Patent Publication Number: US-2012046630-A1

Title: Absorbent article

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2010/050105, filed Jan. 7, 2010, which claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-002086, filed Jan. 7, 2009, the contents of both of which prior applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an absorbent article which is provided with: a liquid permeable topsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; and an absorber which is provided between the topsheet and the backsheet. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or a panty liner is formed in a longitudinally elongated shape which is extensive from a front side (a belly side) to a rear side (a back side) of a wearer. In general, an absorbent article is provided with: a liquid permeable topsheet; a liquid impermeable backsheet; and an absorber which is provided between the topsheet and the backsheet. 
     A gather (a leakage preventing unit) for preventing a wearer&#39;s bodily fluid from leaking from the absorbent article is provided at such an absorbent article. The gather is provided along a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and has a fixed end which is to be fixed to each of the edges of the absorber. 
     Inside of the gather, in general, a cord-like member such as a rubber having elasticity is provided in an expanded state. Since the expanded cord-like member is likely to be restored in a state before expanded, the absorbent article rounds, whereby the cord-like member rises in an erection direction which is spaced from the topsheet with the fixed end being a start point. Thus, the absorbent article (in particular, a gather) easily comes into contact with a wearer&#39;s skin, making it possible to prevent a side leakage in which the bodily fluid leaks from each of the edges of the absorber (refer to Patent Document 1, for example). 
     Incidentally, since the absorbent article is required to prevent the absorbent article from being displaced from shorts, a front wing unit is provided. The front wing unit is folded to a crotch portion (an inside leg portion) of the shorts, and then, is stopped at the shorts. The front wing unit is provided outside in a widthwise direction of the absorbent article more than the absorber, and is extensive to the outside in a widthwise direction of the absorber. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     [Patent Document 1] 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-288025 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The conventional absorbent article described above has entailed the following problem. That is, there has been a case in which, if the gather falls down on the absorber, a bodily fluid passes through a top of the gather that has fallen down thereon, and a side leakage occurs. In order to restrain such a side leakage to its required minimum, it is considered to increase an area of the front wing unit, for example, to lengthen the front wing unit in a longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. 
     However, if the front wing unit is too long in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, it becomes difficult to fold the front wing unit back to the crotch portion of the shorts, and handling of the absorbent article becomes cumbersome. For example, if a wearer forcibly folds the front wing unit back to the crotch portion of the shorts, winkles occur at the topsheet or the front wing unit, and there is an apprehension that the wearer has a sense of discomfort while in use. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which is capable of facilitating handling of the absorbent article without causing a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while is use and further reliably preventing a side leakage. 
     In order to solve the above described problem, the present invention has the following characteristics. First, a primary characteristic of the present invention is directed to an absorbent article (for example, an absorbent article  1 ) which is provided with: a liquid permeable topsheet (a topsheet  10 ); a liquid impermeable backsheet (a backsheet  20 ); and an absorber (an absorber  30 ) which is provided between the topsheet and the backsheet, said absorbent article being provided with: a front wing unit (a front wing unit  60 A) which is provided outside in a widthwise direction of the absorbent article more than the absorber, and is extensive to the outside in a widthwise direction of the absorber in an inside leg region which corresponds to a wearer&#39;s inside leg portion; and a leakage preventing unit (for example, a gather  50 ) which is provided at each of the edges (each of the edges  31 ) of the absorber, and is extensive along a longitudinal direction of the absorber, for preventing the wearer&#39;s bodily liquid from leaking from the absorbent article, wherein: the front wing unit has a base part (a base part  61 ) which is positioned at the innermost side in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article in the front wing unit; and the leakage preventing unit is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction of the absorber article more than the base part as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article. 
     According to the characteristic of the present invention, there can be provided an absorbent article which is capable of facilitating handling of the absorbent article without causing a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while is use and further reliably preventing a side leakage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1  according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view in a side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 A according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view in a side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (a first view). 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (a second view). 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 B according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment (a first view). 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment (a second view). 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 C according to Exemplary Modification 1 of the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 D according to Exemplary Modification 2 of the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 E according to Exemplary Modification 3 of the third embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view in a side part opened state of a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 F according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 G according to Exemplary Modification of the fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 G according to Exemplary Modification of the fourth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, an absorbent article according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Specifically, descriptions will be furnished with respect to a first embodiment, a second embodiment, a third embodiment, a fourth embodiment, and other embodiments. 
     In the description of the drawings that follows, the same or similar constituent elements are designated by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be kept in mind that: the drawings are merely schematic; and rates of dimensions or the like each are different from an actual one. 
     Therefore, specific dimensions or the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. It is a matter of course that portions whose dimensional interrelationships or rates are different from each other are included in the drawings as well. 
