WO2007035038A1

WO2007035038A1 - Absorbent article with apertured surge layer

Info

Publication number: WO2007035038A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Min Kyung Lyu; Jong Chon Kim; Eo Yeon Hwang; Hyung Byum Kim; Jea Seung Chin; Won Young Lee
Original assignee: Yuhan-Kimberly Limited
Priority date: 2005-09-20
Filing date: 2006-09-20
Publication date: 2007-03-29
Also published as: KR100639727B1; TWI298249B; TW200724108A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an absorbent article, which has an apertured surge layer configured such that an amount of liquid discharged from the user's body is rapidly captured and the liquid is easily delivered into an absorbent body. In an absorbent article having a liquid- permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable back sheet and an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, a surge layer of a nonwoven material, which spaces the top sheet and the absorbent body apart from each other, temporarily contains the liquid not yet absorbed into the absorbent body and prevents the liquid from rewetting from the absorbent body to the top sheet, is provided between the top sheet and the absorbent body. The surge layer comprises: a base portion; a plurality of embossed portions; through-holes apertured at the apexes of the embossed portions; and a plurality of openings.

Description

Description ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH APERTURED SURGE LAYER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention generally relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to an absorbent article such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin for women, training pants for potty-training, etc., which has an apertured surge layer allowing liquid discharged from the user's body to be rapidly captured for improved delivery into an absorbent body. Background Art

[2] As shown in Fig. 1, a conventional absorbent article has a structure comprising a liquid-permeable top sheet 2 of the body side, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 4 of the external side, and an absorbent body 6 disposed between the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 4.

[3] The top sheet 2 contacts the body of the user. The top sheet 2 serves to provide softness such that the user feels comfortable while wearing the article. More importan tly, however, the top sheet 2 allows the liquid discharged from the body of the user to be passed therethrough more easily such that said liquid can move rapidly toward the adjacent absorbent body 6. It is advantageous for the top sheet 2 to have hydrophilicity and porosity. Preferably, the top sheet 2 is made from a nonwoven material, which is bulky in size and has a low density. Alternatively, the top sheet 2 can be preferably fabricated from an apertured film.

[4] The absorbent body 6 functions to rapidly absorb the liquid from the top sheet 2 so as to contain the liquid therewithin. Preferably, the absorbent body 6 is fabricated from pulp fibers or pulp fibers mixed with ultra-absorptive particles.

[5] The back sheet 4 is disposed underneath the absorbent body 6. The back sheet 4 is made from a liquid-impermeable film material and serves to prevent undergarments of the wearer from being spotted due to external discharge of the liquid retained within the absorbent body 6.

[6] One approach for improving the entire liquid-absorptiveness in such an absorbent article is to introduce one or more additional layers 8 between the top sheet 2 and the absorbent body 6. By doing so, the top sheet 2, which closely contacts the skin of the user, and the absorbent body 6 are spaced apart from each other to provide temporary containment and absorption of the liquid, which is not yet absorbed into the absorbent body 6. This reduces the backflow or reverse wetting of the liquid from the absorbent body 6 into the top sheet 2. Such an additional layer 8, which is typically referred to as a surge layer, is preferably made from a highly bulky, highly lofty and compression- resistive fibrous structure. [7] Such conventional surge layer 8 is effective since it allows the liquid to be more rapidly absorbed. This is because the void volume within the surge layer 8 is larger due to its highly bulky property. However, a higher basis weight is needed in order to fabricate such highly bulky material, which leads to high costs.

[8] Further, some of the conventional surge layers are fabricated from a film material in which apertures are formed therethrough. Since such an apertured film material cannot absorb the urine by itself, the urine passes through the apertured openings. Thus, the urine can leak to the outside (urination commonly occurs 15 to 20ml per second at the rate of 280cm per second). Therefore, deficient liquid-absorption by the absorbent article may cause the liquid to excessively gather on the body-facing surface of the body side top sheet before the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent body. Accordingly, such liquid can wet the skin of the user and leak out through the openings formed at a leg side and a waist side of the absorbent article. As such, this can create great discomfort or irritation upon the skin as well as causing spots on clothes and bedclothes.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention is directed to solving the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article having an apertured surge layer that allows liquid, which is discharged from the body of the user, to be rapidly captured and easily delivered into an absorbent body.

