JP7503727B1 - Absorbent article and absorbent article set - Google Patents

Abstract

The absorbent article 1 includes a top sheet 21, a back sheet 22, and an absorbent body 23 including an absorbent core 31. The absorbent body 23 has a pair of colored regions A1 arranged so as to overlap the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction Z on both sides of a center line CL1, and a non-colored region A2 arranged between the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X on the same side of the absorbent core 31 as the side on which the pair of colored regions A1 are provided. The outer edge portions of each of the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X are arranged so as to overlap an edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X. The number of sheet materials stacked on the pair of colored regions A1 is equal to or less than the number of sheet materials stacked on the non-colored region A2.

Description

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles and absorbent article sets.

Conventionally, there is known an absorbent article that has a pair of side absorbents on either side of a central absorbent body, and that can prevent leakage of excrement by making the pair of side absorbents easier to stand up (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-102888 A

The color of the absorbent body including the absorbent core is generally white, and is often the same color as the other constituent materials contained in the absorbent article. For this reason, even if the effect of preventing leakage is improved by increasing the width of the absorbent core as in the absorbent article described in Patent Document 1, the user of the absorbent article cannot easily visually recognize that the absorbent core has become wider. As a result, it was difficult for the user to feel a sense of security about the absorbent article (in other words, the expectation that the absorbent core will effectively prevent leakage of excrement, or the realization that the absorbent article effectively suppresses leakage of excrement around the legs). Cultivating such a sense of security about the absorbent article is extremely important in order to eliminate the anxiety of the user and allow the user to live a comfortable life, especially when the absorbent article is used for a long time or at night.

Therefore, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide an absorbent article and an absorbent article set that can effectively improve the user's sense of security.

An absorbent article according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an absorbent article having a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, arranged along the longitudinal direction, and comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet located on the skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, a liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn, and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and including an absorbent core that absorbs the wearer's excrement, and the absorbent body has a center line passing through the center of the absorbent body in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction on both sides of the center line. The absorbent core has a pair of colored regions arranged so as to overlap with the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and a non-colored region arranged between the pair of colored regions in the width direction on the same side of the absorbent core as the side on which the pair of colored regions are arranged, wherein each outer edge of the pair of colored regions in the width direction is arranged so as to overlap with an edge of the absorbent core in the width direction, and the quantity of sheet materials laminated on the pair of colored regions on the side opposite the side on which the absorbent core is arranged relative to the pair of colored regions is less than or equal to the quantity of sheet materials laminated on the non-colored region on the side opposite the side on which the absorbent core is arranged relative to the non-colored region.

In the absorbent article of the above aspect, a pair of colored regions having outer edges overlapping the end edges of the absorbent core in the width direction are provided. The number (number or amount) of sheet materials stacked on the pair of colored regions is equal to or less than the number of sheet materials stacked on the non-colored regions. In other words, the visibility of the pair of colored regions is not unnecessarily hindered by not arranging a greater number of sheet materials on the pair of colored regions than the non-colored regions. This allows the user to properly view the pair of colored regions, and allows the user to easily grasp the position of the end edge of the absorbent core in the width direction. As a result, the user can be given a sense of expectation that the absorbent core arranged up to a position overlapping the outer edges of the pair of colored regions will effectively prevent leakage of excrement. Furthermore, when it is confirmed that no lateral leakage of excrement occurs after use of the absorbent article, a sense of security for the absorbent article (in other words, a sense of trust in the absorbent article based on the realization that the effect expected in advance as described above has actually been obtained) can be suitably fostered. Therefore, the absorbent article can effectively improve the user's sense of security.

An absorbent article set according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an absorbent article set comprising the above-mentioned absorbent article and an absorbent pad attached to the absorbent article for use, the absorbent article being a pants-type or tape-type disposable diaper, the pair of colored and non-colored areas being positioned closer to the wearer's skin side than the absorbent core, and when the absorbent pad is attached to the skin side of the absorbent article so that the center line passes through the center of the absorbent pad in the width direction, at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the outer edges of the pair of colored areas in the width direction are positioned outside the outer ends of the absorbent pad in the width direction.

In the absorbent article set of the above aspect, even when the absorbent pad is attached to the absorbent article for use in combination with the absorbent article, the outer edge portions of the pair of colored regions can be visually recognized by the user at the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction. This allows the user to visually understand that the absorbent article has an absorbent core that is wider than the absorbent pad in the area where side leakage is a concern (i.e., the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction). As a result, the user's sense of security can be effectively improved.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an absorbent article and an absorbent article set that can effectively improve the user's sense of security.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of an absorbent article according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article as viewed from the non-skin facing side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article as viewed from the skin side. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of the absorbent article taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 . 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of an absorbent article taken along line V-V in Fig. 3. (A) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leakage-preventing gathers are erected, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the leakage-preventing gathers are laid inward to the maximum extent. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of the arrangement of recesses in an absorbent core. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating modified examples of the width of the colored region. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the absorbent body. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating examples of coloring patterns of colored regions. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an absorbent article set according to one embodiment, viewed from the skin side.

The present specification and the accompanying drawings make clear at least the following aspects [1] to [19].

[1] An absorbent article having a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, the absorbent article being provided along a longitudinal direction,
A liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when the wearer is in the worn state;
A liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn;
an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet and including an absorbent core for absorbing exudates of the wearer;
The absorbent body is
a pair of colored regions arranged on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorbent body in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction, the colored regions being arranged so as to overlap with the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction;
a non-colored region disposed between the pair of colored regions in the width direction on the same side of the absorbent core as the pair of colored regions;
an outer edge portion of each of the pair of colored regions in the width direction is disposed so as to overlap an end edge of the absorbent core in the width direction;
An absorbent article, wherein the quantity of sheet materials laminated on the pair of colored regions on the side opposite the side on which the absorbent core is placed relative to the pair of colored regions is less than or equal to the quantity of sheet materials laminated on the non-colored regions on the side opposite the side on which the absorbent core is placed relative to the non-colored regions.

[2] An absorbent article of [1] in which the pair of colored regions and the non-colored region are positioned closer to the wearer's skin than the absorbent core.

[3] An absorbent article of [1] in which the pair of colored regions and the non-colored region are arranged on the non-skin side of the wearer relative to the absorbent core.

