AU2012317826B2

AU2012317826B2 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2012317826B2
Application number: AU2012317826A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada; Yusuke Kosako; Katsuhiro Uematsu
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-09-18
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-18
Also published as: JP2013078366A; KR101972622B1; KR20140067138A; CN103826585B; WO2013047268A1; JP6008485B2; CN103826585A; AU2012317826A1

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article which enables the dimension in the thickness direction to be reduced, enables softness to be maintained, does not make a wearer feel uncomfortable, and does not have body fluids remaining on a top surface sheet for a long time. A sanitary napkin (10), which serves as the absorbent article, is provided with: a liquid-permeable surface sheet (11), which has a vertical direction (Y) and a horizontal direction (X) and a thickness direction (Z) that are orthogonal to each other, and is disposed in one of the thickness directions (Z) so as to be positioned on the skin-facing surface side of a wearer; a rear surface sheet (12) which is disposed in the other of the thickness directions (Z) and is positioned on a non-skin-facing surface side of the wearer; and a liquid-absorbing structure (20) that is disposed between the surface sheet (11) and the rear surface sheet (12). The liquid-absorbing structure (20) is provided with: a first liquid-permeable sheet (21) positioned on the skin-facing surface side; a second sheet (22) positioned on the non-skin-facing surface side; and a core (23) that absorbs body fluids, which is disposed between the first sheet (21) and the second sheet (22). Compression recesses (30), which compress toward the skin-facing surface side from the non-skin-facing surface side, are formed on a portion of the liquid-absorbing structure (20). Each compression recess (30) is provided with high-compression recesses (31), the dimensions of which are relatively small in the thickness direction (Z), and a low-compression recess (32), the dimension of which is relatively large in the thickness direction (Z). Multiple high-compression recesses (31) are formed in a dotted form in the vertical direction (Y) and the horizontal direction (X). The low-compression recesses (32) are formed in such a manner as to link a high-compression recess (31) with a high-compression recess (31) in the vertical direction (Y) and the horizontal direction (X).

Description

{Description} {Title of Invention} ABSORBENT ARTICLE {Technical Field} {0001}

The present invention relates to absorbent articles and, more specifically, to absorbent articles such as pads for mild incontinence, pantiliners, sanitary napkins, vaginal discharge absorbent pads, urine absorbent pads and disposable diapers. {Background} {0001a} A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. {0002}

The Applicant is aware of absorbent articles including a liquid-pervious topsheet lying on the skin-facing side defining one side in the thickness direction, a liquid-impervious backsheet lying on the non-skin-facing side defining another side in the thickness direction, and the liquid-absorbent structure interposed between the top- and backsheets. {0003}

For example, JP 2003-33397 A (PTL1) discloses a sanitary napkin including the topsheet, the backsheet and the liquid-absorbent structure. This napkin is partially formed with depressions compressed from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin-facing side . {0004}

According to the disclosure, it is possible to reduce a dimension of the sanitary napkin in the thickness direction in the region formed with the compressed depressions and to ensure maintenance of soft texture in the region formed with none of compressed depressions. {Citation List} {Patent Literature} {0005} {PTL 1} JP 2003-33397 A {Technical Problem} {0006}

The compressed depressions of the absorbent article disclosed in PTL 1 are formed in the direction from the topsheet toward the backsheet. As a result, irregularities due to the formation of these compressed depressions are present on the skin-facing side of this absorbent article and the topsheet is inevitably damaged due to heat and force developed in the course of forming the compressed depressions. When such an absorbent article is put on the wearer's skin, the partially fused and then solidified topsheet comes in contact with the wearer's skin, the wearer may have a discomfort feeling and bodily fluids may stay in the irregularities for a long period. {0007}

It is therefore desirable to provide an absorbent article adapted to ensure a reduced dimension in the thickness direction and a soft texture for not creating a feeling of discomfort against the wearer's skin, and further, to ensure that bodily fluids should not stay in the irregularities for a long period.

Summary of the Invention {0008}

According to the present invention there is provided an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction and a thickness direction orthogonal to one another, including: a liquid-pervious topsheet lying on a skin-facing side facing a wearer's skin; a backsheet lying on a non-skin-facing side opposite to the skin-facing side; and a liquid-absorbent structure interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein: the liquid-absorbent structure includes a liquid-pervious first sheet lying on the skin-facing side, a second sheet lying on the non-skin-facing side and a liquid-absorbent core interposed between the first sheet and the second sheet; the liquid-absorbent structure is partially formed with depressions compressed in a direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side; the depressions include high pressure compressed depressions having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction and low pressure compressed depressions having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction; a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions are formed in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction; and the low pressure compressed depressions are formed so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions to each other in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction, and a plurality of low pressure compressed depressions extending from each high pressure compressed depressions are arranged so that a first direction in which one of the low pressure compressed depressions extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depressions extends should not be linearly aligned with each other. {0009}

Intentionally left blank {Advantageous Effects of Invention} {0010}

With the absorbent article according to the embodiments of this invention, the liquid-absorbent structure is partially formed with the depressions compressed in the thickness direction and therefore it is possible in the regions formedwith the depressions to reduce the dimension in the thickness direction and to maintain a soft texture in the regions formed with none of the depressions . {0011}

In addition, the liquid-absorbent structure is partially formed with the depressions compressed in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side and therefore it is unnecessary to form the topsheet lying on the skin-facing side with the depressions. As a result, it is possible to prevent the topsheet from being damaged due to heat and/or force exerted thereon in a manufacturing process of the absorbent article and thereby the wearer should not feel discomfort. Further, since it is unnecessary to form the depressions on the topsheet, irregularities should not develop on the topsheet. In this way, bodily fluids should not stay on the topsheet for a long period. {0012}

