Wearing article with waist belt member

A wearing article has crotch-elastic elements extending in a longitudinal direction. Front and rear waist members and the crotch member are bonded one another by front and rear bonded regions. The front bonded region is contoured by first and second ends and both side edges obliquely extending in the longitudinal direction so as to intersect with the first and second ends and, outboard of the both side edges in a transverse direction, non-bonded regions in which the crotch member and the front waist member are not bonded to each other are defined. Front waist-elastic elements extend between both side edges of the front waist member. The crotch-elastic elements extend from a front end to a rear end of the crotch member in the longitudinal direction. In the front bonded region, the front waist-elastic elements and the crotch-elastic elements substantially intersect one another and interlock with one another.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase of International Application Number PCT/JP2010/052595, filed Feb. 22, 2010 and claims priority from, Japanese Application Number 2009-087195, filed Mar. 31, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wearing articles and more particularly to wearing articles such as disposable diapers, toilet-training pants or incontinent briefs.

BACKGROUND

A disposable diaper as one example of wearing articles including a waist belt member and a crotch member is known, for example, from JP 2008-194161 A (PTL 1). According to PTL 1, the diaper includes front and rear waist regions and a crotch region extending between these front and rear waist regions wherein the front and rear waist regions are defined by an outer tubular sheets and the crotch region is defined by an absorbent structure. Both ends of the absorbent structure are bonded to the outer tubular sheets by bonded regions, respectively. Each of the bonded regions includes a first bonded region formed almost over an entire area of the absorbent structure in a transverse direction and a second boned region being nearer the bottom of the diaper than the first bonded region and having a length dimension in the transverse direction smaller than that of the first bonded region. Outside both sides of the second bonded region in the transverse direction, the outer tubular sheet and the absorbent structure are not bonded one another. The arrangement that the outer tubular sheet and the absorbent structure are locally free from one another in this manner allows a contour length of each leg-opening defined by the outer tubular sheet and the absorbent structure to be enlarged so that the wearer's legs may be smoothly guided through the leg-openings.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

In this above-mentioned diaper, the outer tubular sheet and the absorbent structure are not bonded to one another outside the both side edges of the second bonded region and, as a result, the absorbent structure is readily deformed in such non-bonded region. Particularly in the vicinity of the wearer's thighs inclusive of inguinal regions, the absorbent structure is apt to be contracted in the transverse direction and an absorption area of this structure is correspondingly reduced. Eventually, the absorption capacity of the structure may be degraded until leakage of bodily fluids such as urine may occur. In addition, the contracted absorbent structure should be wedged in the wearer's bottom cleavage, leading to degradation of wear comfort and appearance.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wearing article improved so that leakage of bodily fluids can be reliably prevented without degradation of wear comfort and appearance.

Solution to Problem

According to the present invention, there is provided a wearing article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction including a skin-facing side, a non-skin-facing side, a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region extending between the front and rear waist regions and further including a waist belt member defining the front and rear waist regions, a crotch member defining parts of the front and rear waist regions and the crotch region, a plurality of waist-elastic elements attached under tension to the waist belt member to extend in the transverse direction and a plurality of crotch-elastic elements attached under tension to the crotch member to extend in the longitudinal direction wherein the waist belt member includes a waist-side end extending in the transverse direction and defining a waist-opening and a leg-side end opposite to the waist-side end to define parts of respective leg-openings and wherein the crotch member includes a front end and a rear end extending in the transverse direction and both side edges extending in the longitudinal direction wherein the front end is bonded to the front waist region of the waist belt member via a front bonded region and the rear end is bonded to the rear waist region of the waist band member via a rear bonded region.

The present invention is characterized in that:

the front bonded region is formed on the non-skin facing side of the front waist region, non-bonded regions in which the front end of the crotch member and the waist belt member are not bonded to each other being formed outboard of both side edges of the front bonded region as viewed in the transverse direction and at least a part of the waist-elastic elements and at least parts of the crotch-elastic elements extend from the non-bonded regions to the front bonded region and the parts of the waist-elastic elements substantially intersect the parts of the crotch-elastic elements in the front bonded region. The term “substantially intersect” means that the waist-elastic elements and the crotch-elastic elements may be directly bonded to one another as well as may be indirectly bonded by means of other sheet member or the like.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the waist-elastic elements are arranged to be spaced one from another in the longitudinal direction and the crotch-elastic elements are arranged to be spaced one from another in the transverse direction.

