AU2014282421A1

AU2014282421A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2014282421A1
Application number: AU2014282421A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shoshi Kosaka; Kaiyo Nakajima
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2014-05-09
Filing date: 2014-06-06
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Also published as: JP2015213618A; JP5619315B1; CN106456401A; WO2014203751A1; CN106456401B

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article which can easily deform along the body of a wearer. The present invention is configured in a manner such that a top sheet (2A), on which multiple regions (21A

Description

AC 7 01 1 DESCRIPTION ABSORBENT ARTICLE Technical Field [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article .

Background Art [0002]

In Patent Literatures 1 and 2, there are described absorbent articles each including a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and back sheet, wherein a concavoconvex structure is formed on the skin side surface of the top sheet.

Also, Patent Literature 1 describes an absorbent article including a top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and back sheet, and a second sheet disposed between the top sheet and absorbent body, wherein a concavoconvex structure is formed on the top sheet side surface of the second sheet.

Citation List Patent Literature [0003] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-025079 [PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-118920

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem [0004]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, a liquidabsorbing absorbent body disposed between the top sheet 2 and back sheet, and a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed between the top sheet and absorbent body, the absorbent article being easily deformable along the body of the wearer.

Solution to Problem [0005]

In order to solve the problem described above, the present invention provides an absorbent article having a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction and a thickness direction that are mutually orthogonal, and comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, a liquid-absorbing absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body, wherein there are formed on a skin side surface of the top sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction and a plurality of protrusion-nonexisting regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, /he plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, there are formed on a top sheet side surface of the second sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, and 3 the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the plurality of protrusion-nonexisting regions formed in the top sheet.

Advantageous Effects of Invention [0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided an absorbent article including a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, a liquid-absorbing absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and back sheet, and a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed between the top sheet and absorbent body, the absorbent article being easily deformable along the body of the wearer.

Brief Description of Drawings [0007]

Fig. 1(a) is a plan view of a light incontinence pad according to an embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 1(a).

Fig. 2(a) is a plan view of a top sheet in the light incontinence pad shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 2(a) .

Fig. 3(a) is a plan view of a second sheet in the light incontinence pad shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 3(a) .

Fig. 4(a) is a partial magnified perspective view of the top sheet shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4(b) is a partial magnified perspective view of the second sheet shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the top sheet shown in Fig. 2 and the 4 second sheet shown in Fig. 3, when mounted on a light incontinence pad, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 5(a).

Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of a modified example of a top sheet, and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 6(a).

Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of a modified example of a second sheet, and Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 7(a).

Fig. 8(a) is a partial magnified perspective view of the top sheet shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8(b) is a partial magnified perspective view of the second sheet shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9(a) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the top sheet shown in Fig. 6 and the second sheet shown in Fig. 7, when mounted on a light incontinence pad, and Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 9(a).

Fig. 10 is a partial magnified view of Fig. 9(a) .

Fig. 11(a) is a plan view of a modified example of an absorbent body, and Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 11(a).

Description of Embodiments [0008]

Embodiments included in the absorbent article of the present invention will now be described.

Throughout the present description, the expression "protrusion-non-existing region", unless particularly specified otherwise, means a protrusion-non-existing region located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions. However, this does not mean that all of the protrusion-non-existing regions of the top sheet and second sheet are located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions. That is, the top sheet and the second sheet may have protrusion-non-existing regions that are not located between two adjacent protrusion-existing 5 regions .

[0009]

The absorbent article according to an embodiment (embodiment 1) of the present invention is an absorbent article having a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction and a thickness direction that are mutually orthogonal, and comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, a liquid-absorbing absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body, wherein there are formed on a skin side surface of the top sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction and a plurality of protrusion-nonexisting regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, there are formed on a top sheet side surface of the second sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of protrusion-nonexisting regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, and the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the plurality of protrusion-non- 6 existing regions formed in the top sheet.

[0010]

In the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet and second sheet are sections that are easily bent along the lengthwise direction, and they serve as bending origins when the absorbent article bends along the lengthwise direction. If the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet include protrusion-non-existing regions overlapping with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet in the thickness direction, the number of bending origins will decrease by that amount. Since in the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, each of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the respective protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet, the number of bending origins is maximized. Thus, the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1 can easily deform along the body of the wearer and can prevent rubbing of the skin of the wearer with the skin side surface of the top sheet, and the skin trouble caused by it.

[0011]

In the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, each of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet does not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and as a result the protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-non-existing region of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet. In the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, since each of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region of the plurality of 7 protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and each of the protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-non-existing region of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet, it is possible to improve the flexibility at the sections where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered.

[0012]

In the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, the protrusion-existing regions on the skin side surface of the top sheet readily contact with the skin of the wearer while the protrusion—non—existing regions are less likely to contact with the skin of the wearer, and therefore the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the skin side surface of the top sheet is reduced. Thus, the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1 can prevent skin trouble (skin eruption and the like) caused by contact between the skin of the wearer and the skin side surface of the top sheet.

[0013]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 2) of the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1, the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet have equal widths, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet have equal widths, the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet have the same widths as the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet have the same widths as the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet. The absorbent article according to the embodiment 2 is preferred in that the desired placement of the second sheet with respect to the top sheet (that is, placement in which each protrusion-nonexisting region formed in the second sheet overlaps in the thickness direction with one different protrusion- 8 existing region of the protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and does not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet) can be easily achieved.

[0014]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3) of the absorbent article according to the embodiment 1 or 2, the work of compression is 2.5 gf-cm/cm2 or greater, by KES measurement at a section where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered. The absorbent article according to the embodiment 3 is preferred in that it has sufficient flexibility at the section where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered.

[0015] KES (Kawabata Evaluation System) measurement is described in "The standardization and analysis of hand Evaluation (2nd Edition)", Kawabata S., The hand evaluation and standardization committee, The Textile Machinery Society of Japan, publisher (July 10, 1980), the work of compression being one characteristic value of compression based on KES measurement. The work of compression at the section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered is the amount of work when the section where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered has been compressed, and it is an indicator of the flexibility at the section where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered. Incidentally, the phrase "section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered" means the section of the layered body of the top sheet and second sheet where the top sheet and second sheet are mutually overlapping.

[0016]

The work of compression is measured by the following procedure using an automated compression test apparatus KES-FB3-AUTO-A by Kato Tech Corp. The layered body of the top sheet and second sheet is separated from the absorbent article. The separation can be facilitated by 9 coating toluene between the second sheet and the absorbent body using a cotton swab, brush or the like.

The separated layered body of the top sheet and second sheet is stored for at least 24 hours for conditioning at a temperature of 23 ±2°C and a relative humidity of 50 ±5%. After the conditioning, a 100 cm x 100 cm test piece is cut out from a section of the layered body of the top sheet and second sheet where the top sheet and second sheet are mutually overlapping, and attached to the test stage. The test piece is compressed between steel sheets each having a circular face with an area of 2 cm2. The compression speed is 100 μπι/sec and the maximum compression load is 4.9 kPa. The measurement is conducted at the same speed in the recovery process. The work of compression (WC) is represented by the following formula. In the formula, Tm, T0 and P represent, respectively, the thickness under a load of 4.9 kPa (50 gf/cm2) , the thickness under a load of 49 Pa (0.5 gf/cm2) , and the load (gf) during measurement. The work of compression is measured at 3 different locations of the test piece, the average value being recorded as the work of compression for the section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered.

[0017] [Formula 1]

WC = fTm PdT

Jt o [0018]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 4) of the absorbent article according to any one of the embodiment 1 to 3, a plurality of protrusions interspersed or ridges extending in the lengthwise direction are present in each of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in 10 the top sheet, and a plurality of protrusions interspersed or ridges extending in the lengthwise direction are present in each of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet. Incidentally, the protrusions and ridges may be solid or hollow, but from the viewpoint of improving the flexibility in the section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered, they are preferably solid.

