Patent Description:
An absorbent article such as a pad type or flat type absorbent article (also referred to as a urine absorbing pad) is worn by being applied to a crotch of a wearer from a flat state or a state close thereto, and is different from an underpants-type absorbent article having leg openings in a product state.

In general, a pad type or flat type absorbent article is used by being attached to an outer such as an underpants-type diaper or an undergarment, and a pressure sensitive adhesive tape, a mechanical fastener, or the like is used for the attachment. The pad type or flat type absorbent article is required to be firmly fixed so as not to be displaced from an outer or not to be easily peeled off from the outer by movement of a wearer.

In order to solve this problem, the technique described in Patent Literature <NUM> is one of effective means. In general, in a hook member of a mechanical fastener, a plurality of hook portions with front-back and left-right symmetrical elliptical caps at ends of vertical axes is aligned on a sheet base material. When the cap is enlarged or the axis is lengthened, the hook member is easily entangled with a loop of a tape member of the mechanical fastener, and an engaging force can be increased. In the technique described in Patent Literature <NUM>, a hook member of a mechanical fastener is used as a fastening member used for attaching a disposable auxiliary pad, which is an absorbent article, to a diaper body, and a hook of the hook member is formed in a width direction of the pad. Therefore, an engaging force in the width direction is strong, and displacement hardly occurs in the width direction. Meanwhile, since the hook of the hook member is not formed in a length direction of the pad, an engaging force is weak, and the hook can be easily removed in the length direction.

However, the absorbent article described in Patent Literature <NUM> has a strong engaging force in the width direction, but has a weak engaging force in the length direction. Therefore, every time a wearer puts on or takes off a diaper to which the absorbent article is attached a plurality of times, the auxiliary pad may be displaced in the front-back direction of the diaper, or a corner of the auxiliary pad may be turned up and the auxiliary pad may be peeled off from the diaper. If the auxiliary pad is displaced every time a wearer puts on or takes off the diaper, the wearer needs to correct the displacement each time, and if the wearer uses the auxiliary pad without correcting the displacement, leakage occurs. In addition, since the hook member is not attached to a distal end portion of the pad on an outer side of the hook member of the mechanical fastener in the length direction, the distal end portion of the pad may float from the diaper. When the diaper is pulled up, the distal end portion of the pad may be caught between a body side of the wearer and the diaper, and the wearer may feel discomfort, or the pad may be turned up and detached from the diaper.

In addition, since the pad generally has a high rigidity, the pad is often fixed while keeping a V-shape, which is a folding line attached at the time of packing, in the diaper, and it is difficult to bring the diaper and the pad into close contact with each other without a gap therebetween without directly touching an inner surface, which is a skin adhesion surface of the diaper, with a hand. Furthermore, if the pad is fixed too firmly, a gap is generated between the pad and the diaper, and easily causes leakage. If the absorbent article is not in close contact with the diaper, the diaper looks bulky, and therefore an appearance of the diaper may be poor. In order to eliminate the gap generated between the pad and the diaper, it is necessary for the wearer to directly touch the skin adhesion surface of the pad with a hand to bring the pad into close contact with the diaper, which is troublesome and unsanitary.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a more preferable absorbent article having an attachment member that prevents detachment or displacement of a pad, which is an absorbent article, from a diaper due to a strong engaging force for attaching the pad to the diaper in a direction of pulling up the pad and that brings the pad and the diaper into close contact with each other due to a weak engaging force for attaching the pad to the diaper in a direction of lowering the pad.

An absorbent article that has solved the above problem is as follows.

An absorbent article according to claim <NUM>.

When the present absorbent article is attached to an outer such as an underpants-type diaper or a cloth diaper via the attachment member, which is a hook member of a mechanical fastener, the strength and the directionality of an engaging force can be adjusted by the protruding portions of the plurality of hook portions aligned in the hook member. When the present absorbent article is attached to an outer such as an underpants-type diaper via the attachment member, the hook member as the attachment member has a protruding portion that is long upward in the front-back direction and short downward in the front-back direction, or has a protrusion extending only upward in the front-back direction. Therefore, an engaging force is strong upward in the front-back direction and is weak downward in the front-back direction. In a case where such a hook member is disposed, when a wearer pulls up the diaper, an upward force in the front-back direction is applied to the absorbent article. Therefore, the protruding portion extending upward in the front-back direction is entangled with a nonwoven fabric fiber of an outer such as the diaper, and an upward engaging force of the present absorbent article is strong. Therefore, displacement hardly occurs. When the wearer puts the body in the diaper, a downward force in the front-back direction is applied to the absorbent article, and there is a short protruding portion or no protruding portion downward in the front-back direction. Therefore, the protruding portion is hardly entangled or never entangled with the nonwoven fabric of the diaper, the present absorbent article is more likely to slide downward so as to be in close contact with the outer such as the diaper, there is no need to touch a front surface sheet and correct displacement at the time of wearing, and leakage from a gap between the diaper and the absorbent article is less likely to occur. In addition, since the diaper and the present absorbent article are in close contact with each other, the diaper does not look bulky and has a good appearance, and the wearer is less likely to feel discomfort at the time of wearing.

