Patent Publication Number: US-10322037-B2

Title: Absorbent article

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is National Phase of International Application Number PCT/JP2012/082078 filed Dec. 11, 2012 and claims the priority of Japanese patent Application No. 2012-044524 filed Feb. 29, 2012. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, panty liner, incontinence pad or incontinence liner. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Sanitary napkins that employ as top sheets perforated plastic films having non-perforated sections at the side regions of the sanitary napkin are known in the prior art (see PTL 1, for example). This can prevent body fluid that has been absorbed into the absorbent body in the side region of the sanitary napkin from passing through the holes of the top sheet and flowing backward, causing spoiling of the flap and underwear. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     
         
         [PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication HEI No. 5-154176 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     With a conventional absorbent article employing as the top sheet a perforated plastic film without perforations at the sections corresponding to the side regions of the sanitary napkin, as described in PTL 1, a low elimination rate of body fluid discharged by the wearer, or high viscosity of the body fluid discharged by the wearer, can result in residue of body fluid on the surface in the region in which holes are formed in the top sheet. When such residue of body fluid is repeated, the holes of the plastic film become reduced in size by the increased-viscosity body fluid while it is residing, such that body fluid that has been discharged by the wearer can no longer easily pass through the holes, and the body fluid of the wearer thus tends to flow on the surface of the top sheet. Particularly when the top sheet has non-perforated sections, body fluid that has flowed from the region in which the holes are formed flows directly to the surface of the top sheet at those sections, without being absorbed into the holes, and therefore body fluid of the wearer often leaks out from the edges of the sanitary napkin. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article wherein the top sheet has perforated regions in which openings are formed and non-perforated regions in which openings are not formed, whereby residue of body fluid on the surface of the perforated regions of the top sheet can be inhibited even with a low elimination rate of body fluid discharged from the wearer and even with high viscosity of body fluid discharged from the wearer. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the invention employs the following construction. 
     Specifically, the invention is an absorbent article having a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction, and comprising a top sheet provided on the skin side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet provided on the clothing side, and a liquid-retaining absorbent body provided between the top sheet and the back sheet, wherein the top sheet is a resin sheet having perforated regions in which openings are formed and non-perforated regions in which openings are not formed, the perforated regions being provided at least in the excretion hole-corresponding region that corresponds to the excretion hole for body fluid of the wearer, the top sheet having a blood modifying agent layer on the surface of at least the excretion hole-corresponding region, and the blood modifying agent in the blood modifying agent layer having an IOB of 0 to 0.60, a melting point of no higher than 45° C. and a water solubility of no greater than 0.05 g in 100 g of water at 25° C. 
     Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
     According to the invention, with an absorbent article in which the top sheet has perforated regions in which openings are formed and non-perforated regions in which openings are not formed, it is possible to inhibit body fluid from residing on the surface of the perforated regions of the top sheet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view showing an embodiment of an absorbent article of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of  FIG. 1  along line A-A. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating first protrusions, second protrusions and bottom sections formed in the top sheet of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention, in the regions on the outer sides of both edges in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body of the body section, and in the wing sections. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating first protrusions, second protrusions and bottom sections formed in an excretion hole-corresponding region of the top sheet of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a photomicrograph of openings formed in the sides of first protrusions. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for producing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a set of illustrations of a recess-forming roll to be used for production of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating the region in which recesses are formed by a recess-forming roll in a sheet for a top sheet. 
         FIG. 9  is a set of illustrations of the upper roll of a stretching gear roll to be used for production of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a set of illustrations of the lower roll of a stretching gear roll to be used for production of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a sheet for a top sheet to be stretched by a stretching gear roll. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram for illustration of a top sheet as a modified example of an absorbent article according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram for illustration of a top sheet as a modified example of an absorbent article according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram for illustration of a modified example of an absorbent article according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is an electron micrograph of the skin contact surface of a top sheet in a sanitary napkin wherein the top sheet comprises tri-C2L oil fatty acid glycerides. 
         FIG. 16  is a pair of photomicrographs of menstrual blood containing and not containing a blood modifying agent. 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram illustrating a method of measuring surface tension. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, with the understanding that the invention is not limited to the examples depicted in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is plan view showing an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 2  is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of  FIG. 1  along line A-A. The absorbent article  1  comprises a body section  10 , having a liquid-permeable top sheet  2  provided on the skin side (the skin-contact side), a liquid-impermeable back sheet  3  provided on the clothing side (non-skin-contact side) and a liquid-retaining absorbent body  4  provided between the top sheet  2  and the back sheet  3 , and a pair of wing sections  5  each having a top sheet  2  and a back sheet  3 , provided on both sides of the body section  10  so as to extend in the widthwise direction from both edges of the body section  10 . Numeral  51  denotes the base of each wing section  5  (the border between the body section  10  and each wing section  5 ). A pressure-sensitive adhesive section  6  is provided on the clothing side of each wing section  5 . In  FIG. 1 , the widthwise direction of the absorbent article  1  is the X direction, and the lengthwise direction is the Y direction. The planar direction of the absorbent article  1  is the XY direction. 
     The shape of the body section  10  is not particularly restricted so long as it is a shape suited to the female body and the shape of underwear, such as roughly rectangular, roughly elliptical or hourglass-shaped. The dimensions of extension in the lengthwise direction of the outer shape of the body section  10  are preferably 100 to 500 mm and more preferably 150 to 350 mm. The dimensions of extension in the widthwise direction of the outer shape of the body section  10  are preferably 30 to 200 mm and more preferably 40 to 180 mm. 
     The top sheet  2  transports body fluid such as urine and menstrual blood that has been excreted from a wearer into the absorbent body  4 . At least a portion of the top sheet  2  has a liquid-permeable property, and has numerous openings formed for permeation of body fluid. 
     The top sheet  2  is made of a resin film. The resin film used as the top sheet  2  is composed of a copolymer of an olefin and another monomer such as an acrylic acid ester or vinyl acetate, or a polyolefin, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, cellulose acetate or the like. For high softness and reduced irritation to the skin, the resin film to be used as the top sheet  2  is most preferably a copolymer of an olefin and another monomer, or a polyolefin. 
     The basis weight of the top sheet  2  is preferably between 1 g/m 2  and 40 g/m 2 , and more preferably between 10 g/m 2  and 35 g/m 2 . The thickness of the resin film forming the top sheet  2  is preferably between 0.01 mm and 0.4 mm and more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.35 mm. If the thickness of the resin film forming the top sheet  2  is less than 0.01 mm, the concealing property of the top sheet  2 , described hereunder, may be too low, while if the thickness of the resin film forming the top sheet  2  exceeds 0.4 mm, the stiffness of the top sheet  2  may be increased and irritation by the top sheet  2  on the skin of the wearer may be too strong. Since the top sheet  2  has protrusions as explained below, the apparent thickness of the top sheet  2  is greater than the thickness of the resin film forming the top sheet  2 . The apparent thickness of the top sheet  2  is preferably between 0.01 mm and 1 mm, and more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. 
     The top sheet  2  has a concealing property that prevents body fluids absorbed into the absorbent body  4  from being seen from the exterior. The concealing property of the top sheet  2  is produced by mixing a filler such as titanium oxide in a resin. When the filler is titanium oxide, the titanium oxide content is preferably at least 1% and no greater than 50%, and more preferably at least 3% and no greater than 15%, with respect to the weight of the resin film. If the titanium oxide content is less than 1% with respect to the weight of the resin film, the concealing effect of the top sheet  2  for body fluids absorbed into the absorbent body  4  may be too small. If the titanium oxide content exceeds 50% of the weight of the resin film, it may become difficult to form a sheet from the titanium oxide-containing resin. 
     The first protrusions, second protrusions and bottom sections described below are provided in the top sheet  2 . The top sheet  2  in the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided is also provided with openings, described below. Specifically, in the absorbent article  1  according to one embodiment of the invention, the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided is the perforated region in which the openings described below have been formed, and the regions  14  of the body section on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , and the wing sections  5 , are the non-perforated regions in which the openings described below have not been formed. In the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  within the region  12  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, a blood modifying agent layer, described below, is formed on the surface of the top sheet  2 . The excretion hole-corresponding region  16  is the region of the absorbent article  1 , having a length in the lengthwise direction of preferably 50 to 200 mm and more preferably 70 to 150 mm, and a length in the widthwise direction of preferably 10 to 80 mm and more preferably 20 to 50 mm, centered around the point corresponding to the excretion hole for body fluid of the wearer. 
     The top sheet  2  has a plurality of first protrusions  21  that extend in the lengthwise direction and are aligned in the widthwise direction, a plurality of second protrusions  22  connecting the adjacent first protrusions  21 , and bottom sections  23  which form the bases of the first protrusions  21  and second protrusions  22 . 
     The first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  provided in the top sheet  2  will now be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram for illustration of the first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  formed in the regions  14  of the top sheet  2  of the body section  10  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , and in the top sheet  2  of the wing sections  5  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , and in the wing sections  5 , the top sheet  2  comprises a plurality of first protrusions  21  that extend in the lengthwise direction (Y direction) and are aligned in the widthwise direction (X direction). The cross-sectional shapes of the first protrusions  21  are, for example, approximate upside-down U-shapes (hereunder referred to as “approximate U-shapes”). “Approximate U-shapes” include U-shapes, as well as shapes that become U-shapes by modifications such as by rounding corners or curving straight lines. For example, “approximate U-shapes” include V-shaped and inverted M-shaped forms, as well as trapezoids. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the top sheet  2  comprises, between adjacent first protrusions  21 , a plurality of second protrusions  22  that extend in a direction diagonal to the first protrusions  21  which extend in the lengthwise direction (Y direction). For example, the angle formed between the first protrusions  21  and the second protrusions  22  is preferably between 10° and 170°. The cross-sectional shapes of the second protrusions  22 , as observed by cutting the second protrusions  22  in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second protrusions  22  extend may be, for example, approximate inverted V-shapes. Incidentally, while the second protrusions  22  do not need to be formed in the top sheet  2 , since the first protrusions  21  are more resistant to collapse if second protrusions  22  are formed, it is preferred to provide the second protrusions  22  in the top sheet  2 . 
     The first protrusions  21  and second protrusions  22  can reduce the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2 . This can alleviate discomfort around the openings of underwear supporting the absorbent article  1 , when the underwear is worn. Also, the wing sections  5  will tend to fold along the first protrusions  21  when the wing sections  5  are folded to anchor the absorbent article  1  to underwear. Consequently, the bending lines formed when the wing sections  5  have been folded allow folding of the wing sections  5  in a manner that is not significantly diagonal with respect to the edges of the openings of the underwear. 
     The top sheet  2  does not comprise the openings described below in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4  and in the wing sections  5 . This prevents body fluid that has exuded from the edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4  (see  FIG. 1 ) from exuding through the openings onto the surface of the top sheet  2  in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , when the absorbent article  1  is subjected to pressure. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  formed in an excretion hole-corresponding region  16  of the top sheet  2  of an absorbent article  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the top sheet  2  at the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  comprises first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23 , similar to the top sheet  2  at the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4  of the body section  10 , and at the wing sections  5 . However, the first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  of the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  further comprise a blood modifying agent layer  24 , described below, on the skin side surface. The first protrusions  21  of the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  also further comprise openings  25 , described below.  FIG. 5  is a photomicrograph of openings  25  formed in the sides  26  of first protrusions. 
     The first protrusions  21  of the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  have a plurality of openings  25  aligned in the lengthwise direction (Y direction), on both sides  26 . Body fluid of a wearer, discharged into the top sheet  2  at the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , migrates through the openings  25  into the absorbent body  4 . Also, body fluid of the wearer discharged into the top sheet  2  rapidly collects toward the bottom sections  23  due to the approximately U-shaped sections in the widthwise direction (X direction) formed by every two adjacent first protrusions  21  and the bottom sections  23 . Since openings  25  are provided in the sides  26  of the first protrusions  21 , body fluid flowing toward the bottom sections  23  passes through the openings  25  formed on the sides  26  of the first protrusions  21  before reaching the bottom sections  23 , and flows into the absorbent body  4 . Body fluid that has collected at the bottom sections  23  also passes through the openings  25  formed on the sides  26  of the first protrusions  21  and flows into the absorbent body  4 . Body fluid of the wearer is therefore rapidly absorbed into the absorbent body  4  through the openings  25  provided on the sides  26  of the first protrusions  21 . The amount of body fluid residing in the top sheet  2  can also be reduced by the openings  25  formed in the sides  26  of the first protrusions  21 . 
     A blood modifying agent may also be coated on the surface of the skin side of the top sheet  2 , at the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , to form a blood modifying agent layer  24  on the surface of the skin-contact side of the top sheet  2 . The blood modifying agent layer  24  can reduce residue of body fluids from the wearer, and especially highly viscous body fluids (such as highly viscous menstrual blood), on the surface of the top sheet  2 . As long as the blood modifying agent layer  24  is provided at least in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  of the top sheet  2 , a blood modifying agent layer  24  may be either provided or not provided in the regions other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . The blood modifying agent layer  24  will be described in detail below. 
     The contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2  is reduced by the first protrusions  21  provided on the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , and therefore the feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin is satisfactory. Incidentally, the first protrusions alone may be formed on the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , without forming any second protrusions. This will also reduce the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2 , thus resulting in a satisfactory feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin. However, since the first protrusions are more resistant to collapse if second protrusions are provided, it is preferred to form both the first protrusions and second protrusions on the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . 
     First protrusions  21  with openings formed in the sides, second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  may also be formed in the top sheet  2  at regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , in a manner similar to the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . However, no blood modifying agent layer  24  is formed on the surface of the top sheet  2  in those regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . 
     Body fluid of a wearer that has exuded from the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  due to a large discharge volume migrates through the openings  25  provided in the regions within the region  12  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , and into the absorbent body  4 . This can further inhibit body fluid discharged from the wearer from leaking out from the edges of the absorbent article  1 . 
     A blood modifying agent layer  24  may be formed on the surface of the top sheet  2  in either some or all of the regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . This can inhibit residue of body fluid of a wearer that has exuded from the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , in the regions within the region  12  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . 
     The contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2  is reduced by the first protrusions  21  provided in the regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , and therefore the feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin is satisfactory. Incidentally, the first protrusions alone may be formed on the top sheet  2  in the regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , without forming any second protrusions. This will also reduce the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2 , thus resulting in a satisfactory feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin. However, since the first protrusions are more resistant to collapse if second protrusions are provided, it is preferred to form both the first protrusions and second protrusions on the top sheet  2  in the regions within the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . 
     As long as openings  25  are provided in at least the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  of the top sheet  2 , it is not necessary to provide openings  25  in some or all of the regions within the region  12  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . This is because in many cases openings  25  do not need to be formed in the regions other than the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  if body fluid that has been discharged by the wearer does not exude from the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  on the surface of the top sheet  2 . Also, openings  25  may be provided in the top sheet  2  of the body section  10 , in a portion of the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 . This will allow body fluid that has exuded from the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided on the surface of the top sheet  2 , to be absorbed into the absorbent body  4  through the openings provided in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , thus further helping to prevent leakage of body fluid discharged by the wearer from leaking out from the edges of the absorbent article  1 . 
     The back sheet  3  shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  prevents body fluid that has been absorbed into the absorbent body  4  from leaking to the outside. A material that is impermeable to body fluids is used for the back sheet  3 . The material used for the back sheet  3  may be, for example, a hydrophobic nonwoven fabric, an impermeable plastic film or nonwoven fabric of polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, or a laminate sheet with an impermeable plastic film. The material used for the back sheet  3  may also be an SMS nonwoven fabric obtained by sandwiching a highly water-resistant meltblown nonwoven fabric between high-strength spunbond nonwoven fabrics. By using a material which is not permeable to body fluids as the back sheet  3 , it is possible to reduce mustiness during wearing. 
     The absorbent body  4  absorbs and retains body fluids. The absorbent body  4  preferably has high bulk, is resistant to deformation and has low chemical irritation. For example, the absorbent body  4  may be a composite absorbent body composed of fluffy pulp or an airlaid nonwoven fabric, and a super-absorbent polymer (SAP). The composite absorbent body may also be covered with a liquid-permeable material such as a tissue. 
     Instead of fluffy pulp in the composite absorbent body, there may be used, for example, artificial cellulose fiber such as chemical pulp, cellulose fiber, rayon or acetate. The basis weight of the absorbent fiber such as pulp in the composite absorbent body is preferebably at least 100 g/m 2  and no greater than 800 g/m 2 , and the mass ratio of the super-absorbent polymer in the composite absorbent body is preferably at least 10% and no greater than 65%, with the absorbent fiber defined as 100%. The basis weight of the liquid-permeable material, such as a tissue, covering the composite mixture is preferably at least 12 g/m 2  and no greater than 30 g/m 2 . 
     An airlaid nonwoven fabric for the composite mixture may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric comprising pulp and synthetic fiber heat sealed together, or a nonwoven fabric comprising pulp and synthetic fiber fixed with a binder. 
     The super-absorbent polymer of the composite absorbent body has a three-dimensional network structure with appropriate crosslinking of a water-soluble polymer. The absorbent polymer absorbs 30 to 60 times the amount of water relative to the volume of the absorbent polymer before absorption of water. However, the absorbent polymer is essentially water-insoluble. The absorbent polymer does not exude absorbed water even when a moderate degree of pressure is applied. The absorbent polymer used is, for example, a starch-based, acrylic acid-based or amino acid-based particulate or filamentous polymer. 
     The shape and structure of the absorbent body  4  may be varied if necessary, but the total absorption by the absorbent body  4  must be suitable for the designed insertion volume and the desired use of the absorbent article  1 . The size and absorbing power of the absorbent body  4  will also vary depending on the intended use. 
     The top sheet  2  and the absorbent body  4  are bonded to the back sheet  3  using a hot-melt adhesive. This can inhibit peeling of the top sheet  2  and absorbent body  4  from the back sheet  3 . 
     The wing sections  5  are provided in the absorbent article  1  to stably anchor the absorbent article  1  to underwear. After the wing sections  5  have been folded on the outer side of the underwear, they are attached to the crotch section of the underwear through the pressure-sensitive adhesive section  6  to allow the absorbent article  1  to be stably anchored to the underwear. 
     The pressure-sensitive adhesive section  6  anchors the absorbent article  1  to the crotch section of the underwear. The pressure-sensitive adhesive used to form the pressure-sensitive adhesive section  6  is preferably, for example, one composed mainly of a styrene-based polymer, tackifier or plasticizer. Styrene-based polymers include styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, styrene-butylene polymer, styrene-butylene-styrene block copolymer and styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer, any of which may be used alone or as polymer blends of two or more. Styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer is preferred among these from the viewpoint of satisfactory thermostability. 
     The tackifier and plasticizer mentioned above are preferably solids at ordinary temperature, which include tackifiers such C5 petroleum resin, C9 petroleum resin, dicyclopentadiene-based petroleum resin, rosin-based petroleum resin, polyterpene resin, terpenephenol resin and the like, and plasticizers such as monomer plasticizers including tricresyl phosphate, dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate, and polymer plasticizers including vinyl polymers and polyesters. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the top sheet  2  and absorbent body  4  have compressed grooves  7  from the top sheet  2  to the interior of the absorbent body  4 , formed by compression in the thickness direction by embossing. The compressed grooves  7  help prevent body fluid that has been discharged into the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  of the absorbent article  1  from diffusing in the widthwise direction (X direction). This can inhibit peeling of the top sheet  2  from the absorbent body  4 . The compressed grooves  7  surround the section of the absorbent article  1  corresponding to the excretion hole of the wearer, and have roughly annular continuous shapes. The compressed grooves  7  surrounding the section of the absorbent article  1  corresponding to the excretion hole of the wearer may be partially interrupted. That is, the compressed grooves  7  may have discontinuous annular shapes. Also, bonding of the top sheet  2  to the back sheet  3  by heat embossing forms seal sections  8  on both sides in the lengthwise direction and both sides in the widthwise direction of the absorbent article  1 . This can prevent the top sheet  2  from peeling from the back sheet  3 . 
     The blood modifying agent layer  24  will now be described in detail. The blood modifying agent layer  24  reduces the viscosity of the body fluid. The blood modifying agent layer  24  can also inhibit wetting of the surface of the top sheet  2  with body fluid. As a result, the blood modifying agent layer  24  helps prevent body fluid of the wearer from residing on the surface of the top sheet  2  in the region in which the openings  25  are formed. 
     The blood modifying agent of the blood modifying agent layer  24  has an IOB of about 0.00 to about 0.60, a melting point of no higher than about 45° C., and a water solubility of about 0.00 to about 0.05 g in 100 g of water at 25° C. 
     The IOB (Inorganic Organic Balance) is an indicator of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, and as used herein, it is the value calculated by the following formula by Oda et al.:
 
