EXPANDABLE STRUCTURE FOR THE ABSORBING ARTICLE, ABSORBING PRODUCT CONTAINING SUCH EXPANDABLE STRUCTURE, AND EXPANDABLE STRUCTURE FOR ABSORBING ARTICLE FORMING METHOD
A stretchable structure for absorbent article includes: a sheet-like member (12S) that is composed of one air permeable material (120) and has a plurality of pleats (80) arranged at intervals so as not to overlap in a fallen state and inter-pleat portions (85) overlapping in the state in which the pleats (80) are fallen; and elongated resilient and elastic members (90) provided between opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of the pleats (80) along a longitudinal direction of the pleats (80). The pleats (80) are continuously or intermittently joined in the longitudinal direction of the pleats (80) such that at least the opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of base portions (81) are not spaced from each other. Outer surfaces of the pleats (80) are not joined to the inter-pleat portions (85) except for both longitudinal ends of the pleats (80). The resilient and elastic members (90) are arranged in the pleats (80) at the tip-side with regard to the base portions (81) and at least both ends of the resilient and elastic members (90) are fixed between the opposing surfaces (80a and 80b) of the pleats (80). The pleats (80) and the inter-pleat portions (85) are contracted by contraction of the resilient and elastic members (90).