The absorbent article according to the first embodiment,
wherein the support column of the hook portion becomes thinner as it goes from the base portion toward the protruding portion.

In the hook member of the mechanical fastener as the attachment member of the first embodiment, by forming the support column of the hook portion in a shape that becomes thinner as it goes from the sheet-like base portion toward the protruding portion, the support column is inclined. Therefore, a nonwoven fabric fiber of an outer such as a diaper engaged with the hook member of the mechanical fastener moves in a direction of the sheet-like base portion at a root of the support column along the inclination of the support column, the present absorbent article slides downward in the front-back direction more easily than that in the first embodiment, and the diaper and the present absorbent article are brought into close contact with each other more easily without trouble of correction.

The absorbent article according to the first embodiment,.

When the present absorbent article is attached to an outer such as a diaper, the support column of the hook portion of the hook member of the mechanical fastener as the attachment member extends obliquely upward in the front-back direction from the sheet-like base portion toward the protruding portion. As a result, the support column of the hook portion is attached to the diaper while maintaining the inclination, and a nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper engaged with the hook member easily slides downward in the front-back direction along the oblique support column of the hook portion to the sheet-like base portion at a root of the support column. Furthermore, since the longer protruding portion extending from an end of the support column is easily stuck into the nonwoven fabric upward in the front-back direction, the engaged nonwoven fabric fiber is less likely to be released from the hook portion than that in the second embodiment. Since the present absorbent article has a strong engaging force upward in the front-back direction and a weak engaging force downward in the front-back direction, the absorbent article is hardly detached or peeled off when the diaper is put on or taken off, and is more preferable than a case where the absorbent article is in close contact with the diaper when the diaper is worn.

In the present embodiment, the length of the support column of the hook portion of the hook member becomes shorter as it goes from the crotch portion side toward the distal end portion side, which is the front side region distal end or the back side region distal end. Therefore, the positions of the protruding portions at the ends of the support columns are not aligned so as to be adjacent to each other on a longitudinal straight line in the front-back direction and are aligned obliquely in the front-back direction. In a case where an upward force in the front-back direction is applied to the present absorbent article when the present absorbent article is attached to an outer such as a diaper, a nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper entangled with the protruding portion is displaced in a root direction of the protruding portion or the support column and stops. Therefore, engagement is more likely to be maintained. Meanwhile, in a case where a downward force in the front-back direction is applied to the present absorbent article, a nonwoven fabric fiber entangled with the hook portion is displaced in a distal end direction of the protruding portion and released from the protruding portion. At an end from which the nonwoven fabric fiber has been released, there is no adjacent protruding portion because the lengths of the support columns of the hook portion are different from each other, and the detached nonwoven fabric fiber is less likely to be engaged with another protruding portion of the hook portion and remains released. Therefore, in this structure, downward engagement in the front-back direction is less likely to occur. That is, the present absorbent article serves as a hook member that is strong against displacement upward in the front-back direction and is slippery downward in the front-back direction. When a wearer takes off a diaper to which the present absorbent article is attached, the present absorbent article is less likely to be detached or displaced from the diaper. When the wearer puts on a diaper to which the present absorbent article is attached, the present absorbent article is brought into close contact with the diaper. Therefore, leakage is prevented, and discomfort at the time of wearing is less likely to occur.