     First Embodiment 
     First, an absorbent article according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     First of all, a structure of an absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a plan view in a side part opened state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 2(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 1) .  FIG. 2(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 1) . 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view in a side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 4(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line C-C of  FIG. 3) .  FIG. 4(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 3) . In the first embodiment, the absorbent article  1  is employed as a sanitary napkin. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the absorbent article  1  is formed in a longitudinally elongated shape which is extensive from a front side to a rear side of a wearer. The absorbent article  1  is provided with: a liquid permeable topsheet  10  which comes into contact with a skin of the wearer; a liquid impermeable backsheet  20  which is provided at a non-wearer&#39;s side more than the topsheet  10 ; an absorber  30  which is provided between the topsheet  10  and the backsheet  20 ; and a side sheet  40  which is provided outside in a widthwise direction W in a widthwise direction of the absorber  30  which is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 . 
     In addition, the absorbent article  1  is further provided with: a gather  50  (a leakage preventing unit) which is provided at each of the edges  31  of the absorber  30 , and is extensive along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 ; and a wing unit  60  which is provided outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  more than the absorber  30 , and is extensive outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorber  30 . A structure of the gather  50  will be described later. 
     The wing unit  60  is comprised of a backsheet  20  and a side sheet  40 . The wing unit  60  is different from the gather  50  in hue. The wing unit  60  is formed of a liquid impermeable material. It is preferable that the wing unit  60  is 150 mm or less (in particular, 100 mm or less) in bending rigidity employing a cantilever. 
     The wing unit  60  is comprised of a front wing unit  60 A which is folded back to a crotch portion (an inside leg portion) of shorts and then is stopped at the shorts; and a rear wing unit  60 B which is provided at a rear side of a wearer more than the front wing unit  60 A, and is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  along the shape of the shorts. 
     The front wing unit  60 A is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorber  30  in an inside leg region X 1  which corresponds to an inside leg portion of the wearer. At the front wing unit  60 A, a base part  61  which is positioned at the innermost side in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  in the front wing unit  60 A is formed. 
     The rear wing unit  60 B is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction of the absorber  30  in a rear region X 2  which corresponds to a rear side of the wearer more than the front wing unit  60 A. Namely, the rear wing unit  60 B is provided at the rear side of the wearer more than the front wing unit  60 A. 
     A displacement proof unit  70  (for example, a hot melt adhesive), which has an adhesive property of preventing the absorbent article  1  from being displaced from shorts, is provided at the wing unit  60  (the front wing unit  60 A and the rear wing unit  60 B) or on a face at the side of the backsheet  20  in the absorber  30 . 
     Next, a structure of the abovementioned gather  50  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the gather  50  is adapted to prevent the wearer&#39;s bodily fluid from leaking from the absorbent article  1 . The gather  50  is formed of an nonwoven cloth or a perforated film. 
     The gather  50  is formed of a sheet which is different from the topsheet  10  or the side sheet  40 . The gather  50  does not always need to be comprised of another sheet which is different from the topsheet  10  or the side sheet  40 , and the gather may be formed by means of extension of the side sheet  40 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the gather  50  rises in a direction spaced from the topsheet  10  (hereinafter, referred to as an erection direction T), i.e., toward the wearer&#39;s side, at the time of wearing it. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the gather  50  is folded back onto the topsheet  10  a plurality of times in a side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 , i.e., in a state in which the gather  50  does not rise. 
     Here, the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1  is a state in which, when the wing unit  60  is folded back to the side of the topsheet  10  from a boundary between the absorber  30  and the wing unit  60 , the gather  50  is disposed on the topsheet  10 , together with the wing unit  60 , and the gather  50  is folded on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times. In the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 , a mold release sheet (not shown) which covers the displacement proof unit  70  may be provided between the displacement proof unit  70  that is disposed at the uppermost side and a packing member (not shown). 
     Inside of the gather  50 , a cord-like member  80  (refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 ) such as a rubber, which is disposed along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  and has elasticity, is provided in an expanded state. The gather  50  is provided with a front end portion  51 A which is positioned at the front side of the wearer and a rear end portion  51 B which is positioned at the rear side of the wearer. 
     At the front end portion  51 A and the rear end portion  51 B, a hot melt adhesive is applied between layers of the gather  50  that is folded on the topsheet  10 . In addition, at the front end portion  51 A and the rear end portion  51 B, emboss treatment is applied to all of the layers of the gather  50  that is folded on the topsheet  10  (not shown). In this manner, at the front end portion  51 A and the rear end portion  51 B, the gather  50  is folded a plurality of times, and is bonded with the absorbent article  1  in a state in which the gather is folded on the topsheet  10 . 