[10] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article with an apertured surge layer that can minimize the amount of liquid, which is absorbed within an absorbent body and then rewets the top sheet due to physical pressure or arbitrary positional shift caused by the user. Technical Solution

[11] In order to achieve the above and other objects, the absorbent article of the present invention comprises the following: a liquid-permeable top sheet; a liquid-impermeable back sheet; an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; and a surge layer made from a nonwoven material and being disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body for receiving a liquid passing through the top sheet and discharging the liquid to the absorbent body. The surge layer comprises: a base portion having a first surface facing the top sheet and a second surface facing the absorbent body; a plurality of embossed portions formed on one of the first surface and the second surface of the base portion via pressing so as to protrude toward the other of the first surface and the second surface; through-holes formed at apexes of the embossed portions; and a plurality of openings formed from the opposite surface to the surface with the embossed portions so as to correspond with the embossed portions. [12] The liquid-permeability of the surge layer is equal to the liquid-permeability of the top sheet or is in the range of 40-60% of the liquid-permeability of the top sheet. The basis weight of the surge layer is in the range of 40~150gsm. Further, the embossed portion is formed via pressing at a temperature of 120- 14O⁰C. [13] The sum of areas of all the through-holes is in the range of 10-40% of the entire area of the surge layer. The diameter of the through-hole is in the range of 0.8- 1.2mm, whereas the diameter of the opening is in the range of 1.7~2.3mm. [14] Preferably, the surge layer is made from a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) material or a through air bonded carded web (TABCW) material. [15] Further, the surge layer may comprise two or more layers joined to each other, which have different physical properties from each other.

[16] In addition, the surge layer may comprise a hydrophilic non woven layer and a hydrophobic non woven layer joined to each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings [17] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art diaper.

[18] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a diaper according to the present invention.

[19] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a top surface of a surge layer according to the present invention. [20] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a bottom surface of the surge layer according to the present invention.

[21] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in Fig. 2.

[22] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a diaper according to another embodiment of the present invention. [23] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a diaper according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [24] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments will be described while referring to a diaper as one of various absorbent articles. [25] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a diaper according to the present invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing a top surface and a bottom surface of a surge layer according to the present invention, respectively. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V in Fig. 2. [26] As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the diaper 10, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises: a liquid-permeable top sheet 12; a liquid-impermeable back sheet 14; and an absorbent structure 16 disposed between the top sheet 12 and the back sheet 14.

[27] An elastic member 34 is disposed in close proximity to longitudinal edges 32 of the diaper 10. Further, a waist band 38 is disposed in close proximity to one or both distal edges 36 of the diaper 10. The fastening means for securing the diaper 10 to the wearer may include an adhesive tape tab 40, which is located within the waist band of a rear side of the diaper 10 and is attached to an inner or outer surface of the back sheet 14.

[28] The top sheet 12 serves to form a body-facing surface, which is compliant, soft and non- stimulating to the skin of the wearer. The top sheet 12 also allows the liquid discharged from the body of the wearer to easily pass therethrough and then move rapidly into the adjacent absorbent structure 16. The top sheet preferably has hy- drophilicity and porosity. Preferably, the top sheet 12 is made from a non woven material, which has a relatively low density and is bulky in size. The nonwoven material may comprise one type of fiber such as polyester or polypropylene, a bi- component fiber having a component of low melting point and a component of high melting point, or a conjugate fiber. The fiber may be selected from various natural and synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, cotton, acrylic fiber, etc. and combinations thereof. The bicomponent fiber may consist of a polyester core and a polyethylene sheath. Alternatively, the top sheet 12 may be fabricated from a polymeric film having large porosities. A single layer such as a polyethylene film or a polypropylene film, or a contemporary-extruded film with multiple layers, may be applied to the film.