By forming a recess that becomes deeper as it goes toward a distal end portion side, which is a front side region distal end or a back side region distal end, at a position where the attachment member of the back surface sheet of the present absorbent article is attached by embossing or the like, and forming an inclination such that a crotch portion side is shallow and the distal end portion side is deep in the front-back direction, the hook member of the mechanical fastener is bonded to the present absorbent article in an inclined manner. In addition, by forming a high convex in a thickness direction of the absorbent article at an end point of the recess located on the distal end portion side where the recess is deepest, the hook member of the mechanical fastener can be attached such that the support columns of the hook portions of the hook member of the mechanical fastener are located on a line connecting a vertex of the convex and a start point of the recess on the crotch portion side. In addition, a diaper or the like as an outer is brought into contact with the convex high in the thickness direction on the distal end portion side. This prevents the diaper from closely following the inclination due to the recess of the present absorbent article, and the hook member is attached to the nonwoven fabric of the diaper as an outer in an inclined manner such that the length of the support column of the hook portion of the hook member actually entangled with a nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper is long on the crotch portion side and is short on the distal end portion side even if the length itself of the support column of the hook portion of the hook member of the mechanical fastener is constant. As a result, even if a hook member in which the lengths of the support columns of the hook portion are different from each other, such as the hook member of the mechanical fastener of the fourth embodiment, is not prepared, by attaching the hook member having the support columns of the hook portions of the same length to the inclination generated by the recess, the length of the support column entangled with a nonwoven fabric is longest on the crotch portion side and becomes shorter as it goes upward in the front-back direction, which is the distal end portion side. Therefore, the same action and effect as the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention provides an absorbent article that is hardly peeled off or displaced when a wearer repeatedly takes off an outer such as a diaper to which the absorbent article is attached because the absorbent article is strong against a force applied upward in the front-back direction to the absorbent article, and that slides downward and is brought into close contact with the diaper without correction when the wearer puts on the diaper to which the absorbent article is attached because the absorbent article is weak against a force applied downward in the front-back direction to the absorbent article.

Hereinafter, an example of an absorbent article will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an absorbent article. These drawings illustrate a pad type or flat type absorbent article, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. A hook member <NUM> and a hook portion <NUM> of a mechanical fastener illustrated in <FIG> illustrate a state in a front side region F. Description will be made below assuming that a hook member <NUM> and a hook portion <NUM> of a mechanical fastener in a back side region B are also illustrated in similar drawings, although not illustrated.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, an absorbent article has a structure in which an absorber <NUM> is interposed between a top sheet <NUM> as a front surface sheet and a back sheet <NUM> as a back surface sheet, and absorbs and holds an excretory liquid that has passed through the top sheet <NUM> into the absorber <NUM>. The back sheet <NUM> includes, in each of the front side region F and the back side region B, a hook member <NUM> of a mechanical fastener, which is an attachment member for detachably fastening the absorbent article of the present invention to an outer such as an underpants-type diaper or a garment. The planar shape of the absorbent article is not particularly limited, but is, in general, approximately rectangular as illustrated in the embodiment of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the four corners may be cut off or do not have to be cut off.

As the top sheet <NUM> covering a front surface side (skin contact surface side) of the absorber <NUM>, a perforated or non-perforated nonwoven fabric, a porous plastic sheet, or the like is preferably used. Examples of a material fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric include a synthetic fiber such as a polyolefin-based fiber including polyethylene and polypropylene, a polyester-based fiber, or a polyamide-based fiber, a regenerated fiber such as rayon or cupra, and a natural fiber such as cotton. A nonwoven fabric obtained by an appropriate processing method such as a spunlace method, a spunbond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, or a needle punch method can be used. Among these processing methods, the spunlace method is excellent from viewpoints of high flexibility and drapeability, and the thermal bond method is excellent from viewpoints of bulkiness and softness. When a large number of through-holes are formed in the top sheet <NUM>, urine or the like is quickly absorbed.

The back sheet <NUM> covering a back surface side (non-skin contact surface side) of the absorber <NUM> may be liquid pervious similarly to the top sheet <NUM> or liquid impervious. When the back sheet <NUM> is liquid impervious, a liquid impervious plastic sheet such as polyethylene or polypropylene is used. However, in recent years, a moisture permeable sheet is preferably used from a viewpoint of preventing stuffiness. As the water blocking and moisture permeable sheet, a microporous sheet obtained by melt-kneading inorganic fine particles such as calcium carbonate in a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene to form a sheet, and then stretching the sheet in a monoaxial or biaxial direction can be preferably used.

The absorber <NUM> may have a single layer structure as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, or may have a structure including a plurality of layers.

As the absorber <NUM>, a known absorber, for example, a pulp fiber stack, an assembly of filaments such as cellulose acetate, or a nonwoven fabric can be basically used. Alternatively, an absorber obtained by, for example, mixing and fixing a super absorbent polymer as necessary can be used.

The absorber <NUM> can be wrapped by a wrapping sheet having liquid perviousness and a liquid holding property, such as crepe paper, as necessary, for example, for holding the shape and a polymer.

