AU2016395110A1

AU2016395110A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: AU2016395110A1
Application number: AU2016395110A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Masumi Ueda
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-02-29
Filing date: 2016-05-24
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-24
Also published as: BR112018016685A2; AU2016395110B2; WO2017149792A1; TWI719088B; CN108697559A; KR20180117622A; JP2017153628A; TW201733544A; BR112018016685B1; CN108697559B; JP5963987B1

Abstract

Provided is an absorbent article which has the properties of an absorbent article with a relief-structured surface sheet and which is also capable of minimizing ruptures of a core wrap sheet. This absorbent article includes: a surface sheet (2), a rear sheet, an absorber core (403), and a core wrap sheet (401). The surface sheet has a plurality of fused portions (21) extending in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of protruding portions (11) formed between adjacent fused portions and protruding toward the skin side and the non-skin side. A thin line-like adhesive (9) that connects the surface sheet to the core wrap sheet forms a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern comprises a transverse portion that extends in a width direction and connects the fused portions to the protruding portions and a vertical portion that extends along the longitudinal direction. Multiple predetermined patterns are arranged along the longitudinal direction to form a predetermined pattern column. Multiple predetermined pattern columns are arranged parallel to each other in the width direction. With respect to each protruding portion overlapping the predetermined pattern column, the minimum value of the distance between adjacent transverse portions in the longitudinal direction is less than the combined width direction distance of a protruding portion and fused portion.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ABSORBENT ARTICLE

FIELD [0001]

The present invention relates to an absorbent article.

BACKGROUND [0002]

For absorbent articles such as a disposable diaper including a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and back sheet, it is a known technique to use a top sheet with an irregular structure. A top sheet with an irregular structure has a plurality of recess portions that are depressed in the thickness direction, extending in the lengthwise direction, and aligned in the widthwise direction, and a plurality of protrusion portions that are situated between adjacent recess portions, protruding in the thickness direction, and extending in the lengthwise direction. An absorbent article including such a top sheet may be considered to be a preferred mode for the construction of the top sheet, since it has at least the following properties. Specifically, these are resistance to adhesion of excreta on the skin because excreta enter the recess portions, accelerated absorption of excreta due to the increased surface area of the top sheet, the ability to thoroughly utilize the entire absorbent body for absorption of excreta since the excreta diffuse in the recess portions along the lengthwise direction, satisfactory air permeability along the lengthwise direction due to the recess portions, and lower contact area with the skin of the wearer, corresponding to the area of the recess portions.

[0003]

Patent Literature 1, for example, discloses an absorbent article wherein an absorbent body is situated between a liquid-permeable top sheet and back sheet. In this absorbent article, the liquid-permeable top sheet is made of a nonwoven fabric, while there are provided outer peripheral flap sections as extensions of the liquid-permeable top sheet and the back sheet from the edges of the absorbent body, of which outer extending portions are provided as extensions of the liquid-permeable top sheet outward from the edges of the back sheet, at least at the front and back ends of the absorbent article. In this liquid-permeable top sheet, there are formed a plurality of embossed recess portions essentially along the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article as viewed flat, and arranged at an interval in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article. That is, the absorbent article of Patent Literature 1 employs a top sheet having a plurality of (embossed) recess portions extending in the lengthwise direction and a plurality of protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction between the plurality of recess portions.

[0004]

A method of producing a top sheet having such recess portions and protrusion portions may be a method of embossing by inserting a nonwoven fabric between an anvil roll and an embossing roll having undulating teeth formed around the outer peripheral surface at a prescribed pitch along the widthwise direction. The embossing results in formation of, for example, a plurality of recess portions extending in the machine direction (MD direction), together with a plurality of protrusion portions between the adjacent recess portions. A top sheet having recess portions and protrusion portions formed by this method is inexpensive and may therefore be considered a preferred mode of a top sheet construction.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE [0005] [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-154016 SUMMARY

TECHNICAL PROBLEM [0006]

Incidentally, when a top sheet with an irregular structure (ridge-furrow structure) has been formed by embossing, the recess portions are fixed at a high density in the widthwise direction due to fusion between the fibers, and are therefore essentially not expandable and shrinkable, but the protrusion portions, which do not have fusion between the fibers, have low density and easy deformability, and are therefore expandable and shrinkable. Consequently, a top sheet having this structure is expandable and shrinkable in the widthwise direction. When the top sheet is to be used in an absorbent article, and the absorbent article is pulled in the widthwise direction during use, the top sheet is also pulled in the widthwise direction, i.e. it is subjected to a tensile load in the widthwise direction, and is expanded in the widthwise direction. The absorbent body includes an absorbent core and a core wrap sheet enveloping the absorbent core, and the top sheet and the core wrap sheet on the top sheet side (hereunder also referred to simply as “core wrap sheet”) are bonded with an adhesive. Thus, as the top sheet is expanded in the widthwise direction, the core wrap sheet is also expanded. However, since the core wrap sheet is generally formed of a material such as a tissue, depending on the required absorption and diffusion properties and such materials are usually not virtually expandable and shrinkable, they cannot expand as much as the top sheet. Therefore, while the top sheet is easily elongated, if the degree of elongation is too great, the core wrap sheet will not be able to sufficiently elongate and will fail to follow the elongation of the top sheet, potentially resulting in rupture. When this occurs, the superabsorbent polymer leaks out from the absorbent core and further leaks out from the top sheet, reducing absorption by the absorbent body, and forming a space between the top sheet and absorbent body which lowers the absorption rate of the absorbent body, whereby the absorption performance of the absorbent article is reduced.

[0007]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article that can exhibit both the properties of an absorbent article including a top sheet having recess portions and protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction and aligned in an alternating manner, and suppression of rupture of the front core wrap sheet for the absorbent article.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM [0008]

The absorbent article of the present invention is as follows.

(1) An absorbent article including a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent body including an absorbent core and a core wrap sheet enveloping the absorbent core, and further including an adhesive joining the top sheet with a surface of the top sheet side of the core wrap sheet, wherein the top sheet has a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction, and a thickness direction perpendicular to both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction, and includes: a plurality of fused sections extending in the lengthwise direction and aligned in a mutually parallel manner at a prescribed interval in the widthwise direction; and a plurality of protruded sections extending in the lengthwise direction and protruding to a skin side and non-skin side of the fused sections in the thickness direction, between adjacent fused sections among the plurality of fused sections, the adhesive has a fine line form and forms a plurality of prescribed patterns, each of the plurality of prescribed patterns includes: at least one transverse section extending along the widthwise direction and connecting at least one fused section with at least one protruded section adjacent to the fused section, an angle that a tangent at an arbitrary point on a fine line of the adhesive forming the each prescribed pattern forms with an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction being within 45°; and at least one longitudinal section extending along the lengthwise direction, having one end connected to one end of the transverse section, an angle that a tangent at an arbitrary point on a fine line of the adhesive forming the each prescribed pattern forms with an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction being greater than 45°, the plurality of prescribed patterns are aligned in the lengthwise direction and form each of a plurality of prescribed pattern rows extending continuously along the lengthwise direction, the plurality of prescribed pattern rows are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction, and at the protruded section overlapping with the each prescribed pattern row, a minimum distance among distances in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is less than a distance in the widthwise direction of one set of the protruded section and the fused section.

[0009]

In this absorbent article, the top sheet used has an alternating arrangement of fused sections (recess portions) and protruded sections (protrusion portions) extending in the lengthwise direction, while the easily expandable protruded sections (protrusion portions) are fixed to the poorly expandable fused sections (recess portions) at the transverse sections of an adhesive. Since the adhesive and fused sections are poorly expandable, the protruded sections are difficult to expand even when expanding is attempted, and therefore the top sheet as a whole is difficult to expand. Thus, the properties of the absorbent article including the top sheet having an alternating arrangement of the recess portions and protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction can be utilized while reducing expanding of the top sheet in response to tensile load on the top sheet and suppressing rupture of the core wrap sheet. Stated differently, a certain degree of expansion property in the widthwise direction of the top sheet is sacrificed in order to suppress rupture of the core wrap sheet.

However, if a spacing between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is too wide, expanding of the protruded sections in the regions near the transverse sections will be reduced, but the protruded sections in the regions far from the transverse sections, such as those in the middle of transverse sections in the lengthwise direction, may expand too far in the widthwise direction. In such a case, the longitudinal sections of the adhesive in adjacent prescribed pattern rows will become expanded and move in the widthwise direction by expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction, and the core wrap sheet will be dragged by movement of the longitudinal sections and pulled in the widthwise direction, potentially resulting in rupture. That is, if the spacing between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is too wide, it may not be possible to adequately reduce expanding of the protruded sections.

