JP2024138160A - Men's absorbent articles - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an absorbent article for men that can ensure a space for accommodating the penis while preventing the space from becoming too large, and can prevent leakage due to slippage.
[Solution] The absorbent article (1) has a front-to-rear direction (L) extending to the crotch side and abdominal side of the wearer, a width direction (W) perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, an absorbent body (30) that holds bodily fluids, and a deformation guide portion (70) that guides the deformation of the absorbent body. The length of the absorbent body in the width direction varies. The deformation guide portion has a cross deformation portion (71) that crosses an imaginary line (FL) connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at a maximum width position (MP) where the absorbent body has the longest widthwise length. The cross deformation portion extends along the front-to-rear direction.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles for men, such as light incontinence pads for men.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose absorbent articles for men that are placed against the male penis. The absorbent article of Patent Document 1 has a three-dimensional deformation-inducing groove on the side in the width direction of the absorbent body, and by deforming with the three-dimensional deformation-inducing groove as the base point, a space for accommodating the penis is formed in the width direction center of the absorbent article. In addition, the absorbent article of Patent Document 2 has a channel embossment in the width direction center of the absorbent body, which is configured to improve the fit to the penis by making it easier to bend the absorbent article for men when worn.

JP 2020-48906 A JP 2019-63118 A

However, the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 have the following problems. The absorbent bodies of Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not have a constant widthwise length, but rather change. Therefore, when the absorbent article is worn, the widthwise length of the absorbent body that rises up against the side of the penis differs. In areas where the absorbent body has a relatively short widthwise length (e.g., the crotch side area in the absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2), the absorbent body is relatively short in width, so it easily fits the penis. On the other hand, in areas where the absorbent body has a relatively long widthwise length (e.g., the abdominal area in the absorbent articles of Patent Documents 1 and 2), the absorbent body is relatively long in width, so the penis storage space becomes too large, and there is a risk of leakage due to slippage. In particular, at the position where the absorbent body has the maximum widthwise length, the penis storage space becomes too large, and there is a high risk of leakage.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an absorbent article for men that can secure space to accommodate the penis while preventing that space from becoming too large and thus preventing leakage due to slippage.

The absorbent article for men according to aspect 1 has a front-rear direction extending to the crotch side and abdomen side of the wearer, a width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, an absorbent body that holds bodily fluids, and a deformation guide portion that guides deformation of the absorbent body. The length of the absorbent body in the width direction varies. The deformation guide portion has a cross deformation portion that crosses an imaginary line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest. The cross deformation portion extends along the front-rear direction.

The absorbent article for men according to aspect 2 has a front-rear direction extending to the crotch side and abdomen side of the wearer, a width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, an absorbent body that holds bodily fluids, and a deformation guide portion that guides deformation of the absorbent body. The length of the absorbent body in the width direction varies. The deformation guide portion has a cross deformation portion that crosses an imaginary line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest. The length of the cross deformation portion in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the cross deformation portion in the width direction.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article for men according to an embodiment, as viewed from the skin facing side. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article for men according to the embodiment, as viewed from the non-skin facing side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the male absorbent article taken along line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a male absorbent article in a worn state.

(1) Overview of the embodiment At least the following points will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
The male absorbent article according to the first aspect has a front-rear direction extending to the crotch side and the abdomen side of the wearer, a width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, an absorbent body that holds bodily fluids, and a deformation guide portion that guides the deformation of the absorbent body. The length of the absorbent body in the width direction is changed. The deformation guide portion has a cross deformation portion that crosses a virtual line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest. The cross deformation portion extends along the front-rear direction. According to this aspect, since the cross deformation portion crosses the virtual line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position, a deformation base point of the absorbent body is provided on the virtual line, and the absorbent body at the maximum width position is folded. Therefore, the penis storage space can be formed compactly, and leakage due to slippage can be suppressed. In addition, since the cross deformation portion extends in the front-rear direction, the folding base point of the cross deformation portion extends in the front-rear direction, and the absorbent body can be easily folded in the width direction. Therefore, the absorbent body is easily deformed into a shape that covers the outer circumference of the penis, and the fit can be improved.