According to another embodiment, the waist-elastic elements include the inner-waist-elastic elements arranged on an inner side as viewed in the longitudinal direction and outer-waist-elastic elements arranged on an outer side as viewed in the longitudinal direction, the crotch-elastic elements include inner-crotch-elastic elements arranged on an inner side as viewed in the transverse direction and outer-crotch-elastic elements arranged on an outer side as viewed in the transverse direction, and the inner-waist-elastic elements substantially intersect with the inner-crotch-elastic elements and the outer-waist-elastic elements substantially intersect with the outer-crotch-elastic elements.

According to still another embodiment, the front bonded region is defined by a first end extending in the transverse direction, a second end opposed to the first end and extending in the transverse direction wherein the first end is nearer the waist-opening than the second end, and both side edges obliquely intersecting with the first and second ends and extending from the first end to the second end and substantially toward an imaginary longitudinal center line bisecting a length dimension in the transverse direction and the non-bonded regions are provided on outboard of the both side edges of the bonded region.

According to yet another embodiment, the rear bonded region lies on the non-skin-facing side of the rear waist region and formed over an entire area in which the rear end of the crotch member and the waist belt member overlap one another.

According to further another embodiment, the crotch member includes folding lines extending in the longitudinal direction and folded regions formed by folding the both side edges of the crotch member along the folding lines back toward the skin-facing side.

According to an alternative embodiment, the crotch-elastic elements are arranged at least in the folded regions.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the waist-elastic elements and the crotch-elastic elements substantially intersect one another in the front bonded region in which the waist member and the crotch member are bonded to each other. With this arrangement, the crotch-elastic elements for crotch member can move in response to contraction of the waist-elastic elements. Specifically, the crotch-elastic elements are pulled in the transverse direction as the waist-elastic elements contract in the transverse direction so that the crotch-elastic elements can be prevented from contracting in the transverse direction and thereby leakage of bodily fluids and degradation of wear comfort and appearance can be effectively restricted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be exemplarily described on the basis of a disposable diaper as one embodiment of the wearing article with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 4show Embodiment 1 as one of embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 1is a perspective view showing the diaper10with its waist member kept in an annular state,FIG. 2is a flatly developed plan view of the diaper10as viewed from its skin-facing side,FIG. 3is a diagram schematically illustrating a part ofFIG. 2as viewed from its garment-facing side (i.e. non-skin-facing side) andFIG. 4is a schematic sectional view taken along the line IV-IV inFIG. 2.FIGS. 2 and 3are illustrated as partially broken away for convenience of illustration.FIGS. 2 through 4illustrate the diaper10maintained flat by stretching respective elastic elements against contractile force thereof.

The diaper10has a longitudinal direction Y, a transverse direction X, an imaginary longitudinal center line P-P bisecting a length dimension of the diaper10in the transverse direction X, a skin-facing side and a garment-facing side and includes a front waist region11, a rear waist region12and a crotch region13extending between these front and rear waist regions11,12continuously in the longitudinal direction Y. The front waist region11is defined by a front waist member20, the rear waist region12is defined by a rear waist member30and the crotch region13is defined by a crotch member40. The diaper10is shaped symmetrically about the imaginary longitudinal center line P-P.

The front and rear waist members20,30respectively include inner sheets21,31defining the skin-facing side, outer sheets22,32defining the side facing the garment facing side. A plurality of waist-elastic elements27,28are sandwiched between the inner and outer sheets21,22to be associated with the front waist member20and a plurality of elastic elements37,38are sandwiched between the inner and outer sheets31,32to be associated with the rear waist member30. The front waist member20is contoured by an end24extending in the transverse direction X to define a front half of a waist-opening, an end25defining respective front halves of leg-openings and both side edges26extending in the longitudinal direction Y. In a similar fashion, the rear waist member30is contoured by an end34extending in the transverse direction X to define a rear half of the waist-opening, an end35defining respective rear halves of the respective leg-openings and both side edges36extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The side edges26of the front waist member20are joined to the side edges36of the rear waist member30to form an annular waist member.

