Surface sheet for absorbent article

Abstract

To provide a surface sheet for an absorbent article which allows a user to experience an excellent texture.SOLUTION: A surface sheet for an absorbent article includes a plurality of solid projection parts on a skin side surface. The projection part is enclosed by a plurality of joining parts arranged in a first direction and a second direction. The surface sheet has a first joining part existing region and a first joining part absence region which respectively extend in the second direction and are arranged alternately in the first direction. The surface sheet includes a first repeated unit including at least one first element which is constituted of one first joining part existing region and one first joining part absence region. A first ratio which is a ratio of a total sum of lengths in the first direction in the first joining part absence region to a total sum of lengths in the first direction in the first joining part existing region is 30% or less in the first repeated unit. An area ratio of the joining part to the entire area of the surface sheet is 20% or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a topsheet for an absorbent article. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, surface sheets of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins have been known in which the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin is embossed to form irregularities (for example, Patent Document 1). A surface sheet with irregularities can reduce the contact area with the wearer's skin due to the presence of the irregularities, reducing wetness and stuffiness, preventing skin rashes, and allowing the wearer to experience a pleasant feel against the skin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-186543 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a topsheet having an uneven surface, the convex portions may be crushed when a high load is applied during wear. In this case, the convex portions are less likely to flexibly deform in response to the movement of the skin. A topsheet for an absorbent article having an uneven structure is desired in which the convex portions are less likely to be crushed even under high load conditions.

[0005] The present invention relates to a topsheet for absorbent articles that has a concave-convex structure and in which the convex portions are not easily crushed even when the topsheet is in close contact with the wearer's skin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A surface sheet for an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention is a laminated sheet in which a first layer placed on the skin side and a second layer placed on the non-skin side are laminated and partially joined together, and has a first direction, a second direction, and a thickness direction that are perpendicular to each other. The topsheet has a plurality of solid protrusions on the skin side, which are surrounded by a plurality of joining portions arranged along the first and second directions. The topsheet has a first bonded region and a first bond-free region. The first bonded region extends along the second direction and has the bonded region at at least one location. The first bond-free region extends along the second direction and does not have the bonded region. The first bonded region and the first bond-free region are alternately arranged along the first direction. The topsheet has a first repeating unit including one or more first elements each consisting of one first bonded region and one first bonded-absent region. In the first repeat unit, a first ratio, which is the ratio of the total length of the first bond-free regions in the first direction to the total length of the first bond-existing regions in the first direction, is 30% or less. The area ratio of the joints to the entire area of ​​the topsheet is 20% or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] As described above, the topsheet for absorbent articles of the present invention can be made to be a topsheet that provides a pleasant feel against the skin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an absorbent article including a topsheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a topsheet according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the top sheet. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the topsheet, illustrating the arrangement of bonding portions and protrusions. [Figure 5] 10 is a partially enlarged plan view illustrating an example of dimensions of the joint portion of the topsheet and the bottom of the convex portion. FIG. [Figure 6](A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top sheet cut along the line VIA-VIA in Figure 3, taken along the first direction X of the high convex portions of the top sheet; (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top sheet cut along the line VIB-VIB in Figure 3, taken along the second direction Y of the high convex portions of the top sheet; and (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the top sheet cut along the line VIC-VIC in Figure 3, taken along the first direction X of the low convex portions of the top sheet. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the heat shrinkage process during the manufacturing of the topsheet, where (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view along the first direction X of the high convex portion, and (B) is a schematic cross-sectional view along the second direction Y of the high convex portion. [Figure 8] 1A is a plan view showing the topsheet of Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 1B is a plan view showing the topsheet of Comparative Example 2. FIG. [Figure 9] (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a method for evaluating the resistance of an absorbent article having a top sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention to chafing against the skin, and (B) is a diagram showing the position of a weight placed on the absorbent article when performing the evaluation. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a chart created by the tensile tester in the above example, in which the vertical axis represents frictional force and the horizontal axis represents displacement (mm) of the weight. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The topsheet for absorbent articles of the present invention is used, for example, as a topsheet for a sanitary napkin, which is an absorbent article, and will be described below taking a sanitary napkin as an example. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams in which emphasis, omission, and proportions have been appropriately adjusted in order to illustrate the present invention, and may differ from the actual shapes, positional relationships, and proportions.

[0010] [Overall composition of the napkin] As shown in Fig. 1, an absorbent article 1 equipped with a topsheet for absorbent articles of the present invention comprises a main body M and a pair of wing portions W. The absorbent article 1 is configured as a sanitary napkin, and will hereinafter be referred to as a napkin 1. Note that the napkin 1 does not necessarily have to comprise the wing portions W. The napkin 1 and the components that make up the napkin 1 have a first direction X that corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the wearer and a second direction Y that is perpendicular to the first direction X. The second direction Y corresponds to the left-to-right direction of the wearer. Furthermore, the napkin 1 and the components that make up the napkin 1 have a thickness direction Z that is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. In this specification, with regard to the thickness direction Z, the side closest to the wearer's skin when worn may be referred to as the upper or skin side, and the side closest to the clothing may be referred to as the lower or non-skin side. In this specification, the term "plan view" means a plan view seen from the thickness direction Z.

[0011] The main body M extends in the first direction X and is fixed to the inner surface of the wearer's clothing when worn. The main body M has an absorbent body 6, which will be described later, and has the function of absorbing liquids (hereinafter also referred to as "liquid") such as menstrual blood of the wearer. The wing portions W are configured to protrude significantly outward from the main body M in the second direction Y.

[0012] The napkin 1 comprises an absorbent body 6, a topsheet 2, a backsheet (not shown), and a pair of side sheets 9. In the main body M, the napkin 1 has a configuration in which the backsheet, absorbent body 6, and topsheet 2 are laminated in the thickness direction Z. These components are appropriately joined and integrated, for example, by bonding with an adhesive or heat sealing, or by embossing with compressed grooves.

[0013] The absorbent body 6 extends in the first direction X and is disposed between the topsheet 2 and the backsheet. The absorbent body 6 absorbs liquid from the surface facing the topsheet 2 and diffuses the liquid inside to retain it.

[0014] The topsheet 2 is made of a liquid-permeable sheet material and is disposed above the absorbent body 6 in the thickness direction Z. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper surface of the topsheet 2, i.e., the surface facing the wearer's skin, is referred to as the outer surface 2a, and the lower surface of the topsheet 2, i.e., the surface facing away from the wearer's skin, is referred to as the inner surface 2b. The outer surface 2a is the surface that comes into contact with the wearer's skin when the napkin 1 is worn. The top sheet 2 is a sheet with an uneven structure having an uneven outer surface 2a. The uneven structure reduces the contact area between the top sheet 2 and the wearer's skin, reduces wetting and stuffiness, and prevents skin rashes. It also provides a pleasant feel against the skin even when the top sheet 2 is in close contact with the skin. The top sheet 2 will be described in detail later.

[0015] The back sheet is disposed below the absorbent body 6 in the thickness direction Z. The back sheet is joined to the top sheet 2 and the side sheets 9, for example, at the peripheral edges thereof by adhesive, heat sealing, etc. The back sheet may also be joined to the absorbent body 6 by adhesive, etc. The backsheet is formed of a sheet material having properties such as low liquid permeability, water vapor permeability, and water repellency. Examples of the sheet material that can be used include a thermoplastic resin film and a laminate of such a film and a nonwoven fabric.

[0016] The pair of side sheets 9 are arranged on the periphery of the napkin 1 in the second direction Y, facing each other in the second direction Y with the topsheet 2 sandwiched between them. The side sheets 9 are joined to the topsheet 2 with an adhesive or the like on the inner side in the second direction Y. The material of the side sheets 9 is preferably a sheet material that is less hydrophilic than the topsheet 2, and specific examples include nonwoven fabrics, film materials, and sheets with a laminate structure of nonwoven fabrics and film materials that are less hydrophilic than the topsheet.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the napkin 1 further comprises leakage prevention grooves 8a and design embossed portions 8b formed by compressing the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 6. The leakage prevention grooves 8a and design embossed portions 8b are formed by compressing the topsheet 2 toward the absorbent body 6 in the thickness direction Z, and the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 6 are recessed toward the backsheet side, and are integrated by heat fusion or the like.

[0018] [Overall surface sheet configuration] As shown in FIG. 2, the topsheet 2 has a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a thickness direction Z which are perpendicular to each other. The outer surface 2a of the topsheet 2 has a plurality of protrusions 3 that protrude outward in the thickness direction Z of the napkin 1. Each protrusion 3 is formed between joints 4 that form a recess that is recessed downward in the thickness direction Z. The protrusions 3 are defined as areas that are raised in the thickness direction Z between the joints 4. The skin-facing side (outer surface) of the joints 4 is used as the reference plane (corresponding to the reference plane 60 described below) when determining the height of the protrusions 3 in the thickness direction Z. The topsheet 2 has protrusions 3 formed over the entire surface thereof.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the topsheet 2 is a laminated sheet in which a first layer 21 and a second layer 22 are laminated together, and the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 are partially joined at a joint 4. In the napkin 1 having the topsheet 2, the first layer 21 is positioned on the skin side, and the second layer 22 is positioned on the non-skin side. In the topsheet 2, a plurality of protrusions 3 are formed on the first layer 21 side. The first layer 21 includes a non-heat-shrinkable fiber, and the second layer 22 includes a heat-shrinkable fiber.

