-rigidity region HR, while not formed in the low-rigidity region LR. Multiple cutting elastic members 40 have a first elastic member 41, a second elastic member 42, a third elastic member 43, and a fourth elastic member 44 arranged in order from the ventral side along the longitudinal direction Y. The first elastic member 41 is located inward (ventral side) among the multiple cutting elastic members 40, and the fourth elastic member 44 is located outward (dorsal side) among the multiple cutting elastic members 40. The second elastic member 42 is adjacent to each of the first elastic member 41 and the third elastic member 43 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the third elastic member 43 is adjacent to each of the second elastic member 42 and the fourth elastic member 44 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0062] The multiple cutting sections 50 include a plurality (seven in this embodiment) of first cutting sections 51, a plurality (sixteen in this embodiment) of second cutting sections 52, a plurality (fifteen in this embodiment) of third cutting sections 53, and a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of fourth cutting sections 54. The plurality of first cutting sections 51, a plurality of second cutting sections 52, a plurality of third cutting sections 53, and a plurality of fourth cutting sections 54 cut through the first elastic member 41, a second elastic member 42, a third elastic member 43, and a fourth elastic member 44, respectively. The third cutting section 53 is located inward of the fourth cutting section 54 in the longitudinal direction Y, the second cutting section 52 is located inward of the third cutting section 53 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the first cutting section 51 is located inward of the second cutting section 52 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0063] The process of forming the cut portion 50 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5(a) shows a part of the dorsal outer casing 30 in an extended state before the cut portion 50 is formed, Figure 5(b) shows a part of the dorsal outer casing 30 in an extended state after the cut portion 50 is formed, and Figure 5(c) shows a part of the dorsal outer casing 30 in a contracted state after the cut portion 50 is formed. Figure 5 focuses on one first cut portion 51, but the other first cut portions 51, each second cut portion 52, each third cut portion 53, and each fourth cut portion 54 are formed in the same manner.

[0064] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the first elastic member 41 is cut by forming a first cutting portion 51 with a cutter or the like at a position overlapping the first elastic member 41 in the longitudinal direction Y. As shown in Figure 5(c), the first elastic member 41 is separated into a first portion 41a and a second portion 41b by the first cutting portion 51. In this embodiment, the first elastic member 41 is cut by seven first cutting portions 51. Focusing on one first cutting portion 51, the first elastic member 41 is separated into a first portion 41a and a second portion 41b in the width direction X by the first cutting portion 51. In this embodiment, when viewing the first elastic member 41 from the skin side Z1, the first portion 41a is the portion separated to the right of the first cutting portion 51, and the second portion 41b is the portion separated to the left of the first cutting portion 51. The first portion 41a and the second portion 41b correspond to parts of the first elastic member 41 and have a certain width. Furthermore, when considering a certain first cut portion 51, the first portion 41a may correspond to the second portion 41b of a first cut portion 51 adjacent to the right side of that first cut portion 51. Similarly, when considering a certain first cut portion 51, the second portion 41b may correspond to the first portion 41a of a first cut portion 51 adjacent to the left side of that first cut portion 51.

[0065] In the contracted state, the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b contract in the width direction X, pulling the first cut portion 51 on both sides in the width direction X, thereby widening the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. As a result, the first cut portion 51 has a substantially rhomboid shape in both the contracted state and the worn state, as shown in Figures 2 and 5(c). As a result of the opening of the first cut portion 51, a part of the pulled sheet (the third sheet 33 in the example of Figure 5(c)) bulges, and a plurality of wrinkles WR may be formed around the first cut portion 51. In the extended state, the first cut portion 51 is formed in a slit shape as shown in Figure 3 (i.e., the shape immediately after the first cut portion 51 in Figure 5(b) is formed and before the first cut portion 51 widens in the width direction X due to the contraction of the first elastic member 41 (first portion 41a and second portion 41b)).

[0066] As shown in Figure 3, each first cut portion 51 is positioned so as to overlap with the first elastic member 41 in the longitudinal direction Y, but not with the elastic member 34 adjacent to the first elastic member 41 on the ventral side, and not with the elastic member 34 (second elastic member 42) adjacent to the first elastic member 41 on the dorsal side, in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, each first cut portion 51 is formed to traverse only the first elastic member 41, but not with the elastic member 34 adjacent to the first elastic member 41 in the longitudinal direction Y. Similarly, each second cut portion 52 is positioned so as to overlap with the second elastic member 42 in the longitudinal direction Y, but not with the elastic member 34 adjacent to the second elastic member 42 in the longitudinal direction Y. Each third cut portion 53 is positioned so as to overlap with the third elastic member 43 in the longitudinal direction Y, but not with the elastic member 34 adjacent to the third elastic member 43 in the longitudinal direction Y. Each fourth cutting portion 54 is positioned so as to overlap with the fourth elastic member 44 in the longitudinal direction Y, but not with the elastic member 34 adjacent to the fourth elastic member 44 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0067] Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing the surrounding structure of the cut portion 50 in the extended state, and Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view showing the surrounding structure of the cut portion 50 in the contracted state. Although Figure 6 focuses on one first cut portion 51, the surrounding structures of the other first cut portions 51, each second cut portion 52, each third cut portion 53, and each fourth cut portion 54 are similar.

[0068] As shown in Figure 6(a), even if the first elastic member 41 is bonded to the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​by, for example, a hot-melt adhesive, at the time of cutting (when the first cut portion 51 shown in Figure 5(b) is formed), a force (stronger than the adhesive force) acts instantaneously to cause the cut ends to move in opposite directions to each other. As a result, the respective ends 41a1 and 41b1 of the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b are moved and fixed to a position slightly shifted in the width direction X from their positions before cutting. Therefore, in the stretched state, the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b are separated by the first cut portion 51 and also separated from the first cut portion 51 when viewed from the thickness direction Z (see also Figure 5(c)).