[29] The back sheet 14 is typically formed from a thin thermoplastic film such as a liquid- impermeable polyethylene film. The back sheet 14 serves to prevent the body excrement, which is contained within the absorbent structure 16, from wetting or spotting the clothes or bedclothes of the wearer or any other objects contacted by the diaper 10. Other materials for the back sheet 14 may include a fabric or a fibrous nonwoven web, which is configured or treated so as to acquire the required liquid impermeability, or a laminate made from a fabric or a nonwoven and a thermoplastic film.

[30] The absorbent structure 16, which is disposed between the top sheet 12 and the back sheet 14, comprises an absorbent body 18 and a surge layer 20. The absorbent body 18 is configured to quickly absorb the liquid from the top sheet 12 and retain the liquid therewithin. Generally, pulp fibers or pulp fibers mixed with ultra-absorptive particles are used as a material for the absorbent body 18. The structure may comprise bonding fibers to maintain the integrity of its natural shape. The absorbent body 18 is generally compressive, comfortable and non- stimulating to the skin of the wearer and absorbs and contains the liquid discharged from the body.

[31] The surge layer 20 serves to rapidly collect the discharged liquid, contain the liquid temporarily, deliver such liquid from the first contacted point, spread the liquid to its remaining portions, and discharge such liquid to the absorbent body 18. Preferably, the surge layer 20 is disposed between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 18 so as to be in close liquid communication with the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 18 to thereby effectively deliver the liquid from the top sheet 12 to the surge layer 20 and subsequently to the absorbent body 18. Various fabrics and non woven webs may be used for the surge layer 20. For example, the surge layer 20 may be a spunbond- meltblown-spunbond nonwoven. Further, the surge layer 20 may be a bonded carded web or airlaid web made from natural and/or synthetic fibers. The bonded carded web may be, for example, a powder bonded carded web, infrared bonded carded web or through air bonded carded web (TABCW). The infrared and through air bonded carded web may include mixtures or blends of other fibers. The surge layer may be made from a hydrophobic substance. The hydrophobic substance may be treated with any surface active agent or processed so as to obtain the required hydrophilicity. Hereinafter, when being measured with a known Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System for measuring wettability of any fibrous material,"Hydrophilicity" is defined as a contact angle for liquid of less than 90° while "Hydrophobicity" is defined as a contact angle for liquid of more than 90°.

[32] The top sheet 12, surge layer 20, absorbent body 18 and back sheet 18 are assembled into various well-known forms of diapers by using conventional techniques known in the art. For example, the above components can be joined to each other by using a thermal or ultrasonic bonding, adhesives such as hot melted adhesives and combinations thereof or any other appropriate attaching means.

[33] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the surge layer 20, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention, comprises the following: a flat base portion 22 of uniform thickness; a plurality of embossed portions 24 integrally formed together with and protruding from one of a first surface of the base portion 22 facing the top sheet 12 and a second surface of the base portion facing the absorbent body 18; and a plurality of through-holes 25 formed at the apexes of the embossed portions 24.

[34] More specifically, the embossed portion 24 is formed by pressing one surface of the flat base portion 22 of uniform thickness with a heated pin, thereby protruding its portion that is in contact with the heated pin in the pin-pressing direction in the approximate cone shape. The through-hole 25 is formed or apertured by the tip end of the heated pin. Consequently, each embossed portion 24 has a truncated cone shape.

[35] In order to make the sizes of the embossed portions 24 and the arrangement thereof uniform while improving productivity, a pin roll (not shown), which is on a peripheral surface of which a number of pins are evenly distributed, and a support roll (not shown) positioned opposite the pin roll and allowing the surge layer material to be passed therebetween are utilized. The peripheral surface of the support roll is formed with a number of insertion holes, each of which corresponds to the pin of the pin roll and allows insertion of the pin, or a number of furrows corresponding to the pins of the pin roll.