[0020] 6(A) to 6(C), the protrusions 3 of the topsheet 2 include a non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a of the first layer 21 and a heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a of the second layer 22. In the topsheet 2, the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a on the inner surface 2b side of the protrusions 3 is heat-shrunk, and the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a on the outer surface 2a side is erect and raised. On the other hand, the joints 4 are formed by compressing the embossed pattern in the thickness direction Z. In the joints 4, these two fiber layers are compressed in the thickness direction Z. In other words, the joints 4 have a higher fiber density than the protrusions 3.

[0021] [Surface sheet material] As the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a containing non-heat-shrinkable fibers, for example, a web formed by a carding method or a bulky nonwoven fabric is preferably used. A web formed by a carding method is a fiber assembly in a state before being made into a nonwoven fabric. As the bulky nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, an air-laid nonwoven fabric, or a resin-bonded nonwoven fabric is preferably used from the viewpoint of being able to impart a good texture to the topsheet 2. The heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a containing heat-shrinkable fibers can be a web formed by a carding method or a heat-shrinkable nonwoven fabric. Specifically, the heat-shrinkable fibers constituting the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a are preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer material and have heat shrinkability. Examples of such fibers include latently crimpable fibers. Before being heated, latently crimpable fibers can be handled in the same way as conventional fibers for nonwoven fabrics, and when heated to a predetermined temperature, they exhibit a spiral crimp and shrink. Potentially crimpable fibers, which are heat-shrinkable fibers, are, for example, eccentric core-sheath or side-by-side composite fibers composed of two thermoplastic polymer materials with different shrinkage rates. Examples of such fibers include those described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-296325 and Japanese Patent No. 2759331.

[0022] [Topsheet manufacturing method] The sheet material constituting the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a and the sheet material constituting the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a are laminated and compressed using an embossed pattern to form joints 4. As a result, a laminate consisting of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a and the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a with partial joints 4 formed therein is formed, as shown in the upper drawings in each of Figures 7(A) and (B). Simultaneously with or after this, heat is applied to the laminate to heat-shrink the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a in the in-plane direction (heat-shrinking step), as shown in the lower drawings in each of Figures 7(A) and (B), to produce the topsheet 2 configured as described above. In the topsheet 2, the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a has a raised, protruding configuration due to the heat-shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable fiber layer 22a.

[0023] [Detailed configuration of the surface sheet] (Configuration and arrangement of joints) 2, the joints 4 are regions where the outer surface 2a is recessed downward in the thickness direction Z. The multiple joints 4 are formed by partially joining the first layer 21 and the second layer 22 by embossing. The joint 4 is divided into a first joint 41 and a second joint 42 which have different shapes. Hereinafter, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the first joint portion 41 and the second joint portion 42, they will simply be referred to as the joint portion 4.

[0024] 2 and 3, the first joint 41 has a length in the first direction X that is equal to or greater than the length in the second direction Y, and has a shape that extends continuously along the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 3, the first joint 41 is composed of a V-shaped two-way extending portion 41a, an inverted V-shaped two-way extending portion 41b, and a rectangular connecting embossed portion 41c that connects these portions and is parallel to the first direction X. The two-way extending portions 41a and 41b have an arc shape with rounded tips. The plurality of first joints 41 are arranged intermittently along the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0025] The second joint 42 has an X-shape in which two generally rectangular portions with rounded corners intersect at an angle of 90° with their centers as the intersection point. The plurality of second joints 42 are arranged intermittently along the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4(A), the topsheet 2 has a plurality of first bonded area regions 51y and a plurality of first bonded area absence regions 52y. The first bonded portion existing region 51y is a region that extends parallel to the second direction Y and has at least one or more bonded portions 4. The first bond-free region 52y extends parallel to the second direction Y and is a region where no bond 4 exists. In the topsheet 2, the first bonded region 51y and the first bonded-absent region 52y are arranged alternately along the first direction X. In other words, if a first element 81 is made up of one adjacent first bonded region 51y and one adjacent first bonded-absent region 52y, a plurality of the first elements 81 are arranged along the first direction X. In FIG. 4(A), the first bond-existing region 51y is indicated by sparse dots, and the first bond-absent region 52y is indicated by dense dots.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the joints 4 are arranged intermittently in rows along the second direction Y. As shown in Figure 4(A), the multiple first bonded portions 41 are arranged in first bonded portion rows 41Ly along the second direction Y. The multiple second bonded portions 42 are arranged in second bonded portion rows 42Ly along the second direction Y. The first bonded portion rows 41Ly and the second bonded portion rows 42Ly are alternately arranged along the first direction X, and further, a first bond-free region 52y where no bonded portion 4 exists is located between the first bonded portion rows 41Ly and the second bonded portion rows 42Ly. The first joints 41 in a first joint row 41Ly and the second joints 42 in a second joint row 42Ly adjacent to the first joint row 41Ly are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, the joints in adjacent rows are shifted in the second direction Y by half the spacing between the joints in the row, forming a staggered arrangement in the form of a diagonal lattice.

[0028] In the first joint existence region 51y, the first joint row 41Ly or the second joint row 42Ly is located. No joint 4 is located in the first joint-free region 52y. A first bond-free region 52y exists between adjacent first bond row 41Ly and second bond row 42Ly, and the first bond row 41Ly and the second bond row 42Ly are positioned apart in the first direction X.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(A), in the entire topsheet 2, the joints 4 are formed in a repeating pattern in which the first repeating unit Uy is repeated along the first direction X. In the present invention, the first repeat unit Uy is configured to include one or more first elements each consisting of a first bond-present region 51y and a first bond-free region 52Y. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4(A), the first repeat unit Uy includes two first bond-present regions 51y and two first bond-free regions 52y. More specifically, the first repeat unit Uy is configured to include, in order from top to bottom in Figure 4(A), a first bond-present region 51y in which a second bond-present row 42Ly is located, a first bond-free region 52y adjacent to the first bond-present region 51y, a first bond-present region 51y in which a first bond-present row 41Ly adjacent to the first bond-free region 52y is located, and a first bond-free region 52y adjacent to the first bond-present region 51y.

[0030] In this embodiment, the first repeating unit Uy in the topsheet 2 can be said to be composed of two first elements 81. 4(A), the first repeat unit Uy has a first element 81A and a first element 81B. Hereinafter, unless there is a need to particularly distinguish between the first element 81A and the first element 81B, they will be referred to as the first element 81. The first element 81A is composed of a first bond-present region 51y corresponding to the second bond-present row 42Ly and a first bond-absent region 52y located below it in the drawing. The first element 81B is made up of a first bond-present region 51y corresponding to the first bond-present row 41Ly and a first bond-free region 52y located below it in the drawing. The second joints 42 constituting the second joint row 42Ly in the first element 81A have an overall elongated shape with the longitudinal direction in the first direction X. In contrast, the first joints 41 constituting the first joint row 41Ly in the second element 81B have a shape in which the length in the first direction X is the same as the length in the second direction Y. In this way, the first element 81A and the first element 81B have different shapes of the joints 4 (41 and 42) related to the configuration of the first element. The first repeating unit Uy can be composed of one or more first elements 81. The first repeating unit Uy is the smallest unit of the joint pattern when the topsheet 2 is provided with a repeated joint pattern along the first direction X.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first elements 81A and 81B are different in type. In this specification, "the first elements are of different types" means that the length in the first direction X of the first joint existence region 51y constituting one first element 81 is different from the length in the first direction X of the first joint existence region 51y constituting another first element 81. In such a case, one first element 81 and another first element 81 are said to be of different types. In this embodiment, the length in the first direction X of the first bond region 51y that constitutes the first element 81B is longer than the length in the first direction X of the first bond region 51y that constitutes the first element 81A, and the two have different lengths. Note that in this embodiment, the length in the first direction X of the first bond-free region 52y that constitutes the first element 81A is the same as the length in the first direction X of the first bond-free region 52y that constitutes the first element 81B. As described above, in this embodiment, the first repeat unit Uy is composed of two first elements, each of which is composed of two different types of first elements 81 (81A and 81B). Note that the first repeat unit Uy may be composed of three or more different types of first elements 81.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the topsheet 2 has a plurality of second bonded area regions 53x and a plurality of second bonded area absence regions 54x. The second bonded portion existing region 53x is a region that extends parallel to the first direction X and has at least one bonded portion 4 present therein. The second bond-free region 54x extends parallel to the first direction X and is a region where no bond 4 exists. In the topsheet 2, the second bonded region 53x and the second bonded-absent region 54x are arranged alternately along the second direction Y. In other words, if a second element 82 is made up of one adjacent second bonded region 53x and one adjacent second bonded-absent region 54x, a plurality of the second elements 82 are arranged along the second direction Y. In FIG. 4(B), the second bond-existing region 53x is indicated by sparse dots, and the second bond-absent region 54x is indicated by dense dots.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the joints 4 are arranged intermittently in a vertical row along the first direction X. As shown in Fig. 4(B), the multiple first joints 41 are arranged in a first joint column 41Lx along the first direction X. The multiple second joints 42 are arranged in a second joint column 42Lx along the first direction X. The first joint column 41Lx and the second joint column 42Lx are alternately arranged in the second direction Y, and further, a second joint-free region 54x where no joints 4 exist is located between the first joint column 41Lx and the second joint column 42Lx. The first joints 41 in a first joint column 41Lx and the second joints 42 in a second joint column 42Lx adjacent to the first joint column 41Lx are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, the joints in adjacent columns are shifted in the first direction X by half the spacing between the joints in the column, forming a staggered arrangement in the form of a diagonal lattice.

