JP7562925B2 - Absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads generally have a main body that includes a top sheet on the upper side, a back sheet on the lower side, and an absorbent body disposed between these two sheets.

In such absorbent articles, a known configuration is to provide wall-like portions along the longitudinal direction at both ends of the width of the upper surface of the main body in order to prevent bodily fluids from leaking outward in the width direction, i.e., side leakage.

For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,399,633 discloses an absorbent product having a liquid-impermeable garment-facing layer, a liquid-permeable body-facing layer, and an absorbent core between the garment-facing layer and the body-facing layer, first and second lateral ends, a vertical shape, a first fold structure attached adjacent the first lateral end to provide a first leakage barrier, and a second fold structure attached adjacent the second lateral end to provide a second leakage barrier, such that the first and second leakage barriers form upright walls when the absorbent product is bent mid-down along its longitudinal axis relative to the liquid-permeable body-facing side.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-336556

However, because the leakage barrier disclosed in Patent Document 1 is three-dimensionally constructed, some wearers are concerned about chafing around the legs caused by the outer side of the leakage barrier touching the legs while wearing the product. Also, in cases where the amount of bodily fluid discharged is relatively small, wearing comfort may be a priority. Therefore, there is a demand for an absorbent article that reduces the sense of discomfort while wearing the product while still maintaining a certain degree of side leakage prevention function.

In view of the above, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide an absorbent article that prevents leakage in the width direction and reduces chafing around the legs when worn.

The first embodiment of the present invention is an absorbent article comprising a main body having a liquid-permeable top sheet provided on the upper side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet provided on the lower side, and an absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a side leakage prevention member consisting of a side sheet folded back on the outer side of the body in the width direction is disposed on each side of the main body, and the side leakage prevention member is fixed to the main body and forms a pleat that can rise up from the main body on the outer side in the width direction.

According to the first embodiment, the side leakage prevention members arranged on both sides of the main body form pleats that can rise up from the main body on the widthwise outer side of the main body. Therefore, while wearing the glove, the pleats are located between the main body and the legs of the wearer, and the tip side can move freely relative to the main body, so that the glove can follow the movement of the user's legs well, and the rounded folded-back portion can further reduce chafing around the legs. Furthermore, the side leakage prevention member with such pleats can exert a side leakage prevention function, in particular a function of blocking bodily fluids that have migrated outward in the width direction from the upper surface of the main body. Furthermore, the side leakage prevention member with pleats can be constructed from a single continuous side sheet, so the number of parts can be reduced.

The second embodiment of the present invention includes an auxiliary pleat located below the pleat, and the width of the auxiliary pleat is shorter than the width of the pleat.

According to the second embodiment, the auxiliary pleats lift the pleats from below to help them rise, making it easier for the pleats to rise, and the contact area between the pleats and the legs can be maintained constant, further reducing chafing around the legs. Furthermore, the width of the auxiliary pleats is shorter than the width of the pleats, so the auxiliary pleats do not come into contact with the legs and interfere with the function of the pleats.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the fold and the auxiliary fold are separated.

According to the third embodiment, the folds raised by the auxiliary folds can move freely relative to the auxiliary folds and the main body, so even with the auxiliary folds, the garment can follow the movement of the user's legs well and further reduce chafing around the legs.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the side sheet is folded from top to bottom at a first fold line, a second fold line, a third fold line, and a fourth fold line, the pleats include the first fold line, and the auxiliary folds include the third fold line.

According to the fourth embodiment, the pleats and auxiliary pleats can be formed by folding back a single continuous side sheet, thereby reducing the number of parts.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the side leakage prevention member is fixed to the main body by a compression portion, and the compression portion is formed in the longitudinal direction on one of the second and fourth fold lines that is located on the outer side in the width direction, or on the outer side in the width direction of the fold line that is located on the outer side in the width direction.

According to the fifth embodiment, by forming a compressed portion in the longitudinal direction on the second fold line and the fourth fold line that are located on the outer side in the width direction, or on the outer side in the width direction of the fold line that is located on the outer side in the width direction, it is possible to form pleats and auxiliary pleats that maintain the original texture of the material of the side sheet and do not impair the feel against the skin.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the second fold line is located on the inner side in the width direction of the main body than the fourth fold line.