IOB=inorganic value/organic value.
 
     The inorganic value and the organic value are based on the organic paradigm described in “Organic compound predictions and organic paradigms” by Fujita A., Kagaku no Ryoiki (Journal of Japanese Chemistry), Vol. 11, No. 10 (1957) p. 719-725 which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     The organic values and inorganic values of major groups, according to Fujita, are summarized in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Inorganic 
                 Organic 
               
               
                   
                 Group 
                 value 
                 value 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 —COOH 
                 150 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 —OH 
                 100 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 —O—CO—O— 
                 80 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 —CO— 
                 65 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 —COOR 
                 60 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 —O— 
                 20 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Triple bond 
                 3 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Double bond 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 CH 2   
                 0 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 iso-branch 
                 0 
                 −10 
               
               
                   
                 tert-branch 
                 0 
                 −20 
               
               
                   
                 Light metal (salt) 
                 ≥500 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 Heavy metal (salt), 
                 ≥400 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 amine, NH 3  salt 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For example, in the case of an ester of tetradecanoic acid which has 14 carbon atoms and dodecyl alcohol which has 12 carbon atoms, the organic value is 520 (CH 2 , 20×26) and the inorganic value is 60 (—COOR, 60×1), and therefore IOB=0.12. 
     In the blood modifying agent, the IOB is about 0.00-0.60, preferably about 0.00-0.50, more preferably about 0.00-0.40 and even more preferably about 0.00-0.30. This is because a lower IOB is associated with higher organicity and higher affinity with blood cells. 
     As used herein, the term “melting point” refers to the peak top temperature for the endothermic peak during conversion from solid to liquid, upon measurement with a differential scanning calorimetry analyzer at a temperature-elevating rate of 10° C./min. The melting point may be measured using a Model DSC-60 DSC measuring apparatus by Shimadzu Corp., for example. 
     If the blood modifying agent has a melting point of no higher than about 45° C., it may be either liquid or solid at room temperature, or in other words, the melting point may be either about 25° C. or higher or below about 25° C., and for example, it may have a melting point of about −5° C. or about −20° C. The reason for a melting point of no higher than about 45° C. for the blood modifying agent will be explained below. 
     The blood modifying agent does not have a lower limit for its melting point, but its vapor pressure is preferably low. The vapor pressure of the blood modifying agent is preferably between about 0 and about 200 Pa, more preferably between about 0 and about 100 Pa, more preferably between about 0 and about 10 Pa, even more preferably between about 0 and about 1 Pa and yet more preferably between about 0.0 and about 0.1 Pa, at 25° C. (1 atmosphere). Considering that the absorbent article of the present disclosure is to be used in contact with the human body, the vapor pressure is preferably between about 0 and about 700 Pa, more preferably between about 0 and about 100 Pa, more preferably between about 0 and about 10 Pa, even more preferably between about 0 and about 1 Pa and yet more preferably between about 0.0 and about 0.1 Pa, at 40° C. (1 atmosphere). If the vapor pressure of the blood modifying agent is high, gasification may occur during storage and the amount may be reduced, often creating problems such as odor during wear. 
     The melting point of the blood modifying agent may also differ depending on the weather or duration of wear. For example, in regions with a mean atmospheric temperature of no higher than about 10° C., using a blood modifying agent with a melting point of no higher than about 10° C. may allow the blood modifying agent to stably modify blood after excretion of menstrual blood, even if it has been cooled by the ambient temperature. 
     Also, as the absorbent article may be used for a prolonged period of time, the melting point of the blood modifying agent is preferably at the high end of the range of no higher than about 45° C. This is because the blood modifying agent is not easily affected by sweat or friction during wearing, and will not easily migrate even during prolonged wearing. 
     The water solubility of 0.00-0.05 g may be measured by adding 0.05 g of sample to 100 g of deionized water at 25° C., allowing it to stand for 24 hours, and after 24 hours, gently stirring if necessary, and then visually evaluating whether or not the sample has dissolved. 
     As used herein, the term “solubility” in regard to water solubility includes cases where the sample completely dissolves in deionized water to form a homogeneous mixture, and cases where the sample is completely emulsified. As used herein, “completely” means that no mass of the sample remains in the deionized water. 
     When top sheet surfaces are coated with surfactants in order to alter the surface tension of blood and promote the rapid absorption of blood, because surfactants generally have high water solubility, the surfactant-coated top sheet is highly miscible with hydrophilic components (such as blood plasma) in the blood and therefore, instead, they tend to cause residue of blood on the top sheet. The aforementioned blood modifying agent has low water solubility and therefore, it does not cause residue of blood on the top sheet and allows rapid migration into the absorbent body. 
     As used herein, a water solubility of water at 25° C. may be simply referred to as “water solubility”. 
     As used herein, “weight-average molecular weight” includes the concept of a polydisperse compound (for example, a compound produced by stepwise polymerization, an ester formed from a plurality of fatty acids and a plurality of aliphatic monohydric alcohols), and a simple compound (for example, an ester formed from one fatty acid and one aliphatic monohydric alcohol), and in a system comprising N i  molecules with molecular weight M i  (i=1, or i=1, 2 . . . ), it refers to M w  determined by the following formula.
 