[0034] In the second joint existence region 53x, the first joint column 41Lx or the second joint column 42Lx is located. No joint 4 is located in the second joint-free region 54x. A second joint-free area 54x exists between adjacent first joint column 41Lx and second joint column 42Lx, and the first joint row 41Ly and the second joint row 42Ly are positioned apart in the second direction Y.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(B), in the entire topsheet 2, the joints 4 are formed in a repeating pattern in which the second repeating units Ux are repeated along the second direction Y. In the present invention, the second repeat unit Ux is configured to include one or more first elements each consisting of a second bond region 53x and a second bond-free region 53x. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4(B), the second repeat unit Ux includes two second bond regions 53x and two second bond-free regions 54x. More specifically, the second repeat unit Ux is configured to include, from left to right in Figure 4(B), a second bond region 53x in which the second bond column 42Lx is located, a second bond-free region 54x adjacent to the second bond region 53x, a second bond-free region 53x in which the first bond column 41Lx adjacent to the second bond-free region 54x is located, and a second bond-free region 54x adjacent to the second bond region 53x.

[0036] When one adjacent second bond region 53x and one adjacent second bond absence region 54x are defined as a second element 82, the second repeating unit Ux can be said to be composed of two second elements 82. In detail, in the example shown in FIG. 4(B), the second repeat unit Ux has a second element 82A and a second element 82B. The second element 82A is composed of a second joint presence region 53x corresponding to the second joint column 42Lx and a second joint absence region 54x located to the right of the second joint presence region 53x in the drawing. The second element 82B is made up of a second joint presence region 53x corresponding to the first joint column 41Lx and a second joint absence region 54x located to the right of the second joint presence region 53x in the drawing. The second joints 42 constituting the second joint column 42Lx have an overall elongated shape with a longitudinal direction in the first direction X, whereas the first joints 41 constituting the first joint column 41Lx have a shape in which the length in the first direction X is the same as the length in the second direction Y. In this way, the second element 82A and the second element 82B have different shapes of the joints 4 (41 and 42) constituting the second element 82. In this embodiment, the length in the second direction Y of the second joint region 53x that constitutes the second element 82A is the same as the length in the second direction Y of the second joint region 53x that constitutes the second element 82B. The length in the second direction Y of the second joint-free region 54x that constitutes the second element 82A is the same as the length in the second direction Y of the second joint-free region 54x that constitutes part of the second element 82B. Note that the lengths in the second direction Y of the second joint regions 53x of two different second elements 82 may be different from each other, in which case the two second elements 82 are said to be of different types. It should be noted that the second repeating unit Ux can be composed of one or more second elements 82. The second repeating unit Ux is the smallest unit of the joint pattern when forming a repeated joint pattern along the second direction Y on the topsheet 2.

[0037] In this way, the plurality of first joints 41 and the plurality of second joints 42 are arranged in a staggered manner in the first direction X and the second direction Y so as to be staggered with each other.

[0038] (Configuration of the convex part) As shown in FIG. 2, in the topsheet 2, the protrusions 3 are divided into a plurality of high protrusions 31 and a plurality of low protrusions 32. The high convex portions 31 are convex portions that are relatively high in the thickness direction Z, and the low convex portions 32 are convex portions that are relatively low in the thickness direction Z. The planar shape of the high convex portions 31 as viewed from the thickness direction Z is, for example, a substantially elliptical shape. The planar shape of the low convex portions 32 as viewed from the thickness direction Z is, for example, a substantially circular shape having a smaller area than the high convex portions 31. The area of ​​the bottom (bottom area) of the low convex portions 32, which will be described later, is smaller than the area of ​​the bottom (bottom area) of the high convex portions 31. The high convex portion 31 and the low convex portion 32 each have a dome structure that is convex outward in the thickness direction Z, and the outer surface is formed by a curved surface that is convex outward in the thickness direction Z. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the high convex portion 31 and the low convex portion 32, they will be referred to as the convex portion 3.

[0039] In the topsheet 2, the high-convex portions 31 have a lower fiber density than the low-convex portions 32. More specifically, the fiber density of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a in the high-convex portions 31 is lower than the fiber density of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a in the low-convex portions 32.

[0040] 2 and 6(A) and (B), the cross section of the high convex portion 31 has a shape that protrudes outward in the thickness direction Z toward the apex 34. The high convex portion 31 is filled with constituent fibers and has a solid structure. The apex 34 is the part of the high convex portion 31 where the height in the thickness direction Z is greatest, and is located approximately in the center when the high convex portion 31 is viewed in plan from the thickness direction Z. The apex 34 may be configured in the form of a point, for example, or may be a region having a predetermined area.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 6, the outer surface 2a at the joint 4 and an imaginary plane extending from it are used as a reference plane 60 for determining the height of the protrusions 3 in the thickness direction Z and the rising angle described below. The reference plane 60 is a flat surface. The rising angle indicates the state of protrusions in the thickness direction Z of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a, which is the rising portion rising in the thickness direction Z. The larger the rising angle, the higher the standing ability, and the more resistant the protrusions 3 are to being crushed under pressure (high load) when worn. In the high convex portion 31, the dimension in the thickness direction Z from the reference plane 60 to the apex 34 is defined as the height Ha of the high convex portion 31. In the high convex portion 31, the rising angle of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a, which is the rising portion standing in the thickness direction Z in the cross section along the first direction X (see FIG. 6(A)), is referred to as a first rising angle θ1. In the high convex portion 31, the rising angle of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a, which is the rising portion standing in the thickness direction Z in the cross section along the second direction Y (see FIG. 6(B)), is referred to as a second rising angle θ2. In this embodiment, the first standing angle θ1 is configured to be larger than the second standing angle θ2.

[0042] 2 and 6(C), the cross section of the low convex portion 32 along the first direction X has a shape that protrudes outward in the thickness direction Z toward the apex 35. Like the high convex portion 31, the low convex portion 32 is also solid. The apex 35 is the part of the low convex portion 32 where the height in the thickness direction Z is greatest, and is located approximately in the center when the low convex portion 32 is viewed in a plan view. The apex 35 is configured, for example, in a point shape, but may also be a region having a predetermined area. The dimension in the thickness direction Z from the apex 35 to the reference plane 60 is defined as the height Hb of the low convex portion 32. The height Hb of the low convex portion 32 is lower than the height Ha of the high convex portion 31 in the thickness direction Z. Here, the cross section of the low convex portion 32 along the second direction Y is not shown, but in the surface sheet 2 of this embodiment, the rising angle of the low convex portion 32 in the cross section along the second direction Y is smaller than the rising angle of the low convex portion 32 in the cross section along the first direction X.

[0043] The standing angle refers to the angle formed between the reference plane 60 and the wall portion 61. As shown in FIG. 6(A) (FIG. 6(B)), the wall 61 corresponds to a tangent to the outermost end point of the protrusion 3 in the first direction X (second direction Y) in a cross section of the protrusion 3 taken along the first direction X (cross section of the protrusion 3 taken along the second direction Y). In the cross section of the protrusion, the vicinity of the end point of the protrusion 3 is considered to be part of a circle O, any three points are set on this arc, the center of the circle O is found from these three points, and the tangent to the circle O at the end point can be found. Then, the tangent is taken as the wall 61 when determining the erection angle.

[0044] The cross section of the protrusion 3 along the first direction X can be obtained as follows. That is, the topsheet 2 is cut in the thickness direction Z using a knife, cutter, razor, or the like so as not to crush the cut surface, so as to include the protrusion 3 and the joints 4 located on both sides of the protrusion 3 in the first direction X, with the protrusion 3 in between. At this time, the cut is made along an imaginary line parallel to the first direction X that passes through the center between the two joints 4 located in the second direction Y on both sides of the protrusion 3 for which the standing angle is to be determined.