     In this manner, the gather  50  rises toward the wearer&#39;s side at the time of wearing it, and a hollow part is formed in each of an inside leg region X 1  and a rear region X 2 . Such a gather  50  has a gather main unit  52 , a fixed end  56 , and a free end  57 . 
     The gather main unit  52  is formed in a sheet shape along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 . The gather main unit  52  has: at least an outermost piece portion  53  which is positioned at the most wearer&#39;s side in a state in which the gather  50  is folded on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times as seen in a sectional view (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 ; a lower piece portion  54  which is positioned at the side of each of the edges  31  of the outermost piece portion  53 ; and a continuous portion  55  which connects the outermost piece portion  53  and the lower piece portion  54  to each other. 
     The outermost piece portion  53  has: an outermost face  53 A which is positioned at the most wearer&#39;s side in the erection direction T of the gather  50 ; and an innermost face  53 B which is positioned at an opposite side of the outermost face  53 A, i.e., at the side of the lower piece portion  54 . 
     A fixed end  56  is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 , and is fixed (bonded) by an emboss part E being applied to each of the edges  31 . The fixed end  56  may be provided at each of the edges  31  of the absorber  30 , may be provided outside in the widthwise direction W more than the absorber  30 , or may be provided on each of the edges of the absorber  30 . 
     The fixed end  56  serves as a start point when the gather  50  rises in the erection direction T. Namely, the gather  50  rises in the erection direction T spaced from the topsheet  10  with the fixed end  56  being a start point. 
     The free end  57  is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 , and is positioned at the wearer&#39;s side more than each of the edges  31 . The free end  57  is oriented to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  in a state in which the gather  50  is folded on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times. Specifically, the free end  57  is positioned at a tip end part of the outermost piece portion  53 , and is provided outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  more than the continuous portion  55 . The free end  57  is provided between the gather main unit  52  and the wing unit  60  (the side sheet  40 ) (refer to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 ). 
     Such a gather  50  is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  more than the base part  61  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1  (refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ). Namely, the gather  50  is superimposed on the base part  61 . In addition, at least a part of the gather  50  is bonded with the wing unit  60  at a bonding portion  58  by means of an adhesive agent such as a hot melt adhesive. 
     Next, a disposition site of the abovementioned bonding portion  58  will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , at the bonding portion  58 , the wing unit  60  and at least a part of the outermost piece portion  53  are bonded with each other. Specifically, in a state in which the gather  50  is folded on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times, the side sheet  40  and an outermost face  53 A of the outermost piece portion  53  are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  58 . 
     The bonding portion  58  is comprised of: a front bonding portion  58 A which is provided at a front wing unit  60 A and a rear bonding portion  58 B which is provided at a rear wing unit  60 B. 
     The front bonding portion  58 A is provided at a position which includes a centerline CL 1  which passes through a center of the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at the front wing unit  60 A as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 , and is extensive along the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 . It is preferable that the front bonding portion  58 A is provided to be uniform with respect to the centerline CL 1 . 
     A length L 1  taken along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at the front bonding portion  58 A (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is larger than a length L 2  taken along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at a placement proof unit  70  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
     On the other hand, the rear bonding portion  58 B is positioned at a position which includes a centerline CL 2  which passes through the center of the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at the rear wing unit  60 B as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 , and is extensive along the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 . 
     The bonding portion  58  (the front bonding portion  58 A and the rear bonding portion  58 B) is positioned in the vicinity of a reference line SL which passes through the outermost side in the widthwise direction W of the base part  61 , and which is extensive along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 . Specifically, the bonding portion  58  is positioned outside in the widthwise direction more than on the reference line SL. In particular, it is preferable that the bonding portion  58  is positioned between the reference line SL and a center part in the widthwise direction W of the wing unit  60 . 
     Here, a length Y 1  in the widthwise direction from an emboss part E (for example, an inside end which is positioned inside in the widthwise direction W of the emboss part E) to the bonding portion  58  (for example, an outside end which is positioned inside in the widthwise direction W of the bonding portion  58 ) is a length Y 2  or less of the gather  50  from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58  (Y 1 ≦Y 2 ). Specifically, it is preferable that the length Y 1  in the widthwise direction from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58  is ½ or less, in particular ⅓ or less respect to the length Y 2  of the gather  50  from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     The length Y 2  of the gather  50  from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58  is larger than a maximum length Y 3  in the widthwise direction W of the gather  50  (Y 2 ≧Y 3 ). 
     In the first embodiment, since the gather  50  is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  more than the base part  61  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 , the gather  50  covers the base part  61 . Thus, even if an area of the front wing unit  60 A is increased, a side leakage can be reliably prevented. In this manner, it is possible to restrain the topsheet  10  or the front wing unit  60 A from being wrinkled without the base part  61  being folded back to shorts, together with the wing unit  60 . Therefore, the absorbent article  1  is easily handled without causing the wearer to have a sense of discomfort while in use. 