In this absorbent article, therefore, the minimum distance in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction in the prescribed pattern row of the adhesive is set to be narrower than the width of one set of a protruded section and a fused section in the widthwise direction. By narrowing the spacing between transverse sections in this way, there will be no excessive expanding of the top sheet even in the regions midway between transverse sections, and expanding of the protruded sections can be adequately minimized, thereby allowing expanding of the top sheet to be adequately reduced. As a result, even when the top sheet has been pulled in the widthwise direction, the top sheet is not overly expanded in the widthwise direction, i.e. almost no expanding of the core wrap sheet occurs, and therefore rupture of the core wrap sheet can be suppressed.

Moreover, while expansion property is sacrificed to some degree by the prescribed pattern (row) of the adhesive in this absorbent article, because this degree allows compressed thinning of the protruded sections by expanding to be reduced, the degree of extending is minimized even when a tensile load has been applied in the widthwise direction, and it is possible to maintain the properties of the absorbent article including the top sheet with recess portions and protrusion portions aligned in an alternating manner.

[0010] (2) The absorbent article according to (1) above, wherein at the protruded section overlapping with the each prescribed pattern row, a maximum distance among distances in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is less than a distance of one set of the protruded section and the fused section in the widthwise direction.

With this absorbent article, the minimum distance between transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is also made narrower than the width of one set of a protruded section and a fused section in the widthwise direction. By narrowing the spacing between transverse sections in this way, expanding in the regions midway between transverse sections, and therefore expanding of the protruded sections, can be reliably minimized. This allows expanding of the top sheet to be sufficiently reduced and rupture of the core wrap sheet to be suppressed.

If the distance between transverse sections is large in the lengthwise direction when a core wrap sheet has partially ruptured in the region midway between transverse sections in the lengthwise direction, the rupture will increase to an excessive extent reaching to the transverse sections on both sides in the lengthwise direction, potentially making it difficult to stop extension of the rupture with the fine line adhesive.

In this absorbent article, however, since the spacing between transverse sections is narrowed as described above, rupture reaches the transverse sections on both sides before becoming excessively large, and therefore extension of rupture can be stopped even with the fine line adhesive. Thus, even when rupture has occurred in a portion of the core wrap sheet, the rupture can be limited to an exceedingly narrow range, which can help prevent rupture across the entire article.

[0011] (3) The absorbent article according to (1) or (2) above, wherein a fiber density of the protruded section on a core wrap sheet side is higher than a fiber density of the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side.

Due to the high fiber density of the protruded sections on the core wrap sheet side in this absorbent article, the adhesive permeates deep into the protruded sections on the core wrap sheet side, and can bind to the core wrap sheet in a very strongly bonded state with the protruded sections on the core wrap sheet side. This allows expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction to be more reliably reduced by the adhesive, so that rupture of the core wrap sheet can also be more reliably suppressed.

[0012] (4) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein in a plurality of fibers composing the top sheet, the fibers are fused together in at least some of the intersections between the fibers.

Since the fibers are fused together at the intersections between the fibers in this absorbent article, fusion between the fibers, in addition to the adhesive, can more reliably reduce expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction, thereby allowing rupture of the core wrap sheet to be more reliably suppressed.

[0013] (5) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein a width of the protruded section in the widthwise direction is larger than a width of the fused section in the widthwise direction.

Since the widths of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction are large in this absorbent article, the heights of the protruded sections in the thickness direction can be increased, thereby allowing the properties of the absorbent article including the top sheet with recess portions and protrusion portions in an alternating arrangement to be more fully exhibited. Consequently, the properties of the absorbent article including the top sheet can be more fully exhibited while reducing expanding of the top sheet, so that rupture of the core wrap sheet can be suppressed.

[0014] (6) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein a height of the protruded section on a core wrap sheet side in the thickness direction is lower than a height of the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side, in the thickness direction.

By having low heights for the protruded sections on the core wrap sheet side in the thickness direction in this absorbent article, the irregularities of the top sheet on the core wrap sheet side are smaller, thereby allowing the adhesive to more reliably bond to the top sheet on the core wrap sheet side. As a result, expanding of the top sheet can be more reliably reduced, and rupture of the core wrap sheet can also be more reliably suppressed.

[0015] (7) The absorbent article according to (6) above, wherein a density at intersections where fibers are fused together at the protruded section on the core wrap sheet side is higher than a density at intersections where fibers are fused together at the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side.

With this absorbent article, the high density in the protruded sections at the intersections where the fibers are fused together on the core wrap sheet side, i.e. the difficulty of relative movement among the fibers can minimize expanding of the protruded sections. This allows rupture of the core wrap sheet to be more reliably suppressed.

[0016] (8) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the adhesive forms a plurality of closed regions surrounded by fine line adhesives of one or multiple of the each prescribed pattern.

With this absorbent article, it is possible to limit the regions of expanding of the protruded sections to the narrow closed regions, in response to expanding in the widthwise direction. Since expanding of the protruded sections is restricted as a result, it is possible to more reliably reduce expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction. Furthermore, the area in which a force that can rupture the core wrap sheet reaches can be confined to the closed region. In other words, even if a rupture occurs in the protruded section it can be limited to the closed region. This allows rupture of the core wrap sheet to be more reliably suppressed.

[0017] (9) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the plurality of prescribed pattern rows are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction, so as to overlap each other.

By having the prescribed pattern rows overlapping each other in this absorbent article, the density of the adhesive in the protruded sections is increased, thereby allowing expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction to be more reliably reduced. In addition, the mutual overlapping of the prescribed pattern rows allows multiple closed regions to be formed. This can limit the regions of expanding of the protruded sections to the closed regions.

Expanding of the top sheet is thus restricted, so that rupture of the core wrap sheet can also be more reliably suppressed.

[0018] (10) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the plurality of prescribed patterns of the each prescribed pattern row are aligned along the lengthwise direction, so as to overlap each other.

By having the prescribed patterns overlapping each other in this absorbent article, the density of the adhesive in the protruded sections is increased, thereby allowing expanding of the protruded sections in the widthwise direction to be more reliably reduced. In addition, the mutual overlapping of the prescribed patterns allows multiple closed regions to be formed. This can limit the regions of expanding of the protruded sections to the closed regions. Expanding of the top sheet is thus restricted, so that rupture of the core wrap sheet can also be more reliably suppressed.

[0019] (11) The absorbent article according to any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the each prescribed pattern row has an omega pattern, wave pattern or spiral pattern.

By having an omega pattern, wave pattern or spiral pattern for the prescribed pattern row in this absorbent article, it is possible to dispose the fine line adhesives in an evenly distributed manner between the top sheet and the core wrap sheet. This allows expanding of the top sheet in the widthwise direction to be more evenly reduced, so that rupture of the core wrap sheet can be more reliably suppressed.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION [0020]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an absorbent article that can exhibit both the properties of an absorbent article including a top sheet having recess portions and protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction and aligned in an alternating manner, and suppression of rupture of the front core wrap sheet for the absorbent article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0021]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, along line ΙΙ-ΙΓ in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view showing a method of producing a top sheet for the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the top sheet and absorbent body of the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the top sheet of the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a magnified cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to the embodiment, within frame Q1 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an example of a relationship between the top sheet and prescribed patterns of an adhesive in frame Q2 of FIG. 4, for the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanism by which rupture is produced in an absorbent article.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating conditions under which rupture is suppressed in an absorbent article.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating conditions under which rupture is suppressed in an absorbent article.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between the top sheet and the prescribed patterns of the adhesive in the frame Q2 of FIG. 4, for the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another example of the relationship between the top sheet and the prescribed patterns of the adhesive in the frame Q2 of FIG. 4, for the absorbent article according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a comparative example of a relationship between a top sheet and adhesive patterns in an absorbent article.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0022]

An absorbent article of this embodiment will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. The type and purpose of use of the absorbent article of the present invention are not limited to this example, and examples include sanitary products and sanitary articles such as disposable diapers (tape types and pant types), sanitary napkins, panty liners, incontinence pads and perspiration sheets, which may be for humans or animals other than humans, such as pets. There are no particular restrictions on the fluid to be absorbed by the absorbent article of the present invention, and for example, it may be liquid excreta or body fluid of the wearer. The absorbent article according to this embodiment will now be explained using a disposable diaper (tape type) as an example.

[0023]

Throughout the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the simple phrase “as viewed flat” will be used to mean that the absorbent article in the deployed flat state is viewed from the upper side in the thickness direction. Also throughout the present specification, the term “skin side” means the side that is relatively near the skin surface of the wearer in the thickness direction of the absorbent article, when the wearer of the absorbent article wears the absorbent article, and “non-skin side” means the side that is relatively far from the skin surface of the wearer in the thickness direction of the absorbent article, when the wearer of the absorbent article wears the absorbent article.