[0045] The cross section of the protrusion 3 along the second direction Y can be obtained as follows. That is, the topsheet 2 is cut in the thickness direction Z using a knife, cutter, razor, or the like so as not to crush the cut surface, so as to include the protrusion 3 and the joints 4 located on both sides of the protrusion 3 in the second direction Y, with the protrusion 3 in between. In this case, the cut is made along an imaginary line parallel to the second direction Y that passes through the center between the two joints 4 located in the first direction X on both sides of the protrusion 3 for which the erect angle is to be determined.

[0046] The erection angle can be determined based on an image of the cut surface taken at an appropriate magnification using an SEM (e.g., JEOL Ltd., model number: JCM-6000Plus) or a microscope (e.g., Keyence Corporation, model number: VHX-1000).

[0047] 6 and 7, the joints 4 indicated by dashed lines indicate the joints 4 located on the inner side of the protrusions 3 on the drawings.

[0048] (Arrangement of convex parts) As shown in FIG. 4(A), the protrusions 3 are arranged in rows along the second direction Y. The high protrusions 31 are arranged in high protrusion rows 31Ly along the second direction Y. The low protrusions 32 are arranged in low protrusion rows 32Ly along the second direction Y. The high protrusion rows 31Ly and the low protrusion rows 32Ly are alternately arranged in the first direction X. Furthermore, the high convex portions 31 in a high convex portion row 31Ly and the low convex portions 32 in a low convex portion row 32Ly adjacent to the high convex portion row 31Ly are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, the convex portions in adjacent rows are arranged at intervals that are half the spacing between the convex portions in the row in the second direction Y, forming a staggered arrangement in the form of a diagonal lattice.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the protrusions 3 are arranged intermittently in vertical rows along the first direction X. The high protrusions 31 are arranged in high protrusion columns 31Lx along the first direction X. The low protrusions 32 are arranged in low protrusion columns 32Lx along the first direction X. The high protrusion columns 31Lx and the low protrusion columns 32Lx are alternately arranged in the second direction Y. Furthermore, the high convex portions 31 in each high convex portion column 31Lx and the low convex portions 32 in each low convex portion column 32Lx adjacent to the high convex portion column 31Lx are arranged in a staggered manner. In other words, the convex portions in adjacent columns are arranged with a shift in the first direction X at intervals that are half the intervals between the convex portions in each column, forming a staggered arrangement in the form of an oblique lattice.

[0050] (Positional relationship between the convex part and the joint part) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the multiple protrusions 3 is surrounded by four bonding portions 4. More specifically, each of the multiple protrusions 3 is surrounded by two bonding portions 4 located along the first direction X with the protrusion 3 sandwiched therebetween, and two bonding portions 4 located along the second direction Y with the protrusion 3 sandwiched therebetween. As a result, each of the multiple protrusions 3 located along the first direction X is independent from one another in the first direction X due to the bonding portions 4 located along the first direction X. Each of the multiple protrusions 3 located along the second direction Y is independent from one another in the second direction Y due to the bonding portions 4 located along the second direction Y. The high convex portion 31 is surrounded by two second joints 42 positioned adjacent to each other along the first direction X, and two first joints 41 positioned adjacent to each other along the second direction Y so that the gap between the two second joints 42 is sandwiched between them in the second direction Y. The low convex portion 32 is surrounded by two second joints 42 positioned adjacent to each other along the second direction Y, and two first joints 41 positioned adjacent to each other along the first direction X so that the gap between the two second joints 42 is sandwiched between them in the first direction X.

[0051] In FIG. 5, the bottoms 71 of the high convex portions 31 and the bottoms 72 of the low convex portions 32 are indicated by dashed lines. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 and the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32, they will be referred to as the bottom 7. In FIG. 5, the protrusion 3 is not shown to make the drawing easier to see, but the protrusion 3 is located in the area surrounded by the four bonding portions 4.

[0052] In this specification, the bottom 7 of the protrusion 3 is defined as follows. The outline of the bottom 7 of the protrusion 3 is the portion on the reference plane 60 that is defined by the four joints 4 positioned around the protrusion 3 . The portion defined by the four joints 4 is defined as the portion connecting the ends of the joints 4 located on both sides of one protrusion 3 in the first direction X that are closest to the protrusion 3, and the ends of the joints 4 located on both sides of the protrusion 3 in the second direction Y that are closest to the protrusion 3. The end of the joint 4 that defines the bottom 7 of the protrusion 3 corresponds to the point of contact between the joint 4 and an imaginary line that is parallel to the first direction X or the second direction Y and the imaginary line. The point of contact defines the end of the bottom 7 of the protrusion 3. The end of the bottom 7 of the protrusion 3 can be said to be the rising base point of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a of the first layer 21, which is the rising portion of the protrusion 3.

[0053] Let me explain in detail. As shown in Figure 5, a group consisting of one high convex portion 31, two second joints 42 located on both sides of the high convex portion 31 in the first direction X, and two first joints 41 located on both sides of the high convex portion 31 in the second direction Y is defined as the first group.

[0054] In the first group, when a virtual line 61y parallel to the second direction Y is drawn so as to contact each second joint 42 on the side of the second joint 42 closer to the high convex portion 31, the end 71a of the bottom 71 in the first direction X is defined using the contact point 91 between the virtual line 61y and the second joint 42. In the example shown in FIG. 5, two contact points 91 are set for one second joint 42, and the line segment connecting these two contact points 91 is the end 71a of the bottom 71 in the first direction X. If there is one contact point, that contact point is the end of the bottom 71. If there are three or more contact points, these contact points are located on the same straight line, and so the line segment connecting the two contact points on both sides that are outermost in the second direction Y is the end of the bottom. The same applies below.

[0055] Furthermore, in the first group, when an imaginary line 61x parallel to the first direction X is drawn for each first joint 41 so as to be tangent to the side of the first joint 41 closer to the high convex portion 31, an end 71b of the bottom 71 in the second direction Y is defined using a contact point 92 between the imaginary line 61x and the first joint 41. In the example shown in FIG. 5, two contact points 92 are set for one first joint 41, and the line segment connecting these two contact points 92 defines the end 71b of the bottom 71 in the second direction Y. In the figure, contact points 91 and 92 are indicated by black dots.

[0056] The area formed by connecting these eight contact points 91 and 92 in total becomes the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31, and in this embodiment, the bottom 71 has an octagonal planar shape. In this embodiment, in a plan view, the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 has a shape close to an ellipse with a major axis in the first direction X, and the high convex portion 31 has a substantially elliptical shape. The vicinity of the end 71a in the first direction X and the vicinity of the end 71b in the second direction Y of the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 become rising base points for the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a to rise (protrude) in the heat-shrinking step to form the convex portions.

[0057] The bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32 can be defined in the same manner as the high convex portion 31 . As shown in Figure 5, the second group is a group consisting of one low convex portion 32, two first joints 41 located on both sides of the low convex portion 32 in the first direction X, and two second joints 42 located on both sides of the low convex portion 32 in the second direction Y. In the second group, when a virtual line 62y parallel to the second direction Y is drawn so as to contact each first joint 41 on the side of the second joint 42 closer to the low convex portion 32, the end 72a of the bottom 72 in the first direction X is defined using the contact point 93 between the virtual line 62y and the first joint 41. In the example shown in FIG. 5, two contact points 93 are set for one first joint 41, and the line segment connecting these two contact points 93 forms the end 72a of the bottom 72 in the first direction X.

[0058] Furthermore, in the second group, when an imaginary line 62x parallel to the first direction X is drawn for each second joint 42 so as to be tangent to the side of the second joint 42 closer to the low convex portion 32, the end 72b of the bottom 72 in the second direction Y is defined using a point of contact 94 between the imaginary line 62x and the second joint 42. In the example shown in FIG. 5, two points of contact 94 are set for one second joint 42, and the line segment connecting these two points of contact 94 defines the end 72b of the bottom 72 in the second direction Y. In the figure, these contact points 93 and 94 are indicated by black dots.

[0059] The area formed by connecting these eight contact points 93 and 94 becomes the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32, and in this embodiment, the bottom has an octagonal planar shape. In this embodiment, in a plan view, the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32 has a shape close to a perfect circle, and the low convex portion 32 has a substantially perfect circle shape. The vicinity of the end 72a in the first direction X and the vicinity of the end 72b in the second direction Y of the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32 become rising base points for the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a to rise (protrude) in the heat-shrinking step to form the convex portions.

[0060] 6(A), in the topsheet 2, the high convex portions 31 are located across the first bond-free region 52y, the first bond-present region 51y, and the first bond-free region 52y in the first direction X. In other words, the vicinity of the end 71a in the first direction X of the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 is located in the first bond-free region 52y. As shown in FIG. 6(B), in the topsheet 2, the high convex portions 31 are located in the second direction Y across the second bond-free regions 54x, the second bond-present regions 53x, and the second bond-free regions 54x. 2 to 4 and 8, the positions of the protrusions 3 are different from those in the actual configuration in order to make the drawings easier to see.