The male absorbent article according to aspect 2 has a front-rear direction extending to the crotch side and the abdomen side of the wearer, a width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction, an absorbent body that holds bodily fluids, and a deformation guide portion that guides the deformation of the absorbent body. The length of the absorbent body in the width direction is changed. The deformation guide portion has a cross deformation portion that intersects with an imaginary line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest. The length of the cross deformation portion in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the cross deformation portion in the width direction. According to this aspect, since the deformation guide portion intersects with the imaginary line connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body at the maximum width position, a deformation base point of the absorbent body is provided on the imaginary line, and the absorbent body at the maximum width position is folded. Therefore, the penis storage space can be formed compactly, and leakage due to slippage can be suppressed. In addition, since the length of the cross deformation portion in the front-rear direction is longer than the length in the width direction and is vertically long, the folding base point of the cross deformation portion extends in the front-rear direction, and the absorbent body can be easily folded in the width direction. This allows the absorbent body to easily deform into a shape that covers the outer circumference of the penis, improving the fit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 3 may have the following features in the invention according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2. The cross deformation parts are provided in pairs with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. If the distance between the outer edge of the cross deformation part and the outer edge of the absorbent body on the virtual line is D1, and the distance between the inner edges of the cross deformation parts on the virtual line is D2, then D1>D2 is satisfied. According to this embodiment, the pair of cross deformation parts makes it easy to raise both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction toward the wearer with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, thereby forming a three-dimensional penis storage space. In addition, since D1>D2 is satisfied, the walls that rise to the sides of the penis can be formed high, and side leakage can be suppressed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 4 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 1 or aspect 2. The cross deformation parts are provided in pairs with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction. If the distance between the outer edge of the cross deformation part and the outer edge of the absorbent body on the virtual line is D1, and the distance between the inner edges of the cross deformation parts on the virtual line is D2, then D2>D1 is satisfied. The pair of cross deformation parts makes it easy to raise both sides of the absorbent body in the width direction center toward the wearer with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction, thereby forming a three-dimensional penis storage space. In addition, since D2>D1 is satisfied, the width direction length of the storage space that stores the penis can be secured, and the absorption capacity can be secured.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 5 may have the following features in the invention according to any one of aspects 1 to 4. The deformation guiding portion is composed of at least one of a low basis weight portion in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the surrounding area in the absorbent, and a compressed portion in which at least the absorbent is compressed in the thickness direction. The deformation guiding portion made of the low basis weight portion causes the absorbent to deform due to differences in thickness and rigidity. In addition, the absorbent can be divided by the low basis weight portion, and the diffusion of body fluids that have reached the low basis weight portion can be suppressed. Thus, the diffusion of body fluids to the outer edge of the absorbent can be suppressed, and leakage from the outer edge of the absorbent can be suppressed. The deformation guiding portion made of the compressed portion causes the absorbent to deform due to differences in thickness and rigidity. In addition, the compressed portion draws in body fluids, suppresses the diffusion of body fluids to the outer edge of the absorbent, and suppresses leakage from the outer edge of the absorbent.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 6 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 5. The cross deformation portion is constituted by the low basis weight portion, and is provided in a pair with respect to the center of the width direction of the absorbent. The deformation guide portion is constituted by the compression portion, and has a central deformation portion disposed between the cross deformation portions. Cross deformation portions constituted by low basis weight portions are provided on both sides of the center of the width direction of the absorbent. Therefore, folding base points extending in the front-rear direction are formed on both sides of the center of the width direction of the absorbent. In addition, the area sandwiched between the pair of cross deformation portions has a central deformation portion constituted by compression portions, and the central deformation portion increases its rigidity, making it easier to maintain its shape. Therefore, the area sandwiched between the pair of cross deformation portions is deformed so as to bulge three-dimensionally, and a space for accommodating the penis can be formed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 7 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 6. The length of the deformation guiding portion in the front-to-rear direction is equal to or greater than half the length of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction. According to this embodiment, by making the length of the deformation guiding portion in the front-to-rear direction long, it is possible to induce the desired deformation of the absorbent even in the front-to-rear direction, which is less prone to deformation than the width direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 8 may have the following features in the inventions according to embodiments 1 to 7. The maximum width position is located on the ventral side of the center of the absorbent body in the front-to-rear direction. The cross deformation portion is continuous between the center of the absorbent body in the front-to-rear direction and the virtual line. According to this embodiment, a continuous deformation base point can be provided between the center of the absorbent body in the front-to-rear direction and the virtual line, and the absorbent body can be folded across the area between the center of the absorbent body in the front-to-rear direction and the virtual line. Compared to a configuration in which the deformation base point of the absorbent body is provided only at the portion intersecting the virtual line, the absorbent body can be deformed over a wide range, improving the fit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to embodiment 9 may have the following features in the inventions according to embodiments 1 to 8. The maximum width position is located on the ventral side of the center of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction. The deformation-inducing portion has a width deformation portion extending in the width direction on the crotch side of the center of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction. According to this embodiment, the width deformation portion forms a crease extending in the width direction in the crotch side region, and the absorbent can be folded in the front-to-rear direction. Then, in the region on the ventral side of the center of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction, the cross deformation portion can induce a deformation that conforms to the penis.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 10 may have the following features in the invention according to aspect 9. The width deformation portion and the cross deformation portion are connected. According to this embodiment, the width deformation portion and the cross deformation portion cooperate to bend the absorbent body in the front-rear direction and in the width direction, so that the absorbent body is deformed in a more three-dimensional manner. The absorbent body can be positioned to cover the penis, which can further suppress leakage of bodily fluids.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 11 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 10. The deformation guide reaches the outer edge of the absorbent. Compared to a configuration in which the deformation guide does not reach the outer edge of the absorbent, the deformation guide can deform the absorbent up to the outer edge, making it easier to deform the absorbent into the intended shape. This further improves the fit and suppresses leakage of bodily fluids.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 12 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 11. The absorbent article has a marker portion that indicates the wearing position on the wearer's body. According to this embodiment, the user can grasp the wearing position by the marker portion, and by wearing it in the appropriate position, leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 13 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 12. The absorbent body is composed of an absorbent core laminated with pulp, or a nonwoven fabric. An absorbent body made of an absorbent core ensures the absorption capacity of bodily fluids by the pulp, and can suppress leakage of bodily fluids. In addition, an absorbent body made of nonwoven fabric is thinner and less rigid than an absorbent core, and therefore more easily deformed flexibly. Leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed by deforming to fit the body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 14 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 13. The invention has an elastic member that is stretchable in at least one of the front-rear direction and the width direction. According to this embodiment, the absorbent article, particularly the absorbent body, can be deformed by the elastic member as well, making it easier to deform the absorbent article into a more intended shape. This further improves the fit and suppresses leakage of bodily fluids.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 15 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 14. The absorbent article has a fastening part that fastens the absorbent article to a worn article. At least a part of the fastening part is disposed outboard of the cross deformation part in the width direction. According to this embodiment, a wall part that stands on the cross deformation part is fastened to the worn article, so that the wall is less likely to shift position, and it is easier to maintain the storage space.