Additionally, the depressions include the high pressure compressed depressions having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction and the low pressure compressed depressions having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction wherein a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions are arranged in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction and the low pressure compressed depressions are arranged so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions to each other . In consequence, the depressions including the high pressure compressed depressions and the low pressure compressed depressions are continuous to each other in the transverse direction as well as in the longitudinal direction. In the depressions, the absorbent fibers are densely interlaced with one another to ensure a relatively high stiffness and such a high stiffness may be kept even if any force is exerted on the sanitary napkin put on the wearer's body because the depressions are continuous to one another and thereby improved in the stiffness . Consequently, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the sanitary napkin might be distorted or curled. {Brief Description of Drawings} {0013} {Fig. 1} Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway top plan view illustrating a sanitary napkin as an example of absorbent articles according to this invention. {Fig. 2} Fig. 2 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. {Fig. 3} Fig. 3 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. {Fig. 4} Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view illustrating a liquid-absorbent structure as viewed from a non-skin-facing side thereof. {Fig. 5} Fig. 5 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 4. {Fig. 6} Fig. 6 is a scale-enlarged diagram illustrating encircled region VI in Fig. 4. {Fig. 7} Fig. 7 is a scale-enlarged bottom plan view of the encircled region in Fig. 6 as viewed from a skin-facing side. {Fig. 8} Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating steps of debossing process . {Fig. 9} Fig. 9 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 1. {Fig. 10} Fig. 10 is a partially scale-enlarged diagram illustrating the non-skin-facing side of a sanitary napkin according to a first variation. {Fig. 11} Fig. 11 is a partially scale-enlarged diagram illustrating the non-skin-facing side of a sanitary napkin according to a second variation. {Fig. 12} Fig. 12 is a partially scale-enlarged diagram illustrating the non-skin-facing side of a sanitary napkin according to a third variation. {Description of Embodiments} {0014}

Embodiments of a sanitary napkin as an example of absorbent articles according to this invention will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings. {0015}

Fig. 1 is a top plan view illustrating a sanitary napkin 10 according to this invention, Fig. 2 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along linell-IIinFig. 1 and Fig. 3 is a scale-enlarged sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 through 3, X indicates a transverse direction, Y indicates a longitudinal direction being orthogonal to the transverse direction X, Z indicates a thickness direction being orthogonal to the transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y, respectively, P indicates a longitudinally extending imaginary center line P bisecting a length dimension of the sanitary napkin 10 in the transverse direction X and Q indicates a transversely extending imaginary center line Q bisecting a length dimension of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction Y. {0016}

The sanitary napkin 10 may be shaped, for example, symmetrically about the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P as well as about the transversely extending imaginary center line Q and includes a skin-facing side facing the wearer's skin and a non-skin-facing side opposite thereto. {0017}

The sanitary napkin 10 includes a topsheet 11 lying on the skin-facing side, a backsheet lying on the non-skin-facing side and a liquid-absorbent structure 20 interposed between the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12. {0018}

The topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12 include respective peripheral regions 13 dimensioned to be larger than a dimension of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the transverse direction X and the longitudinal direction Y. The peripheral regions 13 includes both end portions 13a opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y and lateral edge portions 13b opposite to each other in the transverse direction X. The topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12 are bonded to each other along the peripheral regions 13 by known bonding means such as, e.g., a hot melt adhesive (not shown) applied between the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12. Referring to Fig. 1, the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12 each contain a thermoplastic synthetic resin as will be described later are joined to each other by thermal fusion bond in areas 18 of the both end portions 13a and the lateral edge portions 13b indicated by hatching. {0019}

The topsheet 11 is adapted to cover the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 and as material of this topsheet 11, a liquid-pervious fibrous nonwoven fabric containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin, for example, point-bonded fibrous nonwoven fabric or spunbonded fibrous nonwoven fabric may be used. As the thermoplastic synthetic resin, for example, at least one of polyethylene, polypropylene, conjugate composed of for example core polypropylene and sheath polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate may be used. The topsheet 11 may have a mass per unit area in a range of about 10 to about 50 g/m2 and thickness dimension in a range of about 0.5 to about 2.0 mm. {0020}

The topsheet 11 is disposed on the skin-facing side thereof with a pair of side sheets 14 arranged symmetrically about the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P so that the skin-facing side of the topsheet may be exposed in a midsection thereof in the transverse direction X and covered with these side sheets 14 along the side edge portions 13b opposite in the transverse direction X. As material of the side sheets 14, a liquid-pervious or liquid-impervious fibrous nonwoven fabric containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin may be used. {0021}

The sanitary napkin 10 includes the side sheets 14, the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12 and additionally, in a midsection in the longitudinal direction Y, a pair of wing portions 15 extending outward in the transverse direction X from the respective side edge portions 13b so as to be spaced apart from the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P. The topsheet 11, the backsheet 12 and the side sheets 14 each containing thermoplastic synthetic resins are bonded together by thermal fusion bond in areas 19 of the both wing portions 15 indicated by hatching. {0022}

