阅读说明：本技术 吸收性物品 (Absorbent article ) 是由 深山拓也 坂口智 渡边纱纪子 于 2018-12-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供一种具有容易展开的构造的带式的吸收性物品。吸收性物品具有：长度方向(L)；与长度方向正交的宽度方向(W)；前腰围区域(S3)；后腰围区域(S1)；前腰围区域与后腰围区域之间的下裆区域(S2)；吸收体(40),其至少配置于下裆区域；一对翼片部(80),其在后腰围区域中在宽度方向上比吸收体向外侧伸出；以及粘扣带(90),其设于一对翼片部,具有能够卡合于前腰围区域的钩。粘扣带具有至少折叠为三层的能够展开的折叠部。在吸收性物品的折叠状态下,翼片部以沿着长度方向的长度折线(FL3)作为起点地折叠。在一对翼片部以长度折线作为起点地折叠的状态下,设于一对翼片部的粘扣带彼此重叠。(Provided is a belt-type absorbent article having a structure that is easy to unfold. The absorbent article has: a length direction (L); a width direction (W) orthogonal to the length direction; a front waistline region (S3); a rear waist region (S1); a crotch region (S2) between the front waistline region and the back waistline region; an absorber (40) disposed at least in the crotch region; a pair of flap parts (80) which extend outward in the width direction of the rear waistline region than the absorber; and a hook and loop fastener (90) which is provided on the pair of flap sections and has hooks capable of engaging with the front waist region. The fastening tape has a foldable portion that can be unfolded and folded into at least three layers. In the folded state of the absorbent article, the flap portions are folded with a longitudinal folding line (FL3) along the longitudinal direction as a starting point. The hook and loop fasteners provided in the pair of flap portions are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point.)

1. An absorbent article having:

a length direction;

a width direction orthogonal to the length direction;

a front waistline region;

a rear waist region;

a crotch region between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region;

an absorber disposed at least in the crotch region;

a pair of flap portions that extend outward in the width direction from the absorbent body in the rear waistline region; and

a hook and loop fastener provided on the pair of flap portions and having a hook capable of engaging with the front waistline region,

the fastening tape is provided with a folding part which is at least folded into three layers and can be unfolded,

in the folded state of the absorbent article, the flap portion is folded with a longitudinal folding line along the longitudinal direction as a starting point,

the fastening tapes provided to the pair of flap portions are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1,

in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point, the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener protrudes outward in the width direction of the flap portion.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the folded portions of the pair of hook and loop fasteners overlap each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the folded portion overlaps with the sheet constituting the flap portion in the thickness direction of the absorbent article.

5. The absorbent article according to claim 4,

the folded portion is folded such that a portion close to the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener in the unfolded state is positioned closer to the skin surface side than a portion away from the free end portion in the unfolded state.

6. The absorbent article according to claim 5,

the fastening tape is not joined to at least the non-skin surface sheet located on the non-skin surface side of the fastening tape in the folded portion, among the sheets constituting the flap portion.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the hook which enables the fastening belt to be clamped in the front waistline area is arranged on the folding part.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,

the length of the folded portion in the width direction is longer than the length from the folded portion to the tip of the hook and loop fastener.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

the absorbent body has a waist stretch unit on the rear side in the longitudinal direction.

10. The absorbent article of claim 9,

the waist stretchable section extends outward in the width direction from an outer edge of the absorbent body.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 9 or 10, wherein,

the waist portion stretching portion extends outward in the width direction than the longitudinal folding line.

12. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein,

the absorbent article has a topsheet covering the absorbent body,

a shape is formed in a portion of the front sheet that overlaps the folded flap portion.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein,

the absorbent article has a pair of leg gathers provided on both sides across the center in the width direction of the absorbent article,

the leg side gathers extend in the longitudinal direction at least in the crotch region,

part of the effective stretchable region of the leg side gathers reaches the flap portion.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a so-called belt-type absorbent article provided with a fastening tape.

Background

As described in patent document 1, an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper of a so-called tape type is known. The absorbent article described in patent document 1 includes a front waistline region disposed at the front waistline of a wearer, a crotch region disposed at the crotch region of the wearer, and a rear waistline region disposed at the rear waistline of the wearer. The fastening tape which can be fixed on the front waistline region is arranged on the rear waistline region.