According to a preferred embodiment, the invention according to aspect 16 may have the following features in the inventions according to aspects 1 to 15. The absorbent article has a liquid-permeable top sheet arranged on the skin-facing side of the absorbent body, and a liquid-permeable back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body. A sheet compression portion formed by compressing the top sheet and the back sheet is formed in a front region forward of the center in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent body, and in a rear region on the crotch side of the center in the front-to-back direction of the absorbent body. The pattern of the sheet compression portion in the front region is different from the pattern of the sheet compression portion in the rear region. The user can distinguish and recognize the front region and the rear region based on the difference in the pattern of the sheet compression portion. Therefore, the absorbent article can be worn in an appropriate direction, and by wearing it appropriately, the fit can be further improved and the leakage of body fluids can be suppressed.

(2) Embodiments of the absorbent article Hereinafter, a description will be given of an absorbent article for men (hereinafter, referred to as an absorbent article) 1 according to an embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the dimensions are different from the actual ones. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 for men according to the embodiment as viewed from the skin-facing side, and Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent article 1 for men according to the embodiment as viewed from the non-skin-facing side. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 1 for men taken along line A-A in Figure 1. The absorbent article 1 of the present embodiment is an absorbent article for men, and is used in a state where it is worn inside a worn article such as underwear. The drawings show the absorbent article 1 in an extended state where no wrinkles are formed. In the following description, the positional relationship and state of the components are those in the extended state, unless otherwise specified. In the cross-sectional view, the components are shown spaced apart, but in the actual product, the components may be in contact with each other.

The absorbent article 1 has a front-rear direction L and a width direction W that are perpendicular to each other. The front-rear direction L is defined by the direction extending from the crotch side to the front side of the wearer. In other words, the front-rear direction L is the direction extending from front to back in the absorbent article 1. In the present invention, the crotch side and the rear side are used interchangeably. The absorbent article 1 also has a thickness direction T that is perpendicular to both the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. The thickness direction T extends to a skin-facing side T1 facing the wearer and a non-skin-facing side T2 facing away from the wearer. In this specification, the "skin-facing side" corresponds to the side that faces the skin of the wearer during use. The "non-skin-facing side" corresponds to the side that faces away from the skin of the wearer during use. In addition, the outer portion in the present invention is a portion that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the outer edge in the width direction W, and the outer edge is the outer edge in the width direction W. In the present invention, the inner portion is a portion that occupies a certain range in the width direction W including the inner edge in the width direction W, and the inner edge is the inner edge in the width direction W. In addition, the front end and rear end are portions that occupy a certain range in the front-to-rear direction L including edges in the front-to-rear direction L, and the front edge and rear edge are edges in the front-to-rear direction L. The outer end includes the front end and rear end, and the outer edge includes the front edge and rear edge.

The absorbent article 1 is attached to a worn article such as underwear when in use. More specifically, the absorbent article 1 is worn from the crotch to the front of the wearer so as to be biased forward from the center of the front-rear direction L of the worn article. The absorbent article 1 may be worn so as to cover the male urination opening. The absorbent article 1 may have an absorbent body 30, a top sheet 21 arranged on the skin-facing side T1 of the absorbent body 30, a back sheet 22 arranged on the non-skin-facing side T2 of the absorbent body 30, and a fastening part 60 attached to the non-skin-facing side of the back sheet 22.

The absorbent body 30 may have an absorbent core. The absorbent core may be, for example, a laminate of absorbent materials including pulverized pulp or superabsorbent polymer (SAP), a mixture thereof, or a nonwoven fabric. The absorbent body 30 may be composed of only the absorbent core, or may include a core wrap covering the absorbent core. The core wrap may be composed of, for example, tissue or a nonwoven fabric sheet. The absorbent body 30 may have a low basis weight portion 35 in which the basis weight of the absorbent material is lower than that of the surrounding area. The low basis weight portion 35 may be a slit in which less absorbent material is disposed than the surrounding area, or in which substantially no absorbent material is disposed. The low basis weight portion constitutes the "deformation induction portion" of the present invention. The deformation induction portion will be described in detail later.