[0061] The high convex portions 31 and the low convex portions 32 can be formed by adjusting the embossing pattern of the joints 4. Specifically, the high convex portions 31 can be formed in regions where the area defined by the joints 4 is large, and the low convex portions 32 can be formed in regions where the area defined by the joints 4 is small. Furthermore, by adjusting the ratio between the first bond-existing region 51y and the first bond-free region 52y in the first direction X at the bottom 7 of each protrusion 3, the multiple protrusions 3 lined up along the second direction Y with bonded portions 4 interposed therebetween can be made to have independent shapes in the second direction Y. Similarly, by adjusting the ratio between the second bond-existing region 53x and the second bond-free region 54x in the second direction Y, the multiple protrusions 3 lined up along the first direction X with bonded portions 4 interposed therebetween can be made to have independent shapes in the first direction X. In this way, the high convex portions 31 and the low convex portions 32 can be easily formed on the topsheet 12.

[0062] Furthermore, the angle at which the protrusions 3 rise can be adjusted by the arrangement of the joints 4. Specifically, referring to FIG. 4(A), in the surface sheet 2, the convex portions 3 are surrounded by joints 4 arranged along the first direction X and the second direction Y, and the first joint-existing regions 51y (sparse dot regions) and the first joint-absent regions 52y (dense dot regions) are arranged alternately along the first direction X, and the joints 4 are arranged so that in the first repeating unit Uy, the first ratio, which is the ratio of the sum of the lengths L2 in the first direction X of the first joint-absent regions 52y to the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first joint-existing regions 51y, is 30% or less. This can improve the upstanding property of the high convex portions 31, making them less likely to collapse. Details will be described later. The first ratio can be said to be the non-embossed ratio (also referred to as the non-bonded portion ratio) of the topsheet 2 in the first direction X.

[0063] Referring to Figure 4(B), in the surface sheet 2, second joint-existing regions 53x (sparse dot regions) and second joint-absent regions 54x (dense dot regions) are arranged alternately along the second direction Y, and in one second repeating unit Ux, the second ratio, which is the ratio of the sum of the lengths L4 in the second direction Y of the second joint-absent regions 54x to the sum of the lengths L3 in the second direction Y of the second joint-existing regions 53x, is greater than the first ratio. Here, the second ratio can be said to be the non-embossed ratio of the topsheet 2 in the second direction Y (also referred to as the non-bonded portion ratio).

[0064] [Action and effect] As described above, in the topsheet 2, the first bond-existing regions 51y and the first bond-absent regions 52y are alternately arranged along the first direction X, and the non-embossing rate (first rate) in the first direction X is in the range of 30% or less. This can further increase the uprightness of the plurality of high convex portions 31 that are part of the plurality of convex portions 3, and also makes the convex portions 3 with a solid structure less likely to be crushed and more susceptible to shear deformation in the direction of the first bond-absent regions 52y.

[0065] In addition, the high convex portions 31 are sandwiched between a pair of adjacent second joints 42 in the first direction X and between a pair of adjacent first joints 41 in the second direction Y. The first joint-existing regions 51y and the first non-jointed regions 52y are alternately arranged along the first direction X. This means that the vicinity of the end 71a in the first direction X of the bottom 71 of the high convex portions 31 is located in the first non-jointed region 52y. This makes it easier for the shape of the convex portions to be substantially symmetrical in the first direction X, making it easier to reduce the number of contact points between the topsheet 2 and the wearer's skin, improving breathability, and reducing friction with the wearer's skin. Note that if the first non-jointed region is located in the center of the high convex portions 31 in the first direction X, the tops of the high convex portions 31 will be elongated in the second direction Y, which may increase the contact area with the skin, which is undesirable. Furthermore, since the tops of the high convex portions 31 are shaped to extend in the second direction Y, steps are formed at the tops of the high convex portions, which tends to reduce the feel of the fabric against the skin. Furthermore, by setting the first ratio within the above range, when heat-shrinkable fibers are used as the constituent material of the top sheet 2, the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a is more likely to stand up and bulge in the thickness direction Z during the heat-shrinking process in manufacturing the top sheet 2, concentrating near the end 71a of the high convex portion 31 in the first direction X, thereby improving the standing property. By increasing the standing ability of the projections, the projections are less likely to be crushed even under pressure (high load), and can be made to be projections that are more susceptible to shear deformation.

[0066] Furthermore, in the topsheet 2, the area ratio of the joints 4 to the total area of ​​the topsheet 2 is 20% or less. In the topsheet 2, the joints 4 are pressed together and are therefore more rigid than other areas. Therefore, by setting the area ratio of the joints 4 to 20% or less, the topsheet 2 can have a soft texture and be more comfortable to the touch. Here, the joint 4 does not include the leak-proof grooves 8a and the design embossed portions 8b that integrally join the topsheet 2 and the absorbent body 6. In other words, the joint 4 is the joint 4 of the topsheet 2 alone before it is used in an absorbent article such as a napkin 1.

[0067] By having the above-mentioned configuration, the top sheet 2 has a soft feel, while the convex portions 3 are resistant to crushing, and even if an external force is applied in a planar direction to the outer surface 2a of the top sheet 2, the convex portions 3 are easily shear deformed in either direction. When such a topsheet 2 is applied to an absorbent article such as a napkin 1, the protrusions 3 are less likely to collapse, even under heavy load from the wearer, and the uneven structure of the topsheet 2 is more likely to be maintained. This maintains the effect of reducing the contact area between the wearer's skin and the topsheet, due to the uneven structure. This reduces wetness and stuffiness, prevents skin rashes, and allows the wearer to continue to experience a pleasant feel while wearing the napkin 1. In addition, when the wearer moves in a planar direction while the napkin 1 is in contact with the wearer's skin, a drag force from the wearer's skin to the napkin 1 in a planar direction may be applied. However, because the protrusions 3 are easily shear deformable, they easily follow the movement of the skin, reducing the frictional force acting between the wearer's skin and the topsheet 2 and suppressing chafing that occurs during wear. This suppresses skin problems such as itching and rash caused by chafing between the topsheet 2 and the skin, and allows the napkin 1 to have a topsheet 2 that feels pleasant against the skin even when worn in a state where the topsheet 2 is in close contact with the skin.

[0068] Thus, the topsheet of the present invention can be preferably applied to the topsheet of an absorbent article that comes into direct contact with the wearer's skin.

[0069] Moreover, the topsheet 2 preferably has high convex portions 31 and low convex portions 32 of different sizes. The high convex portions 31 are taller and have a larger bottom area (area of ​​the bottom 7) than the low convex portions 32. That is, the high convex portions 31 are configured to be larger overall than the low convex portions 32. The high convex portions 31 and the low convex portions 32 are arranged adjacent to each other. In this way, by having the high-convex portions 31 and the low-convex portions 32, the contact area between the wearer's skin and the top sheet is further reduced. This further reduces wetness and stuffiness, allowing the wearer to experience a more pleasant feel against the skin. In addition, the frictional force acting between the wearer's skin and the top sheet 2 is further reduced. This further reduces rubbing between the top sheet 2 and the skin, resulting in a top sheet 2 that feels smooth against the skin.

[0070] Furthermore, it is preferable that the high-convex portions 31 have a lower fiber density than the low-convex portions 32. This can further improve the liquid absorbency of the topsheet 2. That is, by providing high-convex portions 31 that become low-density portions and low-convex portions 32 that become high-density portions, a fiber density gradient is created between the high-convex portions 31 and the low-convex portions 32, and the fluid absorbed in the high-convex portions 31 is more likely to transfer to the low-convex portions 32 due to the fiber density gradient. This allows the topsheet 12 to quickly absorb fluid. As a result, even after fluid excretion, an increase in the coefficient of friction of the topsheet 2 can be suppressed, resulting in a topsheet 2 that feels smooth against the skin.

[0071] Furthermore, it is preferable that each of a pair of first joints 41, which are part of the plurality of protrusions 3 and are positioned along the second direction Y with each of the plurality of high protrusions 31 interposed therebetween, has a length in the first direction X that is longer than the length in the second direction Y and has a shape that extends continuously along the first direction X. 6A, each high convex portion 31 is located across a first bond-free region 52y, a first bond-present region 51y, and a first bond-free region 52y that are adjacent to each other in the first direction X. In other words, only the first bond-present region 51y is located between a pair of first bond-free regions 52y between which the vicinity of both ends of the high convex portion 31 in the first direction X is located, and the first bond-free region 52y is not located between the pair of first bond-free regions 52y. As a result, compared to a configuration in which the first bond-free region 52y is located between a pair of first bond-free regions 52y, the heat shrinkage process during production of the top sheet 2 makes it easier for the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a to stand up and swell in a concentrated manner near both ends in the first direction X of the high convex portions 31 located in the pair of first bond-free regions 52y in the region surrounded by the four bonded portions 4, thereby further improving the ability of the convex portions to stand up. Furthermore, by making the first joint portion 41 surrounding the high convex portion 31 having its longitudinal direction in the first direction X into a shape that is continuous in the first direction X and is long in the first direction X, an absorbent article to which the top sheet 2 is applied is less likely to be crushed by pressure from the wearer, and the shape retention of the convex portion can be improved.