The front waist member20includes the front waist-elastic element27attached thereto in the vicinity of the front waist-side end24defining the front half of the waist-opening and the front waist-elastic elements28attached thereto in the vicinity of the front leg-side end25defining respective front halves of the leg-openings. Each of the waist-elastic elements27,28associated with the front waist member20is formed of a rubber thread and sandwiched under tension but in a contractible fashion between the inner and outer sheets21,22and bonded to at least one of the inner and outer sheets21,22with adhesives (not shown). In a similar manner, the rear waist member30includes rear waist-elastic elements37attached thereto in the vicinity of the rear waist-side end34defining the rear half of the waist-opening and rear waist-elastic elements38in the vicinity of the rear leg-side end35defining respective rear halves of the leg-openings. Each of the elastic elements37,38associated with the rear waist member30is formed of a rubber thread and sandwiched under tension but in a contractible fashion between the inner and outer sheets31,32and bonded to at least one of the inner and outer sheets31,32with adhesives (not shown).

The front and rear waist members20,30are elasticized in the transverse direction X under the effect of the associated waist-elastic elements27,28,37,38. In the front and rear waist-elastic elements27,37, each pair of the adjacent elastic elements may be spaced by a distance in a range of about 3 to 8 mm in the longitudinal direction Y. In the front and rear waist-elastic elements28,38, each pair of the adjacent the elastic elements may be spaced by a distance in a range of about 8 to 20 mm. By arranging a distance between each adjacent pair of the front and rear waist-elastic elements27,37at a relatively small pitch, the diaper10can be prevented from slipping down along the wearer's waist. By arranging a distance between each adjacent pair of the front and rear waist-elastic elements28,38at a relatively large pitch, a tensile stress in a region defined below the waist-opening can be reduced to assure such region defined below the waist-opening to come in not excessively but moderately close contact with the wearer's body without a gap left between the lower region of the diaper and the wearer's body which should cause leakage of bodily fluids. It should be appreciated that the adjustable variation of the tensile stress can be achieved not only by varying the pitch of the elastic elements in the longitudinal direction but also by the other measures such as variation of thickness or load for stretching of the elastic elements.

The crotch member40includes liquid-impervious inner and outer sheets41a,41bexclusively for the crotch member40, a liquid-absorbent structure42lying on the skin-facing side of the inner sheet41aand a plurality of crotch-elastic elements43arranged outside the liquid-absorbent structure42as viewed in the transverse direction X wherein the crotch member40is integrally formed by these components. The crotch member40is contoured by a front end44and a rear end45each extending in the transverse direction X and both side edges46extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The inner sheet41ais bonded along the front and rear ends44,45to the outer sheets22,32of the front and rear waist members20,30, respectively. In this way, the diaper10is pant-shaped as a whole.

The crotch-elastic elements43extend along the both side edges46in the longitudinal direction Y and are attached under tension but in a contractible fashion between the inner and outer sheets41a,41b. Each of the crotch-elastic elements43is formed of a rubber thread and spaced one from another at a pitch of about 5 to 20 mm in the transverse direction X. The crotch-elastic elements43serve to elasticize the crotch member40in the longitudinal direction Y.

The crotch member40is bonded to the front and rear waist members20,30via front and rear bonded regions50,60. The front bonded region50includes a first sub-region50abeing near the front waist-side end24, a second sub-region50bbeing nearer the front leg-side end25than the first sub-region50aand having a length dimension in the transverse direction X smaller than that of the first sub-region50a, a third sub-region50cbeing nearer the front leg-side end25than the second sub-region50band having a length dimension in the transverse direction smaller than that of the second sub-region50band a fourth sub-region50dbeing nearer the front leg-side end25than the third sub-region50cand having a length dimension in the transverse direction X smaller than that of the third sub-region50c. From the front waist-side end24the front leg-side end25, respective transversely side edges of these first through fourth sub-regions50athrough50dstepwise shift inwardly as viewed in the transverse direction X, in other words, toward the imaginary longitudinal center line P-P.