[0069] As shown in Figure 6(b), the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b shrink together with the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32, to which the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b are directly bonded, when they are in a contracted state. Since the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b are bonded to the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32, the contraction force of the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b acts directly on the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. On the other hand, since the second sheet 32 ​​is interposed between the third sheet 33 and each of the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b, the contraction force of the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b acts indirectly on the third sheet via the second sheet 32. As a result, the degree of contraction of the third sheet 33 is smaller than the degree of contraction of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. Consequently, the exposed portion 33a, which is part of the third sheet 33, becomes visible from the non-skin side Z2 when it is in a contracted state. Details of the exposed portion 33a will be described later.

[0070] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b of the first elastic member 41 are separated from the first cut portion 51. In the examples of Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b are separated from a virtual line K1 that passes through the first open end 51c of the first cut portion 51 (the open end on the non-skin side Z2) and is parallel to the thickness direction Z, and are separated from a virtual line K2 that passes through the second open end 51d of the first cut portion 51 (the open end on the skin side Z1) and is parallel to the thickness direction Z.

[0071] In the absorbent article 1, when worn, the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b contract in the width direction X, pulling the first cut portion 51 on both sides in the width direction X, thereby expanding the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. Similarly, the second cut portion 52, the third cut portion 53, and the fourth cut portion 54 are also expanded in the width direction X. As a result, the breathability of the absorbent article 1 when worn can be improved.

[0072] (Details of the cut section) The details of the cut section 50 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a diagram showing a part of the dorsal outer casing 30 in an extended state. Figure 7 focuses on one first cut section 51, but the same applies to the other first cut sections 51, each second cut section 52, each third cut section 53, and each fourth cut section 54. In the following explanation, the end of the first section 41a closest to the first cut section 51 in the width direction X will be referred to as end 41a1, and the end of the second section 41b closest to the first cut section 51 in the width direction X will be referred to as end 41b1.

[0073] Each of the multiple cut portions 50 is a slit inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. For example, the inclination angle θ of the cut portion 50 with respect to the longitudinal direction Y (see Figure 7) is 5°. The length L1 of the first cut portion 51 in the longitudinal direction Y is greater than the width W1 of the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. The first cut portion 51 is formed to penetrate both the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. In this embodiment, the first cut portion 51 penetrates all of the sheets, including the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33. In other words, the first cut portion 51 penetrates the entire back region 1b (back outer casing 30) in the thickness direction Z. Note that the multiple cut portions 50 do not necessarily have to penetrate all of the sheets, including the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33. The multiple cut portions 50 may penetrate only one of the first sheet 31, the second sheet 32, and the third sheet 33. In other words, the multiple cut sections 50 only need to penetrate at least one sheet.

[0074] As shown in Figure 3, regions R1 to R5 are defined by dividing the dorsal region 1b into five equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y. Regions R1 to R5 are arranged in order from the dorsal side along the longitudinal direction Y. Region R1 is located on the outermost side of regions R1 to R5 (opposite the side of the crotch region 1c). Region R5 is located on the innermost side of regions R1 to R5 (on the side of the crotch region 1c). The multiple cut portions 50 are located in the longitudinal direction Y, inside region R1 and outside the absorber 13. In other words, the elastic member 34 located in region R1 is not cut. In this embodiment, the multiple cut portions 50 are located outside the absorbent body 10 in the longitudinal direction Y and are formed in regions R2 and R3.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3, the dorsal region 1b has a pattern PT1 (first pattern) formed by a plurality of cut portions 50 and a pattern PT2 (second pattern) formed by the portion other than the cut portions 50. In this embodiment, pattern PT1 includes a plurality (four in this embodiment) of pattern PT1a and a plurality (three in this embodiment) of pattern PT1b. For example, pattern PT1a includes a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of cut portions 50. For example, when a virtual line with the smallest area surrounding these cut portions 50 is drawn, the virtual line is formed in a pentagonal shape. Pattern PT1a is shaped to resemble, for example, a pentagonal diamond. Also, as an example, pattern PT1b includes a plurality (four in this embodiment) of cut portions 50. When a virtual line with the smallest area surrounding these cut portions 50 is drawn, the virtual line is formed in a rhombus shape. The design PT1b is shaped to resemble, for example, a rhombus-shaped diamond. The design PT2 is formed by the color of the third sheet 33. As mentioned above, the third sheet 33 is colored with a color other than white, for example. For example, the third sheet 33 is plain and light blue.

[0076] The cut portion 50 penetrates the entire back region 1b in the thickness direction Z. Therefore, the cut portion 50 is visible from both the skin side Z1 and the non-skin side Z2 of the back region 1b. In other words, the pattern PT1 is visible from both the skin side Z1 and the non-skin side Z2 of the back region 1b. Furthermore, the color of the third sheet 33 constituting the pattern PT2 is visible from the skin side Z1 of the back region 1b, and is also visible from the non-skin side Z2 of the back region 1b by being transparent to the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. Therefore, the pattern PT2 is visible from both the skin side Z1 and the non-skin side Z2 of the back region 1b, similar to the pattern PT1.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3, the third sheet 33 overlaps with the pattern PT1 formed by the cut portion 50. Therefore, the pattern PT2 (second pattern) formed by the color of the third sheet 33 has a portion that overlaps with the pattern PT1 (first pattern) in the thickness direction Z. With this configuration, the depth in the thickness direction Z caused by the opening of the cut portion 50 of the pattern PT1 can be applied to the design expression composed of the pattern PT2 (in this embodiment, a design expression including a plain light blue color). As a result, a more complex design expression becomes possible with the pattern PT1 and pattern PT2, and a higher quality feeling can be evoked in the user. Note that the back region 1b does not have to have the pattern PT2, and may have only the pattern PT1. The pattern PT1 does not have to be formed by multiple cut portions 50, and may be formed by one cut portion 50. In this case, the cut portion 50 of the design PT1 may be formed in the shape of a heart, for example, by an opening created when a portion with a certain area is cut by punching.

