An absorbent article has longitudinal edges, front and rear end regions, and a central region between the end regions, and an absorbent core disposed between a topsheet and a backsheet. A pair of central side flaps extend laterally outward from longitudinal edges of the absorbent core in the central region, and a pair of rear side flaps extend laterally outward from longitudinal edges of the absorbent core in the rear end region. A support layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet in the rear end region extends from one of the rear side flaps to the other outboard of the longitudinal edges of the absorbent core but inboard of the longitudinal edges of the article. The support layer is absent in the central side flaps. A channel with a plurality of first areas and second areas alternately spaced along at least a portion of a length of the channel is present.

Configurable absorbent articles with improved bodily exudate visualization when viewing a wearer-facing surface are provided. The absorbent articles include a liquid permeable topsheet forming a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article, a liquid permeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid permeable backsheet. The wearer-facing surface exhibits a Delta C* of greater than about 24 and less than about 50 when the absorbent article is subjected to a Bodily Exudate Visualization Test.

A flow of an excretion liquid into a side pocket is accomplished with a simple structure using an imperforated sheet. A side pocket extending in a front-back direction LD is disposed in an absorbent article on a lateral side of an absorber. The side pocket is surrounded by a side cover portion reaching the back surface side of the absorber from above a side of a top sheet via an upper portion, an outer side, and a lower portion of the side pocket. A portion located above the side of the top sheet in the side cover portion includes a non-bonded portion not bonded to the top sheet and a bonded portion located on both front and back sides of the non-bonded portion. A gap between the side cover portion and the top sheet in the non-bonded portion is open above the top sheet and toward the side pocket.

A flow of an excretion liquid into a side pocket is accomplished with a simple structure using an imperforated sheet. A side pocket extending in a front-back direction LD is disposed in an absorbent article on a lateral side of an absorber. The side pocket is surrounded by a side cover portion reaching the back surface side of the absorber from above a side of a top sheet via an upper portion, an outer side, and a lower portion of the side pocket. A portion located above the side of the top sheet in the side cover portion includes a non-bonded portion not bonded to the top sheet and a bonded portion located on both front and back sides of the non-bonded portion. A gap between the side cover portion and the top sheet in the non-bonded portion is open above the top sheet and toward the side pocket.

The invention relates to a method for making a nonwoven fabric comprising forming polymer fibers from a melt of the polymer material and using these fibers to obtain a nonwoven fabric during a subsequent nonwoven fabric formation procedure, wherein the melt of the polymer material comprises a melt additive, wherein the method comprises thermal bonding at a temperature higher than 40° C. below the melting point of the polymer material and, additionally, one or both of the following steps: a. improving the mobility of the additive by heat-treating the nonwoven fabric at 100° C. or more for 0.1 seconds or more after the nonwoven fabric formation procedure and/or including a filler having a higher thermal conductivity than the polymer material to the polymer material; b. influencing the polymer crystallinity by including a nucleating agent, branched polymers and/or random co-polymers to the polymer material.

The invention relates to a method for making a nonwoven fabric comprising forming polymer fibers from a melt of the polymer material and using these fibers to obtain a nonwoven fabric during a subsequent nonwoven fabric formation procedure, wherein the melt of the polymer material comprises a melt additive, wherein the method comprises thermal bonding at a temperature higher than 40° C. below the melting point of the polymer material and, additionally, one or both of the following steps: a. improving the mobility of the additive by heat-treating the nonwoven fabric at 100° C. or more for 0.1 seconds or more after the nonwoven fabric formation procedure and/or including a filler having a higher thermal conductivity than the polymer material to the polymer material; b. influencing the polymer crystallinity by including a nucleating agent, branched polymers and/or random co-polymers to the polymer material.

Absorbent articles comprising material webs are disclosed herein. The material webs described herein can provide a bevy of benefits when utilized in the context of absorbent articles, and such material webs can facilitate the manufacturing of absorbent article.

Absorbent articles comprising material webs are disclosed herein. The material webs described herein can provide a bevy of benefits when utilized in the context of absorbent articles, and such material webs can facilitate the manufacturing of absorbent article.

Extra-protection fins and pads, and methods of making and using extra-protection fins and pads are disclosed. The extra-protection fins and pads of the present invention comprise a first triangular face, a second triangular face attached and/or connected to the first triangular face at an angle thereby forming a front apex and a top apex, wherein the fins are configured such that the front apex catches and/or absorbs the menstrual and/or other vaginal fluids first, and the extra-protection fin fills backwards toward the top apex, thus preventing unwanted, embarrassing and annoying leakage onto clothing or bedding during periods of heavy flow and/or when lying down. The extra-protection fin may also comprise a third triangular face attached and/or connected to the first and second triangular faces, wherein a vertex of the third triangular face contacts and/or is connected to the first and second triangular faces at the top apex.

Extra-protection fins and pads, and methods of making and using extra-protection fins and pads are disclosed. The extra-protection fins and pads of the present invention comprise a first triangular face, a second triangular face attached and/or connected to the first triangular face at an angle thereby forming a front apex and a top apex, wherein the fins are configured such that the front apex catches and/or absorbs the menstrual and/or other vaginal fluids first, and the extra-protection fin fills backwards toward the top apex, thus preventing unwanted, embarrassing and annoying leakage onto clothing or bedding during periods of heavy flow and/or when lying down. The extra-protection fin may also comprise a third triangular face attached and/or connected to the first and second triangular faces, wherein a vertex of the third triangular face contacts and/or is connected to the first and second triangular faces at the top apex.