JP7436137B2 - absorbent articles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as light incontinence pads, light incontinence liners, urine absorbing pads, pant-type diapers, and tape-fastening type diapers.

Absorbent articles generally include a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent body disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. By adopting such a configuration, body fluids such as urine pass through the top sheet and are absorbed into the absorbent body, and are prevented from leaking to the outside by the back sheet. Various improvements have been made to these absorbent articles in order to improve the absorbency of body fluids, improve the wearing comfort of the wearer, prevent leakage, and the like.

For example, in order to provide an absorbent article in which the rate of body fluid absorption in the absorbent body is high and the liquid returning from the absorbent body to the top sheet is small, the top sheet is made by partially bonding two nonwoven fabric sheets, and then forming the top sheet by partially bonding two nonwoven fabric sheets. A large number of convex portions are formed by the nonwoven fabric sheet on the body side in the absorbent body, and a hollow space is formed between the nonwoven fabric sheet on the body side and the nonwoven fabric sheet on the clothing side in the convex portion. An absorbent article is disclosed in which the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer is larger than the average particle size of the superabsorbent polymer on the clothing side, and the weight of the pulp fibers on the clothing side is larger than the weight of the pulp fibers on the body side. (See Patent Document 1).

In addition, in order to provide a disposable diaper with excellent absorption capacity and absorption speed, the absorbent body is provided with a pair of left and right slits, and the top sheet is provided so as to follow the slits. An absorbent article has been disclosed in which the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer to the pulp fibers in the absorbent body is higher than the weight ratio of the superabsorbent polymer to the pulp fibers in the absorbent body on the clothing side (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-132056 JP 2017-140251 Publication

However, in the absorbent articles described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the absorbent core consists of both a body-side absorbent core and a garment-side absorbent core, so manufacturing such an absorbent core is complicated. There is a problem. In addition, none of the above-mentioned absorbent articles have a good feel when worn, but do not fully satisfy the dry feeling on the body side surface immediately after absorbing body fluids.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an absorbent material that is easy to manufacture, has a good texture when worn, and has excellent dryness on the body side surface immediately after absorbing body fluids. For the purpose of providing sexual goods.

The inventors of the present invention conducted extensive research in view of the above problems. As a result, an absorbent article comprising an absorbent body having absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, in which the density of the superabsorbent polymer is substantially uniform and within a predetermined range, and the top sheet is made of two sheets. The present inventors have discovered that the above problems can be solved by providing a slit extending along the longitudinal direction and penetrating the absorbent body in the thickness direction, and have completed the present invention. Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A first aspect of the present invention is a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent material disposed between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid-impermeable back sheet. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body having fibers and a superabsorbent polymer, wherein the density of the superabsorbent polymer is substantially uniform and in the range of 0.07 g/ml or more and 0.13 g/ml or less. , the top sheet partially joins an upper layer sheet provided on the body side and a lower layer sheet provided on the clothing side of the upper layer sheet, and the top sheet A large number of convex portions are formed by the sheet, and a hollow space is formed between the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet in the convex portion, and the absorbent body has a plurality of convex portions extending along the longitudinal direction. It is characterized by being provided with a slit that penetrates in the thickness direction.

(2) A second aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to (1), in which at least the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet are arranged in a thickness direction at a joint between the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet. The device is characterized by being provided with a through hole passing through either one of the two.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to (1) or (2), in which the top sheet does not follow the shape of the slits, but is provided on the same plane. It is characterized by being

(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to (3), in which a liquid-diffusing sheet covering the slit is provided between the top sheet and the absorbent body. This is a characteristic feature.

(5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (4), in which the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet constituting the top sheet have a basis weight of It is characterized by being an air-through nonwoven fabric of 18 g/m ² or more.

(6) A sixth aspect of the present invention is the absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the thickness of the absorbent article before absorption under a load of 35 gf/cm ² is , 2.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that is easy to manufacture, has a good feel when worn, and has an excellent dry feeling on the body side surface immediately after absorbing body fluids.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an absorbent article of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 1. FIG.