[0024]

Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are diagrams showing an absorbent article 1 (disposable diaper), and specifically, Fig. 1 shows a plan view of the absorbent article 1 in the deployed state, and Fig. 2 is a magnified cross-sectional view along line ΙΙ-ΙΓ of Fig. 1. The absorbent article 1 has a lengthwise direction F, a widthwise direction W perpendicular to the lengthwise direction F and a thickness direction T perpendicular to both the lengthwise direction F and widthwise direction

W, and includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 situated on the side facing the wearer's skin, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3 situated on the side not facing the wearer's skin, and an absorbent body 4 situated between the two sheets. The absorbent body 4 and the top sheet 2 and back sheet 3 are each joined with an adhesive.

[0025]

The lengthwise direction, widthwise direction and thickness direction of the top sheet 2, back sheet 3 and absorbent body 4 match the lengthwise direction L, widthwise direction W and thickness direction T of the absorbent article 1, respectively. Thus, the lengthwise direction L, widthwise direction W and thickness direction T are used, respectively, for the lengthwise direction, widthwise direction and thickness direction for the top sheet 2, back sheet 3 and absorbent body 4, and the skin side and non-skin side are respectively used for the side relatively near and the side relatively away from the surface of the skin of the wearer in the thickness direction for them.

[0026]

The absorbent article 1 further includes a pair of anti-leakage wall sections 5, 5 made of a pair of side section sheets, an elastic member 6 made of an elastic material such as rubber for expanding and shrinking of the section around the left and right legs in contact with the femoral region of the wearer, in the lengthwise direction L, and connecting tape 7 for connection between the abdominal region and dorsal region of the disposable diaper when it is worn. The absorbent article 1 further includes an outer sheet 8 on the non-skin side of the back sheet 3, in order to reinforce the back sheet 3 and improve its feel. The outer sheet 8 is mutually joined with the pair of anti-leakage wall sections 5, 5 at the perimeter sections while being joined to the non-skin side of the back sheet 3. An elastic member may be disposed at each of the pair of anti-leakage wall sections 5, 5 in order to cause expanding and shrinking of each of the pair of anti-leakage wall sections 5, 5 in the lengthwise direction L.

[0027]

The back sheet 3 is provided on the non-skin side of the absorbent body 4, serving to prevent permeation of excreted fluid that has been discharged and to prevent its leakage into underwear or clothing. The back sheet 3 is not permeable to fluids such as excreted fluids, but has a prescribed degree of air permeability. If the back sheet has air permeability, moisture discharged from the absorbent body to the non-skin side can be discharged through the back sheet, and it is possible to reduce moisture in the absorbent article or moisture trapped between the absorbent article and the surface of the skin of the wearer. In addition, the back sheet 3 of this embodiment is mutually joined with the top sheet 2 at its perimeter sections, while sandwiching the absorbent body 4 against the top sheet 2, as a construction designed to prevent leakage of fluids such as excreted fluid to the exterior.

[0028]

Examples for the material of the back sheet 3 include waterproof treated nonwoven fabrics (for example, point bond nonwoven fabrics, spunbond nonwoven fabrics and spunlace nonwoven fabrics), synthetic resins (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate) films, and composite sheets of nonwoven fabrics and synthetic resin films. The materials, thickness, basis weight, density, etc. of the back sheet 3 can be appropriately adjusted within ranges that allow prevention of leakage of liquid excreta that have been absorbed and held in the absorbent body 4.

[0029]

The absorbent body 4 serves to absorb excreted fluid such as urine, and contains an absorbent material that absorbs and holds excreted fluid. The absorbent body 4 is formed in a long essentially rectangular shape in the lengthwise direction L as viewed flat, and it has a constant thickness. It may be formed in another shape such as an oblong shape so that both end sides in the lengthwise direction L are outwardly convex in a curved manner in the lengthwise direction L, as viewed flat, smaller than the top sheet 2 or back sheet 3. The absorbent body 4 of this embodiment has a flat shape for both the top sheet side, i.e. the skin side, and the back sheet side, i.e. the non-skin side.

[0030]

The absorbent body 4 includes a liquid-permeable front core wrap sheet 401 situated on the skin side facing the wearer's skin, a liquid-permeable or liquid-impermeable back core wrap sheet 402 situated on the non-skin side not facing the wearer's skin, and an absorbent core 403 formed of an absorbent body material, situated between both sheets. For this embodiment, the front core wrap sheet 401 and back core wrap sheet 402 are mutually joined at their perimeter sections while sandwiching the absorbent core 403 between both sheets, so as to prevent leakage of absorbent materials and the like to the outside. The front core wrap sheet 401 and back core wrap sheet 402 may also be constructed so that the absorbent core 403 is enveloped by a single member.

[0031]

The absorbent material contained in the absorbent core 403 is not particularly restricted so long as it can absorb and hold liquid excreta of the wearer. The absorbent material may be, for example, water-absorbent fibers or a high-water-absorbing material (for example, a high-waterabsorbent resin or high-water-absorbent fibers). The absorbent material may also include an antiblocking agent, ultraviolet absorber, thickening/branching agent, delustering agent, coloring agent, or different types of modifiers.

[0032]

Examples of water-absorbent fibers include wood pulp obtained using a conifer or broadleaf tree material as the starting material (for example, mechanical pulp such as groundwood pulp, refiner ground pulp, thermomechanical pulp and chemithermomechanical pulp; chemical pulp such as Kraft pulp, sulfide pulp and alkaline pulp; and semichemical pulp); mercerized pulp or crosslinked pulp obtained by chemical treatment of wood pulp; nonwood pulp such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp and cotton (for example, cotton linter); regenerated cellulose such as rayon and fibril rayon; and semi-synthetic celluloses such as acetates and triacetates, among which ground pulp is preferred from the viewpoint of low cost and easy shaping.

[0033]

Examples of high-water-absorbing materials include starch-based, cellulosic and synthetic polymer-based high-water-absorbing materials. Examples of starch-based or cellulosic high-water-absorbing materials include starch-acrylic acid (acrylate) graft copolymer, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymer and crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and examples of synthetic polymer-based high-water-absorbing materials include polyacrylic acid salt-based, polysulfonic acid salt-based, maleic anhydride salt-based, polyacrylamide-based, polyvinyl alcohol-based, polyethylene oxide-based, polyaspartic acid salt-based, polyglutamic acid saltbased, polyalginic acid salt-based, starch-based and cellulosic high water-absorbent resins (Superabsorbent Polymers: SAP), among which polyacrylic acid salt-based (especially sodium polyacrylate-based) high water-absorbent resins are preferred. Examples for the form of the high-water-absorbing material include particulate, filamentous and scaly forms.

[0034]

The thickness, basis weight and other properties of the absorbent core 403 are not particularly restricted, and may be adjusted as appropriate for the properties (which include the absorption property, strength and lightweight property) to be provided for the absorbent body 4 (example: disposable diaper). For example, the thickness of the absorbent body 4 will usually be in the range of 0.1 to 15 mm and preferably in the range of 1 to 10 mm, and the basis weight will

2 usually be in the range of 20 to 1000 g/m and preferably in the range of 50 to 800 g/m . The thickness and basis weight of the absorbent core 403 may also be constant across the entire absorbent body 4, or it may partially differ. For this embodiment, they are constant across the entire absorbent body 4.

[0035]

The materials of the front core wrap sheet 401 and back core wrap sheet 402 are not particularly restricted so long as they have liquid-permeability and retentivity for the absorbent core. Examples of materials for both sheets include known materials such as tissue, hydrophilic fiber nonwoven fabrics, and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics composed of hydrophilic treated fibers. From the viewpoint of low cost and absorbent body-holding properties, it is preferably a tissue composed mainly of ground pulp and formed by a wet method.

[0036]

The thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of the front core wrap sheet 401 and back core wrap sheet 402 are not particularly restricted so long as they have liquid permeability and can hold the absorbent core 403, and known values may be used for the absorbent article. For example, the thickness of both sheets may be in the range of 0.01 to 2 mm and preferably in the range of 0.05 to 1 mm, and the basis weight may be in the range of 5 to 50 2 2 g/m and preferably 10 to 30 g/m . The fiber size will usually be 0.5 to 5 dtex and is preferably 1.0 to 4.0 dtex, while the fiber lengths will usually be 30 to 60 mm and are preferably 35 to 55 mm. For this embodiment, the thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of both sheets are constant across the entire absorbent body 4. However, the thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of both sheets may partially differ.