The top sheet 21 is a liquid-permeable sheet arranged on the skin-facing side T1 of the absorbent body 30. The top sheet 21 may cover the entire absorbent body 30 and constitute the skin-facing side of the entire absorbent article 1. In a modified example, the top sheet 21 may have a center sheet covering the center of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W and a side sheet covering the side of the absorbent body in the width direction W. The absorbent article 1 may have at least a compression section 38 in which the absorbent body 30 is compressed in the thickness direction. The compression section 38 may be formed by compressing only the absorbent body 30, or by compressing the top sheet 21 and the absorbent body 30. In the compression section 38 of this embodiment, the top sheet 21 and the absorbent body 30 are compressed, and constitute the "deformation induction section" of the present invention. The back sheet 22 is a liquid-impermeable sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side T2 of the absorbent body 30. The back sheet 22 may cover the entire absorbent body 30 and constitute the non-skin-facing side of the entire absorbent article 1. The outer portion of the absorbent article 1 may have a sheet compression portion 28 formed by compressing the top sheet 21 and the back sheet 22 in the thickness direction T. The sheet compression portion 28 may be arranged continuously along the outer edge of the absorbent article 1, or may be composed of a continuum of multiple sheet compression portions 28 arranged discontinuously, as in this embodiment. At least a portion of the sheet compression portion 28 may reach the outer edge of the absorbent article 1.

The shape of the absorbent article 1 and the shape of the absorbent body 30 may be symmetrical with respect to a front-rear center line CL that passes through the center of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and extends in the front-rear direction L. On the other hand, the shape of the absorbent article 1 and the shape of the absorbent body 30 may be asymmetric with respect to a width center line CW that passes through the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction L and extends in the width direction W. The length of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and the length of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W are changing. More specifically, the dimension of the front end of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W may be longer than the dimension of the rear end of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W. The dimension of the front end of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W may be longer than the dimension of the rear end of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W. The dimension of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and the dimension of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W gradually decrease from the front side to the rear side of the absorbent article 1. The shape of the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 is parallel to the front-rear direction L from the front end of the absorbent article 1 toward the width center line CW of the absorbent article 1, and in the parallel region R1, the length of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W and the length of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W are constant. The region R1 is configured such that the length of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W is the longest, and includes a maximum width position MP where the length of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W is the longest. The maximum width position MP of the absorbent body 30 may be provided throughout the entire region R1. In the absorbent body 30 of this embodiment, the region R1 where the length of the absorbent body 30 in the width direction W is the longest is provided continuously in the front-rear direction L. Therefore, a plurality of maximum width positions MP are provided. However, in a modified example, the maximum width position MP may be one point. In the region R2 behind the region R1, the length of the absorbent article 1 in the width direction W gradually becomes shorter toward the rear side. In region R2, the shape of the outer edge of the absorbent article 1 is not a convex shape that is concave inward in the width direction W, but a convex shape that bulges outward in the width direction W. In this embodiment, the boundary between region R1 and region R2 may be located forward of the width center line CW. In a modified example, the boundary between region R1 and region R2 may coincide with the width center line CW, or may be located rearward of the width center line CW. Note that the dimension in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 according to the modified example does not have to gradually decrease from the front side to the rear side of the absorbent article 1.

The absorbent article 1 may be a urine pad for light incontinence, and its absorption capacity may be 3cc to 10cc. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 may be designed to have compact dimensions. The length in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1 may be less than 200mm, preferably 180mm or less, and more preferably 160mm or less. The length in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1 may be less than 180mm, preferably 150mm or less, and more preferably 130mm or less. The length in the front-rear direction L of the absorber 30 may be longer than the length in the width direction W of the absorber 30.

2 and 3, the non-skin-facing side T2 of the back sheet 22 may have fastening parts 60 arranged thereon to fasten the absorbent article 1 to the worn article when the absorbent article 1 is in use. The fastening parts 60 may be areas to which adhesive is applied for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the worn article, or areas to which mechanical fasteners (e.g., hooks) are applied for fastening the absorbent article 1 to the worn article. The fastening parts 60 may extend in the front-rear direction L and be arranged at intervals in the width direction W. In a modified example, the fastening parts 60 may extend in the width direction W and be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction L. In this embodiment, five fastening parts 60 are provided at intervals in the width direction W. The fastening parts 60 have side fastening parts 61 located on both sides in the width direction W, and a center fastening part 62 arranged between the side fastening parts 61 and having a shorter length in the front-rear direction L than the side fastening parts 61. The side fastening portion 61 may be disposed only on the front side of the width center line CW. The center fastening portion 62 may be disposed across the width center line CW. Both the side fastening portion 61 and the center fastening portion 62 are disposed biased toward the front side. That is, the length in the front-rear direction L of the front end edge of the side fastening portion 61 and the front end edge of the absorbent body 30 is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction L of the rear end edge of the side fastening portion 61 and the rear end edge of the absorbent body 30. Also, the length in the front-rear direction L of the front end edge of the center fastening portion 62 and the front end edge of the absorbent body 30 is shorter than the length in the front-rear direction L of the rear end edge of the center fastening portion 62 and the rear end edge of the absorbent body 30. The position in the front-rear direction L of the front end edge of the side fastening portion 61 and the position in the front-rear direction L of the front end edge of the center fastening portion 62 may coincide. The rear end edge of the center fastening portion 62 may be located rearward of the rear end edge of the side fastening portion 61. The fastening part 60 may be covered with a release sheet or individual packaging sheet (not shown) before use.