In <FIG>, the absorber <NUM> is formed in an hourglass shape having a narrowing portion narrower than each of front and back sides in a crotch portion C, but can have an appropriate shape such as a rectangular shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>, a three-dimensional gather BS that mainly fits a periphery of a leg may be formed on each side portion of the top sheet <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the three-dimensional gather BS includes a side edge portion fixed to each side portion of the top sheet <NUM> of the absorbent article, and a free portion extending from the side edge portion inward in a width direction WD of the top sheet <NUM> and freely moving in a non-fixed manner. The side edge portion extends to a back surface of the back sheet <NUM>, and an elongated gather elastic member <NUM> is disposed in the side edge portion. An elongated gather elastic member <NUM> is also disposed at a distal end portion of the free portion. In the three-dimensional gather BS, the free portion protruding from the side edge portion of the top sheet <NUM> rises in a product state due to contraction of the gather elastic member <NUM>. As the three-dimensional gather BS, a water-repellent nonwoven fabric is preferably used. The shape and presence or absence of the three-dimensional gather BS, the shape of the side edge portion, and the number and positions of the gather elastic members <NUM> are not limited to those of the present embodiment, and can be appropriately determined.

As the gather elastic member <NUM>, a usually used material such as a polystyrene-based rubber, a polyolefin-based rubber, a polyurethane-based rubber, a polyester-based rubber, polyurethane, polyethylene, polystyrene, a styrenebutadiene copolymer, silicone, or polyester can be used. In order to make it difficult to see the gather elastic member <NUM> from the outside, the gather elastic member <NUM> preferably has a fineness of <NUM> dtex or less, a tension of <NUM> to <NUM>%, and an interval of <NUM> or less. Note that as the gather elastic member <NUM>, a tape-like member having a certain width can be used in addition to a thread-like member as in the illustrated embodiment.

Similarly to the top sheet <NUM>, as a material fiber constituting the above-described three-dimensional gather BS, in addition to a synthetic fiber such as a polyolefin-based fiber including polyethylene and polypropylene, a polyester-based fiber, or a polyamide-based fiber, a regenerated fiber such as rayon or cupra, and a natural fiber such as cotton can be used. A nonwoven fabric obtained by an appropriate processing method such as a spunbond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, or a needle punch method can be used. Particularly, a nonwoven fabric having a reduced basis weight and excellent air permeability is preferably used in order to prevent stuffiness. Furthermore, as a gather sheet, in order to prevent urine or the like from passing through the gather sheet, to prevent rash, and to enhance feeling (dry feeling) to a skin, it is desirable to use a water repellent nonwoven fabric coated with, for example, a silicone-based, paraffin metal-based, or alkylchromic chloride-based water repellent agent.

When the absorbent article is cut along line <NUM>-<NUM> in a front-back direction LD, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, there is the hook member <NUM> of the mechanical fastener as an attachment member for fastening the present absorbent article to an outer in each of the front side region F and the back side region B of the back sheet <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook member <NUM> has a rectangular shape long in the width direction WD. However, as illustrated in <FIG>, the number, shapes, and attachment positions of the hook members to be attached can be appropriately determined within the range of the front side region F and the back side region B. The front side region F can be a range from a position of <NUM>. 10Y (Y is the maximum length of the product) on a front side based on the center of the product in the front-back direction LD to a front end portion. The back side region B can be a range from a position of <NUM>. 10Y on a back side based on the center to a back end portion. The crotch portion C can be a range therebetween. More desirably, the front side region F is present within a range from a position of <NUM>. 30Y on a front side based on the center of the product in the front-back direction LD to a front end portion, and the back side region B is present within a range from a position of <NUM>. 30Y on a back side based on the center of the product in the front-back direction LD to a back end portion.

