WO2012118235A1

WO2012118235A1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2012118235A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/056208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomomi Oku; Hideki Matsushima; Satoru Sakaguchi
Original assignee: Unicharm Corporation
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2012-03-01
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: JP5709584B2; JP2012179220A

Abstract

An object of the disclosure is to provide an absorbent article which can be thin, and can retain its form even upon absorption of large amounts of liquid, and that has multiple bending origins and exhibits excellent fitting properties, flexibility and feel during wear. The absorbent article of the disclosure is as follows. An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and an absorbent core between the liquid-permeable top sheet and liquid-impermeable back sheet, wherein the absorbent article has prescribed compressed lines and prescribed compressed points formed by compressing at least the absorbent core.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Title of Invention

Absorbent Article

Technical Field

[0001]

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article .

Background Art

[0002]

As the basic performance of absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins and disposable diapers has continued to improve with technological developments over many years, leakage after absorption of excreta, such as menstrual blood and urine, has become a less frequent occurrence than in the past. Recent developments are now directed towards absorbent articles with even higher performance, including for example a feeling similar to underwear, such as, for example, smaller thickness and more satisfactory feel during wear.

For example, in order to produce thinner absorbent articles, the basis weights of the absorbent core, top sheet and back sheet have been reduced, and compressed sections have been provided.

[0003]

An example of an absorbent article with compressed sections is described in PTL 1, as an absorbent article having anti-leakage grooves, i.e. compressed lines, formed by embossing a top sheet and an absorbing layer. PTL 1 states that the function of the anti-leakage grooves is to prevent deformation by compression stress in the widthwise direction of the napkin, that occurs as the wearer opens/closes her legs or walks, from being transmitted to the center section, or in other words, the anti-leakage grooves act as "bending origins".. Citation List

Patent Literature.

[0004]

PTL 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-

65741

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0005]

In the absorbent article described in PTL 1, the anti-leakage groove formed by compression as a "bending origin", and the absorbent article can undergo a certain degree of deformation in the widthwise direction based on two bending origins, but is resistant to deformation in the lengthwise direction, and therefore discomfort during wear is sometimes a problem. In addition, absorption of large amounts of liquid can cause problems, such as failure of form retention, resulting in shifting of the absorbent article or loss of the absorbent core shape.

[0006]

It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide an absorbent article which can be thin, and can retain form thereof even upon absorption of large amounts of liquid, and that has multiple bending origins and exhibits excellent fitting properties, flexibility and feel during wear.

Solution to Problem

[0007]

As a result of diligent research directed toward solving the problems described above, the present

inventors have found that the problems can be solved by an absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid-impermeable back sheet, wherein the absorbent article has compressed lines (linear compressed sections) and compressed points (point-like compressed sections) , which are formed by compressing at least the absorbent core, the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the

lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is 5-20, the thickness of the compressed lines is in the range of 20-50% with respect to the thickness of the non- compressed sections, the compressed points have a density of 3-40/cm² based on the entire area of the absorbent core, and the thickness of the compressed points is in the range of 40-98% with respect to the thickness of the non-compressed sections, the thickness of the compressed lines being smaller than the thickness of the compressed points.

Advantageous Effects of Invention^"

[0008]

The absorbent article of the disclosure can be thin and can retain form thereof even upon absorption of large amounts of liguid, and it has multiple bending origins and exhibits excellent fitting properties, flexibility and feel during wear.

Brief Description of Drawing

[0009]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 2 (a) is a magnified view of portion Xj_. and Fig. 2 (b) is a cross-sectional view along cross-section X-X, of the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0010]

Fig. 3A is a set of diagrams showing examples of compressed lines for an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Fig. 3B is a set of diagrams showing an example of a compressed line of an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure .

[0011]

Fig. 4A^is a set of diagrams showing examples of compressed points of an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure .

Fig. 4B is a set of diagrams showing examples of compressed points of an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure .

Description of Embodiments

[0012]

Several exemplary absorbent articles in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure will now be explained in detail.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In Fig. 1, a disposable diaper 1 is shown as a typical example of an absorbent article.

[0013]

The disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1 comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet 2, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, an absorbent core 4, a pair of anti-leakage walls 5 and a tape fastener 6, and the disposable diaper 1 is divided into a front body trunk region Wi on the front body, a crotch region C, and a back body trunk region W₂ on the back body. The disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1 has compressed lines 8 and compressed points 9 formed by compressing the absorbent core 4. Numeral 7 denotes the skin contact surface.

In Fig. 1, the compressed lines 8 and compressed points 9 are under the top sheet 2, but they are

indicated by solid lines for explanation.

[0014]

In Fig. 1, the compressed lines 8 and compressed points 9 are present in the side regions Zi and Z3 of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A of the disposable diaper 1 and in the center region Z₂ between both side edge regions.

[0015]

As used herein, the side regions Zi and Z3 and the center region Z2 are, respectively, the region on the right side, the region on the left side and the region at the center of the wearer, where the absorbent core is divided into 3 equal-width sections in the lengthwise direction of the disposable diaper.

[0016]

In the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of undulating compressed lines 8 are elongated in the lengthwise direction A, and the valleys and heights of the adjacent compressed lines are arranged close to each other but not in contact.

Also, in the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1, a group of 7 regular hexagons formed by 24 compressed points 9 is arranged in each roughly rhomboid region formed by the heights and valleys of the adjacent

undulating compressed lines 8.

[0017]

As used herein, the term. "crotch region" refers to the region that forms openings for passage of the legs of the wearer during use, the term "front body trunk region" refers to the region that is located on the front of the wearer's trunk region, i.e., in front of the crotch region, and the term "back body trunk region" refers to the region that is located on the back of the wearer's trunk region, i.e., behind the crotch region.