[0078] (Details of the exposed portion) The details of the exposed portion 33a of the third sheet 33 will be described with reference to Figures 6(a) and 6(b). The first cut portion 51 has a first open end 51c located on one side (non-skin side Z2) in the thickness direction Z, and a second open end 51d located on the other side (skin side Z1) in the thickness direction Z and overlapping with the first open end 51c along the thickness direction Z. In this embodiment, the first open end 51c is formed on the first sheet 31, and the second open end 51d is formed on the third sheet 33. When viewed from the direction in which the first open end 51c and the second open end 51d overlap (thickness direction Z), the first open end 51c is larger than the second open end 51d in the contracted state (state in Figure 6(b)). The first open end 51c may be about the same size as the second open end 51d in the extended state (state in Figure 6(a)).

[0079] The third sheet 33, on which the second open end 51d is formed, has an exposed portion 33a located inside the first open end 51c when viewed from the thickness direction Z in the contracted state (state shown in Figure 6(b)). The exposed portion 33a is the part of the third sheet 33 that extends along the outer edge of the second open end 51d.

[0080] (Details of the outer region and outer section)

[0081] The folded state of the absorbent article 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 2. Figure 9 is a plan view showing the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 8 folded in the width direction X. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the absorbent article 1 shown in Figure 9 folded in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0082] Figure 8 shows the first folded state in which the absorbent article 1 is folded once in the longitudinal direction Y along the transverse fold line HL1 described later. Figure 9 shows the second folded state in which the absorbent article 1 in the first folded state is folded in the width direction X along the pair of vertical fold lines VL described later. The second folded state corresponds to a folded state in which the article is folded once in the longitudinal direction Y along the transverse fold line HL1 and then folded at least once more in the width direction X. In the example of Figure 9, the second folded state is a state in which the article is folded twice in the width direction X along the pair of vertical fold lines VL from the first folded state. Figure 10 shows the third folded state in which the absorbent article 1 in the second folded state is folded further in the longitudinal direction Y along the transverse fold line HL2 described later. In the example shown in Figure 10, the third folded state corresponds to a state in which the absorbent article 1 is folded once along the transverse fold line HL1 in the longitudinal direction Y, and then folded at least once more in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorbent article 1 is housed in the packaging 102 in the third folded state. In this embodiment, the third folded state is an example of a predetermined folded state before being housed in the packaging 102. A "predetermined folded state" is, for example, a state in which the absorbent article 1 is folded according to a predetermined folding method set by the producer of the package 100 in order to house multiple absorbent articles 1 in the package 100. The absorbent article 1 in the first folded state, the second folded state, and the third folded state is all in a contracted state. Figures 8 to 10 show the absorbent article 1 in a flat position.

[0083] As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the absorbent article 1 has, for example, a plurality of transverse fold lines HL extending in the width direction X (three in this embodiment) and a plurality of longitudinal fold lines VL extending in the longitudinal direction Y (two in this embodiment). The plurality of transverse fold lines HL include one transverse fold line HL1 and a pair of transverse fold lines HL2. In the example of Figure 3, the transverse fold line HL1 is formed on the absorbent body 10 and is located in the center of the absorbent article 1 in the longitudinal direction Y. These fold lines are the parts where creases are formed by folding the absorbent article 1 according to a predetermined folding method as described above.

[0084] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, the pair of transverse fold lines HL2 include transverse fold line HL2a and transverse fold line HL2b. Transverse fold line HL2a is formed, for example, in the ventral region 1a, and transverse fold line HL2b is formed in the dorsal region 1b. In the example of Figure 3, transverse fold line HL2a is formed near the ventral end 13a of the absorbent 13, and transverse fold line HL2b is formed near the dorsal end 13b of the absorbent 13. In the first folded state shown in Figure 8, the pair of transverse fold lines HL2 overlap when viewed from the direction in which the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b are facing each other. As shown in Figure 3, the pair of longitudinal fold lines VL are arranged to face each other across the absorbent 13 in the width direction X.

[0085] Referring to Figures 3 and 8 to 10, the procedure for bringing the absorbent article 1 to the third folded state will be explained. First, the absorbent article 1 is moved from the unfolded state shown in Figure 3 to the first folded state shown in Figure 8. In the first folded state, the absorbent main body 10 is folded in half along the longitudinal direction Y so that the ventral outer casing 20 and the dorsal outer casing 30 face each other along the transverse fold line HL1, and the side seal portion 1s of the ventral outer casing 20 and the side seal portion 1s of the dorsal outer casing 30 are welded together. Hereinafter, in the first folded state, the direction in which the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b of the absorbent article 1 face each other will be referred to as the "facing direction". Furthermore, in the facing direction, the side where the ventral region 1a is located will be defined as the "first side", and the side opposite to the first side will be defined as the "second side". The longitudinal direction Y' will be defined as the direction perpendicular to the width direction X and the facing direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, when the absorbent article 1 is folded flat, the opposing direction approximately coincides with the thickness direction Z, and the longitudinal direction Y' approximately coincides with the longitudinal direction Y.

[0086] Next, the absorbent article 1 is folded from the first folded state shown in Figure 8 to the second folded state shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 8, a pair of portions 1f on both sides in the width direction X of the absorbent article 1 are folded in the width direction X along a pair of vertical fold lines VL. The pair of portions 1f are, for example, portions located outside the vertical fold lines VL in the width direction X. The pair of portions 1f are folded along the pair of vertical fold lines VL toward the first side in the opposing direction (the far side of the page in Figure 8).

[0087] Next, the absorbent article 1 is folded from the second folded state shown in Figure 9 to the third folded state shown in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 9, the portion 1g of the absorbent article 1, including the crotch area 1c, is folded in the longitudinal direction Y' along a pair of overlapping transverse fold lines HL2 in opposing directions. The portion 1g is the portion located between transverse fold lines HL1 and HL2 in the first folded state. The portion 1g is folded along the pair of transverse fold lines HL2 toward the first side in opposing directions (the far side of the page in Figure 9). Through this procedure, the absorbent article 1 is placed in the third folded state and housed in the packaging 102.

[0088] As shown in Figure 10, the dorsal region 1b has an outer region P. That is, in the third folded state, the dorsal region 1b has an outer region P that is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article 1. The outer region P is visible from the outside of the absorbent article 1 in the third folded state. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the outer region P is defined as the portion in the extended state that is between the dorsal end 1e of the absorbent article 1 and the transverse fold line HL2b, and that is included in the portion between the pair of longitudinal fold lines VL.