According to the sixth embodiment, the pleats can be raised to a larger height, the contact area between the pleats and the leg area can be kept constant, and the rounded folded-over portion can further reduce chafing around the legs.

In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a second lateral leakage prevention member made of the side sheet folded back on the widthwise inner side of the body is disposed on each side of the body, and the second lateral leakage prevention member is fixed to the body and forms a second fold that can rise up from the body on the widthwise inner side of the body.

According to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the pleats that can rise on the widthwise outer side of the main body, there are second pleats on both sides of the main body that can rise from the main body on the widthwise inner side. The second pleats can move freely at the tip side relative to the main body, so they are less likely to be restricted by the shape and movement of the main body and can follow the movement of the user's body well, and the side leakage prevention function of the pleats that can rise on the widthwise outer side can be strengthened. In addition, the side leakage prevention member having the second pleats can be composed of a single continuous side sheet, so the number of parts can be reduced.

The eighth embodiment of the present invention has a second auxiliary pleat located below the second pleat, and the side sheet is folded back from top to bottom at the fifth fold line, the sixth fold line, the seventh fold line, and the eighth fold line on the outer side of the width direction of the main body, and is folded back from top to bottom at the ninth fold line, the tenth fold line, the eleventh fold line, and the twelfth fold line on the inner side of the width direction of the main body, and the pleat includes the fifth fold line, the auxiliary pleat includes the seventh fold line, the second pleat includes the ninth fold line, and the second auxiliary pleat includes the eleventh fold line.

According to the eighth embodiment, the second auxiliary pleats lift the second pleats from below and assist the second pleats in rising, making it easier for the second pleats to rise, and in particular, further enhancing the function of blocking bodily fluids that have migrated outward in the width direction on the upper surface of the main body. In addition, the pleats, auxiliary pleats, second pleats, and second auxiliary pleats can be constructed by folding back a single continuous side sheet, thereby reducing the number of parts.

In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, a second compressed portion is formed in the region including the sixth fold line, the eighth fold line, the tenth fold line, and the eleventh fold line, which is compressed in the longitudinal direction.

According to the ninth embodiment, by forming a compression section in the longitudinal direction in the region including the sixth fold line, the eighth fold line, the tenth fold line, and the eleventh fold line, it is possible to form pleats, auxiliary pleats, second pleats, and second auxiliary pleats that maintain the original texture of the material of the side sheet and do not impair the feel against the skin. In addition, the pleats, auxiliary pleats, second pleats, and second auxiliary pleats can be formed by a common compression section, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that prevents leakage in the width direction and reduces chafing around the legs while being worn.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention taken along the line II of FIG. 1 before the compressed portion is formed. 2 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1 of a first modified example of a side leakage prevention member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1 before the formation of the compressed portion of a first modified example of a side leakage prevention member according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 1 of a second modified example of a side leakage prevention member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 before forming a compressed portion of a second modified example of a side leakage prevention member according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding configurations may be given the same reference numerals and the description may be omitted. In addition, the drawings are schematic to facilitate understanding of the invention.

An absorbent article 10 according to one embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of Fig. 1 before the formation of compressed portion 6a of absorbent article 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

First, the basic structure of the absorbent article 10 according to this embodiment will be described based on the example of a sanitary napkin. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 includes a main body (absorbent article main body) 8 having a back sheet 2, a top sheet 3, and an absorbent body 4 provided between the two sheets 2 and 3. In addition, a pair of wings W, W are provided that extend outward from both ends of the main body 8 in the width direction D2. When the absorbent article 10 is worn, the wings W, W fold back to the outside of the crotch part of the underwear and adhere to the underwear, thereby reliably fixing the absorbent article 10 to the underwear. When the absorbent article 10 is worn, the top sheet 3 side is the side facing the skin (skin side or upper surface side), and the back sheet 2 side is the side fixed to the underwear (underwear side or lower surface side). Fig. 1 is a view of the absorbent article 10 as seen from the top side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 8 as a whole has a predetermined length in a first direction (longitudinal or front-to-rear direction) D1, a predetermined width in a second direction (short-side or width direction) D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1, and has an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction D1. The width of the main body 8 is substantially constant in the illustrated example, but may vary along the longitudinal direction D1. As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 10 may have a shape that is substantially line-symmetrical with respect to a center line (longitudinal center line) CL extending in the longitudinal direction D1. In addition, the configuration of the absorbent article 10 (including the thickness, density, etc. of the absorbent body 4) may be substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the center line as an axis of symmetry.