The absorbent article 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to secure a space for accommodating the penis while preventing the space from becoming too large. Next, this configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic view of the absorbent article 1 in a worn state. The absorbent article 1 has a deformation induction section 70 that induces deformation of the absorbent body 30. The deformation induction section 70 may be a base point for deforming the absorbent body 30 in the thickness direction T, and examples of the deformation induction section 70 include a low basis weight section 35 (including slits), a compression section 38, and an elastic member. The deformation induction section 70 has an intersecting deformation section 71 that intersects with a virtual line FL connecting the outer edges of the absorbent body 30 at the maximum width position MP where the length of the width direction W of the absorbent body 30 is the longest. At the maximum width position MP, the width of the absorbent body 30 is relatively long, and the space for accommodating the penis becomes too large, which may cause leakage due to slippage. However, because the cross deformation portion 71 crosses the imaginary line FL that connects the outer edges of the absorbent 30 at the maximum width position MP, the deformation base point of the absorbent 30 is provided on the imaginary line FL, and the absorbent 30 is bent at the maximum width position MP. This allows the penis storage space to be formed compactly, and leakage due to slippage can be suppressed.

In an absorbent article 1 having one maximum width position MP, there is one virtual line FL, but in an absorbent article 1 having multiple maximum width positions MP as in the present embodiment, there are multiple virtual lines FL. The crossing deformation portion 71 may be a deformation guiding portion 70 that crosses at least one of the virtual lines FL. The deformation guiding portion 70 may be composed only of the crossing deformation portion 71 (the deformation guiding portion 70 that crosses the virtual line), or may include a deformation guiding portion 70 other than the crossing deformation portion 71 (the deformation guiding portion 70 that does not cross the virtual line FL). The crossing deformation portion 71 may be linear or curved. The curved deformation guiding portion 70 may have a portion whose curvature changes, and may include, for example, a portion extending in the width direction W (including a configuration parallel to the width direction W and a configuration inclined at less than 45 degrees with respect to the width direction W) and a portion extending in the front-rear direction L. In addition, when the cross deformation section 71 is configured as an assembly of multiple deformation guiding sections 70 arranged discontinuously, if the gap between each deformation guiding section 70 is shorter than the dimension of each deformation guiding section 70 (each element arranged discontinuously), an integrated cross deformation section 71 is configured, and if the gap between each deformation guiding section 70 is larger than the dimension of each deformation guiding section 70, separate cross deformation sections 71 separated by the gap are configured.

The further configuration for preventing the space from becoming too large while securing a space for accommodating the penis can be roughly divided into a first form and a second form. The absorbent article 1 according to the first form is characterized in that the crossing deformation portion 71 extends along the front-rear direction L. The concept of a configuration extending in the front-rear direction L includes not only a configuration parallel to the front-rear direction L, but also a configuration intersecting the front-rear direction L at 45 degrees or less. According to the absorbent article 1 according to the first form, since the crossing deformation portion 71 extends in the front-rear direction L, the folding base point of the crossing deformation portion 71 extends in the front-rear direction L, and the absorbent body 30 can be easily folded in the width direction W. Therefore, the absorbent body 30 can be easily deformed into a shape that covers the outer circumference of the penis, improving the fit.

The absorbent article 1 according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the length of the cross deformation portion 71 in the front-rear direction L is longer than the length of the width direction W of the cross deformation portion 71. The length of the cross deformation portion 71 in the front-rear direction L is the length of the front end edge and the rear end edge of the cross deformation portion 71 in the front-rear direction L, and the length of the cross deformation portion 71 in the width direction W is the length between the outer edges of the cross deformation portion 71. In the absorbent article 1 according to the second embodiment, the length of the cross deformation portion 71 in the front-rear direction L is longer than the length in the width direction W, and the absorbent article 1 according to the second embodiment is vertically long, so that the folding base point of the cross deformation portion 71 extends in the front-rear direction L, and the absorbent body 30 is easily folded in the width direction W. Therefore, the absorbent body 30 is easily deformed into a shape that covers the outer circumference of the penis, and the fit can be improved. The cross deformation portion 71 according to the second embodiment may be vertically long as a whole, and may have a portion that extends in the width direction W.

The cross deformation portion 71 may have either the first or second configuration, or may have both configurations. Next, a preferred form will be described for both the first and second configurations. The cross deformation portion 71 may be provided in a pair with respect to the front-rear center line CL, which is the center of the width direction W of the absorbent 30. By providing a pair of cross deformation portions 71 with respect to the front-rear center line CL, both sides of the front-rear center line CL can be raised toward the wearer with respect to the front-rear center line CL, making it easy to form a three-dimensional space for accommodating the penis. In addition, at least a part of the pair of cross deformation portions 71 may be separated from the front-rear center line CL. As in this embodiment, the entire pair of cross deformation portions 71 may be separated from the front-rear center line CL. According to this configuration, the side portions are raised with respect to the center portion of the absorbent 30, and the absorbent 30 is easily deformed into a shape that covers the outer circumference of the penis, improving the fit.