As illustrated in the enlarged views of <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook member <NUM> of the mechanical fastener is formed of a sheet-like base portion <NUM> and a large number of hook portions <NUM> extending from the base portion <NUM> in a direction opposite to the back sheet <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> has a support column <NUM> extending from the base portion <NUM> in the direction opposite to the back sheet <NUM> and a protruding portion <NUM> located at an end of the support column <NUM> on the sheet-like base portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> may be formed by being combined with or bonded to the support column <NUM> as a separate component, or may be formed integrally with the support column <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the protruding portion <NUM> has a shape in which a protrusion extends in the front-back direction LD, and a length <NUM> of the protrusion on the crotch portion C side is shorter than a length <NUM> of the protruding portion on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B (<NUM> > <NUM>), or a shape in which the protruding portion <NUM> extends only to the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B as illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, the protruding portion <NUM> preferably has a shape in which a length 12W in the width direction illustrated in <FIG> is shorter than the length <NUM> of the protruding portion on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and longer than the length <NUM> of the protrusion on the crotch portion C side (<NUM> > 12W > <NUM>) in order to exhibit an engaging force in the width direction and prevent displacement of the absorbent article in the width direction. The protruding portion <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a maximum length 12T in the front-back direction LD of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and a maximum length 12W in the width direction WD of <NUM>% or less, preferably <NUM>% or less of the maximum length 12T in the front-back direction LD. The length <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B is <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% of the maximum length 12T in the front-back direction LD. The length <NUM> of the protruding portion <NUM> on the crotch portion C side is <NUM>% or less, preferably <NUM>% or less of the maximum length 12T in the front-back direction LD. A diameter 11D of the support column <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. A length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. However, the maximum length 12T of the protruding portion <NUM> in the front-back direction LD, the maximum length 12W of the protruding portion <NUM> in the width direction WD, the lengths <NUM> and <NUM> of the protruding portion extending in the front-back direction LD, and the diameter 11D and the length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> are appropriately determined by the shape of the hook portion <NUM>, and are not limited to the above-described lengths. The shape of the hook portion <NUM> in <FIG> is an L shape, but is not limited to the L shape, and may be any shape such as a J shape or a T shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the present absorbent article <NUM> is used by being attached to an inner surface of an outer <NUM> such as an underpants-type diaper or a garment. In a protruding portion of a hook member of a usual mechanical fastener as illustrated in <FIG>, which is often used, protrusions extend by substantially the same length to the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, which is upward in the front-back direction LD, and to the crotch portion C side, which is downward in the front-back direction LD. Therefore, a nonwoven fabric fiber of a diaper <NUM> and the protruding portion of the absorbent article <NUM> are entangled with each other and engaged with each other both upward and downward in the front-back direction LD. When the nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper <NUM> and the protruding portion of the absorbent article <NUM> are engaged with each other in the front-back direction LD, the absorbent article <NUM> is fixed and attached to the diaper <NUM>. However, the absorbent article itself may have a strong rigidity. When the absorbent article is only attached to the diaper, as illustrated in <FIG>, the absorbent article still has a folding line <NUM> generated at the time of packing, and the absorbent article is attached while maintaining the V-shape. Therefore, the absorbent article <NUM> does not follow the diaper <NUM> to generate a gap <NUM> between the diaper <NUM> and the absorbent article <NUM> in some cases. In this case, leakage may occur from the gap <NUM> between the diaper <NUM> and the absorbent article <NUM>, or displacement of the absorbent article at the time of wearing may occur.

The hook member <NUM> of the mechanical fastener of the present absorbent article <NUM> has a shape in which a protrusion of the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> is short on the crotch portion C side in the front-back direction LD as illustrated in <FIG>, or there is no protrusion of the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> on the crotch portion C side in the front-back direction LD, and the length of the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> is long in the distal end portion direction of each of the front side region F and the back side region B as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. That is, the hook member <NUM> of the present absorbent article <NUM> is formed of the large number of hook portions <NUM> having a strong engaging force in the distal end portion direction of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, which is upward in the front-back direction LD, and a weak engaging force on the crotch portion C side, which is downward in the front-back direction LD. Therefore, when a force upward in the front-back direction LD is applied to the absorbent article <NUM>, for example, by taking off or putting on the diaper, the absorbent article <NUM> and the diaper <NUM> are less likely to be displaced from each other. When a force downward in the front-back direction LD is applied to the absorbent article <NUM> by wearing the diaper <NUM>, the absorbent article <NUM> slides downward in the front-back direction LD together with the body to follow the shape of the diaper <NUM>. Therefore, even in a case of the absorbent article <NUM> having a rigidity, the absorbent article <NUM> is turned into a state following the diaper <NUM> at the time of wearing from a V-shaped state at the time of attachment, the gap <NUM> between the diaper <NUM> and the absorbent article <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> is less likely to be generated, and occurrence of leakage or occurrence of displacement or peeling at the time of wearing is less likely to occur.

<FIG> illustrates a first example. The large number of hook portions <NUM> each formed of the protruding portion <NUM> having the long length <NUM> on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B and the short length <NUM> on the crotch portion C side are gathered to form the hook member <NUM>.

Since the length <NUM> on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B is long and the length <NUM> on the crotch portion C side is short (<NUM> > <NUM>), the hook member <NUM> has a strong engaging force on the distal end portion side and a weak engaging force on the crotch portion C side, and the absorbent article is strong against displacement upward in the front-back direction LD and easily moves downward in the front-back direction LD. As a result, when an outer such as a diaper to which the absorbent article is attached is taken off, the absorbent article is less likely to be displaced or peeled off even if a force upward in the front-back direction LD is applied to the attached absorbent article. When the diaper to which the absorbent article is attached is put on, the absorbent article slides following the diaper with movement of the body even if a force downward in the front-back direction LD is applied. Therefore, the absorbent article and the outer are in close contact with each other, leakage from a gap between the absorbent article and the diaper is less likely to occur, a wearing feeling of a wearer is improved, and stiffness in appearance is reduced. Since the absorbent article is brought into close contact with the diaper with movement of the body, it is not necessary to directly touch and bring the top sheet <NUM> into close contact with the diaper with a hand at the time of wearing, which is also hygienic.