[0072] In addition, in the topsheet 2, it is preferable that each of the multiple high convex portions 31, which are part of the multiple convex portions 3, has a standing angle of the standing portion (non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a) standing in the thickness direction Z in a cross section in the first direction X of 80° or more. By increasing the standing angle of the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a that forms the standing portion, such as to 80° or more, the high convex portion 31 becomes more susceptible to shear deformation, and the friction force acting between the wearer's skin and the surface sheet 2 can be further reduced. In a napkin 1 equipped with the topsheet 2 of this embodiment, the high convex portions 31 are taller than the low convex portions 32, and therefore tend to come into contact with the wearer's skin preferentially over the low convex portions 32. By increasing the rising angle of the high convex portions 31, which tend to come into contact with the wearer's skin, and configuring them to be more susceptible to shear deformation, the frictional force acting between the wearer's skin and the topsheet 2 is reduced, and chafing that occurs during wear can be suppressed.

[0073] In addition, in the topsheet 2, it is preferable that the first ratio (non-embossed ratio of the topsheet 2 in the first direction X) is 30% or less, and that the second ratio (non-embossed ratio of the topsheet 2 in the second direction Y) is greater than the first ratio. With this configuration, in the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a, which is the upright portion of the high convex portion 31, the vicinity of the end 71a in the first direction X is more likely to bulge in the thickness direction Z than the vicinity of the end 71b in the second direction Y. Therefore, in the high convex portion 31, the cross section along the first direction X has a higher uprightness (higher upright angle) than the cross section along the second direction Y, and the high convex portion 31 is more likely to undergo shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y. Here, in the napkin 1, the direction in which chafing is more likely to occur due to the wearer's movements when worn is the front-to-back direction (first direction X). By configuring the napkin 1 by arranging the topsheet 2 so that the first direction X, in which the topsheet 2 is more likely to shear, is the front-to-back direction of the napkin 1, the high convex portions 31 deform preferentially in the front-to-back direction in which chafing is more likely, and chafing when worn can be more effectively reduced.

[0074] In order to make the high convex portion 31 more susceptible to shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y, the second ratio is larger than the first ratio, preferably 40% or more, more preferably 50% or more, and preferably 80% or less, more preferably 70% or less. In order to make the high convex portion 31 more susceptible to shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y, the difference between the first ratio and the second ratio is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and preferably 50% or less, more preferably 40% or less.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), in the top sheet 2, in the high convex portion 31 that is part of the multiple convex portions 3, it is preferable that the first standing angle θ1 in the cross section in the first direction X is larger than the second standing angle θ2 in the cross section in the second direction Y. In this way, in the high convex portion 31, the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer 21a, which is the standing portion, is configured to have higher standing property in the cross section along the first direction X than in the cross section along the second direction Y, so that the high convex portion 31 is configured to be more susceptible to shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y. By configuring the napkin 1 by arranging the topsheet 2 so that the first direction X, in which the topsheet 2 is more susceptible to shear deformation, is the front-to-back direction of the napkin 1, the high convex portions 31 deform preferentially in the front-to-back direction, which is more susceptible to rubbing, and rubbing during wear can be more effectively reduced.

[0076] From the viewpoint of making the convex portion 3 less likely to collapse, the first erect angle θ1 of the high convex portion 31 is preferably 80° or more, more preferably 85° or more, and preferably 110° or less, more preferably 100° or less. From the viewpoint of making the high convex portion 31 more susceptible to shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y, it is preferable that the second erection angle θ2 of the high convex portion 31 is smaller than the first erection angle θ1, and the difference between the two is preferably 5° or more, more preferably 10° or more, preferably 40° or less, and more preferably 30° or less. As an example, the first erect angle θ1 is 90° and the second erect angle θ2 is 70°, but the angles are not limited to these values.

[0077] The plurality of protrusions 30 are arranged in rows along the second direction Y. This causes the protrusions 30 to be spaced apart in the second direction Y, thereby reliably reducing the contact area between the topsheet 12 and the skin, thereby effectively suppressing chafing. The plurality of protrusions 30 are arranged in a vertical row along the first direction X. This also reliably reduces the contact area between the topsheet 12 and the skin, effectively suppressing chafing.

[0078] In particular, in the absorbent article (napkin) 1 equipped with the top sheet 2, the horizontal rows of high convex portions 31Ly and the horizontal rows of low convex portions 32Ly are arranged alternately in the first direction X. Therefore, when the wearer moves vigorously, the convex portions deform in response to the movement of the skin in the first direction X, making it easier to follow the movement of the skin, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction with the skin in the first direction X and more effectively suppressing chafing.

[0079] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, the high convex portion vertical columns 31Lx and the low convex portion vertical columns 32Lx are arranged alternately in the second direction Y, so that when the wearer moves vigorously, the convex portions deform in response to the movement of the skin in the second direction Y, making it easier to follow the movement of the skin, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction with the skin in the second direction Y and more effectively suppressing chafing.

[0080] Furthermore, in the napkin 1, the high convex portions 31 in the high convex portion vertical column 31Lx and the low convex portions 32 in the adjacent low convex portion vertical column 32Lx are arranged alternately in the first direction X, so that when the wearer moves, the convex portions deform and easily follow the movement of the skin in the diagonal direction that is intermediate between both the first direction X and the second direction Y, thereby reducing the coefficient of friction with the skin in the diagonal direction and more effectively suppressing chafing.

[0081] [supplementary explanation] Examples of dimensions for each configuration will be described below, but these are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0082] (Example of dimensions related to the first joint existing area and the first joint non-existing area) Referring to FIG. 4(A), from the viewpoint of forming a high convex portion 31 that is resistant to crushing and susceptible to shear deformation, in the first repeating unit Uy, the ratio (first ratio) of the sum of the lengths L2 in the first direction X of the first bond-absent regions 52y to the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first bond-existing regions 51y is preferably 30% or less, more preferably 25% or less, and is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 10% or more. As an example, the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first bond-existing regions 51y in the first repeating unit Uy is 6.9 mm, the sum of the lengths L2 in the first direction X of the first bond-absent regions 52y is 1.9 mm, and the first ratio is 28%. 4(A), in the first repeat unit Uy, the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first bonded portion existence regions 51y is the sum of the length L1 in the first direction X of the first bonded portion existence regions 51y where the second bonded portion 42 is located and the length L1 in the first direction X of the first bonded portion existence regions 51y where the first bonded portion 41 is located. The length L1 of the first bonded portion existence region 51y where the second bonded portion 42 is located is, for example, 1.9 mm, which corresponds to the length of the second bonded portion 42 in the first direction X. The length L1 of the first bonded portion existence region 51y where the first bonded portion 41 is located is, for example, 5.0 mm, which corresponds to the length of the first bonded portion 41 in the first direction X. In the first repeat unit Uy, the sum of the lengths L2 of the first bond-free regions 52y in the first direction X is the sum of the lengths L2 of the two first bond-free regions 52y in the first direction X. In Fig. 4(A) , in the first repeat unit Uy, the length L2 of the upper first bond-free region 52y in the first direction X is, for example, 0.95 mm, and the length L2 of the lower first bond-free region 52y in the first direction X is, for example, 0.95 mm.

[0083] (Example of dimensions related to the area where the second joint exists and the area where the second joint does not exist) Referring to Figure 4(B), from the viewpoint of forming a high convex portion 31 that is more susceptible to shear deformation in the first direction X than in the second direction Y, in the second repeating unit Ux, it is preferable that the ratio (second ratio) of the sum of the lengths L4 in the second direction Y of the second joint-absent regions 54x to the sum of the lengths L3 in the second direction Y of the second joint-existing regions 53x is greater than the above-mentioned first ratio. The second ratio is preferably 80% or less, more preferably 70% or less, and is preferably 40% or more, more preferably 50% or more. As an example, the sum of the lengths L3 in the second direction Y of the second bond-existing regions 53x in the second repeating unit Ux is 3.8 mm, the sum of the lengths L4 in the second direction Y of the second bond-absent regions 54x is 2.2 mm, and the second ratio is 58%. 4(B), in the second repeat unit Ux, the sum of the lengths L3 in the second direction Y of the second bonded portion existence regions 53x is the sum of the length L3 in the second direction Y of the second bonded portion existence regions 53x in which the second bonded portion 42 is located and the length L3 in the second direction Y of the second bonded portion existence regions 53x in which the first bonded portion 41 is located. The length L3 of the second bonded portion existence regions 53x in which the second bonded portion 42 is located is, for example, 1.9 mm, which corresponds to the length of the second bonded portion 42 in the second direction Y. The length L3 of the second bonded portion existence regions 53x in which the first bonded portion 41 is located is, for example, 1.9 mm, which corresponds to the length of the first bonded portion 41 in the second direction Y. In the second repeat unit Ux, the total length L4 in the second direction Y of the second bond-free regions 54x is the sum of the lengths L4 in the second direction Y of the two second bond-free regions 54x. In the second repeat unit Ux, the length L4 in the second direction Y of the second bond-free region 54x located on the left side in FIG. 4(B) is 0.95 mm, for example, and the length L4 in the second direction Y of the second bond-free region 54x located on the right side is 0.95 mm, for example. L4 corresponds to the distance in the first direction X between the first bond 41 and the second bond 42 that are adjacent in the second direction Y.