[0019]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 5) of the absorbent article according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 4, the second sheet side surface of the top sheet is flat. The absorbent article according to the embodiment 5 is preferred in that the protrusions present in the protrusion-existing regions of the second sheet easily contact the second sheet side surface of the top sheet, and help minimize reduction in fluid migration from the top sheet to the second sheet. Incidentally, the expression "the second sheet side surface of the top sheet is flat" means that the shaping treatment carried out on the skin side surface of the top sheet to form protrusion-existing regions and protrusion-non-existing regions has not been carried out on the second sheet side surface of the top sheet, and that the second sheet side surface of the top sheet is essentially flat. Thus, the expression "the second sheet side surface of the top sheet is flat" includes a mode in which the second sheet side surface of the top sheet has a concavoconvex structure inevitably formed during the production process for the top sheet. Examples of concavoconvex structures inevitably formed during the production process for the top sheet include concavoconvex structures formed by needle punching, stitch bonding, spunlace method or the like during bonding of web-composing fibers in the process of producing a nonwoven fabric.

[0020]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 6) of the 11 absorbent article according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 5, both edges in the widthwise direction of the top sheet are located on the outer side from both edges in the widthwise direction of the second sheet. The absorbent article according to the embodiment 6 is preferred in that the sections of the top sheet that do not overlap with the second sheet in the thickness direction tend to serve as bending origins when the absorbent article is folded along the lengthwise direction. Throughout the present description, when an interest section extending in the lengthwise direction is located more proximal to an imaginary center line extending in the lengthwise direction through the center of the absorbent article than a reference section extending in the lengthwise direction, the interest section will be expressed as being located more "inward" than the reference section, and when it is located more distally, the interest section will be expressed as being located more "outward" than the reference section. Similarly, when an interest section extending in the widthwise direction is located more proximal to an imaginary center line extending in the widthwise direction through the center of the absorbent article than a reference section extending in the widthwise direction, the interest section will be expressed as being located more "inward" than the reference section, and when it is located more distally, the interest section will be expressed as being located more "outward" than the reference section.

[0021]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 7) of the absorbent article according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 6, the absorbent article includes an embossed section integrating the top sheet, second sheet and absorbent body, and extending in the lengthwise direction. The absorbent article of the embodiment 7 is preferred in that the embossed section tends to serve as 12 a bending origin when the absorbent article is folded along the lengthwise direction.

[0022]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 8) of the absorbent article according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 7, the absorbent body includes a high-basis-weight section, and low-basis-weight sections extending from both edges of the high-basis-weight section in the widthwise direction. The absorbent article of the embodiment 8 is preferred in that the low-basis-weight sections of the absorbent body tend to serve as bending origins when the absorbent article is folded along the lengthwise direction. Incidentally, the high-basis-weight section is a section of higher basis weight than the low-basis-weight sections, and the low-basis-weight sections are sections of lower basis weight than the high-basis-weight section.

[0023]

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 9) of the absorbent article of the embodiment 8, the absorbent body includes a first layer extending to an edge of the absorbent body and a second layer not extending to an edge of the absorbent body, the high-basis-weight section is formed by the section where the first layer and the second layer overlap, and the low-basis-weight sections are formed by the sections of the first layer that do not overlap with the second layer. The absorbent article of the embodiment 9 is preferred in that the high-basis-weight section and low-basis-weight sections of the absorbent body are easy to form.

[0024]

There are no particular restrictions on the type and usage of the absorbent article of the present invention. For example, absorbent articles include sanitary products such as light incontinence pads, panty liners, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers, which may be for humans or animals other than humans, such as pets. There are no 13 particular restrictions on the fluid to be absorbed by the absorbent article, and for example, it may be liquid excreta excreted by the wearer (for example, urine, vaginal discharge or menstrual blood).

[0025]

An embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings .

Fig. 1(a) is a plan view of a light incontinence pad 1 according to an embodiment of the absorbent article of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 1(a). In Fig. 1, the protrusions formed in the top sheet 2A and second sheet 5A are omitted for simplification of the drawings.

[0026]

As shown in Fig. 1(a) and (b), the light incontinence pad 1 and its structural members, the top sheet 2A, back sheet 3, absorbent body 4A and second sheet 5A, have a lengthwise direction X, widthwise direction Y and thickness direction Z that are mutually orthogonal. The symbols X, Y and Z in the other drawings coincide with the lengthwise direction X, widthwise direction Y and thickness direction Z illustrated in Fig. 1(a) and (b) .

[0027]

As shown in Fig. 1(a) and (b), the light incontinence pad 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 2A, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, a liquid-absorbing absorbent body 4A disposed between the top sheet 2A and back sheet 3, and a liquid-permeable second sheet 5A disposed between the top sheet 2A and absorbent body 4A.

[0028]

The top sheet 2A is a liquid-permeable sheet that allows permeation of liquid excreta. The liquid-permeable sheet used as the top sheet 2A is preferably a nonwoven fabric. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, 14 point bond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, needle punching nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, as well as combinations thereof (such as SMS and the like), with air-through nonwoven fabrics being preferred. The average basis weight and constituent fiber length of the top sheet 2A may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of liquid permeability, and formability of the protrusions. When the top sheet 2A is an air-through nonwoven fabric, the average basis weight is preferably 15 to 50 g/m2 and more preferably 20 to 30 g/m2, and the constituent fiber length is preferably 20 to 60 μπι and more preferably 30 to 50 μιη.

[0029]

The back sheet 3 is a liquid-impermeable sheet that does not allow permeation of liquid excreta. The liquid-impermeable sheet used as the back sheet 3 may be, for example, a waterproof-treated nonwoven fabric, synthetic resin film, or a composite sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a synthetic resin film. The thickness, basis weight, fiber density, etc. of the back sheet 3 is appropriately adjusted in consideration of the liquid impermeability and the like. The back sheet 3 is preferably air-permeable or moisture-permeable in addition to being liquid-impermeable, in order to reduce mustiness during wear.

[0030]

The absorbent body 4A contains an absorbent material that can absorb and retain liquid excreta. The absorbent material may be, for example, hydrophilic fibers, a super-absorbent polymer, or the like. Examples of hydrophilic fibers include cellulosic fibers, and examples of cellulosic fibers include wood pulp obtained using a conifer or broadleaf tree as the starting material; mercerized pulp or crosslinked pulp obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp; non-wood pulp such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp or cotton; regenerated cellulose such as rayon or fibril rayon; and semi- 15 synthetic celluloses such as acetates or triacetates. Examples of super-absorbent polymers (SAP) include polyacrylic acid salt-based, polysulfonic acid salt-based, maleic anhydride salt-based, polyacrylamide-based, polyvinyl alcohol-based and polyethylene oxide-based superabsorbent polymers, and the like.

[0031]

The absorbent body 4A is composed of, for example, an absorbent material layer and a core wrap that covers the absorbent material layer. The absorbent material layer may be a single layer or a plurality of layers.

The core wrap is a liquid-permeable sheet that allows permeation of liquid excreta of the wearer. Examples for the core wrap include nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics and synthetic resin films having liquid permeation holes formed therein, with nonwoven fabrics being preferred and tissue being more preferred.

[0032]

The second sheet 5A is a liquid-permeable sheet that allows permeation of liquid excreta. The liquid-permeable sheet used as the second sheet 5A is preferably a nonwoven fabric. Examples of nonwoven fabrics include air-through nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics, point bond nonwoven fabrics, spunlace nonwoven fabrics, needle punching nonwoven fabrics and meltblown nonwoven fabrics, as well as combinations thereof (such as SMS and the like) , with air-through nonwoven fabrics being preferred. The average basis weight and constituent fiber length of the second sheet 5A may be appropriately adjusted in consideration of liquid permeability, and formability of the protrusions. When the second sheet 5A is an air-through nonwoven fabric, the average basis weight is preferably 15 to 50 g/m2 and more preferably 20 to 30 g/m2, and the constituent fiber length is preferably 20 to 60 μιτι and more preferably 30 to 50 μιτι.