[0089] As shown in Figure 10, the outer region P has a plurality of (34 in this embodiment) outer cut sections 60. The outer cut sections 60 are cut sections formed in the outer region P from among the plurality of cut sections 50. That is, the plurality of cut sections 50 have a plurality of outer cut sections 60. The outer cut section 60 includes a plurality of (5 in this embodiment) cut sections 61, a plurality of (12 in this embodiment) cut sections 62, a plurality of (11 in this embodiment) cut sections 63, and a plurality of (6 in this embodiment) cut sections 64. The cut section 61 is a cut section formed in the outer region P from among the plurality of first cut sections 51. The cut section 62 is a cut section formed in the outer region P from among the plurality of second cut sections 52. The cut section 63 is a cut section formed in the outer region P from among the plurality of third cut sections 53. The cut section 64 is a cut section formed in the outer region P from among the plurality of fourth cut sections 54.

[0090] In the above configuration, the outer cut portion 60 is formed in an outer region P that is visible from the outside of the absorbent article 1 in the third folded state (folded state). As a result, the user can immediately notice the outer cut portion 60 when, for example, removing the absorbent article 1 from the packaging 102. Therefore, with the above configuration, the outer cut portion 60 (cut portion 50) provided on the absorbent article 1 housed in the package 100 can be easily perceived by the user.

[0091] As shown in Figure 10, the outer cut portion 60 overlaps with a superimposed elastic member that includes a first elastic member 41, a second elastic member 42, a third elastic member 43, and a fourth elastic member 44. That is, the multiple elastic members 34 include a superimposed elastic member that overlaps with the outer cut portion 60 in the longitudinal direction Y. The superimposed elastic member is separated by the outer cut portion 60 into a first portion located on one side of the outer cut portion 60 in the width direction X and a second portion located on the other side of the outer cut portion 60 in the width direction X. As an example, as shown in Figure 5(c), the first elastic member 41, which is a superimposed elastic member, is separated by the first cut portion 51, which is the outer cut portion 60, into a first portion 41a located on one side of the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X and a second portion 41b located on the other side of the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. According to the above configuration, when the first elastic member 41 (superimposed elastic member) is in a contracted state, the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b move away from each other, causing the first cut portion 51 (outer cut portion 60) to be pulled on both sides in the width direction X. As a result, wrinkles WR are formed on both sides of the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. This makes the first cut portion 51 more easily perceptible to the user. The second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44 have the same configuration as the first elastic member 41 and produce the same effect.

[0092] Furthermore, the outer cut portion 60 does not have to overlap with all of the first elastic member 41, the second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44; it may overlap with only one of these elastic members. Also, the outer cut portion 60 does not have to overlap with any of the first elastic member 41, the second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44. The outer cut portion 60 may overlap with an elastic member 34 other than the first elastic member 41, the second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44. Alternatively, the outer cut portion 60 does not have to overlap with any of the elastic members 34. In other words, the multiple elastic members 34 do not have to include superimposed elastic members.

[0093] As shown in Figure 10, one side and the other side of the outer cut portion 60 in the width direction X are separated from each other when the superimposed elastic members (including the first elastic member 41, the second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44) are in a contracted state. As shown in Figure 5(b), the cut portion 50, which is the outer cut portion 60, is a notch. Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 5(c), the first cut portion 51 (cut portion 61) that cuts the first elastic member 41 will be described in detail as an example among the multiple outer cut portions 60. Among the multiple outer cut portions 60, the cut portions 62, 63, and 64 have the same configuration as the first cut portion 51, so their description will be omitted. As shown in Figure 5(c), the first cut portion 51 has one end 51a in the width direction X and the other end 51b in the width direction X, and the end 51a and the end 51b are separated from each other when in a contracted state. In this example, the ends 51a and 51b are spaced apart in the width direction X across the entire length Y of the first cut portion 51. With this configuration, when the first elastic member 41 (superimposed elastic member) is in a contracted state, an opening is formed between the ends 51a and 51b on both sides of the first cut portion 51 in the width direction X. This makes it easier for the user to perceive the first cut portion 51 (outer cut portion 60).

[0094] Furthermore, in the width direction X of the outer cut portion 60, one side and the other side do not have to be separated from each other when the superimposed elastic member is contracted, but may be in contact with each other. In other words, an opening does not have to be formed between the two ends of the outer cut portion 60 in the width direction X.

[0095] Each of the multiple outer cutting sections 60 has a plurality of first arranged cutting sections arranged in the width direction X, and the width spacing, which is the distance between adjacent first arranged cutting sections in the width direction X, includes at least a first width spacing and a second width spacing that is different from the first width spacing.

[0096] Figure 11 is a plan view showing a part of the outer region P in the extended state. Figure 11 is an enlarged plan view of the portion including the outer cut portion 60. In this embodiment, the cut portion 64 corresponds to the first arranged cut portion. As shown in Figure 11, the multiple cut portions 64 are arranged along the width direction X. The width spacing D4, which is the distance between adjacent cut portions 64 in the width direction X, includes at least a width spacing D4a (first width spacing) and a width spacing D4b (second width spacing) which is different from the width spacing D4a. Here, "width spacing" is the distance in the width direction X between the intersection points where each outer cut portion and the elastic member intersect, which are arranged spaced apart in the width direction X. "Intersection point where each outer cut portion and the elastic member intersect" means the point where, when the elastic member is separated into a first portion and a second portion by each outer cut portion, the straight line connecting the first portion and the second portion intersects with each cut portion. As an example, the "intersection point where each outer cut portion intersects with the elastic member" is the point where, as shown in Figure 7, when the first elastic member 41 is separated into a first portion 41a and a second portion 41b by the first cut portion 51, the straight line connecting the first portion 41a and the second portion 41b intersects with the first cut portion 51 when viewed from the thickness direction Z. In the example of Figure 11, the width spacing D4a is longer than the width spacing D4b. The multiple outer cut portions 60 are arranged so that the width spacing D4a and the width spacing D4b are alternately repeated. Note that the width spacing D4 may include width spacings different from width spacing D4a and width spacing D4b. The width spacing D4a may be shorter than the width spacing D4b.

