The diaper of the present invention is a fixed flat cloth diaper. The diaper is fixed, because an outer layer of the diaper resembles the final format of a flat, rectangular cloth diaper having been folded origami style into a shape suitable for donning on a wearer by a user. The outer layer functions primarily to retain the diaper upon the wearer and has a stomach panel for obtaining a good closure of the diaper on the wearer. The diaper is flat, because an inner layer of the diaper is attached to the outer layer, and the inner layer is a flat, rectangular shape which is customizable for absorbency and can be folded into a flat insert configuration of the user's choice prior to donning the diaper on the wearer. The inner layer functions primarily to absorb waste (urine and feces) excreted by the wearer.

The diaper of the present invention is a fixed flat cloth diaper. The diaper is fixed, because an outer layer of the diaper resembles the final format of a flat, rectangular cloth diaper having been folded origami style into a shape suitable for donning on a wearer by a user. The outer layer functions primarily to retain the diaper upon the wearer and has a stomach panel for obtaining a good closure of the diaper on the wearer. The diaper is flat, because an inner layer of the diaper is attached to the outer layer, and the inner layer is a flat, rectangular shape which is customizable for absorbency and can be folded into a flat insert configuration of the user's choice prior to donning the diaper on the wearer. The inner layer functions primarily to absorb waste (urine and feces) excreted by the wearer.

An absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a topsheet having a body contacting surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core has an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer has two density zones.

An absorbent article. The absorbent article includes a topsheet having a body contacting surface, a backsheet joined to said topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core has an upper layer and a lower layer. The lower layer has two density zones.

A substantially planar absorbent core (28) comprising a core wrap (16, 17) enclosing an absorbent material (60), the absorbent core having a longitudinal axis (80) and comprising a front region (81), a back region (83) and a middle region (82), each region having an equal length (L/3) along the longitudinal axis, wherein the absorbent material is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises on each side of the longitudinal axis at least one longitudinally-extending curved area (601a, 601b) in the middle region of the core, and at least one longitudinally-extending straight area (602a, 602b) in the front region and/or back region of the core.

A substantially planar absorbent core (28) comprising a core wrap (16, 17) enclosing an absorbent material (60), the absorbent core having a longitudinal axis (80) and comprising a front region (81), a back region (83) and a middle region (82), each region having an equal length (L/3) along the longitudinal axis, wherein the absorbent material is substantially free of cellulose fibers and forms a pattern of absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises on each side of the longitudinal axis at least one longitudinally-extending curved area (601a, 601b) in the middle region of the core, and at least one longitudinally-extending straight area (602a, 602b) in the front region and/or back region of the core.

An absorbent article for personal hygiene has a fibrous intermediate layer between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The intermediate layer may include a first and second longitudinally-extending channels on opposite side of the longitudinal axis which are connected to a back pocket so that they together form a unitary area substantially free of fibrous material. The intermediate layer may further include a central area comprising fibrous material between the channels and the unitary area may be completely surrounded by the fibrous material.

An absorbent article for personal hygiene has a fibrous intermediate layer between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The intermediate layer may include a first and second longitudinally-extending channels on opposite side of the longitudinal axis which are connected to a back pocket so that they together form a unitary area substantially free of fibrous material. The intermediate layer may further include a central area comprising fibrous material between the channels and the unitary area may be completely surrounded by the fibrous material.

An absorbent article, the absorbent article being a personal hygiene article, includes a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a fluid flow control member arranged between the top sheet and the backsheet. The fluid flow control member is a spacer fabric including a top layer, a bottom layer and an interconnecting layer of pile filaments between the top layer and the bottom layer. The spacer fabric has a ratio of thickness to basis weight at 15 kPa of at least 1.5.Math.10.sup.5 m/gsm, as measured according to the Mecano-method disclosed herein.

An absorbent article, the absorbent article being a personal hygiene article, includes a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a fluid flow control member arranged between the top sheet and the backsheet. The fluid flow control member is a spacer fabric including a top layer, a bottom layer and an interconnecting layer of pile filaments between the top layer and the bottom layer. The spacer fabric has a ratio of thickness to basis weight at 15 kPa of at least 1.5.Math.10.sup.5 m/gsm, as measured according to the Mecano-method disclosed herein.