The backsheet 12 is adapted to cover the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 and, as material of this backsheet 12, aplasticfilm containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin may be used. It is also possible to use a laminate sheet composed of the plastic film and a hardly-liquid-pervious or liquid-impervious fibrous nonwoven fabric laminated on the plastic film. As the fibrous nonwoven fabric, for example, a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded (SMS) fibrous nonwoven fabric, an air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded fibrous nonwoven fabric or a spunbonded fibrous nonwoven fabric may be used. While the aforementioned synthetic resin, for example, polyethylene may be used as thermoplastic synthetic resin, it is preferred to use the same resin as that contained in the topsheet 11. The backsheet 12 may have a mass per unit area in a range of about 10 to about 50 g/m2 and a thickness dimension in a range of about 0.1 to about 1.0 mm. {0023}

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the course of manufacturing the sanitary napkin 10 as viewed from the non-skin-facing side, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a scale-enlarged diagram illustrating part of Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 is a scale-enlarged diagram of the part illustrated in Fig. 6 as viewed from the skin-facing side . {0024}

The liquid-absorbent structure 20 includes a first sheet 21 lying on the skin-facing side, a second sheet 22 lying on the non-skin-facing side and a bodily fluid-absorbent core 23 interposed between the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22. Both the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 have length dimensions in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X to be larger than those of the core 23 and respective extensions of the first and second sheets 21, 22 beyond the core 23 are bonded to each other with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive applied to at least one of the sheets 21, 22. {0025}

The first sheet 21 is adapted to cover the skin-facing side of the core 23 and may be formed of a liquid-pervious fibrous nonwoven fabric containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin such as a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded (SMS) fibrous nonwoven fabric, an air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded fibrous nonwoven fabric. As the thermoplastic synthetic resin, the aforementioned synthetic resin, for example, polyethylene maybe used. According to this embodiment, an air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric is used as material of the first sheet 21. Use of the air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric as the first sheet 21 ensures that the wearer have a soft and comfortable feeling when the first sheet 21 comes in contact with the wearer's skin. The first sheet 21 may have a mass per unit area in a range of about 15 to about 60 g/m2. {0026}

The second sheet 22 is adapted to cover the non-skin-facing side of the core 23 and may be formed of a plastic film containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin. It is possible to replace such a plastic film by a fibrous nonwoven fabric containing a thermoplastic synthetic resin. As the fibrous nonwoven fabric, for example, a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded (SMS) fibrous nonwoven fabric, an air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric, a point-bonded fibrous nonwoven fabric or a spunbonded fibrous nonwoven fabricmay be used. As the thermoplastic synthetic resin, at least one of the aforementioned synthetic resins such as polyethylene may be used. According to this embodiment, an SMS fibrous nonwoven fabric is used as the material of the second sheet 22. The second sheet 22 may have a mass per unit area, for example, in a range of about 15 to about 60 g/m2. {0027}

The core 23 may include, for example, absorbent polymer particles 24 and absorbent fibers 25. As the absorbent polymer particles 24, water-insoluble and water swellable particulates or fibrous polymers which are, for example, starch-derived, acrylic acid-derived or amino-acid-derived and has an absorption capacity corresponding to at least several dozen times of such polymer's own mass may be used. {0028}

As the absorbent fibers 25, natural pulp fibers such as wood fluff pulp, regenerated fibers such as rayon staples or a mixture thereof may be used. For example, the wood fluff pulp fibers having an average fiber length in a range of about 2 to about 10 mm may be preferably used as the absorbent fibers 25. {0029}

The absorbent fibers 25 may have a mass per unit area in a range of about 100 to about 300 g/m2. Concerning the absorbent polymer particles 24, while the core 23 is preferably formed of a mixture of the absorbent polymer particles 24 and the absorbent fibers 25, the absorbent polymer particles 24 are not essential constituent. More specifically, a content of the absorbent polymer particles 24 may be in a range of about 0 to about 300 g/m2 and may be absent in the core 23 as the case may be. {0030}

The liquid-absorbent structure 20 is partially disposed with depressions 30 which were formed by compressing the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side . In other words, the depressions 30 are depressed from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side. The depressions 30 include high pressure compressed depressions 31 of which a dimension in the thickness direction Z is relatively small and low pressure compressed depressions 32 of which a dimension in the thickness direction Z is relatively large. {0031} A plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 are formed in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 6, each of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 is composed of four constituent elements 31z which are proximate to each other and each of the constituent elements 31 z has a rectangular shape . In this embodiment, the high pressure compressed depressions 31 are respectively located at corners of a regular hexagon. The high pressure compressed depressions 31 are formed so that the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 each containing a thermoplastic resin may be welded to each other . Each high pressure compressed depression 31 has the length dimension in the thickness direction Z preferably in a range of about 0.05 to about 0.3 mm. {0032}

The low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed to connect each pair of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. More specifically, the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are not so tightly compressed that the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 might be welded to each other but compressed under an appropriate pressure to ensure that the low pressure compressed depressions 32 may have a dimension in the thickness direction Z smaller than that of inner regions 33 each surrounded by the high pres sure compressed depressions 31 and the low pres sure compressed depressions 32. As a result, a density in the low pressure compressed depressions 32 is higher than that in the inner regions 33 and a stiffness in the low pressure compressed depressions 32 is higher than that in the inner regions 33.