[0037]

The top sheet 2 is provided on the skin side of the absorbent body 4 and contacts with the skin of the wearer, causing rapid absorption or penetration of excreted fluids from the wearer and causing them to diffuse toward the absorbent body 4. The top sheet 2 has an irregular structure with recess portions and protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction F, aligned in an alternating manner in the widthwise direction W. For this embodiment, the top sheet 2 is formed as a long essentially rectangular shape in a direction along the lengthwise direction F. [0038]

The material of the top sheet 2 is not particularly restricted so long as it has liquid permeability and includes heat sealable fibers. The material of the top sheet 2 may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can be produced, for example, by forming a web (fleece), and physically or chemically bonding the fibers together. The method of forming the web may be, for example, a spunbond method, dry method (using a carding system or airlaid system), a wet method, or the like. The method of bonding the fibers together may be, for example, a thermal bond method (calender method, air-through method or the like), chemical bonding method, or a mechanical bonding method (needle punching method, hydroentangling method, stitch bond method or the like). Examples of fibers used to form nonwoven fabrics include natural fibers (wool, cotton and the like), regenerated fibers (rayon, acetate and the like), inorganic fibers (glass fibers, carbon fibers and the like), synthetic resin fibers (polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, and ionomer resins; polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid, and polyamides such as nylon). The fibers composing the nonwoven fabric may be made of a single component, or they may be made of composite fibers such as core/sheath fibers, side-by-side fibers or island/sea fibers. It may be a monolayer nonwoven fabric, or a laminate of laminated monolayer nonwoven fabrics.

[0039]

The thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of the top sheet 2 are not particularly restricted so long as it has liquid permeability, and known values may be used for the absorbent article. For example, the thickness of the top sheet 2 may be in the range of 0.1 to 5 mm and preferably in the range of 0.2 to 3 mm, and the basis weight may be in the range of 5 to

2

100 g/m and preferably 10 to 50 g/m . The fiber size will usually be 0.5 to 10 dtex and is preferably 1.0 to 5.0 dtex, while the fiber length will usually be 20 to 100 mm and is preferably 30 to 70 mm. For this embodiment, the thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of the top sheet 2 are constant across the entire top sheet 2. However, the thickness, basis weight, fiber size and fiber length of the top sheet 2 may also partially differ.

[0040]

For this embodiment, the absorbent body 4 is joined by an adhesive with the top sheet 2 on the skin side surface of the front core wrap sheet 401, and joined by an adhesive with the back sheet 3 on the non-skin side surface of the back core wrap sheet 402. There are no particular restrictions on the material of the adhesive, and it may be a hot-melt adhesive, for example. The hot-melt adhesive may be appropriately selected from among known hot-melt adhesives such as synthetic rubber-based, polyolefin-based, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based, polyurethane-based and acrylic-based adhesives.

[0041]

The top sheet 2 of the absorbent article 1 will now be further described. The top sheet 2 has an irregular structure with recess portions and protrusion portions extending in the lengthwise direction F, aligned in an alternating manner in the widthwise direction W. For this embodiment, the top sheet 2 having such an irregular structure is produced by embossing. Fig. 3 is a magnified cross-sectional view showing a method of producing such the top sheet 2.

[0042]

First, an unprocessed nonwoven fabric 2P is prepared as the material for the top sheet 2. The nonwoven fabric 2P is any of the nonwoven fabrics mentioned above as materials for the top sheet 2. The nonwoven fabric 2P is conveyed to an embossing apparatus. In the embossing apparatus, there are disposed an embossing roll having undulating teeth formed on the outer peripheral surface at a prescribed pitch along the widthwise direction, and an anvil roll, facing each other, the nonwoven fabric 2P being inserted between the embossing roll and the anvil roll. A pressure Pe is applied onto the nonwoven fabric 2P inserted between the embossing roll and the anvil roll, at a prescribed pitch, as shown in Fig. 3(a).

[0043]

As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(b), at the locations where the pressure Pe has been applied, there are formed a plurality of recess portions extending in the machine direction (MD direction) and aligned at a prescribed interval in the widthwise direction (CD direction) perpendicular to the machine direction, i.e. a plurality of fused sections 21 (embossing). Also, between the adjacent fused sections 21 of the plurality of fused sections 21, there are formed a plurality of protruded sections extending in the machine direction (MD direction) and relatively protruding in the thickness direction T from the fused sections 21, i.e. a plurality of protrusion portions 11, formed at an prescribed interval in the widthwise direction (CD direction). Since the fused sections 21 are formed by compressing and fusing of the nonwoven fabric 2P, they have structures with very thin sheet forms and virtually no expanding or shrinking. On the other hand, the protruded sections 11 are formed without compressing of the nonwoven fabric 2P, and therefore have structures with elliptic cylindrical shapes that have ellipsoid cross-sections with short diameters approximately equal to the thickness of the nonwoven fabric 2P, and expandable and shrinkable in the widthwise direction (CD direction), with softness in the thickness direction. The embossing roll may apply pressure of Pe while heating the nonwoven fabric 2P.

[0044]

When such an embossing method is used, the top sheet 2 having an irregular structure can be formed in an easy manner at low cost. That is, the embossing method may be considered a preferred mode of the method of forming the top sheet 2 having an irregular structure.

[0045]

The top sheet 2 formed in this manner is then joined with the absorbent body 4 via an adhesive. For this embodiment, the top sheet 2 is joined while being strongly pressed against the absorbent body 4, and therefore the surface of the absorbent body 4 side of the top sheet 2 has not only the protruded sections 11 but also the fused sections 21 attached to the absorbent body 4. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3(c), sections 15 on the absorbent body 4 sides of the protruded sections 11 are compressed, thus reducing the extent of their protrusion, while sections 13 on the sides opposite the absorbent body 4 side of the protruded section 11 are not compressed and have a higher extent of protrusion. The tensile strength of the top sheet is thus improved.

[0046]

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the overlapping state of the top sheet 2 and absorbent body 4. As shown in Fig. 4, for this embodiment, the top sheet 2 has the lengthwise direction as the direction in which the fused sections 21 and protruded sections 11 of the top sheet 2 extend, i.e. the machine direction during production. Also, the top sheet 2 and absorbent body 4 are joined so as to be mutually parallel to the lengthwise direction of the top sheet 2 and the lengthwise direction of the absorbent body 4.

[0047]

While the protruded sections 11 are laid out even beyond both edges in the lengthwise direction L of the absorbent body 4 for this embodiment, there is no limitation to this mode for the invention, and the protruded sections 11 may be laid out either up to at least one of the edges or beyond one of the edges, in the lengthwise direction L of the absorbent body 4. If the protruded sections 11 are laid out in this manner, the air permeability of the top sheet 2 can be further increased.

[0048]

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are diagrams showing the construction of the top sheet 2, where Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the top sheet 2 and Fig. 6 is a magnified cross-sectional view in frame Q1 of Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the top sheet 2 has a first surface 2a located on the side opposite the absorbent body 4, and a second surface 2b located on the absorbent body 4 side which is the side opposite the first surface 2a. The plurality of fused sections 21 of the top sheet 2 are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the lengthwise direction L, at a prescribed interval in the widthwise direction W. Also, the plurality of protrusion portions 11 extend in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent fused sections 21 among the plurality of fused sections 21, protruding to the first surface 2a side and second surface 2b sides, i.e. the skin sides and nonskin sides, of the fused sections 21 in the thickness direction T.

[0049]

The top sheet 2 and the front core wrap sheet 401 of the absorbent body 4 are tightly joined via the adhesive 9. The adhesive 9 is disposed in a prescribed pattern as described below. Thus, the construction is such that there is almost no gap between the top sheet 2 and the front core wrap sheet 401 even at the sections without the adhesive 9. In addition, since the adhesive 9 is also present below the protruded sections 11, expanding and shrinking of the protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W is prevented due to the adhesive 9. This allows expanding of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W to be suppressed. In addition, it can suppress a condition in which expanding of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W causes the protruded sections 11 to become expanded out in the widthwise direction W and smashed, resulting in collapse of the irregular structure and inability to exhibit the properties of the irregular structure.