<Absorbent article>
As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is exemplified by a tape-fastening type diaper, but the absorbent article 1 of the present invention is not limited to this, and is suitable for light incontinence. It may be a pad, light incontinence liner, urine pad, pant-type diaper, or other absorbent article. The absorbent article 1 includes a liquid-permeable topsheet 10 disposed on the body-side surface, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 30 facing the topsheet 10 and disposed on the garment-side surface, the topsheet 10 and The absorbent body 20 is disposed between the backsheets 30, so that the absorbent body 20 is sandwiched between the topsheet 10 and the backsheet 30. In the description of this specification, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 is the direction extending from the front and back of the wearer when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and is the direction indicated by the symbol Y in the drawings. Further, the width direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and is a direction indicated by the symbol X in the drawing. In addition, the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1 is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and is a direction indicated by the symbol Z in the figure. Furthermore, in this specification, the body-side surface of the absorbent article 1 refers to the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the absorbent article 1 is worn, and the clothing-side surface refers to the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the absorbent article 1 is worn. Refers to surfaces that come into contact with a person's clothing.

In the absorbent article 1 of the present invention, the thickness of the absorbent article 1 before absorption under a load of 35 gf/cm ² is preferably 2.5 mm or more and 4.5 mm or less, and preferably 2.6 mm or more and 4.0 mm. It is more preferably the following, and even more preferably 2.8 mm or more and 3.9 mm or less. By setting the thickness of the absorbent article 1 before absorption in this manner, it is possible to achieve both thinness and softness of the absorbent article 1.

[Top sheet]
The top sheet 10 allows body fluids to pass toward the absorbent body 20, and as shown in FIG. 2, it is disposed on the same plane opposite the back sheet 30 with the absorbent body 20 in between. Further, the top sheet 10 is a three-dimensional sheet formed by laminating two sheets, an upper layer sheet 11 and a lower layer sheet 12.

Specifically, the top sheet 10 is constructed by partially joining an upper layer sheet 11 provided on the body side and a lower layer sheet 12 provided on the clothing side of the upper layer sheet 11 by adhesion or welding. A large number of convex portions are formed by the upper layer sheet 11 that protrudes toward the body at the non-joined portion 13 with the upper sheet 12. In this convex portion, there is a hollow space between the upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12, so the top sheet 10 as a whole has excellent air permeability. Furthermore, each convex portion is surrounded by a net-like joint 14 where the upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 are joined.

In the top sheet 10 , body fluids are difficult to pass from the top sheet 10 to the absorbent body 20 at the convex portions of the non-joined portions 13 , which have hollow spaces inside, and from the top sheet 10 to the absorbent body 20 at the joint portions 14 . Transmission of body fluids takes place. For this reason, while the top sheet 10 has a good dry feel and excellent breathability, it has a problem that the permeation rate of body fluids is slow, liquid remains, and the time in which the skin is in contact with body fluids becomes longer.

In order to alleviate such problems and improve the permeation rate of body fluids, a large number of through holes (not shown) are provided in the joint 14 that penetrate the upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1. ) is preferably provided. In this case, if the upper layer sheet 11 and the lower layer sheet 12 are partially bonded with an adhesive, there is a risk that the through holes for improving the permeation rate of body fluids may be blocked by the adhesive. For this reason, it is more preferable to partially join the upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 by welding.

In addition, in this embodiment, the through-hole is formed so as to penetrate the upper layer sheet 11 and the lower layer sheet 12 in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1 at the joint part 14, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be formed so as to penetrate either the upper layer sheet 11 or the lower layer sheet 12 in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1.

Further, the shape of the convex part in the non-bonded part 13 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a quadrangular pyramid shape, or a hemispherical shape, but the contact area between the wearer's skin and the convex part From the viewpoint of making the size as small as possible, it is preferable that the cross-sectional shape is semicircular. Further, the height of the convex portion is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less, and more preferably 1.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less. Note that the bottom area of each convex portion is preferably 10 mm ² or more and 30 mm ² or less, and more preferably 12 mm ² or more and 25 mm ² or less.

In this way, by forming a large number of convex portions on the top sheet 10, the contact area between the wearer's skin and the top sheet 10 becomes smaller, thereby reducing stickiness when the absorbent article 1 is worn. , the feel to the skin can be improved, and the body-side surface of the absorbent article 1 has an excellent dry feeling immediately after absorbing body fluids.

As the upper layer sheet 11 and the lower layer sheet 12, the same type of sheets may be used, or different types of sheets may be used.

The upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 are made of an air-through nonwoven fabric, an open film such as an open polyethylene film, a foamed film such as urethane foam, or a laminated composite of these, which has a soft feel and does not irritate the skin. Formed from sheets. Note that the upper layer sheet 11 and the lower layer sheet 12 may have a large number of through holes smaller in diameter than the above-mentioned through holes in order to impart dry touch properties.