Referring to Fig. 7, the high pressure compressed depressions 31 are visible but none of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 is visible on the surface defined by the skin-facing side. The length dimension in the thickness direction Z of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 is preferably in a range of about 0.3 to about 0.8 mm. The respective low pressure compressed depressions are rectilinearly formed so as to define the respective sides of the regular hexagon. {0033}

The low pressure compressed depressions 32 are located so as to define the respective sides of the regular hexagon and therefore three of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 extend from an arbitrarily-selected one of the high pressure compressed depressions 31. For convenience of illustration, in Fig. 6, the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending downward from one high pressure compressed depression 31 is designated as the first low pressure compressed depression 32p, the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending leftward at a slant from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is designated as the second low pressure compressed depression 32q and the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending rightward at a slant from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is designated as the third low pressure compressed depression 32r. {0034}

In this liquid-absorbent structure 20 as viewed in the longitudinal direction Y and the transverse direction X, an angle θ 1 formed between a direction dl in which the first low pressure compressed depression 32p extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 and a direction d2 in which the second low pressure compressed depression 32q extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is 120°. An angle Θ2 formed between the direction dl in which the first low pres sure compressed depression 32p extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 and a direction d3 in which the third low pressure compressed depression 32r extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is also 120° . An angle Θ3 formed between the direction d2 in which the second low pressure compressed depression 32q extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 and the direction d3 in which the third low pressure compressed depression 32r extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is also 120° . In this liquid-absorbent structure 20 formed with a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 from each of which three low pressure compressed depressions extend, a plurality of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 may be located in a pattern devised in such a manner that an angle between the first direction in which one of three low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends and the second direction in which one of the remaining two low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends should not be 180° , in other words, such that the first and second directions should not be linearly aligned with each other. {0035}

The depressions 30 composed of these high pressure compressed depressions 31 and low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed in end sections of the sanitary napkin 10 opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y. In other words, this sanitary napkin 10 is formed in a midsection thereof in the longitudinal direction Y with a non-debossed region 35 in which none of the compressed depressions is present and formed in the end sections opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y with debossed regions 36 in which the compressed depressions 30 are present. {0036}

Part of a process for manufacturing such a liquid-absorbent structure 20 will be described hereunder. Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view illustrating the steps of debossing process 40 constituting a part of the manufacturing process for the liquid-absorbent structure 20. In Fig. 8, MD indicates a machine direction, CD indicates a cross direction being orthogonal to the machine direction MD and VD indicates a vertical direction being orthogonal to the machine direction MD and the cross direction CD, respectively. In this regard, the machine direction MD corresponds to the longitudinal direction Y, the cross direction CD corresponds to the transverse direction X and the vertical direction VD corresponds to the thickness direction Z. {0037}

The steps of debossing process 40 include an conveying means 42 including a conveyor belt 41 serving to convey the liquid-absorbent structure 20 loaded thereon in the machine direction MD and compressing means 43 adapted to compress the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the vertical direction (i.e., thickness direction Z) VD. {0038}

The liquid-absorbent structure 20 is loaded on the conveyor belt 41 with the first sheet 21 thereof kept in contact with the conveyor belt 41. In the liquid-absorbent structure 20 loaded on the conveyor belt 41 in this manner, the core 23 formed of the absorbent fibers 25 and the absorbent polymer particles 24 is wrapped with the first and second sheets 21, 22 so that the thickness of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 may be formed so as to have a substantially uniform thickness. In the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in this state, a density of the absorbent fibers 25 and a density of the absorbent polymer particles 24 are substantially uniform in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. {0039}

The compressing means 43 have a pair of rotary shafts 44a, 45a extending in parallel to each other and include an upper cylindrical first drum 44 which is rotatable around the first rotary shaft 44a and a lower cylindrical second drum 45 which is rotatable around the second rotary shaft 45a. {0040}

The first drum 44 and the second drum 45 are located so that respective peripheral surfaces of these two drums 44, 45 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance of larger than 0 mm and smaller than or equal to 2.0 mm and thereby a clearance 46 may be defined between the first drum 44 and the second drum 45. {0041} A peripheral surface 44z of the first drum 44 is formed with peripheral surface segments 44d at a uniform distance from a shaft center of the first rotary shaft 44a and protrusions 44e protruding from the peripheral surface 44z in a direction getting away from the rotary shaft 44a so that these peripheral surface segments 44d and protrusions 44e may alternate around the shaft center of the first rotary shaft 44a. {0042}

The peripheral surface 45z of the second drum 45 is formed to be at a uniform distance from the shaft center of the second rotary shaft 45a. {0043}

Thoughnot illustrated, the protrusions 44e includepins located so as to correspond to the high pressure compressed depressions 31 and linear protrusions located so as to correspond to the low pressure compressed depressions 32. {0044}

The first drum 44 is disposed with a heating unit (not shown) used to heat the protrusions 44e, thereby heating the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the debossing process step 40. This heating unit is adapted to heat the protrusions 44e so that the respective protrusions 44e may have a surface temperature in a range of about 80 to about 100°. {0045}

The liquid-absorbent structure 20 may be guided to pass through the clearance 46 between the first drum 44 rotating around the first rotary shaft 44a in one direction d4 and the second drum 45 around the second rotary shaft 45a in one direction d5 to compress the liquid-absorbent structure 20 between the protrusions 44e of the first drum 44 and the peripheral surface of the second drum 45 in the vertical direction VD, thereby forming the debossed regions 36 in which the compressed depressions 30 are present. More specifically, the pins on the first drum 44 cooperate with the peripheral surface of the second drum 45 to form the high pressure compressed depressions 31 and the linear protrusions on the first drum 44 cooperate with the peripheral surface of the second drum 45 to form the low pressure compressed depressions 32. In this regard, the inner regions 33 in the respective debossed regions 36 are substantially not compressed in the vertical direction VD. Portions of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 wedged between the peripheral surface 44z of the first drum 44 and the peripheral surface 45z of the second drum 45 are substantially not compressed in the vertical direction VD and define the respective non-debossed regions 35. {0046}