[0050]

For this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, Tu is the difference between the top section 12 of the protruded section 11 on the first surface 2a side and the bottom section 22 of the fused section 21 on the first surface 2a side in the thickness direction T, i.e. the height of the top section 12 with respect to the bottom section 22, and Td is the difference between the top section 14 of the protruded section 11 on the second surface 2b side and the bottom section 24 of the fused section 21 on the second surface 2b side, i.e. the height of the top section 14 with respect to the bottom section 24. For this embodiment, the inequality Tu > Td is satisfied, as explained above. Stated differently, the protruded sections 11 on the second surface 2b side have shapes that are more compressed than the protruded sections 11 on the first surface 2a side. In other words, the irregularities of the top sheet 2 on the second surface 2b side (front core wrap sheet 401 side) are smaller. Consequently, the adhesive 9 can be easily disposed even on the fused sections 21 that are the recess portions on the second surface 2b side of the top sheet 2, allowing the adhesive 9 to be more reliably bonded to the top sheet 2 on the front core wrap sheet 401 side. This allows expanding of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W to be suppressed, and can reduce a state of collapse of the irregular structure.

[0051]

Moreover, for this embodiment, the sections 15 on the absorbent body 4 (front core wrap sheet 401) sides of the protruded sections 11 are compressed, or in other words, the extents of the protrusion portions are reduced, increasing the fiber density. On the other hand, the sections 13 on the sides of the protruded sections 11 opposite the absorbent body 4 (front core wrap sheet 401) side are not compressed, or in other words, the extents of the protrusion portions are high and the fiber density is low. Consequently, the high fiber density at the sections 15 on the front core wrap sheet 401 sides allows the adhesive 9 to permeate extremely well into the sections 15 of high fiber density. This allows the adhesive 9 to bond extremely well to the sections 15 of high fiber density, preventing expanding and shrinking of the protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W. As a result, expanding of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W is minimized, and collapse of the irregular structure can be reduced.

[0052]

Furthermore, for this embodiment, the top sheet 2 is formed using a nonwoven fabric wherein the fibers are bonded together by heat (for example, an air-through nonwoven fabric, point bond nonwoven fabric, spunbond nonwoven fabric or SMS nonwoven fabric). Since the fibers composing the nonwoven fabric are bonded by heat in such nonwoven fabrics, at least some of the intersections between the fibers are fused together. Therefore, the top sheet 2 can be made more resistant to expanding compared to a top sheet 2 employing a nonwoven fabric without fits ion at the intersections between the fibers composing the nonwoven fabric. In particular, at the sections 15 of the protruded sections 11 on the front core wrap sheet 401 side with high fiber density, the density is also high at the intersections where the fibers are fused together. This allows expanding of the protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W to be further suppressed.

[0053]

In the top sheet 2, the width Wn of the protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W is preferably 1 to 5 mm, more preferably 1.5 to 4 mm and even more preferably 2 to 3 mm. If the width Wn of the protruded section 11 is less than 1 mm, the irregular structure of the top sheet 2 will be too narrow, so that the contact area between the protruded sections 11 and the skin of the wearer will not be significantly reduced, potentially impairing the feel of the surface of the top sheet 2 on the skin. If the width Wn of the protruded section 11 exceeds 5 mm, on the other hand, the difference from the structure of the nonwoven fabric before shaping of the irregularities will be less prominent, and it will therefore be difficult to exhibit the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with the irregular structure.

[0054]

Also, the interval between adjacent protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W of the top sheet 2, i.e. the width Wm of the fused section 21, is preferably 0.3 to 2 mm, more preferably 0.5 to 1.5 mm and even more preferably 0.7 to 1 mm. If the distance of the interval between adjacent protruded sections 11 is less than 0.3 mm, the irregular structure of the top sheet 2 will be too narrow, so that the contact area between the protruded sections 11 and the skin of the wearer will not be significantly reduced and the feel of the top sheet 2 on the skin may be impaired. If the distance of the interval between adjacent protruded sections 11 exceeds 5 mm, on the other hand, the difference from the structure of the nonwoven fabric before shaping of the irregularities will be less prominent, and it will therefore be difficult to exhibit the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with the irregular structure.

[0055]

Therefore, the size of a single pitch PI, which is the sum of the width Wm of one fused section 21 and the width Wn of one protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W in the top sheet 2, is preferably 1.3 to 7 mm, more preferably 2 to 5.5 mm and even more preferably 2.7 to 4 mm.

[0056]

Moreover, the width Wn of the protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W of the top sheet 2 is preferably greater than the width Wm of the fused section 21. Since the width Wn of the protruded section 11 is large, the height Tu of the protruded section 11 in the thickness direction T can be increased, thereby allowing the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with recess portions and protrusion portions in an alternating arrangement to be more fully exhibited.

[0057]

Also in the top sheet 2, the height Tu of the protruded section 11 on the first surface side in the thickness direction T is preferably 0.2 to 5 mm, more preferably 0.4 to 4 mm and even more preferably 0.6 to 3 mm. If the height of the protruded section 11 is smaller than 0.2 mm, the protrusion portions of the protruded sections 11 will be too small and the difference from the structure of the nonwoven fabric before shaping of the irregularities will be less prominent, such that it will be difficult to exhibit the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with the irregular structure. If the height of the protruded section 11 is greater than 5 mm, on the other hand, the protrusion portions of the protruded sections 11 will be too large creating a sharp structure, and making it difficult to obtain a flexible feel on the skin.

[0058]

Also, the thickness Tm of the fused section 21 in the thickness direction T of the top sheet 2 is preferably 0.05 to 2 mm, more preferably 0.1 to 1.5 mm and more preferably 0.2 to 1 mm. If the thickness of the fused section 21 is less than 0.05 mm the fiber density at the fused section 21 will be exceedingly high, the fused sections 21 will become too hard, and the wearer may experience an uncomfortable feeling. If the thickness of the fused section 21 is greater than 2 mm, on the other hand, the depressions of the fused sections 21 will be too small and the difference from the structure of the nonwoven fabric before shaping of the irregularities will be less prominent, such that it will be difficult to exhibit the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with the irregular structure.

[0059]

Since an absorbent article 1 according to this embodiment has an irregular structure for the top sheet 2, i.e. fused sections 21 and protruded sections 11 that extend continuously in the lengthwise direction L, it can exhibit at least the following properties (function and effect) of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with an irregular structure. Specifically, excreta are less likely to adhere to the skin since the excreta enter into the recess portions (fused sections 21). Absorption of excreta is promoted by the increased surface area of the top sheet 2 having the irregular structure (fused sections 21 and protruded sections 11). Excreta in the recess portions (fused sections 21) diffuse along the lengthwise direction L, thereby allowing absorption of the excreta to be accomplished efficiently throughout the entire absorbent body 4. Air permeability is satisfactory along the lengthwise direction L due to the recess portions (fused sections 21).

The contact area with the skin of the wearer is reduced due to the recess portions (fused sections 21). A soft feel on the skin is obtained by the irregular structure, due to the softness of the protrusion portions (protruded sections 11). In the absorbent article 1 of this embodiment, the fused sections 21 and protruded sections 11 are laid out in a straight linear fashion, forming a ridge-furrow structure that extends in the lengthwise direction L, and therefore these effects can be exhibited to a very notable degree.

[0060]

The prescribed pattern 30 used as the pattern for coating of the adhesive 9 will now be explained.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for illustration of an example of the relationship between the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns of an adhesive 9 in frame Q2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7(a) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the protruded sections 11 and fused sections 21 of the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns 30 used for coating of the adhesive 9. Fig. 7(b) is a magnified view showing the prescribed pattern 30 of the adhesive 9.

[0061]

The adhesive 9 has a fine line form. The line diameter of the adhesive 9 is preferably 10 to 500 μηι and more preferably 50 to 300 μηι. If the line diameter of the adhesive 9 is smaller than 10 μηι, the adhesive 9 will become interrupted during coating, making it difficult to form the prescribed pattern 30. If the line diameter of the adhesive 9 is larger than 500 μηι, on the other hand, the adhesive 9 will be so thick as to interfere with absorption of excreta, potentially reducing the absorption performance. The material used for the adhesive 9 may be a hot-melt adhesive, for example.

[0062]

The adhesive 9 forms the prescribed pattern 30 as fine lines. In the example shown in Fig. 7, an omega pattern that resembles the Greek character Ω is used as the prescribed pattern 30. By forming a prescribed pattern row 31 using omega patterns, it is possible to dispose the fine line adhesive 9 in an evenly distributed manner between the top sheet 2 and the front core wrap sheet 401.

[0063]

As shown in Fig. 7(b), the prescribed pattern 30 has at least a transverse section 32a and a longitudinal section 33a. The transverse section 32a is a transverse section 32a connecting at least one fused section 21 and at least one protruded section 11 adjacent to the fused section 21, extending along the widthwise direction W, the angle of the tangent at any arbitrary point on the fine line of the adhesive 9 forming the prescribed pattern 30 with respect to an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction W being no greater than a = 45°. The longitudinal section 33a is a longitudinal section 33a extending in the lengthwise direction L and having one end connected to one end of the transverse section 32a, the angle of the tangent at any arbitrary point on the fine line of the adhesive 9 forming the prescribed pattern 30 with respect to an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction W being greater than a = 45°. In the example shown in Fig. 7(b), one end of the transverse section 32a is E2 and the other end is El, while one end of the longitudinal section 33a is E2 and the other end is E3.