[4] A pair of leak-proof gathers are provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and are configured so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed and a portion between the both ends can stand up by contracting in the longitudinal direction,
An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein when the leak-proof gathers are folded inward in the width direction, the inner edge of the colored region in the width direction is located more inward in the width direction than the apex of the leak-proof gathers.

[5] A pair of leak-proof gathers are provided on both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction, and are configured so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed and a portion between the both ends can stand up by contracting in the longitudinal direction,
An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein when the leak-proof gathers are folded inward in the width direction, at the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the edge of the absorbent core in the width direction is located outside in the width direction relative to the apex of the leak-proof gathers.

[6] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [5], wherein the absorbent core is formed to have approximately the same width throughout the entire longitudinal direction.

[7] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [6], in which a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region has a pair of recesses on both sides of the center line, each extending in the longitudinal direction and making the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction smaller than the surrounding area.

[8] An absorbent article according to [7], wherein each of the pair of recesses has a ventral curved portion that curves outward in the width direction as it moves from the center position of the recess in the longitudinal direction toward the ventral side, and a dorsal curved portion that curves outward in the width direction as it moves from the center position of the recess toward the dorsal side.

[9] An absorbent article of [7] or [8], wherein at least a portion of each of the pair of recesses overlaps with the colored area in the thickness direction.

[10] An absorbent article of any of [7] to [9], wherein each of the pair of recesses overlaps with the colored region in the thickness direction over more than half of its area.

[11] An absorbent article of any of [7] to [10], wherein each of the pair of recesses entirely overlaps with the colored area in the thickness direction.

[12] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [11], wherein at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the combined width of the pair of colored regions in the width direction is greater than or equal to the width of the non-colored region in the width direction.

[13] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [11], wherein at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the combined width of the pair of colored regions in the width direction is less than or equal to the width of the non-colored region in the width direction.

[14] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [13], wherein each of the pair of colored regions is arranged over at least the entire crotch region in the longitudinal direction.

[15] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [14], wherein each of the pair of colored regions is arranged so as to overlap with regions on both sides of a central region in the longitudinal direction when the absorbent article is divided into thirds in the longitudinal direction.

[16] An absorbent article of any of [1] to [15], wherein the longitudinal edges of each of the pair of colored regions overlap with the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core.

[17] An absorbent article according to any one of [1] to [16], in which a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region is provided with a groove portion extending in the longitudinal direction along the center line and in which the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction is made smaller than the surrounding area.

[18] An absorbent article of [17] further comprising an elastic member that is included in the crotch region of the absorbent core and that stretches at least a portion along the center line in the longitudinal direction.

[19] An absorbent article set comprising an absorbent article having at least the configuration of [2] above and an absorbent pad attached to the absorbent article for use,
The absorbent article is a pants-type or tape-type disposable diaper,
An absorbent article set, wherein when the absorbent pad is attached to the skin side of the inner body of the absorbent article so that the center line passes through the center of the absorbent pad in the width direction, at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the outer edges of the pair of colored areas in the width direction are positioned outer than the outer ends of the absorbent pad in the width direction.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. The drawings may be partially simplified or exaggerated for ease of understanding, and the dimensional ratios are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

The absorbent article 1 according to one embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the absorbent article 1. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the non-skin-facing side Z2, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 as viewed from the skin-facing side Z1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Figs. 5(A) and (B) are schematic diagrams of the cross-sectional structure taken along line V-V in Fig. 3. Fig. 5(A) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the leakage-preventing gathers 25 described below are raised, and Fig. 5(B) is a schematic diagram of the state in which the leakage-preventing gathers 25 are laid down to the maximum extent inward.

In the following description, a "wearer" is a person who wears absorbent article 1. The "skin-facing side" is the side that faces the wearer's skin when absorbent article 1 is worn by the wearer (hereinafter referred to as the "worn state"). The "non-skin-facing side" is the side that faces away from the wearer's skin when worn. A "user" of absorbent article 1 includes the wearer described above, as well as a helper (caregiver/caregiver) who raises or looks after the wearer, who is a child or a person being cared for.

As shown in Fig. 1, as an example, the absorbent article 1 is a pants-type disposable diaper that absorbs waste such as urine from a wearer. That is, 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 (Fig. 1 shows the leg opening H2 through which the left leg passes). The absorbent article 1 is composed of an exterior body 10 that faces the outside (non-skin-facing side Z2) when worn, and an interior body 20 fixed to the inside of the exterior body 10. The absorbent article 1 is provided so as to be cut by tearing a pair of side seal portions 10a of the exterior body 10 provided on both the left and right sides of the wearer.

2 and 3 show the absorbent article 1 in an unfolded state in which the outer casing 10 has been cut along a pair of side seal portions 10a and the absorbent article 1 has been stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the shape and positional relationship of each part of the absorbent article 1 in the unfolded state will be described.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent article 1 has a configuration in which a ventral region 1a is located on the ventral side of the wearer when worn, a dorsal region 1b is located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region 1c is located between the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b, which are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y.

In the unfolded state, the absorbent article 1 extends in the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. The longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the ventral region 1a, the crotch region 1c, and the back region 1b are aligned. In the unfolded state, the longitudinal direction Y is the direction in which the ventral region 1a and the back region 1b face each other across the crotch region 1c. The width direction X is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y, and corresponds to the left and right direction of the wearer when worn. The thickness direction Z is a direction perpendicular to both the width direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, and is the direction in which the outer body 10 and the inner body 20 overlap each other. In the following description, the side in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent article 1 where the ventral region 1a is located may be simply referred to as the "ventral side", and the side in the longitudinal direction Y where the back region 1b is located may be simply referred to as the "back side".

In the present embodiment, when the absorbent article 1 is a pants-type diaper, the ventral region 1a is defined as a portion of the absorbent article 1 that is included in the range from the ventral end 10b of the outer body 10 to the ventral end of the ventral side seal portion 10a in the unfolded state (see Figs. 2 and 3). Similarly, the ventral region 1b is defined as a portion of the absorbent article 1 that is included in the range from the ventral end 10c of the outer body 10 to the ventral end of the ventral side seal portion 10a in the unfolded state. In addition, when the absorbent article 1 has a configuration other than a pants-type diaper (for example, a tape-type diaper or an absorbent pad), the ventral region 1a and the ventral region 1b may be defined by other methods. For example, when the entire absorbent article 1 is divided into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y, the two central regions may be defined as the crotch region 1c, and the regions on both sides of the crotch region 1c may be defined as the ventral region 1a and the ventral region 1b.