[0018]

In the case of a pants-type disposable diaper, the gather of the torso circumference at the front body section may be- referred to as the "front body trunk region" and at the back body section it may be referred to as the "back body trunk region", while the region between them may be referred to as the "crotch region".

[0019]

Fig. 2(a) is a magnified view of portion Xi of the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view along cross-section X-X of portion X of the disposable diaper 1 shown in. Fig. 1. The

disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 2(b) comprises a liguid-permeable top sheet 2, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, and an absorbent core 4 between the top sheet 2 and back sheet 3. In the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 2(b), 2 compressed lines 8 and 4 compressed points 9 are shown, formed by compressing the core wrap 10 and the absorptive core 11 composing the absorbent core 4, the thickness ti of the compressed lines 8 being smaller than the thickness t2 of the compressed points 9.

[0020]

In the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, there are arranged a total of 10 undulating compressed lines 8 each having segments slanting at approximately 40 with respect to the lengthwise direction A of the

disposable diaper 1, and therefore the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length L in the lengthwise direction A of the absorbent core 4 is approximately 13, and the thickness ti of the compressed lines 8 is approximately 35% of the thickness to in the non-compressed sections of the absorbent core 4.

[0021]

Also, in the disposable diaper 1 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the compressed points 9 have a density of about 16/cm² (i.e., 16 compressed points per square centimeter) based on the entire area of the absorbent core 4, and the thickness t2 of the compressed points 9 is approximately 55% of the thickness to of the non-compressed sections.

[0022]

In the absorbent article in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the compressed lines function as the skeleton of the absorbent article, while the compressed points function as bending origins for the absorbent article. In a thin absorbent article, the basis weight of the top sheet, absorbent core and back sheet is low and it is susceptible to deformation, but by arranging a prescribed number of compressed lines as a skeleton, it is possible to form an absorbent article that is resistant to deformation. In addition,

increasing the number of compressed lines tends to result in increased rigidity of the absorbent article so that only the compressed lines are easily bendable origins, but by arranging a prescribed number of compressed points in the absorbent article, the compressed points act as bending origins in the absorbent article, allowing bending in different directions of the absorbent article, so that flexibility is exhibited and the feel during wear is satisfactory.

[0023]

Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are sets of diagrams showing examples of compressed lines for an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 3A(a)-(c) and Fig. 3B(d)-(f) are diagrams of absorbent cores seen from the side of the top sheet side. In Fig. 3A(a), a total of 8 compressed lines 8 are arranged parallel in the

lengthwise direction A of the absorbent core (absorbent article) , the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A being approximately 8.0. The compressed lines shown in Fig. 3A(a) have a total of 8 bending origins in the widthwise direction B of the absorbent article, and therefore excellent flexibility is exhibited in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article to follow the curvature of the body of the wearer .

[0024]

In Fig. 3A(b), a total of 11 compressed lines 8 are arranged parallel in the widthwise direction B of the absorbent core (absorbent article) , the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A being approximately 5.5. The compressed lines shown in Fig. 3A(b) have a total of- 11 bending origins in the lengthwise direction A of the absorbent article, and therefore excellent flexibility is exhibited in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article to follow the curvature of the body of the wearer.

[0025]

In Fig. 3A(c), compressed lines 8 are arranged in two mutually perpendicular sets of lines slanted at approximately ±45° from the lengthwise direction A of the absorbent core (absorbent article) , the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A being approximately 14. The compressed lines shown in Fig. 3A(c) have a plurality of bending origins in 2 directions, and therefore the structure can follow the curvature of the body of the wearer.

[0026]

In Fig. 3B(d), the compressed lines 8 are arranged to form a honeycomb structure composed of regular

hexagons, the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A being approximately 7.5. The compressed lines shown in Fig. 3B(d) have a plurality of bending origins in 3 directions, and therefore the structure can follow the curvature of the body of the wearer.

[0027]

Fig. 3B(e) is a modified example of Fig. 3A(c), wherein the compressed lines 8 are arranged without intersections between the two different mutually

perpendicular sets of compressed lines. In Fig. 3B(e), the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A is approximately 13.5. The compressed lines shown in Fig. 3B(e) do not have intersections between the compressed lines, where rigidness is usually felt, and therefore a more excellent feel during wear tends to be exhibited than with the example illustrated in Fig. 3A

(c) .

[0028]

Fig. 3B(f) is a modified example of Fig. 3B(e), wherein the compressed lines 8 are arranged without intersections between the two different mutually

perpendicular sets of compressed lines, and defining undulating compressed lines which are continuous in the lengthwise direction A in a manner similar to the

compressed lines 8 in Figs. 1 and 2. The skeletal

function of the undulating compressed lines is more powerfully exhibited. In Fig. 3B(f), the ratio of the total length of all the^" compressed lines 8 to the length of the absorbent core 4 in the lengthwise direction A is approximately 14, similar to Fig. 3A(c).

In some embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated in the diagrams of Figs. 3A and 3B, the compressed lines 8 are arranged in a repeating pattern.

[0029]

According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is about 5-20, preferably about 6-18, more preferably about 8-16 and even more preferably about 9-15. If this ratio is lower than about 5, the skeletal function of the compressed lines may be insufficient, and deformation may occur when the absorbent article is worn, and especially when a large amount of liquid has been absorbed, while if the ratio is greater than about 20, the skeletal function may be overly exhibited, tending to result in a rigid

absorbent article and a reduced feel during wear.

[0030] The ratio can be determined by direct calculation from the length of the compressed pattern forming the compressed lines, or it can be determined by measuring the lengths of the compressed lines in the actual

absorbent core. When the lengths of the compressed lines in the actual absorbent core are to be measured, the absorbent core may be removed from the absorbent article and measurement conducted while it is lying flat.