In addition, as the air-through nonwoven fabric having the above-mentioned properties, one obtained by a known processing method such as a thermal bonding method can be used, and the basis weight thereof is from the viewpoint of obtaining a good texture when worn. It is preferably 18 g/m ² or more and 25 g/m ² or less. The upper sheet 11 and lower sheet 12 that make up the top sheet 10 are coated with lotions, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory ingredients, pH adjusters, antibacterial agents, moisturizers, etc. to reduce skin irritation. Good too.

[Back sheet]
From the viewpoint of effectively preventing urine leakage, the backsheet 30 used in the present invention is a liquid-impermeable one that does not allow bodily fluids to pass through. Further, from the viewpoint of workability and strength, the basis weight of the back sheet 30 is preferably 15 g/m ² or more and 60 g/m ² or less.

The back sheet 30 is made of a sheet material that is liquid-impermeable and has water-blocking properties, but may have moisture-permeable properties to prevent stuffiness. Examples of materials for the back sheet 30 having such characteristics include thin plastic sheets such as polyethylene sheets and polyethylene laminate nonwoven fabrics.

Although not shown, an adhesive layer may be provided on the clothing-side surface of the backsheet 30 to fix the absorbent article 1 to underwear or the like when worn. In addition, when the absorbent article 1 has an adhesive layer, it may have a release sheet for protecting the adhesive layer, and this release sheet is partially joined to the packaging sheet of the absorbent article 1. You can leave it there.

[Absorber]
The absorbent body 20 includes an absorbent core 21 containing absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer as a base material, and a carrier sheet 22 that wraps the absorbent core 21. Absorbent fibers are not particularly limited as long as they are generally used in absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, diapers, urine absorbing pads, etc., and examples include fluff pulp, cotton, rayon, acetate, tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic fibers. For example, nonwoven fabrics and the like can be mentioned. Among these, it is preferable to use fluff pulp from the viewpoint of absorbency. Examples of such fluff pulp include those obtained by defibrating wood pulp, synthetic fibers, polymer fibers, non-wood pulp, etc. into fluff, but from the viewpoint of strength, it is preferable to use softwood pulp fibers. The absorbent fibers of the absorbent core 21 preferably have a basis weight of 50 g/m ² or more and 800 g/m 2 or less, and a basis weight of 100 g/m ^{2 or} more and 500 g/m ² or less so as not to impair absorption performance and texture. It is more preferable to set it as the amount.

The superabsorbent polymer used for the absorbent core 21 is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb body fluids and prevent backflow, such as sodium polyacrylate, polyaspartate, (starch-acrylic acid) ) Graft copolymers, (acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol) copolymers, (isobutylene-maleic anhydride) copolymers, and saponified products thereof can be used. Among these, sodium polyacrylate is preferred from the viewpoint of absorption amount per weight. As the superabsorbent polymer, both crushed type and pearl type (obtained by reverse phase suspension polymerization) can be used.

The density of the superabsorbent polymer of the absorbent core 21 is approximately uniform, preferably 0.07 g/ml or more and 0.13 g/ml or less, and 0.075 g/ml or more and 0.125 g/ml or less. is more preferable. This makes it possible to suppress the amount of fluid returned immediately after absorbing bodily fluids and to achieve a good feel when worn. In addition, if the density of the superabsorbent polymer is less than 0.07 g/ml, the amount of liquid returned immediately after absorption of body fluid will increase, and if it exceeds 0.13 g/ml, the density of the superabsorbent polymer will increase. The good texture when worn is lost.

Further, the basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer of the absorbent core 21 is preferably 290 g/m ² or more and 380 g/m ² or less, more preferably 300 g/m ² or more and 370 g/m ² or less.

In the absorbent core 21, the absorbent fibers and superabsorbent polymer are preferably in the form of a laminated mat formed by mixing superabsorbent polymer particles in absorbent fibers. Furthermore, for the purpose of preventing leakage of superabsorbent polymer particles and stabilizing the shape of the absorbent core 21, it is preferable to wrap the absorbent core 21 with a carrier sheet 22, as shown in FIG. The base material of the carrier sheet 22 may be any material as long as it has hydrophilic properties, and examples thereof include tissue, absorbent paper, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics such as air-laid nonwoven fabrics. When a plurality of carrier sheets 22 are provided, the base materials of the carrier sheets 22 may be the same or different, and the method of wrapping the absorbent core 21 with the carrier sheets 22 is particularly limited. It's not a thing. Note that the basis weight of the carrier sheet 22 is preferably 16 g/m ² or more.

Note that the basis weight of the absorbent core 21 is preferably 250 g/m ² or more and 400 g/m ² or less. By setting the basis weight of the absorbent core 21 within this range, it has excellent absorbency and can effectively prevent leakage of body fluids.