[0033]

As shown in Fig. 1(a), both edges in the lengthwise 16 direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the top sheet 2A are located more outward than both edges in the lengthwise direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the second sheet 5A. That is, both edge sections in the widthwise direction Y of the top sheet 2A do not overlap with the second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. The width W5 of the second sheet 5A is preferably 20 to 70 mm and more preferably 20 to 60 mm, and the widths W201 and W202 of both edge sections in the widthwise direction Y of the top sheet 2A which are not overlapping with the second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z are preferably 60 to 150 mm and more preferably 70 to 120 mm.

[0034]

As shown in Fig. 1(a), both edges in the lengthwise direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the second sheet 5A are located on the inner side from both edges in the lengthwise direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the absorbent body 4A. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. Both edges in the lengthwise direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the second sheet 5A may be partially or fully located on the outer side from both edges in the lengthwise direction X and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the absorbent body 4A.

[0035]

As shown in Fig. 1(a), the planar shapes of the top sheet 2A, back sheet 3 and absorbent body 4A are essentially ellipsoid, and the planar shape of the second sheet 5A is essentially rectangular. The planar shapes of the top sheet 2A, back sheet 3, absorbent body 4A and second sheet 5A may be appropriately modified. For example, if the planar shapes of the top sheet 2A, back sheet 3 and absorbent body 4A are gourd-shaped with 17 narrowed widths at approximately the center in the lengthwise direction X, this is advantageous as the narrowed sections will more easily fit into the crotch of the wearer.

[0036]

As shown in Fig. 1(b), the peripheral section of the top sheet 2A overlaps with the peripheral section of the back sheet 3, and these are joined by a seal section (not shown). The seal section prevents separation between the top sheet 2A and the back sheet 3 during deformation of the light incontinence pad 1. The manner of joining at the seal section may be, for example, joining by heat embossing treatment, joining with a hot-melt adhesive, or the like.

[0037]

As shown in Fig. 1(a) and (b), the light incontinence pad 1 has a pair of embossed sections 61 and 62 that integrate the top sheet 2A, absorbent body 4A and second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z, the pair of embossed sections 61 and 62 extending in the lengthwise direction X. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0038]

As shown in Fig. 1(a), the embossed sections 61 and 62 are disposed at a spacing W6. The spacing W6 is the shortest distance between the embossed sections 61 and 62, and it is preferably 20 to 50 mm and more preferably 30 to 40 mm.

[0039]

The embossed sections 61 and 62 are compressed grooves formed on both sides in the center region of the top sheet 2A by heat embossing treatment. The center region of the top sheet 2A is the region that contacts with the excretory opening of the wearer (for example, the labia minora, labia majora, etc.), and it is mainly supplied with liquid excreta of the wearer. The heat embossing treatment is carried out, for example, by 18 passing the layered body of the top sheet 2A, second sheet 5A and absorbent body 4A between an embossing roll with patterned protrusions, and a flat roll. Heating can be accomplished during compression by heating the embossing roll and/or flat roll in this method. The heating temperature, pressure, treatment time, etc. in the embossing treatment may be adjusted as appropriate.

[0040]

As shown in Fig. 1(b), the light incontinence pad 1 has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7 formed on the underwear side surface of the back sheet 3. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 7 anchors the light incontinence pad 1 to underwear when the light incontinence pad 1 is fitted in underwear, and prevents slipping of the light incontinence pad 1 when it is worn.

[0041]

Fig. 2(a) is a plan view of the top sheet 2A, Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 2(a), Fig. 3(a) is a plan view of the second sheet 5A,

Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 3(a), Fig. 4(a) is a partial magnified perspective view of the top sheet 2A, and Fig. 4(b) is a partial magnified perspective view of the second sheet 5A.

[0042]

As shown in Fig. 2(a) and (b), the top sheet 2A has a first surface S21 located on one side in the thickness direction Z (the upper side in Fig. 2(b)), and a second surface S22 located on the other side in the thickness direction Z (the lower side in Fig. 2(b)). The top sheet 2A is mounted on the light incontinence pad 1 in such a manner that the first surface S21 is located on the wearer's skin side and the second surface S22 is located on the second sheet side. Thus, the first surface S21 and the second surface S22 correspond, respectively, to the skin side surface and the second sheet side surface of 19 the top sheet 2Ά mounted on the light incontinence pad 1.

[0043]

As shown in Fig. 2(a), on the first surface S2i of the top sheet 2A, there are formed protrusion-existing regions 21A4 to 21A7 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y, and protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A& extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A^ are each located between two adjacent protrusion—existing regions of the protrusion-existing regions 2ΐΑχ to 21A7. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 22Αχ is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ and 21A2, the protrusion-non-existing region 22A2 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21A2 and 2IA3, the protrusion-non-existing region 22A3 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 2IA3 and 21A4, the protrusion-non-existing region 22A4 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21A4 and 2IA5, the protrusion-non-existing region 22A5 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21A5 and 21A6, and the protrusion-non-existing region 22A6 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21A6 and 21A7.

[0044]

The number of protrusion-existing regions and protrusion-non-existing regions formed on the first surface S2x of the top sheet 2A may be modified as appropriate. The number of protrusion-existing regions and protrusion-non-existing regions formed on the first surface side S24 of the top sheet 2A is not particularly restricted so long as it is a plurality, and the number of protrusion-existing regions is preferably 10 to 40 and more preferably 20 to 30, while the number of protrusion-non-existing regions is preferably 9 to 39 and more preferably 19 to 29. Since the number of protrusion-non-existing regions is the number of protrusion-non-existing 20 regions each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions, it is one less than the number of protrusion-existing regions.

[0045]

Protrusion-non-existing regions may either be present or not present on the outer sides of the two protrusion-existing regions located at both ends in the widthwise direction Y, among the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed on the first surface S21 of the top sheet 2A. For this embodiment, the protrusion-non-existing regions are present on the outer sides of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ and 21A7 which are located at both ends in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7. However, the protrusion-non-existing regions of interest in the absorbent article of the present invention (that is, the protrusion-non-existing regions to be considered when judging fulfillment of the condition of "the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region among the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet") are the protrusion-non-existing regions each of which is present between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions. The protrusion-non-existing regions present on the outer side of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ and 21A7 are not present between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions, and therefore do not qualify as protrusion-non-existing regions of interest for the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0046]

The shaping treatment carried out on the first surface S2X of the top sheet 2A for formation of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 and protrusion- 21 non-existing regions 22A4 to 22A6 is not carried out on the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2(b), the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A is flat. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention .

[0047]

As shown in Fig. 3(a) and (b), the second sheet 5A has a first surface S51 located on one side in the thickness direction Z (the upper side in Fig. 3(b)), and a second surface S52 located on the other side in the thickness direction Z (the lower side in Fig. 3(b)). The second sheet 5A is mounted on the light incontinence pad 1 in such a manner that the first surface S5i is located on the top sheet side and the second surface S52 is located on the absorbent body side. Thus, the first surface S51 and the second surface S52 correspond, respectively, to the top sheet side surface and the absorbent body side surface of the second sheet 5A mounted on the light incontinence pad 1.

[0048]

As shown in Fig. 3(a), on the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5A, there are formed protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 5IA4 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y, and protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y. As shown in Fig. 3(a), the protrusion-nonexisting regions 52A4 to 52A3 are each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the protrusion-existing regions 51A4 to 51A4. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 52Αχ is located between the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai and 5IA2, the protrusion-non-existing region 52A2 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 5IA2 and 5IA3, and the protrusion-non-existing region 52A3 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 51A3 and 51A4. 22 [0049]

The number of protrusion-existing regions and protrusion-non-existing regions formed on the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5A may be modified as appropriate. The number of protrusion-existing regions and protrusion-non-existing regions formed on the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5A is not particularly restricted so long as it is a plurality, and the number of protrusion-existing regions is preferably 5 to 35 and more preferably 10 to 30, while the number of protrusion-non-existing regions is preferably 4 to 34 and more preferably 9 to 29. Since the number of protrusion-non-existing regions is the number of protrusion-non-existing regions each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions, it is one less than the number of protrusion-existing regions.