     Incidentally, if the gather  50  does not have the bonding portion  58 , the gather  50  may fall down on the absorber  30  by the wearer&#39;s action at the time of wearing it, and each of the edges  31  of the absorber  30  may be covered. 
     On the other hand, in the first embodiment, at least a part of the gather  50  (the leakage preventing unit) is bonded with the front wing unit  60 A at the front bonding portion  58 A. In addition, the front bonding portion  58 A is positioned in the vicinity of the reference line SL, specifically outside in the widthwise direction more than on the reference line SL. According to the embodiment, in a state in which the gather  50  is opened outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 , the gather  50  is pulled to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 , together with the front wing unit  60 A. Thus, it is possible to prevent the gather  50  from falling down on the absorber  30  and to reliably restrain each of the edges  31  of the absorber  30  from being covered therewith. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease of an absorption area of the absorber  30  due to falling down of the gather  50  and further reliably prevent a side leakage. 
     In the first embodiment, the gather  50  has elasticity in the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 . According to the embodiment, the gather  50  reliably rises in the erection direction T (that is, the gather  50  reliably rises toward the wearer&#39;s side at the time of wearing it), thus making it possible to further reliably prevent a side leakage from the base part  61 . 
     In the first embodiment, at least a part of the gather  50  (the leakage preventing unit) is bonded with the rear wing unit  60 B at a rear bonding portion  158 B. According to the embodiment, the base part  61  which is positioned between the front wing unit  60 A and the rear wing unit  60 B is reliably covered with the gather  50 . Thus, a side leakage (such as an oblique leakage) from the base part  61  can be further reliably prevented. 
     In the first embodiment, the front bonding portion  58 A is positioned at a position which includes the centerline CL 1  as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 . In particular, it is preferable that the front bonding portion  58 A is provided to be uniform with respect to the centerline CL 1 . 
     If the front bonding portion  58 A is not provided to be uniform with respect to the centerline CL 1 , when the front wing unit  60 A is folded back to a crotch portion of shorts, an elastic force of the cord-like member  80  that is positioned front or rear of the front bonding portion  58 A is made different from usual. 
     In such a case, since the cord-like member  80  whose elastic force is strengthened is easily restored to a state before expansion, for example, only one-side front wing unit  60 A may be easily restored to the side of the topsheet  10 . Thus, it becomes cumbersome for a wearer to handle the absorbent article  1  when the article is worn on the shorts. 
     On the other hand, as described above, the front bonding portion  58 A is provided to be uniform with respect to the centerline CL 1 , whereby the elastic force of the cord-line member  80  is maintained uniformly in the front wing unit  60 A, thus facilitating handling of the absorbent article  1 . 
     In the first embodiment, the front end portion  51 A and the rear end portion  51 B are bonded with the absorbent article  1  in a state in which the gather  50  is folded back a plurality of times with the fixed end  56  being a start point and then is folded on the topsheet  10 . According to the embodiment, the gather  50  rises toward the wearer&#39;s side at the time of wearing it, and a hollow portion is formed in each of the inside leg region X 1  and the rear region X 2 . Thus, the gather  50  is easily fitted to the wearer, and a side leakage from the base part  61  can be further reliably prevented. 
     In the first embodiment, the wing unit  60  is formed of a liquid impermeable material. In particular, it is preferable that the inside of the wing unit  60  or a face at the side of the topsheet  10  is formed of a liquid permeable material. According to the embodiment, even in a case where a bodily fluid passes through the top of the gather  50  and then a side leakage occurs, the bodily fluid can be absorbed by means of the wing unit  60 . Thus, the side leakage from the base part  61  can be further reliably prevented. 
     In the first embodiment, it is preferable that the wing unit  60  is 150 mm or less in bending rigidity employing a cantilever. If the bending rigidity is less than 150 mm, the wing unit  60  is hardly taken along the shape of shorts, causing a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while in use. 
     In the first embodiment, the wing unit  60  is different from the gather  50  in hue. According to the embodiment, a wearer can easily distinguish the wing unit  60  and the gather  50  from each other, and even if the wing unit  60  is folded back to shorts, it is possible to visually indicate for the wearer&#39;s eyes the fact that the gather  50  is not folded back thereto. 
     In the first embodiment, it is preferable that the length Y 1  in the widthwise direction W from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58  is ½ or less, in particular ⅓ or less with respect to the length Y 2  of the gather  50  from the emboss part E to the bonding portion  58 . If the length Y 1  is larger than ½ with respect to the length Y 2 , it may be that the gather  50  easily slackens, and the gather  50  hardly form a sufficient hollow portion, and a side leakage cannot be reliably prevented. 