(Configuration of exterior body)
As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the exterior body 10 has a main body sheet 11, a ventral sheet 12, and a back sheet 13. As an example, the main body sheet 11 is a sheet member that defines the overall outer shape of the exterior body 10 as viewed in the thickness direction Z (in this embodiment, as an example, an hourglass shape). However, the configuration of the main body sheet 11 is not limited to the above. For example, the main body sheet 11 may have a so-called three-piece configuration consisting of two sheet members corresponding to the ventral side and the back side, respectively, and a sheet member arranged on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the interior body 20. The ventral sheet 12 is arranged so as to overlap with the main body sheet 11 in the ventral region 1a. The back sheet 13 is arranged so as to overlap with the main body sheet 11 in the back region 1b. The main body sheet 11 is formed of, for example, an SMS nonwoven fabric. The ventral sheet 12 and the back sheet 13 are formed of, for example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric.

The ventral sheet 12 is folded back so as to sandwich the ventral end 11a of the main sheet 11. That is, the ventral sheet 12 has an inner portion 121 located inside the main sheet 11 (skin-facing side Z1) and an outer portion 122 located on the non-skin-facing side Z2 (outside) of the main sheet 11.

The end 121a of the folded inner portion 121 is located dorsally of the ventral end 20a of the inner body 20 and ventrally of the ventral end 31a of the absorbent core 31 contained in the inner body 20.

The end 122a of the folded outer portion 122 is located further back than the end 121a of the inner portion 121. Between the outer portion 122 and the main body sheet 11 in the abdominal region 1a, a plurality of abdominal stretch members 14 (19 in this embodiment) are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, each abdominal stretch member 14 extends parallel to the width direction X between the edges 1d in the width direction X of the abdominal region 1a of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the abdominal waist portion of the exterior body 10 stretches in the width direction X while fitting to the waist of the wearer. The plurality of abdominal stretch members 14 are made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or spandex.

The back sheet 13 is folded back so as to sandwich the back end 11b of the main sheet 11. That is, the back sheet 13 has an inner portion 131 located inside the main sheet 11 (skin-facing side Z1) and an outer portion 132 located on the non-skin-facing side Z2 (outside) of the main sheet 11.

The end 131a of the folded inner portion 131 is located more ventral than the rear end 20b of the inner body 20 and more rear than the rear end 31b of the absorbent core 31 contained in the inner body 20.

The end 132a of the folded outer portion 132 is located closer to the ventral side than the end 131a of the inner portion 131. Between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11 in the back region 1b, a plurality of (15 in this embodiment) back stretch members 15 are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, each back stretch member 15 extends parallel to the width direction X between the edges 1e in the width direction X of the back region 1b of the absorbent article 1. Therefore, the back waist portion of the exterior body 10 also stretches in the width direction X while fitting the wearer's waist, similar to the ventral waist portion provided with the above-mentioned abdominal stretch member 14. The plurality of back stretch members 15 are made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or spandex.

Between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) leg stretch members 16 are arranged along the longitudinal direction Y on the ventral side of the plurality of back stretch members 15. As shown in FIG. 2, each leg stretch member 16 extends in the width direction X between the edges 1e of the back region 1b of the absorbent article 1 and includes a portion that extends in a curved shape along the edge of each of the back portions of the pair of leg openings H2. The plurality of leg stretch members 16 allow the exterior body 10 to stretch to fit the wearer's legs. The plurality of leg stretch members 16 are made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or spandex.

The inner portion 121 of the ventral sheet 12 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the inner portion 121 and the inner body 20. The outer portion 122 of the ventral sheet 12 and the main body sheet 11 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the outer portion 122 and the main body sheet 11, so as to sandwich the multiple abdominal stretch members 14. Similarly, the inner portion 131 of the back sheet 13 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the inner portion 131 and the inner body 20. The outer portion 132 of the back sheet 13 and the main body sheet 11 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) arranged between the outer portion 132 and the main body sheet 11, so as to sandwich the multiple back stretch members 15 and the multiple leg stretch members 16. Furthermore, the main body sheet 11 and the inner body 20 are bonded to each other by a hot melt adhesive (not shown) disposed between the main body sheet 11 and the inner body 20 (back sheet 22). By bonding the various members together as described above, the absorbent article 1 has a configuration in which the outer body 10 and the inner body 20 are integrally bonded together.

(Configuration of the interior body)
2, 3 and 5, the inner body 20 has a rectangular shape that extends in the longitudinal direction Y and the width direction X when viewed in the thickness direction Z, with the length in the longitudinal direction Y being longer than the length in the width direction X. The inner body 20 has a top sheet 21, a back sheet 22, an absorbent body 23, and a pair of side sheets 24.

The top sheet 21 is located on the wearer's skin side Z1 when worn, and constitutes the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin. The top sheet 21 is made of a nonwoven fabric that has liquid permeability (water permeability), such as a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and covers the absorbent body 23 from the skin side Z1. Typically, the top sheet 21 is white and plain. The top sheet 21 is adhered to the surface of the skin side Z1 of the absorbent body 23 (the surfaces of the white tissue 32 and colored tissue 33 described below) by, for example, a hot melt adhesive (not shown).

The back sheet 22 is a sheet that is located on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the wearer when worn. Specifically, the back sheet 22 is located on the opposite side of the top sheet 21 with the absorbent body 23 in between. The back sheet 22 is, for example, made of a film that is impermeable to liquids (water impermeable), and covers the absorbent body 23 from the non-skin-facing side Z2. The back sheet 22 is adhered to the surface of the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent body 23 by, for example, a hot melt adhesive (not shown).

The absorbent body 23 is disposed between the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 22 of the inner body 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the absorbent body 23 includes an absorbent core 31 that absorbs the wearer's urine and other excrement that has passed through the top sheet 21, a pair of white tissues 32 that cover the skin side Z1 of the absorbent core 31, and a pair of colored tissues 33 that are disposed on the pair of white tissues 32. The width (length in the width direction X) of the absorbent body 23 (absorbent core 31) is approximately the same as the width of the inner body 20. The length (length in the longitudinal direction Y) of the absorbent body 23 (absorbent core 31) is slightly shorter than the length of the inner body 20. Specifically, the ventral end 31a of the absorbent core 31 is located on the dorsal side of the ventral end 20a of the inner body 20 (top sheet 21, etc.). In addition, the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31 is located on the ventral side of the dorsal end 20b of the inner body 20 (top sheet 21, etc.).