The length of the absorbent article 10 in the longitudinal direction D1 (total length of the main body 8) is not particularly limited, but can be 150 to 450 mm, and preferably 170 to 290 mm. The length of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction D2 (width of the main body 8) is also not particularly limited, but can be 50 to 200 mm, and preferably 70 to 120 mm.

The absorbent article 10 has a portion Q (corresponding portion to the bodily fluid outlet) that corresponds to the wearer's bodily fluid outlet, such as the vaginal opening, when worn (illustrated in FIG. 1 for the purpose of explanation). The main body 8 of the absorbent article 10 can be divided into a central region RM that includes the bodily fluid outlet corresponding portion Q, a front region RF in front of the central region RM, and a rear region RR behind the central region RM. When worn, the central region RM faces the wearer's crotch, and is in the longitudinal direction D1 range from the front starting point of the wing W to the rear starting point. The rear region RR can face the buttocks groove of the wearer.

The back sheet 2 is preferably a liquid-impermeable sheet, and a sheet material having at least water-proofing properties, such as an olefin resin sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene, can be used. A laminated nonwoven fabric in which a nonwoven fabric is laminated to a polyethylene sheet, or even a laminated sheet of nonwoven fabric in which a waterproof film is interposed to ensure substantial liquid-proofing properties, can be used. From the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, it is more preferable to use a sheet having moisture permeability. As such a water-proof/moisture-permeable sheet material, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading an inorganic filler in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet and then stretching it in a uniaxial or biaxial direction can be used.

The top sheet 3 is preferably a liquid-permeable sheet that allows bodily fluids such as menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, and urine to pass through quickly. As the top sheet 3, a nonwoven fabric with or without holes, a porous plastic sheet, or the like is preferably used. As the material fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric, for example, olefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and blended fibers thereof, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. In addition, examples of processing methods for nonwoven fabric include the spunlace method, the spunbond method, the thermal bond method, the meltblown method, and the needle punch method. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is preferred in that it can produce a nonwoven fabric with flexibility, and the spunbond method is preferred in that it can produce a nonwoven fabric with excellent drapeability, and the thermal bond method is preferred in that it can produce a bulky and soft nonwoven fabric. In addition, composite fibers such as core-sheath type fibers, side-by-side type fibers, and split type fibers, which have a fiber with a high melting point as the core and a fiber with a low melting point as the sheath, can also be used.

The absorbent body 4 is not limited to any material capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, but preferably contains cotton-like pulp and a water-absorbent polymer. As the water-absorbent polymer, superabsorbent polymer granular powder (superabsorbent polymer (SAP)), superabsorbent polymer fiber (superabsorbent fiber (SAF)), and combinations thereof can be used. As the pulp, chemical pulp obtained from wood, cellulose fibers such as dissolving pulp, and artificial cellulose fibers such as rayon and acetate can be used. As the raw material for chemical pulp, broadleaf wood and softwood are used, but softwood is preferably used due to its long fiber length.

Synthetic fibers may also be mixed into the absorbent 4. Synthetic fibers include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides such as nylon, and copolymers thereof. Two of these may also be mixed and used. Composite fibers such as core-sheath fibers with a high melting point fiber as the core and a low melting point fiber as the sheath, side-by-side fibers, and split fibers may also be used. Hydrophobic fibers may also be surface-treated with a hydrophilizing agent to give them affinity for body fluids. The absorbent 4 is preferably manufactured by stacking or air-laid methods.