The deformation guiding portion 70 may reach the outer edge of the absorbent 30. According to this configuration, compared to a configuration in which the deformation guiding portion 70 does not reach the outer edge of the absorbent 30, the deformation guiding portion 70 can deform the absorbent 30 to the outer edge, making it easier to deform the absorbent 30 into the intended shape. This further improves fit and suppresses leakage of bodily fluids. The front end edge of the cross deformation portion 71 in this embodiment reaches the outer edge of the absorbent 30 forward of the width center line CW and to the side of the front-rear center line CL, and the rear end edge of the cross deformation portion 71 reaches the rear end edge of the absorbent 30 rearward of the width center line CW and to the side of the front-rear center line CL. The front end edge of the cross deformation portion 71 is located outside the rear end edge of the cross deformation portion 71 in the width direction. The distance between the pair of cross deformation portions 71 is longer from the rear side to the front side. In a modified example, a part of the pair of cross deformation portions 71 may cross the front-rear center line CL. In a configuration in which a portion of the pair of cross deformation parts 71 crosses the front-rear center line CL, the pair of cross deformation parts 71 are preferably spaced apart from the front-rear center line CL in the front region in front of the width center line CW, and the portion where the pair of cross deformation parts 71 cross the front-rear center line CL is preferably in the rear region behind the width center line CW. This configuration makes it easier to form a three-dimensional penis storage space in the front region. The cross deformation parts 71 may straddle a center region located in the center of the region obtained by dividing the width direction W of the absorber 30 into three equal parts, and side regions located on both sides of the center region. This configuration makes it possible to form a storage space by deforming the entire width direction W of the absorber 30.

If the distance between the outer edge 71E of the crossing deformation portion 71 on the virtual line FL and the outer edge 30E of the absorbent body 30 is D1, and the distance between the inner edges of the crossing deformation portion 71 on the virtual line FL is D2, then D1>D2 may be satisfied. D1 is the left and right D1, and the total length is not used, but each D1 and D2 are compared. According to this configuration, since D1>D2 is satisfied, the wall that rises to the side of the penis can be formed high, and side leakage can be suppressed. In addition, in other configurations, D2>D1 may be satisfied. According to this configuration, since D2>D1 is satisfied, the length of the width direction W of the storage space that stores the penis can be secured, and the absorption capacity can be secured. Note that, in a configuration in which multiple virtual lines are provided, as in the present embodiment, both a portion that satisfies D1>D2 and a portion that satisfies D2>D1 may be included. The effects of both configurations can be combined.

The deformation induction section 70 may be composed of at least one of the low basis weight section 35 and the compressed section 38. The deformation induction section 70 composed of the low basis weight section 35 causes the absorbent body 30 to deform due to the difference in thickness and rigidity. In addition, the low basis weight section 35 can divide the absorbent body 30, and the diffusion of bodily fluids that have reached the low basis weight section 35 can be suppressed. This prevents the diffusion of bodily fluids to the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, and suppresses leakage from the outer edge of the absorbent body 30. The deformation induction section 70 composed of the compressed section 38 causes the absorbent body 30 to deform due to the difference in thickness and rigidity. In addition, the compressed section 38 draws in bodily fluids, suppresses the diffusion of bodily fluids to the outer edge of the absorbent body 30, and suppresses leakage from the outer edge of the absorbent body 30.

The cross deformation parts 71 may be formed by the low basis weight parts 35 and may be provided in pairs with respect to the center of the width direction W of the absorbent 30. The deformation guide part 70 may be formed by the compression parts 38 and may have a central deformation part 72 arranged between the cross deformation parts 71. The cross deformation parts 71 formed by the low basis weight parts 35 are provided on both sides of the center of the width direction W of the absorbent 30. Therefore, folding base points extending in the front-rear direction L are formed on both sides of the center of the width direction W of the absorbent 30. In addition, the area sandwiched between the pair of cross deformation parts 71 has a central deformation part 72 formed by the compression parts 38, and the central deformation part 72 increases its rigidity and makes it easier to maintain its shape. Therefore, the area sandwiched between the pair of cross deformation parts 71 is deformed so as to bulge three-dimensionally, and a space for accommodating the penis can be formed.

The central deformation portion 72 of this embodiment has an X-shaped first central deformation portion 721 arranged across the front-rear center line CL, and a pair of second central deformation portions 722 arranged in front of the first central deformation portion 721 and spaced apart from the front-rear center line CL. The center of the X-shape of the first central deformation portion 721 is located on the front-rear center line CL and serves as an index for aligning the wearer's body. In other words, the first central deformation portion 721 constitutes a "marker portion" to be described later. The second central deformation portion 722 is arc-shaped, and the center of the arc is the center of the X-shape of the first central deformation portion 721. The deformation guiding portion 70 of this embodiment has a side deformation portion 73 arranged outside the cross deformation portion 71. The side deformation portion 73 is also composed of a compression portion 38. The side deformation portion 73 is also arc-shaped, and the center of the arc is the center of the X-shape of the first central deformation portion 721. Therefore, the second central deformation portion 722 and the side deformation portion 73 are arc-shaped and arranged on the same circle. The intersecting deformation portion 71 is arranged between the second central deformation portion 722 and the side deformation portion 73.

The length of the deformation inducer 70 in the front-rear direction L may be half or more of the length of the absorbent 30 in the front-rear direction L. In a configuration in which multiple deformation inducers 70 are provided, it may be the length of the area in which any of the deformation inducers 70 are arranged. In other words, the length of the front-rear direction L of an area in which no deformation inducer 70 is arranged on an imaginary line extending in the width direction W may be less than half the length of the absorbent 30 in the front-rear direction L. According to this configuration, by providing a long length in the front-rear direction L of the deformation inducer 70, it is possible to induce the desired deformation even in the front-rear direction L, which is less prone to deformation than the width direction W.

