Disposable absorbent article and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article comprises an outer cover, and an absorbent member attached to the skin facing side of the outer cover. The absorbent member includes an absorber. At least a crotch zone of the outer cover is subjected to a softening process for softening a material of the outer cover.

1 . A disposable absorbent article comprising:
 an outer cover; and   an absorbent member attached to the skin facing side of said outer cover, said absorbent member including an absorber, wherein   at least a crotch zone of said outer cover is subjected to a softening process for softening a material of said outer cover.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a plurality of almost slit-like holes extending through said outer cover are provided in a portion of said outer cover having been subjected to the softening process.   
     
     
         3 . The disposable absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a portion of said outer cover subjected to the softening process is softened by application of blades of a cutter.   
     
     
         4 . The disposable absorbent article according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 elastic members attached from along leg-side edges of said outer cover surrounding the wearer's left and right legs to said crotch zone, wherein   part of said elastic members attached to said crotch zone is cut short to be weakened.   
     
     
         5 . A method of manufacturing a disposable absorbent article having an outer cover and an absorbent member attached to the skin facing side of said outer cover, said absorbent member including an absorber, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) softening at least a portion of a continuous material to be a crotch zone of said outer cover while transporting said continuous material in its longitudinal direction, said continuous member being a series of material for forming said outer cover and extending continuously in a lateral direction of said absorbent article;   b) attaching said absorbent member to said continuous material; and   c) cutting said continuous material, with said absorbent member attached thereto, into products.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 elastic members are attached from along leg-side edges of said outer cover surrounding the wearer's left and right legs to said crotch zone,   said method further comprising the step of:   d) attaching said elastic members continuously to said continuous material while transporting said continuous material in said longitudinal direction, wherein   in said step a), blades of a cutter are applied to at least a portion of said continuous material to be said crotch zone of said outer cover to thereby soften the portion, and part of said elastic members positioned in the portion is cut short to be weakened.