<FIG> illustrates another aspect of the first example. In this aspect, the protruding portion <NUM> has a shape in which a protrusion extends only to the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B and there is no protrusion on the crotch portion C side. In this shape, since the crotch portion C side, which is downward in the front-back direction LD, is extremely less likely to be entangled with a nonwoven fabric fiber of an outer such as a diaper is very low, there is no downward engaging force in the front-back direction LD, sliding of the absorbent article downward in the front-back direction LD more easily occurs than in the first example, and the absorbent article is more easily brought into close contact with the diaper.

<FIG> illustrates a second example, in which the support column <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> becomes narrower as it goes from the base portion <NUM> toward the protruding portion <NUM>. The support column <NUM> is inclined by changing the thickness of the support column <NUM>. Therefore, when the hook member <NUM> is attached to an outer such as a diaper, a nonwoven fabric fiber is entangled with the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM>, and the entangled fiber may easily slide in the direction of the base portion <NUM> along the inclination of the support column <NUM>. Therefore, movement of the absorbent article to the crotch portion C side, which is downward in the front-back direction LD, easily occurs, and the absorbent article is more likely to be smoothly brought into close contact with the diaper with movement of the body than in the first example.

Regarding the thickness of the support column illustrated in <FIG>, a diameter 11T at the base portion <NUM>, which is the thickest portion of the support column <NUM>, is <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and a diameter <NUM> at the protruding portion <NUM>, which is the thinnest portion, is <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>%, of the diameter 11T at the base portion <NUM>, which is the thickest portion. The diameter lengths 11T and <NUM> can be appropriately determined, and are not limited.

In the third example illustrated in <FIG>, the support column <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> extends upward in the front-back direction LD from the base portion <NUM> toward the protruding portion <NUM>. Since the hook portion <NUM> is engaged such that the protruding portion <NUM> is stuck into an outer such as a diaper, engagement in the distal end portion direction of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, which is upward in the front-back direction LD, is strong. Since the support column <NUM> extends obliquely, a nonwoven fabric fiber entangled with the hook portion <NUM> easily slides in the direction of the base portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> along the oblique support column <NUM>. The third example is more preferable than the first and second examples because upward engagement in the front-back direction LD is strong, and sliding downward in the front-back direction LD easily occurs.

An angle α between a front side of the sheet-like base portion <NUM> in the front-back direction LD and the support column <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, but the angle can be appropriately determined and is not limited.

A fourth example d of <FIG> illustrates the shape of a hook member <NUM> of a mechanical fastener in an absorbent article having hook portions <NUM> in which the length <NUM> of a support column <NUM> is long on the crotch portion C side and is short on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B. <FIG> is a diagram in which the hook portion <NUM> is engaged with a nonwoven fabric fiber of an outer such as a diaper. As illustrated in <FIG>, when an upward force in the front-back direction LD is applied to the hook member <NUM>, the engaged nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper moves from the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> toward the support column <NUM>, and the hook portion <NUM> and the nonwoven fabric fiber of the diaper are firmly engaged with each other. Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, when a downward force in the front-back direction LD is applied to the hook member <NUM>, the engaged nonwoven fabric fiber is released and detached from the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM>. Since the length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> adjacent upward in the front-back direction LD is shorter than the length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> with which the nonwoven fabric fiber was engaged, and the adjacent protruding portion <NUM> is not present nearby, the nonwoven fabric fiber released and detached from the protruding portions <NUM> is less likely to be entangled with the protruding portion <NUM> of the adjacent hook portion <NUM>, and the absorbent article is more likely to slide downward in the front-back direction LD. As described above, since the length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> is long on the crotch portion C side and short on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, the positions of the protruding portions <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> aligned in the front-back direction LD are directed from the crotch portion C side to the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, do not overlap each other on a longitudinal straight line in the front-back direction LD, and are aligned obliquely with respect to the front-back direction LD. As a result, the protruding portion <NUM> is less likely to be engaged with the nonwoven fabric fiber downward in the front-back direction LD, and sliding is more likely to occur downward in the front-back direction LD. This shape is strong against upward displacement in the front-back direction LD and easily causes downward sliding in the front-back direction LD.