Disclosure of Invention

The absorbent article is usually folded when packaged. When an assistant or a wearer wears an absorbent article, the folded absorbent article is first unfolded. In this case, if the flap portions in the front waistline region are folded along the longitudinal fold line, the operation of unfolding the flap portions at the longitudinal fold line may be troublesome.

Therefore, a belted absorbent article having a more easily unfolded configuration is desired.

An absorbent article according to one aspect includes: a length direction; a width direction orthogonal to the length direction; a front waistline region; a rear waist region; a crotch region between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region; an absorber disposed at least in the crotch region; a pair of flap portions that extend outward in the width direction from the absorbent body in the rear waistline region; and a hook and loop fastener provided on the pair of flap portions and having a hook capable of engaging with the front waistline region. The fastening tape has a foldable portion that can be unfolded and is folded at least into three layers. In the folded state of the absorbent article, the flap portion is folded with a longitudinal folding line along the longitudinal direction as a starting point. The fastening tapes provided to the pair of flap portions are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article of embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article folded with the length folding line FL3 shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line 3A-3A of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the fastening tape in a folded state.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the deployed fastening strip.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and loop fastener taken along line F2-F2 shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and loop fastener taken along line F3-F3 shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view for explaining a gap generated on the lower side of the folded flap portion.

Detailed Description

(1) Brief description of the embodiments

At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

An absorbent article according to one aspect has: a length direction; a width direction orthogonal to the length direction; a front waistline region; a rear waist region; a crotch region between the front waistline region and the rear waistline region; an absorber disposed at least in the crotch region; a pair of flap portions that extend outward in the width direction from the absorbent body in the rear waistline region; and a hook and loop fastener provided on the pair of flap portions and having a hook capable of engaging with the front waistline region. The fastening tape has a foldable portion that can be unfolded and is folded at least into three layers. In the folded state of the absorbent article, the flap portions are folded with a longitudinal folding line along the longitudinal direction as a starting point, and the fastening tapes provided in the pair of flap portions are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as the starting point.

Since the pair of the fastening tapes are overlapped with each other in a state where the flap portion is folded, the thickness of the portion where the fastening tapes are overlapped with each other is increased. This makes it easy for at least one of the fin portions (the fin portion located on the upper side) to float upward, and a gap is easily generated below the one fin portion. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap, so that the flap portion can be easily unfolded.

According to a preferred aspect, in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point, the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener protrudes outward in the width direction of the flap portion.

Since the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener is exposed outside the flap portion, the distance from the free end portion of the flap portion to the longitudinal folding line can be made relatively long. Thus, the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener, which is the bending start point of the flap portion, is spaced apart from the longitudinal folding line, and therefore, a gap is more easily formed below the flap in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap, so that the flap portion can be more easily unfolded.

According to a preferred aspect, the folded portions of the pair of surface fastener tapes are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions are folded with the longitudinal folding line as a starting point.

Since the folded portions of the fastening tapes, which are overlapped at least in three layers, are overlapped with each other, the thickness of the portion where the fastening tapes are overlapped with each other is further increased. This makes it easier for at least one of the fin portions to further float upward, and a gap is more likely to be formed below the fin portion. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap, so that the flap portion can be more easily unfolded.

According to a preferable aspect, the folded portion overlaps with the sheet constituting the flap portion in the thickness direction of the absorbent article.

The folded portion has higher rigidity than the free end portion because it is a portion where at least three layers overlap. Therefore, when the absorbent article in a state in which the flap portion is folded is slightly bent in the valley folding direction with the assistor or user gripping the absorbent article with both hands, the folded portion functions to lift the sheet constituting the flap portion upward with the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form a gap below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the folded portion is folded such that a portion closer to the free end portion in the unfolded state is positioned closer to the skin surface side than a portion farther from the free end portion in the unfolded state.

When the assistor or the user slightly bends the absorbent article in the folded state of the flaps in the valley folding direction while holding the absorbent article with both hands, the folded portion easily functions to lift the sheet constituting the flaps upward with the free end portions of the hook and loop fasteners serving as fulcrums. This makes it easier to form a gap below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the fastening tape is not joined to the non-skin surface sheet positioned on the non-skin surface side of the fastening tape, of the sheet constituting the flap portion, at least at the folded portion.

Since the folded portion of the fastening tape is not joined to the non-skin surface sheet located closer to the non-skin surface side than the fastening tape, the folded portion of the fastening tape is more likely to float upward than the non-skin surface sheet. Therefore, the folded portion more easily functions to lift the sheet constituting the flap upward with the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form a gap below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred embodiment, the hook for engaging the fastening tape with the front waistline region is provided on the folding portion.