The front bonded region50has a first end51extending in the transverse direction X and being near the front waist-side end24on the first sub-region50aand a second end52extending in the transverse direction X and being near the front leg-side end25on the fourth sub-region50d. Both of the transversely side edges of the first through fourth sub-regions50athrough50drespectively opposite in the transverse direction X define both side edges53of the front bonded region50obliquely extending in the longitudinal direction Y substantially across the first and second ends51,52. More specifically, the transversely side edges of the first through fourth sub-regions50athrough50dare connected to one another and defining the above-mentioned side edges53which are substantially straight lines. In this way, the first and second ends51,52cooperate with the both side edges53to define the front bonded region50of a substantially trapezoidal shape being relatively long in the transverse direction X. From the viewpoint of a positional relationship, the first end51substantially coincides with the front end44of the crotch member40and the second end52substantially coincides with the front leg-side end25. In the front bonded region50formed of hot melt adhesives or the like, preferably the first and second ends51,52should not extend outward from the front end44of the crotch member40and the front leg-side end25or else the adhesives might run off beyond the region50and uncomfortably irritate the wearer's skin.

Outside the both side edges53as viewed in the transverse direction X, non-bonded regions54in which the crotch member40and the front waist member20are not bonded to each other is defined. Specifically, each of these non-bonded regions54is indicated by a triangular region contoured by the side edge53, the associated side edge46of the crotch member40and the front leg-side end25. The terms “substantially straight”, “substantially trapezoidal” and “substantially triangular” used herein describing about the both side edges53, the front bonded region50and the non-bonded regions respectively mean inclusively, when describing strictly, those have the side edge53extending in stepwise fashion as shown in the front bonded region50ofFIG. 2having the length dimension in the transverse direction X stepwise shortened.

The front waist-elastic elements28extend fully between the both side edges26of the front waist member20in the transverse direction X. More specifically, the front waist-elastic elements28continuously extend in the transverse direction X across one of the non-bonded regions54, the front bonded region50and the other of the non-bonded regions54. The first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28athrough28dwhich are included in the front waist-elastic elements28are respectively allotted to the first through fourth sub-regions50athrough50dof the front bonded region50wherein the first and second elastic elements28a,28bdefine an “outer side front waist-elastic element” and the third and fourth elastic elements28c,28ddefine an “inner side front waist-elastic element” both as viewed in the longitudinal direction Y.

The crotch-elastic elements43continuously extend in the longitudinal direction from the front end44of the crotch member40to the rear end45of the crotch member40across the non-bonded regions54and then the front bonded region50. Each of the crotch-elastic elements43includes a first crotch-elastic element43aarranged outermost in the transverse direction X, two second crotch-elastic elements43barranged inside the first crotch-elastic element43ain the transverse direction X, two third crotch-elastic elements43carranged inside the second crotch-elastic elements43band two fourth crotch-elastic elements43darranged inside the third crotch-elastic elements43cin the transverse direction X. The first and second crotch-elastic elements43a,43bdefine an “outer side crotch-elastic element” and third and fourth crotch-elastic elements43c,43ddefine “inner side crotch-elastic element” both as viewed in the transverse direction X.

In each of the non-bonded regions54, the first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28athrough28dand the first through fourth crotch-elastic elements43athrough43dfor the crotch member40merely and indirectly overlap each other in the thickness direction of the front and rear waist members20,30or the crotch member40via the outer sheet22of the front waist member20and the inner sheet41aof the crotch member40. Contrastingly, in the front bonded region50, the front waist-elastic elements28substantially intersect and are interlocked with the crotch-elastic elements43as the outer sheet22of the front waist member20and the inner sheet41aof the crotch member40are bonded to each other. More specifically, the first front waist-elastic elements28asubstantially intersects with the first crotch-elastic element43ain the first sub-region50a, the second front waist-elastic elements28bsubstantially intersects with the second crotch-elastic elements43bin the second sub-region50b, the third front waist-elastic elements28csubstantially intersects with the third crotch-elastic elements43cin the third sub-region50cand the fourth front waist-elastic elements28dsubstantially intersects with the fourth crotch-elastic elements43cin the fourth sub-region50d.