[0084] (Example dimensions for convex parts and joints) Referring to FIG. 5, an example of dimensions of the protrusion 3 and the bonding portion 4 will be described. The length a of the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 in the first direction X is 6.9 mm, and the length b of the bottom 71 in the second direction Y is 4.1 mm. The bottom area of ​​the bottom 71 of the high convex portion 31 is 24 mm 2 is. The length c of the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32 in the first direction X is 3.8 mm, and the length d of the bottom 72 in the second direction Y is 4.1 mm. The bottom area of ​​the bottom 72 of the low convex portion 32 is 7.8 mm 2 is. The distance e in the first direction X between the first joint portion 41 and the second joint portion 42 adjacent to each other in the first direction X is 0.95 mm. The distance h in the second direction Y between the first joint portion 41 and the second joint portion 42 adjacent to each other in the second direction Y is 1.1 mm. The multiple first joints 41 and multiple second joints 42 aligned along the second direction Y are each spaced apart at an interval f of 6.1 mm. The multiple first joints 41 and multiple second joints 42 aligned along the first direction X are each spaced apart at an interval g of 8.8 mm. The length j of the first joint 41 in the first direction X is 5.0 mm, and the length i of the first joint 41 in the second direction Y is 1.9 mm. The length m of the second joint 42 in the first direction X is 1.9 mm, and the length k of the second joint 42 in the second direction Y is 1.9 mm. The second joint 42 has an X-shape in which two linear portions intersect with their centers as the intersection point, and the angle n formed by the two linear portions is 90°. The angle p between the two-way extending portions of the V-shaped two-way extending portion 41a and the inverted V-shaped two-way extending portion 41b of the first joint portion 41 is 120°.

[0085] As shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the height Ha of the high convex portion 31 is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 4 mm or less, from the viewpoint of reducing the contact area between the wearer's skin and the top sheet. As shown in Figure 6(C), the height Hb of the low convex portion 32 is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, and preferably 4 mm or less, more preferably 3.5 mm or less, from the viewpoint of reducing the contact area between the wearer's skin and the surface sheet. For example, the height Ha of the high convex portion 31 is 2.3 mm, and the height Hb of the low convex portion 32 is 1.5 mm.

[0086] From the viewpoint of forming the desired convex portions while realizing a soft and pleasant feel, the area ratio of the joints 4 to the entire area of ​​the top sheet 2 is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 18% or less, preferably 3% or more, and more preferably 5% or more.

[0087] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0088] For example, in the above embodiment, a sanitary napkin is shown as an example of an absorbent article, but the absorbent article to which the topsheet of the present invention is applied may be, for example, a urine absorption pad, a panty liner, or the like.

[0089] <Example> The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0090] [Preparation of surface sheet for evaluation] Example 1 As the topsheet of Example 1, the above-mentioned embossed pattern (bonding pattern) was formed, and a topsheet having the configuration shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 was produced. Specifically, the non-heat-shrinkable fibers constituting the first layer of the topsheet were sheath-core composite fibers with a core made of polyethylene terephthalate resin (PET) and a sheath made of polyethylene resin (PE), with a core-sheath ratio of 4:6 and a dtx of 2.4. The first layer was made of a sheet material constructed by blowing hot air at a temperature of 136°C and a speed of 1.3 m / s onto a web made of the sheath-core composite fibers using an air-through method (hot air treatment process) to fuse the fibers together. The heat-shrinkable fiber constituting the second layer of the topsheet was a heat-shrinkable sheath-core composite fiber with a core made of polypropylene resin (PP) and a sheath made of polyethylene resin (PE), a core-sheath ratio of 5:5, and a dtx of 2.3. The second layer was a web (sheet material) made of the heat-shrinkable sheath-core composite fiber. The first layer (sheet material constituting the non-heat-shrinkable fiber layer) and the second layer (sheet material constituting the heat-shrinkable fiber layer) were partially joined by ultrasonic embossing to form joint 4, and then heat-shrinking was performed by the air-through method (heat-shrinking step). As a result, the second layer was heat-shrunk, causing the first layer to protrude in a convex shape, and a topsheet with numerous high and low convex portions was produced. The convex portions formed on the topsheet of Example 1 had a solid structure, the non-embossed ratio (first ratio) in the first direction X was 28%, and the embossed ratio (area ratio of bonded portions) of the entire topsheet was 15.7%. In Table 1 described later, the first ratio is represented as "non-embossed ratio," and the embossed ratio (joint ratio) in the entire topsheet is represented as "overall embossed ratio."

[0091] (Comparative Example 1) As the topsheet of Comparative Example 1, a topsheet 11 shown in FIG. 8(A) was produced. In addition, in Figure 8(A) and Figure 8(B) described below, the first bond-free region 52y where no bond exists is indicated by a dot, and the region not indicated by a dot corresponds to the first bond-existing region 51y where a bond exists. Comparative Example 1 differs from Example 1 only in the shape and arrangement of the joints. As shown in Figure 8(A), the topsheet 11 of Comparative Example 1 has three different types of joints 13 to 15. Joint 13 consists of a V-shaped bidirectionally extending portion, an inverted V-shaped bidirectionally extending portion, and a rectangular connecting embossed portion that connects them and is parallel to the first direction X. Joint 14 is a Y-shaped joint. Joint 15 is an inverted Y-shaped joint. In the topsheet of Comparative Example 1, high convex portions 31 and low convex portions 32 are formed in areas defined by bonding portions 13 to 15. The low convex portion 32 is surrounded by four bonding portions. The high convex portion 31 is surrounded by six bonding portions, with two bonding portions on each side of the high convex portion 31 in the second direction Y. The two bonding portions, 14 and 15, are spaced apart in the first direction X. The topsheet 11 has a first repeating unit Uy. This first repeating unit Uy has, from top to bottom in the figure, a first bond-free region 52y where no bond is located, and a first bond-present region 51y where bond 14, bond 13, and bond 15 are located. That is, in the topsheet of Comparative Example 1, the first repeating unit Uy is composed of one first element 81, with one adjacent first bond-present region and one adjacent first bond-free region being considered as a first element 81. In the topsheet 11, the high convex portions 31 are located across the first bonded portion existing region 51y, the first bonded portion absent region 52y, and the first bonded portion existing region 51y. As in the above embodiment, in the first repeat unit Uy, the ratio of the sum of the lengths L2 in the first direction X of the first bond-absent regions 52y to the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first bond-existing regions 51y is defined as the first ratio. The protrusions formed on the topsheet of Comparative Example 1 had a solid structure, the non-embossed ratio (first ratio) in the first direction X was less than 10%, and the overall embossed ratio was greater than 20%.

[0092] (Comparative Example 2) The topsheet 12 shown in Fig. 8(B) was produced as the topsheet of Comparative Example 2. In Fig. 8(B), the protrusions are not shown. Comparative Example 2 differs from Example 1 only in the shape and arrangement of the joints. As shown in FIG. 8(B), the topsheet 12 of Comparative Example 2 has dot-shaped joints 16 arranged in a staggered pattern. In the topsheet of Comparative Example 2, the convex portions in the regions surrounded by the four bonded portions on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the figure are connected to each other, resulting in a configuration without multiple convex portions overall. The topsheet 12 has a first element (hereinafter referred to as the upper first element) consisting of a first bonded portion presence region 51y where the bonded portion 16 is located and a first bond-free region 52y where no bonded portion is located, and a first element (hereinafter referred to as the lower first element) consisting of the first bonded portion presence region 51y located below the upper first element in the figure and a first bond-free region 52y where no bonded portion is located. As in the above embodiment, the ratio of the sum of the lengths L2 in the first direction X of the first bond-free regions 52y in the first direction X to the sum of the lengths L1 in the first direction X of the first bonded portion presence regions 51y in the first direction X in the first repeat unit Uy was defined as a first ratio. The convex portions formed on the topsheet of Comparative Example 2 had a solid structure, the non-embossed ratio (first ratio) in the first direction X was 40%, and the overall embossed ratio was 18.8%.