[36] In other words, when the surge layer material (e.g., a non woven) is passed between the pin roll and the support roll, which are rotated to face each other, the pin of the pin roll heated at a predetermined temperature and a portion of the nonwoven, which the pin contacts, are inserted together into the corresponding insertion hole of the support roll. Thus, the nonwoven is pushed out in one direction to thereby form a three- dimensional embossed shape, namely, the embossed portion 24. At the same time, the through-holes 25 are apertured at the apexes of the embossed portions 24. The size of the through-hole 25 can be controlled depending on the size of the pin of the pin roll. In this embodiment, the diameter of an opening 23 (see Fig. 4), which is formed on the flat surface of the base portion 22 by press of the pin of the pin roll, is determined in the range of 1.7~2.3mm (preferably 2mm), while a diameter of the through-hole 25 is determined in the range of 0.8- 1.2mm (preferably lmm). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, it is preferable that the sum value of areas of all the through-holes 25 is in the range of 10-40% of the original area value of the surge layer material. As a method of forming the through-holes 25 on the surge layer 20, physical aperturing by means of punching can be applied other than aperturing by means of heated pin, although the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, while there is no specific limitation upon the basis weight of the surge layer 20 according to the present invention, the range of the basis weight of the surge layer is preferably 40~150gsm (more preferably 55~100gsm, and most preferably 70~80gsm).

[37] As described above, when forming the through-hole 25 on the surge layer 20 by using the pin heated at a predetermined temperature (preferably 120- 14O⁰C), the portion, which is pressed by the pin, is pushed out in the pressing direction. Thus, a two-dimensional plane structure of the surge layer is converted into the three- dimensional embossed structure, thereby improving the bulkiness of the surge layer 20 when compared to the original basis weight of the surge layer material and accelerating the delivery rate of the liquid from the top sheet 12 through the through-hole 25 into the absorbent body 18. Further, since the three-dimensional embossed structure with apertures formed by the heated pin is not easily deformed under specific pressing, it can maintain its original shape, thickness or high bulkiness for a long time, thereby maximizing the absorption capability despite pressure or arbitrary shift caused by the wearer.

[38] Particularly, when using a hydrophilic SMS material (having the same liquid- permeability as the top sheet) as the surge layer and then forming the embossed portions and the through-holes, since the MB(meltblown) layer, which is located between the SB (spunbond) layer (made from highly minute short staples), has a relatively good spreadability and the SMS material is stiff in itself, the three-dimensional embossed structure made by forming the through-holes with the heated pin is maintained during the production process or in the diaper for a long time, thereby retaining high bulkiness.

[39] As shown in Fig. 5, the surge layer 20 according to the present invention is disposed between the absorbent body 18 and the top sheet 12 such that the embossed portions 24 of the surge layer 20 face the top sheet 23. When the embossed portions 24 is positioned so as to face the top sheet 12 as described above, void volume is formed toward the top sheet 12 side, thereby improving the absorption rate of the liquid. Also, the embossed portions 24 maintain their original shapes without being compressed by the absorbent body 18 to thereby advantageously maintaining high bulkiness. Further, the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 18 become sufficiently placed apart from each other, thereby preventing dampness induced by the absorbent body 18. As shown in Fig. 6, the surge layer 20 may be disposed between the absorbent body 18 and the top sheet 12 such that the embossed portions 20 of the surge layer 20 face the absorbent body 18.

[40] In particular, when using the SMS as the material of the surge layer 20, since a typically occurring liquid-absorption effect can take place and a capillary effect can occur within the MB layer, which is an intermediate layer of the SMS, the remaining liquid within the top sheet 18 is moved into the surge layer 20 without being left within the top sheet 12, thereby causing the top sheet 12 to dry up.

[41] The following table shows the experimental results on the liquid-absorption rate and rewet (i.e., wetting from the absorbent body to the top sheet side) value of the diapers, wherein only the surge layers are different and any components other than the surge layer are the same.