The expression “substantially intersect with” used herein means inclusively that, even when the front waist-elastic elements28are contiguous via the outer sheet22of the front waist member20and the inner sheet41aof the crotch member40, i.e., indirectly, to the crotch-elastic elements43as this Embodiment 1 is the case, wherein the front waist-elastic elements28, and the crotch-elastic element43can be considered to be substantially in the same relationship as the relationship in which the front waist-elastic elements28, and the crotch-elastic element43directly intersect with each other so far as the front waist-elastic elements28, and the crotch-elastic element43are interlocked with each other. Description given hereunder relating to intersection of the front waist-elastic elements28, and the crotch-elastic element43should be construed in this meaning.

As previously described, the front bonded region50is defined in the substantially trapezoidal shape which is relatively long in the transverse direction X as shown byFIG. 2and each of the non-bonded regions54is defined substantially in the triangular shape. However, the essential feature of the present invention lies in that the non-bonded regions54are defined on both side edges53of the front bonded region50immediately outside the side edges53of the front bonded region50. In view of this, an alternative arrangement is possible without departing from the scope of the invention such that the bonded region is not formed in almost entire area between the both side edges53but a pair of bonded regions is defined in the vicinity of intersections between the front end44of the crotch member40and the side edges46of the crotch member40so as to be spaced from each other, for example, each in a substantially triangular shape similar to the shape of the non-bonded region54. It should be appreciated here that preferably the both side edges53not only intersect with the first and second ends51,52but also these side edges53obliquely extend toward the second end52and the imaginary longitudinal center line P-P.

The front waist-elastic elements28are interlocked with the crotch-elastic elements43so that the crotch-elastic elements43also may be stretched outward n the transverse direction X as the front waist-elastic elements28are stretched outward in the transverse direction X. The crotch member40is free from the front waist member20in the non-bonded regions54and correspondingly facilitated to move in the transverse direction X. However, the both side edges46of the crotch member40provided with the crotch-elastic elements43can be pulled outward in the transverse direction X by stretching the front waist-elastic elements28and thereby the crotch member can be prevented from being gathered inward. Consequentially, the effective area of the liquid-absorbent structure42would not be reduced, leading to leakage of bodily fluids such as urine. In addition, the crotch member40should not be wedged in the wearer's bottom cleavage and thereby the feeling to wear as well as the appearance of the diaper would not be deteriorated.

The crotch-elastic elements43are bonded to the front waist-elastic elements28along the side edges53of the bonded region50so that the first through fourth crotch-elastic elements43athrough43dmay be bonded to the first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28a-28d, respectively. In this way, the both side edges46of the crotch member40can be pulled outward in the transverse direction X in a correspondingly larger range.

Theoretically, sum of contractile force of the front waist-elastic elements28acting between the respective side edges26of the front waist member20and the respective side edges53of the front bonded region50plus contractile force of the crotch-elastic elements43acting between the respective side edges53of the front bonded region50and the rear end45of the crotch member40serves to pull the crotch member40upward. With such unique arrangement, it is assured that the contractile force of the front waist-elastic elements28is almost evenly allotted to the first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28athrough28dand the contractile force of the crotch-elastic elements43is also almost evenly allotted to the first through fourth crotch-elastic elements43a-43d. As a consequence, the effect of these elastic members should not be locally enhanced. In this way, uncomfortable local oppressive feeling otherwise experienced by the wearer can be reliably restricted to provide even and comfortable fitness.

The non-bonded regions54are provided between the crotch member40and the front waist member20allow the leg-openings defined by the front leg-side end25, the rear leg-side end35and the both side edges46of the crotch member40to be broadened in the course of putting the diaper10on the wearer's body and thereby facilitate the diaper10to be smoothly put on.

The crotch member40is bonded also to the rear waist member30wherein the inner sheet41aof the crotch member40is bonded to the rear waist member30in a rear bonded region60. The rear bonded region60is contoured by a third end61extending in the transverse direction X almost in coincidence with the rear leg-side end35, a fourth end62extending in the transverse direction X almost in coincidence with the rear end45of the crotch member40and both side edges63extending in the longitudinal direction Y. In the rear bonded region60formed of hot melt adhesives, preferably the third and fourth ends61,62should not extend outward from the rear end45of the crotch member40and the rear leg-side end35or else the adhesives might run off beyond the region50and uncomfortably irritate the wearer's skin, as has been described with respect to the front bonded region50.