[0050]

Of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed on the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5A, protrusion-non-existing regions may either be present or not present on the outer sides of the two protrusion-existing regions located at both ends in the widthwise direction Y. For this embodiment, the protrusion-nonexisting regions are present on the outer sides of the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ and 51A4 which are located at both ends in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4. However, the protrusion-non-existing regions of interest in the absorbent article of the present invention (that is, the protrusion-non-existing regions to be considered when judging fulfillment of the condition of "the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region among the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed 23 in the top sheet") are the protrusion-non-existing regions each of which is present between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions. The protrusion-non-existing regions present on the outer sides of the protrusion-existing regions 51Α4 and 51A4 are not present between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions, and therefore do not qualify as protrusion-non-existing regions of interest for the absorbent article of the present invention .

[0051]

The shaping treatment carried out on the first surface S5i of the second sheet 5A for formation of the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 and protrusion-non-existing regions 52A4 to 52A3 is not carried out on the second surface S52 of the second sheet 5A. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3(b), the second surface S52 of the second sheet 5A is flat. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention .

[0052]

The second S52 of the second sheet 5A is preferably joined with the absorbent body 4 by an adhesive coated on the second surface S52 of the second sheet 5A (for example, the hot-melt adhesive). The adhesive is preferably not coated over the entire second surface S52 of the second sheet 5A. The adhesive may be in the form of dots or lines, for example. The shape of adhesive lines may be, for example, straight linear, spiral, omega-shaped, or the like.

[0053]

As shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 3(a), the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 formed on the top sheet 2A have essentially equal widths, the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22Αχ to 22Αβ formed on the top sheet 2A have essentially equal widths, the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4 formed on the second sheet 5A have widths essentially equal to the widths of the protrusion- - 24 - existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 formed on the top sheet 2A, and the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3 formed on the second sheet 5A have widths essentially equal to the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6 formed on the top sheet 2A. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention.

[0054]

As shown in Fig. 2(b) and Fig. 4(a), ridges (elevated sections) 210A extending in the lengthwise direction X are formed in the protrusion-existing regions 2ΐΑχ to 21A7, while such ridges 210A are not formed in the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6. In the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6, there are formed furrows (depressed sections) 220A each having a smaller thickness than the ridge 210A. The widths of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 essentially match the widths of the ridges 210A, and the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6 essentially match the widths of the furrows 220A. Thus, the border line between the protrusion-existing region and protrusion-non-existing region appears on the first surface S21 of the top sheet 2A as a border line between the ridge 210A and furrow 220A.

[0055]

As shown in Fig. 3(b) and Fig. 4(b), ridges (elevated sections) 510A extending in the lengthwise direction X are formed in the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4, while such ridges 510A are not formed in the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3. In the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3, there are formed furrows (depressed sections) 520A each having a smaller thickness than the ridge 510A. The widths of the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4 essentially match the widths of the ridges 510A, and the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3 essentially match the widths of the furrows 520A. Thus, the border 25 line between the protrusion-existing region and protrusion-non-existing region appears on the first surface S5i of the second sheet 5A as a border line between the ridge 510A and furrow 520A.

[0056]

The tip sections of the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 are preferably joined with the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A, by the adhesive coated on the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A (for example, a hot-melt adhesive). The adhesive is preferably coated on the regions on the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A that are facing the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 of the second sheet 5A, but is preferably not coated on the regions facing the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 of the second sheet 5A. This will prevent bonding between the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A and the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3 of the second sheet 5A, forming spaces between the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A and the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 of the second sheet 5A. Such spaces contribute to a pressure buffer effect against pressure in the thickness direction Z (for example, body pressure from the wearer). When the adhesive is coated on the region of the second surface S22 of the top sheet 2A that faces each of the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 of the second sheet 5A, the adhesive is preferably not coated over the entire region. The adhesive may be in the form of dots or lines, for example. The shape of adhesive lines may be, for example, straight linear, spiral, omega-shaped, or the like. The type of adhesive is not particularly restricted. Examples of adhesive coating methods include spiral coating application, coater application, curtain coater application and summit-gun coating. The coating coverage of the adhesive will usually be 5 to 20 g/m2.

[0057] 26

As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the ridges 210A in the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 and the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4 extend in a straight linear manner in the lengthwise direction X. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. One or more of the ridges 210A in the protrusion-existing regions 21A4 to 21A7 may extend in a curved fashion in the lengthwise direction X (for example, a wavy form as viewed flat). The same also applies for the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4.

[0058]

As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the ridges 210A in the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 and the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4 extend in a continuous manner in the lengthwise direction X. This can prevent spreading of liquid excreta in the widthwise direction Y and consequent side leakage of liquid excreta. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. One or more of the ridges 210A in the protrusion-existing regions 21A4 to 21A7 may also extend intermittently in the lengthwise direction X. The same also applies for the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51A4 to 51A4.

[0059]

As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the cross-sectional shapes of the ridges 210A and ridges 510A are approximately upside-down U-shapes facing the first surface S21 and first surface S54, respectively. However, this condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. The cross-sectional shapes of the ridges 210A in the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 may be trapezoid, triangular or the like. The same also applies for the ridges 510A in the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4. Embodiments in which the ridges 210A and ridges 510A are tapered from the base 27 sections to the tip sections, including the present embodiment, are advantageous in that even if the ridges 210A and ridges 510A become crushed by pressure applied onto the light incontinence pad 1 (for example, body pressure by the wearer), it is possible to maintain the spaces formed between two adjacent ridges 210A or between two adjacent ridges 510A.

[0060]

As shown in Fig. 4(a) and (b), the ridges 210A and ridges 510A have thickness T21A and thickness T5iA, respectively, and the furrows 220A and furrows 520A have thickness T22a and thickness Τ52Αλ respectively. The difference between the thickness T2iA of the ridges 210A and the thickness T22a of the furrows 220A and the difference between the thickness T5iA of the ridges 510A and the thickness T52a of the furrows 520A are preferably 0.5 to 5 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. If the difference between the thickness T2iA of the ridges 210A and the thickness T22A of the furrows 220A and the different between the thickness T5iA of the ridges 510A and the thickness T52A of the furrows 520A is less than 0.5 mm, the spaces formed between two adjacent ridges 210A or two adjacent ridges 510A, and the pressure buffer effect based on those spaces, may be insufficient, while if it is greater than 5 mm, it may not be possible to maintain the standing state of the ridges 210A and ridges 510A.

[0061]

Measurement of the thicknesses of the ridges and furrows is accomplished by the non-contact system described below, using a 100 mm X 100 mm top sheet sample or second sheet sample cut out from the absorbent article, and a laser displacement gauge (for example, a Series LJ-G High precision two-dimensional laser displacement gauge (model: LJ-G030) by Keyence Corp.).

The top sheet or second sheet sample is placed on a horizontal measuring stage and the displacements of five 28 different ridges from the measuring stage are measured with a laser displacement gauge, recording the average value of the five measured values as the ridge thickness (mm). Similarly, the displacements of five different furrows from the measuring stage are measured with a laser displacement gauge, recording the average value of the five measured values as the furrow thickness (mm).