When the absorbent core is not generally

rectangular, such as when it is roughly elliptical or of a hourglass shape, the length of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is the length of the longest portion in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article, such as the long diameter.

[0031]

The thickness of the compressed lines in the

absorbent article in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure is about 20-50%, more preferably 25-45% and even more preferably 30-40% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections. If the thickness ratio is less than about 20% the compressed lines may be too rigid and the feel during wear will tend to be reduced, while the core wrap may rupture and the super absorbent polymer may leak, often adhering to the wearer. If the thickness ratio is greater than about 50%, the skeletal function of the compressed lines may be insufficient, the absorbent core will be prone to shifting in the absorbent article or cracking, and the absorbent article will tend to be deformed, especially after it has absorbed liquids.

[0032]

In an embodiment in which the absorbent article is a disposable diaper, the thickness of the non-compressed sections may be about 3 mm, the thickness of the

compressed lines may be about 1 mm, and the thickness ratio may be about 33%. The thickness of the non- compressed sections of an absorbent core in a disposable diaper is normally about 2-8 mm. [0033]

As used herein, the thicknesses of the compressed lines, the compressed points and the non-compressed sections may be measured in a non-contact manner using a laser displacement meter, before absorption of liquid and after absorption of liquid. An example of a laser displacement meter is the LJ-G Series high precision two- dimensional laser displacement gauge (Model: LJ-G030) by Keyence Corp.

By placing a sample on a horizontal measuring stage and measuring the displacement from the measuring stage, it is possible to measure the thickness t_x of the

compressed line, the thickness t₂ of the compressed point and the thickness to of the non-compressed section. When the sample comprises a back sheet or the like, the thickness of the back sheet may be separately measured and subtracted from the measured value to determine the thickness of the absorbent core as the thickness ti of the compressed lines, the thickness t2 of the compressed points and the thickness to of the non-compressed

sections.

[0034]

Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are sets of diagrams showing examples of compressed points for an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 4A(a) is an example wherein the compressed points 9 are regularly arranged in the vertical (lengthwise) direction and the horizontal (widthwise) direction, forming a square lattice 12. In the example shown in Fig. 4A(a), the compressed points are connected at their shortest distances to form 2 different crease lines 13 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the absorbent article can bend easily mainly along these 2 directions. The actual ease of bending may be represented by evaluating the number of compressed points on a given straight line as the number per unit length, i.e. by the linear density of the compressed points.

[0035]

Fig. 4A(b) is an example similar to Fig. 4A(a), except that the crease lines 13 are slated with respect to the lengthwise and width wise directions of the absorbent core, and are oriented in the direction from top right to bottom left and the direction from top left to bottom right, and the absorbent article can bend easily mainly along these 2 directions.

[0036]

Fig. 4A(c) is an example wherein the compressed points 9 are arranged as the vertices of regular

hexagons, forming a regular hexagonal lattice 12. In the example shown in Fig. 4A(c), the compressed points are connected at their shortest adjacent distances to form 3 different crease lines 13 in the vertical (lengthwise) direction, the direction from top right to bottom left and the direction from top left to bottom right, and the absorbent article can bend easily mainly along these 3 directions .

[0037]

Fig. 4B(d) is an example wherein the compressed points 9 are arranged as the vertices of squares and regular octagons, forming square lattices 12 and regular octagonal lattices 12. In the example shown in Fig.

4B(d), the compressed points are connected at their shortest adjacent distances to form a total of 6

different crease lines 13, 2 in the vertical (lengthwise) direction, 2 in the horizontal (widthwise) direction, and one in each of the direction from top right to bottom left and the direction from top left to bottom right, and the absorbent article can bend easily mainly along these 6 directions.

[0038]

Fig. 4B(e) and Fig. 4B(f) are further modified examples of Fig. 4A(c) and Fig. 4B(d), respectively. In Fig. 4B(e) and Fig. 4B(f), the shapes of the compressed points 9 are extended in the directions of the crease lines 13, to serve as guides during bending, and

therefore the absorbent core and hence the absorbent article is easily bendable along the crease lines 13.

In some embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated in the diagrams of Figs. 4A and 4B, the compressed points 9 are arranged in a repeating pattern.

[0039]

In an embodiment in which the compressed points in the absorbent article are arranged in a regular manner, such as shown in Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, for example, the compressed points are evenly distributed and variations in bendability and absorption performance can be

minimized.

Each example herein of an arrangement of the compressed points is generally applicable to any

absorbent article in accordance with the present

disclosure.

As used herein, a "compressed point" refers to a compressed section in which the longest dimension is no greater than 3 times the shortest dimension when the absorbent core is viewed from the side of the top sheet. A "compressed line" refers to a compressed section in which the longest dimension is greater than 3 times the short diameters when the absorbent core is viewed from the side of the top sheet.

There are no particular restrictions on the shapes of the compressed points, and for example, they may be circular shapes as shown in Fig. 4A(a) to Fig. 4A(c) and Fig. 4B(d), or elliptical, triangular, such as regular triangular, square, rectangular, regular pentagonal, star-shaped or heart-shaped, or the shapes shown in Fig. 4B(e) and Fig. 4B(f). Each example herein of a possible shape of the compressed points is generally applicable to any absorbent article in accordance with the present disclosure .

[0040] The compressed points in the absorbent article in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure have a density of about 3-40/cm² based on the entire area of the absorbent core, and preferably a density of about 5-30/cm² and more preferably a density of about 10-20/cm². If the density is less than about 3/cm², the number of bending origins of the absorbent core may be insufficient and the absorbent article may be rigid, while if the number is greater than about 40/cm², the absorbent core as a whole may be compressed and the stiffness increased, the feel during wear impaired, and the absorption of liquid

reduced.