The third end61and the fourth end62have substantially same length dimension in the transverse direction X and cooperate with the both side edges63to define a rectangular region which is relatively long in the transverse direction X. In this manner, the rear bonded region60serves to bond the rear end45of the crotch member40over the entire area of the above rectangular region to the rear waist member30. In other words, the transverse direction X of the crotch member40can be surely fixed to the rear waist member12so that the crotch member40may be prevented from contraction in the transverse direction X and come in contact with the wearer's skin over an area as wide as possible.

While the crotch member40is bonded preferably to the outer sheet32of the rear waist member30when the crotch member40is bonded to the rear waist member30in the case in which the crotch member40is bonded to the front waist member20, it is also possible to bond the crotch member40to the inner sheet31of the rear waist member30, if desired.

The liquid-absorbent structure42may be bonded over its entire area to the inner sheet41aof the crotch member40. In another embodiment, the liquid-absorbent structure42can be partially bonded to the inner sheet41ato leave gaps between the inner sheet41aand the liquid-absorbent structure42so that the liquid-absorbent structure42can absorb bodily fluids such as urine through its upper and lower surfaces. As still another alternative arrangement, it is also possible to bond the crotch member40to the front and rear waist members20, so that the front and rear ends of the liquid-absorbent structure42may coincide with the front waist end25and the rear waist end35.

The front and rear bonded regions50,60may be formed of adhesives but not limited thereto and the other means conventionally used in the relevant technical field such as thermal bonding or ultrasonic bonding may be used to form these bonded regions50,60. Furthermore, it is possible to form non-bonded regions also in combination with the rear bonded region60like the front non-bonded regions in combination with the front bonded regions50. In this case, the rear waist-elastic elements of the rear waist member may intersect with the crotch-elastic elements in the rear bonded region.

The inner and outer sheets41a,41bof the crotch member40may be formed of liquid-impervious film or fibrous non-woven fabric or a laminate thereof. As the liquid-absorbent structure, for example, a mixture of liquid-absorbent core and super-absorbent polymer particles wrapped with a liquid-dispersant sheet may be used.

FIGS. 5 through 8illustrate Embodiment 2 as another embodiment of the present invention whereinFIG. 5shows the diaper10according to Embodiment 2 in a perspective view with a waist member maintained in an annular state,FIG. 6is a flatly developed plan view of the diaper10as viewed from its side facing the wearer's body,FIG. 7is a diagram schematically illustrating a part ofFIG. 6as viewed from its garment-facing side andFIG. 8is a schematic sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII inFIG. 6.FIGS. 6 and 7are illustrated as partially broken away for convenience of illustration.FIGS. 6 through 8illustrate the diaper10maintained flat by stretching respective elastic elements against contractile force thereof.

With respect to the components in this Embodiment 2 similar to those in Embodiment 1, description in detail will be eliminated.

Embodiment 2 is characterized in that the crotch member40is formed with folding lines70extending in the longitudinal direction Y along which the both side edges46of the crotch member40are folded inward and the both side edges53of the front bonded region50obliquely extend in form of continuous straight lines. The crotch member40is provided between the folding lines70and the associated side edges46of the crotch member40, respectively, the elastic elements43each of which is formed of a rubber thread. The both side edges46of the crotch member40are folded back toward the skin-facing side so as to define folded regions47and a crotch member's main body48. In vicinities of the front and rear ends44,45of the crotch member40, opposite halves of the respective folded regions47regions are bonded together via the inner sheet41aand, along the intermediate segments, opposite halves of the respective folded regions are not bonded together (not shown). With such arrangement, the intermediate segments of the respective folded regions47are spaced from the crotch member's main body48to raise themselves toward the wearer's skin under contractile force of the elastic elements43for the crotch member40and function as leakage barrier cuffs against leakage of bodily fluids such as urine. It should be understood that, in the front and rear waist regions11,12, the front and rear waist members20,30interfere with formation of such barrier cuffs by the folded regions47. In other words, the folded regions47can form the barrier cuffs exclusively in the crotch region13.