[0064]

In the example shown in Fig. 7, the prescribed pattern 30 also has a transverse section 32b and a longitudinal section 33b. The transverse section 32b is a transverse section 32b connecting at least one fused section 21 and at least one protruded section 11 adjacent to the fused section 21, extending along the widthwise direction W, the angle of the tangent at any arbitrary point on the fine line of the adhesive 9 forming the prescribed pattern 30 with respect to an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction W being no greater than a = 45°. The longitudinal section 33b is a longitudinal section 33b extending in the lengthwise direction L and having one end connected to one end of the transverse section 32b, the angle of the tangent at any arbitrary point on the fine line of the adhesive 9 forming the prescribed pattern 30 with respect to an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction W being greater than a = 45°. In the example shown in Fig. 7(b), one end of the transverse section 32b is E4 and the other end is E3. The transverse section 32b has the other end E3 connected to the other end E3 of the longitudinal section 33a. Also, one end of the longitudinal section 33b is E4 while the other end is El, and the longitudinal section 33b has the other end El connected to the other end of the next transverse section 32a of the prescribed pattern 30.

[0065]

As shown in Fig. 7(a), a plurality of the prescribed patterns 30 of Fig. 7(b) are aligned along the lengthwise direction F, forming a prescribed pattern row 31 extending continuously along the lengthwise direction F. As also shown in Fig. 7(a), a plurality of the prescribed pattern rows 31 are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction W.

[0066]

Here, a region 40 is one where a protruded section 11 overlaps with a prescribed pattern row 31, i.e. one protruded section 11 divided by the adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F. So long as the transverse sections 32 are adjacent in the lengthwise direction F, the transverse section 32a and the transverse section 32b within the same prescribed pattern 30 may be selected, or the transverse section 32a and transverse section 32b of different prescribed patterns 30 may be selected. That is, for each prescribed pattern row 31, one protruded section 11 is divided by a plurality of transverse sections 32 aligned in the lengthwise direction F (not limited to transverse sections 32 within the same prescribed pattern 30), a plurality of demarcated regions 40 being aligned in the lengthwise direction F within the single protruded section 11.

[0067]

For all of the individual regions 40, the minimum distance EMIN among the distances in the lengthwise direction F between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F is less than the distance of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (width) (= Wm + Wn). Preferably, the maximum distance FMAX among the distances in the lengthwise direction F between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F is less than the distance of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (width) (= Wm + Wn).

[0068]

According to the present invention, the minimum distance EMIN in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections 32 of the adhesive 9 in the lengthwise direction L is narrowed to be less than the width (distance) of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W. Consequently, for the reasons described below, overexpanding of the top sheet 2 does not occur even in the regions between the transverse sections 32, and expanding of the protruded sections 11 can be satisfactorily reduced. In other words, expanding of the top sheet 2 can be satisfactorily suppressed, so that even when the top sheet 2 is pulled in the widthwise direction W, the top sheet 2 does not expand very much, i.e. the front core wrap sheet 401 undergoes virtually no expanding, in the widthwise direction W, and it is thus possible to prevent rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401.

[0069]

In addition, although the prescribed patterns 30 or prescribed pattern rows 31 of the adhesive 9 result in some degree of sacrifice of expanding and shrinking properties of the top sheet 2, they can help prevent compressed thinning of the protruded sections 11 that occurs with expanding. This allows the extent of expanding to be reduced even when a tensile load has been applied in the widthwise direction W, and allows the properties of the absorbent article 1 including the top sheet 2 with an irregular structure to be maintained.

[0070]

In addition, the maximum distance LMAX among the distances in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is preferably less than the distance of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (width) (= Wm + Wn). That is, for all of the individual regions 40, the maximum distance LMAX among the distances in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is preferably less than the distance of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (width) (= Wm + Wn). [0071]

When the maximum distance LMAX in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections 32 of the adhesive 9 in the lengthwise direction L is narrowed to less than the width in the widthwise direction W of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21, it is possible to more reliably reduce expanding of the region between the transverse sections 32 and thus expanding of the protruded section 11. Thus, even when the top sheet 2 is pulled in the widthwise direction W, the top sheet 2 does not expand very much, i.e. the front core wrap sheet 401 undergoes virtually no expanding, in the widthwise direction W, and it is thus possible to better prevent rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401.

[0072]

Furthermore, if the distance between transverse sections 32 is large when a front core wrap sheet 401 has partially ruptured in the region midway between transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L, the rupture will increase to an excessive extent reaching to the transverse sections 32 on both sides, potentially making it difficult to stop extension of the rupture with the fine line adhesive 9. In this case, however, since the spacing between transverse sections 32 is narrowed as described above, rupture does not excessively increase before reaching the transverse sections 32 on both sides, and therefore extension of rupture can be stopped even with the fine line adhesive 9. As a result, rupture can be limited to an exceedingly narrow range even when the rupture has occurred in a portion of the front core wrap sheet 401, and this can help prevent rupture across the entire front core wrap sheet 401.

[0073]

The size of the widthwise direction W of the prescribed pattern 30 (Fig. 7(b)) (the distance from one end to the other end in the widthwise direction W) is not particularly restricted so long as it has a size that allows connection between one fused section 21 and the protruded section 11 adjacent to the one fused section 21. Preferably, the size of the widthwise direction W of the prescribed pattern 30 is at least a size that is the sum of the width Wm of one fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W and the width Wn of one protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W. This will allow more reliable formation of a transverse section 32 that can connect one fused section 21 and the protruded section 11 adjacent to the one fused section 21.

[0074]

Furthermore, the size of the prescribed pattern 30 (Fig. 7(b)) in the lengthwise direction L (the distance from one end to the other end in the lengthwise direction L) is not particularly restricted so long as the minimum distance of the spacing in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is less than the width of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W, in a prescribed pattern row 31. Preferably, the size of the lengthwise direction L of the prescribed pattern 30 is such that the maximum distance of the spacing in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is less than the width of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W.

[0075]

The following explanation concerns the reason why the minimum distance of the spacing in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is set to be less than the width of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (Wm + Wn).

[0076]

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanism by which rupture is produced in an absorbent article. For simplicity in explanation, an imaginary region 40 on the top sheet 2 will be considered, as shown at the left of Fig. 8(a). The region 40 is demarcated within a protruded section 11 (width WnbO), by fused sections 21 (width WmbO) located on both sides in the widthwise direction W of the protruded section 11, and two adhesives 9 running transversely across the protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W. The two adhesives 9 are separated by spacing LpO in the lengthwise direction L. In this case, the two adhesives 9 can be seen as the transverse sections of the prescribed pattern 30. That is, the region 40 is a region surrounding by the fused sections 21 on both sides of the protruded section 11 and the two adhesives 9. In this region 40, when the absorbent article 1 is pulled with a tensile load G in the widthwise direction W, the adhesive 9 is stiff and is not elongated, and therefore as shown at the right of Fig. 8(a), there is very little elongation of the regions of the protruded section 11 in which the adhesive 9 is present or their surrounding regions (the transverse sections and their neighboring regions) in the widthwise direction W. On the other hand, the fused sections 21, while having almost no properties of expanding and shrinking, are still able to curve slightly, and therefore the regions of the fused sections 21 far from the adhesive 9 curve slightly in the widthwise direction W, essentially without changing their widths (WmaO « WmbO). As a result, the region of the protruded section 11 far from the adhesive 9 (the region 41 midway between the transverse sections in the lengthwise direction L) is elongated to some extent in the widthwise direction W. That is, the width of the protruded section 11 is slightly increased (WnbO WnaO). When this occurs, if the spacing LpO of the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is sufficiently small, the fused sections 21 cannot curve very much due to the effect of the two adhesives 9, or in other words, the protruded section 11 essentially does not expand in the widthwise direction W. That is, the width of the protruded section 11 does not notably increase. Because of this, no rupture occurs in the front core wrap sheet 401 joined to the top sheet 2, at the location corresponding to the region 41 midway between the transverse sections of the top sheet 2.