[slit]
A slit 23 is provided approximately at the center of the absorbent body 20, extending along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 and penetrating the absorbent core 21 in the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1. In this embodiment, two slits 23 are provided in parallel at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the absorbent article 1, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, one or three or more slits may be provided. It's okay. Note that the method for forming the slits 23 is not particularly limited.

In this way, by providing the absorber 20 with the slits 23 that extend along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article 1 and penetrate through the thickness direction of the absorbent article 1, the area is , can improve the absorption rate of body fluids.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the top sheet 10 does not follow the shape of the slit 23 but is provided on the same plane, so that liquid return within the area of the slit 23 can be effectively suppressed. .

In addition, from the viewpoint of both improving the absorption rate of body fluids and suppressing liquid return, the dimension of the slit 23 in the width direction is preferably 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 6 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

[Liquid diffusing sheet]
In order to promote the diffusion of body fluids into the absorbent body 20, it is preferable to provide a liquid-diffusing sheet 40 between the top sheet 10 and the absorbent body 20. Examples of the liquid-diffusive sheet 40 include nonwoven fabrics such as air-through nonwoven fabrics, point bonded nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, as well as composite nonwoven fabrics in which spunbond/meltblown and spunbond/meltblown/spunbond layers are laminated. However, an air-through nonwoven fabric is particularly preferred. Further, since the liquid diffusive sheet 40 covers at least the area of the slit 23, it is possible to effectively suppress liquid return in the area of the slit 23 immediately after absorption of body fluid.

The basis weight of the liquid diffusing sheet 40 is preferably 18 g/m ² or more and 50 g/m ² or less. The shape of the liquid diffusing sheet 40 is not particularly limited as long as it covers the area of the slit 23, and the surface of the absorbent body 20 is completely covered so that body fluids such as urine can be thoroughly diffused into the absorbent body 20. It is preferable that the shape is such that it can be covered.

[3D gathers]
Three-dimensional gathers may be provided on the body side surface of the absorbent article 1. The three-dimensional gathers together with the top sheet 10 form a body fluid confinement space to prevent leakage of body fluids. It is preferable that the three-dimensional gathers include a three-dimensional gathers sheet and a stretchable elastic member disposed along the free end of the three-dimensional gathers sheet. As the stretchable elastic member, thread-like, string-like, or flat-shaped members made of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, or the like can be used as appropriate.

<Method for manufacturing absorbent articles>
There are no particular limitations on the method for manufacturing the absorbent article 1, and conventionally known methods can be adopted. For example, by partially joining the upper layer sheet 11 and the lower layer sheet 12, After configuring the sheet 10 and placing the liquid-diffusive sheet 40 and the three-dimensional gathers on the top sheet 10 in advance, if necessary, the absorbent body 20 in which predetermined slits 23 have been provided are placed between the top sheet 10 and the back sheet. 30, and fixing the top sheet 10 and back sheet 30 partially or over the entire circumference using hot melt adhesive, heat embossing, ultrasonic embossing, high frequency embossing, etc. be able to.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the invention described in the above embodiments. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made. Furthermore, it is clear from the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

<Examples 1 to 3, Comparative Examples 1 to 3>
Absorbent articles using the following top sheet and absorbent body were used as Examples 1 to 3, and the liquid return amount, absorption speed, dry feeling on the body side surface, and texture when worn were evaluated, and the results are shown in Table 1 below. summarized in.

In addition, the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were manufactured by basically the same manufacturing method as the absorbent articles of Examples 1 to 3, and the parts related to different configurations, the amount of liquid return, etc. Table 1 summarizes the results of the absorption rate, dry feeling on the body side surface, and texture when worn.

<Preparation of top sheet>
The three-dimensional sheet is formed by partially joining the upper sheet and the lower sheet by welding so that a hollow space is formed between the upper sheet and the lower sheet at the non-joined part of the upper sheet and the lower sheet. A top sheet was produced.

<Preparation of absorber>
After mixing a superabsorbent polymer and fluff pulp, which is an absorbent fiber, there is a slit (longitudinal dimension x width dimension: 120 mm) that penetrates the absorbent body in the thickness direction approximately in the center of the obtained absorbent core. x 7 mm) were formed at an interval of 11 mm in the width direction, and the absorbent core in which the slits were formed was wrapped in a carrier sheet to produce an absorbent core.