[42] Table 1

[43] Code 1: surge layer of TABCW material (80gsm, no aperture) [44] Code 2: surge layer of hydrophobic SMS material (60gsm, embossed portions face the absorbent body) [45] Code 3: surge layer of hydrophobic SMS material (60gsm, embossed portions face the top sheet) [46] Code 4: surge layer of hydrophilic SMS material (60gsm, embossed portions face the absorbent body) [47] Code 5: surge layer of hydrophilic SMS material (60gsm, embossed portions face the top sheet) [48] Code 6: surge layer of hydrophilic TABCW material (80gsm, embossed portions face the absorbent body) [49] Code 7: surge layer of hydrophilic TABCW material (80gsm, embossed portions face the top sheet) [50] As can be seen from Table 1, when forming the through-holes on the same surge layer materials, the absorption rates increase by 15-5% and the rewet values become small. Further, in the same materials, it can be seen that when the embossed portions of the surge layer are positioned to face the top sheet, better performance is obtained. [51] Generally, while the hydrophilic materials show better characteristics in view of the absorption rate, the hydrophobic materials are inferior in terms of the instant absorption rate but superior in terms of the rewet. [52] The following table shows the results obtained from measuring the amounts of moisture evaporating from the top sheets in the surge layer materials, which are configured such that the through-holes are apertured in the same manner but the hy- drophilicity and the hydrophobicity are different. [53] Table 2

[54] From Table 2, it can be seen that, in the surge layer materials configured such that the through-holes are apertured in the same manner, the hydrophobic material has a less amount of moisture evaporating from the top sheet. This shows that the hydrophobic material side is better in preventing the moisture, which dampens the wearer's skin. As such, dryness of the skin can be enhanced by appropriately controlling the hydrophilicity of the surge layer material. When considering the above, when making the hydrophilicity slightly less than the general hydrophilic materials (i.e., 40-60% of the liquid-permeability of the top sheet), the liquid absorption rate of the material itself can be slightly deteriorated. However, such deterioration of the absorption rate can be compensated by the through-holes.

[55] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a diaper according to another embodiment of the present invention. The surge layer, which is included in the absorbent article of the present invention, may be configured such that two or more surge layers (preferably two or more surge layers having different physical properties from each other), are joined to each other in order to enhance the dryness of the skin and minimize the deterioration of the absorption rate. The surge layer 20 in this embodiment comprises a first surge layer 20a facing the top sheet 12 and a second surge layer 20b facing the absorbent body 18.

[56] For example, the first surge layer 20a may comprise a hydrophilic nonwoven layer in order to rapidly absorb the excrements from the wearer s body and the second surge layer 20b may comprise a hydrophobic nonwoven layer. In such a case, the first surge layer 20a, which comprises the hydrophilic nonwoven layer, contributes to the rapid absorption rate. Further, the second surge layer 20b, which comprises the hydrophobic nonwoven layer, contributes to the dryness of the diaper by preventing wetting of the moisture from the absorbent body 18 of the diaper. By doing so, there can be provide a rapid absorption of the excrements while maintaining dryness for a long time.

[57] On the other hand, the first surge layer 20a may comprise the hydrophobic nonwoven layer and the second surge layer 20b may comprise the hydrophilic nonwoven layer. More specifically, the surge layer 20a of the top sheet 12 side may comprise a hydrophobic or hydrophilic SM or SMS, while the surge layer 20b of the absorbent body 18 side may comprise a TABCW layer. On the contrary, the surge layer 20a of the top sheet 12 side may comprise the TABCW layer and the surge layer 20b of the absorbent body 18 side may comprise the hydrophobic or hydrophilic SM or SMS.

[58] When forming the surge layer 20 by joining two or more surge layers 20a and 20b as described above, the hydrophilic nonwoven layer 20a or 20b and the hydrophobic nonwoven layer 20a or 20b can form the surge layer 20 by being joined to each other through using a general nonwoven-bonding method, i.e., thermal bonding or chemical bonding. As describe above, the truncated cone-shaped embossed portions 24a and 24b and the through-holes 25 apertured at the apexes of the embossed portions 24a and 24b are formed by passing such configured surge layer 20 between the pin roll and the support roll. In such a case, the base portion 22 comprises a base portion 22a of the first surge layer and a base portion 22b of the second surge layer. When such surge layer 20 is disposed between the top sheet 12 and the absorbent body 20, the embossed portions 24a and 24b of the surge layer 20 may be positioned to face the absorbent body 18 (as shown in Fig. 7), while the embossed portions 24a and 24b may be positioned to face the top sheet 12 (as shown in Fig. 5). [59] The results of measuring values of flowback (i.e., the amount of liquid rewetting the top sheet after liquid is absorbed) of the diapers, which comprise the surge layers configured by bonding two or more layers having different physical properties from each other, are shown below.