The maximum width position MP may be located on the ventral side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30, and the cross deformation portion 71 may be continuous between the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30 and the virtual line FL. A continuous deformation base point can be provided between the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30 and the virtual line FL, and the absorbent 30 can be folded across between the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30 and the virtual line FL. Compared to a configuration in which the deformation base point of the absorbent 30 is provided only at the portion intersecting the virtual line, the absorbent 30 can be deformed over a wide range, improving the fit. Note that the maximum width position MP may be located only on the ventral side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30, or the maximum width position MP may be located on the crotch side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorbent 30.

The maximum width position is located on the ventral side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorber 30, and the deformation induction section 70 may have a width deformation section 75 extending in the width direction W on the crotch side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorber 30. According to this configuration, the width deformation section 75 forms a crease extending in the width direction W in the crotch side region, and the absorber 30 can be folded in the front-rear direction L. Then, in the region on the ventral side of the center of the front-rear direction L of the absorber 30, the cross deformation section 71 can induce deformation that follows the penis. Preferably, the width deformation section 75 and the cross deformation section 71 may be connected. According to this configuration, the width deformation section 75 and the cross deformation section 71 work together to bend the absorber 30 in the front-rear direction L and in the width direction W, so that the absorber 30 is deformed more three-dimensionally. The absorber 30 can be arranged to cover the penis, and leakage of body fluids can be further suppressed. The width deformation portion 75 may be connected to the cross deformation portion 71 behind the width center line CW. This configuration makes it easier to form a three-dimensional penis storage space in the front region. The width deformation portion 75 may be formed by the low basis weight portion 35. This configuration makes it easier for the absorbent body 30 to deform as the width deformation portion 75 and the cross deformation portion 71 work together.

The absorbent article 1 may have a marking portion 80 that indicates the wearing position on the wearer's body. Unlike users of the absorbent article 1 for women, many users of the absorbent article 1 for men have not used the absorbent article 1 for many years, and may not be able to properly understand the wearing method and wearing position. By providing the marking portion 80, the user can understand the wearing position by the marking portion 80, and by wearing it in the appropriate position, leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed. The marking portion 80 in this embodiment is composed of the first central deformation portion 721. According to the marking portion 80 composed of the compression portion 38, the user can understand the marking portion 80 by visually recognizing it, and can also understand the marking portion 80 by touch. In another embodiment, the marking portion 80 may be composed of a printed portion printed on the skin surface of the top sheet 21 or the absorbent body 30 without being composed of the compression portion 38. The marking portion 80 may be configured to be visible from the skin surface side T1 of the absorbent article 1. The position of the marker portion 80 is not limited. For example, the marker portion 80 may be located forward of the width center line CW. This configuration makes it easier for the user to notice and align the tip of the penis. The marker portion 80 may be located between a pair of cross deformation portions 71. This configuration makes it easier to align the penis between the walls that rise three-dimensionally from the pair of cross deformation portions 71. The marker portion 80 of this embodiment is an X-shaped first central deformation portion 721, which makes it easier to align the tip of the penis with the center of the X. In addition, the second central deformation portion 722 and the side pressure deformation portion 73 surround the first central deformation portion 721 and are arranged on a concentric circle. It is also possible to align the area surrounded by the second central deformation portion 722 and the side deformation portion 73, and the second central deformation portion 722 and the side deformation portion 73 may also constitute a marker portion.

The absorbent body 30 may be composed of an absorbent core laminated with pulp, or nonwoven fabric. With an absorbent body 30 composed of an absorbent core, the pulp ensures the absorption capacity of bodily fluids, and leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed. Furthermore, an absorbent body 30 composed of nonwoven fabric is thinner and less rigid than an absorbent core, and therefore more flexible and deformable. Leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed by deforming to fit the body. In particular, in an absorbent article 1 with a relatively low absorption capacity (e.g., 10 cc or less), nonwoven fabric can be used as the absorbent body 30.

The absorbent article 1 may have an elastic member (not shown) that is stretchable in at least one of the front-rear direction L and the width direction W. At least a part of the elastic member may overlap the absorber 30, and may be disposed on the skin-facing side T1 of the absorber 30, or on the non-skin-facing side T2 of the absorber 30. Examples of the elastic member include rubber thread and a stretch sheet. According to this embodiment, the absorbent article 1, particularly the absorber 30, can be deformed by the elastic member as well, making it easier to deform the absorbent article 1 into a more intended shape. This improves the fit and suppresses leakage of bodily fluids.

At least a part of the fastening part 60 may be disposed outside the crossing deformation part 71 in the width direction W. According to this embodiment, the wall part standing on the crossing deformation part 71 is fastened to the worn article, so that the position of the wall is unlikely to shift, and the storage space is easily maintained. The fastening part 60 may overlap the crossing deformation part 71. According to this embodiment, the position of the folding base point of the absorbent body 30 by the crossing deformation part 71 is stable, and the three-dimensional shape of the absorbent body 30 is easily maintained. Furthermore, a plurality of fastening parts 60 are formed along the front-rear direction L, and the outer edge of each fastening part 60 may be provided in the area sandwiched between the pair of crossing deformation parts 71. According to this embodiment, a folding base point based on the outer edge of the fastening part 60 as a base point is formed in the area sandwiched between the pair of crossing deformation parts 71, that is, a folding base point due to the rigidity difference depending on the presence or absence of the fastening part 60. Therefore, the area sandwiched between the pair of crossing deformation parts 71 is easily deformed to a shape that fits the penis.