In the fourth example, a length 11N, which is the longest length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, is <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and a length <NUM>, which is the shortest length of the support column <NUM>, is <NUM> to <NUM>%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>% of the longest length 11N. The lengths 11N and <NUM> of the support column <NUM> can be appropriately determined, and are not limited. In addition, the hook member <NUM> of the mechanical fastener in the absorbent article may have hook portions <NUM> in which the length <NUM> of the support column <NUM> is long on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B side and is short on the crotch portion C side.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a recess <NUM> for attaching a hook member <NUM> of a mechanical fastener is formed in each of the front side region F and the back side region B of the back sheet <NUM>, which is a back surface sheet of an absorbent article <NUM> of a fifth example, and the absorbent article <NUM> is inclined by the recess <NUM>, whereby the hook member <NUM> can be attached obliquely. The recess <NUM> is shallow on the crotch portion C side, and deepens as it goes toward the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B. A convex <NUM> high in the thickness direction of the absorbent article <NUM> is formed at an end point of a portion where the recess <NUM> is deepest. As illustrated in <FIG>, the recess <NUM> may have any size as long as at least a part of the hook member <NUM> is obliquely attached, and the size is not particularly limited. The recess <NUM> may be formed by embossing or cutting the absorbent article <NUM>, and a method for forming the recess <NUM> is not limited. An angle β between the recess <NUM> and the convex <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, but the angle can be appropriately determined and is not limited. The number of recesses is not limited, and a plurality of the recesses <NUM> may be formed in each of the front side region F and the back side region B as illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, the recess <NUM> may be shallow on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, and may deepen as it goes toward the crotch portion C side. The convex <NUM> high in the thickness direction may be formed at an end point of a portion where the recess <NUM> is deepest.

In the fifth example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the hook member <NUM> of the mechanical fastener is attached to the recess <NUM>, the support column <NUM> is located so as to intersect with an auxiliary line <NUM> connecting a start point of the recess <NUM> and a vertex of the convex <NUM>, and the protruding portions <NUM> at ends of the support columns <NUM> are aligned obliquely with respect to the front-back direction LD. In this state, when the absorbent article <NUM> is attached to the outer <NUM> such as a diaper, as illustrated in <FIG>, the diaper <NUM> is attached obliquely to the support column <NUM> of the hook member <NUM> of the absorbent article <NUM>, and even if the hook member <NUM> in which the lengths of the support columns <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> are different from each other as in the fourth example is not prepared, by attaching the hook member <NUM> in which the length of the support column <NUM> is constant to the recess <NUM>, as in the fourth example illustrated in <FIG>, the length of the support column <NUM> to be engaged with the diaper <NUM> is long on the crotch portion C side and short on the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B. Therefore, the positions of the protruding portions <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> aligned in the front-back direction LD are directed from the crotch portion C side to the distal end portion side of each of the front side region F and the back side region B, do not overlap each other on a longitudinal straight line in the front-back direction LD, and are aligned obliquely with respect to the front-back direction LD. As a result, similarly to the fourth example, it is possible to obtain the absorbent article <NUM> which has a strong engaging force upward in the front-back direction LD, is hardly displaced, and easily slides downward in the front-back direction LD. That is, in a case where an upward force in the front-back direction LD is applied to the absorbent article <NUM> when the diaper <NUM> to which the absorbent article <NUM> is attached is taken off, a nonwoven fabric fiber entangled with the hook portion <NUM> moves in a root direction of the protruding portion <NUM>, and depending on an attachment angle of the hook member <NUM>, the nonwoven fabric fiber moves in the direction of the base portion <NUM> through the support column <NUM> oblique to the diaper <NUM> to maintain the engagement between the nonwoven fabric fiber and the hook portion <NUM>. Therefore, the absorbent article <NUM> is less likely to be peeled off or displaced from the diaper <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in a case where a downward force in the front-back direction LD is applied to the absorbent article <NUM> when the diaper <NUM> to which the absorbent article <NUM> is attached is put on, a nonwoven fabric fiber entangled with the hook portion <NUM> is released from the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM>, and since the hook member <NUM> is attached obliquely to the diaper <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> from which the nonwoven fabric fiber has been released and a protruding portion <NUM> adjacent thereto are not aligned on a longitudinal straight line in the front-back direction LD and are aligned obliquely with respect to the front-back direction LD. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric fiber that has been released from the hook portion <NUM> is not engaged with the adjacent protruding portion <NUM>, the absorbent article <NUM> slides downward in the front-back direction LD with movement of the body, and the absorbent article <NUM> is more likely to be brought into close contact with the diaper <NUM>.