[0093] (Comparative Example 3) The surface sheet described in JP 2017-74282 A was prepared as the surface sheet of Comparative Example 3. Specifically, a fiber sheet was stretched using a concave-convex roll to obtain a surface sheet with a concave-convex structure. The convex portions formed on the surface sheet had a hollow structure. Because the surface sheet had no bonded portions, the non-embossed ratio in the first direction X and the embossed ratio of the entire surface sheet were not calculated.

[0094] [Evaluation of absorbent articles with topsheets] The amount of frictional work between the absorbent articles provided with the topsheets of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 and the skin and the feel on the skin were evaluated.

[0095] (Evaluation of frictional work between absorbent article and skin) Using the topsheets of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, napkins similar to napkin 1 shown in Fig. 1 were produced, and the amount of frictional work with the skin of these napkins was evaluated using the following method. The measurements were carried out in a temperature and humidity environment of 23°C and 50% humidity. As shown in FIG. 9(A), the napkin 1 to be evaluated was placed on an acrylic plate P with the top sheet facing up, and a silicone model skin G (manufactured by Imai Rubber Co., Ltd.) simulating skin was placed on the top sheet. The model skin G measured 6.5 cm in length, 3.5 cm in width, and 0.5 cm in thickness. As shown in FIG. 9(B), the model skin G was placed on the region of the napkin 1 facing the excretory part, between the pair of leakage prevention grooves 8a, so as not to overlap with the leakage prevention grooves 8a. Furthermore, a pressure of 13 gf / cm was applied to the model skin G. 2 As a result, the napkin 1 was subjected to a force of 13 gf / cm in the thickness direction Z by the model skin G. 2 The model skin G and the weight WE are bonded together. A tensile tester T (Orientec Co., Ltd., "TENSILON RTC-1210S") was connected to the weight WE, and the weight WE was pulled in the first direction X. This caused the weight WE and model skin G to slide 5 cm in the first direction X on the topsheet 2. The pulling speed was 200 mm / min. The tensile tester T measured the displacement (mm) of the weight WE and the force acting on the weight WE in the first direction X, and created a chart (graph) with the displacement (mm) on the horizontal axis and the force value on the vertical axis. Since the "force acting on the weight WE in the first direction X" corresponds to the frictional force acting between the model skin G and the napkin 1, the value on the vertical axis of the chart was interpreted as the frictional force value.

[0096] As shown in the example chart in Figure 10, the friction force increases almost proportionally to the displacement until the displacement reaches a predetermined value from 0 mm. During this time, a static friction force acts between the napkin 1 and the model skin G. In other words, as the top sheet stretches, the model skin G becomes stationary relative to the napkin 1. Once the maximum static friction force is reached, the friction force drops sharply and transitions to kinetic friction. When the transition to kinetic friction occurs, the model skin G moves relative to the napkin 1, and the model skin G comes into contact with the napkin 1. Therefore, the greater the work load (energy) of the weight WE until the maximum static friction force is reached, the greater the deformation of the intermediate sheet, causing shear deformation of the napkin 1 and making it less likely that the model skin G will rub against the napkin 1. Therefore, from the chart shown in Figure 10 for napkins using the topsheets of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the integral of the frictional force and displacement up to the maximum static frictional force was calculated, and this was defined as the "frictional work load." This frictional work load was then used as an index of the resistance to chafing of the wearer's skin during movement. The higher the frictional work load, the less chafing the topsheet will be. The values ​​of the frictional work load measured in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are shown in Table 1.

[0097] (Evaluation of texture) Ten adult women were asked to use each of the napkins using the topsheets of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 during their non-menstrual periods, and to evaluate the overall feel of the napkins on their skin, including their fit to the skin, flexibility, resistance to chafing, and feeling of stuffiness, using the following four-point scale. The results were evaluated on a three-point scale (A to C) based on the average of the 10 people's scores. ((Evaluation Criteria)) 4: Excellent 3: Good 2: Slightly inferior 1: Inferior ((How to assign evaluation values ​​A to C)) A: 3.5 or higher B: 2.5 or more and less than 3.5 C: Value lower than 2.5

[0098] [Table 1]

[0099] (Explanation of evaluation results) As shown in Table 1, the frictional work load was greater than 15 N·mm for the napkins equipped with the topsheet of Example 1. In contrast, the frictional work load was less than 15 N·mm for the napkins equipped with the topsheets of Comparative Examples 1 to 3. In addition, in the evaluation of skin feel, the napkins equipped with the topsheets of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 were rated B or C, while the napkin equipped with the topsheet of Example 1 was rated A. From these results, it was found that by making the convex portions in the top sheet solid, setting the first ratio (non-embossed ratio in the top sheet) in the first repeating unit Uy to 30% or less, and setting the area ratio of the joints to the entire area of ​​the top sheet (overall embossed ratio) to 20% or less, the convex portions 3 are less likely to be crushed, are less likely to chafe the skin, and have a pleasant feel to the surface sheet, even when the wearer moves while in contact with the napkin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1... Napkins (absorbent articles) 2...Surface sheet 21…1st layer 22…Second layer 3...Convex part 31...High convex part 32...Low convex part 4…Joint part 51y...First junction existence area 52y...First junction non-existent area 81...First element X…first direction Y...Second direction Uy...first repeating unit

Claims

1. A topsheet for an absorbent article, which is a laminated sheet in which a first layer placed on the skin side and a second layer placed on the non-skin side are laminated and partially joined at a joining portion, has a first direction, a second direction, and a thickness direction that are orthogonal to each other, the first layer comprises non-heat-shrinkable fibers and the second layer comprises heat-shrinkable fibers; a plurality of solid protrusions on the skin side surface, the solid protrusions being surrounded by the plurality of bonding portions arranged along the first direction and the second direction; a first bond-existing region in which the bond is present at at least one location and a first bond-absent region in which the bond is not present, each extending along a second direction, the first bond-existing region and the first bond-absent region being alternately arranged along the first direction; a first repeat unit including one or more first elements each consisting of one first bond-present region and one first bond-absent region; the second bond-existing region having the bond at least in one location and the second bond-absent region having no bond, each extending along a first direction, the second bond-existing region and the second bond-absent region being alternately arranged along the second direction; a second repeat unit including one or more second elements each consisting of one second bond-present region and one second bond-absent region; a first ratio, which is a ratio of a sum of lengths of the first bond-absent regions in the first direction to a sum of lengths of the first bond-existing regions in the first direction in the first repeat unit, is 30% or less; The area ratio of the joint portion to the entire area of ​​the top sheet is 20% or less, The plurality of protrusions include a plurality of high protrusions having a longitudinal direction in the first direction and arranged adjacent to each other in both the first direction and the second direction, and a plurality of low protrusions having a height in the thickness direction lower than the high protrusions and a small bottom area and arranged adjacent to each other in both the first direction and the second direction, the plurality of joints include a plurality of first joints arranged adjacent to each other in both the first direction and the second direction, and a plurality of second joints arranged adjacent to each other in both the first direction and the second direction; the first joint portion has a length in a first direction that is equal to or greater than a length in a second direction and has a shape that extends continuously along the first direction; the high convex portion is surrounded by a pair of the first joint portions adjacent to each other along the second direction and a pair of the second joint portions adjacent to each other along the first direction, the pair of first joints and the pair of second joints surrounding the high convex portion are arranged such that the length between the pair of second joints is longer than the length between the pair of first joints, the first bond-free region is not present in a center portion of the high convex portion in the first direction, a pair of the first bond-absent regions is located at both ends of the bottom of the high convex portion in a first direction, and only the first bond-present region is located between the pair of first bond-absent regions; The high convex portion is a region in which, in a cross section in a first direction, a first rising angle of a rising portion rising in a thickness direction is 80° or more and 110° or less, and the top portion thereof has a substantially flat surface having a predetermined area. A surface sheet for absorbent articles.

2. The first repeating unit includes two or more of the first elements, and each of the first elements includes two or more types of the first elements whose lengths in the first direction of the first bond existing region are different from each other. The topsheet for an absorbent article according to claim 1.

3. An end portion in the first direction of the bottom of each of the protrusions is located in the first bond-free region. The topsheet for an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the second repeat unit, a second ratio, which is a ratio of the sum of the lengths of the second bond-free regions in the second direction to the sum of the lengths of the second bond-existing regions in the second direction, is larger than the first ratio. The topsheet for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In each of some of the plurality of protrusions, a first standing angle of the protrusion standing in the thickness direction in a cross section in the first direction is larger than a second standing angle of the protrusion standing in the thickness direction in a cross section in the second direction. The topsheet for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for manufacturing a topsheet for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: the first layer comprises non-heat-shrinkable fibers and the second layer comprises heat-shrinkable fibers; a heat shrinking step of heat-shrinking the heat-shrinkable fiber of the second layer after the first layer and the second layer are partially joined at the joining portion, and causing the non-heat-shrinkable fiber of the first layer to bulge in a thickness direction, thereby forming the convex portion. A method for manufacturing a topsheet for an absorbent article.

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