     In the first embodiment, in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 , from a boundary between the absorber  30  and the wing unit  60 , the gather  50  is disposed on the topsheet  10 , together with the wing unit  60 , and the gather  50  is folded back in the erection direction T, a plurality of times, and then, is folded on the topsheet  10 . According to the embodiment, in a case where the absorbent article  1  is packed, since the gather  50  and the wing unit  60  can be folded so as to be included in a width which is substantially identical to that of the absorber  30 , the absorbent article can be compactly packed. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, an absorbent article  1 A according to a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements as those of the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and constituent elements which are different therefrom are mainly described. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment, the free end  57  is oriented to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  in a state in which the gather  50  is folded back in the erection direction T, a plurality of times, and is folded on the topsheet  10 . On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment, the free end  157  is oriented to the inside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 A in a state in which the gather  150  is folded back in the erection direction T at a plurality of times and then is folded on the topsheet  10 . 
     First, a structure of the gather  150  of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 5  is a plan view in a side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 6(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 5) .  FIG. 6(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 5) . 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 8(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line C-C of  FIG. 7) .  FIG. 8(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line D-D of  FIG. 7) . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the gather  150  rises in the erection direction T, i.e., toward the wearer&#39;s side, at the time of wearing it. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the gather  150  is folded back a plurality of times onto the topsheet  10  in the side part closed state of the absorbent article  1 A, that is, in a state in which the gather  150  does not rise. 
     The gather  150  is provided with: a front end portion  151 A which is positioned at a front side of a wearer; and a rear end portion  151 B which is positioned at a rear side of the wearer. The front end portion  151 A and the rear end portion  151 B are bonded with the absorbent article  1 A in a state in which the gather  150  is folded on the topsheet  10 . The gather  150  has a gather main unit  152 , a fixed end  156 , and a free end  157 . 
     The gather main unit  152  is formed in a sheet shape which is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 A. The gather main unit  152  has: at least an outermost piece portion  153  which is positioned at the most wearer&#39;s side in a state in which the gather  150  is folded back a plurality of times and is folded on the topsheet  10  as seen in a sectional view (refer to  FIG. 8 ) in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 A; a lower piece portion  154  which is positioned at the side of each of the edges  31  of the outermost piece portion  153 ; and a continuous portion  155  which connects the outermost piece portion  153  and the lower piece portion  154  to each other. 
     The outermost piece portion  153  has: an outermost face  153 A which is positioned at the most wearer&#39;s side in the erection direction T of the gather  150 ; and an innermost face  153 B which is positioned at an opposite side of the outermost face  153 A, that is, at the side of the lower piece portion  154 . 
     The fixed end  156  is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 A, and is fixed to each of the edges  31 . The fixed end  156  serves as a start point when the gather  50  rises in the erection direction T. Namely, the gather  150  rises in the erection direction T that is spaced from the topsheet  10  with the fixed end  156  being a start point. 
     The free end  157  is oriented to the inside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 A in a state in which the gather  150  is folded back in the erection direction T, a plurality of times and then is folded on the topsheet  10 . Specifically, the free end  157  is positioned at a tip end part of the outermost piece portion  153 , and is provided inside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 A more than the continuous portion  155 . 
     Such a gather  150  is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 A more than the base part  61  as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 A. The gather  150  is superimposed on the base part  61 . In addition, at least a part of the gather  150  is bonded with the wing unit  60  at the bonding portion  158 . 
     Next, a disposition site of the abovementioned bonding portion  158  will be described with reference to  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 8 , the wing unit  60  and at least a part of the outermost piece portion  153  are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  158 . Specifically, the side sheet  40  and the outermost face  153 A of the outermost piece portion  153  are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  158  in a state in which the gather  150  is folded on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times. 
     At the bonding portion  158 , it is sufficient if the side sheet  40  and at least a part of the outermost face  153 A are bonded with each other, and for example, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the side sheet  40  and a part of the lower piece portion  154  may be bonded with each other. 
     The bonding portion  158  is comprised of a front bonding portion  158 A which is provided at a front wing unit  60 A; and a rear bonding portion  158 B which is provided at a rear wing unit  60 B. The disposition sites of the front bonding portion  158 A and the rear bonding portion  158 B are similar to those of the front bonding portion  58 A and the rear bonding portion  58 B according to the first embodiment mentioned above. 