[0041]

The thickness of the compressed points to the non- compressed sections in the absorbent article in

accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure is about 40-98%, more preferably about 45-90% and even more preferably about 50-80%. If the thickness ratio is less than about 40%, the compressed points themselves may exhibit rigidity, leading to rigidity of the absorbent core as a whole and potentially reducing the feel during wear, while if the thickness ratio is greater than about 98%, the function of the bending origins may not be exhibited.

[0042]

compressed points may be about 2 mm, and the thickness ratio may be about 67%. As mentioned above, the

thickness of the non-compressed sections of an absorbent core in a disposable diaper is normally about 2-8 mm.

[0043]

The thickness of the compressed lines in the

absorbent article in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure is less than the thickness of the

compressed points. Since the compressed lines function as a skeleton, they are compressed at a constant high pressure to have a small thickness, but the compressed points function as bending origins and their compression with a pressure for functioning as a skeleton is not necessary. Rather, when they are compressed at such a pressure for- functioning as a skeleton, the stiffness of the compressed points increases, lowering the liquid absorbing power.

[0044]

The compressed lines in the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure are preferably present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and the center region between both side edge regions of the absorbent core. Since the compressed lines function as a skeleton in the absorbent article, they are preferably present evenly across the entire absorbent core. Particularly to avoid loss of the absorbent core from the absorbent article, the compressed lines are preferably present in the center region in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core.

For the same reason, the compressed lines are preferably present in^' the front body trunk region, the crotch region and the back body trunk region of the absorbent core.

[0045]

The compressed points in the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure are preferably present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and the center region between both side edge regions of the absorbent core, similar to the compressed lines. Since the compressed points function as bending origins in the absorbent article, they are preferably present evenly across the entire absorbent core in order to impart flexibility to the absorbent core .

For the same reason, the compressed lines are preferably present in the front body trunk region, the crotch region and the back body trunk region of the absorbent core.

[0046]

In the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the ratio of the bending resistance of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article to the bending

resistance of the absorbent core in the widthwise

direction is preferably in the range of about 0.4-2.5, more preferably in the range of about 0.5-2.2 and more preferably in the range of about 0.7-1.8. This is because it is preferred for the absorbent article to have about the same degree of flexibility in both the

lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction.

[0047]

In an absorbent core to be used in an absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the

disclosure, the bending resistance in the lengthwise direction and widthwise direction of the absorbent article differ depending on the actual form of the absorbent article, such as an adult disposable diaper, an infant disposable diaper, or a sanitary napkin, for example, a bedtime sanitary napkin or daytime sanitary napkin, but in the case of an infant disposable diaper, the bending resistance in the lengthwise direction and widthwise direction is preferably no greater than about 100 mN, more preferably no greater than about 90 mN and even more preferably no greater than about 80 mN, for both directions. If the bending resistance in both the lengthwise direction and widthwise direction of the absorbent article is no greater than about 100 mN, the disposable diaper will be able to exhibit flexibility in both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise

direction.

[0048]

The bending resistance may be measured in the following manner using a bending resistance measuring tester (Taber stiffness tester) by Nisshin Kikai Co., Ltd.

1. The absorbent core is cut to a 38 mm x 70 mm size with scissors or a hand cutter (for measurement of the bending resistance in the lengthwise direction, it is cut to 70 mm in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core), to form a sample.

2. The sample is anchored between jigs of a bending resistance tester and the screws on both ends are gently tightened to prevent falling of the sample.

3. The lower knob is adjusted to match "0" on the rotating device and "0" on the load scale.

4. It is locked with the screws at both ends of the roller at a distance where the roller is barely in contact with the sample (about 0.5 mm).

5. The switch is pressed to the right to turn the sample rotating device toward the right, and when the 15 degree marked line (left side) and the pendulum pointer match, the switch is returned to stop rotation, and the load scale is read.

6. Similarly, the switch is pressed to the left to turn the sample rotating device toward the left, and when the 15 degree marked line (right side) and the pendulum pointer match, the switch is returned to stop rotation, and the load scale is read.

7. The bending resistance is calculated by the following formula.

Bending resistance = (right load scale + left load scale) /2 x weight value/1000 x 9.807

The measurement is conducted 10 times, and the average value is used as the bending resistance.

[0049]

In the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the ratio of the total area of all the compressed lines to the entire area of the absorbent core is preferably in the range of 4-20%, more preferably in the range of 6-18% and even more preferably in the range of 7-15%. If this ratio is less than about 4% the skeletal function will tend to be insufficient, while if the ratio is greater than about 20% the

proportion of liquid-absorbing regions of the absorbent core will decrease, potentially affecting the absorbing power .

[0050]

In the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the widths of the

compressed lines are preferably in the range of about 0.5-2.0 mm. If the widths of the compressed lines exceed about 2.0 mm, the hardness of the individual compressed lines will be prominent, tending to lower the quality of feel. On the other hand, if the widths of the compressed lines are less than about 0.5 mm, the skeletal function may be insufficient, and during formation of the

compressed lines, it will be necessary to sharpen the shapes of the pins that form the compressed lines and the absorbent core may rupture, during compressing.

[0051]

In the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the ratio of the total area of all the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is preferably in the range of 5-30%, more preferably in the range of 6-25% and even more preferably in the range of 7-20%. If this ratio is less than about 5% the number of bending origins will be low and the flexibility will tend to be impaired, while if the ratio exceeds about 30% the volume of the absorbent core may be reduced, potentially affecting the absorbing power.