For example, assuming that the liquid-absorbent structure 20 including the core 23 composed of the absorbent fibers 25 alone and having a mass per unit area of about 2 00 g/m2 and an apparent dimension in the vertical direction VD of about 2.0 mm is guided to pass through the clearance 46 between the first drum 44 and the second drum 45, the high pressure compressed depressions 31 will have a dimension in the thickness direction Z in a range of about 0.1 to about 0.2 mm, the low pressure compressed depressions 32 will have a dimension in the thickness direction Z of about 0.5 mm, and the inner regions 33 as well as the non-debossed regions 35 will have a dimension in the thickness direction Z of about 2.0 mm. {0047}

In the course of this compression, the high pressure compressed depressions 31 having the smallest dimension in the thickness direction Z are formed under the highest first compressing force, the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed under the second-highest compressing force and the non-debossed regions 35 and the inner regions 33 having the largest dimension in the thickness direction Z are formed under substantially no compressing force. {0048}

Based on degrees of the compressing force locally exerted in this manner, the absorbent fibers 25 in the respective high pressure compressed depressions 31 have the highest density, the absorbent fibers25in the low pressure compressed depressions 32 have the second-highest density and the absorbent fibers 25 in the non-debossed regions as well as in the inner regions 33 have a relatively low density. {0049}

The higher the density of the absorbent fibers 25 is, the more the rate of diffusion of bodily fluids is correspondingly improved. On the other hand, the lower the density of the absorbent polymer particles 24 and the absorbent fibers 25 is, the capacity that these particles and fibers 24, 25 may absorb and contain bodily fluids is correspondingly improved so long as the density is within an acceptable range. {0050}

In the process of manufacturing the liquid-absorbent structure 20, for example, the non-skin-facing side of the first sheet 21 may be coated with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive and the skin-facing side of the second sheet 22 may be coated with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. {0051}

Referring to Figs. 1 through 3, the topsheet 11 including the side sheets 14 attached to the skin-facing side of the topsheet 11 is layered on the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 and the backsheet 12 is layered on the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20. In the course of layering in this manner, at least one of the non-skin-facing side of the topsheet 11 and the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 is coated with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive and at least one of the non-skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 and the backsheet 12 is coated with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. {0052}

After the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12 have been layered on the liquid-absorbent structure 20, this layered assembly is formed with grooves 50 depressed from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin-facing side. {0053}

Referring to Fig. 2, these grooves 50 are formed, for example, by compressing the sheets 11, 21 and the liquid-absorbent structure 20 in the thickness direction Z so that the topsheet 11 and the first sheet 21 may be welded to each other but the second sheet 22 and the backsheet 12 should not be welded to the other sheets 11, 21 in the thickness direction Z. In this regard, there is an exceptional situation as will be described below with respect to the portions 53a of the respective grooves 50 lying adjacent to the low pressure compressed depressions 32 . {0054}

Referring to Fig. 1, the grooves 50 include inner side grooves 51 arranged to come close to an intersection point 0 of the transversely extending imaginary center line Q and the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P and outer side grooves 55 arranged to recede from the intersection point 0. {0055}

Each of the inner side grooves 51 includes a pair of first grooves 52 arranged symmetrically about the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P and extending in the longitudinal direction Y and a pair of second grooves 53 arranged symmetrically about the transversely extending imaginary center line Q and extending in the transverse direction X wherein the first grooves 52 and the second grooves 53 are not continuous to each other. {0056}

Referring to Fig. 9, the portions 53a of the respective second grooves 53 are arranged so as to be adjacent to boundaries 37 between the non-debossed region 35 and the debossed regions 36. Consequently, in the portions 53a of these second grooves 53, the low pres sure compressed depressions 32 overlap with the second grooves 53 in the thickness direction Z and the first sheet 21, the second sheet 22 and the topsheet 11 are welded together in the thickness direction Z. {0057}

The outer side grooves 55 are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinally extending imaginary center line P and each of these outer side grooves 55 includes a pair of third grooves 56 extending in the longitudinal direction Y and a pair of fourth grooves 57 extending in the transverse direction X wherein the third grooves 56 and the fourth grooves 57 are continuous to each other. In this regard, the upper fourth grooves 57 are not illustrated in Fig. 1. {0058}

In the sanitary napkin 10 according to this invention, the liquid-absorbent structure 20 is partially formed with the depressions 30 compressed in the thickness direction Z and thereby it is possible to reduce the dimension in the thickness direction Z in the regions formed with the depressions 30 and to maintain the softness in the region formed with none of the depressions 30 . {0059}

In addition, the liquid-absorbent structure 20 is partially formed with the depressions 30 compressed in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side and it is unnecessary to form the topsheet 11 lying on the skin-facing side of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 with the compressed depressions 30. Therefore it is possible to prevent the topsheet 11 from being damaged under affection of heat and/or force and whereby the wearer should not feel discomfort due to the damaged topsheet 11. Thus it is ensured that the wearer of the sanitary napkin enj oy a soft and comfortable feeling to wear . Furthermore, none of irregularities develops on the topsheet 11 because it is unnecessary to form the topsheet 11 with the compressed depressions 30. As a result, bodily fluids should not stay on the topsheet 11 for a long period. {0060}

