A substantially planar absorbent core (28) extending in a transversal direction (x) and a longitudinal direction (y), and comprising a core wrap (16, 16) enclosing an absorbent material (60) substantially free of cellulose fibers, the absorbent material forming a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises transversally-orientated areas (752) and longitudinally-orientated areas (754). The absorbent core may further comprise at least two longitudinally-orientated channel-forming areas (26).

A substantially planar absorbent core (28) extending in a transversal direction (x) and a longitudinal direction (y), and comprising a core wrap (16, 16) enclosing an absorbent material (60) substantially free of cellulose fibers, the absorbent material forming a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises transversally-orientated areas (752) and longitudinally-orientated areas (754). The absorbent core may further comprise at least two longitudinally-orientated channel-forming areas (26).

The present disclosure provides substrates and laminates for absorbent articles and absorbent articles comprising the substrates or laminates. The substrates and laminates may have three-dimensional elements, land areas, and increased permeability regions intermediate at least some of the land areas and at least some of the three-dimensional elements. The increased permeability regions may be positioned adjacent to the three-dimensional elements. The land areas may have a first basis weight and the increased permeability regions may have a second basis weight. The first basis weight may be greater than the second basis weight.

The present disclosure provides substrates and laminates for absorbent articles and absorbent articles comprising the substrates or laminates. The substrates and laminates may have three-dimensional elements, land areas, and increased permeability regions intermediate at least some of the land areas and at least some of the three-dimensional elements. The increased permeability regions may be positioned adjacent to the three-dimensional elements. The land areas may have a first basis weight and the increased permeability regions may have a second basis weight. The first basis weight may be greater than the second basis weight.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven acquisition distribution layer comprising: a) layered carded webs wherein the first layer comprises a carded web with high denier fibers wherein the denier is greater than about 5 d and a second layer comprising a carded web with low denier fibers wherein the denier is less than about 5 d and is positioned just below and in direct contact with the first layer; and b) a deflection layer comprising a fibrous nonwoven web wherein the fibrous nonwoven web has at least one component comprising meltblown, said meltblown having a basis weight of from about 15 gsm to about 50 gsm and having an air permeability of from about 45 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2 to about 350 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2; and wherein the deflection layer is positioned just below and in direct contact with said second layer of said layered carded web.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven acquisition distribution layer comprising: a) layered carded webs wherein the first layer comprises a carded web with high denier fibers wherein the denier is greater than about 5 d and a second layer comprising a carded web with low denier fibers wherein the denier is less than about 5 d and is positioned just below and in direct contact with the first layer; and b) a deflection layer comprising a fibrous nonwoven web wherein the fibrous nonwoven web has at least one component comprising meltblown, said meltblown having a basis weight of from about 15 gsm to about 50 gsm and having an air permeability of from about 45 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2 to about 350 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2; and wherein the deflection layer is positioned just below and in direct contact with said second layer of said layered carded web.

An absorbent article comprising an exterior sheet formed of a nonwoven fabric laminate (1) in which a first nonwoven fabric layer (2), a second nonwoven fabric layer (3) and a third nonwoven fabric layer (4) are laminated from the outer side, wherein the first nonwoven fabric layer (2) and the second nonwoven fabric layer (3) are joined to each other at first joining parts (6), the second nonwoven fabric layer (3) and the third nonwoven fabric layer (4) are joined to each other at second joining parts (7), and a number of the first joining parts is smaller than that of the second joining parts (7).

An absorbent article comprising an exterior sheet formed of a nonwoven fabric laminate (1) in which a first nonwoven fabric layer (2), a second nonwoven fabric layer (3) and a third nonwoven fabric layer (4) are laminated from the outer side, wherein the first nonwoven fabric layer (2) and the second nonwoven fabric layer (3) are joined to each other at first joining parts (6), the second nonwoven fabric layer (3) and the third nonwoven fabric layer (4) are joined to each other at second joining parts (7), and a number of the first joining parts is smaller than that of the second joining parts (7).

A medical device including a plasma-treated porous substrate that is functionalized to provide a hydrophilic surface, and a process for preparing such a medical device, are disclosed. The method includes plasma treating at least a portion of a surface of a porous substrate with a gas species selected from oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and combination thereof. The gas species is configured to functionalize the surface of the medical device and form a hydrophilic surface.

A medical device including a plasma-treated porous substrate that is functionalized to provide a hydrophilic surface, and a process for preparing such a medical device, are disclosed. The method includes plasma treating at least a portion of a surface of a porous substrate with a gas species selected from oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and combination thereof. The gas species is configured to functionalize the surface of the medical device and form a hydrophilic surface.