[0052]

The ratio of the total area of all the compressed sections comprising the compressed lines and compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is preferably no greater than about 35%, more preferably no greater than about 30%, even more preferably no greater than about 25% and yet more preferably no greater than about 20%. If the ratio exceeds about 35%, the volume of the absorbent core may be reduced, potentially affecting the absorbing power.

[0053]

The individual area of each compressed point in the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure is preferably no greater than about 9 mm², more preferably no greater than about 4 mm² and even more preferably no greater than about 2 mm². The reasons for this include that the function as bending origins may be exhibited even with compressed points of a small area, while increasing the area of the compressed point tends to harden the absorbent core and lower the absorbing power .

[0054]

As used herein, the areas of the compressed lines and compressed points are the opening area of the

compressed lines and the opening area of the compressed points, respectively. Referring to Fig. 2(b) for

explanation of the opening area, the sections of the compressed lines 8 in contact with (or closest to) the top sheet 2 are the openings of the compressed lines 8, and their area is the opening area. Similarly, the sections of the compressed points 9 in contact with (or closest to) the top sheet 2 are the openings of the compressed points 9, and their area is the opening area.

Likewise, the widths of the compressed lines are the opening widths of the compressed lines.

[0055]

The thickness of the compressed lines of the

absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure after absorption of liquid preferably is approximately 40-85% of the thickness, more preferably approximately 50-80% of the thickness, and even more preferably approximately 60-75% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

Thus, the compressed lines can function as a skeleton even after absorption of liquid.

[0056]

The thickness of the compressed lines after liquid absorption can be measured under the following

conditions.

A sample is cut to a 10 mm x 10 mm size so as to contain both compressed lines and non-compressed

sections, and is placed on a horizontal measuring stage, a pipette is used to drop 200 μΐι of artificial urine thereon, and 2 minutes following the dropping, the displacement of the compressed lines and non-compressed sections from the measuring stage is measured. The displacement can be measured using the laser displacement meter mentioned above. When the compressed line sizes are greater than 10 mm x 10 mm, 2 different samples, a compressed line sample and a non-compressed section sample, are prepared.

The artificial urine may be prepared by dissolving 200 g of urea, 80 g of sodium chloride, 80 g of magnesium sulfate, 8 g of calcium chloride and approximately 1 g of dye Blue #1 in 10 L of ion-exchanged water.

[0057]

The absorbent core in the absorbent article in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure may further comprise a super absorbent polymer. When the absorbent core comprises a super absorbent polymer, the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the compressed lines after absorption of liquid is preferably smaller than the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the non-compressed sections also after absorption of liquid. Because of this

configuration, the compressed lines can function as a skeleton even after absorption of liquid.

[0058]

The expansion coefficient can be measured in the following manner. A sample is cut to a 10 mm x 10 mm size so as to contain both compressed lines and non-compressed

sections, and is placed on a horizontal measuring stage, a pipette is used to drop 200 μΐ_* of artificial urine thereon, and 2 minutes following the dropping, the sample is treated by vapor deposition or the like and the cross- section is imaged with a Real Surface View VE7800

electron microscope by Keyence. Based on the image, the diameters of at least 100 super absorbent polymer

particles directly under the compressed lines are

measured, the diameters. of at least 100 super absorbent polymer particles located in the non-compressed sections are measured, and the average value for the diameters of the super absorbent polymer particles directly under the compressed lines is divided by the average value for the diameters of the super absorbent polymer particles located in the non-compressed sections, to calculate the expansion coefficient. When the compressed line sizes are greater than 10 mm x 10 mm, 2 different samples, a compressed line sample and a non-compressed section sample, are prepared. When it is difficult to measure 100 super absorbent polymer diameters for a single sample, multiple samples are prepared.

[0059]

The previous examples had the compressed lines and compressed points formed by compressing an absorbent core comprising an absorptive core, a core wrap and optionally a super-absorbent polymer, but the compressed lines and compressed points are not limited to this embodiment, and the compressed lines and/or compressed points may instead be formed by compressing a liquid-permeable top sheet and an absorbent core.

Also, when the absorbent article comprises a second sheet between the top sheet and the absorbent core, the second sheet and absorbent core may be compressed to form the compressed lines and compressed points, or the top sheet, second sheet and/or absorbent core may be

compressed to form the compressed lines and/or compressed points .

[0060]

The liquid-permeable top sheet used in the absorbent article in an embodiment of the disclosure may be

selected as one that is commonly used or to be developed in the technical field without any particular

restrictions, and examples thereof include nonwoven fabrics, woven fabrics, their partial or total liquid- permeable fabrics, resin films having liquid permeation holes formed therein, and net-like sheets with meshes. A nonwoven fabric may be a spunlace nonwoven fabric formed from cellulose fiber, such as rayon or synthetic resin fibers, or an air-through nonwoven fabric formed from synthetic resin fibers.

Resin films and net-like sheets include those formed from polypropylene, polyethylene and polyethylene

terephthalate .

[0061]

The liquid-impermeable back sheet to be used in the absorbent article in an embodiment of the disclosure is not particularly restricted so long as it is one that is commonly used or to be developed in the technical field, and a low-density polyethylene sheet may be mentioned as an example.

The anti-leakage wall is an element of the absorbent article in an embodiment of the disclosure as desired, and when it is present it may be the same material as the top sheet.

[0062]

The absorptive core composing the absorbent core is not particularly restricted so long as it is one that is commonly used or to be developed in the technical field, and examples include pulverized pulp, chemical pulp, cellulose fiber, and artificial cellulose fiber, such as rayon and acetate, synthetic fibers and sheets formed from such fibers, such as airlaid sheets or through-air nonwoven fabrics. The absorptive core may further comprise a super absorbent polymer, such as a starch- based, acrylic acid-based or amino acid-based particulate or filamentous polymer.