 M   w   =ΣN   i   M   i   2   /ΣN   i   M   i  
 
     As used herein, the weight-average molecular weights are the values measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), based on polystyrene. 
     The GPC measuring conditions may be the following, for example. 
     Device: Lachrom Elite high-speed liquid chromatogram by Hitachi High-Technologies Corp. 
     Columns: SHODEX KF-801, KF-803 and KF-804, by Showa Denko K.K. 
     Eluent: THF 
     Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min 
     Driving volume: 100 μL 
     Detection: RI (differential refractometer) 
     The weight-average molecular weights listed in the examples of the present specification were measured under the conditions described below. 
     Preferably, the blood modifying agents is selected from the group consisting of the following items (i)-(iii), and any combination thereof: 
     (i) a hydrocarbon; 
     (ii) a compound having (ii-1) a hydrocarbon moiety, and (ii-2) one or more groups each selected from the group consisting of carbonyl group (—CO—) and oxy group (—O—) inserted between a C—C single bond of the hydrocarbon moiety; and 
     (iii) a compound having (iii-1) a hydrocarbon moiety, (iii-2) one or more groups each selected from the group consisting of carbonyl group (—CO—) and oxy group (—O—) inserted between a C—C single bond of the hydrocarbon moiety, and (iii-3) one or more groups each selected from the group consisting of carboxyl group (—COOH) and hydroxyl group (—OH) substituting a hydrogen of the hydrocarbon moiety. 
     As used herein, “hydrocarbon” refers to a compound composed of carbon and hydrogen, and it may be a chain hydrocarbon, such as a paraffinic hydrocarbon (containing no double bond or triple bond, also referred to as alkane), an olefin-based hydrocarbon (containing one double bond, also referred to as alkene), an acetylene-based hydrocarbon (containing one triple bond, also referred to as alkyne), or a hydrocarbon comprising two or more bonds each selected from the group consisting of double bonds and triple bonds, and cyclic hydrocarbon, such as aromatic hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons. 
     Preferred as such hydrocarbons are chain hydrocarbons and alicyclic hydrocarbons, with chain hydrocarbons being more preferred, paraffinic hydrocarbons, olefin-based hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons with two or more double bonds (containing no triple bond) being more preferred, and paraffinic hydrocarbons being even more preferred. 
     Chain hydrocarbons include linear hydrocarbons and branched hydrocarbons. 
     When two or more oxy group (—O—) are inserted in the compounds of (ii) and (iii) above, the oxy group (—O—) are not adjacent to each other. Thus, compounds (ii) and (iii) do not include compounds with continuous oxy group (i.e., peroxides). 
     In the compounds of (iii), compounds in which at least one hydrogen on the hydrocarbon moiety is substituted with a hydroxyl group (—OH) are more preferred than compounds in which at least one hydrogen on the hydrocarbon moiety is substituted with a carboxyl group (—COOH). As shown in Table 1, the carboxyl groups bond with metals and the like in menstrual blood, drastically increasing the inorganic value from 150 to 400 or greater, and therefore a blood modifying agent with carboxyl groups can increase the IOB value to more than about 0.6 during use, potentially lowering the affinity with blood cells. 
     More preferably, the blood modifying agent is a compound selected from the group consisting of the following items (i′)-(iii′), and any combination thereof: 
     (i′) a hydrocarbon; 
     (ii′) a compound having at least (ii′-1) a hydrocarbon moiety, and (ii′-2) one or more bonds each selected from the group consisting of carbonyl bond (—CO—), at least one ester bond (—COO—), at least one carbonate bond (—OCOO—), and/or at least one ether bond (—O—) inserted between a C—C single bond of the hydrocarbon moiety; and 
     (iii′) a compound having at least (iii′-1) a hydrocarbon moiety, (iii′-2) one or more bonds each selected from the group consisting of carbonyl bond (—CO—), at least one ester bond (—COO—), at least one carbonate bond (—OCOO—), and/or at least one ether bond (—O—) inserted between a C—C single bond of a hydrocarbon, and (iii′-3) one or more groups each selected from the group consisting of carboxyl group (—COOH) and hydroxyl group (—OH) substituting a hydrogen on the hydrocarbon moiety. 
     When 2 or more same or different bonds are inserted in the compound of (ii′) or (iii′), i.e., when 2 or more bonds each selected from the group consisting of carbonyl bonds (—CO—), ester bonds (—COO—), carbonate bonds (—OCOO—) and ether bonds (—O—) are inserted, the bonds are not adjacent to each other, and at least one carbon atom lies between each of the bonds. 
     The blood modifying agent is more preferably a compound with no more than about 1.8 carbonyl bonds (—CO—), no more than 2 ester bonds (—COO—), no more than about 1.5 carbonate bonds (—OCOO—), no more than about 6 ether bonds (—O—), no more than about 0.8 carboxyl groups (—COOH) and/or no more than about 1.2 hydroxyl groups (—OH), per 10 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon moiety. 
     Even more preferably, the blood modifying agent may also be selected from the group consisting of the following items (A)-(F), and any combination thereof: 
     (A) an ester of (A1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety, and (A2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 carboxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety; 
     (B) an ether of (B1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety and (B2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety; 
     (C) an ester of (C1) a carboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid comprising a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 carboxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety and (C2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety; 
     (D) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and one bond selected from the group consisting of ether bonds (—O—), carbonyl bonds (—CO—), ester bonds (—COO—) and carbonate bonds (—OCOO—) inserted in-between a C—C single bond of the chain hydrocarbon moiety; 
     (E) a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol, or alkyl ester or alkyl ether thereof; and 
     (F) a chain hydrocarbon. 
     The blood modifying agent in accordance with (A) to (F) will now be described in detail. 
     [(A) Ester of (A1) a Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 2-4 Hydroxyl Groups Substituting Hydrogens on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety, and (A2) a Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 1 Carboxyl Group Substituting a Hydrogen on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety] 
     The (A) ester of (A1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety, and (A2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 carboxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (A)”) includes esters of a compound with 4, 3 or 2 hydroxyl groups and a compound with 1 carboxyl group, and it is not necessary for all of the hydroxyl groups to be esterified so long as the IOB, melting point and water solubility are within the aforementioned ranges. 
     Examples of (A1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (A1)”) include chain hydrocarbon tetraols such as alkanetetraols, including pentaerythritol, chain hydrocarbon triols such as alkanetriols, including glycerins, and chain hydrocarbon diols such as alkanediols, including glycols. Examples of (A2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 carboxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (A2)”) include compounds in which one hydrogen on the hydrocarbon is substituted with one carboxyl group (—COOH), such as fatty acids. 
     Examples for compound (A) include (a 1 ) an ester of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one fatty acid, (a 2 ) an ester of a chain hydrocarbon triol and at least one fatty acid, and (a 3 ) an ester of a chain hydrocarbon diol and at least one fatty acids. 
     [(a 1 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Tetraol and at Least One Fatty Acid] 
     Examples of an ester of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one fatty acid include tetraesters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (1): 
                         
triesters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (2):
 
                         
diesters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (3):
 
                         
and monoesters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (4).
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     In the formulae, R 1 -R 4  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     The fatty acids composing the esters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids (R 1 COOH, R 2 COOH, R 3 COOH, and R 4 COOH) are not particularly restricted as long as the pentaerythritol and fatty acid esters satisfy the conditions for the IOB, melting point and water solubility, and for example, there may be mentioned saturated fatty acids, such as C 2 -C 30  saturated fatty acids, including acetic acid (C 2 ) (C 2  representing the number of carbons, corresponding to the number of carbons of each of R 1 C, R 2 C, R 3 C or R 4 C, same hereunder), propanoic acid (C 3 ), butanoic acid (C 4 ) and isomers thereof such as 2-methylpropanoic acid (C 4 ), pentanoic acid (C 5 ) and isomers thereof such as 2-methylbutanoic acid (C 5 ) and 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (C 5 ), hexanoic acid (C 6 ), heptanoic acid (C 7 ), octanoic acid (C 8 ) and isomers thereof, such as 2-ethylhexanoic acid (C 8 ), nonanoic acid (C 9 ), decanoic acid (C 10 ), dodecanoic acid (C 12 ), tetradecanoic acid (C 14 ), hexadecanoic acid (C 16 ), heptadecanoic acid (C 17 ), octadecanoic acid (C 18 ), eicosanoic acid (C 20 ), docosanoic acid (C 22 ), tetracosanoic acid (C 24 ), hexacosanoic acid (C 26 ), octacosanoic acid (C 28 ) and triacontanoic acid (C 30 ), as well as isomers of the foregoing (excluding those mentioned above). 
     The fatty acid may also be an unsaturated fatty acid. Examples of unsaturated fatty acids include C 3 -C 20  unsaturated fatty acids, such as monounsaturated fatty acids including crotonic acid (C 4 ), myristoleic acid (C 14 ), palmitoleic acid (C 16 ), oleic acid (C 18 ), elaidic acid (C 18 ), vaccenic acid (C 18 ), gadoleic acid (C 20 ) and eicosenoic acid (C 20 ), di-unsaturated fatty acids including linolic acid (C 18 ) and eicosadienoic acid (C 20 ), tri-unsaturated fatty acids including linolenic acids, such as α-linolenic acid (C 18 ) and γ-linolenic acid (C 18 ), pinolenic acid (C 18 ), eleostearic acids, such as α-eleostearic acid (C 18 ) and β-eleostearic acid (C 18 ), Mead acid (C 20 ), dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C 20 ) and eicosatrienoic acid (C 20 ), tetra-unsaturated fatty acids including stearidonic acid (C 20 ), arachidonic acid (C 20 ) and eicosatetraenoic acid (C 20 ), penta-unsaturated fatty acids including bosseopentaenoic acid (C 18 ) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C 20 ), and partial hydrogen adducts of the foregoing. 
     Considering the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like, the ester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid is preferably an ester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid, which is derived from a saturated fatty acid, i.e., an ester of pentaerythritol and a saturated fatty acid. 
     Also, in order to lower the IOB and result in greater hydrophobicity, the ester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid is preferably a diester, triester or tetraester, more preferably a triester or tetraester, and even more preferably a tetraester. 
     In a tetraester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.60 if the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the tetraester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 1 C, R 2 C, R 3 C and R 4 C portions in formula (1), is 15. Thus, when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the tetraester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid is approximately 15 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     Examples of tetraesters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids include tetraesters of pentaerythritol with hexanoic acid (C 6 ), heptanoic acid (C 7 ), octanoic acid (C 8 ) such as 2-ethylhexanoic acid (C 8 ), nonanoic acid (C 9 ), decanoic acid (C 10 ) and/or dodecanoic acid (C 12 ). 
     In a triester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.58 if the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the triester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 1 C, R 2 C and R 3 C portions in formula (2), is 19. Thus, when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the triester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid is approximately 19 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In a diester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.59 if the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the diester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 1 C or R 2 C portion in formula (3), is 22. Thus, when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the diester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid is approximately 22 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In a monoester of pentaerythritol and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.60 if the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the monoester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 1 C portion in formula (4), is 25. Thus, when the number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the monoester of the pentaerythritol and fatty acid is approximately 25 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     The effects of double bonds, triple bonds, iso-branches and tert-branches are not considered in this calculation. 
     Commercial products which are esters of pentaerythritol and fatty acids include UNISTAR H-408BRS and H-2408BRS-22 (mixed product) (both products of NOF Corp.). 
     [(a 2 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Triol and at Least One Fatty Acid] 
     Examples of esters of a chain hydrocarbon triol and at least one fatty acid include triesters of glycerin and fatty acids, represented by formula (5): 
                         
diesters of glycerin and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (6):
 
                         
and monoesters of glycerin and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (7):
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 5 -R 7  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     The fatty acid composing the ester of glycerin and a fatty acid (R 5 COOH, R 6 COOH and R 7 COOH) is not particularly restricted so long as the ester of glycerin and a fatty acid satisfies the conditions for the IOB, melting point and water solubility, and for example, there may be mentioned that the fatty acids mentioned for the “(a 1 ) Ester of chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one fatty acids”, namely saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, and in consideration of the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like, the ester is preferably a glycerin and fatty acid ester, which is derived from a saturated fatty acid, i.e., an ester of glycerin and a saturated fatty acid. 
     Also, in order to lower the IOB and result in greater hydrophobicity, the ester of glycerin and a fatty acid is preferably a diester or triester, and more preferably a triester. 
     A triester of glycerin and a fatty acid is also known as a triglyceride, and examples include triesters of glycerin and octanoic acid (C 8 ), triesters of glycerin and decanoic acid (C 10 ), triesters of glycerin and dodecanoic acid (C 12 ), triesters of glycerin and 2 or more different fatty acids, and mixtures of the foregoing. 
     Examples of triesters of glycerin and 2 or more fatty acids include triesters of glycerin with octanoic acid (C 8 ) and decanoic acid (C 10 ), triesters of glycerin with octanoic acid (C 8 ), decanoic acid (C 10 ) and dodecanoic acid (C 12 ), and triesters of glycerin with octanoic acid (C 8 ), decanoic acid (C 10 ), dodecanoic acid (C 12 ), tetradecanoic acid (C 14 ), hexadecanoic acid (C 16 ) and octadecanoic acid (C 18 ). 
     In order to obtain a melting point of no higher than about 45° C., preferred triesters of glycerin and fatty acids are those with no more than about 40 as the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the triester of glycerin and the fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 5 C, R 6 C and R 7 C portions in formula (5). 
     In a triester of glycerin and a fatty acid, the IOB value is 0.60 when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the triester of glycerin and the fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 5 C, R 6 C and R 7 C portions in formula (5), is 12. Thus, when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid comprising the triester of the glycerin and fatty acid is approximately 12 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     Triesters of glycerin and fatty acids, being aliphatic and therefore potential constituent components of the human body are preferred from the viewpoint of safety. 
     Commercial products of triesters of glycerin and fatty acids include tri-coconut fatty acid glycerides, NA36, PANACET 800, PANACET 800B and PANACET 810S, and tri-C2L oil fatty acid glycerides and tri-CL oil fatty acid glycerides (all products of NOF Corp.). 
     A diester of glycerin and a fatty acid is also known as a diglyceride, and examples include diesters of glycerin and decanoic acid (C 10 ), diesters of glycerin and dodecanoic acid (C 12 ), diesters of glycerin and hexadecanoic acid (C 16 ), diesters of glycerin and 2 or more different fatty acids, and mixtures of the foregoing. 
     In a diester of glycerin and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.58 if the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the diester of the glycerin and fatty acid, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 5 C and R 6 C portions in formula (6), is 16. Thus, when the total number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the diester of the glycerin and fatty acid is approximately 16 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     Monoesters of glycerin and fatty acids are also known as monoglycerides, and examples include glycerin and icosanoic acid (C 20 ) monoester, and glycerin and docosanoic acid (C 22 ) monoester. 
     In a monoester of glycerin and a fatty acid, the IOB is 0.59 if the number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the monoester of the glycerin and fatty acid, i.e., the number of carbons of the R 5 C portion in formula (7), is 19. Thus, when the number of carbons of the fatty acid composing the monoester of the glycerin and fatty acid is approximately 19 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     [(a 3 ) Ester of Chain Hydrocarbon Diol and at Least One Fatty Acid] 
     Examples of an ester of a chain hydrocarbon diol and at least one fatty acids include monoesters and diesters of fatty acids with C 2 -C 6  chain hydrocarbon diols, such as C 2 -C 6  glycols, including ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol and hexylene glycol. 
     Specifically, examples of an ester of a chain hydrocarbon diol and at least one fatty acid include diesters of C 2 -C 6  glycols and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (8):
 
R 8 COOC k H 2k OCOR 9   (8)
 
     wherein k represents an integer of 2-6, and R 8  and R 9  each represent a chain hydrocarbon, and monoesters of C 2 -C 6  glycols and fatty acids, represented by the following formula (9):
 
R 8 COOC k H 2k OH  (9)
 
     wherein k represents an integer of 2-6, and R 8  is a chain hydrocarbon. 
     The fatty acid to be esterified in an ester of a C 2 -C 6  glycol and a fatty acid (corresponding to R 8 COOH and R 9 COOH in formula (8) and formula (9)) is not particularly restricted so long as the ester of the C 2 -C 6  glycol and fatty acid satisfies the conditions for the IOB, melting point and water solubility, and for example, there may be mentioned that the fatty acids mentioned for the “(a 1 ) Ester of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one fatty acid”, namely saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, and in consideration of the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like, it is preferably a saturated fatty acid. 
     In a diester of butylene glycol (k=4) and a fatty acid represented by formula (8), IOB is 0.60 when the total number of carbons of the R 8 C and R 9 C portions is 6. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms in a diester of butylene glycol (k=4) and a fatty acid represented by formula (8) is approximately 6 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being about 0.00-0.60. In a monoester of ethylene glycol (k=2) and a fatty acid represented by formula (9), IOB is 0.57 when the number of carbons of the R 8 C portion is 12. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms in the fatty acid composing a monoester of ethylene glycol (k=2) and a fatty acid represented by formula (9) is approximately 12 or greater, the IOB satisfies the condition of being about 0.00-0.60. 
     Considering the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like, the ester of the C 2 -C 6  glycol and fatty acid is preferably a C 2 -C 6  glycol and fatty acid ester, which is derived from a saturated fatty acid, i.e., an ester of a C 2 -C 6  glycol and a saturated fatty acid. 
     Also, in order to lower the IOB and result in greater hydrophobicity, the ester of the C 2 -C 6  glycol and fatty acid is preferably a glycol and fatty acid ester derived from a glycol with a greater number of carbons, such as an ester of a glycol and a fatty acid derived from butylene glycol, pentylene glycol or hexylene glycol. 
     Also, in order to lower the IOB and obtain in greater hydrophobicity, the ester of a C 2 -C 6  glycol and fatty acid is preferably a diester. 
     Examples of commercial products of esters of C 2 -C 6  glycols and fatty acids include COMPOL BL and COMPOL BS (both products of NOF Corp.). 
     [(B) Ether of (B1) a Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 2-4 Hydroxyl Groups Substituting Hydrogens on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and (B2) a Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 1 Hydroxyl Group Substituting a Hydrogen on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety] 
     The (B) ether of (B1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety and (B2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (B)”) includes ethers of a compound with 4, 3 or 2 hydroxyl groups and a compound with 1 hydroxyl group, and it is not necessary for all of the hydroxyl groups to be etherified as long as the IOB, melting point and water solubility are within the aforementioned ranges. 
     Examples of (B1) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 hydroxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (B1)”) include those mentioned for “compound (A)”,)” as compound (A1), such as pentaerythritol, glycerin and glycol. 
     Examples of (B2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (B2)”) include compounds wherein 1 hydrogen on the hydrocarbon is substituted with 1 hydroxyl group (—OH), such as aliphatic monohydric alcohols, including saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols and unsaturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols. 
     Examples of saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols include C 1 -C 20  saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols, such as methyl alcohol (C 1 ) (C 1  representing the number of carbon atoms, same hereunder), ethyl alcohol (C 2 ), propyl alcohol (C 3 ) and isomers thereof, including isopropyl alcohol (C 3 ), butyl alcohol (C 4 ) and isomers thereof, including sec-butyl alcohol (C 4 ) and tert-butyl alcohol (C 4 ), pentyl alcohol (C 5 ), hexyl alcohol (C 6 ), heptyl alcohol (C 7 ), octyl alcohol (C 8 ) and isomers thereof, including 2-ethylhexyl alcohol (C 8 ), nonyl alcohol (C 9 ), decyl alcohol (C 10 ), dodecyl alcohol (C 12 ), tetradecyl alcohol (C 14 ), hexadecyl alcohol (C 16 ), heptadecyl alcohol (C 17 ), octadecyl alcohol (C 18 ) and eicosyl alcohol (C 20 ), as well as their isomers other than those mentioned. 
     Unsaturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols include those wherein 1 C—C single bond of a saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohol mentioned above is replaced with a C═C double bond, such as oleyl alcohol, and for example, these are commercially available by New Japan Chemical Co., Ltd. as the RIKACOL Series and UNJECOL Series. 
     Examples for compound (B) include (b 1 ) an ether of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, such as monoethers, diethers, triethers and tetraethers, preferably diethers, triethers and tetraethers, more preferably triethers and tetraethers and even more preferably tetraethers, (b 2 ) an ether of a chain hydrocarbon triol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, such as monoethers, diethers and triethers, preferably diethers and triethers and more preferably triethers, and (b 3 ) an ether of a chain hydrocarbon diol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohols, such as monoethers and diethers, and preferably diethers. 
     Examples of an ether of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohols include tetraethers, triethers, diethers and monoethers of pentaerythritol and aliphatic monohydric alcohols, represented by the following formulae (10)-(13): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 10 -R 13  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     Examples of an ether of a chain hydrocarbon triol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol include triethers, diethers and monoethers of glycerin and aliphatic monohydric alcohols, represented by the following formulae (14)-(16): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 14 -R 16  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     Examples of an ether of a chain hydrocarbon diol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol include diethers of C 2 -C 6  glycols and aliphatic monohydric alcohols, represented by the following formula (17):
 
R 17 OC n H 2n OR 18   (17)
 
     wherein n is an integer of 2-6, and R 17  and R 18  are each a chain hydrocarbon, 
     and monoethers of C 2 -C 6  glycols and aliphatic monohydric alcohols, represented by the following formula (18):
 
R 17 OC n H 2n OH  (18)
 
     wherein n is an integer of 2-6, and R 17  is a chain hydrocarbon. 
     In the tetraether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.44 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the tetraether of pentaerythritol and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 10 , R 11 , R 12  and R 13  portions in formula (10), is 4. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing a tetraether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 4 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the triether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.57 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the triether of pentaerythritol and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 10 , R 11  and R 12  portions in formula (11), is 9. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing a triether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 9 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the diether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.60 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the diether of pentaerythritol and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 10  and R 11  portions in formula (12), is 15. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing a diether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 15 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the monoether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.59 when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the monoether of pentaerythritol and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the number of carbon atoms of the R 10  portion in formula (13), is 22. Thus, when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol comprising a monoether of pentaerythritol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 22 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the triether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.50 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the triether of glycerin and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 14 , R 15  and R 16  portions in formula (14), is 3. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol comprising a triether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 3 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the diether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.58 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the diether of glycerin and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 14  and R 15  portions in formula (15), is 9. Thus, when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol comprising a diether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 9 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In the monoether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.58 when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the monoether of glycerin and the aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the number of carbon atoms of the R 14  portion in formula (16), is 16. Thus, when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol comprising a monoether of glycerin and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is approximately 16 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     In a diether of butylene glycol (n=4) and aliphatic monohydric alcohol represented by formula (17), the IOB is 0.33 when the total number of carbon atoms of the R 17  and R 18  portions is 2. Thus, when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol comprising a diether of butylene glycol (n=4) and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol represented by formula (17) is approximately 2 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. Also, in a monoether of ethylene glycol (n=2) and aliphatic monohydric alcohol represented by formula (18), the IOB is 0.60 when the number of carbon atoms of the R 17  portion is 8. Thus, when the number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol in a monoether of ethylene glycol (n=2) and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol represented by formula (18) is approximately 8 or greater, the IOB value satisfies the condition of being within about 0.00 to 0.60. 
     Compound (B) may be produced by dehydrating condensation of a compound with 2-4 hydroxyl groups (B1) and a compound with 1 hydroxyl group, such as an aliphatic monohydric alcohol (B2), in the presence of an acid catalyst. 
     [(C) Ester of (C1) a Carboxylic Acid, Hydroxy Acid, Alkoxy Acid or Oxoacid Comprising a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 2-4 Carboxyl Groups Substituting Hydrogens on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and (C2) a Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and 1 Hydroxyl Group Substituting a Hydrogen on the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety] 
     The (C) ester of (C1) a carboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid comprising a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 carboxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety and (C2) a compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (C)”) includes esters of a compound with 4, 3 or 2 carboxyl groups and a compound with 1 hydroxyl group, and it is not necessary for all of the carboxyl groups to be esterified so long as the IOB, melting point and water solubility are within the aforementioned ranges. 
     Examples of (C1) a carboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid comprising a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 2-4 carboxyl groups substituting hydrogens on the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (C1)”) include chain hydrocarbons hydrocarbon carboxylic acids with 2-4 carboxyl groups, such as chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acids including alkanedicarboxylic acids such as ethanedioic acid, propanedioic acid, butanedioic acid, pentanedioic acid, hexanedioic acid, heptanedioic acid, octanedioic acid, nonanedioic acid and decanedioic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acids, including alkanetricarboxylic acids such as propanetrioic acid, butanetrioic acid, pentanetrioic acid, hexanetrioic acid, heptanetrioic acid, octanetrioic acid, nonanetrioic acid and decanetrioic acid, and chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acids, including alkanetetracarboxylic acids such as butanetetraoic acid, pentanetetraoic acid, hexanetetraoic acid, heptanetetraoic acid, octanetetraoic acid, nonanetetraoic acid and decanetetraoic acid. 
     Compound (C1) includes chain hydrocarbon hydroxy acids with 2-4 carboxyl groups, including alkoxy acids with 2-4 carboxyl groups such as malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and isocitric acid, including chain hydrocarbon alkoxy acids with 2-4 carboxyl groups, such as O-acetylcitric acid, and chain hydrocarbon oxoacids with 2-4 carboxyl groups. 
     Compounds (C2) having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and 1 hydroxyl group substituting a hydrogen on the chain hydrocarbon moiety include those mentioned for “compound (B)”, such as aliphatic monohydric alcohols. 
     Compound (C) may be (c 1 ) an ester, for example a monoester, diester, triester or tetraester, preferably a diester, triester or tetraester, more preferably a triester or tetraester and even more preferably a tetraester, of a chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid with 4 carboxyl groups, and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, (c 2 ) an ester, for example, a monoester, diester or triester, preferably a diester or triester and more preferably a triester, of a chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid with 3 carboxyl groups, and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, or (c 3 ) an ester, for example, a monoester or diester, and preferably a diester, of a chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy acid, alkoxy acid or oxoacid with 2 carboxyl groups, and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol. 
     Examples for compound (C) include dioctyl adipate and tributyl 0-acetylcitrate, of which commercially available products exist. 
     [(D) Compound Having a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and One Bond Selected from the Group Consisting of an Ether Bond (—O—), Carbonyl Bond (—CO—), Ester Bond (—COO—) and Carbonate Bond (—OCOO—) Inserted in a Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety and One Bond Selected from the Group Consisting of an Ether Bond (—O—), Carbonyl Bond (—CO—), Ester Bond (—COO—) and Carbonate Bond (—OCOO—) Inserted Between a C—C Single Bond of the Chain Hydrocarbon Moiety] 
     The (D) compound having a chain hydrocarbon moiety and one bond selected from the group consisting of an ether bond (—O—), carbonyl bond (—CO—), ester bond (—COO—) and carbonate bond (—OCOO—) inserted in-between a C—C single bond of the chain hydrocarbon moiety (hereunder also referred to as “compound (D)”) may be (d 1 ) an ether of an aliphatic monohydric alcohol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, (d 2 ) a dialkyl ketone, (d 3 ) an ester of a fatty acid and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, or (d 4 ) a dialkyl carbonate. 
     [(d 1 ) Ether of an Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol and an Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol] 
     Ethers of aliphatic monohydric alcohols and aliphatic monohydric alcohols include compounds having the following formula (19):
 
R 19 OR 20   (19)
 
     wherein R 19  and R 20  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     The aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the ether (corresponding to R 19 OH and R 20 OH in formula (19)) is not particularly restricted so long as the ether satisfies the conditions for the IOB, melting point and water solubility, and for example, it may be one of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols mentioned for “compound (B)”. 
     In an ether of an aliphatic monohydric alcohol and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.50 when the total number of carbon atoms of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols composing the ether, i.e., the total number of carbons of the R 10  and R 20  portions in formula (19), is 2, and therefore when the total number of carbons of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols comprising the ether is about 2 or greater, this condition for the IOB is satisfied. However, when the total number of carbons of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols comprising the ether is about 6, the water solubility is as high as about 2 g, which is problematic from the viewpoint of vapor pressure as well. In order to satisfy the condition of a water solubility of about 0.00-0.05 g, the total number of carbons of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols comprising the ether is preferably about 8 or greater. 
     [(d 2 ) Dialkyl Ketone] 
     The dialkyl ketone may be a compound of the following formula (20):
 
R 21 COR 22   (20)
 
     wherein R 21  and R 22  are each an alkyl group. 
     In a dialkyl ketone, the IOB is 0.54 when the total number of carbon atoms of R 21  and R 22  is 5, and therefore this condition for the IOB is satisfied if the total number of carbons is about 5 or greater. However, when the total number of carbons of dialkyl ketone is about 5, the water solubility is as high as about 2 g. Therefore, in order to satisfy the condition of a water solubility of about 0.00-0.05 g, the total number of carbons of dialkyl ketone is preferably about 8 or greater. In consideration of vapor pressure, the number of carbon atoms of dialkyl ketone is preferably about 10 or greater and more preferably about 12 or greater. 
     If the total number of carbon atoms of alkyl ketone is about 8, such as in 5-nonanone, for example, the melting point is approximately −50° C. and the vapor pressure is about 230 Pa at 20° C. 
     The dialkyl ketone may be a commercially available product, or it may be obtained by a known method, such as by oxidation of a secondary alcohol with chromic acid or the like. 
     [(d 3 ) Ester of a Fatty Acid and an Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol] 
     Examples of esters of fatty acids and aliphatic monohydric alcohols include compounds having the following formula (21):
 
R 23 COOR 24   (21)
 
     wherein R 23  and R 24  each represent a chain hydrocarbon. 
     Examples of fatty acids composing these esters (corresponding to R 23 COOH in formula (21)) include the fatty acids mentioned for the “(a 1 ) an ester of a chain hydrocarbon tetraol and at least one fatty acids”, and specifically these include saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, with saturated fatty acids being preferred in consideration of the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like. The aliphatic monohydric alcohol composing the ester (corresponding to R 24 OH in formula (21)) may be one of the aliphatic monohydric alcohols mentioned for “compound (B)”. 
     In an ester of such a fatty acid and aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the IOB is 0.60 when the total number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid and aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., the total number of carbon atoms of the R 23 C and R 24  portion in formula (21), is 5, and therefore this condition for the IOB is satisfied when the total number of carbon atoms of the R 23 C and R 24  portion is about 5 or greater. However, with butyl acetate in which the total number of carbon atoms is 6, the vapor pressure is high at greater than 2000 Pa. In consideration of vapor pressure, therefore, the total number of carbon atoms is preferably about 12 or greater. If the total number of carbon atoms is about 11 or greater, it will be possible to satisfy the condition of a water solubility of about 0.00-0.05 g. 
     Examples of esters of such fatty acids and aliphatic monohydric alcohols include esters of dodecanoic acid (C 12 ) and dodecyl alcohol (C 12 ) and esters of tetradecanoic acid (C 14 ) and dodecyl alcohol (C 12 ), and examples of commercial products of esters of such fatty acids and aliphatic monohydric alcohols include ELECTOL WE20 and ELECTOL WE40 (both products of NOF Corp.). 
     [(d 4 ) Dialkyl Carbonate] 
     The dialkyl carbonate may be a compound of the following formula (22):
 
R 25 OC(═O)OR 26   (22)
 
     wherein R 25  and R 26  are each an alkyl group. 
     In a dialkyl carbonate, the IOB is 0.57 when the total number of carbon atoms of R 25  and R 26  is 6, and therefore this condition for the IOB is satisfied if the total number of carbons of R 25  and R 26  is about 6 or greater. 
     In consideration of water solubility, the total number of carbon atoms of R 25  and R 26  is preferably about 7 or greater and more preferably about 9 or greater. 
     The dialkyl carbonate may be a commercially available product, or it may be synthesized by reaction between phosgene and an alcohol, reaction between formic chloride and an alcohol or alcoholate, or reaction between silver carbonate and an alkyl iodide. 
     [(E) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol, or Alkyl Ester or Alkyl Ether Thereof] 
     The (E) polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol, or alkyl ester or alkyl ether thereof (hereunder also referred to as “compound (E)”) may be (e 1 ) a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol, (e 2 ) an ester of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and at least one fatty acid, (e 3 ) an ether of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, (e 4 ) an ester of polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and a chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid or chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid, or (e 5 ) an ether of polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and chain hydrocarbon tetraol, chain hydrocarbon triol or chain hydrocarbon diol. These will now be explained. 
     [(e 1 ) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol] 
     The polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol is i) a homopolymer having one backbone selected from the group consisting of polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene backbones, i.e., oxyethylene backbone, oxypropylene backbone, oxybutylene backbone, oxypentylene backbone and oxyhexylene backbone, and having hydroxy groups at both ends, ii) a block copolymer having a backbone of 2 or more selected from among the aforementioned group and having hydroxy groups at both ends, or iii) a random copolymer having a backbone of two or more selected from among the aforementioned group and having hydroxy groups at both ends. 
     The polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene backbone is preferably an oxypropylene backbone, oxybutylene backbone, oxypentylene backbone or oxyhexylene backbone and more preferably an oxybutylene backbone, oxypentylene backbone or oxyhexylene backbone, from the viewpoint of lowering the IOB of the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol. 
     When polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol is a homopolymer, the poly C 3-6  alkylene glycol is represented by the following formula (23):
 
HO—(C m H 2m O) n —H  (23)
 
     wherein m is an integer of 3-6. 
     The present inventors have confirmed that in polyethylene glycol (corresponding to formula (23) where m=2), when n≥45 (the molecular weight exceeds about 2,000), the condition for IOB of about 0.00 to about 0.60 is satisfied, but the condition for the water solubility is not satisfied even when the molecular weight exceeds 4,000. Therefore, ethylene glycol homopolymer is not included in the (e 1 ) polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol, and ethylene glycol should be included in the (e 1 ) polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol only as a copolymer or random polymer with another glycol. 
     Thus, homopolymers of formula (23) may include propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol or hexylene glycol homopolymer. 
     For this reason, m in formula (23) is about 3 to 6 and preferably about 4 to 6, and n is 2 or greater. 
     The value of n in formula (23) is a value such that the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol has an IOB of about 0.00-0.60, a melting point of no higher than about 45° C. and a water solubility of no greater than about 0.05 g in 100 g of water at 25° C. 
     For example, when formula (23) is polypropylene glycol (m=3), the IOB is 0.58 when n=12. Thus, when formula (23) is polypropylene glycol (m=3), the condition for the IOB is satisfied when n is equal to or greater than about 12. 
     Also, when formula (23) is polybutylene glycol (m=4), the IOB is 0.57 when n=7. Thus, when formula (23) is polybutylene glycol (m=4), the condition for the IOB is satisfied when n is equal to or greater than about 7. 
     From the viewpoint of IOB, melting point and water solubility, the weight-average molecular weight of the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol is preferably between about 200 and about 10,000, more preferably between about 250 and about 8,000, and even more preferably in the range of about 250 to about 5,000. 
     Also from the viewpoint of IOB, melting point and water solubility, the weight-average molecular weight of a poly C 3  alkylene glycol, i.e., polypropylene glycol, is preferably between about 1,000 and about 10,000, more preferably between about 3,000 and about 8,000, and even more preferably between about 4,000 and about 5,000. This is because if the weight-average molecular weight is less than about 1,000, the condition for the water solubility will not be satisfied, and a larger weight-average molecular weight will particularly tend to increase the migration rate into the absorbent body and the whiteness of the top sheet. 
     Examples of commercial products of polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols include UNIOL™ D-1000, D1200, D-2000, D-3000, D-4000, PB-500, PB-700, PB-1000 and PB-2000 (both products of NOF Corp.). 
     [(e 2 ) Ester of Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and at Least One Fatty Acid] 
     Esters of such polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols and at least one fatty acid include the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols mentioned for “(e 1 ) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol” in which one or both OH ends have been esterified with fatty acids, i.e., monoesters and diesters. 
     Examples of fatty acids to be esterified in the ester of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and at least one fatty acid include the fatty acids mentioned for the “(a 1 ) Esters of chain hydrocarbon tetraols and at least one fatty acid”, and specifically these include saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, with saturated fatty acids being preferred in consideration of the potential for degradation by oxidation and the like. An example of a commercially available ester of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol a fatty acid is WILLBRITE cp9 (product of NOF Corp.). 
     [(e 3 ) Ether of Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and at Least One Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol] 
     Ethers of such polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol include the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols mentioned for “(e 1 ) polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol” wherein one or both OH ends have been etherified by an aliphatic monohydric alcohol, i.e., monoethers and diethers. 
     In an ether of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and at least one aliphatic monohydric alcohol, the aliphatic monohydric alcohol to be etherified may be an aliphatic monohydric alcohol among those mentioned for “compound (B)”. 
     [(e 4 ) Ester of Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and Chain Hydrocarbon Tetracarboxylic Acid, Chain Hydrocarbon Tricarboxylic Acid or Chain Hydrocarbon Dicarboxylic Acid] 
     The polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol to be esterified for the aforementioned ester of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and a chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid or chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid may be any of the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols mentioned above under “(e 1 ) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol”. Also, the chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid or chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid to be esterified may be any of those mentioned above for “compound (C)”. 
     The ester of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and a chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid or chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid may be a commercially available product, or it may be produced by polycondensation of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol with a chain hydrocarbon tetracarboxylic acid, chain hydrocarbon tricarboxylic acid or chain hydrocarbon dicarboxylic acid under known conditions. 
     [(e 5 ) Ether of Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and Chain Hydrocarbon Tetraol, Chain Hydrocarbon Triol or Chain Hydrocarbon Diol] 
     The polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol to be etherified for the aforementioned ether of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and a chain hydrocarbon tetraol, chain hydrocarbon triol or chain hydrocarbon diol may be any of the polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols mentioned above under “(e 1 ) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol”. Also, the chain hydrocarbon tetraol, chain hydrocarbon triol or chain hydrocarbon diol to be etherified may be, for example, pentaerythritol, glycerin or glycol, mentioned above for “compound (A)”. 
     Examples of commercially available ethers of polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycols and chain hydrocarbon tetraols, chain hydrocarbon triols and chain hydrocarbon diols include UNILUBE™ 5TP-300 KB and UNIOL™ TG-3000 and TG-4000 (products of NOF Corp.). 
     UNILUBE™ 5TP-300 KB is a compound obtained by polycondensation of 65 mol of propylene glycol and 5 mol of ethylene glycol with 1 mol of pentaerythritol, and it has an IOB of 0.39, a melting point of below 45° C., and a water solubility of less than 0.05 g. 
     UNIOL™ TG-3000 is a compound obtained by polycondensation of 50 mol of propylene glycol with 1 mol of glycerin, and it has an IOB of 0.42, a melting point of below 45° C., a water solubility of less than 0.05 g, and a weight-average molecular weight of about 3,000. 
     UNIOL™ TG-4000 is a compound obtained by polycondensation of 70 mol of propylene glycol with 1 mol of glycerin, and it has an IOB of 0.40, a melting point of below 45° C., a water solubility of less than 0.05 g, and a weight-average molecular weight of about 4,000. 
     The ether of a poly C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol and a chain hydrocarbon tetraol, chain hydrocarbon triol or chain hydrocarbon diol may also be produced by polycondensation of a polyoxy C 2 -C 6  alkylene glycol with a chain hydrocarbon tetraol, chain hydrocarbon triol or chain hydrocarbon diol under known conditions. 
     [(F) Chain Hydrocarbon] 
     The chain hydrocarbon has an inorganic value of 0 and thus an IOB of 0.00, while the water solubility is also approximately 0 g, and therefore if the melting point is no higher than about 45° C., it may be included among the aforementioned blood modifying agents. Examples of such chain hydrocarbons include (f 1 ) chain alkanes, such as linear alkanes and branched alkanes, and linear alkanes generally include those with no more than 22 carbons, in consideration of a melting point of no higher than about 45° C. In consideration of vapor pressure, they generally include those with 13 or more carbons. Branched alkanes generally include those with 22 or more carbons, since their melting points are often lower than linear alkanes, given the same number of carbon atoms. 
     Examples of commercially available hydrocarbon products include PARLEAM 6 (NOF Corp.). 
     The blood modifying agent has been found to exhibit at least action of lowering blood viscosity and surface tension, which will be considered in detail in the examples. Menstrual blood to be absorbed by the absorbent article, unlike ordinary blood, contains proteins of the endometrial wall, for example, which act to bind together blood cells so that the blood cells form a rouleau state. Menstrual blood which is to be absorbed by the absorbent article therefore tends to have high viscosity, and when the top sheet is a nonwoven fabric or woven fabric, the menstrual blood becomes clogged between the fibers creating a residual sticky feel for the wearer, while the menstrual blood also diffuses on the surface of the top sheet and tends to leak. 
     In addition, the blood modifying agent which has an IOB of about 0.00 to 0.60 has high organicity and readily infiltrates between blood cells, and it therefore stabilizes the blood cells and can prevent formation of a rouleau structure by the blood cells. It is believed that, since the modifier stabilizes blood cells and helps to prevent formation of a rouleau structure by the blood cells, it facilitates absorption of menstrual blood by the absorbent body. For example, with an absorbent article comprising an acrylic super-absorbent polymer, or SAP, absorption of menstrual blood is known to lead to covering of the SAP surface by rouleau-formed blood cells and inhibition of the absorption performance of the SAP, but presumably stabilization of the blood cells allows the absorption performance of the SAP to be exhibited more easily. In addition, the blood modifying agent which has high affinity with erythrocytes protects the erythrocyte membranes, and therefore may minimize destruction of the erythrocytes. 
     A method for producing the absorbent article  1  according to an embodiment of the invention will now be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is an illustration of an absorbent article production apparatus  100  to be used in a method for producing an absorbent article  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The method for producing the absorbent article  1  comprises a step of forming an absorbent body, a step of preparing a sheet for a top sheet, a step of forming compressed grooves in a layered body, a step of preparing a sheet for a back sheet, a step of cutting continuous sections in the absorbent article, and a step of coating the absorbent article with a blood modifying agent. The sheet for a top sheet, which is to be used in the step of preparing a sheet for a top sheet, is produced by a method for producing a sheet for a top sheet comprising a step of preparing a resin film sheet, a step of forming recesses in the resin film sheet and a step of gear stretching the resin film sheet. 
     In the step of forming the absorbent body, the absorbent body  128  is formed on a belt  110 . Ground pulp  122  is supplied from a ground pulp supply apparatus (not shown), to a pattern drum  120 . Recesses  124  are formed around the outer periphery of the pattern drum  120 , as a mold into which the ground pulp is to be filled. The interior of the pattern drum  120  is aspirated  126 , and the ground pulp  122  supplied to the pattern drum  120  is drawn into the recesses  124  and compressed. The compressed pulp  122  in the recesses  124  is molded into an absorbent body  128 . The absorbent body  128  is placed on a belt. 
     In the step of preparing the sheet for a top sheet, the sheet for a top sheet  216 , produced by the method for producing a sheet for a top sheet described below, is placed on the absorbent body  128  and the sheet for a top sheet  216  is bonded to the absorbent body  128 . 
     In the step of forming compressed grooves in the layered body, an embossing apparatus  130  is used to form compressed grooves in the sheet for a top sheet  216  and the layered body  262  of the absorbent body  128 . The layered body  262  passes between the upper roll  131  and lower roll  132  of the embossing apparatus  130 . Heights (not shown) with shapes corresponding to the compressed grooves  7  of the absorbent article  1  shown in  FIG. 1  are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper roll  131 . The lower roll  132  is a plain roll having a smooth outer peripheral surface. By passing the layered body  262  between the upper roll  131  and lower roll  132  of the embossing apparatus  130 , the sections corresponding to the compressed grooves  7  of the absorbent article  1  shown in  FIG. 1  become compressed in the thickness direction of the layered body  262 , forming compressed grooves in the layered body  262 . 
     In the step of preparing the sheet for the back sheet, the sheet  142  for a back sheet supplied from a back sheet roll  140  is coated with an adhesive using a coating applicator (not shown), and it is then bonded with the surface of the layered body  134  on which the compressed grooves have been formed, on the side opposite the side for the sheet for a top sheet, to form continuous sections  144  in the absorbent article. 
     In the step of cutting the continuous sections of the absorbent article, a cutter  150  is used for cutting of the continuous sections  144  of the absorbent article into the shape of the absorbent article, producing an absorbent article. 
     In the step of coating the absorbent article with a blood modifying agent, a modifying agent-coating spray  160  is used to coat the blood modifying agent  161  onto the center region of the absorbent article, forming a blood modifying agent layer on the surface of the excretion hole-corresponding region of the top sheet. 
     Here, the blood modifying agent was coated after the step of cutting the continuous sections of the absorbent article, but the blood modifying agent may instead be coated in the step of producing the sheet for a top sheet described hereunder. In order to prevent the coated blood modifying agent from falling from the absorbent article during production of the absorbent article, it is preferred to coat the blood modifying agent onto the absorbent article at a stage downstream from the absorbent article production step, such as immediately before packaging the absorbent article. 
     The method for producing the absorbent article  1  may further comprise a step of forming a pressure-sensitive adhesive section on the continuous sections  144  of the absorbent article, and a step of forming a seal section on the continuous sections  144  of the absorbent article. 
     A method for producing a sheet for a top sheet will now be described. 
     In the step of preparing the resin film sheet, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the resin film sheet  212  supplied from a resin film sheet roll  210  is supplied to a recess-forming roll  220 . 
     In the step of forming recesses in the resin film sheet, the resin film sheet  212  is passed through recess-forming rolls  220  to produce a resin film sheet  214  having recesses  2141  formed therein (see  FIG. 8 ). The recess-forming roll  220  comprises a roulette roll  221  and a preheated roll  222  with a smooth surface. 
       FIGS. 7( a ) and ( b )  show an example of the roulette roll  221 .  FIG. 7( a )  shows the entire roulette roll  221 , and  FIG. 7( b )  is a magnified view of section  223  having concavoconvexities on the outer peripheral surface of the roulette roll  221 .  FIG. 7( c )  shows an example of the preheated roll  222  which has a smooth surface. Lattice-like heights  224  are formed on the surface  223  of the roulette roll  221 . As a result, rhomboid recesses  225  are formed in the surface of the roulette roll  221 . The shapes of the recesses  225  of the roulette roll  221  are not limited to being rhomboid, and may instead be square, rectangular, parallelogram-shaped, trapezoid, triangular, hexagonal, or the like. 
     The center line spacing between the heights  224  arranged parallel on the lattice-like heights  224 , i.e. the pitch of the lattice-like heights  224 , is preferably at least 0.2 mm and no greater than 10 mm and more preferably at least 0.4 mm and no greater than 2 mm. If the pitch of the lattice-like heights  224  is less than 0.2 mm or greater than 10 mm, recesses may not form in the resin film. The widths of the lattice-like heights  224  are preferably at least 0.01 mm and no greater than 1 mm, and more preferably at least 0.03 mm and no greater than 0.1. The lengths of the sides of the rhomboid recesses  225  are preferably at least 0.1 mm and no greater than 5 mm, and more preferably at least 0.2 mm and no greater than 1 mm. If the widths of the lattice-like heights  224  are less than 0.01 mm or greater than 1 mm, or if the lengths of the sides of the rhomboid recesses  225  are less than 0.1 mm or greater than 5 mm, recesses may not form in the resin film. 
     The preheated roll  222  with a smooth surface is kept at a temperature between 70° C. and 100° C., and it heats the supplied resin film sheet  212 . This softens the resin film sheet  212  and facilitates formation. 
     When the resin film sheet  212  passes between the roulette roll  221  and the roll  222  with a smooth surface, the resin film sheet  212  receives strong pressure in the thickness direction at the sections in contact with the lattice-like heights  224 . This causes thin recesses  2141  to form in the resin film sheet  214 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The recesses  2141  formed in the resin film sheet  212  are actually smaller than shown in  FIG. 8 , and the number of recesses  2141  per unit area is much greater than shown in  FIG. 8 . The recesses  2141  are formed only in the region  2143  of the resin film sheet  214  corresponding to the region  12  of the absorbent article  1  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided (see  FIG. 1 ). The region of the resin film sheet  214  corresponding to the absorbent article  1  is the region indicated by the dotted line denoted as  2142 . 
     In the step of gear stretching the resin film sheet, the first protrusions, second protrusions and bottom sections of the top sheet  2  are formed in the resin film sheet  214  by passing the recess-formed resin film sheet  214  through the stretching gear roll  230  shown in  FIG. 6 . Numeral  216  denotes the resin film sheet in which the first protrusions, second protrusions and bottom sections have been formed. 
     The stretching gear roll  230  comprises an upper roll  231  and a lower roll  232 .  FIG. 9( a )  is a diagram illustrating the upper roll  231  of the stretching gear roll  230 ,  FIG. 9( b )  is a diagram illustrating the gear teeth  233  situated on the peripheral surface of the upper roll  231 , and  FIG. 9( c )  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9( b )  along line B-B. The gear teeth  233  extend in a discontinuous manner in the circumferential direction of the upper roll  231 . That is, the gear teeth  233  extending in the circumferential direction of the upper roll  231  are interrupted at multiple locations along them. The locations  234  where the gear teeth  233  are interrupted result in formation of second protrusions in the resin film sheet  214 . 
     The widths of the gear teeth  233  are between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm, for example, and the distance between the centers of the adjacent gear teeth  233  are between 1.0 mm and 1.2 mm, for example. 
       FIG. 10( a )  is a diagram illustrating the lower roll  232  of the stretching gear roll  230 ,  FIG. 10( b )  is a diagram illustrating the gear teeth  235  situated on the peripheral surface of the lower roll  232 , and  FIG. 10( c )  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10( b )  along line C-C. The gear teeth  235  extend in the circumferential direction of the lower roll  232 . The lower roll  232 , unlike the upper roll  231 , is not interrupted at multiple locations along it. The widths of the gear teeth  235  may be equal to the widths of the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231 , for example, and the distance between the centers of adjacent gear teeth  235  may be equal to the distance between the centers of the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231 , for example. 
     The length of the upper roll  231  in the radial direction at the section where the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  engage with the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232 , i.e. the mesh depth, is 1.25 mm, for example. The gaps between the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232 , when the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232  have been meshed, are between 0.25 mm and 0.45 mm, for example. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the resin film sheet  214  passes through the stretching gear roll  230 , the resin film  214  is bent into a roughly undulating form, forming the first protrusions  21  and second protrusions  22  of the top sheet  2  in the resin film  214 . Openings  25  of the top sheet  2  (see  FIG. 4 ) are also formed in the region  2143  of the resin film sheet  214  in which the recesses  2141  have been formed (see  FIG. 10 ). 
     The principle by which openings are formed in the resin film sheet  214  after the resin film sheet  214  has passed through the stretching gear roll  230  will now be explained with reference to  FIG. 11 . The explanation of this principle is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     The resin film sheet  214  is stretched to a large degree at the sections  236  where the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232  are meshed. Since the resin film sheet  214  is thinner at the sections in which the recesses  2141  (see  FIG. 8 ) have been formed in the recess-forming step, and they are also the sections that have been damaged by the lattice-like heights  224  of the roulette roll  221 , their strength is weak and the recesses  2141  of the resin film sheet  214  tear when subjected to stretching. As a result, the recesses  2141  of the resin film sheet  214  tear at the sections  236  of the resin film sheet  214  that have been stretched, such that the torn sections of the resin film sheet  214  widen, forming openings at the sections where the resin film sheet  214  has torn. 
     The resin film sheet  214  is not significantly stretched at the sections  237 ,  238  where the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232  are not meshed. Consequently, even when the resin film sheet  241  passes through the stretching gear roll  230 , the recesses  2141  formed in the recess-forming step are not torn and do not become openings at the sections  237 ,  238  of the resin film sheet  214  where the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232  are not meshed. 
     In the regions of the resin film sheet  214  where no recesses  2141  have been formed, the resin film sheet  214  is not torn even when the resin film sheet  214  is stretched to a high degree, at the section  236  where the gear teeth  233  of the upper roll  231  and the gear teeth  235  of the lower roll  232  are meshed. Consequently, openings are not formed in the regions of the resin film sheet  214  corresponding to the regions  14  of the body section  10  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 , and to the wing sections  5 . 
     The absorbent article  1  according to an embodiment of the invention may also be modified as follows. 
     (1) The absorbent article may lack wing sections. That is, the absorbent article may consist of only the body section. In this case, pressure-sensitive adhesive sections are provided on the clothing side surface of the body section, allowing the absorbent article to be anchored to underwear even without wing sections. 
     (2) The top sheet of the invention is not limited to the top sheet  2  of the absorbent article  1  according to the embodiment of the invention, so long as the top sheet has perforated regions in which openings are formed and non-perforated regions in which openings are not formed, the perforated regions are provided at least in the excretion hole-corresponding region corresponding to the body fluid excretion hole of the wearer, and a blood modifying agent layer is formed at least on the surface of the excretion hole-corresponding region.  FIG. 12( a )  is a schematic diagram showing a top sheet for the excretion hole-corresponding region as a modified example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 12( b )  is a schematic diagram showing a top sheet for the regions on the outer sides of both edges of the body section in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body, and the wing sections, as a modified example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. For example, the openings  25 A and blood modifying agent layer  24 A may be provided without providing first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  in the top sheet  2 A formed in the excretion hole-corresponding region, as shown in  FIG. 12( a ) , or first protrusions  21 , second protrusions  22  and bottom sections  23  may not be formed in the top sheet  2 A in the regions on the outer sides of both edges in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body and in the wing sections  5 , as shown in  FIG. 12( b ) .  FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing a top sheet in an excretion hole-corresponding region as another modified example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. Also, openings  25 B may be provided in the bottom sections  23 B in the top sheet  2 B formed in the excretion hole-corresponding region, as shown in  FIG. 13 , without being provided in the sides  26 B of the first protrusions  21 B. Alternatively, openings may be formed in both sides and the bottom sections of the first protrusions in the top sheet formed in the excretion hole-corresponding region. In such cases as well, it is sufficient if the openings  25 A,  25 B and the modifying agent layers  24 A,  24 B are provided at least in the excretion hole-corresponding region. 
     (3) So long as non-perforated regions are provided in the top sheet at least on both sides in the widthwise direction of the perforated region, the section of the top sheet in which the non-perforated regions are provided is not limited to the top sheet  2  in the absorbent article of the embodiment of the invention. This will still allow inhibition of body fluid that has exuded from the edges in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body, from exuding through the openings onto the surface of the top sheet in the region on the outer sides of both edges in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body, when the absorbent article is subjected to pressure. For example, non-perforated regions may be provided for the top sheet on both sides in the widthwise direction and on both sides in the lengthwise direction of the perforated region. 
     (4) The direction in which the first protrusions  21  extend is not limited to the lengthwise direction so long as it is a prescribed direction.  FIG. 14  is a front view showing another modified example of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the invention. The first protrusions  21 C provided in the top sheet  2 C may extend in the widthwise direction (X direction), for example, as in the absorbent article  1 C shown in  FIG. 14 . This will also reduce the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2 , thus resulting in a satisfactory feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin. 
     (5) It is sufficient if the first protrusions  21  are provided in the top sheet at least in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 . In this case as well, the contact area between the skin of the wearer and the top sheet  2  is reduced by the first protrusions  21  provided on the top sheet  2  in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16 , and therefore the feel of the top sheet  2  on the skin in the excretion hole-corresponding region  16  is satisfactory. For example, the first protrusions may be provided in the region  12  of the body section  10  in which the absorbent body  4  is provided, and no first protrusions provided in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4  in the body section  10 , or in the wing sections  5 . 
     (6) The blood modifying agent layer  24  may be provided in the top sheet  2  of the body section  10 , in the regions  14  on the outer sides of both edges  41  in the widthwise direction of the absorbent body  4 . In this case as well, the blood modifying agent of the blood modifying agent layer  24  functions as a lotion, and the blood modifying agent layer  24  can reduce friction produced between the inner crotch of the wearer and the edge sections of the absorbent article when the wearer is walking, for example. 
     EXAMPLES 
     According to the invention, the blood modifying agent has a mechanism of lowering the viscosity and surface tension of blood, and therefore body fluid migrates by the blood modifying agent layer  24  to the absorbent body  4  without remaining in the top sheet  2 , allowing it to be absorbed into the absorbent body  4 . In the following examples, the blood modifying agent was confirmed to have a mechanism of lowering the viscosity and surface tension of blood. This was confirmed using a nonwoven fabric, which more readily retains body fluid than a resin film. 
     Example 1 
     Evaluation of Rewetting Rate and Absorbent Body Migration Rate 
     [Data of Blood Modifying Agents] 
     A commercially available sanitary napkin was prepared. The sanitary napkin was formed from a top sheet, formed of a hydrophilic agent-treated air-through nonwoven fabric (composite fiber composed of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, basis weight: 35 g/m 2 ), a second sheet, formed of an air-through nonwoven fabric (composite fiber composed of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, basis weight: 30 g/m 2 ), an absorbent body comprising pulp (basis weight: 150-450 g/m 2 , increased at the center section), an acrylic super-absorbent polymer (basis weight: 15 g/m 2 ) and tissue as a core wrap, a water-repellent agent-treated side sheet, and a back sheet composed of a polyethylene film. 
     The blood modifying agents used for the experiment are listed below. 
     [(a 1 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Tetraol and at Least One Fatty Acid] 
     UNISTAR H-408BRS, product of NOF Corp.
         Tetrapentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoate, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 640       

     UNISTAR H-2408BRS-22, product of NOF Corp.
         Mixture of tetrapentaerythritol 2-ethylhexanoate and di-neopentyl 2-ethylhexanoate glycol (58:42, mass ratio), weight-average molecular weight: approximately 520
 
[(a 2 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Triol and at Least One Fatty Acid]
       

     Cetiol SB45DEO, Cognis Japan
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester, with oleic acid or stearylic acid as the fatty acid.       

     SOY42, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 14  fatty acid:C 16  fatty acid:C 18  fatty acid:C 20  fatty acid (including both saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids) at a mass ratio of about 0.2:11:88:0.8, weight-average molecular weight: 880       

     Tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 8  fatty acid:C 10  fatty acid:C 12  fatty acid at a mass ratio of about 37:7:56, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 570       

     Tri-CL oil fatty acid glyceride, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 8  fatty acid:C 12  fatty acid at a mass ratio of about 44:56, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 570       

     PANACET 810s, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 8  fatty acid:C 10  fatty acid at a mass ratio of about 85:15, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 480       

     PANACET 800, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with octanoic acid (C 8 ) as the entire fatty acid portion, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 470       

     PANACET 800B, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with 2-ethylhexanoic acid (C 8 ) as the entire fatty acid portion, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 470       

     NA36, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 16  fatty acid:C 18  fatty acid:C 20  fatty acid (including both saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids) at a mass ratio of about 5:92:3, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 880       

     Tri-coconut fatty acid glyceride, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester with C 8  fatty acid:C 10  fatty acid:C 12  fatty acid:C 14  fatty acid:C 16  fatty acid (including both saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids) at a mass ratio of about 4:8:60:25:3, weight-average molecular weight: 670       

     Caprylic acid diglyceride, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid diester with octanoic acid as the fatty acid, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 340
 
[(a 3 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Diol and at Least One Fatty Acid]
       

     COMPOL BL, product of NOF Corp.
         Dodecanoic acid (C 12 ) monoester of butylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 270       

     COMPOL BS, product of NOF Corp.
         Octadecanoic acid (C 18 ) monoester of butylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 350       

     UNISTAR H-208BRS, product of NOF Corp.
         Neopentylglycol di-2-ethylhexanoate, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 360.
 
[(c 2 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Tricarboxylic Acid, Hydroxy Acid, Alkoxy Acid or Oxoacid with 3 Carboxyl Groups, and at Least One Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol]
       

     Tributyl 0-acetylcitrate, product of Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.
         Weight-average molecular weight: approximately 400
 
[(c 3 ) Ester of a Chain Hydrocarbon Dicarboxylic Acid, Hydroxy Acid, Alkoxy Acid or Oxoacid with 2 Carboxyl Groups, and at Least One Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol]
       

     Dioctyl adipate, product of Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.
         Weight-average molecular weight: approximately 380
 
[(d 3 ) Ester of a Fatty Acid and an Aliphatic Monohydric Alcohol]
       

     ELECTOL WE20, product of NOF Corp.
         Ester of dodecanoic acid (C 12 ) and dodecyl alcohol (C 12 ), weight-average molecular weight: approximately 360       

     ELECTOL WE40, product of NOF Corp.
         Ester of tetradecanoic acid (C 14 ) and dodecyl alcohol (C 12 ), weight-average molecular weight: approximately 390
 
[(e 1 ) Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol]
       

     UNIOL D-1000, product of NOF Corp.
         Polypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,000       

     UNIOL D-1200, product of NOF Corp.
         Polypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,160       

     UNIOL D-3000, product of NOF Corp.
         Polypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 3,000       

     UNIOL D-4000, product of NOF Corp.
         Polypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 4,000       

     UNIOL PB500, product of NOF Corp.
         Polybutylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 500       

     UNIOL PB700, product of NOF Corp.
         Polyoxybutylenepolyoxypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 700       

     UNIOL PB1000R, product of NOF Corp.
         Polybutylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,000
 
[(e 2 ) Ester of a Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and at Least One Fatty Acid]
       

     WILBRITE cp9, product of NOF Corp.
         Polybutylene glycol compound with OH groups at both ends esterified by hexadecanoic acid (C 16 ), weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,150
 
[(e 3 ) Ether of Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol and at Least One Fatty Acid]
       

     UNILUBE MS-70K, product of NOF Corp.
         Stearyl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 15 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,140
 
[(e 5 ) Ether of a Polyoxy C 2 -C 6  Alkylene Glycol with Chain Hydrocarbon Tetraol, Chain Hydrocarbon Triol or Chain Hydrocarbon Diol]
       

     UNILUBE 5TP-300 KB
         Polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene pentaerythritol ether, produced by addition of 5 mol of ethylene oxide and 65 mol of propylene oxide to 1 mol of pentaerythritol, weight-average molecular weight: 4,130       

     UNIOL TG-3000, product of NOF Corp.
         Glyceryl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 16 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 3,000       

     UNIOL TG-4000, product of NOF Corp.
         Glyceryl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 16 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 4,000
 
[(f 1 ) Chain Alkane]
       

     PARLEAM 6, product of NOF Corp.
         Branched hydrocarbon, produced by copolymerization of liquid isoparaffin, isobutene and n-butene followed by hydrogen addition, polymerization degree: approximately 5-10, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 330
 
[Other Components]
       

     NA50, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid triester obtained by addition of hydrogen to NA36 for reduced proportion of double bonds from unsaturated fatty acid starting material, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 880       

     (Caprylic acid/capric acid) monoglyceride, product of NOF Corp.
         Glycerin and fatty acid monoester, with octanoic acid (C 8 ) and decanoic acid (C 10 ) at a mass ratio of about 85:15, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 220       

     Monomuls 90-L2 lauric acid monoglyceride, product of Cognis Japan 
     Isopropyl citrate, product of Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.
         Weight-average molecular weight: approximately 230       

     Diisostearyl malate
         Weight-average molecular weight: approximately 640       

     UNIOL D-400, product of NOF Corp.
         Polypropylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 400       

     PEG1500, product of NOF Corp.
         Polyethylene glycol, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,500-1,600       

     NONION S-6, product of NOF Corp.
         Polyoxyethylene monostearate, approximately 7 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 880       

     WILBRITE s753, product of NOF Corp.
         Polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene polyoxybutylene glycerin, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 960       

     UNIOL TG-330, product of NOF Corp.
         Glyceryl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 6 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 330       

     UNIOL TG-1000, product of NOF Corp.
         Glyceryl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 16 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 1,000       

     UNILUBE DGP-700, product of NOF Corp.
         Diglyceryl ether of polypropylene glycol, approximately 9 repeating units, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 700       

     UNIOX HC60, product of NOF Corp.
         Polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, weight-average molecular weight: approximately 3,570       

     Vaseline, product of Cognis Japan
         Petroleum-derived hydrocarbon, semi-solid       

     The IOBs, melting points and water solubilities of the samples are shown in Table 2. 
     The water solubility was measured by the method described above, and samples that dissolved 24 hours after addition of 20.0 g to 100 g of desalted water were evaluated as “20 g&lt;”, and samples of which 0.05 g dissolved in 100 g of desalted water but 1.00 g did not dissolve were evaluated as 0.05-1.00 g. 
     For the melting point, “&lt;45” indicates a melting point of below 45° C. 
     The skin contact surface of the top sheet of the sanitary napkin was coated with the aforementioned blood modifying agent. Each blood modifying agent was used directly, when the blood modifying agent was liquid at room temperature, or when the blood modifying agent was solid at room temperature it was heated to its melting point of +20° C., and a control seam HMA gun was used for atomization of the blood modifying agent and coating onto the entire skin contact surface of the top sheet to a basis weight of about 5 g/m 2 . 
       FIG. 15  is an electron micrograph of the skin contact surface of a top sheet in a sanitary napkin (No. 2-5) wherein the top sheet comprises tri-C2L oil fatty acid glycerides. As clearly seen in  FIG. 15 , the tri-C2L oil fatty acid glycerides are present on the fiber surfaces as fine particulates. 
     In accordance with the above procedures, the rewetting rate and absorber migration rate were measured. The results are shown below in Table 2. 
     [Test Methods] 
     An acrylic board with an opened hole (200 mm×100 mm, 125 g, with a 40 mm×10 mm hole opened at the center) was placed on a top sheet comprising each blood modifying agent, and 3 g of horse EDTA blood at 37±1° C. (obtained by adding appropriate amount of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (hereunder, “EDTA”) to horse blood to prevent coagulation) was dropped through the hole using a pipette (once), and after 1 minute, 3 g of horse EDTA blood at 37±1° C. was again added dropwise through the acrylic board hole with a pipette (twice). 
     After the second dropping of blood, the acrylic board was immediately removed and 10 sheets of filter paper (Advantec Toyo Kaisha, Ltd, Qualitative Filter Paper No. 2, 50 mm×35 mm) were placed on the location where the blood had been dropped, and then a weight was placed thereover to a pressure of 30 g/cm 2 . After 1 minute, the filter paper was removed and the “rewetting rate” was calculated by the following formula.
 
Rewetting rate (%)=100×(filter paper mass after test−initial filter paper mass)/6
 
     In addition to the rewetting rate evaluation, the “absorbent body migration rate” was also measured as the time until migration of blood from the top sheet to the absorbent body after the second dropping of blood. The absorbent body migration rate is the time from introducing the blood onto the top sheet, until the redness of the blood could be seen on the surface and in the interior of the top sheet. 
     The results for the rewetting rate and absorbent body migration rate are shown below in Table 2. 
     Then the whiteness of the skin contact surface of the top sheet after the absorbent body migration rate test was visually evaluated on the following scale. 
     VG (Very Good): Virtually no redness of blood remaining, and no clear delineation between areas with and without blood. 
     G (Good): Slight redness of blood remaining, but difficult to delineate between areas with and without blood. 
     F (Fair): Slight redness of blood remaining, areas with blood discernible. 
     P (Poor): Redness of blood completely remaining. 
     The results are summarized below in Table 2. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Water 
                 Weight- 
                   
                 Absorber 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Blood modifying agent 
                   
                 Melting 
                 solubility 
                 average 
                 Rewetting 
                 migration 
                 Top sheet 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 No. 
                 Type 
                 Product name 
                 IOB 
                 point (° C. ) 
                 (g) 
                 mol. wt. 
                 rate (%) 
                 rate (sec) 
                 whiteness 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 2-1 
                 (A 1 ) 
                 UNISTAR H-408BRS 
                 0.13 
                 &lt;−5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 640 
                 1.2 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-2 
                   
                 UNISTAR H-2408BRS-22 
                 0.18 
                 &lt;−5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 520 
                 2.0 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-3 
                 (A 2 ) 
                 CETIOL SB45DEO 
                 0.16 
                 44 
                 &lt;0.05 
                   
                 7.0 
                 6 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-4 
                   
                 SOY42 
                 0.16 
                 43 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 880 
                 5.8 
                 8 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-5 
                   
                 Tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride 
                 0.27 
                 37 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 570 
                 0.3 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-6 
                   
                 Tri-CL oil fatty acid glyceride 
                 0.28 
                 38 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 570 
                 1.7 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-7 
                   
                 PANACET 810s 
                 0.32 
                 −5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 480 
                 2.8 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-8 
                   
                 PANACET 800 
                 0.33 
                 −5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 470 
                 0.3 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-9 
                   
                 PANACET 800B 
                 0.33 
                 −5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 470 
                 2.0 
                 3 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-10 
                   
                 NA36 
                 0.16 
                 37 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 880 
                 3.9 
                 5 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-11 
                   
                 Tri-coconut fatty acid glyceride 
                 0.28 
                 30 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 670 
                 4.3 
                 5 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-12 
                   
                 Caprylic acid diglyceride 
                 0.58 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 340 
                 4.2 
                 9 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-13 
                 (A 3 ) 
                 COMPOL BL 
                 0.50 
                 2 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 270 
                 2.0 
                 5 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-14 
                   
                 COMPOL BS 
                 0.36 
                 37 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 350 
                 7.9 
                 9 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-15 
                   
                 UNISTAR H-208BRS 
                 0.24 
                 &lt;−5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 360 
                 2.0 
                 5 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-16 
                 (C 2 ) 
                 Tributyl O-acetylcitrate 
                 0.60 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 400 
                 6.2 
                 8 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-17 
                 (C 3 ) 
                 Dioctyl adipate 
                 0.27 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 380 
                 1.7 
                 6 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-18 
                 (D 3 ) 
                 ELECTOL WE20 
                 0.13 
                 29 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 360 
                 1.8 
                 5 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-19 
                   
                 ELECTOL WE40 
                 0.12 
                 37 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 390 
                 1.8 
                 4 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-20 
                 (E 1 ) 
                 UNIOL D-1000 
                 0.51 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,000 
                 6.8 
                 15 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-21 
                   
                 UNIOL D-1200 
                 0.48 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,160 
                 0.5 
                 11 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-22 
                   
                 UNIOL D-3000 
                 0.39 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 3,000 
                 1.7 
                 10 
                   
               
               
                 2-23 
                   
                 UNIOL D-4000 
                 0.38 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 4,000 
                 1.0 
                 7 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-24 
                 (E 1 ) 
                 UNIOL PB500 
                 0.44 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 500 
                 4.5 
                 4 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-25 
                   
                 UNIOL PB700 
                 0.49 
                 −5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 700 
                 2.8 
                 5 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-26 
                   
                 UNIOL PB1000R 
                 0.40 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,000 
                 4.0 
                 4 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-27 
                 (E 2 ) 
                 WILBRITE cp9 
                 0.21 
                 35 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,150 
                 1.4 
                 3 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-28 
                 (E 3 ) 
                 UNILUBE MS-70K 
                 0.30 
                 &lt;−10 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,140 
                 6.7 
                 3 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-29 
                 (E 5 ) 
                 UNILUBE 5TP-300KB 
                 0.39 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 4,130 
                 2.0 
                 6 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-30 
                   
                 UNIOL TG-3000 
                 0.42 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 3,000 
                 0.8 
                 6 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-31 
                   
                 UNIOL TG-4000 
                 0.40 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 4,000 
                 2.0 
                 6 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-32 
                 (F 1 ) 
                 PARLEAM 6 
                 0.00 
                 −5 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 330 
                 6.0 
                 8 
                 VG 
               
               
                 2-33 
                   
                 NA50 
                 0.18 
                 52 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 880 
                 15.5 
                 60 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-34 
                   
                 (Caprylic acid/capric acid) monoglyceride 
                 1.15 
                 &lt;45 
                 20&lt; 
                 220 
                 4.0 
                 4 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-35 
                   
                 Monomuls 90-L2 lauric acid monoglyceride 
                 0.87 
                 58 
                 20&lt; 
                   
                 6.2 
                 7 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-36 
                   
                 Isopropyl citrate 
                 1.56 
                 &lt;45 
                 20&lt; 
                 230 
                 12.2 
                 5 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-37 
                   
                 Diisostearyl malate 
                 0.28 
                 &lt;45 
                 20&lt; 
                 640 
                 5.5 
                 8 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-38 
                   
                 UNIOL D-400 
                 0.76 
                 &lt;45 
                 0.05&lt;   
                 400 
                 8.7 
                 40 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-39 
                   
                 PEG1500 
                 0.78 
                 40 
                 20&lt; 
                  1,500- 
                 11.0 
                 38 
                 P 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 1,600 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 2-40 
                   
                 NONION S-6 
                 0.44 
                 37 
                 0.05&lt;   
                 880 
                 8.4 
                 7 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-41 
                   
                 WILBRITE s753 
                 0.67 
                 −5 
                 20&lt; 
                 960 
                 9.3 
                 9 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-42 
                   
                 UNIOL TG-330 
                 1.27 
                 &lt;45 
                 0.05&lt;  
                 330 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 2-43 
                   
                 UNIOL TG-1000 
                 0.61 
                 &lt;45 
                 &lt;0.05 
                 1,000 
                 14.2 
                 7 
                 G 
               
               
                 2-44 
                   
                 UNILUBE DGP-700 
                 0.91 
                 &lt;0 
                 0.05&lt;  
                 700 
                 8.0 
                 10 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-45 
                   
                 UNIOX HC60 
                 0.46 
                 33 
                 0.05-1.00 
                 3,570 
                 14.6 
                 46 
                 P 
               
               
                 2-46 
                   
                 Vaseline 
                 0.00 
                 55 
                 &lt;0.05 
                   
                 9.7 
                 10 
                 F 
               
               
                 2-47 
                   
                 None 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 22.7 
                  60&lt; 
                 P 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In the absence of a blood modifying agent, the rewetting rate was 22.7% and the absorbent body migration rate was greater than 60 seconds, but the glycerin and fatty acid triesters all produced rewetting rates of no greater than 7.0% and absorbent body migration rates of no longer than 8 seconds, and therefore significantly improved the absorption performance. Of the glycerin and fatty acid triesters, however, no great improvement in absorption performance was seen with NA50 which had a melting point of above 45° C. 
     Similarly, the absorption performance was also significantly improved with blood modifying agents having an IOB of about 0.00-0.60, a melting point of no higher than about 45° C. and a water solubility of no greater than about 0.05 g in 100 g of water at 25° C. Rewetting rates of no greater than 7.9% and absorbent body migration rates of no longer than 15 seconds were achieved. 
     Next, several volunteer subjects were asked to wear sanitary napkins Nos. (2-1)-(2-47), and the obtained responses indicated that with the sanitary napkins comprising blood modifying agents Nos. (2-1)-(2-32), the top sheets had no sticky feel and the top sheets were smooth, even after absorption of menstrual blood 
     Also, with sanitary napkins Nos. (2-1)-(2-32), and particularly with sanitary napkins that comprised blood modifying agents Nos. (2-1)-(2-11), (2-15)-(2-19) and (2-32), the skin contact surfaces of the top sheets after absorption of menstrual blood had not been reddened by the blood and the unpleasantness was minimal. 
     Example 2 
     The rewetting rate was evaluated for blood from different animals in accordance with the above procedures. The following blood was used for the test. 
     [Animal Species] 
     (1) Human 
     (2) Horse 
     (3) Sheep 
     [Types of Blood] 
     Defibrinated blood: blood sampled and agitated together with glass beads in an Erlenmeyer flask for approximately 5 minutes. 
     EDTA blood: 65 mL of venous blood with addition of 0.5 mL of a 12% EDTA·2K isotonic sodium chloride solution. 
     [Fractionation] 
     Serum or blood plasma: Supernatant obtained after centrifugation of defibrinated blood or EDTA blood for 10 minutes at room temperature at about 1900 G. 
     Blood cells: Obtained by removing the serum from the blood, washing twice with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and adding phosphate buffered saline to the removed serum portion. 
     An absorbent article was produced in the same manner as Example 2, except that the tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride was coated at a basis weight of about 5 g/m 2 , and the rewetting rate of each of the aforementioned blood samples was evaluated. Measurement was performed 3 times for each blood sample, and the average value was recorded. 
     The results are shown in Table 3 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Rewetting rate (%) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 With blood 
                 Without blood 
               
               
                   
                 Animal 
                   
                 modifying 
                 modifying 
               
               
                 No. 
                 species 
                 Type of blood 
                 agent 
                 agent 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Human 
                 Defibrinated blood 
                 1.6 
                 5.0 
               
               
                 2 
                   
                 Defibrinated serum 
                 0.2 
                 2.6 
               
               
                 3 
                   
                 Defibrinated blood cells 
                 0.2 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 4 
                   
                 EDTA blood 
                 2.6 
                 10.4 
               
               
                 5 
                   
                 EDTA plasma 
                 0.0 
                 5.8 
               
               
                 6 
                   
                 EDTA blood cells 
                 0.2 
                 4.3 
               
               
                 7 
                 Horse 
                 Defibrinated blood 
                 0.0 
                 8.6 
               
               
                 8 
                   
                 Defibrinated serum 
                 0.2 
                 4.2 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                 Defibrinated blood cells 
                 0.2 
                 1.0 
               
               
                 10 
                   
                 EDTA blood 
                 6.0 
                 15.7 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                 EDTA plasma 
                 0.1 
                 9.0 
               
               
                 12 
                   
                 EDTA blood cells 
                 0.1 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 13 
                 Sheep 
                 Defibrinated blood 
                 0.2 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 14 
                   
                 Defibrinated serum 
                 0.3 
                 1.2 
               
               
                 15 
                   
                 Defibrinated blood cells 
                 0.1 
                 1.1 
               
               
                 16 
                   
                 EDTA blood 
                 2.9 
                 8.9 
               
               
                 17 
                   
                 EDTA plasma 
                 0.0 
                 4.9 
               
               
                 18 
                   
                 EDTA blood cells 
                 0.2 
                 1.6 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The same trend was seen with human and sheep blood as with the horse EDTA blood, as obtained in Example 2. A similar trend was also observed with defibrinated blood and EDTA blood. 
     Example 3 
     Evaluation of Blood Retention 
     The blood retention was evaluated for a top sheet comprising a blood modifying agent and a top sheet comprising no blood modifying agent. 
     [Test Methods] 
     (1) A tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride was atomized on the skin contact surface of a top sheet formed from an air-through nonwoven fabric (composite fiber composed of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, basis weight: 35 g/m 2 ), using a control seam HMA gun, for coating to a basis weight of about 5 g/m 2 . For comparison, there was also prepared a sheet without coating with the tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride. Next, both the tri-C2L oil fatty acid glyceride-coated top sheet and the non-coated top sheet were cut to a size of 0.2 g, and the mass (a) of the cell strainer+top sheet was precisely measured. 
     (2) After adding about 2 mL of horse EDTA blood from the skin contact surface side, it was allowed to stand for 1 minute. 
     (3) The cell strainer was set in a centrifuge tube, and subjected to spin-down to remove the excess horse EDTA blood. 
     (4) The mass (b) of the top sheet containing the cell strainer+horse EDTA blood was measured. (5) The initial absorption (g) per 1 g of top sheet was calculated by the following formula.
 
Initial absorption=[mass( b )×mass( a )]/0.2
 
     (6) The cell strainer was again set in the centrifuge tube and centrifuged at room temperature for 1 minute at approximately 1,200 G. 
     (7) The mass (c) of the top sheet containing the cell strainer+horse EDTA blood was measured. 
     (8) The post-test absorption (g) per 1 g of top sheet was calculated by the following formula.
 
Post-test absorption=[mass( c )−mass( a )]/0.2
 
     (9) The blood retention (%) was calculated according to the following formula.
 
Blood retention (%)=100×post-test absorption/initial absorption
 
     The measurement was conducted 3 times, and the average value was recorded. 
     The results are shown in Table 4 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Blood retention (%) 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 With blood 
                 Without blood 
               
               
                   
                 modifying agent 
                 modifying agent 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Horse EDTA blood 
                 3.3 
                 9.2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The top sheets comprising blood modifying agents had low blood retentions, suggesting that blood rapidly migrated into the absorbent body after absorption. 
     Example 4 
     Viscosity of Blood Containing Blood Modifying Agent 
     The viscosity of the blood modifying agent-containing blood was measured using a Rheometric Expansion System ARES (Rheometric Scientific, Inc.). After adding 2 mass % of PANACET 810s to horse defibrinated blood, the mixture was gently agitated to form a sample, the sample was placed on a 50 mm-diameter parallel plate, with a gap of 100 μm, and the viscosity was measured at 37±0.5° C. The sample was not subjected to a uniform shear rate due to the parallel plate, but the average shear rate indicated by the device was 10 s −1 . 
     The viscosity of the horse defibrinated blood containing 2 mass % PANACET 810s was 5.9 mPa·s, while the viscosity of the horse defibrinated blood containing no blood modifying agent was 50.4 mPa·s. Thus, the horse defibrinated blood containing 2 mass % PANACET 810s clearly had an approximately 90% lower viscosity than the blood containing no blood modifying agent. 
     It is known that blood contains components such as blood cells and has thixotropy, and it has been found that the blood modifying agent of this disclosure can lower blood viscosity in the low viscosity range. Lowering the blood viscosity presumably allows absorbed menstrual blood to rapidly migrate from the top sheet to the absorbent body. 
     Example 5 
     Photomicrograph of Blood Modifying Agent-Containing Blood 
     Menstrual blood was sampled from healthy volunteers onto Saran wrap, and PANACET 810s dispersed in a 10-fold mass of phosphate-buffered saline was added to a portion thereof to a PANACET 810s concentration of 1 mass %. The menstrual blood was dropped onto a slide glass, a cover glass was placed thereover, and the state of the erythrocytes was observed with an optical microscope. A photomicrograph of menstrual blood containing no blood modifying agent is shown in  FIG. 16( a ) , and a photomicrograph of menstrual blood containing PANACET 810s is shown in  FIG. 16( b ) . 
     As shown  FIG. 16 , it is seen that the erythrocytes formed aggregates such as rouleaux in the menstrual blood containing no blood modifying agent, while the erythrocytes were stably dispersed in the menstrual blood containing PANACET 810s. This suggests that the blood modifying agent functions to stabilize erythrocytes in blood. 
     Example 6 
     Surface Tension of Blood Containing Blood Modifying Agent 
     The surface tension of blood containing a blood modifying agent was measured by the pendant drop method, using a Drop Master500 contact angle meter by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd. The surface tension was measured after adding a prescribed amount of blood modifying agent to sheep defibrinated blood, and thoroughly shaking. 
     The measurement was accomplished automatically with a device, and the surface tension γ was determined by the following formula (see  FIG. 17 ).
 
γ= g ×ρ×( de ) 2 ×1/ H  
 
     g: Gravitational constant 
     1/H: Correction factor determined from ds/de 
     ρ: Density 
     de: Maximum diameter 
     ds: Diameter at location of increase by de from dropping edge 
     The density ρ was measured at the temperatures listed in Table 5, according to JIS K 2249-1995, “Density test methods and density/mass/volume conversion tables”, “5. Vibrating density test method”. 
     The measurement was accomplished using a DA-505 by Kyoto Electronics Co., Ltd. 
     The results are shown in Table 5 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Blood modifying agent 
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Amount 
                 Measuring 
                 Surface tension 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Type 
                 (mass %) 
                 temperature (° C.) 
                 (mN/m) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 — 
                 — 
                 35 
                 62.1 
               
               
                 2 
                 PANACET 
                 0.01 
                 35 
                 61.5 
               
               
                 3 
                 810s 
                 0.05 
                 35 
                 58.2 
               
               
                 4 
                   
                 0.10 
                 35 
                 51.2 
               
               
                 5 
                 ELECTOL 
                 0.10 
                 35 
                 58.8 
               
               
                   
                 WE20 
               
               
                 6 
                 PARLEAM 6 
                 0.10 
                 35 
                 57.5 
               
               
                 7 
                 — 
                 — 
                 50 
                 56.3 
               
               
                 8 
                 WILBRITE 
                 0.10 
                 50 
                 49.1 
               
               
                   
                 cp9 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Table 5 shows that the blood modifying agent can lower the surface tension of blood despite its very low solubility in water, as seen by a water solubility of about 0.00-about 0.05 g in 100 g of water at 25° C. 
     Lowering the surface tension of blood presumably allows absorbed blood to rapidly migrate from the top sheet to the absorbent body, without being retained between the top sheet fibers. 
     Any of the aforementioned embodiments may also be applied in combination with the modifications. The modifications may also be applied in combination with each other. 
     The explanation above is merely for illustration, and the invention is in no way restricted by the described embodiment. 
     EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1 ,  1 C Absorbent articles 
           2 ,  2 A,  2 B,  2 C Top sheets 
           3  Back sheet 
           4  Absorbent body 
           5  Wing section 
           6  Pressure-sensitive adhesive section 
           7  Compressed groove 
           8  Seal section 
           10  Body section 
           16  Excretion hole-corresponding region 
           21 ,  21 B,  21 C First protrusions 
           22  Second protrusion 
           23 ,  23 B Bottom sections 
           24 ,  24 A,  24 B Blood modifying agent layers 
           25 ,  25 A,  25 B Openings 
           26 ,  26 B First protrusion sides 
           100  Top sheet production apparatus 
           120  Pattern drum 
           130  Embossing apparatus 
           140  Back sheet roll 
           150  Cutter 
           160  Modifying agent-coating sprayer 
           210  Resin film sheet roll 
           212 ,  214 ,  216  Resin film sheets 
           220  Recess-forming roll 
           230  Stretching gear roll 
           231  Upper roll 
           232  Lower roll 
           233 , 235  Gear teeth 
           234  Interrupted location of gear teeth