| abstract |
The present invention discloses an absorbent structure 31 having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis and a z-direction axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, both longitudinal ends 23 and transverse both side edges 25. The upper surface 41 of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional surface shape with respect to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, and forms a plurality of peaks 51 and valleys 53 of the upper surface with respect to the z-direction. The lower surface 43 of the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional surface shape with respect to the longitudinal and transverse axes, and forms a plurality of peaks 55 and valleys 57 of the lower surface with respect to the z-direction. The absorbent structure has a projection area determined by the Topography Analysis Method, and the upper surface of the absorbent structure has a vertical area of at least about 0.1 cm 2 per 1.0 cm 2 of projected area of the absorbent structure, as determined by the surface shape analysis method. .n n n n Absorbent structure, upper surface, lower surface, three-dimensional surface shape, surface shape analysis, projection area, vertical area |