Since the hook is provided to the folded portion, the rigidity of the folded portion is improved. Therefore, the folded portion more easily lifts the sheet constituting the flap upward with the free end portion of the hook and loop fastener as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form a gap below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the length of the folded portion in the width direction is longer than the length from the folded portion to the tip of the hook and loop fastener.

If the length of the folded portion in the width direction is shorter than the length of the free end portion in the width direction, the folded portion becomes difficult to lift the sheet constituting the flap. Therefore, it is preferable that the length of the folded portion in the width direction is longer than the length of the free end portion in the width direction. This makes it easier to form a gap below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the absorbent body has a waist stretch unit on the rear side in the longitudinal direction.

There are regions that are easily stretched by the waist stretching portions and regions that are difficult to stretch. Due to the difference in expansion and contraction of the waist portion expanding and contracting portion, the pair of folded flap portions are inclined obliquely with respect to the width direction. Due to the skew caused by this expansion and contraction, it is easier to form a gap on the lower side of the fin portion. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred embodiment, the waist stretch unit extends outward in the width direction than the outer edge of the absorbent body.

The effect of the waist stretching portion pulling the flap portions is increased, and the pair of folded flap portions is more likely to be inclined obliquely with respect to the width direction. As a result, the gap is more easily formed below the fin portion. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the waist stretch unit extends further outward than the longitudinal folding line in the width direction.

Since the flap portions in the folded state are also pulled outward in the width direction, the flap portions are more likely to be inclined, and a gap is likely to be generated below the flap portions. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower side of the folded flap, thereby unfolding the flap portion more easily.

According to a preferred embodiment, the absorbent article has a top sheet covering the absorbent body, and the top sheet is shaped in a portion overlapping the flap portion in a folded state.

The free end of the fastening tape is easy to hook the shaping of the surface sheet. Therefore, when the absorbent article in a state in which the flaps are folded is slightly bent in the valley folding direction with the assistor or user gripping the absorbent article with both hands, the free end portions of the hook and loop fastener are not displaced in the width direction, and therefore, a gap is more likely to be generated below the flap portions. Therefore, it is easier for an assistant or a user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower sides of the folded flap portions, thereby unfolding the flap portions more easily.

According to a preferred aspect, the absorbent article has a pair of leg side gathers provided on both sides across the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, the leg side gathers extend in the longitudinal direction at least in the crotch region, and a part of the effective stretchable region of the leg side gathers reaches the flap portion.

The vicinity of the root of the folded flap portion is dragged by the leg gather, so that a gap is more easily generated in the area near the length folding line of the folded flap portion. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap, so that the flap portion can be more easily unfolded.

(2) Structure of absorbent article

The absorbent article of the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic, and it should be noted that the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ratio of each dimension and the like. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article folded with the length folding line FL3 shown in fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article taken along line 3A-3A of fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the fastening tape in a folded state. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the deployed fastening strip. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and loop fastener taken along line F2-F2 shown in fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and loop fastener taken along line F3-F3 shown in fig. 5. The absorbent article 10 may be, for example, a disposable diaper. The absorbent article 10 of the present embodiment is particularly preferably an absorbent article worn by an infant or a carer as an assistant such as a parent or a carer.

The absorbent article 10 has a front waistline region S1, a crotch region S2, and a rear waistline region S3. The front waistline region S1 is a portion that contacts the front waistline portion (abdomen) of the wearer. The back waistline region S3 is a portion that contacts the back waistline portion (back) of the wearer. The crotch region S2 is located between the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S3.

The absorbent article 10 has a longitudinal direction L and a width direction W. The longitudinal direction L is a direction from the front waistline region S1 toward the rear waistline region S3, or a direction from the rear waistline region S3 toward the front waistline region S1. The width direction W is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L. The thickness direction T is a direction from the skin surface side of the absorbent article 10 toward the non-skin surface side, or a direction from the non-skin surface side toward the skin surface side.

The absorbent article 10 may have a topsheet 50, a non-skin facing sheet 60, and an absorber 40. The top sheet 50 may be positioned on the skin surface side of the absorbent article 10 and has liquid permeability. The non-skin surface sheet 60 may be positioned on the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article and has liquid impermeability.

