03.31.09
An absorbent article has been patented. It includes a liquid-pervious topsheet, a light transmissive and liquid-impervious backsheet; a liquid-absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet and an indicator disposed between the backsheet and the core for allowing discharge of bodily fluids to be visible from an outside of the backsheet when the indicator is wetted with bodily fluids. The indicator comprises a hydro_philic fibrous nonwoven fabric and a display element depicted on the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric so that the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric covers up the display element so long as the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric is in a dry state and allows the display element to be visible though the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric from the outside of the backsheet when the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric absorbs bodily fluids. The hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric comprises at least one of a hydrophilic melt blown nonwoven fabric layer and a hydro_philic spunbond nonwoven fabric layer. The display element is depicted on a first surface of the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric facing the core. The first surface of the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric is held together with the display element in close contact with the surface of the core. A second surface of the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric faces the backsheet and is held in close contact with an inner surface of the backsheet. The hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric comprises depressions on both first and second surfaces thereof. The depressions are heat-embossed spots that are depressed, in a thickness direction of the hydrophilic fibrous nonwoven fabric, from one of the first and second surfaces toward the other.