The present invention relates to a layers layered absorbent element for use in a disposable absorbent article comprising a top layer and a bottom layer. The top layer is a fibrous nonwoven layer having a basis weight of from 20 to 100 gsm, a thickness from 0.25 to 5 mm, is formed with fibers having an average length from 26 to 200 mm and it has a fixed height saturation at 5 cm above 40%. The bottom layer is in direct contact with the top layer and comprises superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and cellulosic fibers. A plurality of fibers protruding from the bottom layer penetrate into the top layer.

An absorbent core assembly for use in a product for absorbing a liquid is disclosed. The core assembly has a first section and a second section. The first section is a quilted porous material that contains a slow acting but high absorption capacity SAP therein. The, second section is a quilted porous material that contains a fast acting but lower absorption capacity SAP therein. The first and second sections are in fluid communication with each other, whereupon a liquid which is exposed to the core assembly flows through the first section to the fast acting SAP in the second section to be absorbed quickly and rapidly by the fast acting SAP therein, while the slow acting SAP desorbs or takes liquid away from the fast acting SAP as well as absorbing the liquid itself to thereby trap the liquid in the core assembly.

A disposable undergarment including an absorbent core assembly and methods of making the same is disclosed. The undergarment includes a chassis holding the core assembly. The chassis includes a front section, a crotch section and a rear section. The core assembly is located in the crotch section, with portions of it extending into the front and rear sections. A large plurality of closely spaced elastic threads extends across the full width of the undergarment in the front and rear sections. The elastic threads are broken in the areas of the core assembly. The core assembly includes a first section of a slow acting but high absorbency SAP in pockets thereof and an underlying second section of a fast acting but lower absorbency SAP in pockets thereof.

An absorbent core for an absorbent article is provided an absorbent material, the absorbent core comprising one or more first zones comprising a first amount of absorbent material and one or more second zones comprising a second amount of absorbent material, wherein each second zone is at least partly delimited from the other second zones by the one or more first zones characterized in that the first amount of bulk absorbent material is different than the second amount of absorbent material, each amount of absorbent material being determined as weight per unit area.

An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core comprising an absorbent material and a core wrap is provided. The core comprises at least one channel-forming area that is substantially free of absorbent material. The absorbent article comprises a masking layer between the bottom side of the core wrap and the backsheet. The masking layer and the bottom side of the core wrap are only partially bonded to each other at their interface, the interface thus comprising a bonded portion and an unbonded portion, wherein the channel-forming area at least partially corresponds to the unbonded portion of the interface, so that when the absorbent material swells, the masking layer can decouple from the three-dimensional channels.

A fluid distribution material for use in an absorbent article includes a formed film layer having first and second sides and a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 25 gsm, and a nonwoven layer having a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 15 gsm and laminated to the formed film layer. The formed film layer includes a plurality of apertured protuberances arranged in a pattern having 10 to 40 protuberances per linear inch. Each of the protuberances includes a continuous sidewall extending from the first side, and the second side has a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of protuberances, and land areas in between the apertures. The nonwoven layer includes a plurality of fibers attached to the formed film layer at the land areas. The material has a rewet value of less than 0.075 grams in accordance with the Rewet Test Method.

Apparatus (1) and method for producing absorbent structures with absorbent layers with channel(s) without absorbent material, using a first moving endless surface (20) with specific raised strip(s) (25) and a second moving endless surface (30) with specific mating strip(s) (31).

An absorber includes a concave groove-shaped body fluid inflow portion along a longitudinal direction of an incontinence pad and over a range in the longitudinal direction including a body fluid discharge portion of a wearer, and a granular powder superabsorbent resin is arranged at least on a side edge portion of the absorber and over the range in the longitudinal direction including the body fluid inflow portion. Since the body fluid flowing into the body fluid inflow portion is diffused and is absorbed and held in the superabsorbent resin on the side edge portion of the absorber, it is possible to provide an adequate absorbed amount in the absorber despite the concave groove in the absorber. Even when the superabsorbent resin becomes swollen with absorbed body fluid, the body fluid inflow portion is not blocked, with the result that the absorption speed is not reduced.

A disposable absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline is described herein. The disposable absorbent article has a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent system disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent system has a first and second absorbent core configured such that there is an overlap between the first and second absorbent core and a pair of outboard distances for the first and second absorbent cores.

Absorbent structures for diapers are provided, comprising, immobilized onto a supporting sheet, an absorbent layer with absorbent material containing superabsorbent polymer particles and therein, in the front region, a first and a second substantially longitudinal channel, each being free of said superabsorbent polymeric particles, for improved fit and/or performance throughout the use thereof.