The absorbent 40 contains a material that absorbs the body fluid of the wearer. The absorber 40 is provided between the top sheet 50 and the non-skin-facing sheet 60. The absorber 40 may be provided at least in the crotch region S2 and span the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S3. The absorber 40 may have an absorbent core 40a that absorbs body fluid of the wearer and a core wrap 40b that wraps the absorbent core 40 a.

The side sheet 70 may be provided in a range from an end of the absorber 40 to the outside of the absorber 40 in the width direction. The side sheet 70 may extend in the longitudinal direction L in the front waistline region S1, the crotch region S2, and the rear waistline region S3. The side sheet 70 may be formed of one or more stacked multiple sheets of nonwoven fabric.

The absorbent article 10 may have a waist stretch unit 85 on the rear side in the longitudinal direction L of the absorber 40. The waist stretching portion 85 is formed of an elastic member that can stretch in the width direction W. The elastic member may be made of, for example, a rubber band or a stretchable sheet.

The absorbent article 10 may have a pair of leg gathers 71 provided on both sides across the center of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction W. The leg side gathers 71 are formed of elastic members that can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction L. The elastic member may be constituted by a rubber band, for example. The elastic member constituting the leg side gather 71 can be provided to the side sheet 70, for example.

The absorbent article 10 may have a pair of leg gathers 76 provided on both sides across the center of the absorbent article 10 in the width direction W. The leg gathers 76 are formed of an elastic member that can expand and contract in the longitudinal direction L. The elastic member may be made of, for example, a rubber band or a stretchable sheet. The leg gathers 76 may be positioned further outward in the width direction than the leg side gathers 71.

The absorbent article 10 may have a pair of fastening tapes 90 that fix the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S3. The fastening tapes 90 may be provided on both sides of the rear waistline region S3 in the width direction W. When the absorbent article 10 is worn, the fastening tape 90 fixes the front waistline region S1 and the rear waistline region S3. Specifically, the absorbent article 10 is held on the body of the wearer by fixing the fastening tape 90 provided in the rear waistline region S3 to the front waistline region S1.

The absorbent article 10 has a pair of flap portions 80 that extend outward in the width direction W from the absorber 40 in the rear waistline region S3. In the folded state of the absorbent article 10, the pair of flap portions 80 are folded with the longitudinal folding line FL3 along the longitudinal direction L as a starting point. The pair of flap portions 80 may be folded valley-folded from the longitudinal folding line FL3 when viewed from the skin surface side. The longitudinal folding line FL3 may be located outside the absorber 40 in the width direction W.

The flap portion 80 is defined by a portion located on the outer side in the longitudinal direction L with respect to a point at 45 ° from a straight line extending in the width direction W in an outline line continuing from the back waistline region S3 to the crotch region S2.

The absorbent article 10 includes the fastening tape 90 provided on the pair of flap portions 80. The fastening tape 90 engages with the front waistline region S1 when in use. The fastening tape 90 may have a base material 91 fixed to the rear waistline region S3 and hook members 92 provided on the base material 91. A plurality of hooks capable of engaging with the front waistline region S1 may be provided on one surface (engaging surface) of the hook member 92. The hook members 92 are configured to be engageable with the front waistline region S1 in use.

The fastening tape 90 has an expandable folded portion that is folded at least into three layers. Specifically, in the expanded state of the fastening tape 90, the fastening tape 90 may have a mountain fold portion FL2 that is mountain folded when viewed from the skin surface side and a valley fold portion FL1 that is valley folded when viewed from the skin surface side. In this case, in the folded state of the fastening tape 90, the folded portion is defined by the region between the mountain fold portion FL2 and the valley fold portion FL1 and the region overlapping with this region in the thickness direction T.

In the expanded state of the surface fastener 90, the valley portion FL1 may be provided at a position outward of the mountain portion FL2 in the width direction W. The fastening tape 90 may be folded in three in a state where the valley fold portion FL1 and the mountain fold portion FL2 are folded. In this case, in the folded state of the surface fastener 90, the free end portion 93 of the surface fastener 90 extends outward in the width direction W. In the unfolded state of the absorbent article, the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 may protrude outward in the width direction W of the flap portion 80. The fastening end 94 of the fastening tape 90 on the opposite side to the free end 93 may be fixed to the sheet material present in the rear waistline region S3, for example, may be fixed to the top sheet 50 and/or the non-skin surface sheet 60.