In addition, the depressions 30 include the high pressure compressed depressions 31 having the relatively small dimension in the thickness direction Z and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 having the relatively large dimension in the thickness direction Z wherein a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 is formed so as to be scattered about in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions 31 to each other in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. In consequence, the depressions 30 composed of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are continuous to each other in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. In the depressions 30, the absorbent fibers 25 are densely interlaced with one another, thereby ensuring a high stiffness and, therefore, even when a force is exerted upon the sanitary napkin 10 put on the wearer's body, the compressed depressions 30 arranged to be continuous to each other ensure a sufficiently high stiffness to reduce the possibility that the sanitary napkin 10 might be distorted or curled. {0061} A plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 are formed in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X so that the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 may be welded to each other. As a result, even when the sanitary napkin 10 absorbs and contains bodily fluids in the regions formed with the high pressure compressed depressions 31, a shape of the sanitary napkin 10 may be maintained. {0062}

Furthermore, the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed so that the high pressure compressed depressions 31 may be connected with one another in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X, the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 should not be welded to each other and a length dimension in the thickness direction Z of the respective low pressure compressed depressions may be smaller than that of the inner regions 33 . Consequently, the density of the absorbent fibers 25 may be sufficiently improved to promote a capillary action when bodily fluids are discharged, thereby accelerating diffusion of bodily fluids in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. {0063} A plurality of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 extending from each of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 is formed in such a manner that the first direction in which one of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends and the second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends are not linearly aligned with each other .As a result, it is possible to prevent the low pressure compressed depressions 32 from continuously extending in a specific direction, and thereby the sanitary napkin 10 should not be apt to bend in the longitudinal direction or other specific direction. {0064}

Further, the midsection in the longitudinal direction Y is formed with the non-debossed region 35 in which none of the compressed depressions 30 is present and thereby it is possible in this midsection in the longitudinal direction Y to prevent the amount of bodily fluids which may be absorbed and contained from decreasing. In addition, it is possible in the midsection in the longitudinal direction Y to enlarge a dimension in the thickness direction Z, thereby keeping the sanitary napkin 10 in close contact with the wearer's genitals. {0065}

The opposite end portions in the longitudinal direction Y of the sanitary napkin 10 are formed with the debossed regions 36 in which the depressions 30 are present and whereby bodily fluids which may not be absorbed and retained in the midsection in the longitudinal direction may be quickly moved through the depressions 30 in the longitudinal direction Y. In this way, it is possible to prevent bodily fluids from being eccentrically-located in the midsection in the longitudinal direction Y and thereby to approximate the actual bodily fluid absorption and containment capacity to the potential bodily fluid absorption and containment capacity. As a result, the capacity of the sanitary napkin 10 for absorption and containment of bodily fluids may be improved and thereby it is also possible to prevent bodily fluids from flowing back. Additionally, the debossed regions 36 formed in the end portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y serve to improve the stiffness in these opposite end portions and thereby prevent distortion and/or flection from developing in these regions. {0066}

The second grooves 53 of the inner side grooves 51 which have been compressed in the direction from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin facing sidesoasto extend in the transverse direction X are formed along the respective boundaries between the non-debossed region 35 and the respective debossed regions 36 and thereby the stiffness of the regions in which these second grooves 53 are formedmaybe improved. Consequently, if distortion and/or deformation occurs in the end portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y, the above-mentioned second grooves 53 may prevent distortion and/or deformation from occurring in the midsection in the longitudinal direction Y. {0067}

Further, the above-mentioned portions 53a of the second grooves 53 are arranged so as to come adjacent to the boundaries 37 between the non-debossed region 35 and the debossed regions 36 of the liquid-absorbent structure 20 and, in these portions 53a of the respective grooves 53, the topsheet 11, the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 are welded together so that bodily fluids may be diffused from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin-facing side. At the same time, the depressions 30 formed in the end portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y make it possible to diffuse bodily fluids on the non-skin-facing side, thereby reducing the possibility that bodily fluids might stay on the skin-facing side and to alleviate discomfort to the wearer upon discharge of bodily fluids. In addition, the number of the grooves 50 appearing on the skin-facing side may be reduced and whereby a feeling of discomfort may be alleviated when the sanitary napkin 10 is put on the wearer's body. {0068}

In the sanitary napkin 10, an air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric is used for the first sheet 21 and an SMS fibrous nonwoven fabric is used for the second sheet 22 . These air-through fibrous nonwoven fabric and SMS fibrous nonwoven fabric have a water-resistant property. When natural pulp fibers are used as the absorbent fibers 25, disassociation of hydrogen bonding occurs in the natural pulp fibers . However, in the sanitary napkin 10 according to this invention, the water-resistant fibrous nonwoven fabric is used for both the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 and these first sheet 21, second sheet 22 and the core 23 are integrated at the respective high pressure compressed depressions 31 so that the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 may reinforce the core 23 and thereby a deterioration of the stiffness may be inhibited even after bodily fluids have been discharged thereon. {0069}

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view showing a liquid-absorbent structure 20a of a sanitary napkin 100 as a first variation of the absorbent article according to this invention as viewed from the non-skin-facing side. A basic arrangement of the first variation is similar to that of the aforementioned sanitary napkin 10 and description of the first variation will be limited hereunder to features distinguished from those of the sanitary napkin 10. {0070}

This liquid-absorbent structure 20a is partially formed with depressions 30a compressed in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side . The depressions 30a include high pressure compressed depressions 31a having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction Z and low pressure compressed depressions 32a having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction Z. {0071}

The high pressure compressed depressions 31a are distinguished from the aforementioned high pressure compressed depressions 31 only in such an arrangement that the respective high pressure compressed depressions 31a are located on corners of respective parallelograms. The adjacent parallelograms are different from each other in length of sides. {0072}