The sheet compression portions 28 are formed in the front region (region in front of the width center line CW) and the rear region (region behind the width center line CW), and the pattern of the sheet compression portions 28 in the front region may be different from the pattern of the sheet compression portions 28 in the rear region. Examples of the different patterns of the sheet compression portions 28 include configurations in which the shapes of the sheet compression portions 28 (including the shapes of each element in the case of a configuration having multiple discontinuous sheet compression portions) are different, and configurations in which the dimensions of the sheet compression portions 28 and the area ratios of the sheet compression portions are different. With this configuration, the user can distinguish and recognize the front region from the rear region based on the difference in the pattern of the sheet compression portions. Therefore, the absorbent article 1 can be worn in an appropriate direction, and by wearing it appropriately, the fit can be further improved and the leakage of bodily fluids can be suppressed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-mentioned embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention.

1: Absorbent article 21: Top sheet 22: Back sheet 28: Sheet compression section 30: Absorbent body 35: Low basis weight section 38: Compression section 60: Fastening section 70: Deformation guide section 71: Intersecting deformation section 75: Width deformation section 80: Marking section FL: Imaginary line L: Front-rear direction MP: Maximum width position T: Thickness direction T1: Skin-facing side T2: Non-skin-facing side W: Width direction

Claims (16)

A front-to-back direction extending to the crotch side and the abdomen side of the wearer;
A width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction;
An absorbent body for retaining bodily fluids;
A deformation guide portion that guides deformation of the absorbent body,
The length of the absorbent body in the width direction varies,
the deformation guide portion has an intersecting deformation portion that intersects with a virtual line connecting outer edges of the absorbent body at a maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest,
An absorbent article for men, wherein the cross deformation portion extends along the front-rear direction. A front-to-back direction extending to the crotch side and the abdomen side of the wearer;
A width direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction;
An absorbent body for retaining bodily fluids;
A deformation guide portion that guides deformation of the absorbent body,
The length of the absorbent body in the width direction varies,
the deformation guide portion has an intersecting deformation portion that intersects with a virtual line connecting outer edges of the absorbent body at a maximum width position where the length of the absorbent body in the width direction is the longest,
an absorbent article for men, wherein the cross deformation portion extends along the front-rear direction, and a length of the cross deformation portion in the front-rear direction is longer than a length of the cross deformation portion in the width direction. The cross deformation portions are provided in pairs with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction,
If the distance between the outer edge of the cross deformation portion and the outer edge of the absorbent body on the virtual line is D1, and the distance between the inner edges of the cross deformation portion on the virtual line is D2,
The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein D1>D2 is satisfied. The cross deformation portions are provided in pairs with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction,
If the distance between the outer edge of the cross deformation portion and the outer edge of the absorbent body on the virtual line is D1, and the distance between the inner edges of the cross deformation portion on the virtual line is D2,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein D2>D1 is satisfied. The deformation guide portion includes a low basis weight portion in the absorbent body having a lower basis weight of an absorbent material than the surrounding area,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent body is configured with at least one of a compressed portion and a compressed portion formed by compressing the absorbent body in a thickness direction. The cross deformation portion is configured by the low basis weight portion, and is provided in a pair with respect to the center of the absorbent body in the width direction,
The absorbent article for men according to claim 5 , wherein the deformation guide portion is constituted by the compression portion and has a central deformation portion disposed between the intersecting deformation portions. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of the deformation guide in the front-to-rear direction is at least half the length of the absorbent in the front-to-rear direction. The maximum width position is located on the ventral side of the center of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1, wherein the intersecting deformation portion is continuous between a center of the absorbent body in a front-rear direction and the imaginary line. The maximum width position is located on the ventral side of the center of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1, wherein the deformation guide portion has a width deformation portion extending in the width direction on a crotch side of a center of the absorbent body in a front-rear direction. The absorbent article for men according to claim 9, wherein the width deformation portion and the cross deformation portion are connected. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformation guide portion reaches the outer edge of the absorbent body. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, which has a marking portion that indicates the position where the article is worn on the wearer's body. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent body is composed of an absorbent core laminated with pulp or a nonwoven fabric. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, which has an elastic member that is stretchable in at least one of the front-rear direction and the width direction. The absorbent article has a fastening part for fastening the absorbent article to a wearing article,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the fastening portion is disposed outboard of the intersecting deformation portion in the width direction. A liquid-permeable top sheet arranged on the skin side of the absorbent body;
A liquid-permeable back sheet arranged on the non-skin-facing side of the absorbent body,
a front region in front of the center of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction and a rear region in the crotch side of the center of the absorbent body in the front-rear direction are formed with sheet compression portions in which the top sheet and the back sheet are compressed,
3. The absorbent article for men according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pattern of the compressed sheet portions in the front region is different from a pattern of the compressed sheet portions in the rear region.

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