<Production of absorbent article>
The absorbent body thus prepared was sandwiched between the prepared top sheet and back sheet, and fixed using hot melt adhesive over the entire circumference of the top sheet and back sheet, thereby producing a tape-fastening type diaper. . In addition, air-through nonwoven fabric with a basis weight of 20 g/m ² is used as the upper layer sheet and lower layer sheet, pulp tissue with a basis weight of 16 g/m ² is used as the carrier sheet, and the thickness is A breathable, liquid-impermeable film of 18 μm is used. In addition, in producing the absorbent article, the top sheet is provided on the same plane without following the shape of the slit.

(Liquid return amount)
Inject 300 ml of water into the center of the absorbent article in the longitudinal and width directions, and after 60 seconds, place a pre-weighed filter paper (No. 2 filter paper manufactured by ADVANTEC, diameter 55 mm) in the center of the injection part, A weight was placed on the filter paper so that the pressure was 1 gf/cm ² . After 30 seconds had passed since the weight was placed on the filter paper, the weight of the filter paper was measured, and the weight difference (g) between the filter paper before and after the test was taken as the liquid return amount. The amount of liquid returned in Table 1 is the average value of the results of testing 10 samples. The smaller the amount of liquid returned, the better the absorption performance.

(absorption rate)
A measuring jig with a hole with an inner diameter of 30 mm in the center and a mass of 2 kg was placed on the center of the absorbent article, and 0.9% physiological saline was poured through the upper hole under a load of 35 gf/ ^cm2 . 40 ml of the sample was injected, and time was measured with the starting point at which the saline contacted the absorbent article and the ending point at the point at which the liquid was completely sucked into the circumference within the central circle of the measurement jig. The smaller the value, the better the absorption performance.

(Dry feeling on the body side surface)
A survey was conducted by 20 panelists regarding the dry feeling on the body side surface, selecting either "excellent dry feeling" or "poor dry feeling", and evaluations were made based on the following criteria. In addition, ◯ was regarded as a pass, and × was regarded as a fail.
○: When 10 or more people answered “Excellent dry feeling” ×: When there were no respondents who said “Excellent dry feeling” or 1 or more but less than 10 people

(Texture when worn)
A survey was conducted by 20 panelists regarding the feel when worn, selecting either "good texture" or "poor texture," and evaluations were made based on the following criteria. In addition, ◯ was regarded as a pass, and × was regarded as a fail.
○: When 10 or more people answered that the texture was good. ×: When there were no or more than 1 but less than 10 people said that the texture was bad.

From Table 1, it can be seen that the absorbent articles according to Examples 1 to 3 of the present invention had a faster absorption rate and a better texture when worn than the absorbent articles according to Comparative Examples 1 to 3. It can be seen that the dry feeling on the body side surface is excellent.

1 Absorbent article 10 Top sheet 11 Upper layer sheet 12 Lower layer sheet 13 Non-bonded section 14 Bonded section 20 Absorbent body 21 Absorbent core 22 Carrier sheet 23 Slit 30 Back sheet 40 Liquid diffusing sheet

Claims (3)

a liquid-permeable topsheet, a liquid-impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the liquid-permeable topsheet and the liquid-impermeable backsheet and having absorbent fibers and a superabsorbent polymer. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent body comprising :
The thickness of the absorbent article before absorption under a load of 35 gf/cm ² is 2.8 mm or more and 3.9 mm or less,
The density of the superabsorbent polymer is substantially uniform and in the range of 0.075 g/ml or more and 0.122 g/ml or less,
The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer is 300 g/m ² or more and 370 g/m ² or less,
The top sheet partially joins an upper layer sheet provided on the body side and a lower layer sheet provided on the clothing side of the upper layer sheet, and the upper layer sheet A large number of convex portions are formed, and a hollow space is formed between the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet in the convex portion,
The shape of the convex portion has a semicircular cross-sectional shape,
The height of the convex portion is 1.0 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less,
The base area of each convex portion is 12 mm ² or more and 25 mm ² or less,
The absorbent body is provided with a slit extending along the longitudinal direction and penetrating in the thickness direction,
The top sheet does not follow the shape of the slit and is provided on the same plane ,
The absorbent body further includes a hydrophilic carrier sheet that wraps the absorbent core,
A liquid diffusing sheet covering the slit is provided between the top sheet and the carrier sheet.
An absorbent article characterized by: The absorbent absorbent according to claim 1, wherein a through hole passing through at least one of the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet in the thickness direction is provided at the joint between the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet. Goods. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 2 , wherein the upper layer sheet and the lower layer sheet that constitute the top sheet are air-through nonwoven fabrics having a basis weight of 18 g/m2 or ^more .