[0077]

However, in the region 40 as shown at the left of Fig. 8(b), the situation differs from that of the region 40 of Fig. 8(a). In Fig. 8(b), the region 40 is defined within the protruded section 11 between the fused sections 21 located on both sides of the protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W (width Wmbl = width WmbO), and the two adhesives 9 transversely crossing the protruded section 11 in the widthwise direction W (width Wnbl = width WnbO). Here, however, the two adhesives 9 are separated by spacing Lpl (> LpO) in the lengthwise direction L. Compared to region 40 of Fig. 8(a), the spacing is increased between the two adhesives 9, i.e. the adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction L. In this case, when the absorbent article 1 is pulled with a tensile load G in the widthwise direction W, the adhesive 9 is stiff and is not elongated as shown at the right of Fig. 8(b) and therefore there is very little elongation of the regions of the protruded section 11 in which the adhesive 9 is present or their surrounding regions in the widthwise direction W. However, the regions of the fused sections 21 far from the adhesive 9 are curved in the widthwise direction W to a greater extent than in Fig. 8(a), with virtually no change in their widths (Wmal « Wmbl). As a result, the region of the protruded section 11 far from the adhesive 9 (the region 41) is elongated to a large extent in the widthwise direction W. That is, the width of the protruded section 11 is greatly increased (Wnbl Wnal > WnaO). If the spacing Lpl of the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is too large, the fused sections 21 curve significantly without the effect of the two adhesives 9 reaching the regions far from the adhesive 9, or in other words, the protruded section 11 is expanded to a large extent in the widthwise direction W. Because of this, rupture 42 occurs in the front core wrap sheet 401 joined to the top sheet 2, at the location corresponding to the region 41 midway between the transverse sections of the top sheet 2.

[0078]

If the spacing Lp between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is sufficiently small as explained above, the protruded section 11 undergoes essentially no expanding in the widthwise direction W as shown in Fig. 8(a), while if the spacing Lp is sufficiently increased, the protruded section 11 expands to a large extent in the widthwise direction W, as shown in Fig. 8(b). Stated differently, a threshold value exists for the spacing Lp, such that if the spacing Lp is less than the threshold value, the protruded section 11 is not expanded to a notable extent in the widthwise direction W. The threshold value, or the maximum allowable value for the spacing Lp, can be considered the value that defines the region 40 as a square. The reason for this is as follows. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship of forces in the region 40. As shown in Fig. 9, application of a tensile load G to the fused sections 21 of the (square) region 40 in the widthwise direction W produces stress as indicated by the black arrows in the region 40, the stress in the directions of the black arrows producing stress on the adhesives 9 (sides). If the region 40 is square, the stress on the fused sections 21 (sides) at both sides in the widthwise direction W is diffused in a balanced manner in the adhesives 9 (sides) at both sides in the lengthwise direction L in Fig. 9, presumably allowing even the load near the centers of the fused sections 21 (sides) in the lengthwise direction L to be supported by the adhesives 9 (sides). If the spacing between the adhesives 9 is wider than this, however, such that the region 40 has a long rectangular shape in the lengthwise direction L, it is difficult for the adhesives 9 to support the load near the center of the fused sections 21 in the lengthwise direction L, and the areas near the centers of the fused sections 21 in the lengthwise direction L become curved in the widthwise direction W, tending toward the state shown in Fig. 8(b). It is assumed that for this reason, the threshold value (maximum for the spacing Lp) is the value at which the region 40 is square, i.e. it is the width Wn of the protruded section 11.

[0079]

When the widths Wm of the fused sections 21 are large, however, the fused sections 21 are less likely to curve, and therefore the problem of rupture does not occur even though the spacing Lp between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is greater than when it is square. The threshold value (maximum value for the spacing Lp) in consideration of the width Wm of the fused sections 21 was examined as follows.

[0080]

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the spacing between adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L and the width Wm of the fused sections 21 in the region 40. Fig. 10(a) is a diagram assuming that, in Fig. 8(a), the region 40 is a square and the width Wm of the fused sections 21 is a small value (for example, about the dimension of the adhesive 9) of Wmb3. In this case, the spacing Lp3 of the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is approximately the width Wnb3 of the protruded section 11, as explained above, and therefore the region 40 appears generally square. That is, the protruded section 11 is not expanded to any great extent in the widthwise direction W.

[0081]

If the width Wm of the fused sections 21 is set to a larger value Wmb4 (> Wmb3) as shown in Fig. 10(b), it is difficult for the fused sections 21 to curve in the widthwise direction W against tensile load G in the widthwise direction W. That is, the protruded section 11 becomes less able to expand in the widthwise direction W. Consequently, even if the spacing Lp4 between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is a value larger than the value at which the region 40 is a square, i.e. Wnb4 (= Wnb3), the protruded section 11 still does not expand to any great extent in the widthwise direction W. In this case, considering that width Wmb4 » width Wmb3, the width Wm of the fused sections 21 increases by Wmb4 compared to the case in Fig. 10(a), so that the degree of curving of the fused sections 21 is reduced to that degree. Consequently, the spacing Lp4 between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L can be increased to a value greater than that at which the region 40 is a square (ALl).

[0082]

Similarly, if the width Wm of the fused sections 21 is set to an even larger value Wmb5 (> Wmb3) as shown in Fig. 10(c), it becomes even more difficult for the fused sections 21 to curve in the widthwise direction W against tensile load G in the widthwise direction W. That is, the protruded section 11 becomes even less able to expand in the widthwise direction W. Consequently, even if the spacing Lp5 between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction L is a value larger than the value at which the region 40 is a square, i.e. Wnb5 (= Wnb3), the protruded section 11 still does not expand to any great extent in the widthwise direction W. In this case, considering that width Wmb5 » width Wmb3, the width Wm of the fused sections 21 increases by Wmb5 compared to the case in Fig. 10(a), so that the degree of curving of the fused sections 21 is reduced to that degree. Consequently, the spacing Lp5 between the two adhesives in the lengthwise direction L can be increased to a value greater than that at which the region 40 is a square, (AL2).

[0083]

From these considerations, the more the width Wm of the fused sections 21 is increased, the greater the maximum spacing Fp (threshold value) between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction F can be set compared to the width Wn of the protruded section 11. However, even if the width Wm of the fused sections 21 is increased, it is considered that the effect on the spacing Fp between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction F is at maximum about the distance of the width Wm of the fused sections 21. In other words, ALl and AL2 are likely at maximum approximately the widths Wmb4 and Wmb5 of the fused sections 21, respectively. Therefore, the resulting spacing Fp between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction F (threshold value) is as follows.

Threshold value: (maximum value of spacing Fp between the two adhesives 9 in the lengthwise direction F) = (width Wn of protruded section 11) + ΔΕ = (width Wn of protruded section 11) + (width Wm of fused section 21).

In the example of Fig. 10, this is:

(a) Fp4 = Wnb4 + Wmb4 (b) Fp5 = Wnb5 + Wmb5.

[0084]

Considering the above, the threshold value is derived based on the region 40 with the virtual shape shown in Fig. 8(a). When the threshold value derived in this manner is actually applied to prescribed patterns 30 and prescribed pattern rows 31 of an adhesive 9, such as the omega pattern shown in Fig. 7, for example, the following situation may result. The prescribed pattern row 31 has a structure in which the prescribed patterns 30 are aligned continuously along the lengthwise direction F, i.e. a structure in which they are extending in a mutually linked fashion (though they may be partially interrupted depending on production yield, etc.). Thus, so long as at least some of the spacings in the lengthwise direction F between the adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F in the region 40 (not limited to transverse sections 32 in the same prescribed pattern 30) satisfy the aforementioned threshold value, then an effect of reducing expanding of the protruded sections 11 may be expected. That is, it is sufficient if at least the minimum distance of the spacing between the transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F satisfies the threshold value. Consequently, in order to reduce expanding of the protruded sections 11, it is sufficient that at least the minimum distance of the spacing in the lengthwise direction F between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F is set to be less than the width of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section in the widthwise direction W (Wm + Wn). More preferably, the maximum distance of the spacing in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction L is less than the width of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W (= Wm + Wn).

[0085]

Therefore, by setting the threshold value and forming the prescribed patterns 30 and prescribed pattern rows 31 of the adhesive 9 so as to satisfy the threshold value, it is possible to adequately suppress expanding of the protruded sections 11. In other words, expanding of the top sheet 2 can be satisfactorily suppressed. Thus, even when the top sheet 2 is pulled in the widthwise direction W, the top sheet 2 does not expand very much, i.e. the front core wrap sheet 401 undergoes virtually no expanding, in the widthwise direction W, and it is thus possible to prevent rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401.

[0086]

Moreover, the threshold value is not limited to the virtual region 40 shown in Fig. 8(a) or the omega pattern shown in Fig. 7, and so long as the condition for the prescribed patterns 30 is satisfied, it may be similarly applied even for other patterns, for example, an undulating wave pattern such as a sine wave, or a helical spiral pattern. In addition, the adhesives 9 do not necessarily need to span across adjacent protruded sections 11.