[0097] According to the above configuration, by providing multiple variations in the spacing (width spacing) between adjacent cutting sections 64 (first arrangement cutting sections) in the width direction X, it is possible to enhance the variety of patterns formed by the multiple outer cutting sections 60 and improve the design quality.

[0098] The plurality of elastic members 34 include at least a first superimposed elastic member and a second superimposed elastic member arranged along the longitudinal direction Y, and at least one outer cut portion has at least one first superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the first superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction Y, and at least one second superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the second superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction Y, and the arrangement pattern of at least one first superimposed cut portion is different from the arrangement pattern of at least one second superimposed cut portion.

[0099] As an example, as shown in Figure 11, the arrangement pattern of the multiple cut sections 63 (first superimposed cut sections) is different from the arrangement pattern of the multiple cut sections 64 (second superimposed cut sections). In this case, the third elastic member 43 corresponds to the first superimposed elastic member, and the fourth elastic member 44 corresponds to the second superimposed elastic member. In the example of Figure 11, the multiple cut sections 63 are arranged in an arrangement pattern that repeats only a constant width interval D3, for example. Also, as described above, the multiple cut sections 64 are arranged in an arrangement pattern that alternately repeats width intervals D4a and width intervals D4b. In the example of Figure 11, width interval D4b is equal to width interval D3. Note that width interval D4b may be different from width interval D3.

[0100] With the above configuration, by varying the arrangement pattern of the multiple outer cut portions 60 between the multiple elastic members 34 (at least between the third elastic member 43 and the fourth elastic member 44 in the above example), it is possible to enhance the variety of patterns formed by the multiple outer cut portions 60 and improve the design quality. When focusing on a single superimposed elastic member, the "arrangement pattern of the superimposed cut portions" for that superimposed elastic member includes patterns with spacing (width spacing) between multiple superimposed cut portions, as in the above example, as well as patterns without spacing (i.e., patterns when there is only one superimposed cut portion).

[0101] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the arrangement pattern of the multiple cut portions 61 that overlap with the first elastic member 41 is different from the arrangement pattern of the multiple cut portions 62 that overlap with the second elastic member 42. The multiple cut portions 61 are arranged in an arrangement pattern that repeats only a constant width interval D1. The multiple cut portions 62 are arranged in an arrangement pattern that repeats only a constant width interval D2 that is different from the width interval D1. The width interval D2 is, for example, smaller than the width interval D1. Note that the width interval D2 may be larger than the width interval D1. In the above configuration, the arrangement patterns of the cut portions 61 and cut portions 62 differ in that their width intervals are different from each other.

[0102] Here, as shown in Figure 11, the multiple cutting sections 61 are arranged so as to overlap with parts of the multiple cutting sections 63 in the width direction X. When multiple (five in the example of Figure 11) virtual lines YL2, YL4, YL6, YL8, YL10 are defined that pass through each of the multiple (five in the example of Figure 11) cutting sections 63 and extend along the longitudinal direction Y, the cutting sections 61 overlap with these virtual lines, respectively. That is, on each virtual line YL2, YL4, YL6, YL8, YL10, one cutting section 61 and one cutting section 63 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0103] The multiple cutting sections 64 are arranged so as to overlap with parts of the multiple cutting sections 62 in the width direction X. When multiple (six in the example of Figure 11) virtual lines YL1, YL3, YL5, YL7, YL9, YL11 are defined that pass through each of the multiple (six in the example of Figure 11) cutting sections 62 and extend along the longitudinal direction Y, the cutting sections 64 overlap with these virtual lines, respectively. That is, on each virtual line YL1, YL3, YL5, YL7, YL9, YL11, one cutting section 62 and one cutting section 64 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0104] As shown in Figure 3, in the extended state, the outer region P has an overlapping region P1 that overlaps with the absorber 13 in the width direction X, and regions P2 located on both sides of the overlapping region P1 in the width direction X. The multiple outer cut portions 60 have portions that overlap with the overlapping region P1 and portions that overlap with regions P2. Here, in the third folded state, the overlapping region P1 that overlaps with the absorber 13 in the width direction X (i.e., the central region of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction X) is easily perceived from the outside. With the above configuration, since the outer cut portions 60 are formed in positions that overlap with the overlapping region P1, the outer cut portions 60 can be more easily perceived by the user. Also, since the absorber 13 has relatively high rigidity among the absorbent article 1, it is difficult to fold in the width direction X. For this reason, the overlapping region P1 that overlaps with the absorber 13 in the width direction X is difficult to fold inward. As a result, it is highly likely to be exposed to the outside in the third folded state. Therefore, by forming the outer cut portion 60 in the superimposed region P1, the probability of the user perceiving the outer cut portion 60 can be increased.

[0105] Furthermore, the outer cut portion 60 includes a portion that overlaps with the regions P2 located on both sides of the superimposed region P1. With this configuration, since the outer cut portion 60 is formed in region P2 in addition to the superimposed region P1, the outer cut portion 60 can be more easily perceived by the user. In other words, because the outer cut portion 60 is formed in region P2, the area on which the outer cut portion 60 is provided is expanded, making the outer cut portion 60 more conspicuous. Therefore, the outer cut portion 60 can be more easily perceived by the user.

[0106] As shown in Figures 3 and 8, the back region 1b further comprises a pair of inner regions Q located on both sides of the outer region P in the width direction X. The inner regions Q are regions that are not exposed to the outside of the absorbent article 1 in the third folded state. Each inner region Q is located outside the vertical fold line VL in the width direction X. The pair of inner regions Q comprises a region that includes a part of a pair of parts 1f of the absorbent article 1. The plurality of cut portions 50 have a plurality (12 in this embodiment) of inner cut portions 70 formed in the inner regions Q. In this embodiment, a plurality (6 in this embodiment) of inner cut portions 70 are formed in each inner region Q. With the above configuration, the outer cut portion 60 can be perceived by the user in the third folded state, and the inner cut portion 70 can be perceived by the user in the unfolded state of the absorbent article 1. This makes it possible to easily perceive the cut portions 50 (including the outer cut portion 60 and the inner cut portion 70) in the unfolded state as well as the third folded state.