The absorbent core 31 is laminated on the back sheet 22. The absorbent core 31 contains, for example, pulp fibers and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and absorbs the wearer's urine. As the pulp for the absorbent core 31, for example, chemical pulp, cellulose fibers, rayon, acetate, and other cellulose fibers are used. As the superabsorbent polymer, for example, starch-based, acrylic acid-based, or amino acid-based particulate or fibrous polymers are used.

The pair of white tissues 32 are arranged to cover the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 31. As an example, the pair of white tissues 32 each extend from the outer edge of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X to the center of the width direction X, and are arranged to overlap each other in the center of the width direction X. When viewed from the thickness direction Z, each of the pair of white tissues 32 is formed in a rectangular shape extending from the ventral end 31a to the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31. In other words, the edge of each white tissue 32 in the longitudinal direction Y overlaps the edge of the absorbent core 31 in the longitudinal direction Y (the ventral end 31a and the dorsal end 31b).

The pair of colored tissues 33 are tissues colored in a color other than white (blue as an example). The pair of colored tissues 33 are arranged so as to overlap the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction Z on both sides of the center line CL1 that passes through the center of the absorbent body 23 (absorbent core 31) in the width direction X and is parallel to the longitudinal direction Y. The outer end 33a of each of the pair of colored tissues 33 in the width direction X is arranged so as to overlap the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X. When viewed from the thickness direction Z, each of the pair of colored tissues 33 is formed in a rectangular shape extending from the ventral end 31a to the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31. That is, the edge 33b (see FIG. 3) of each colored tissue 33 in the longitudinal direction Y overlaps the edge (ventral end 31a and dorsal end 31b) of the absorbent core 31 in the longitudinal direction Y.

Here, since the top sheet 21 is a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric as described above, the color of the member on the non-skin side Z2 of the top sheet 21 is visible from the skin side Z1 of the top sheet 21. Therefore, it is possible to visually recognize the color of each of the pair of colored tissues 33 from the skin side Z1. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of colored tissues 33 form a pair of colored regions A1. In addition, a non-colored region A2 is formed between the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X on the same side (skin side Z1 in this embodiment) as the side on which the pair of colored regions A1 are provided with respect to the absorbent core 31. The colored region A1 is a region in which the colored tissues 33 are arranged, and is a region through which the color of the colored tissues 33 (blue in this embodiment) is visible when viewed from the skin side Z1 of the top sheet 21. The non-colored region A2 is a region where the colored tissue 33 is not arranged, and is a region where the white color (uncolored) of the white tissue 32 is visible when viewed from the skin-facing side Z1 of the topsheet 21. That is, in this embodiment, the colored tissue 33 functions as a member that constitutes the colored region A1, and the white tissue 32 mainly functions as a member that constitutes the non-colored region A2 (white region).

The pair of side sheets 24 are located at the ends of the width direction X of the inner body 20. The pair of side sheets 24 form a pair of leak-proof gathers 25 for preventing leakage of waste such as urine excreted by the wearer in the width direction X (lateral leakage). The pair of leak-proof gathers 25 are provided on both sides of the absorbent body 23 in the width direction X, and are configured such that both ends (fixed areas FA) in the longitudinal direction Y are fixed, and the portion between the fixed areas FA can be erected by contracting in the longitudinal direction Y. As an example, the leak-proof gathers 25 have a structure in which multiple (for example, four) elastic members 26 extending in the longitudinal direction Y are arranged inside the side sheet 24 folded back into a bag shape. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only one elastic member 26 out of the four elastic members 26 included in each leak-proof gather 25 shown in FIG. 5. When such an elastic member 26 contracts in the longitudinal direction Y, the portion of the side sheet 24 arranged between the fixed areas FA functions as the leak-proof gathers 25. The elastic member 26 is made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or flat rubber.

(Functions and Effects of Absorbent Article 1)
In the absorbent article 1 described above, as shown in Fig. 3, the outer edge portions (outer end portions 33a of the colored tissue 33) of the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X are arranged so as to overlap with the end edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X. Furthermore, the number X1 of sheet materials stacked on the pair of colored regions A1 (colored tissue 33) on the opposite side (skin side Z1) from the side (non-skin side Z2) where the absorbent core 31 is arranged with respect to the pair of colored regions A1 (colored tissue 33) is equal to or less than the number X2 of sheet materials stacked on the non-colored region A2 (white tissue 32) on the opposite side (skin side Z1) from the side (non-skin side Z2) where the absorbent core 31 is arranged with respect to the non-colored region A2 (white tissue 32) (i.e., "X1 ≦ X2"). In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the sheet material arranged on the colored region A1 (colored tissue 33) is only the top sheet 21, so "X1 = 1 top sheet 21". Similarly, the only sheet material placed on the non-colored area A2 (white tissue 32) is the topsheet 21, so "X2 = one topsheet 21." Therefore, "X1 = X2" is established.

As described above, in the absorbent article 1, a pair of colored regions A1 having outer edges overlapping the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X are provided, and the quantity X1 of the sheet material stacked on the pair of colored regions A1 is set to be equal to or less than the quantity X2 of the sheet material stacked on the non-colored region A2 (in this embodiment, X1 = X2). In other words, the visibility of the pair of colored regions A1 is not unnecessarily hindered by not arranging a greater quantity of sheet material on the pair of colored regions A1 than the non-colored region A2. This allows the user to properly view the pair of colored regions A1, and allows the user to easily grasp the position of the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X. As a result, the user can be given a sense of expectation that the leakage of excrement will be effectively prevented by the absorbent core 31 arranged up to a position overlapping the outer edge of the pair of colored regions A1 (the outer end 33a of the colored tissue 33). Furthermore, when it is confirmed that no side leakage of excrement occurs after use of the absorbent article 1, a sense of security for the absorbent article 1 (in other words, a sense of trust in the absorbent article 1 based on the realization that the effects that were expected in advance as described above have actually been obtained) can be suitably fostered. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can effectively improve the sense of security of the user.