[0087]

Thus, in the absorbent article of this embodiment, making at least the minimum distance of the spacings in the lengthwise direction F between adjacent transverse sections 32 in the lengthwise direction F narrowed to less than the width (Wm + Wn) of one set of a protruded section 11 and a fused section 21 in the widthwise direction W, provides both the properties of the absorbent article including the top sheet having the irregular structure, and suppression in rupture of the front core wrap sheet.

[0088]

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be explained, mainly in terms of its differences from the embodiment described above. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for illustration of another example of the relationship between the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns 30 of the adhesive 9, in frame Q2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the protruded sections 11 and fused sections 21 of the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns 30 used for coating of the adhesive 9.

[0089]

In the example shown in Fig. 11, an omega pattern or wave pattern is used as the prescribed pattern 30. By forming a prescribed pattern row 31 using an omega pattern or wave pattern, it is possible to dispose the fine line adhesive 9 in an evenly distributed manner between the top sheet 2 and the front core wrap sheet 401. This allows stretching of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W to be more evenly suppressed, so that rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0090]

Additionally, in the prescribed pattern rows 31 shown in Fig. 11, in the widthwise direction W, the longitudinal section of each prescribed pattern 30 reaches at least to the fused sections 21 on both sides, and the transverse section (with longitudinal section) crosses at least from one side to the other side of the protruded section 11. By situating each prescribed pattern 30 in this manner to form prescribed pattern rows 31, the protruded sections 11 can be more reliably anchored by the fused sections 21 on both sides in the widthwise direction W, and expanding of the protruded sections 11 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0091]

Furthermore, in the example shown in Fig. 11, the prescribed pattern 30 has the adhesive 9 spanning between the fused sections 21 on both sides sandwiching a single protruded section 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the adhesive 9 may span across fused sections 21 on both sides sandwiching a plurality of protrusion portions 11 and a plurality of fused sections 21 between them. This can more stably suppress expanding of the protruded sections 11.

[0092]

Another embodiment of the present invention will now be explained, mainly in terms of its differences from the embodiment described above. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram for illustration of another example of the relationship between the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns 30 of the adhesive 9, in frame Q2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 12(a) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the protruded sections 11 and fused sections 21 of the top sheet 2 and the prescribed patterns 30 used for coating of the adhesive 9. Fig. 12(b) is a magnified view showing the prescribed pattern 30 of the adhesive 9.

[0093]

In the example shown in Fig. 12, a spiral pattern is used as the prescribed pattern 30. By forming a prescribed pattern row 31 using spiral patterns, it is possible to dispose the fine line adhesive 9 in an evenly distributed manner between the top sheet 2 and the front core wrap sheet 401. This allows expanding of the top sheet 2 in the widthwise direction W to be more evenly suppressed, so that rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401 can be more reliably suppressed. [0094]

In addition, in the plurality of prescribed pattern rows 31 shown in Fig. 12, a plurality of closed regions are formed, surrounded by the adhesives 9 of one or more prescribed patterns 30. When such a top sheet 2 is used, it is possible to limit the extending regions of the protruded sections 11 to the narrow closed regions, in response to expanding in the widthwise direction W. Since expanding of the protruded sections 11 is restricted as a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress expanding of the protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W. Furthermore, the area in which a force that can rupture the front core wrap sheet 401 reaches can be confined to the closed region. In other words, even if a rupture occurs in the protruded section 11, it can be limited to the closed region. This allows rupture of the front core wrap sheet 401 to be more reliably suppressed.

[0095]

In addition, the plurality of prescribed pattern rows 31 shown in Fig. 12 are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction W, in a mutually overlapping manner. By using such a top sheet 2 in which the prescribed pattern rows 31 are mutually overlapping, the density of the adhesives 9 in the protruded sections 11 is increased, thereby allowing expanding of the protruded sections 11 in the widthwise direction W to be more reliably suppressed. In addition, the mutual overlapping of the prescribed pattern rows 31 allows multiple closed regions to be formed.

[0096]

Furthermore, in the prescribed pattern row 31 shown in Fig. 12, the prescribed patterns 30 shown in Fig. 12(b) are disposed along the lengthwise direction L in a manner overlapping each other. By using such a top sheet 2 in which the prescribed patterns 30 are mutually overlapping, the density of the adhesives 9 in the protruded sections 11 is increased, and a plurality of closed regions can be formed.

[0097]

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a comparative example of the relationship between a top sheet and adhesive pattern in an absorbent article. Fig. 13 schematically shows the relationship between protruded sections 111 and fused sections 121 of a top sheet 102 with the same irregular structure as the top sheet 2, and a prescribed pattern 130 used for coating of the adhesive 109. In this comparative example, in most of the regions 140 of the protruded sections 111 overlapping with the prescribed pattern rows 131, the minimum distance LMINc among the distances in the lengthwise direction L between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction L is equal to or greater, and specifically about 1.6 times greater, than the distance of one set of a protruded section 111 and a fused section 121 in the widthwise direction W. In this case as well, it has been confirmed that pulling in the widthwise direction W by a tensile load G results in excessive expanding of the protruded sections 111 in the widthwise direction W, leading to rupture of the front core wrap sheet joined to the top sheet 102 by the adhesives 109.

REFERENCE SIGNS FIST [0098]

Absorbent article

Top sheet

Back sheet

Absorbent body 9 Adhesive

Protruded section 21 Fused section

Prescribed pattern

Prescribed pattern row

Transverse section

401 Front core wrap sheet

402 Back core wrap sheet

403 Absorbent core

Claims

1. An absorbent article comprising a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, the absorbent body comprising an absorbent core and a core wrap sheet enveloping the absorbent core, and further comprising an adhesive joining the top sheet with a surface of the top sheet side of the core wrap sheet, wherein the top sheet has a lengthwise direction, a widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction, and a thickness direction perpendicular to both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction, and comprises: a plurality of fused sections extending in the lengthwise direction and aligned in a mutually parallel manner at a prescribed interval in the widthwise direction; and a plurality of protruded sections extending in the lengthwise direction and protruding to a skin side and non-skin side of the fused sections in the thickness direction, between adjacent fused sections among the plurality of fused sections, the adhesive has a fine line form and forms a plurality of prescribed patterns, each of the plurality of prescribed patterns includes: at least one transverse section extending along the widthwise direction and connecting at least one fused section with at least one protruded section adjacent to the fused section, an angle that a tangent at an arbitrary point on a fine line of the adhesive forming the each prescribed pattern forms with an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction being within 45°; and at least one longitudinal section extending along the lengthwise direction, having one end connected to one end of the transverse section, an angle that a tangent at an arbitrary point on a fine line of the adhesive forming the each prescribed pattern forms with an imaginary line parallel to the widthwise direction being greater than 45°, the plurality of prescribed patterns are aligned in the lengthwise direction and form each of a plurality of prescribed pattern rows extending continuously along the lengthwise direction, the plurality of prescribed pattern rows are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction, and at the protruded section overlapping with the each prescribed pattern row, a minimum distance among distances in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is less than a distance in the widthwise direction of one set of the protruded section and the fused section.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at the protruded section overlapping with the each prescribed pattern row, a maximum distance among distances in the lengthwise direction between adjacent transverse sections in the lengthwise direction is less than a distance of one set of the protruded section and the fused section in the widthwise direction.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a fiber density of the protruded section on a core wrap sheet side is higher than a fiber density of the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in a plurality of fibers composing the top sheet, the fibers are fused together in at least some of the intersections between the fibers.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a width of the protruded section in the widthwise direction is larger than a width of the fused sections in the widthwise direction.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a height of the protruded section on a core wrap sheet side in the thickness direction is lower than a height of the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side, in the thickness direction.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein a density at intersections where fibers are fused together at the protruded section on the core wrap sheet side is higher than a density at intersections where fibers are fused together at the protruded section on a side opposite the core wrap sheet side.

8. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adhesive forms a plurality of closed regions surrounded by fine line adhesives of one or multiple of the each prescribed pattern.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of prescribed pattern rows are aligned in a mutually parallel manner in the widthwise direction, so as to overlap each other.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of prescribed patterns of the each prescribed pattern row are aligned along the lengthwise direction, so as to overlap each other.

11. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the each prescribed pattern row has an omega pattern, wave pattern or spiral pattern.

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FIG. 1

FIG. 3

Pe Pe Pe Pe Pe

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FIG. 4

L

A <-v

Q2

Yu

FIG. 5

FIG. 6 ⁶/u

FIG. 7

PI

32a

FIG. 9

F fi. 0 (a) (b)

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FIG. 12 (b)

FIG. 13

131 109

131