The folded regions47are formed on both sides of the front bonded region50as viewed in the transverse direction X and the crotch member's main body48is defined between these folded regions47. In the respective folded regions47, the first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28athrough28dintersect with the first through fourth crotch-elastic elements43athrough43dfor the crotch member40. As a consequence, contractile force of the first through fourth front waist-elastic elements28athrough28dcan serve to pull the crotch member40outward in the transverse direction X and simultaneously to space the folded regions47from the crotch member's main body48. In this manner, the reliable leakage-preventing function can be assured.

FIGS. 9 through 12illustrate Embodiment 3 as still another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9shows the diaper10according to Embodiment 3 in a perspective view with a waist member maintained in an annular state,FIG. 10is a exploded view of the flatly developed diaper10ofFIG. 9as viewed from its skin-facing side,FIG. 11is a diagram schematically illustrating a part ofFIG. 10as viewed from its garment-facing side andFIG. 12is a schematic sectional view taken along the line XII-XII inFIG. 11.FIGS. 10 and 11are illustrated as partially broken away for convenience of illustration.FIGS. 10 through 12illustrate the diaper10maintained flat by stretching respective elastic element against contractile force thereof.

Regarding the components in this Embodiment 3 similar to those in Embodiment 1, description in detail will be eliminated.

Embodiment 3 is characterized in that the crotch member40is formed with first and second folding lines71,72extending in the longitudinal direction Y along which the both side edges of the crotch member40are folded back. Embodiment 3 is characterized also in that the both side edges53of the front bonded region50obliquely and continuously extend in the form of straight lines.

The first and second folding lines71,72are arranged to extend substantially in parallel to each other wherein each of the second folding lines72is placed nearer the associated side edge46of the crotch region than the associated first folding line71. The crotch member40includes a pair of first folded regions47arespectively defined between the first folding lines71and the associated second folding lines72, a pair of second folded regions47bdefined between the second folding lines72and the associated side edges46of the crotch member40and the crotch member's main body48defined between the first folding lines71. The second folded regions47blie on the side facing the front waist member20, i.e., on the skin-facing side and the first folded regions47alie on the side facing the crotch member's main body48, i.e., on the garment-facing side.

At the front and rear ends44,45of the crotch member40, the first folded regions47aand the associated second folded regions47bare bonded together via the opposed sections of the outer sheet41band the first folded regions47aare bonded to the crotch member's main body48via the opposed sections of the inner sheet41a(not shown).

The first and second folded regions47a,47bare respectively provided with the elastic elements43each of which is formed of a rubber thread for the crotch member40.

The front bonded region50is formed outside of the second folding lines72as viewed in the transverse direction X in the second folded regions47band between the second folded lines72on the crotch member's main body48. In the second folded regions47b, the first and second front waist-elastic elements28a,28bintersect with the first and second crotch-elastic elements43a,43bso that the second folded regions47bmay be pulled outward in the transverse direction X under contractile force of the first and second front waist-elastic elements28a,28band, in response to this, the first folded regions48aalso may be pulled outward. It is assured thus that the first and second folded regions47a,47bcan be spaced upward from the crotch member's main body48to achieve the leakage-preventing function. The crotch member40is pulled outward in the transverse direction X under contractile force of the front waist-elastic elements28in the same manner as occurring in the Embodiments 1 and 2.

According to this Embodiment 3, in addition to the first folded regions47a, the second folded regions47bare formed to enlarge a total area of these folded regions and thereby to improve the barrier effect against leak of bodily fluids such as urine.

The various features of the invention such as the number of the folding lines and the arrangement of the elastic elements for the crotch member are not limited to those indicated and described in the respective Embodiments 1, 2 and 3, but may be appropriately modified. While these Embodiments 1, 2 and 3 have been described above on the basis of so-called pants-type or pull on-type diaper, the present invention is applicable also to so-called open-type diaper.

While a plurality of elastic elements are used in these Embodiments as the elastic elements for the waist members and the crotch member, it is also possible to use elastic bands or elasticized non-woven fabric as these elastic elements. These elastic elements for the waist members and the crotch member may be arranged so that these elastic elements at least partially intersect one with another in the front bonded region50to assure that contractile force of the elastic elements for the waist members in the transverse direction X can be transmitted to the elastic elements for the crotch member and thereby contraction of the elastic elements for the crotch member40in the transverse direction X can be restricted.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST