Patent ID: 7312372
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An elongated absorbent article having a lateral reference line on which the absorbent article is intended to face an wearer's vaginal opening during use, the absorbent article comprising: a garment surface having a backsheet; a skin surface having a topsheet, and provided with inner and outer compressed grooves; and a liquid absorbent layer provided between the topsheet and the backsheet, the liquid absorbent layer being recessed together with the topsheet at the inner and outer compressed grooves, wherein the inner and outer compressed grooves are positioned symmetrically about a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article, the inner compressed grooves include a pair of inner compressed grooves each extending across the lateral reference line and curving to form a laterally bulging portion at a rear side from a lateral reference line, a lateral distance between the inner compressed grooves decreases forwardly from the laterally bulging portion toward the lateral reference line, and decreases rearwardly from the laterally bulging portions, the outer compressed grooves are positioned apart from the inner compressed grooves and in side regions outside a central region defined by the inner compressed grooves, the outer compressed grooves include a pair of front outer compressed grooves positioned at a forward side from the laterally bulging portions of the inner compressed grooves, and a pair of rear outer compressed grooves positioned at a rear side from the laterally bulging portions of the inner compressed grooves, each of the front outer compressed groove extends across and symmetrically about the lateral reference line, each of the rear outer compressed groove extends in a direction of the longitudinal centerline of the absorbent article with a front end thereof spaced apart rearwardly from a rear end of each of the front outer compressed groove, respectively, and the front and rear outer compressed grooves increase density of the liquid absorbent layer so that each side region has a relatively low stiffness at a portion located adjacent the laterally bulging portion of the inner compressed groove and between the rear end of the front outer compressed groove and the front end of the rear outer compressed groove.