[0062]

As shown in Fig. 4(a) and (b), the ridges 210A and ridges 510A have width W2iA and width W5iA, respectively, and the furrows 220A and furrows 520A have width W22A and width W52A, respectively. The width W21A of the ridges 210A is larger than the width W22a of the furrows 220A, and the width W5iA of the ridges 510A is larger than the width W52A of the furrows 520A. The difference between the width W2iA of the ridges 210A and the width W22A of the furrows 220A (width W22A of ridges 210A - width W22A of furrows 220A) and the difference between the width W5iA of the ridges 510A and the width W52A of the furrows 520A (width W5iA of ridges 510A - width W52A of furrows 520A) are preferably 0.1 to 3 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. The width W22A of the furrows 220A and the width Ws2A of the furrows 520A is preferably 0.1 to 2 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

[0063]

The width W2iA of the ridges 210A is measured as the distance between the border lines between each ridge 210A and the two furrows 220A situated on either side of the ridge, based on a flat photograph or flat image of the top sheet 2A in an unpressed state. The same also applies for the width W5iA of the ridges 510A.

[0064]

The width W22A of the ridges 220A is measured as the distance between the border lines between each furrow 220A and the two ridges 210A situated on either side of the furrow, based on a flat photograph or flat image of the top sheet 2A in an unpressed state. The same also 29 applies for the width W52a of the furrows 520A.

[0065]

An air-through nonwoven fabric in which the ridge-furrow structure has been formed can be produced, for example, by forming a ridge-furrow structure in a web (fleece) containing thermoplastic resin fibers, and then blasting it with hot air for heat fusion of the crossing sections between the thermoplastic resin fibers in the web .

[0066]

The method used to form the ridge-furrow structure in the web may be any of the methods described in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-25079, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-23326 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-30218. According to these methods, the web is placed on an air-permeable supporting member (for example, a net-like supporting member), and the air-permeable supporting member is moved in a prescribed direction while blasting a gas (usually air) continuously onto the top side of the web, to form a ridge-furrow structure in the web. The regions on which the gas has been blasted have furrows formed extending in the movement direction of the air-permeable supporting member, with ridges being formed between every two adjacent furrows. During this time, the fibers in the regions that have been blasted with gas migrate to both sides of the furrows, so that the basis weight of the ridges will generally be higher than the basis weight of the furrows. The number of ridges and furrows formed, as well as their spacing, basis weights, fiber densities, etc. may be adjusted within the desired range by adjusting the number of nozzles, the orifice diameter and pitch, the temperature and spray volume of the gas sprayed from the nozzle, the tension of the web, and the like .

[0067] 30

The thermoplastic resin composing the thermoplastic resin fibers in the web may be a polyolefin, polyester, polyamide or the like. Examples of polyolefins include straight-chain low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) , high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, polybutylene, and copolymers composed mainly of the foregoing (for example, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer (EEA), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or an ionomer resin). Examples of polyesters include polyesters of straight-chain or branched polyhydroxyalkane acids up to C20, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid, copolymers composed mainly thereof, and copolymerized polyesters composed mainly of alkylene terephthalates copolymerized with a small amount of another component. Examples of polyamides include 6-nylon and 6,6-nylon. The thermoplastic resin fibers are preferably subjected to hydrophilicizing treatment. Hydrophilicizing treatment of the thermoplastic resin fibers may be, for example, treatment utilizing a surfactant, hydrophilic agent or the like (for example, kneading of a surfactant into the fiber interiors, or coating of the fiber surfaces with a surfactant), or plasma processing or the like.

[0068]

Fig. 5(a) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A when mounted on the light incontinence pad 1, and Fig. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 5 (a) .

[0069]

As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-existing region among the 31 protrusion-existing regions 21A4 to 21A7 formed in the top sheet 2A. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 52AX overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21A3, the protrusion-non-existing region 52A2 overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21A4, and the protrusion-nonexisting region 52A3 overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21A5 in the thickness direction Z. Since the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52A4 to 52A3 are smaller than the widths of the protrusion-existing regions 21A3 to 21A5, as viewed flat, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52AX are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21A3, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52A2 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21A4, and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52A3 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21A5.

[0070]

As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b) , each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52A4 to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22A4 to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A. Since each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52A4 to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22A4 to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A, the result is that the protrusion-existing regions 51A4 to 51A4 formed in the second sheet 5A each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-non-existing region among the protrusion-non-existing regions 22A4 to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A. That is, the protrusion-existing region 51A4 overlaps with the protrusion-non-existing 32 region 22A2, the protrusion-existing region 51A2 overlaps with the protrusion-non-existing region 22A3, the protrusion-existing region 51A3 overlaps with the protrusion-non-existing region 22A4, and the protrusion-existing region 51A4 overlaps with the protrusion—non-existing region 22A5, in the thickness direction Z. Since the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22A2 to 22A5 are smaller than the widths of the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4, as viewed flat, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22A2 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51Ai, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22A3 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51A2, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22A4 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51A3, and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22A$ are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51A4.

[0071]

As shown in Fig. 5(a) and (b), the protrusion-existing regions 21A4 and 21A7 located at both edges in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-existing regions 21A4 to 21A7 formed in the top sheet 2A, do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any section of the second sheet 5A. Similarly, the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22A4 and 22Ae located at both edges in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22A4 to 22Ae formed in the top sheet 2A, do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any section of the second sheet 5A. This condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present 33 invention. The protrusion-existing regions 21AX and 21A7 and the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai and 22A6 may also overlap with the second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z. In this case, protrusion-non-existing regions each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions are formed at sections of the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5A overlapping in the thickness direction Z with the protrusion-existing regions 21Ai and 21A7 and the protrusion-non-existing regions 22A7 and 22A6. Such protrusion-non-existing regions are formed so as to overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-existing region among the protrusion-existing regions 21A7 to 21A7 formed in the top sheet 2A, and so as to not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22A7 to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A.

[0072]

The work of compression at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered (that is, the section of the layered body of the top sheet 2A and the back sheet 5A where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are mutually overlapping), as measured with a KES (Kawabata Evaluation System), is preferably 2.5 gf-cm/cm2 or greater and more preferably 2.6 gf-cm/cm2 or greater. A larger work of compression signifies greater flexibility at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered. If the work of compression is less than 2.5 gf-cm/cm2, the layered body will collapse easily when pressure has been applied, potentially resulting in an inadequate pressure buffer effect.

[0073]

There are no particular restrictions on the upper limit for the work of compression at the section where the top sheet 2A and second sheet 5A are layered. For example, the work of compression can be increased by increasing the number of second sheets 5A layered with the top sheet 2A. The work of compression at the section 34 where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered is preferably no greater than 6 gf-cm/cm2 and more preferably no greater than 4 gf-cm/cm2.

[0074]

The difference between the work of compression at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered, and the work of compression of the top sheet 2A alone (the work of compression at the section of the top sheet 2A which is not overlapping with the second sheet 5A) is preferably 0.5 to 2 gf-cm/cm2 and more preferably 0.6 to 1 gf-cm/cm2. This will help the sections of the top sheet 2A that do not overlap with the second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z to serve as bending origins when the light incontinence pad 1 is folded along the lengthwise direction X.

[0075]

When an air-through nonwoven fabric with ridges formed therein (average basis weight: 22 g/m2) is used for the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A, the conditions affecting the work of compression (for example, the thickness of the air-through nonwoven fabric, the material and fiber length of the fibers composing the air-through nonwoven fabric, and the height and spacing of the ridges formed in the top sheet and second sheet) can be appropriately adjusted to obtain the work of compression described below.

When one second sheet 5A is to be laid over one single top sheet 2A, the work of compression at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered may be 2.68 gf-cm/cm2, for example. When an air-through nonwoven fabric without ridges formed (average basis weight: 22 g/m2) is to be used instead of the second sheet 5A, the work of compression at the section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered may be 2.09 gf-cm/cm2, for example. Also, when an air-through nonwoven fabric without ridges formed (average basis weight: 22 g/m2) is to be used instead of the top 35 sheet 2A and an air-through nonwoven fabric without ridges formed (average basis weight: 22 g/m2) is to be used instead of the second sheet 5A, the work of compression at the section where the top sheet and second sheet are layered may be 2.00 to 2.06 gf-cm/cm2, for example .