The core wrap composing the absorbent core is not particularly restricted so long as it is one that is commonly used or to be developed in the technical field, and examples include tissues and hydrophilic nonwoven fabrics .

[0063]

Examples of the absorbent articles include

disposable diapers, incontinence pads, sanitary napkins, panty liners and the like, and since the absorbent article of the disclosure can retain its form even after having absorbed a large amount of liquid, disposable diapers and incontinence pads are especially preferred embodiments .

[0064]

The absorbent article in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure may be produced in the following manner, for example.

1. An absorptive core comprising pulp, a super absorbent polymer or the like as the absorptive core is wrapped with a tissue (core wrap) that has been coated with a hot-melt adhesive.

2. The wrap is passed through a pair of rolls having a compression pattern (top sheet side) and a flat side (back sheet side) , to form compressed sections (lines and points) .

The compression pattern preferably has both a compressed line pattern and a compressed point pattern, to simultaneously form the compressed lines and

compressed points. This will allow the shapes of both compressed lines and points to be formed without wrinkles or collapsing.

If the compressed lines and compressed points are formed separately in 2 stages, the shapes of the

compressed lines or points formed during the first stage will tend to disappear more easily during the second compressing .

A difference in the depths between the compressed lines and compressed points can be achieved by varying the height of the pin used to form the compressed

sections .

Examples

[0065]

Examples in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure will now be explained with examples, with the understanding that the disclosure is not meant to be limited to the examples.

[Example 1]

[Total length of compressed lines]

Pulp with a basis weight of 250 g/m² was covered with a tissue having a basis weight of 17 g/m², to produce a pre-compressing absorbent core (approximately 11 cm x 35 cm, thickness: approximately 3.0 mm), as absorbent core No.l. One or more compressed lines were then formed in absorbent core No.l extending in the lengthwise

direction, as shown in Fig. 3A(a), to form absorbent cores No.2-No.8. Absorbent cores N0.2-N0.8 had different numbers of compressed lines, and the ratios of the total length of all the compressed lines with respect to the length of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction were different. The compressed lines all had thicknesses of approximately 1 mm, and widths of approximately 1 mm.

[0066]

For example, absorbent core No.4 had 5 compressed lines, and the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction was 5.

In absorbent cores No.l-No.8, a top sheet and back sheet were attached to form absorbent articles No.l-No.8, and the absorbent articles No.l-No.8 were subjected to an absorbent core form retention test to confirm the

relationship between the aforementioned ratio and the skeletal function. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0067]

The form retention of each absorbent article was tested in the following manner.

1. The absorbent core to be tested was attached to a child's L-size disposable diaper, and worn by a subject (child) .

2. After 10 minutes, 200 cc of water warmed to approximately 37°C was dropped onto the disposable diaper from the abdomen side through an erectly placed tube while the diaper was worn by the subject.

The dropping was performed at the center of the absorbent core.

3. After 30 minutes, the disposable diaper was removed from the subject and the form retention of the absorbent core was visually evaluated based on the scale shown below.

4. The same test was conducted for a total of 5 subjects, and an overall evaluation was made.

The subjects wearing the disposable diapers were not restricted in movement, but subjects that were sleeping for most of the 30 minute period, and subjects sitting in chairs, were excluded from the evaluation.

[0068]

[Evaluation scale]

Good (G) : Absorbent core did not separate into 2 parts, and no crazing was observed.

Fair (F) : Absorbent core did not separate into 2 parts, but crazing was observed.

Poor (P) : Absorbent core separated into 2 parts.

[0069] Table 1

[0070]

Table 1 indicates that the form of the absorbent core is retained during use when the total length ratio is about 5 or greater.

[0071]

[Example 2]

An acrylic acid-based super absorbent polymer was dispersed in pulp with a basis weight of about 250 g/m², to a basis weight of 220 g/m² and wrapped with tissue having a basis weight of 17 g/m², and compressed lines and compressed points were formed as shown in Fig. 1 to produce absorbent core No.9.

The compressed lines and compressed points were formed using a compressed line pin height of 0.7 mm and a compressed point pin height of 0.2 mm, with a clearance from the compressed line pin tip to the anvil roll of 0.3 mm, and with the compression being performed at an oil pressure of 3 Mpa.

[0072]

The widths of the formed compressed lines were approximately 1 mm, and the lengths of the 2 diagonals of the rhomboid unit lattice formed by the compressed lines were 25 mm (lengthwise direction) and 19 mm (widthwise direction) . The formed compressed points had diameters of about 1.1 mm, and the regular hexagon sides were about 2 mm. The thicknesses of the compressed lines, compressed points and non-compressed sections of

absorbent core No. are shown in Table 2.

[0073]

[Comparative Example 1]

An acrylic acid-based super absorbent polymer was dispersed in pulp with a basis weight of about 250 g/m², to a basis weight of 220 g/m², and wrapped with tissue having a basis weight of 17 g/m², and absorbent core No.10 having compressed lines, such as shown in Fig. 3A(a) was produced. The thicknesses of the compressed lines and non-compressed sections of absorbent core No.710 are shown in Table 2.

[0074]

[Comparative Example 2]

An acrylic acid-based super absorbent polymer was dispersed in pulp with a basis weight of about 250 g/m², to a basis weight of 220 g/m², and wrapped with tissue having a basis weight of 17 g/m², and absorbent core No.11 having compressed lines, such as shown in Fig. 3A(c) was produced. The thicknesses of the compressed lines and non-compressed sections of absorbent core No.11 are shown in Table 2.

