US Patent 6858771 Absorbent article with compressed grooves

Disclosed is an absorbent article including a backsheet, an absorbent storage layer, a liquid guide layer, and a top layer. The absorbent storage layer, the liquid guide layer and the top layer satisfy the following relationships: the liquid guide layer>the absorbent storage layer>the top layer with respect to a water absorbency due to capillary phenomenon; the liquid guide layer>the absorbent storage layer>the top layer with respect to a retention ratio of a liquid dropped onto the top layer in an amount less than a maximum water absorption amount of the liquid guide layer; and the absorbent storage layer>the liquid guide layer>the top layer with respect to a retention ratio of a liquid dropped onto the top layer in an amount more than the maximum water absorption amount of the liquid guide layer.