The hook member <NUM> having the support columns <NUM> of the same length can be more easily manufactured or prepared than the hook member <NUM> formed of the hook portions <NUM> having the support columns <NUM> of different lengths as in the fourth example of <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, when the hook member <NUM> having a large number of hook portions <NUM> in which the lengths <NUM> of the support columns <NUM> are the same is attached to the recess <NUM>, an effect that the hook member <NUM> is obliquely engaged with the diaper <NUM> can be obtained. Therefore, the hook member <NUM> in which a large number of hook portions <NUM> having the same shape are gathered or the hook member <NUM> having a large number of hook portions <NUM> in which the lengths <NUM> of the support columns <NUM> are the same and the shapes of the protruding portions <NUM> are different may be used. The shapes of the protruding portions <NUM> may be different from or the same as each other, and are not limited.

The hook member <NUM> formed of the hook portions <NUM> having the support columns <NUM> of different lengths illustrated in <FIG> may be attached to the recess <NUM>. In this case, the protruding portion <NUM> of the hook portion <NUM> is engaged with the diaper <NUM> obliquely in the front-back direction LD at a steeper angle than a case where the hook member <NUM> having the support columns <NUM> of the same length is attached, and the effect may be further obtained.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a shape may be adopted in which a part of the hook member <NUM> intersects with an auxiliary line and a part of the hook member <NUM> protrudes from the recess <NUM>. However, since a portion obliquely engaged with the diaper <NUM> exhibits the effect, a portion protruding from the recess <NUM> is preferably small. In addition, if a hook member <NUM> which is small relative to the recess <NUM> is attached to a deep portion near an end point of the recess <NUM>, and the support column <NUM> does not reach the auxiliary line <NUM>, the absorbent article <NUM> and the diaper <NUM> are not engaged with each other, which is not preferable. Not all the support columns <NUM> of the hook member <NUM> need to intersect with the auxiliary line <NUM>. However, at least <NUM>% of the support columns <NUM> of the hook portions <NUM> in the hook member <NUM> preferably intersects with the auxiliary line <NUM>, and <NUM>% or more of the support columns <NUM> more preferably straddle the auxiliary line <NUM>. The shapes of the hook portions <NUM> may be different from or the same as each other, and are not limited.

In the fifth example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the convex <NUM> high in the thickness direction of the absorbent article <NUM> is formed at an end point of the recess <NUM>. However, the absorbent article <NUM> can be attached to the diaper <NUM> even if the absorbent article <NUM> does not have the convex <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. However, in a case where there is no convex <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the absorbent article <NUM>, the thickness of the absorbent article <NUM> monotonously decreases from the recess <NUM> toward a distal end portion, and the absorbent article <NUM> is attached along the diaper <NUM>. Therefore, the support column <NUM> is more likely to be attached vertically to the diaper <NUM>, and there is a high possibility that the effect exhibited when the support column <NUM> is obliquely attached to the diaper <NUM> cannot be obtained. The convex <NUM> of the absorbent article <NUM> reduces a possibility that the diaper <NUM> is attached in parallel with the hook member <NUM> along the recess <NUM>, and makes it easy to attach the diaper <NUM> obliquely to the support column <NUM>. Therefore, the convex <NUM> high in the thickness direction is preferably formed at an end point of the recess <NUM> of the absorbent article <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An absorbent article having a crotch portion (C), a front side region (F) on a front side of the crotch portion (C), and a back side region (B) on a back side of the crotch portion (C),
comprising: a front surface sheet (<NUM>) facing a skin of a wearer; a back surface sheet (<NUM>) located on a side opposite tc the front surface sheet; and an attachment member which is formed in each of the front side region (F) and the back side region (B) of the back surface sheet, and by means of which the absorbent article can be removably attached to an inner surface of an outer (<NUM>) located on an outer side,
wherein the attachment member is a hook member (<NUM>) of a mechanical fastener,
the hook member (<NUM>) is formed of a sheet-like base portion (<NUM>) and a plurality of hook portions (<NUM>),
the hook portion (<NUM>) has a support column (<NUM>) extending from the base portion (<NUM>) and a protruding portion (<NUM>) at an end of the support column (<NUM>) on the base portion (<NUM>),
in each of the large number of hook portions (<NUM>) located in the front side region (F),
the protruding portion (<NUM>) extends in a front-back direction, and a length (<NUM>) of a front side of the protruding portion (<NUM>) is longer than a length (<NUM>) of a back side of the protruding portion (<NUM>), or
the protruding portion (<NUM>) extends only to a front side in the front-back direction (LD), and
in each of the large number of hook portions (<NUM>) located in the back side region (B),
the protruding portion (<NUM>) extends in the front-back direction, and a length (<NUM>) of a back side of the protruding portion (<NUM>) is longer than a length (<NUM>) of a front side of the protruding portion (<NUM>), or
the protruding portion (<NUM>) extends only to a back side in the front-back direction (LD).