The thickness of the absorbent body 4 can be within the range of 0.3 to 30 mm, and preferably within the range of 1.0 to 15 mm. The absorbent body 4 does not have to have a uniform thickness over the entire surface, and can be locally bulged, for example, in an area including a portion that corresponds to the wearer's bodily fluid outlet when worn.

The absorbent body 4 may be wrapped in an enveloping sheet such as crepe paper or nonwoven fabric to maintain its shape. By wrapping the absorbent body 4 in the enveloping sheet, it is possible to prevent the absorbent body 4 from twisting or cracking. The enveloping sheet may be uncolored (i.e., white) crepe paper or nonwoven fabric, or it may be colored. If it is colored, it may be a color that makes the color of the discharged body fluid less noticeable, for example, a color close to the color of the body fluid, or a color complementary to or close to the color of the body fluid.

At the end of the absorbent body 4 in the longitudinal direction D1, the outer edges of the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 may be joined by a joining means such as a hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, or ultrasonic sealing. In addition, at the sides of the absorbent body 4, the back sheet 2 and the top sheet 3 may be joined by a similar joining means.

1 and 2, the absorbent article 10 has side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a on both sides of the main body 8, each made of a side sheet 7 folded back on the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8. The side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a provided on both sides of the main body 8 form pleats 51, 51 each having a convex shape toward the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8. The pleats 51, 51 are hollow on the inside, and as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape is a loop (bag-like) with a rounded folded part of the pleat. When worn, the pleats are located between the main body 8 and the legs of the wearer, and the rounded folded part can reduce chafing around the legs. In addition, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a are fixed to both ends of the main body 8 by compression parts 6a, 6a along the longitudinal direction D1. The pleats 51, 51 can rise up from the main body 8 at a fixed position on the main body 8, that is, outside the position of the compression parts 6a, 6a in the width direction D2. In other words, the ends (tip sides) of the pleats 51, 51 on the outside of the width direction D2 can move freely in the vertical direction (thickness direction D3) relative to the main body 8, starting from the compression parts 6a, 6a. This allows the garment to smoothly follow the movement of the user's legs, and the rounded folded parts can further reduce chafing around the legs.

At the same time, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a with such folds 51, 51 formed thereon can function to block bodily fluids that have migrated outward in the width direction D2, particularly from the upper surface of the main body 8. This prevents leakage in the width direction D2 and reduces chafing around the legs while wearing the garment. In addition, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a are different from three-dimensional gathers in which elastic members such as rubber are arranged. In other words, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a do not have unevenness formed by gathers brought together by the contraction of elastic members, etc., and have a flat surface that can come into contact with the skin. Therefore, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a can be formed to a thickness that is hardly or not at all noticeable by the wearer while wearing the garment, and is less likely to cause discomfort or discomfort.

The side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a with the pleats 51, 51 formed thereon can be constructed by folding back a single continuous side sheet 7, 7 at a first fold line L1 and a second fold line L2 on the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the pleats 51, 51 are constructed as separate parts from the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a.

For the side sheet 7, it is preferable to use a nonwoven fabric made of one or more of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, and regenerated fibers to enhance the feel against the skin. As the nonwoven fabric, a soft air-through nonwoven fabric is preferable to reduce chafing around the legs. In addition, in order to enhance the side leakage prevention function, a water-repellent treatment can be applied to the entire or part of the surface of the side sheet 7. For example, the entire exposed part on the upper surface side of the side leakage prevention member 5a may be water-repellent. By using a nonwoven fabric as the material for the side leakage prevention member 5a, the pleats 51 of the side leakage prevention member 5a can be configured flexibly, so that the pleats 51 can be made to better conform to the user's body.

(Modification of Side Leakage Prevention Member)
Modified examples of the side leakage prevention member 5a will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Figure 4 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of Figure 1, showing a first modified example of the side leakage prevention member 5a according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Figure 1, which shows the first modified example, the outline of the auxiliary folds 52 is omitted. Figure 5 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view taken along line II of Figure 1, showing the first modified example of the side leakage prevention member 5a according to one embodiment of the present invention before the formation of the compressed portions 6a.

The lower side of the pleats 51, 51 may have auxiliary pleats 52, 52, as shown in FIG. 4. The auxiliary pleats 52, 52 have a convex shape toward the outside in the width direction D2 of the main body 8. The auxiliary pleats 52, 52 are hollow on the inside, and the cross-sectional shape is a rounded loop (bag-like) at the folded part of the pleat, as shown in FIG. 2. The auxiliary pleats 52, 52 are fixed to both sides of the main body 8 by the same compression parts 6a, 6a as the pleats 51, 51. With this configuration, the auxiliary pleats 52 lift the pleats 51 from the lower side to assist the pleats 51 in rising, making it easier for the pleats 51 to rise. Therefore, the contact area between the pleats 51 and the leg circumference can be maintained at a constant state, and chafing around the legs can be further reduced.

The side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a with the pleats 51, 51 and the auxiliary pleats 52, 52 can be constructed by folding back a single continuous side sheet 7, 7 at the first fold line L1, the second fold line L2, the third fold line L3, and the fourth fold line L4 on the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, as shown in FIG. 5. The compressed portion 6a with a width E1 is formed in the longitudinal direction D1 to include the second fold line L2 and the fourth fold line L4, thereby forming the pleat 51 including the first fold line and the auxiliary pleat 52 including the third fold line L3. This allows the number of parts to be reduced compared to when the pleats 51, 51 and the auxiliary pleats 52, 52 are constructed from separate parts.

The second fold line L2 may be located outside the fourth fold line L4 in the width direction D2, but as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable to locate it inside the fourth fold line L4 in the width direction D2. This allows the pleats 51, 51 to rise up, the contact area between the pleats 51, 51 and the legs to be kept constant, and the rounded folds further reduce chafing around the legs.

The compressed portion 6a is preferably formed on the second fold line L2 or the fourth fold line L4 located on the outer side in the width direction D2, or on the outer side in the width direction D2 from the fold line located on the outer side in the width direction D2. As a result, by forming one compressed portion 6a on each of the side sheets 7, 7 on both sides of the main body 8, the side sheets 7 can be heat-sealed (thermocompressed) to form the folds 51 including the first fold line and the auxiliary folds 52 including the third fold line L3. At the same time, the side sheets 7 and the main body 8 can also be heat-sealed (thermocompressed) to fix the side leakage prevention member 5a having the folds 51 and the auxiliary folds 52 to the main body 8. Therefore, for example, compared to the case of fixing with hot melt, it is possible to form the folds 51 and the auxiliary folds 52 that maintain the original texture of the material of the side sheets 7 and do not impair the feel against the skin.

Furthermore, the pleats 51 and the auxiliary pleats 52 are separated. In other words, the pleats 51 and the auxiliary pleats 52 are not joined. The outer end (tip side) of the pleats 51 in the width direction D2, which is raised by the auxiliary pleats 52, can move freely in the vertical direction (thickness direction D3) relative to the auxiliary pleats 52, starting from the compression parts 6a, 6a. Therefore, even with the auxiliary pleats 52, the garment can follow the movement of the user's legs well, and the rounded folded-over portion can further reduce chafing around the legs.