[0075]

Table 2

[0076]

[Example 3]

[Bending resistance]

A bending resistance measuring tester (Taber

stiffness tester) by Nisshin Kikai Co., Ltd. was used to measure the bending resistance of each of absorbent core Nos.9-11. The results are shown in Table 3.

[0077]

Table 3

[0078]

The absorbent core produced in Example 2 had low bending resistance in the lengthwise direction and widthwise direction, and was flexible in the lengthwise direction and widthwise direction, with a small

difference between them.

[0079]

[Example 4]

[Compressed lines and thickness of compressed lines]

Pulps with different basis weights were wrapped with tissue having a basis weight of 17 g/m², to prepare non- compressed absorbent cores with 3 different thicknesses (2.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 3.5 mm). Next, compressed lines and compressed points having the shapes shown in Fig. 1 were formed in the non-compressed absorbent cores to form absorbent core Nos.12-44. Absorbent core Nos.12-44 had compressed lines and compressed points with the shapes shown in Fig. 1, but with different thicknesses.

[0080]

The absorbent core form retention, quality of feel and bending properties of absorbent core Nos.12-44 were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 4.

The absorbent core form retention was evaluated in the same manner as Example 1, while the quality of feel and bending properties were organoleptically evaluated on a 2-level scale of Good (G) or Poor (p) .

[0081]

[0082]

It was thus demonstrated that the compressed line thickness is preferably in the range of 20-50% of the non-compressed section thickness, that the compressed point thickness is preferably in the range of 40-98% of the non-compressed section thickness, and that the compressed line thickness is preferably smaller than the compressed point thickness.

[0083]

Specifically, the present disclosure relates to the following J1-J12.

[Jl]

An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid-impermeable back sheet,

wherein the absorbent article has compressed lines and compressed points, formed by compressing at least the absorbent core,

the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the

lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is 5-20, and the thickness of the compressed lines is in the range of 20-50% with respect to the thickness of the non- compressed sections,

the compressed points have a density of 3-40/cm² based on the entire area of the absorbent core, and the thickness of the compressed points is in the range of 40- 98% with respect to the thickness of the non-compressed sections, and

the thickness of the compressed lines is smaller than the thickness of the compressed points.

[0084]

[J2]

The absorbent article according to Jl, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and the center region between both side edge regions of the absorbent core.

[J3]

The absorbent article according to Jl or J2, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are present in the front body, trunk region, the crotch region and the back body trunk region of the absorbent core.

[0085]

[J4]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J3, wherein the compressed lines are oriented in the lengthwise direction.

[J5]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J4 , wherein the ratio of the bending resistance in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core to the bending resistance in the direction perpendicular to the

lengthwise direction of the absorbent core is in the range of 0.4-2.5.

[0086]

[J6]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J5, wherein the ratio of the total area of the compressed lines to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 4-20%.

[J7]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J6, wherein the ratio of the total area of the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 5-30%, and the ratio of the total area of the compressed sections comprising the compressed lines and the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is no greater than 35%.

[0087]

[J8]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J7, wherein the bending resistance of the absorbent core is no greater than 100 mN in both the lengthwise

direction and the widthwise direction of the absorbent article .

[J9]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to

J8, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are formed by compressing at least the liquid- permeable top sheet and the absorbent core.

[0088]

[J10]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J9, wherein the thickness of the compressed lines after absorption of liquid retains a thickness in the range of 40-85% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections. [Jll]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to J10, wherein the absorbent core further comprises a super absorbent polymer, and the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the compressed lines is smaller than the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the non-compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

[0089]

[J12]

The absorbent article according to any one of Jl to

J12, which is a disposable diaper or an incontinence pad.

[0090]

In addition, the present disclosure relates to the following El.

[El]

wherein the absorbent article has compressed lines and compressed points, formed by compressing at least the absorbent core, the ratio of the total length of all the compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the

[0091]

Any of the preferred aspects described below, or any possible combination thereof, may be included in the absorbent article described in El.

^• The absorbent article further comprises an anti- leakage wall.

· The compressed lines and the compressed points are present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and the center region between both side edge regions of the absorbent core.

^•The absorbent core comprises an absorptive core and a core wrap.

[0092]

^• The point like compressions represent bending origins in the absorptive article, and the compressed lines represent a skeleton structure.

· The cumulative length of the compressed lines is

6-18 times the length of the absorptive article, more preferably 8-16 times or 9-15 times the length of the absorptive article.

^• The thickness of the compressed lines is in the range of 25-45% or 30-40% of the thickness of the non- compressed sections.

^• The compressed points are regularly arranged in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

^• The compressed points have a density of 5-30/cm² or 10-20/cm² of the absorbent core.

[0093]

^• The thickness of the compressed points is 45-90% or 50-80% of the thickness of the non-compressed

sections .

^• The compressed lines are present evenly across the entire region of the absorbent article.

^• The compressed lines are present in the centre region in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core.

^• The compressed lines and the compressed points are present in the front body trunk region, the crotch region and the back body trunk region of the absorbent core.

[0094]

^• The compressed lines are oriented in the

lengthwise direction.

^• The ratio of the bending resistance in the

lengthwise direction of the absorbent core to the bending resistance in the direction perpendicular to the

lengthwise direction of the absorbent core is in the range of 0.4-2.5, more preferably 0.5-2.2 or 0.7-1.8.

^• The ratio of the total area of the compressed lines to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 4-20%, more preferably 6-18% or 7-15%.

[0095]

^• The ratio of the total area of the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 5-30%, more preferably 6-25% or 7-20% and the ratio of the total area of the compressed sections comprising the compressed lines and the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is no greater than 35%, preferably no greater than 30%, not greater than 25%, or no greater than 20%.