When two second sheets 5A are to be laid over one single top sheet 2A, the work of compression at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered may be 4.86 gf-cm/cm2, for example.

[0076]

In the light incontinence pad 1, the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22Αχ to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A and the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A are the sections that easily fold along the lengthwise direction X, and they serve as bending origins when the light incontinence pad 1 is folded along the lengthwise direction X. When the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A include protrusion-non-existing regions that overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A, the number of bending origins will be reduced by that amount. Thus, in the light incontinence pad 1, since each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai to 22Αβ formed in the top sheet 2A, the number of bending origins is maximized. Thus, the light incontinence pad 1 can easily deform along the body of the wearer and can prevent rubbing of the skin of the wearer with the skin side surface of the top sheet 2A, and skin trouble caused by it.

[0077]

In the light incontinence pad 1, since each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A do not overlap in the thickness direction 36 Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A, the result is that the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 formed in the second sheet 5A each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-non-existing region among the protrusion-non-existing regions 22AX to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A. In the light incontinence pad 1, since the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Ai to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-existing region among the protrusion-existing regions 21Ai to 21A7 formed in the top sheet 2A, and the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-non-existing region among the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai to 22A6 formed in the top sheet, it is possible to improve the flexibility at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered.

[0078]

On the skin side surface of the top sheet 2A in the light incontinence pad 1, the protrusion-existing regions 21Ai to 2IA7 readily contact the skin of the wearer while the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai to 22A6 are less likely to contact the skin of the wearer, and therefore the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the skin side surface of the top sheet 2A is reduced. Consequently, the light incontinence pad 1 can prevent skin trouble (skin eruption and the like) caused by contact between the skin of the wearer and the skin side surface of the top sheet 2A.

[0079]

An embodiment in which the protrusion-existing regions 21Α4 to 21A7 formed on the top sheet 2A have essentially equal widths, the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Ai to 22A6 formed on the top sheet 2A have essentially equal widths, the protrusion-existing regions 51Ai to 51A4 formed on the second sheet 5A have widths 37 essentially equal to the widths of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 formed on the top sheet 2A, and the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3 formed on the second sheet 5A have widths essentially equal to the widths of the protrusion—non—existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6 formed on the top sheet 2A, is a preferred embodiment of the light incontinence pad 1.

This embodiment is preferred in that the desired placement of the second sheet 5A with respect to the top sheet 2A (that is, placement in which each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Αχ to 52A3 formed in the second sheet 5A overlaps in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-existing region of the protrusion-existing regions 21Αχ to 21A7 formed in the top sheet 2A, and does not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Αχ to 22A6 formed in the top sheet 2A) can be easily achieved.

[0080]

An embodiment in which the work of compression measured by KES at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered is 2.5 gf-cm/cm2 or greater is a preferred embodiment of the light incontinence pad 1. This embodiment is preferred in that it has sufficient flexibility at the section where the top sheet 2A and the second sheet 5A are layered.

[0081]

An embodiment in which the second sheet side surface of the top sheet 2A is flat is a preferred embodiment of the light incontinence pad 1. This embodiment is preferred in that the protrusions present in the protrusion-existing regions 51Αχ to 51A4 of the second sheet 5A easily contact the second sheet side surface of the top sheet 2A, and migration of liquid excreta from the top sheet 2A to the second sheet 5A is less likely to be reduced.

[0082]

An embodiment in which both edges in the widthwise 38 direction Y of the top sheet 2Ά are located on the outer side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the second sheet 5A is a preferred embodiment of the light incontinence pad 1. This embodiment is preferred in that it helps the sections of the top sheet 2A that do not overlap with the second sheet 5A in the thickness direction Z to serve as bending origins when the light incontinence pad 1 is folded along the lengthwise direction X.

[0083]

An embodiment in which the light incontinence pad 1 has embossed sections 61 and 62 that integrate the top sheet 2A, second sheet 5A and absorbent body 4A, the embossed sections 61 and 62 extending in the lengthwise direction X, is a preferred embodiment of the light incontinence pad 1. This embodiment is preferred in that the embossed sections 61 and 62 readily serve as bending origins during folding of the light incontinence pad 1 along the lengthwise direction X.

[0084] A modified example of the light incontinence pad 1 will now be described. For this modified example, the conditions that are not specifically mentioned may be the conditions described above for the light incontinence pad 1, applied either directly or with appropriate modifications .

[0085]

Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of a top sheet 2B according to a modified example of the top sheet 2A, Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view alone line I-I of Fig. 6(a), Fig. 7(a) is a plan view of a second sheet 5B according to a modified example of the second sheet 5A, Fig. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 7(a), Fig. 8(a) is a partial magnified perspective view of the top sheet 2B, and Fig. 8(b) is a partial magnified perspective view of the second sheet 5B.

[0086] 39

As shown in Fig. 6(a) and (b), the top sheet 2B has a first surface S21 corresponding to the skin side surface and a second surface S22 corresponding to the second sheet side surface, similar to the top sheet 2A. As shown in Fig. 6(a), on the first surface S2i of the top sheet 2B, there are formed protrusion-existing regions 21B4 to 21B7 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y, and protrusion—non—existing regions 22Βχ to 22Ββ extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y. As shown in Fig. 6(a), the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22B6 are each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 21B7. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 22Βχ is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ and 21B2, the protrusion-non-existing region 22B2 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21B2 and 21B3, the protrusion-non-existing region 22B3 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21B3 and 21B4, the protrusion-non-existing region 22B4 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21B4 and 21B5, the protrusion-non-existing region 22B5 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21B5 and 21B6, and the protrusion-non-existing region 22Bg is located between the protrusion-existing regions 21B6 and 21B7.

[0087]

As shown in Fig. 7(a) and (b), the second sheet 5B has a first surface S51 corresponding to the top sheet side surface and a second surface S52 corresponding to the absorbent body side surface, similar to the second sheet 5A. As shown in Fig. 7(a), on the first surface S51 of the second sheet 5B, there are formed protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y, and protrusion-non-existing regions 52Βχ to 52B3 extending in the lengthwise direction X and lined up in the widthwise direction Y. As shown in Fig. 7(a), the protrusion-non- 40 existing regions 52Βχ to 52B3 are each located between two adjacent protrusion—existing regions of the protrusion-existing regions 5ΐΒχ to 5IB4. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 52Βχ is located between the protrusion—existing regions 5ΐΒχ and 5IB2, the protrusion-non-existing region 52B2 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 51B2 and 51B3, and the protrusion-non-existing region 52B3 is located between the protrusion-existing regions 51B3 and 51B4.

[0088]

As shown in Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 8(a), a plurality of protrusions 210B interspersed are formed in the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 21B7, while protrusions 210B are not formed in the protrusion—non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22Be. In the protrusion-nonexisting regions 22Βχ to 22B6 there are formed recesses 220B having smaller heights than the protrusions 210B.

The widths of the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 21B7 essentially match the widths of the protrusions 210B, and the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22B6 essentially match the widths of the recesses 220B. However, since the protrusions 210B are interspersed in the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 21B7, the border line between the protrusion-existing region and the protrusion-non-existing region does not appear on the first surface S2i of the top sheet 2B. Thus, the border lines between the protrusion-existing regions and the protrusion-non-existing regions are imaginary lines, and the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 21B7 and protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22B6 are delineated as imaginary regions.

[0089]

As shown in Fig. 7(b) and Fig. 8(b), a plurality of protrusions 510B interspersed are formed in the protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4, while protrusions 510B are not formed in the protrusion-nonexisting regions 52Βχ to 52B3. In the protrusion-non- 41 existing regions 52Bi to 52B3 there are formed recesses 520B having smaller heights than the protrusions 510B.

