An absorbent article having a fluid-handling system includes a fluid permeable body side liner; a fluid impermeable outer cover; an absorbent core disposed between the liner and the outer cover, wherein the absorbent core includes superabsorbent material and optionally fluff pulp; a synthetic nonwoven surge layer disposed adjacent the liner between the absorbent core and the liner; and a dispersion layer disposed between the surge layer and the absorbent core, wherein the dispersion layer includes a three-dimensionally patterned, wetlaid, cellulosic tissue nonwoven material. The dispersion layer also includes opposing dispersion layer surfaces each having a textured surface, wherein each surface includes an average material plane, a plurality of ridges extending in a z-direction from the average material plane, and a plurality of grooves alternating with the plurality of ridges, wherein the grooves depth extend in the opposite z-direction from the average material plane.

A process of making an absorbent article is disclosed. A liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction a backsheet web, and an acquisition layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The acquisition layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and acquisition layer are aligned in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

Deformed web materials are disclosed. The web materials have discrete deformations formed therein. The deformations may be features in the form of portions of a web with apertures therein, protrusions, depressed areas, and combinations thereof. These features may extend out from the surface on one side of the web, or from both of the surfaces of the web. Different features may be intermixed with one another.

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).

Disclosed is a feminine hygiene pad with an absorbent system including: an absorbent foam layer having a wearer-facing surface and an outward-facing surface, having a plurality of apertures providing z-direction passageways from the wearer-facing surface to the outward-facing surface; and a porous spacer layer beneath the foam layer and underlying a majority of openings of the apertures in an outward-facing surface of the foam layer. The spacer layer functions to provide structure, beneath the absorbent foam layer, that holds open a desired amount of unoccupied space between the absorbent layer and a backsheet of the pad, into which unabsorbed menstrual fluid may flow and temporarily reside, during the time required for the absorbent layer to effectively imbibe the fluid.

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 process of making an absorbent article is disclosed. A liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction a backsheet web, and an acquisition layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The acquisition layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and acquisition layer are aligned in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

A process of making an absorbent article comprising providing a liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction. The topsheet web having a first and second surface and a backsheet web extending substantially continuously in the machine direction and an acquisition layer having a first and second surface. The process comprises aligning the topsheet web and the acquisition layer in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deforming and combining the topsheet web together with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

A web having compositions applied thereto is disclosed. The web has a plurality of discontinuities. The composition(s) are associated with the discontinuities and can improve fluid acquisition, rewet and/or fluid masking properties of the web.

This invention relates to features of an absorbent article designed to be worn by men for containing and absorbing discharges resulting from urinary incontinence, where the absorbent article is thin and conforms to the male anatomy.