     With the absorbent article  1 A according to the second embodiment, as is the case with the first embodiment, it is possible to reliably prevent a side leakage from the base part  61  and to disallow a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while in use. In addition, it becomes easy for the wearer to handle the absorbent article  1 A when wearing the absorbent article on shorts. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, an absorbent article  1 B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements as those of the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and constituent elements which are different therefrom are mainly described. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment, the front end portion  51 A and the rear end portion  51 B of the gather  50  are bonded with the absorbent article  1  in a state in which the gather  50  is folded in the erection direction T, a plurality of times, and then, is folded on the topsheet  10 . On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment, a front end portion  251 A and a rear end portion  251 B of a gather  250  are bonded with the absorbent article  1 B without being folded back on the topsheet  10  a plurality of times. 
     First, a structure of the gather  250  of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 10  is a plan view in a side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment.  FIG. 11(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 10) .  FIG. 11(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 10) . The third embodiment describes only the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 B. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the gather  250  is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 B from a front end portion  251 A to a rear end portion  251 B. Namely, the gather  250  is provided with: a frond end portion  251 A which is positioned at a front side of a wearer; and a rear end portion  251 B which is positioned at a rear side of the wearer. The front end portion  251 A and the rear end portion  251 B are bonded with the absorbent article  1 B. The front end portion  251 A and the rear end portion  251 B are not folded on the topsheet  10 . The gather  250  has a gather main unit  252 , a fixed end  256 , and a free end  257 . 
     The gather main unit  252  is formed in a sheet shape which is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 B. The gather main unit  252  has: an outside face  252 A (an outermost face) which is positioned at the wearer&#39;s side as seen in a sectional view (refer to  FIG. 11 ) in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 B; and an inside face  252 B which is positioned at an opposite side of the outermost piece portion  153 , that is, at the side of the lower piece portion  154 . 
     The fixed end  256  is provided along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 B, and is fixed to each of the edges  31 . The fixed end  256  serves as a start point when the gather  250  rises in the erection direction T. Namely, the gather  250  rises in the erection direction T which is spaced from the topsheet  10  with the fixed end  256  being a start point. 
     The free end  257  is oriented to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 B in a state in which the gather  250  is folded in the erection direction T once and then is folded on the topsheet  10 . 
     Such a gather  250  is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 B more than the base part  61  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 B. Namely, the gather  250  is superimposed on the base part  61 . In addition, at least a part of the gather  250  is bonded with the wing unit  60  at the bonding portion  258 . 
     Next, a disposition site of the abovementioned bonding portion  258  will be described with reference to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the wing unit  60  and at least a part of the inside face  252 B, are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  258 . Specifically, the side sheet  40  and an at least a part of the inside face  252 B are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  258 . 
     At the bonding portion  258 , it is sufficient if the side sheet  40  and a part of the inside face  252 B are bonded with each other, and for example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the side sheet  40  and the inside face  252 B of the gather  50  forming a hollow portion may be bonded with each other. 
     The bonding portion  258  is comprised of a front bonding portion  258 A which is provided at a front wing unit  60 A; and a rear bonding portion  258 A which is provided at a rear wing unit  60 B. Disposition sites of the front bonding portion  258 A and the rear bonding portion  258 B are similar to those of the front bonding portion  58 A and the rear bonding portion  58 B according to the first embodiment mentioned above. 
     Next, an exemplary modification of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements as those of the abovementioned absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and constituent elements which are different therefrom are mainly described. 
     First, the exemplary modification of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a sectional view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 C according to Exemplary Modification 1. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment, a gather main unit  252  has an outside face  252 A and an inside face  252 B. On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 C according to Exemplary Modification 1, a gather main unit  252  has an outermost piece portion  253 , a lower piece portion  254 , and a continuous portion  255 . 
     A wing unit  60  and at least a part of the lower piece portion  254  are bonded with each other at a bonding portion  258 . Specifically, a side sheet  40  and a part of the lower piece portion  254  are bonded with each other at the bonding portion  258 . 
     The free end  257 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , may be oriented to the outside in a widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 C or may be oriented to the inside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 C. 
     First, an exemplary modification of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 D according to Exemplary Modification 2. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment, a bonding portion  258  is comprised of a front bonding portion  258 A and a rear bonding portion  258 B. On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 D according to Exemplary Modification 2, a bonding portion  258  is comprised of a front bonding portion  258 A, a rear bonding portion  258 B, and a front end bonding portion  258 C. The front bonding portion  258 A and the rear bonding portion  258 B are similar to the front bonding portion  58 A and the rear bonding portion  58 B that were described in the first embodiment. 
     The front end bonding portion  258 C is provided at a front end wing unit  60 C which is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorber  30  in a front region X 3  which corresponds to a front side of a wearer more than the front wing unit  60 A. It is preferable that the front end bonding portion  258 C is positioned in the vicinity of the reference line SL as is the case with the front bonding portion  58 A and the rear bonding portion  58 B that were described in the first embodiment. 