The widths of the protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4 essentially match the widths of the protrusions 510B, and the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Βχ to 52B3 essentially match the widths of the recesses 520B. However, since the protrusions 510B are interspersed in the protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4, the border line between the protrusion-existing region and the protrusion-non-existing region does not appear on the first surface S5i of the second sheet 5B. Thus, the border lines between the protrusion-existing regions and the protrusion-non-existing regions are imaginary lines, and the protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4 and protrusion-non-existing regions 52B4 to 52B3 are delineated as imaginary regions.

[0090]

The shapes of the protrusions in the protrusion-existing regions 21Βχ to 2IB7 and protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4 may be modified as appropriate. Examples for the shapes of the protrusions include flat rectangular solids or truncated square pyramids with rounded edge lines, pyramidal shapes (for example, triangular pyramids and square pyramids) with rounded tops, and cones or arches with rounded tops. The spacing for the protrusions interspersed in each protrusion-existing region is preferably 0.1 to 3 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In each protrusion-existing region, recesses with smaller heights than the protrusions are formed between two adjacent protrusions.

[0091]

As shown in Fig. 8(a) and (b), the protrusions 210B and protrusions 510B have height T2ib and height T51B, respectively, and the recesses 220B and recesses 520B have height T22B and height T52B, respectively. The difference between the height T2iB of the protrusions 210B and the height T22B of the recesses 220B and the 42 difference between the height T5iB of the protrusions 510B and the height T52b of the recesses 520B is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. If the difference between the height T2ib of the protrusions 210B and the height T22B of the recesses 220B and the difference between the height T5iB of the protrusions 510B and the height T52B of the recesses 520B is less than 0.5 mm, the spaces formed between two adjacent protrusions 210B or two adjacent protrusions 510B, and the pressure buffer effect based on those spaces, may be insufficient, while if it is greater than 5 mm, it may not be possible to maintain the standing state of the protrusions 210B and protrusions 510B.

[0092]

As shown in Fig. 8(a) and (b), the protrusions 210B and protrusions 510B have width W2iB and width W5iB, respectively, and the recesses 220B and recesses 520B have width W22B and width W52B, respectively. The width W2iB of the protrusions 210B is larger than the width W22B of the recesses 220B, and the width W5iB of the protrusions 510B is larger than the width W52B of the recesses 520B. The difference between the width W2ib of the protrusions 210B and the width W22B of the recesses 220B (width W2iB of protrusions 210B - width W22b of recesses 220B) and the difference between the width W5iB of the protrusions 510B and the width W52B of the recesses 520B (width W5iB of protrusions 510B - width W52B of recesses 520B) is preferably 0.1 to 3 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. The width W22B of the recesses 220B and the width Ws2B of the recesses 520B is preferably 0.1 to 2 mm and more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

[0093]

The method of producing a nonwoven fabric with a plurality of protrusions formed in an interspersed manner may be a method utilizing gear stretching, a method utilizing heat stretching of heat-extendable fibers and/or heat shrinkage of heat-shrinkable fibers, or the - 43 - like .

[0094]

Methods utilizing gear stretching, for example, include the methods described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-174234, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-160035 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-201964. According to these methods, a nonwoven fabric layer may be shaped with concavoconvexities by gear stretching, to produce a nonwoven fabric with a plurality of interspersed protrusions formed therein. After shaping of concavoconvexities by gear stretching of the nonwoven fabric layer, it may be partially joined with a separate nonwoven fabric layer at sections other than the protrusions. The protrusions in the nonwoven fabric produced in this manner bulge out toward the skin side, and have hollow interiors.

[0095] A method of utilizing heat stretching of heat-extendable fibers and heat shrinkage of heat-shrinkable fibers may be the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-5701 or elsewhere. According to this method, a laminated sheet having a heat-extendable fiber layer on the skin side and a heat-shrinkable fiber layer partially joined to the heat-extendable fiber layer at joining sections, on the nonskin side, is subjected to heat treatment, and heat stretching of the heat-extendable fiber layer and heat shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable fiber layer causes the skin side of the heat-extendable fiber layer to bulge, thereby allowing production of a nonwoven fabric with a plurality of interspersed protrusions formed therein.

The heat-extendable fibers in the heat-extendable fiber layer may be fibers whose actual fiber lengths extend by heat treatment (for example, fibers wherein the resin crystalline state is altered so that the actual fiber lengths extend), or fibers whose actual fiber lengths do 44 not extend but whose apparent fiber lengths extend by heat treatment (for example, crimped fibers wherein developed zigzag, Ω-shaped or spiral-shaped crimping is released such that the apparent fiber lengths extend). Various heat-extendable fibers are known (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-218183, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-350836, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-303035, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-204899, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-204901, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-204902 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-101285), and may be selected as appropriate. The heat-shrinkable fibers in the heat-shrinkable fiber layer may be fibers whose actual fiber lengths are shortened by heat treatment, or fibers whose actual fiber lengths are not shortened but whose apparent fiber lengths are shortened by heat treatment (for example, latent crimping fibers wherein zigzag, Ω-shaped or spiral-shaped crimping develops such that the apparent fiber lengths are shortened). Various types of heat-shrinkable fibers are known (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication HEISEI No. 9-296325, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication HEISEI No. 2-191720 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-177335), and they may be appropriately selected for use. The joining sections where the heat-extendable fiber layer and the heat-shrinkable fiber layer are partially joined are, for example, recesses formed by heat embossing treatment.

One region surrounded by a plurality of joining sections bulges out to the skin side starting from the joining sections, forming one protrusion, and therefore the number of joining sections and their locations, etc. are appropriately adjusted in consideration of the protrusion formability, bulk and the like.

[0096] A method utilizing heat shrinkage of heat-shrinkable 45 fibers may be, for example, a method as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-187228, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-247155, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-177340 or elsewhere. According to these methods, heat treatment is carried out on a laminated sheet having a non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer on the skin side and having a heat-shrinkable fiber layer partially joined to the nonheat-shrinkable fiber layer at joining sections, on the non-skin side, and the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer is caused to bulge on the skin side by heat shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable fiber layer, thereby allowing production of a nonwoven fabric having a plurality of interspersed protrusions formed therein. The non-heat-shrinkable fibers in the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer may be fibers having essentially no heat shrinking property, or they may be fibers having a heat shrinking property but having a heat shrinkage initiation temperature that is higher than the heat shrinkage initiation temperature of the heat-shrinkable fibers in the heat-shrinkable fiber layer (that is, fibers that essentially do not undergo heat shrinkage at a temperature up to the heat shrinkage initiation temperature of the heat-shrinkable fibers in the heat-shrinkable fiber layer). Examples of non-heat-shrinkable fibers include regenerated fibers such as rayon; semisynthetic fibers such as acetate; natural fibers such as cotton and wool; and thermoplastic resin fibers such as polyolefins (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters (for example, polyethylene terephthalate) and polyamides. The definitions and specific examples of heat-shrinkable fibers and the joining sections are the same as described above.

[0097] A method utilizing heat stretching of heat-extendable fibers may be the method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-350836 or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-168715, for 46 example. According to these methods, heat treatment is carried out on a laminated sheet having a heat-extendable fiber layer on the skin side and having a non-heat-extendable fiber layer partially joined to the heat-extendable fiber layer at joining sections, on the nonskin side, and the heat-extendable fiber layer is caused to bulge on the skin side by heat stretching of the heat-extendable fiber layer, thereby allowing production of a nonwoven fabric with a plurality of interspersed protrusions formed therein. The non-heat-extendable fibers in the non-heat-extendable fiber layer may be fibers having essentially no heat extensibility, or they may be fibers having heat extensibility but having a higher heat stretching initiation temperature than the heat stretching initiation temperature of the heat-extendable fibers in the heat-extendable fiber layer (that is, fibers that essentially do not undergo heat stretching at a temperature up to the heat stretching initiation temperature of the heat-extendable fibers in the heat-extendable fiber layer). Examples of non-heat-extendable fibers include regenerated fibers such as rayon; semisynthetic fibers such as acetate; natural fibers such as cotton and wool; and thermoplastic resin fibers such as polyolefins (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters (for example, polyethylene terephthalate) and polyamides. The definitions and specific examples of heat-extendable fibers and the joining sections are the same as described above.