In the folded state of the hook fastener 90, a part of the hook member 92 may be opposed to the other part of the hook member 92 in the surfaces (folded portions) folded and overlapped with each other. That is, the hook member 92 may be provided on both sides with the valley portion FL1 interposed therebetween. In this case, since the hook members 92 face each other in the state where the hook and loop fastener 90 is folded, the hook members 92 can be prevented from being accidentally attached to the nonwoven fabric constituting the absorbent article 10.

Preferably, the front waistline region S1 or the rear waistline region S3 includes a storage portion 72 that stores at least a part of the fastening tape 90 in a folded state. The housing portion 72 may be formed of sheet members such as the side sheet 70 and the non-skin-facing sheet 60 described above.

As described above, when the folded surface fastener 90 is stored in the storage portion 72, the free end portion 93 of the surface fastener 90 preferably protrudes from the storage portion 72 to the outside. When the absorbent article 10 is worn by a cared person, the absorbent article is first used in a state where the absorbent article is laid on a bed, and the cared person is allowed to lie on the absorbent article. At this time, when the free end portion 93 of the surface fastener 90 protrudes outside from the housing portion 72, the surface fastener 90 can be easily pulled and expanded.

As shown in fig. 2, the fastening tapes 90 provided to the pair of flap portions 80 are overlapped with each other in a state where the pair of flap portions 80 are folded with the longitudinal folding line FL3 as a starting point. In this case, the thickness of the portion where the fastening tapes 90 overlap each other is increased. As a result, at least one of the fin portions (the fin portion located on the upper side) 90 is likely to float upward, and the gap I is likely to be generated below the one fin portion 80. In the example shown in fig. 2, the gap I is easily generated below the left-side fin portion 80. Therefore, the assistant or user can easily insert the fingers into the gap I, and can easily unfold the flap portion 80.

Preferably, the folded portions of the pair of fastening tapes 90 overlap each other in a state where the pair of flap portions 80 are folded with the length folding line FL3 as a starting point. That is, in a state where the flap portion 80 and the surface fastener 90 are folded, the folded portions of the pair of surface fastener 90 that are at least overlapped in three layers are overlapped with each other. Therefore, the thickness of the portion where the fastening tapes 90 overlap each other is further increased. This makes it easier for at least one fin portion 80 to further float upward, and thus a gap I is more easily generated below the fin portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap I, so that the flap portion 80 can be more easily unfolded.

Preferably, the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 projects outward in the width direction W of the flap portion 80 in a state where the pair of flap portions 80 are folded with the longitudinal folding line FL3 as a starting point (see also fig. 8). Since the free end 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 is exposed to the outside of the flap portion 80, the distance from the free end 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 to the longitudinal folding line FL3 is longer than the distance from the outer edge of the flap portion 80 in the width direction W to the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Thus, the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90, which easily becomes a starting point for floating the flap portion 80, is separated from the longitudinal folding line FL3, and therefore the gap I is more easily generated below the flap 80 in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap I, so that the flap portion 80 can be more easily unfolded.

Preferably, the fastening tape 90 is not joined to the non-skin surface sheet (non-skin surface sheet) 60 located on the non-skin surface side of the fastening tape 90, of the sheet material constituting the flap portion 80, at least at the folded portion. Since the folded portion of the fastening tape 90 is not joined to the non-skin surface sheet 60 located on the non-skin surface side of the fastening tape 90, the folded portion of the fastening tape 90 is more likely to float upward than the non-skin surface sheet 60. Therefore, the folded portion more easily functions to lift the sheet constituting the flap portion 80 upward with the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form the gap I below the flap portion in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to put fingers into the gap I on the lower side of the folded flap part 80, thereby unfolding the flap part 80 more easily.

As described above, the hooks 92 for engaging the fastening tape 90 with the front waistline region S1 are preferably provided in the folded portion. This improves the rigidity of the folded portion. Therefore, the folded portion more easily lifts the sheet constituting the flap upward with the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form the gap I below the flap 80 in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Thus, it is easier for an assistant or user to put fingers into the gaps of the lower sides of the folded flaps, thereby unfolding the flap portions 80 more easily.

Preferably, the length of the folded portion in the width direction W is longer than the length from the folded portion to the tip of the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90. If the length of the folded portion in the width direction W is short, the folded portion becomes difficult to lift the sheet constituting the flap portion 80. Therefore, the length of the folded portion in the width direction W is preferably longer than the length from the folded portion to the tip of the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90. This makes it easier to form the gap I below the flap 80 in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3.