The low pressure compressed depressions 32a are distinguished from the aforementioned low pressure compressed depressions 32 only in that the respective low pressure compressed depressions 32a are arranged so as to correspond to the respective sides of the parallelograms. {0073}

In this liquid-absorbent structure 20a, four low pressure compressed depressions 32a extend from an arbitrarily-selected high pressure compressed depression 31a. In Fig. 10, for convenience of explanation, the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending upward from a certain high pressure compressed depression 31a is referred to as the first low pressure compressed depression 321, the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending obliquely leftward is referred to as the second low pressure compressed depression 32m, the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending obliquely rightward is referred to as the third low pressure compressed depression 32n and the low pressure compressed depression 32 extending downward is referred to as the fourth low pressure compressed depression 32o . {0074}

In this liquid-absorbent structure 20a, as viewed in the longitudinal direction Y and the transverse direction X, an angle formed between a direction dll in which the first low pressure compressed depression 321 extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 and a direction dl4 in which the fourth low pressure compressed depression 32o extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 is not 180° , and an angle formed between the direction dl2 in which the second low pressure compressed depression 32m extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 and a direction dl3 in which the third low pressure compressed depression 32n extends from the high pressure compressed depression 31 also is not 180° . Angles formed between any one of the directions dll through dl4 and the remaining directions dll through dl4 are also not 180°. {0075}

In this liquid-absorbent structure 20a, four low pressure compressed depressions 321, 32m, 32n and 32o are arranged around the high pressure compressed depression 31 in such a manner that an angle between a first direction in which one of four lowpressure compressed depressions 32 extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining three low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends should not be 180°, in other words, such that the first direction and the second direction should not be linearly aligned with each other. In this way, the low pressure compressed depressions 32a extending from each high pressure compressed depression 31a should not continuously extend in a specific direction and thereby preventing the sanitary napkin 10 from inflecting in a specific direction. {0076}

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view showing a liquid-absorbent structure 20b of a sanitary napkin 200 as a second variation of the absorbent article according to this invention as viewed from the non-skin-facing side. A basic arrangement of the second variation is similar to that of the aforementioned sanitary napkin 10 and description of the first variation will be limited hereunder to features distinguished from those of the sanitary napkin 10. {0077}

This liquid-absorbent structure 20b is partially formed with depressions 30b compressed in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side . The depressions 30b include high pressure compressed depressions 31b having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction Z and low pressure compressed depressions 32b having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction Z. {0078}

These high pressure compressed depressions 31b are distinguished from the aforementioned high pressure compressed depressions 31 only in that these high pressure compressed depressions 31b are located on the respective corners of the rhombuses 201, 202 having two different shapes. In the rhombus 201 of these two differently shaped rhombuses 201, 202, crossing angles between respective pairs of adjacent sides are 12° and 108° and, in the rhombus 202, crossing angles between respective pairs of adjacent sides are 36° and 144°. In this manner, these rhombuses 201, 202 are arranged in a pattern of so-called Penrose tile pattern. {0079}

The low pressure compressed depressions 32b are distinguished from the aforementioned low pressure compressed depressions 32 only in that these low pressure compressed depressions 32b are arranged so as to correspond to the sides of the above-mentioned rhombuses 201, 202. {0080}

This liquid-absorbent structure 20 includes a case in which four low pres sure compressed depressions 32b extend from a certain high pressure compressed depression 31b and a case in which five low pressure compressed depressions 32b extend from the above-mentioned high pressure compressed depression 31b. In any case, the rhombuses 201, 202 having two different shapes, respectively, are arranged in so-called Penrose tile pattern in such a manner that a first direction in which one of the low pressure compressed depressions 32b extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends are not linearly aligned with each other. In this way, it is possible to prevent the low pressure compressed depressions extending from the high pressure compressed depression 31b from continuously extending in a specific direction and thereby to prevent the sanitary napkin 10 from being apt to bend in a specific direction. {0081}

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view showing a liquid-absorbent structure 20c of a sanitary napkin 300 as a first variation of the absorbent article according to this invention as viewed from the non-skin-facing side. A basic arrangement of the third variation is similar to that of the aforementioned sanitary napkin 10 and description of the third variation will be limited hereunder to features distinguished from those of the sanitary napkin 10. {0082}

This liquid-absorbent structure 20c is partially formed with depressions 30c compressed in the direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side . The depressions 30c include high pressure compressed depressions 31c having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction Z and low pressure compressed depressions 32c having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction Z. {0083}

The low pressure compressed depressions 32c are shaped to curve so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions 31c and the high pressure compressed depressions 31c with each other in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. {0084}

In this liquid-absorbent structure 20c, a plurality of low pressure compressed depressions 32 c extend from one high pressure compressed depression 31c. In this liquid-absorbent structure 20c, a plurality of the low pressure compressed depressions 32c are arranged around the high pressure compressed depression 31c in such a manner that an angle between a first direction in which one of low pressure compressed depressions 32c extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depression 32c extends should not be 180°, in other words, such that these two directions should not be linearly aligned with each other . In this way, the low pressure compressed depressions 32c extending from each high pressure compressed depression 31c should not continuously extend in a specific direction, thereby preventing the sanitary napkin 10 from being apt to bend in a specif ic direction. In addition, the low pressure compressed depressions 32c according to this variation is formed in a curved shape and thereby it is possible to prevent a linear fold from being developed in the sanitary napkin 300. In this regard, it is not essential to provide the entire low pressure compressed depressions 32c in a curved shape but the low pressure compressed depressions 32c may include linear segments to some extent so long as the low pressure compressed depressions 32c do not continuously extend in a specific direction. {0085}

It should be appreciated that the sanitary napkins 10, 100, 200, 300 are not limited to the aforementioned embodiments but may be appropriately varied without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, this invention is not limited to the sanitary napkin but applicable to other types of articles such as pads for mild incontinence, pantiliners, vaginal discharge absorbent pads, urine absorbent pads and disposable diapers . {0086}

While the high pressure compressed depressions 31 and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 have been described to be formed by compressing in the thickness direction Z as the embodiments of this invention, it is not essential to form these depressions by compression. In addition, while formation of the high pressure compressed depressions 31 and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 by varying a compressive force, thereby varying the density of the absorbent fibers has been described above as an example, the method of forming these depressions 31, 32 is not limited to the aforementioned method. {0087}

The materials for the constituent members of the sanitary napkins 10, 100, 200 and 300 are not limited to those described in this specification but the other types of materials widely used in the relevant technical f ieldmay be usedwithout limitation unless otherwise stated. {0088}

The terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth "used in this description are used merely to distinguish the similar elements, similar position or other similar means. {0089}

Disclosure of this invention as has been described above may be arranged at least as follows. {0090}

An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction Y, a transverse direction X and a thickness direction Z orthogonal to each other, the article including: a liquid-pervious topsheet 11 lying on a skin-facing side facing the wearer's skin; a backsheet 12 lying on a non-skin-facing side opposite to the skin-facing side in the thickness direction Z; and a liquid-absorbent structure 20 interposed between the topsheet 11 and the backsheet 12, wherein: the liquid-absorbent structure 20 includes a liquid-pervious first sheet 21 lying on the skin-facing side, a second sheet 22 lying on the non-skin-facing side and a liquid-absorbent core 23 interposed between the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22; the liquid-absorbent structure 20 is partially formed with depressions 30 compressed in a direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side; the depressions 30 include high pressure compressed depressions 31 having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction Z and low pressure compressed depressions 32 having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction Z; a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions are formed in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X; and the low pressure compressed depressions 32 are formed so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions 31 to each other in the longitudinal direction Y as well as in the transverse direction X. {0091}

The invention disclosed in the above item (I) may include at least the following embodiments. {0092} (1) A plurality of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 extending from each high pressure compressed depression 31 are arranged so that a first direction in which one of the low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depressions 32 extends should not be linearly aligned with each other. (2) A non-debossed region 35 in which none of the depressions 30 is present is defined in a midsection in the longitudinal direction Y and debossed regions 36 in which the depressions 30 are present are formed in end portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y. (3) Grooves 50 compressed in a direction from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin-facing side and extending in the transverse direction X are formed along boundaries between the non-debossed region 35 and the debossed regions 36. (4) The first sheet 21, the second sheet 22 and the topsheet 11 respectively include thermoplastic synthetic resin; the depressions 30 are formed by welding the first sheet 21 and the second sheet 22 to each other; and the grooves 50 are formed by welding the first sheet 21 and the topsheet 11 to each other; and the first sheet 21, the second sheet 22 and the topsheet 11 are welded to each other in portions 53a in which the depressions 30 and the second grooves 53 of the grooves 50 are adjacent to each other. {Reference Signs List} {0093} 10 sanitary napkin (absorbent article) 11 topsheet 12 backsheet 20 liquid-absorbent structure 21 first sheet 22 second sheet 23 core 30 depressions 31 high pressure compressed depressions 32 low pressure compressed depressions 35 non-debossed region 36 debossed region X transverse direction Y longitudinal direction Z thickness direction

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows: {Claim 1} An absorbent article having a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, a thickness direction orthogonal to each other, including: a liquid-pervious topsheet lying on a skin-facing side facing the wearer's skin; a backsheet lying on a non-skin-facing side opposite to the skin-facing side in the thickness direction; and a liquid-absorbent structure interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein: the liquid-absorbent structure includes a liquid-pervious first sheet lying on the skin-facing side, a second sheet lying on the non-skin-facing side and a liquid-absorbent core interposed between the first sheet and the second sheet; the liquid-absorbent structure is partially formed with depressions compressed in a direction from the non-skin-facing side toward the skin-facing side; the depressions include high pressure compressed depressions having a relatively small dimension in the thickness direction and low pressure compressed depressions having a relatively large dimension in the thickness direction; a plurality of the high pressure compressed depressions are formed in a dotted pattern about in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction; and the low pressure compressed depressions are formed so as to connect the high pressure compressed depressions to each other in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction, and a plurality of low pressure compressed depressions extending from each high pressure compressed depressions are arranged so that a first direction in which one of the low pressure compressed depressions extends and a second direction in which one of the remaining low pressure compressed depressions extends should not be linearly aligned with each other. {Claim
2} The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: a non-debossed region in which none of the depressions is present is defined in a midsection in the longitudinal direction; and debossed regions in which the depressions are present are formed in end portions opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction. {Claim
3} The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein grooves compressed in a direction from the skin-facing side toward the non-skin-facing side and extending in the transverse direction are formed along boundaries between the non-debossed region and the debossed regions. {Claim
4} The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein: the first sheet, the second sheet and the topsheet respectively include thermoplastic synthetic resins; the depressions are formed by welding the first sheet and the second sheet to each other; the grooves are formed by welding the first sheet and the topsheet to each other; and the first sheet, the second sheet and the topsheet are welded to each other in portions in which the depressions and the grooves are adjacent to each other.