     Next, an exemplary modification of the absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 E according to Exemplary Modification 3. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1 B according to the third embodiment, a gather  250  is provided along a longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 B from a front end portion  251 A to a rear end portion  251 B. On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 E according to Exemplary Modification  3 , a gather  250  is provided only in the vicinity of a front wing unit  60 A. 
     Specifically, in the absorbent article  1 , the gather  250  is provided at each of the edges  31  which is positioned outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorber  30 , and is extensive along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1 . The gather  250  is provided from a base part  61  which is positioned between a front wing unit  60 A and a front end wing unit  60 C to a base part  61  which is positioned between a rear wing unit  60 B and the front end wing unit  60 C. 
     With the absorbent articles  1 B to  1 E according to the third embodiment, as is the case with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the absorbent article  1 B can be easily handled without causing a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while in use, and a side leakage from the base part  61  can be further reliably prevented. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, an absorbent article  1 F according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements as those of the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and portions which are different therefrom are mainly described. 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1  according to the first embodiment, at least part of the gather  50  has a bonding portion  58 . On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment, a gather  350  does not have a bonding portion. 
     First, a structure of the gather  350  of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 16  is a plan view in a side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment.  FIG. 17(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 16) .  FIG. 17(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment (the sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 16) . The fourth embodiment describes only the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 F. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , the absorbent article  1 F has a cover part  360  (a leakage preventing unit) in addition to the gather  350 . Inside of the gather  350 , a cord-like member  80  is provided in an expanded state. The gather  350  is provided with: a front end portion  351 A which is positioned at a front side of a wearer; and a rear end portion  351 B which is positioned at a rear side of the wearer. The front end portion  351 A and the rear end portion  351 B are folded back onto a topsheet  10  a plurality of times. 
     The cover part  360  is extensive to the outside in a widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 F. The cover part  360  is provided at the side of the topsheet  10  more than a wing unit  60  (a front wing unit  60 A and a rear wing unit  60 B). 
     The cover  360  is composed of the gather  350 ; and a water resistance sheet  90  which is positioned at the side of a backsheet  20 . It is a matter of course that a water repellent or hydrophobic unwoven cloth or the like may be employed in place of the water resistance sheet  90 . 
     The cover part  360  has; a long extension portion  360 A which is long in length which is extensive from an absorber  30  to the outside in a widthwise direction; and a short extension portion  360 B which is short in length which is extensive from the absorber  30  to the outside in the widthwise direction. 
     The long extension portion  360 A is positioned on a base part  61  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 F. The long extension portion  360 A is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 F more than the base part  61  as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 F. Namely, the long extension portion  360 A is superimposed on the base part  61 . 
     The short extension portion  360 B is positioned on a wing unit  60  (a front wing unit  60 A and a rear wing unit  60 B) as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 F. The short extension portion  360 B is short in length which is extensive from the absorber  30  to the outside in the widthwise direction more than the wing unit  60 . 
     Herein, while, in the fourth embodiment, the cover part  360  is not bonded with the wing unit  60  (the front wing unit  60 A or the rear wing unit  60 B and the front end wing unit  60 C), the cover part  360  may be bonded with the wing unit  60 . In addition, the absorbent article  1 F does not always need to have the gather  350 , and it is sufficient if the absorbent article has the cover part  360 . 
     Next, an exemplary modification of the absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 18  is a plan view in a side part opened state of an absorbent article  1 G according to the exemplary modification.  FIG. 19(   a ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 G according to the exemplary modification (the sectional view taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 18) .  FIG. 19(   b ) is a sectional view in the side part opened state of the absorbent article  1 G according to the exemplary modification (the sectional view taken along the line B-B of  FIG. 18) . 
     Herein, in the abovementioned absorbent article  1 F according to the fourth embodiment, a cover part  360  is provided at the side of a topsheet  10  more than a wing unit  60 . On the other hand, in the absorbent article  1 G according to the exemplary modification, a cover part  460  is provided at the side of a backsheet  20  more than the wing unit  60 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 , the absorbent article  1 G has the cover part  460  which is superimposed on the wing unit  60 . The cover part  460  is comprised of; a topside sheet  10 A made of the same member as the topsheet  10 ; and a water resistance sheet  90  which is positioned at the side of the backsheet  20 . The cover part  460  has a long extension portion  460 A which is long in length which is extensive from the absorber  30  to the outside in a widthwise direction; and a short extension portion  460 B which is short in length which is extensive from the absorber  30  to the outside in the widthwise direction. 
     The long extension portion  460 A is positioned on a base part  61  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 G. The long extension portion  460 A is extensive to the outside in a widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1 G more than the base part  61  as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 G. Namely, the long extension portion  460 A is superimposed on the base part  61 . 