Preferably, the folded portion of the fastening tape 90 overlaps the sheet constituting the flap portion 80 in the thickness direction T of the absorbent article 10. Since the folded portion is a portion overlapping at least three layers, it has higher rigidity than the free end portion 93. Therefore, when the absorbent article in a state in which the flap portion 80 is folded is slightly bent in the valley folding direction with the assistant or user gripping the absorbent article with both hands, the folded portion functions to lift the sheet constituting the flap portion 80 upward with the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form the gap I below the flap 80 in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3.

The folded portion of the fastening tape 90 is folded such that a portion closer to the free end 93 in the unfolded state is positioned closer to the skin surface side than a portion farther from the free end 93 in the unfolded state. When the absorbent article 10 in the folded state of the flap portion 80 is slightly bent in the valley folding direction in a state where the assistor or the user grips the absorbent article with both hands, the folded portion easily functions to lift the sheet constituting the flap portion 80 upward with the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 as a fulcrum. This makes it easier to form the gap I below the flap 80 in the vicinity of the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Therefore, it is easier for an assistant or a user to put fingers into the gaps on the lower sides of the folded flap portions 80, thereby unfolding the flap portions 80 more easily.

Preferably, the front sheet 50 is shaped at a portion overlapping the folded flap portion 80. The free end 93 of the fastening tape 90 is easily hooked to the shape of the surface sheet 50. Therefore, if the absorbent article in the state in which the assistant or user folds the flaps while gripping the absorbent article with both hands is slightly bent in the valley folding direction, the free end portion 93 of the hook and loop fastener 90 does not shift in the width direction W, and thus the gap I is more easily generated below the flap portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to put fingers into the gap I on the lower side of the folded flap part 80, thereby unfolding the flap part 80 more easily.

As described above, the absorbent article preferably has the waist stretch unit 85 on the rear side in the longitudinal direction L of the absorber 40. There are regions that are easily expanded and contracted by the waist portion expanding and contracting portion 85 and regions that are difficult to expand and contract. The pair of folded flap portions 80 are inclined obliquely with respect to the width direction W by the expansion and contraction of the waist portion expanding and contracting portion 85. Due to the skew caused by this expansion and contraction, the gap I is more easily formed on the lower side of the fin portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to put fingers into the gap I on the lower side of the folded flap part 80, thereby unfolding the flap part more easily.

The waist stretch unit 85 preferably extends outward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the absorber 40. The effect of the waist stretch section 85 pulling the flap portions 80 is increased, so that the pair of folded flap portions 80 are more easily inclined obliquely with respect to the width direction W. As a result, the gap I is more easily formed below the fin portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to put fingers into the gap I on the lower side of the folded flap part 80, thereby unfolding the flap part more easily.

The waist portion stretching portion 85 extends outward in the width direction W than the longitudinal folding line FL 3. Since the flap portion 80 in the folded state is also pulled outward in the width direction W, the flap portion 80 is more likely to be inclined, and the gap I is likely to be generated below the flap portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to put fingers into the gap I on the lower side of the folded flap part 80, thereby unfolding the flap part more easily.

Preferably, the leg side gathers 71 extend in the longitudinal direction L at least in the crotch region S2, and part of the effective stretchable region of the leg side gathers 71 reaches the flap portion 80. Here, the effective stretchable region of the leg side gathers 71 is defined by a region where the elastic member is joined to the sheet in an extended state. Since the vicinity of the base of the folded flap portion 80 is dragged by the leg side gathers 71, the gap I is more likely to occur in the region near the length folding line FL3 of the folded flap portion 80. Therefore, it is easier for the assistant or user to insert fingers into the gap I, so that the flap portion 80 can be more easily unfolded.

While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented as modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes, and the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto.

Further, the entire contents of japanese invention patent application No. 2017-254982, filed on 12/28/2017, are incorporated herein by reference.

According to this aspect, a belt-type absorbent article having a structure that is easily unfolded can be provided.

Description of the reference numerals

10. An absorbent article; 40. an absorbent body; 71. a leg side gather; 80. a flap portion; 85. a waist extension portion; 90. a hook and loop fastener; 92. a hook member; 93. a free end portion; 94. a fixed end portion; FL1, valley fold; FL2, mountain fold; FL3, length fold line; s1, a front waistline region; s2, a crotch region; s3, a rear waist region; l, the length direction; w, width direction.