[0107] [Variations] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. 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 components of the absorbent article 1 described above may be modified or omitted.

[0108] Figure 12 is a plan view showing a part of the outer region P of the absorbent article 1A according to the first modified example. Figure 12 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the outer cut portion 60. Figure 12 shows the absorbent article 1A in an extended state. The absorbent article 1A differs from the absorbent article 1 in that the outer cut portion 60 further has multiple (two in this example) cut portions 65. As shown in Figure 12, the cut portions 65 overlap with elastic members 34 other than the first elastic member 41, the second elastic member 42, the third elastic member 43, and the fourth elastic member 44. In this example, the cut portions 65 overlap with elastic members 34A located on the opposite side of the second elastic member 42, with the first elastic member 41 in between, in the longitudinal direction Y. The multiple cut portions 65 overlap with the imaginary lines YL3 and YL5, respectively.

[0109] The following describes the cutting section 65 that overlaps with the virtual line YL3. The cutting section 65 that overlaps with the virtual line YL5 has the same configuration as the cutting section 65 that overlaps with the virtual line YL3, so its description will be omitted. As described above, the cutting sections 62 and 64 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y on the virtual line YL3. In other words, the cutting sections 62, 64, and 65 are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y on the virtual line YL3. The cutting sections 62, 64, and 65 that are aligned in the longitudinal direction Y on the virtual line YL3 constitute the second array of cutting sections.

[0110] As shown in Figure 12, the longitudinal spacing D5, which is the distance between adjacent second array cutting sections in the longitudinal direction Y on the imaginary line YL3, includes at least a first longitudinal spacing D5a and a second longitudinal spacing D5b that is different from the first longitudinal spacing D5a. Here, "longitudinal spacing" is the distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the intersection points where each outer cutting section and the elastic member, which are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y, intersect. The first longitudinal spacing D5a is the distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the cutting sections 62 and 64 on the imaginary line YL3. In other words, the first longitudinal spacing D5a is the distance between the second elastic member 42 and the fourth elastic member 44. The second longitudinal spacing D5b is the distance in the longitudinal direction Y between the cutting sections 62 and 65 on the imaginary line YL3. In other words, the second longitudinal spacing D5b is the distance between the second elastic member 42 and the elastic member 34A. In the example shown in Figure 12, the second longitudinal interval D5b is longer than the first longitudinal interval D5a. However, the second longitudinal interval D5b may also be shorter than the first longitudinal interval D5a.

[0111] According to the above configuration, by providing multiple variations in the spacing (longitudinal spacing D5) between adjacent second array cutting sections (cutting sections 62, 64, and 65 in the example of Figure 12) in the longitudinal direction Y, it is possible to enhance the variety of patterns formed by the multiple outer cutting sections 60 and improve the design quality.

[0112] Figure 13 is a plan view showing the outer region P of the absorbent article 1B according to the second modified example. The absorbent article 1B differs from the absorbent article 1 in that the back region 1b has a pattern PT3 formed by the portion other than the cut portion 50. The pattern PT3 is formed by printing, for example, on the non-skin side Z2 of the first sheet 31. In the thickness direction Z, the pattern PT3 has a portion that overlaps with the pattern PT1. In the example of Figure 13, the pattern PT3 is colored along the outlines of the patterns PT1a and PT1b of the pattern PT1. The inner region of the pattern PT3 (i.e., the inner region of the outlines of the patterns PT1a and PT1b) is colored throughout, except for the multiple cut portions 50. In Figure 13, the inner region of the colored pattern PT3 is shown with hatching.

[0113] According to the above configuration, the depth in the thickness direction Z, created by the opening of the cut portion 50 of the pattern PT1 (first pattern), can be applied to the design expression composed of pattern PT3 (second pattern). As a result, more complex design expressions become possible with pattern PT1 and pattern PT3, and a higher level of quality can be evoked in the user. Furthermore, pattern PT3 is colored along the outer shapes of pattern PT1a and pattern PT1b of pattern PT1. That is, pattern PT3 is provided in association with pattern PT1 formed by the cut portion 50. This makes the shapes of pattern PT1a and pattern PT1b more prominent. This makes it easier for the user to perceive the shapes of pattern PT1a and pattern PT1b.

[0114] Figure 14 is a plan view showing a part of the outer region P of the absorbent article 1C according to the third modified example. The absorbent article 1C differs from the absorbent article 1 in that the back region 1b has a pattern PT4 and a pattern PT5. As shown in Figure 14, the pattern PT4 is formed by, for example, one cut portion 50. In the contracted state, the pattern PT4 is formed in a rhombus shape. The pattern PT4 evokes a first concept, for example, a rhombus-shaped diamond. The pattern PT5 is formed by the portion other than the cut portion 50. The pattern PT5 is formed by printing, for example, on the non-skin side Z2 of the first sheet 31. As an example, the pattern PT5 includes a circular pattern drawn by a single line. The pattern PT5 evokes a second concept, for example, a ring.

[0115] As shown in Figure 14, the patterns PT4 (first pattern) and PT5 (second pattern) are interconnected to form a new third pattern PT6 (third pattern) that evokes a new third concept different from the first concept evoked by pattern PT4 and the second concept evoked by pattern PT5. In the example in Figure 14, the third concept of pattern PT6 is a concept that includes a diamond ring. With this configuration, the combination of patterns PT4 and PT5 enables more complex design expressions and can evoke a higher level of quality in the user. In addition, pattern PT5 has a portion that overlaps with pattern PT4 in the thickness direction Z. With this configuration, the depth in the thickness direction Z created by the opening of the outer cut portion 60 of pattern PT4 (first pattern) can be applied to the design expression composed of pattern PT5 (second pattern). As a result, the PT4 and PT5 patterns enable more complex design expressions, allowing users to evoke a higher level of quality.

[0116] Figure 15 is a plan view showing a part of the outer region P of the absorbent article 1D according to the fourth modified example. The absorbent article 1D differs from the absorbent article 1 in that the back region 1b has patterns PT7 and PT8. For example, the pattern PT7 includes a plurality (nine in this embodiment) of outer cut portions 60. The pattern PT7 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when an imaginary line of the smallest area surrounding these outer cut portions 60 is drawn. The direction in which the upper and lower bases of the imaginary line of the pattern PT7 face each other is perpendicular to the width direction X. The pattern PT7 evokes a first concept, for example, a plate.

[0117] The pattern PT8 is formed by printing, for example, on the non-skin side Z2 of the first sheet 31. As an example, the pattern PT8 includes a pattern that resembles a cherry with a pair of circular fruits. In other words, the pattern PT8 evokes a second concept that includes cherries. The pattern PT8 is formed in a position that does not overlap with the pattern PT7 in the thickness direction Z. The pattern PT8 faces the bottom base of the pattern PT7 (the longer of the top and bottom bases) in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0118] As shown in Figure 15, the patterns PT7 (first pattern) and PT8 (second pattern) are interconnected to form a new third pattern PT9 (third pattern) that evokes a new third concept different from the first concept evoked by pattern PT7 and the second concept evoked by pattern PT8. In the example in Figure 15, the third concept of pattern PT9 is the concept of a plate with cherries on it. With this configuration, the combination of patterns PT7 and PT8 enables more complex design expressions and can evoke a higher level of quality in the user.

[0119] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the above embodiment, the pair of portions 1f were folded along the pair of vertical fold lines VL toward the first side in the opposing direction (the far side of the paper in Figure 8), but the pair of portions 1f may be folded toward the second side in the opposing direction (the near side of the paper in Figure 8). In this case, the outer region P and the outer cut portion 60 may be formed in the ventral region 1a.

[0120] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the above embodiment, portion 1g of the absorbent article 1 was folded toward the first side in the opposing direction (the far side of the page in Figure 9), but portion 1g of the absorbent article 1 may be folded toward the second side in the opposing direction (the near side of the page in Figure 9). In this case, the outer region P and the outer cut portion 60 may be formed in the ventral region 1a.

[0121] As shown in Figure 10, in the above embodiment, the absorbent article 1 was folded twice in the longitudinal direction Y and twice in the width direction X, and was housed in the packaging 102 in a third folded state. However, the form of the absorbent article 1 housed in the packaging 102 is not limited to this form. For example, the pair of parts 1f of the absorbent article 1 do not have to be folded in the width direction X along the vertical fold line VL, and the absorbent article 1 may be housed in the packaging 102 in a fourth folded state, folded twice only in the longitudinal direction Y along the horizontal fold lines HL1 and HL2. The fourth folded state is a state in which the article is folded once in the longitudinal direction Y and then folded once more in the longitudinal direction Y. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the absorbent article 1 may be housed in the packaging 102 in a second folded state, folded once in the longitudinal direction Y and then folded twice in the width direction X. Furthermore, the absorbent article 1 may be placed in the packaging 102 in a fifth folded state, where only one of the pair of parts 1f is folded in the width direction X along the vertical fold line VL from the first folded state. The fifth folded state is a state in which the article is folded once in the longitudinal direction Y and then folded once more in the width direction X. Alternatively, the absorbent article 1 may be placed in the packaging 102 in a state in which it is folded three or more times in the longitudinal direction Y. The absorbent article 1 may be folded once in the longitudinal direction Y and folded two or more times in the width direction X. In other words, the absorbent article 1 only needs to be placed in the packaging 102 in a "folded state" in which it is folded once in the longitudinal direction Y and then folded at least once more in the longitudinal direction Y or the width direction X. The second, third, fourth, and fifth folded states exemplified so far all correspond to the "folded state" as defined above.

[0122] As shown in Figure 3, in the above embodiment, the outer region P was formed in the dorsal region 1b, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The outer region P may be formed only in the ventral region 1a, for example. In this case, the absorbent article 1 may be folded so that the ventral region 1a is exposed to the outside. Alternatively, the outer region P may be formed in both the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b. That is, at least one of the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b should have an outer region P that is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article 1 in a predetermined folded state.

[0123] As shown in Figure 4, in the above embodiment, the elastic member 34 was sandwiched between the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32 ​​in the back outer casing 30, but the configuration of the back outer casing 30 is not limited to this form. For example, the back outer casing 30 does not have to have the first sheet 31, and the elastic member 34 may be exposed on the outside of the absorbent article 1. In this case, the elastic member 34 may be bonded only to the second sheet 32.

[0124] As shown in Figure 4, in the above embodiment, the back region 1b was composed of a first sheet 31, a second sheet 32, and a third sheet 33, but it is not limited to this configuration. The back region 1b does not have to include the third sheet 33. Also, the back region 1b may include only one of the first sheet 31 and the second sheet 32. In other words, the back region 1b only needs to include at least one sheet. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the back region 1b included a plurality of elastic members 34, but the back region 1b may include only one elastic member 34. In other words, the back region 1b only needs to have at least one elastic member 34.

[0125] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the above embodiment, multiple cutting portions (multiple outer cutting portions 60) were arranged parallel to the width direction X on each cutting elastic member 40. However, "arranged in the width direction" is not limited to cases where multiple cutting portions are arranged parallel to the width direction X, but also includes cases where multiple cutting portions are arranged diagonally with respect to the width direction X. "Arranged diagonally with respect to the width direction X" means that multiple cutting portions are arranged on a virtual line with an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the width direction X. For example, in the example in Figure 11, the four outer cutting portions 60, namely cutting portion 61 on virtual line YL2, cutting portions 62 and 63 located between virtual lines YL2 and YL3, and cutting portion 64 on virtual line YL3, correspond to multiple cutting portions arranged diagonally with respect to the width direction X.

[0126] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, in the above embodiment, multiple (two) outer cutting portions 60 were arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction Y on each virtual line YL1 to YL11. However, "arranged in the longitudinal direction" is not limited to cases where multiple cutting portions are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction Y, but also includes cases where multiple cutting portions are arranged diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. "Arranged diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction Y" means that multiple cutting portions are arranged on a virtual line with an inclination angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. For example, each virtual line YL1 to YL11 may be inclined at an angle of 45 degrees or less with respect to the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, multiple cutting portions passing along a virtual line inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction Y in this way correspond to multiple cutting portions arranged diagonally with respect to the longitudinal direction Y.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the outer cut portion 60 was formed by a notch, but the outer cut portion 60 may also be an opening formed by cutting a portion having a certain area, for example by punching. In this case, the "width spacing" may be defined as the distance between the centers in the width direction X of each outer cut portion that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction X. Similarly, the "longitudinal spacing" may be defined as the distance between the centers in the longitudinal direction Y of each outer cut portion that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the case in which the absorbent article 1 is a pant-type disposable diaper was described, but the absorbent article 1 may also be a tape-type disposable diaper (tape-type absorbent article). When the absorbent article 1 is a tape-type absorbent article, in the stretched state, the absorbent article 1 may be divided into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y, and of the four regions, the region located furthest ventrally may be defined as the ventral region, the region located furthest dorsally may be defined as the dorsal region, and the two regions located between the ventral region and the dorsal region may be defined as the crotch region.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is configured as a three-piece type, consisting of three components: an absorbent body 10 (inner body), a ventral outer body 20, and a dorsal outer body 30. However, the absorbent article 1 may also be configured as a two-piece type, consisting of two components: one outer body in which the dorsal outer body and the ventral outer body are integrally joined, and an absorbent body (inner body).

[0130] In the above embodiment, a bonding method other than hot-melt adhesive (for example, ultrasonic bonding) may be used in the parts where hot-melt adhesive was used to join the members.

[0131] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D... Absorbent article, 1a... Ventral region, 1b... Dorsal region, 1c... Crotch region, 13... Absorbent material, 31... First sheet (sheet), 32... Second sheet (sheet), 33... Third sheet (sheet), 34, 34A... Elastic member, 41... First elastic member (superimposed elastic member), 41a... First part, 41b... Second part, 43... Third elastic member (first superimposed elastic member), 44... Fourth elastic member (second superimposed elastic member), 50... Cut section, 60... Outer cut section, 63... Cut section (first superimposed cut section), 64... Cut Part (second overlapping cut section, first arrangement cut section), 65...cut section (second arrangement cut section), 70...inner cut section, 100...package, 102...packaging body, D4...width spacing, D4a...width spacing (first width spacing), D4b...width spacing (second width spacing), D5...longitudinal spacing, D5a...first longitudinal spacing, D5b...second longitudinal spacing, P...outer region, PT1, PT4, PT7...pattern (first pattern), PT2, PT3, PT5, PT8...pattern (second pattern), PT6, PT9...pattern (third pattern), X...width direction, Y...longitudinal direction, Z...thickness direction.

Claims

1. A package comprising at least one absorbent article and a packaging body for containing the at least one absorbent article, wherein the absorbent article comprises a ventral region located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region positioned longitudinally between the ventral region and the dorsal region, and at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has at least one elastic member extending along a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and expanding and contracting in the width direction, and at least one sheet to which the at least one elastic member is joined, the at least one sheet has at least one cut portion formed through the at least one sheet, the absorbent article is contained in the packaging body in a folded state, having been folded once in the longitudinal direction and then folded at least once further in the longitudinal direction or the width direction, and at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has an outer region formed which is exposed to the outside of the absorbent article in the folded state. The package wherein the at least one cut portion has at least one outer cut portion formed in the outer region.

2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic member includes an overlapping elastic member that overlaps the outer cut portion in the longitudinal direction, and the overlapping elastic member is separated by the outer cut portion into a first portion located on one side of the outer cut portion in the width direction and a second portion located on the other side of the outer cut portion in the width direction.

3. The package according to claim 2, wherein the outer cut portion is a notch, and one side and the other side of the outer cut portion in the width direction are separated from each other when the superimposed elastic member is in a contracted state.

4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a plurality of first arranged cut portions arranged in the width direction, and the width interval, which is the distance between adjacent first arranged cut portions in the width direction among the plurality of first arranged cut portions, includes at least a first width interval and a second width interval different from the first width interval.

5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a plurality of second arranged cut portions arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal interval, which is the interval between adjacent second arranged cut portions in the longitudinal direction, includes at least a first longitudinal interval and a second longitudinal interval different from the first longitudinal interval.

6. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastic member includes at least a first superimposed elastic member and a second superimposed elastic member arranged along the longitudinal direction, the at least one outer cut portion has at least one first superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the first superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction, and at least one second superimposed cut portion that overlaps with the second superimposed elastic member in the longitudinal direction, and the arrangement pattern of the at least one first superimposed cut portion is different from the arrangement pattern of the at least one second superimposed cut portion.

7. The package according to claim 1, further comprising an absorbent body provided across at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region and the crotch region, wherein the at least one outer cut portion has a portion that overlaps with the absorbent body in the width direction.

8. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cut portion has at least one inner cut portion that is not exposed to the outside of the absorbent article in the folded state.

9. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has a first pattern formed by the at least one cut portion and a second pattern formed by the portion other than the at least one cut portion, and the second pattern has a portion that overlaps with the first pattern in the thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

10. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has a first pattern formed by the at least one cut portion and a second pattern formed by the portion other than the at least one cut portion, and the first pattern and the second pattern are interconnected to form a third pattern that evokes a new concept different from the concept evoked by the first pattern and the concept evoked by the second pattern.

11. An absorbent article comprising: a ventral region located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn; a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn; and a crotch region positioned between the ventral region and the dorsal region in the longitudinal direction; configured to be folded once in the longitudinal direction and then folded at least once in the longitudinal direction or in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to be in a predetermined folded state; at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region having at least one elastic member that extends along the width direction and expands and contracts in the width direction, and at least one sheet to which the at least one elastic member is joined; at least one sheet has at least one cut portion that penetrates the at least one sheet; at least one of the ventral region and the dorsal region has an outer region that is exposed to the outside when folded; and the at least one cut portion has at least one outer cut portion formed in the outer region.

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