In addition, the area along the edge of the colored area A1 in the width direction X (the outer end 33a of the colored tissue 33) is configured so that the number of stacked sheet materials is not greater than in other areas within the colored area A1. In other words, the entire colored area A1 has the same visibility, and the area along the edge (the outer end 33a) of the colored area A1 that is particularly desired to be visible by the user is configured so that visibility is not impaired compared to other areas within the colored area A1. This allows the user to easily visually grasp the position of the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 through the colored area A1.

The pair of colored regions A1 and non-colored regions A2 are disposed on the wearer's skin side Z1 relative to the absorbent core 31. According to the above configuration, when the absorbent article 1 is put on the wearer (i.e., when the user visually recognizes the skin side Z1 of the absorbent article 1), the pair of colored regions A1 allow the user to visually grasp the area in which the absorbent core 31 is disposed (the position of the edge 31c in the width direction X), thereby providing the user with a suitable sense of security regarding the absorbent article 1.

5B, when the leak-proof gathers 25 are folded inward in the width direction X, the inner edge of the colored region A1 in the width direction X (i.e., the inner end 33c of the colored tissue 33) is located more inward in the width direction X than the apex 25a of the leak-proof gathers 25. According to the above configuration, even when the leak-proof gathers 25 are folded inward in the width direction X to the maximum extent, the colored region A1 is not completely hidden by the leak-proof gathers 25, so the visibility of the colored region A1 can be ensured.

5B, when the leak-preventing gathers 25 are folded inward in the width direction X, the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 in the width direction X is located outside the apex 25a of the leak-preventing gathers 25 at the center position of the absorbent body 23 in the longitudinal direction Y (on the center line CL2 in FIG. 3). According to the above configuration, the absorbent core 31 is formed in a wide shape that has the above-mentioned positional relationship with the leak-preventing gathers 25 (for example, a shape that does not have a typical waist shape, or even if there is a waist part, the width of the waist part is larger than a typical size), thereby improving the effect of preventing lateral leakage of excrement by the absorbent core 31. Furthermore, the fact that the absorbent core 31 is wide enough that the position of the edge 31c has the above-mentioned positional relationship with the leak-preventing gathers 25 is visually emphasized by the colored area A1, so that the user can be given a sense of security about the absorbent article 1. Furthermore, by providing the colored region A1 at a position along the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 while making the absorbent core 31 wide in this manner, even when an absorbent pad such as a urine absorption pad is placed on the inner body 20 (top sheet 21) of the absorbent article 1, it is possible to make the colored region A1 protrude on both sides of the absorbent pad in the width direction X, allowing the user to visually recognize that the absorbent core 31 is wide. As a result, even when the absorbent article 1 and an absorbent pad are used in combination, the user can be given a suitable sense of security with respect to the absorbent article 1.

Furthermore, the absorbent core 31 is formed to have a substantially equal width throughout the entire longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, the absorbent core 31 is formed to have a rectangular shape of equal width when viewed from the thickness direction Z. According to the above configuration, the absorbent core 31 does not have a constricted shape and is formed to be wide throughout the entire longitudinal direction Y, thereby improving the effect of preventing side leakage and the sense of security given to the user.

3 and 5, the absorbent core 31 in the crotch region 1c has a pair of recesses 311 extending in the longitudinal direction Y and having a thickness in the thickness direction Z smaller than the surrounding area on both sides of the center line CL1. As an example, the recesses 311 can be formed by laminating the material (SAP, pulp, etc.) constituting the absorbent core 31 only in an area other than a part of the back sheet 22 (an area where the recesses 311 are to be formed). In this case, the recesses 311 are a portion where the material constituting the absorbent core 31 is not present and the absorbent core 31 has no thickness (thickness is 0). According to the above configuration, it is possible to deform the absorbent core 31 starting from the pair of recesses 311, so that the wide absorbent core 31 can improve the side leakage prevention effect while reducing the discomfort of the wearer that may be caused by making the absorbent core 31 wider.

In this embodiment, each of the pair of recesses 311 has a ventral curved portion 311a that curves outward in the width direction X as it moves from the center position of the recess 311 in the longitudinal direction Y toward the ventral side, and a dorsal curved portion 311b that curves outward in the width direction X as it moves from the center position of the recess 311 toward the dorsal side. That is, each recess 311 has a bow shape in which the center position in the longitudinal direction Y is located at the innermost position in the width direction X and both end positions in the longitudinal direction Y are located at the outermost positions in the width direction X. According to the above configuration, the pair of recesses 311 each having the ventral curved portion 311a and the dorsal curved portion 311b can improve the fit to the wearer's legs, and as a result, the discomfort felt by the wearer can be effectively reduced.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the entirety of each of the pair of recesses 311 overlaps with the colored region A1 in the thickness direction Z. As an example, the central position of the recess 311 in the longitudinal direction Y (the part located most inward in the width direction X) is arranged to contact the inner end of the colored region A1 (the inner end 33c of the colored tissue 33) when viewed from the thickness direction Z. According to the above configuration, the recess 311, which is the deformation starting point of the absorbent article 1, overlaps with the colored region A1, so that the colored region A1 can be suitably deformed. This makes it easier for the user to visually confirm how the colored region A1 (i.e., the absorbent core 31) is appropriately deformed in accordance with the movement of the foot. As a result, the absorbent article 1 can be suitably given a sense of security to the user.

As shown in FIG. 6A, each of the pair of recesses 311 may be arranged so that half or more of its area overlaps with the colored area A1 in the thickness direction Z. In this example, the innermost part of the recess 311 in the width direction X is located inside the inner end 33c of the colored area A1 (colored tissue 33) when viewed from the thickness direction Z, so that more than half of the entire area of the recess 311 overlaps with the colored area A1. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, at least a part of each of the pair of recesses 311 may be arranged so that it overlaps with the colored area A1 in the thickness direction Z. In this example, only the tip portions of the ventral curved portion 311a and the dorsal curved portion 311b of the recess 311 overlap with the colored area A1. Even in the form shown in FIG. 6A or 6B, the above-mentioned effect of making it easier for the user to visually recognize the appropriate deformation of the colored area A1 (i.e., the absorbent core 31) following the movement of the leg can be obtained. However, from the viewpoint of more suitably obtaining the above-mentioned effect, the form of FIG. 6(B) is more preferable than the form of FIG. 6(C), and the form of the above embodiment (FIG. 3) is even more preferable than the form of FIG. 6(B).