^• The individual area of each point like compression is no greater than 9mm², for example no greater than 4mm² or no greater than 2mm². [0096]

^• The bending resistance of the absorbent core is no greater than 100 mN in both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction of the absorbent article.

^• The compressed lines and the compressed points are formed by compressing at least the liquid-permeable top sheet and the absorbent core.

^• The thickness of the compressed lines after absorption of liquid retains a thickness in the range of 40-85% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections.

[0097]

^• The absorbent core further comprises a super absorbent polymer, and the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the compressed lines is smaller than the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the non-compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

^• The absorbent article is a disposable diaper or an incontinence pad.

[0098] ^·

Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to the following U1-U18.

[Ul]

An absorbent article, comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid-impermeable back sheet,

wherein the absorbent article has compressed lines and compressed points, formed by compressing at least the absorbent. core,

a ratio of a total length of all the compressed lines to a length of the absorbent core in a lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is in a range of 5-20, and a thickness of the compressed lines is in a range of 20-50% of the thickness of non-compressed sections of the absorbent core,

the compressed points have a density of 3-40/cm² based on an entire area of the absorbent core, and a thickness of the compressed points is in a range of 40- 98% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections, and the thickness of the compressed lines is smaller than the thickness of the compressed points.

[0099]

[U2]

The absorbent article according to Ul, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and a center region between the side edge regions of the absorbent core.

[U3]

The absorbent article according to Ul or U2, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are present in a front body trunk region, a crotch region and a back body trunk region of the absorbent core.

[0100]

[U4]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to

U3, wherein the compressed lines are oriented in the lengthwise direction.

[U5]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U4, wherein a ratio of a bending resistance in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core to a bending resistance in a widthwise direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core is in a range of 0.4-2.5.

[0101]

[U6]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U5, wherein a ratio of a total area of all the compressed lines to the entire area of the absorbent core is in a range of 4-20%.

[U7]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U6, wherein

a ratio of a total area of all the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is in a range of 5-30%, and

a ratio of a total area of all compressed sections comprising the compressed lines and the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is no greater than 35%. ,

[0102]

[U8]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U7, wherein the bending resistance of the absorbent core is no greater than 100 mN in both the lengthwise

direction and the widthwise direction of the absorbent article.

:[U9]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U8, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are formed by compressing at least the liquid- permeable top sheet and the absorbent core.

[0103]

fUlO]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U9, wherein the thickness of the compressed lines after absorption of liquid is in a range of 40-85% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

[Ull]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U10, wherein the absorbent core further comprises a super absorbent polymer, and an expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the compressed lines after absorption of liquid is smaller than the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the non- compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

[0104]

[U12] The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to Ull, which is a disposable diaper or an incontinence pad. [U13]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U12, wherein the compressed lines are present evenly across the entire absorbent core.

[0105]

[U14]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U13, wherein the compressed points are present evenly across the entire absorbent core.

[U15]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U14, wherein the compressed points are arranged to form regular lattices.

[0106]

[U16]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U15, wherein the compressed lines are arranged in a repeating pattern.

[U17]

The absorbent article according to any one of Ul to U16, wherein the compressed points are arranged in a repeating pattern.

[0107]

[U18]

An absorbent core for an absorbent article, the absorbent core comprising an absorptive core and a core wrap which are compressed together at a plurality of compressed lines and compressed points, wherein

a ratio of a total length of all the compressed lines to a length of the absorbent core in a lengthwise direction of the absorbent core is in a range of 5-20, and a thickness of the compressed lines is in a range of 20-50% of the thickness of non-compressed sections of the absorbent core,

This application claims the benefit , of Japanese Application No. 2011-043794 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. References Signs List

[0108]

1 Disposable diaper

2 Top sheet

3 Back sheet

4 Absorbent core

5 Anti-leakage wall

6 Tape fastener

7 Skin contact surface

8 Compressed line

9 Compressed point

10 Core wrap

11 Absorptive core

12 Lattice

13 Crease line

A Lengthwise direction

B Widthwise direction

i Front body trunk region

W2 Back body trunk region

C Crotch region

Claims

Claim 1.

An absorbent article comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet, and an

absorbent core between the liquid-permeable top sheet and the liquid-impermeable back sheet,

the ratio of the total length of all the

compressed lines to the length of the absorbent core in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent article is 5- 20, and the thickness of the compressed lines is in the range of 20-50% with respect to the thickness of the non- compressed sections,

Claim 2.

The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are

present in both side edge regions in the lengthwise direction and the center region between both side edge regions of the absorbent core.

Claim 3.

The absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are present in the front body trunk region, the crotch region and the back body trunk region of the absorbent core .

Claim 4.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the compressed lines are oriented in the lengthwise direction.

Claim 5.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ratio of the bending resistance in the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core to the bending resistance in the direction perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the absorbent core is in the range of 0.4-2.5.

Claim 6.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ratio of the total area of the compressed lines to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 4-20%.

Claim 7.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the ratio of the total area of the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is in the range of 5-30%, and the ratio of the total area of the compressed sections comprising the compressed lines and the compressed points to the entire area of the absorbent core is no greater than 35%.

Claim 8.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the bending resistance of the absorbent core is no greater than 100 mN in both the lengthwise direction and the widthwise direction of the absorbent article .

Claim 9.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the compressed lines and the compressed points are formed by compressing at least the liquid- permeable top sheet and the absorbent core.

Claim 10.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the thickness of the compressed lines after absorption of liquid retains a thickness in the range of 40-85% of the thickness of the non-compressed sections.

Claim 11.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the absorbent core further comprises a super absorbent polymer, and the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the compressed lines is smaller than the expansion coefficient of the super absorbent polymer in the non-compressed sections after absorption of liquid.

Claim 12.

The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is a disposable diaper or an incontinence pad.