     The short extension portion  460 B is positioned on the wing unit  60  (the front wing unit  60 A and the rear wing unit  60 B) as seen in the plan view of the absorbent article  1 G. The short extension portion  460 B is short in length which is extensive from the absorber  30  to the outside in a widthwise direction more than the wing unit  60 . 
     According to the absorbent articles  1 F,  1 G according to the fourth embodiment, as is the case with the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, the absorbent articles  1 F,  1 G can be easily handled without causing a wearer to have a sense of discomfort while in use, and a side leakage from the base part  61  can be further reliably prevented. 
     Other Embodiments 
     As described above, while the contents of the present invention were disclosed through the embodiments of the present invention, it should not be understood that the discussions and drawings forming a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, a variety of alternative aspects, examples, and operational techniques would be self-evident to one skilled in the art. 
     For example, the embodiments of the present invention can be modified as follows. Specifically, while the embodiments described that an absorbent article  1  is employed as a sanitary napkin, the absorbent article may be an incontinent pad or a panty liner, a disposable diaper or the like, for example, without being limitative thereto. 
     In addition, while the embodiments described that a wing unit  60  is comprised of a backsheet  20  and a side sheet  40 , it is a matter of course that: the wing unit may be comprised of the topsheet  10  and the backsheet  20 , for example, without being limitative thereto; and the wing unit  60  may be formed of a sheet other than the topsheet  10  or the backsheet  20 . 
     Further, while the embodiments described that the wing unit  60  is comprised of a front wing unit  60 A and a rear wing unit  60 B, the wing unit  60  may be a portion which is extensive to the outside in the widthwise direction W more than an absorber  30  without being limitative thereto. 
     Furthermore, while the embodiments described that a displacement proof unit  70  is provided on a face at the side of the backsheet  20  in the wing unit  60 , it is a matter of course that the displacement proof unit  70  may not be provided without being limitative thereto. 
     Still furthermore, while the embodiments described that the wing unit  60  is different from a gather  50  in hue, the wing unit  60  may be identical to the gather  50  in hue without being limitative thereto. 
     Yet furthermore, while the embodiments described that, inside of the gather  50 , the cord-like member  80  is provided in an expanded state, the cord-like member  80  may not be provided without being limitative thereto. For example, a sheet per se constituting the gather  50  may have expandability. It is a matter of course that the shape or folding back of the gather  50  may be different from the one described in the foregoing embodiments. 
     In addition, while the embodiments described that at least a part of the gather  50  has a bonding portion  58 , it may not have the bonding portion  58  without being limitative thereto. 
     Further, while the embodiments described that the bonding portion  58  is bonded with the wing unit  60  by means of an adhesive agent such as a hot melt adhesive, for example, the bonding portion  58  may be bonded with the wing unit  60  by means of emboss or sonic sealing or the like. 
     Furthermore, while the embodiments described that a bonding portion  58  (a front bonding portion  58 A and a rear bonding portion  58 B) is positioned in the vicinity of a reference line SL, for example, the bonding portion  58  may be positioned on the reference line SL or may be positioned inside or outside in a widthwise direction W of the absorbent article  1  with respect to the reference line SL, without being limitative thereto. 
     Still furthermore, while the embodiments described that a length L 1  taken along a longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at the front bonding portion  58 A is larger than a length L 2  taken along the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent article  1  at the displacement proof unit  70 , the length L 1  may be identical to or shorter than the length L 2  without being limitative thereto. 
     Yet furthermore, while the embodiments described that the front bonding portion  58 A is provided at a position which includes a centerline CL 1  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 , this bonding portion  58  may be provided at a position which does not include the centerline CL 1  (for example, forward or rearward of the centerline CL 1 ) without being limitative thereto. 
     Moreover, while the embodiments described that the rear bonding portion  58 B is provided at a position which includes a centerline CL 2  as seen in a plan view of the absorbent article  1 , this bonding portion  58  may be provided at a position which does not include the centerline CL 2  (for example, forward or rearward of the centerline CL 2 ) without being limitative thereto. 
     As described above, it is a matter of course that the present invention encompasses a variety of embodiments which have not been described herein. Therefore, technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the specific matters of the invention according to the claims that are reasonable from the foregoing description. 
     The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-002086 (filed on Jan. 7, 2009) are incorporated in the present specification by way of reference. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     As described above, according to the present invention, a side leakage can be reliably prevented, since a leakage preventing unit is extensive to the outside in a widthwise direction of an absorbent article more than a base part of a wing unit. In addition, even if the wing unit is folded back to shorts, the base part of the wing unit is never folded back, together with the wing unit, and thus, wrinkles do not occur at a topsheet or a front wing unit, and a wearer does not have a sense of discomfort while in use. Therefore, the present invention is effective for use in an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinent pad, or a panty liner.