Figure 6 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view I-I of Figure 1 of a second modified example of a side leakage prevention member 5a according to one embodiment of the present invention. Note that in Figure 1 showing the second modified example, the outlines of the auxiliary fold 52, the second fold 53, and the second auxiliary fold 54 are omitted. Figure 7 is a view of one side of the partial cross-sectional view I-I of Figure 1 before the formation of the compressed portion 6b of the second modified example of a side leakage prevention member 5a according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In addition to the pleats 51 and auxiliary pleats 52 of the side leakage prevention member 5a according to the first modified example described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the member may have second pleats 53 and second auxiliary pleats 54 that can rise up from the main body 8 on the inside of the main body 8 in the width direction D2.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a are made of side sheets 7 folded back on the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, and the second side leakage prevention members 5b, 5b are made of side sheets 7 folded back on the inside of the width direction D2, on both sides of the main body 8. The side leakage prevention members 5a, 5a respectively form pleats 51, 51 having a convex shape toward the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, and auxiliary pleats 52, 52. The pleats 51, 51 and the auxiliary pleats 52, 52 are similar to the configuration of the first modified example described above, and have the same effect as the first modified example. Furthermore, the second side leakage prevention members 5b, 5b respectively form second pleats 53, 53 having a convex shape toward the inside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, and second auxiliary pleats 54, 54 below the second pleats 53, 53. The second pleats 53, 53 and the second auxiliary pleats 54, 54 are hollow on the inside, and have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a rounded loop at the folded-back portion of the pleat, as shown in Fig. 6. The second lateral leakage prevention members 5b, 5b are fixed to both ends of the main body 8 together with the lateral leakage prevention members 5a, 5a at the second compression parts 6b, 6b along the longitudinal direction D1. The second pleats 53, 53 can rise up from the main body 8 at a position fixed to the main body 8, i.e., on the inside in the width direction D2 from the position of the second compression parts 6b, 6b. In other words, the end (tip side) of the second pleats 53, 53 on the inside in the width direction D2 can move freely in the vertical direction with respect to the main body 8, with the second compression parts 6b, 6b as the base point. Therefore, it is not easily restricted by the shape or movement of the main body 8, and can follow the movement of the user's body well, and in particular, it can prevent bodily fluids that have migrated outward in the width direction D2 from the top surface of the main body 8. This strengthens the side leakage prevention function of the folds 51, 51 that can rise up on the outside of the width direction D2. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent leakage in the width direction D2 and reduce chafing around the legs while wearing it.

The second auxiliary pleats 54, 54 lift the second pleats 53, 53 from below and assist the second pleats 53, 53 in rising, making it easier for the second pleats 53, 53 to rise. This reduces the gap between the second pleats 53, 53 and the body, and further strengthens the function of blocking bodily fluids that have migrated outward in the width direction D2 from the upper surface of the main body 8.

The second side leakage prevention members 5b, 5b are different from three-dimensional gathers in which elastic members such as rubber are arranged. In other words, the second side leakage prevention members 5b, 5b do not have unevenness formed by gathers brought together by the contraction of elastic members, etc., and have a flat surface that can come into contact with the skin. Therefore, the second side leakage prevention members 5b, 5b can be formed to a thickness that is barely or not felt by the wearer while wearing them, and is unlikely to cause any sense of incongruity or discomfort.

The lateral leakage prevention members 5a, 5a having the folds 51 and the auxiliary folds 52 formed therein, and the second lateral leakage prevention members 5b, 5b having the second folds 53 and the second auxiliary folds 54 formed therein, as shown in FIG. 7, can be constructed by folding a single continuous side sheet 7, 7 from top to bottom on the outside of the width direction D2 of the main body 8, at the fifth fold line L5, the sixth fold line L6, the seventh fold line L7, and the eighth fold line L8, and folding it from top to bottom on the inside of the width direction D2, at the ninth fold line L9, the tenth fold line L10, the eleventh fold line L11, and the twelfth fold line L12, as shown in FIG. In the region including the sixth fold line L6, the eighth fold line L8, the tenth fold line L10, and the first fold line L12, the second compressed portion 6b having the width E2 is formed in the longitudinal direction D1 , thereby forming the pleat 51 including the fifth fold line L5, the auxiliary fold 52 including the seventh fold line L7, the second fold 53 including the ninth fold line L9, and the second auxiliary fold 54 including the eleventh fold line L11. This makes it possible to reduce the number of components compared to the case where the pleats 51, 51, the auxiliary folds 52, 52, the second folds 53, 53, and the second auxiliary folds 54, 54 are formed from separate components. Furthermore, the pleats 51, 51, the auxiliary pleats 52, 52, the second pleats 53, 53 and the second auxiliary pleats 54, 54 can be formed by the common second compression portion 6b, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

In addition, the distance W3 between the sixth fold line L6 and the tenth fold line L10, and the distance W4 between the eighth fold line L8 and the twelfth fold line L12 are all smaller than the width E2 of the second compression portion 6b, and by making the distance W4 smaller than the distance W3 , the compression heat from above is transmitted to the eighth fold line L8 and the twelfth fold line L12, so that the two upper and lower fold lines can be compressed in one compression.

The second compression section 6b forms the pleats 51, auxiliary pleats 52, second pleats 53, and second auxiliary pleats 54 by heat fusing the side sheets 7 together, and the side sheets 7 and the main body 8 are heat-fusing to fix the side leakage prevention member 5a having the pleats 51 and auxiliary pleats 52, and the second side leakage prevention member 5b having the second pleats 53 and second auxiliary pleats 54 to the main body 8. Therefore, compared to the case of using hot melt, for example, it is possible to form the pleats 51, auxiliary pleats 52, second pleats 53, and second auxiliary pleats 54 that maintain the original texture of the material of the side sheets 7 and do not impair the feel against the skin.

In this embodiment, an absorbent article 10 having wings W, W is shown, but an absorbent article that does not have wings W, W may also be used.

Although the embodiments have been described above, they are presented as examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

2 Back sheet 3 Top sheet 4 Absorbent body 5a Side leakage prevention member 5b Second side leakage prevention member 51 Fold 52 Auxiliary fold 53 Second fold 54 Second auxiliary fold 6a Compressed portion 6b Second compressed portion 7 Side sheet 8 Main body 10 Absorbent article CL Front-rear center line L1 First fold line L2 Second fold line L3 Third fold line L4 Fourth fold line L5 Fifth fold line L6 Sixth fold line L7 Seventh fold line L8 Eighth fold line L9 Ninth fold line L10 Tenth fold line L11 Eleventh fold line L12 Twelfth fold line RF Front region RM Central region RR Rear region D1 First direction (longitudinal direction)
D2 Second direction (width direction)
D3 Third direction (thickness direction)
Q: Body fluid outlet port W: Wing

Claims (2)

An absorbent article comprising a main body having a liquid-permeable top sheet provided on an upper side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet provided on a lower side, and an absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet,
A side leakage prevention member is disposed on each side of the main body, the side sheet being folded back on the outer side in the width direction of the main body,
The side leakage prevention member is fixed to the main body and forms a pleat that can rise from the main body on the outer side in the width direction ,
A secondary pleat is provided below the pleat,
The length of the auxiliary pleat in the width direction is shorter than the length of the pleat in the width direction,
A second side leakage prevention member is disposed on each of both side portions of the main body, the second side leakage prevention member being made of the side sheet folded back on the inner side in the width direction of the main body,
The second side leakage prevention member is fixed to the main body and forms a second fold that can rise from the main body on the inner side in the width direction of the main body,
a second auxiliary fold located below the second fold;
The pleats and the auxiliary pleats are disposed on the outer side of both side edges of the absorbent body in the width direction,
The second pleats and the second auxiliary pleats are disposed on the inner side in the width direction from both side edges of the absorbent body,
The side sheets are folded back, in the order from top to bottom, at a fifth fold line, a sixth fold line, a seventh fold line, and an eighth fold line on the outer side in the width direction of the main body, and are folded back, in the order from top to bottom, at a ninth fold line, a tenth fold line, an eleventh fold line, and a twelfth fold line on the inner side in the width direction of the main body,
The pleat includes the fifth fold line,
The auxiliary fold includes the seventh fold line,
the second pleat includes the ninth fold line;
the second auxiliary fold includes the eleventh fold line;
A second compressed portion compressed in the longitudinal direction is formed in a region including the sixth fold line, the eighth fold line, the tenth fold line, and the twelfth fold line,
An absorbent article, wherein when the distance between the sixth fold line and the tenth fold line is W3 and the distance between the eighth fold line and the twelfth fold line is W4, W3 and W4 are each smaller than the width of the second compressed portion, and W4 is smaller than W3 . The absorbent article of claim 1 , wherein there is a separation between the pleats and the auxiliary pleats.

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