At the center position (on the center line CL2) of the absorbent body 23 in the longitudinal direction Y, the sum (w1×2) of the widths w1 of the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X may be equal to or greater than the width (w2) of the non-colored region A2 in the width direction X. That is, the width w1 of the pair of colored regions A1 may be set so that "w1×2≧w2" is satisfied. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the sum of the widths w1 of the colored regions A1 may be configured to be greater than the width w2 of the non-colored region A2. According to the above configuration, the visibility of the pair of colored regions A1 can be effectively improved by making the width of the pair of colored regions A1 sufficiently large relative to the non-colored region A2.

Alternatively, at the center position (on the center line CL2) of the absorbent 23 in the longitudinal direction Y, the sum of the widths w1 of the pair of colored regions A1 in the width direction X may be equal to or less than the width w2 of the non-colored region A2 in the width direction X. That is, the width w1 of the pair of colored regions A1 may be set so that "w1 x 2 ≦ w2" is satisfied. For example, as shown in (B) of FIG. 7, the sum of the widths w1 of the colored regions A1 may be configured to be smaller than the width w2 of the non-colored region A2. According to the above configuration, the amount of coloring material required to form the pair of colored regions A1 can be reduced by suppressing the width of the pair of colored regions A1 relative to the non-colored region A2 to a certain value or less. In addition, by setting the colored regions A1 only at positions relatively close to the portion along the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31, the colored regions A1 can allow the user to more accurately grasp the position of the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31.

3, in this embodiment, the width w1 of the colored region A1 is set so that the sum (w1×2) of the widths w1 of the pair of colored regions A1 is equal to the width w2 of the non-colored region A2. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a good balance between the advantages of the above-mentioned case of "w1×2≧w2" and the case of "w1×2≦w2".

It is preferable that each of the pair of colored regions A1 is disposed at least over the entire crotch region 1c in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, the ventral end 31a and the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31 reach the ventral region 1a and the dorsal region 1b, respectively, and both ends in the longitudinal direction Y of each colored region A1 (both end edges 33b of the colored tissue 33) overlap with the ventral end 31a and the dorsal end 31b of the absorbent core 31, so that the above-mentioned arrangement condition is satisfied. According to the above configuration, the colored region A1, which serves as a marker for the edge position of the absorbent core 31, is disposed over the entire crotch region 1c, which is the part most likely to cause side leakage of excrement (i.e., the part where the user is most likely to worry about side leakage), thereby favorably fostering a sense of security for the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that each of the pair of colored regions A1 is arranged so as to overlap with the regions on both sides of the central region R1 in the longitudinal direction Y (the ventral region R2 and the dorsal region R3) when the absorbent article 1 is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y. In this embodiment, the ventral region 1a is included in the region R2, and the dorsal region 1b is included in the region R3, and each colored region A1 extends from the ventral region 1a to the dorsal region 1b, so that the above arrangement condition is satisfied. According to the above configuration, the length of the colored region A1 in the longitudinal direction Y is sufficiently long, thereby improving the visibility of the colored region A1 and favorably fostering a sense of security for the user. In addition, from the viewpoint of further enhancing the above effect, it is more preferable that each of the pair of colored regions A1 is arranged so as to overlap with the regions on both sides in the longitudinal direction Y (the regions on both sides excluding the two central regions) when the absorbent article 1 is divided into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction Y.

The edges (edges 33b of the colored tissue 33) of each of the pair of colored regions A1 in the longitudinal direction Y overlap with the edges (ventral end 31a and dorsal end 31b) of the absorbent core 31 in the longitudinal direction Y. According to the above configuration, by making the length of the colored region A1 in the longitudinal direction Y sufficiently long to the same length as the absorbent core 31, the visibility of the colored region A1 can be improved and a sense of security can be created for the user.

3 and 5, the absorbent core 31 includes a groove 312 extending in the longitudinal direction Y along the center line CL1 in the crotch region 1c, and the thickness of the absorbent core 31 in the thickness direction Z is smaller than that of the surrounding area. As an example, the groove 312 can be formed by laminating the material (SAP, pulp, etc.) constituting the absorbent core 31 only in an area other than a part of the back sheet 22 (an area where the groove 312 is to be formed), similar to the pair of recesses 311. In this case, the groove 312 is formed by a part where the material constituting the absorbent core 31 is not present and the absorbent core 31 has no thickness (thickness is 0). In this embodiment, both the pair of recesses 311 and the groove 312 are formed by laminating the material constituting the absorbent core 31 only in an area other than the area where the pair of recesses 311 and the groove 312 are to be formed. The groove 312 is also disposed between the pair of recesses 311 at a position facing the urethral opening of the wearer. As an example, the groove portion 312 is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction Y when viewed from the thickness direction Z.

According to the above configuration, the urine excreted by the wearer (urine that has permeated the top sheet 21) can be suitably diffused along the grooves 312 in the longitudinal direction Y of the absorbent core 31, thereby improving the urine absorption efficiency in the absorbent core 31. In addition, since the absorbent core 31 can be deformed along the grooves 312, the adhesion of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening can be improved. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by forming the absorbent core 31 into a wide shape and providing the grooves 312, the adhesion of the absorbent core 31 to the wearer's urethral opening can be improved while the area of the absorbent core 31 present outside the width direction X of the adhesion part (the part facing the urethral opening) can be sufficiently increased. This effectively reduces the risk of urine leakage, and the user can feel even more secure about the absorbent article 1.

3 and 5, the inner body 20 has an elastic member 27 for stretching at least a portion of the absorbent core 31 in the crotch region 1c and along the center line CL1 in the longitudinal direction Y. The elastic member 27 is made of an elastic material such as rubber thread or flat rubber, similar to the elastic member 26. In this embodiment, as an example, the above-mentioned top sheet 21 is formed in a bag shape so as to cover the side surface of the absorbent core 31 and the surface of the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the back sheet 22. The elastic member 27 is fixed and arranged between the back sheet 22 and the top sheet 21 on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the back sheet 22. This suppresses sagging (i.e., movement away from the urethral opening) of the contact portion of the absorbent core 31 (the portion that deforms along the groove portion 312 so as to contact the urethral opening), and effectively improves the contact of the absorbent core 31 with the wearer's urethral opening.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the elastic member 27 is arranged at a position corresponding to the groove portion 312 when viewed from the thickness direction Z (in this embodiment, a position along the edge of the groove portion 312). More specifically, a pair of elastic members 27 each extending in the longitudinal direction Y are arranged along both side edges of the groove portion 312 in the width direction X. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress sagging (i.e., movement away from the urethral opening) of the contact portion of the absorbent core 31 (the portion that deforms along the groove portion 312 so as to contact the urethral opening), and to more effectively improve the contact of the absorbent core 31 with the wearer's urethral opening.

[Modification]
Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment. The materials and shapes of each component are not limited to the above-mentioned materials and shapes, and various materials and shapes can be adopted. In addition, some components of the absorbent article 1 described above may be modified to other configurations or omitted.

In the above embodiment, the pair of colored regions A1 and non-colored regions A2 are arranged on the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 31. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of colored regions A1 and non-colored regions A2 may be arranged on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent core 31. In the example of FIG. 8, the colored tissue 33 constituting the colored region A1 is arranged between the absorbent core 31 and the back sheet 22. Therefore, the quantity X1 of the sheet material stacked on the colored region A1 (colored tissue 33) on the non-skin-facing side Z2 is the quantity of only the back sheet 22 and the top sheet 21 (the part covering the back sheet 22), while the quantity X2 of the sheet material stacked on the non-skin-facing side Z2 (white tissue 32) is the quantity of the back sheet 22 and the top sheet 21 (the part covering the back sheet 22) plus the absorbent core 31, so "X1 < X2" is established. Incidentally, even if it is considered that the white color of the non-colored region A2 is constituted by the absorbent core 31, "X1 = X2" holds, and at least "X1 > X2" does not hold. According to the above configuration, when the absorbent article 1 is taken out of a package (e.g., a wrapping body containing a plurality of absorbent articles 1) or after the absorbent article 1 is worn by a wearer (i.e., a scene in which the user visually recognizes the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent article 1), the pair of colored regions A1 allows the user to visually grasp the region in which the absorbent core 31 is arranged (the position of the edge 31c in the width direction X), thereby suitably giving the user a sense of security with respect to the absorbent article 1.

The above embodiment and the configuration of Fig. 8 may be combined. That is, the colored tissue 33 may be arranged on the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 31 as in the above embodiment, and also on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent core 31 as in the example of Fig. 8. In this case, the colored area A1 formed by the colored tissue 33 allows the user to visually grasp the position of the edge 31c of the absorbent core 31 from both the skin-facing side Z1 and the non-skin-facing side Z2, and the user can be given a more appropriate sense of security regarding the absorbent article 1.

In the above embodiment, the shape, width (length in the width direction X), and length (length in the longitudinal direction Y) of one colored region A1 are identical to the shape, width, and length of the other colored region A1, but at least one of the shape, width, and length of one colored region A1 may be different from at least one of the shape, width, and length of the other colored region A1.

In the above embodiment, the colored area A1 is realized by arranging the colored tissue 33 as a separate member from the absorbent core 31 and the white tissue 32, but the colored area A1 may be formed by printing (for example, color printing on a part of the white tissue 32). When the colored area A1 is formed by printing, the number of members for forming the colored area A1 can be reduced.

In addition, when printing is used, it is easy to form colored areas A11, A12, and A13 having a predetermined pattern as shown in FIG. 9. The colored area A11 shown in FIG. 9(A) is formed by arranging multiple vertical stripe-shaped colored parts. The colored area A12 shown in FIG. 9(B) is formed by arranging multiple horizontal stripe-shaped colored parts. The colored area A13 shown in FIG. 9(C) is formed by regularly arranging multiple dot-shaped colored parts. In addition, when a colored area is formed by multiple scattered colored parts in this way, the area including multiple colored parts (i.e., one area that can be perceived as a single area in which multiple colored parts are arranged in a predetermined pattern) can be defined as the area (colored areas A11 to A13) corresponding to the colored area A1 described in the above embodiment.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is a pants-type diaper, but the absorbent article 1 may be a tape-type diaper. The absorbent article 1 may be an absorbent pad having the same or similar configuration as the inner body 20 of the above embodiment and not including a configuration corresponding to the outer body 10 of the above embodiment. When the absorbent article 1 is configured as a tape-type diaper or an absorbent pad, the "unfolded state" of the absorbent article 1 described in the above embodiment can be rephrased as a state in which the absorbent article 1 is stretched to a state in which no wrinkles are formed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the absorbent article 1 described above may be combined with an absorbent pad 50 to form an absorbent article set 100. The absorbent pad 50 has an absorbent core 51, a top sheet 52 covering the skin-facing side Z1 of the absorbent core 51, and a back sheet 53 covering the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the absorbent core 51. The absorbent core 51 may be made of, for example, the same material as the absorbent core 31 (e.g., SAP, pulp, etc.). As an example, the absorbent pad 50 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the thickness direction Z. However, the shape of the absorbent pad 50 is not limited to the above. For example, the absorbent pad 50 may be formed in an hourglass shape, or may be formed in an asymmetric shape with respect to a central axis parallel to the longitudinal direction Y.

In the absorbent article set 100, when the absorbent pad 50 is attached to the skin-facing side Z1 of the inner body 20 of the absorbent article 1 so that the center line CL1 passes through the center of the absorbent pad 50 in the width direction X, the outer edge portions of the pair of colored areas A1 in the width direction X (the outer end portions 33a of the colored tissue 33) are located outside the outer end portions 50a of the absorbent pad 50 in the width direction X at the center position of the absorbent body 23 in the longitudinal direction Y (i.e., on the center line CL2). As an example, a joining member for joining the absorbent pad 50 to the inner body 20 (top sheet 21) may be provided on the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the back sheet 53 of the absorbent pad 50. In this case, the absorbent pad 50 is placed on the inner body 20 so that the center line CL1 passes through the center of the absorbent pad 50 in the width direction X as described above, and the back sheet 53 of the absorbent pad 50 is pressed against the top sheet 21 of the inner body 20, so that the absorbent pad 50 can be attached to the inner body 20.

In the absorbent article set 100 of the above aspect, even when the absorbent pad 50 is attached to the inner body 20 of the absorbent article 1 for use in combination with the absorbent article 1, the outer edge portions (outer end portions 33a) of the pair of colored regions A1 can be visually recognized by the user at the center position (on the center line CL2) of the absorbent body 23 in the longitudinal direction Y. This allows the user to visually recognize that the absorbent article 1 has an absorbent core 31 that is wider than the absorbent pad 50 in the region where side leakage is a concern (i.e., the center position of the absorbent body 23 in the longitudinal direction Y). As a result, the user's sense of security can be effectively improved.

