A discrete absorbent insert and containment system including an absorbent core is disclosed. The absorbent insert includes a first sheet, a second sheet in facing relation with the first sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the first sheet and the second sheet. The absorbent core defines a core perimeter and the first sheet and the second sheet extend beyond the core perimeter and are joined together to form a perimeter seal. A central section of an absorbent core is positioned between a first end section and a second end section. Both the first end section and the second end section comprise an arc extending at least 185 degrees. The first end section defines a maximum width of at least 120 mm, the central section defines a maximum width of less than 115 mm, and the second end section defines a maximum width of at least 120 mm.

An absorbent article comprising a wearer-facing topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, characterized in that the absorbent core comprises: a first absorbent layer comprising a first substrate, a layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles deposited on the first substrate, and a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material covering the layer of first superabsorbent polymer particles; a second absorbent layer, the second absorbent layer comprising a second substrate and a mixed layer deposited on the second substrate, the mixed layer comprising a mixture of second superabsorbent particles and cellulosic fibers, the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer being combined together such that at least a portion of the fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material of the first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the mixed layer of the second absorbent layer, and wherein the first absorbent layer is placed closer to the topsheet than the second layer.

An absorbent article such as a diaper extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (80) and a transversal direction (90) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and comprising a distribution layer (54) between a topsheet (24) and an absorbent core (28). The distribution layer comprises a fibrous material and a first and second longitudinally-extending channels (86a,b) substantially free of fibrous material. The fibrous material is profiled in the transversal direction so that average basis weight between the channels differs from the average basis weight in the lateral areas outward of the channels by at least 50 g/m.sup.2 and/or wherein the distribution layer comprises a first region having a first basis weight (bw1) and a second region having a second basis weight (bw2), wherein the first basis weight and the second basis weight differ by at least 20 g/m.sup.2, preferably by at least 50 g/m.sup.2, and these regions are present in different areas of the distribution layer but in the same longitudinally extending transversal section. The absorbent core may comprise channel-forming areas (26a,b). The article further comprises a backsheet (25).

An absorbent article having an absorbent core having a longitudinally extending channel-forming area and a wetness indicator is presented. The core wrap has a top side and a bottom side, which are attached to each other through areas substantially free of absorbent material, so that when the absorbent material swells upon absorption of a liquid a channel is formed along the area substantially free of absorbent material.

An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core comprising an absorbent material and a core wrap is provided. The article comprises an intermediate layer between the bottom side of the core wrap and the backsheet. The intermediate layer and the absorbent core are only partially bonded to each other at their interface and the interface comprises a bonded portion and a unbonded portion. The intermediate layer can at least partially decouple from the absorbent core in the unbonded portion, which increases flexibility of the article in the transversal direction.

An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core being disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core includes an absorbent material disposed in an absorbent deposition area and enclosed in a core wrap. The core further includes a first swelling chamber, a second swelling chamber, and an external zone. The absorbent material comprises superabsorbent polymer. One or more permanent seals separate the first swelling chamber and the second swelling chamber from the external zone. The swelling chambers consist of absorbent material immobilized by water-responsive bonds, wherein the water-responsive bonds deteriorate upon exposure to water such that the absorbent material is flowable in the wet state; and the external zone comprises absorbent material that is immobilized by thermoplastic adhesive, such that the absorbent material is immobilized in the wet state.

An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; and a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core. The article also includes a waist feature having a portion extending longitudinally outboard of the chassis in the waist region. The backsheet includes a barrier layer having a maximum length, L.sub.BS. The absorbent core has absorbent material and a maximum length, L.sub.CW. L.sub.CW is substantially the same as L.sub.BS. The absorbent material is disposed in an absorbent material deposition area. The absorbent material deposition area has a maximum length, L.sub.AB, and L.sub.AB is about 90% or greater of L.sub.BS. The first absorbent area lateral edge is disposed a longitudinal distance, D1, from the first barrier lateral edge, and D1 is about 5% or less of L.sub.BS.

A personal hygiene absorbent article is disclosed. The personal hygiene absorbent article includes an absorbent layer having a narrow portion between the front edge and the back edge of the absorbent layer, and a distribution layer having a narrow portion between the front edge and the back edge of the distribution layer.

An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising: first and second longitudinally-extending channels substantially free of absorbent material; wherein the first longitudinally-extending channel is on one side of the longitudinal axis and the second longitudinally-extending channel is on the other side of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first and second longitudinally-extending channels have a length along a longitudinal axis; a central absorbent zone comprising absorbent material disposed between the first and second longitudinally-extending channels, wherein the central absorbent zone has an average basis weight; first and second lateral absorbent zones comprising absorbent material disposed transversally outwardly of the first longitudinally-extending channel and the second longitudinally-extending channel respectively, wherein the first and second lateral absorbent zones have an average basis weight; and a profiled basis weight configuration spanning the first lateral absorbent zone, the central absorbent zone, and the second lateral absorbent zone profiled in a transversal direction.

An absorbent insert comprising an absorbent material between a top core wrap sheet and a back core wrap sheet, said absorbent insert having a first and second longitudinal edge and a first and second transverse edge, wherein the absorbent insert is provided with at least one elongate channel zone, wherein the absorbent insert is free of side panels, fasteners, cuffs and elastic waist elements.