[60] Table 3

[61] From Table 3, it can be seen that, in the surge layer materials configured such that the through-holes are apertured in the same manner, the surge layer comprising the hydrophobic material and the hydrophilic material bonded to each other is more advantageous in maintaining the dryness of the skin than the surge layer comprising only the hydrophilic material, since the former lowers the amount of the liquid rewetting the top sheet.

[62] While the present invention has been shown and described by way of example of diapers as one of the specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the personal sanitary absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin or incontinence pants that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[63] As described above in detail, in the absorbent article with apertured surge layer of the present invention, since the two-dimensional plane of the surge layer is converted into the three-dimensional embossed structure with a plurality of through-holes by means of the pin heated at a predetermined temperature, bulkiness can be enhanced when compared to the original basis weight of the surge layer material. Further, the amount of liquid discharged from the wearer's body can be rapidly captured and then easily delivered to the absorbent body by means of the through-holes.

[64] Further, since the three-dimensional embossed structure of the surge layer is not easily deformed under specific pressing, it can maintain its original shape, thickness or high bulkiness for a long time despite any pressure or arbitrary positional shift caused by the wearer, thereby maximizing the absorption capability.

[65] Particularly, when the surge layer is disposed such that the embossed portions thereof face the top sheet, void volume is formed toward the top sheet side, thereby enhancing the liquid absorption rate. Also, the embossed portions maintain their original shapes without being compressed by the absorbent body to thereby advantageously maintain high bulkiness. Further, the top sheet and the absorbent body become sufficiently placed apart from each other, thereby preventing dampness out of the absorbent body.

Claims

[1] An absorbent article with an apertured surge layer, comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet; a liquid-impermeable back sheet; an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; and a surge layer fabricated from a nonwoven material and being disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body for receiving a liquid passing through the top sheet and discharging the liquid to the absorbent body, wherein the surge layer comprises: a base portion having a first surface facing the top sheet and a second surface facing the absorbent body; a plurality of embossed portions formed on one of the first surface and the second surface of the base portion via pressing so as to protrude toward the other of the first surface and the second surface; through-holes formed at apexes of the embossed portions; and a plurality of openings formed on the opposite surface to the surface with the embossed portions so as to correspond with the embossed portions.

[2] An absorbent article with an apertured surge layer, comprising: a liquid-permeable top sheet; a liquid-impermeable back sheet; an absorbent body disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet; and a surge layer fabricated from a nonwoven material and being disposed between the top sheet and the absorbent body for receiving a liquid passing through the top sheet and discharging the liquid to the absorbent body, wherein the surge layer comprises: a base portion having a first surface facing the top sheet and a second surface facing the absorbent body; a plurality of embossed portions formed via pressing from the second surface of the base portion toward the first surface so as to protrude toward the top sheet; through-holes formed at apexes of the embossed portions; and a plurality of openings formed on the second surface so as to correspond with the embossed portions.

[3] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein a liquid-permeability of the surge layer is equal to a liquid-permeability of the top sheet.

[4] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein a liquid-permeability of the surge layer is in the range of 40-60% of a liquid-permeability of the top sheet.

[5] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein a basis weight of the surge layer is in the range of 40~150gsm. [6] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the embossed portion is formed via pressing at a temperature of 120- 14O⁰C. [7] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein a sum of areas of all the through-holes is in the range of 10-40% of an entire area of the surge layer. [8] The article of Claim 7, wherein a diameter of the through-hole is in the range of

0.8- 1.2mm and a diameter of the opening is in the range of 1.7~2.3mm. [9] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surge layer is fabricated from a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) material. [10] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surge layer is fabricated from a through air bonded carded web (TACBW) material. [11] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surge layer comprises two or more layers joined to each other. [12] The article of Claim 11, wherein the surge layer comprises two or more layers joined to each other, and wherein said layers have different physical properties from each other. [13] The article of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the surge layer comprises a hydrophilic non woven layer and a hydrophobic non woven layer joined to each other.