In addition, the absorbent articles constituting the absorbent article set 100 do not need to have all the configurations of the absorbent article 1 of the above embodiment, but only need to have at least a pair of colored regions A1 (members constituting the colored region A1) disposed on the skin side Z1 of the absorbent core 31 and have a wide shape on the center line CL2 as described above. The absorbent article 1 may be a tape-type disposable diaper. Even in this case, the same effect as that described above can be obtained when the absorbent article 1 is a pants-type disposable diaper. The absorbent article 1 and the absorbent pad 50 may also constitute a group of articles having the same brand name (a notation given to products with the same concept). That is, the absorbent article set 100 having the above-mentioned configuration may be realized by combining the absorbent article 1 and the absorbent pad 50 that correspond to each other with the same brand name (and size). In this case, the user can easily obtain the absorbent article 1 and the absorbent pad 50 constituting the absorbent article set 100 using the same brand name as a marker (i.e., can obtain a sense of security by realizing the above-mentioned absorbent article set 100). For example, a brand name (e.g., "Lifree (registered trademark)") common to the absorbent article 1 and the absorbent pad 50 may be displayed on the absorbent article 1 itself (e.g., the non-skin-facing side Z2 of the exterior body 10) or on a package that contains one or more absorbent articles 1. Similarly, the common brand name may be displayed on the absorbent pad 50 itself or on a package that contains one or more absorbent pads 50.

1...absorbent article, 1a...ventral region, 1b...dorsal region, 1c...crotch region, 21...top sheet, 22...back sheet, 23...absorbent body, 25...leak-proof gathers, 25a...top portion, 27...elastic member, 31...absorbent core, 31c...edge, 33b...edge, 311...recess, 50...absorbent pad, 50a...outer end, 100...absorbent article set, 311a...ventral curved portion, 311b...dorsal curved portion, 312...groove portion, A1, A11, A12, A13...colored region, A2...non-colored region.

Claims (18)

An absorbent article including a ventral region located on the ventral side of a wearer when worn, a dorsal region located on the dorsal side of the wearer when worn, and a crotch region located between the ventral region and the dorsal region, the absorbent article being provided along a longitudinal direction,
A liquid-permeable top sheet positioned on the skin side of the wearer when the wearer is in the worn state;
A liquid-impermeable back sheet located on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer when worn;
an absorbent body including an absorbent core disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet for absorbing exudates of the wearer;
a pair of leak-preventing gathers provided on both sides of the absorbent body in a width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the pair of leak-preventing gathers being configured so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed and a portion between the both ends can stand up by contracting in the longitudinal direction;
The absorbent body is
a pair of colored regions arranged on both sides of a center line passing through the center of the absorbent body in the width direction and parallel to the longitudinal direction so as to overlap with the absorbent core in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction;
a non-colored region disposed between the pair of colored regions in the width direction on the same side of the absorbent core as the pair of colored regions;
an outer edge portion of each of the pair of colored regions in the width direction is disposed so as to overlap an end edge of the absorbent core in the width direction;
the number of sheet materials laminated on the pair of colored regions on the side opposite to the side on which the absorbent core is disposed with respect to the pair of colored regions is equal to or less than the number of sheet materials laminated on the non-colored regions on the side opposite to the side on which the absorbent core is disposed with respect to the non-colored regions,
An absorbent article in which, when the leak-proof gathers are folded inward in the width direction, at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the edge of the absorbent core in the width direction is located outside the top of the leak-proof gathers in the width direction . The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pair of colored regions and the non-colored region are disposed closer to the wearer's skin than the absorbent core. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pair of colored regions and the non-colored region are disposed on the non-skin-facing side of the wearer relative to the absorbent core. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein when the leakage prevention gathers are folded inward in the width direction, the inner edge of the colored region in the width direction is located more inward in the width direction than the apex of the leakage prevention gathers. The absorbent article according to claim 1 , wherein the absorbent core is formed to have a substantially uniform width over the entire area in the longitudinal direction. An absorbent article as described in claim 1 or 5, wherein a portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region has a pair of recesses on both sides of the center line, each extending in the longitudinal direction and making the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction smaller than the surrounding area. 7. The absorbent article of claim 6, wherein each of the pair of recesses has a ventral curved portion that curves outward in the width direction as it moves from a center position of the recess in the longitudinal direction toward the ventral side, and a dorsal curved portion that curves outward in the width direction as it moves from the center position of the recess toward the dorsal side. The absorbent article according to claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of each of the pair of recesses overlaps with the colored region in the thickness direction. The absorbent article according to claim 6 , wherein half or more of an area of each of the pair of recesses overlaps with the colored region in the thickness direction. The absorbent article according to claim 6 , wherein each of the pair of recesses entirely overlaps with the colored region in the thickness direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the widths of the pair of colored regions in the width direction at the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction is equal to or greater than the width of the non-colored region in the width direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the widths of the pair of colored regions in the width direction at the center position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction is equal to or less than the width of the non-colored region in the width direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of colored regions is disposed over at least the entire crotch region in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of colored regions is arranged so as to overlap with regions on both sides of a central region in the longitudinal direction when the absorbent article is divided into thirds in the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal edge of each of the pair of colored regions overlaps with the longitudinal edge of the absorbent core. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a groove is provided in the portion of the absorbent core included in the crotch region, the groove extending in the longitudinal direction along the center line and making the thickness of the absorbent core in the thickness direction smaller than the surrounding area. The absorbent article according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member for stretching at least a portion of the absorbent core in the longitudinal direction, the elastic member being included in the crotch region and extending along the center line. An absorbent article set comprising the absorbent article according to claim 2 and an absorbent pad attached to the absorbent article,
The absorbent article is a pants-type or tape-type disposable diaper,
An absorbent article set, wherein when the absorbent pad is attached to the skin side of the absorbent article so that the center line passes through the center of the absorbent pad in the width direction, at the central position of the absorbent body in the longitudinal direction, the outer edges of the pair of colored areas in the width direction are positioned outer than the outer ends of the absorbent pad in the width direction.

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