[0098]

Fig. 9(a) is a plan view showing the positional relationship of the top sheet 2B and the second sheet 5B when mounted on the light incontinence pad 1, Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 9(a), and Fig. 10 is a partial magnified view of Fig. 9(a).

[0099]

As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the protrusion-nonexisting regions 52Bi to 52B3 formed in the second sheet 47 5B each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-existing region among the protrusion-existing regions 21Bi to 21B7 formed in the top sheet 2B. That is, the protrusion-non-existing region 52Bi overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21B3, the protrusion—non—existing region 52B2 overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21B4, and the protrusion-non-existing region 52B3 overlaps with the protrusion-existing region 21B5 in the thickness direction Z. Since the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52B7 to 52B3 are smaller than the widths of the protrusion-existing regions 21B3 to 21B5, as viewed flat, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52Βχ are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21B3, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52B2 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21B4, and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 52B3 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 21B5.

[0100]

As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Βχ to 52B3 formed in the second sheet 5B do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22B6 formed in the top sheet 2B. Since each of the protrusion-non-existing regions 52Βχ to 52B3 formed in the second sheet 5B do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ to 22B6 formed in the top sheet 2B, the result is that the protrusion-existing regions 51Βχ to 51B4 formed in the second sheet 5B each overlap in the thickness direction Z with one different protrusion-non-existing region among the protrusion-non-existing regions 22B4 to 22B6 formed in 48 the top sheet 2B. That is, the protrusion-existing region 51Bi overlaps with the protrusion—non—existing region 22B2, the protrusion-existing region 51B2 overlaps with the protrusion-non-existing region 22B3, the protrusion-existing region 51B3 overlaps with the protrusion-non-existing region 22B4, and the protrusion-existing region 51B4 overlaps with the protrusion-nonexisting region 22B5, in the thickness direction Z. Since the widths of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22B2 to 22B5 are smaller than the widths of the protrusion-existing regions 5ΐΒχ to 51B4, as viewed flat, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion—non-existing region 22B2 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51B3, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22B3 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51B2, both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22B4 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51B3, and both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-non-existing region 22B5 are located on the inner side from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the protrusion-existing region 51B4.

[0101] any

As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the protrusion-existing regions 21B! and 21B7 located at both edges in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-existing regions 21B4 to 21B7 formed in the top sheet 2B, do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with any section of the second sheet 5B. Similarly, the protrusion-non-existing regions 22B4 and 22Be located at both edges in the widthwise direction Y, among the protrusion-non-existing regions 22B4 to 22Be formed in the top sheet 2B, do not overlap in the thickness direction Z with 49 section of the second sheet 5B. This condition is not essential for the absorbent article of the present invention. The protrusion-existing regions 21Bi and 21B7 and the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ and 22B6 may also overlap with the second sheet 5B in the thickness direction Z. In this case, protrusion-non-existing regions each located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions may be formed at sections of the first surface side S51 of the second sheet 5B overlapping in the thickness direction Z with the protrusion-existing regions 21Bi and 21B7 and the protrusion-non-existing regions 22Βχ and 22B6. Such protrusion-non-existing regions are formed so as to overlap in the thickness direction Z with the protrusion-existing region 21Βχ or 21B7 formed in the top sheet 2B, and so as not to overlap in the thickness direction Z with any of the protrusion-non-existing regions 22B7 to 22Be formed in the top sheet 2B.

[0102]

Fig. 11(a) is a plan view of an absorbent body 4B according to a modified example of the absorbent body 4A, and Fig. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Fig. 11(a) .

[0103]

As shown in Fig. 11(a) and (b), the absorbent body 4B has a first layer 41B and a second layer 42B. The first layer 41B and second layer 42B contains an absorbent material that can absorb and retain liquid excreta. The first layer 41B extends to the edge of the absorbent body 4B, while the second layer 42B does not extend to the edge of the absorbent body 4B. Low-basis-weight sections are formed by the sections of the first layer 41B that do not overlap with the second layer 42B, and a high-basis-weight section with a higher basis weight than the low-basis-weight sections, is formed by the section where the first layer 41B and second layer 42B overlap. Thus, the absorbent body 4B has a high- 50 basis-weight section, and low-basis-weight sections extending from both edges in the widthwise direction Y of the high-basis-weight section. The basis weight of the high-basis-weight section is preferably 200 to 600 g/m2 and more preferably 300 to 500 g/m2, and the basis weight of the low-basis-weight sections is preferably 100 to 300 g/m2 and more preferably 150 to 250 g/m2. With this embodiment, the low-basis-weight sections of the absorbent body 4B readily serve as bending origins during folding of the light incontinence pad 1 along the lengthwise direction X. By layering the first layer 41B and second layer 42B with different sizes, it becomes easier to form the high-basis-weight section and low-basis-weight sections of the absorbent body 4B. The absorbent body 4B may be mounted on the light incontinence pad 1 in such a manner that the first layer 41B is located on the second sheet side, or it may be mounted on the light incontinence pad 1 in such a manner that the second layer 42B is located on the second sheet side, but preferably it is mounted on the light incontinence pad 1 in such a manner that the second layer 42B is located on the second sheet side.

Reference Signs List [0104] 1 Light incontinence pad (example of absorbent article) 2A, 2B Top sheets 3 Back sheet 4A, 4B Absorbent bodies 5A, 5B Second sheets 21Ai to 21A7, 21Bi to 21B7 Protrusion-existing regions formed on skin side surface of the top sheet 22Ai to 22A6, 22Bi to 22B6 Protrusion-non-existing regions formed on skin side surface of the top sheet 51Ai to 51A4, 51Bi to 51B4 Protrusion-existing regions formed on top sheet side surface of second sheet 52Ai to 52A3, 52Bi to 52B3 Protrusion-non-existing regions 51 formed on top sheet side surface of second sheet X Lengthwise direction Y Widthwise direction Z Thickness direction

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction and a thickness direction that are mutually orthogonal, and comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, a liquid-absorbing absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a liquid-permeable second sheet disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body, wherein there are formed on a skin side surface of the top sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction and a plurality of protrusion-nonexisting regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, there are formed on a top sheet side surface of the second sheet, a plurality of protrusion-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction and a plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions extending in the lengthwise direction and lined up in the widthwise direction, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions being formed so that each of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions is located between two adjacent protrusion-existing regions of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions, and the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet each overlap in the thickness direction with one different protrusion-existing region of the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and do not overlap in the thickness direction with any of the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet have equal widths, the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet have equal widths, the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet have the same widths as the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the second sheet have the same widths as the plurality of protrusion-non-existing regions formed in the top sheet.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the work of compression is 2.5 gf-cm/cm2 or greater, by KES measurement at the section where the top sheet and the second sheet are layered.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of protrusions interspersed or ridges extending in the lengthwise direction are present in the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the top sheet, and a plurality of protrusions interspersed or ridges extending in the lengthwise direction are present in the plurality of protrusion-existing regions formed in the second sheet.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second sheet side surface of the top sheet is flat.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein both edges in the widthwise direction of the top sheet are located on the outer side from both edges in the widthwise direction of the second sheet.

7. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absorbent article includes: an embossed section integrating the top sheet, second sheet and absorbent body, and extending in the lengthwise direction.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the absorbent body includes: a high-basis-weight section, and low-basis-weight sections extending from both edges of the high-basis-weight section in the widthwise direction.

9. The absorbent article according to claim 8, wherein the absorbent body includes a first layer extending to an edge of the absorbent body and a second layer not extending to an edge of the absorbent body, the high-basis-weight section is formed by a section where the first layer and the second layer overlap, and the low-basis-weight sections are formed by sections of the first layer that do not overlap with the second layer.