An absorbent core composite is disclosed for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article. The composite includes a first material layer and a second material layer (preferably nonwoven) partially secured to the first material layer to define at least one pocket therebetween. Preferably, multiple pockets are defined, except in the case of where a generally uniform layer or bed of absorbent is preferred or better suited for the application. The pocket is said have a fixed initial volume. Further, an aggregate of absorbent particles is provided in the pocket(s) to occupy a portion of the fixed initial volume. The absorbent particles are preferably SAP particles and is characterized by a dry volume associated with a dry state and a swell volume associated with a liquid saturation state. In respect to or for the pocket, the aggregate is characterized by a collective dry volume and a collective swell volume, wherein the pocket has an initial configuration that retains the aggregate therein.

An absorbent article has a wrapping sheet wrapping an absorbent body including an intermediate part located on one side of front face side and back face side of the body and both side parts folded back to the other side of the body from the intermediate part. Distal ends of the both side parts are overlapped on the other side of the body to form a connecting portion. A whole part of an internal surface of the wrapping sheet faces the body and is bonded to an external surface of the body through hot melt adhesives. A usage amount of the hot melt adhesives bonds the wrapping sheet and the body together and is larger at least in a region of both end portions in a width direction on the other side of the body than on the one side of the body.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.

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 intermediate layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The intermediate layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and intermediate 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 intermediate layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the intermediate layer. The topsheet web and intermediate 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 intermediate layer to provide a topsheet/intermediate layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

An absorbent core comprising a front portion; a back portion; a middle portion positioned between the front portion and the back portion; and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of said core and crossing said front, middle and back portions, the absorbent core having a width extending perpendicular to said length and a perimeter comprising at least two opposing ends and at least two opposing sides positioned between said ends, said core being a multi-layer core comprising at least two distinct core layers, wherein a first core layer comprises a first concentration of super absorbent polymer therein and a second core layer comprises a second concentration of super absorbent polymer therein said first and second concentrations being different, wherein at least said first core layer comprises one or more channels, said channel(s) being continuous and interconnected at least along the length and the width of said core such that at least two channel portions extending along said length are in fluid communication via a connecting channel portion positioned proximal to said back portion.

The present invention provides an absorbent body comprising: a base material and a water absorbent resin powder fixed on the base material by a fixing agent, wherein the base material is a fiber base material having a mass per unit area in a range from 10 g/m.sup.2 to 500 g/m.sup.2, and the fixing agent is a copolymer having an acid value in a range from 20 mgKOH/g to 150 mgKOH/g and including a structural unit (X) derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an olefin and a vinyl aromatic compound and a structural unit (Y) derived from a monomer having an acidic group. The absorbent body has excellent water absorbent resin powder supporting property.

An absorption rate in an absorbent article including a cell absorber is improved. The above-mentioned problem is solved by an absorbent article including an absorber having a plurality of cells surrounded by bonded portions of an upper sheet and a lower sheet, the upper sheet and the lower sheet not bonded at the cells, and a particulate material including super absorbent polymer particles contained in the cells, in which at least one of the upper sheet and the lower sheet in the cells is formed into concaves depressed to outsides of the cells in a spread state, a middle sheet made of a nonwoven fabric is interposed between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, and the middle sheet is compressed in a thickness direction at the bonded portions and expands to insides of the concaves at portions located inside the cells.

An absorbent article comprises an absorbent core sandwiched between a topsheet and a backsheet. The article defines a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion. The absorbent core comprises an absorbent component enclosed by a core cover comprising an upper and a lower side, and the core is formed with a sealing arrangement for joining the upper and lower sides comprising two channel sealings extending along an longitudinal axis in the crotch portion and defining a first channel sealing width and a second channel sealing width, respectively. The front portion of the core is formed with a recess defining a depth extending from a front edge of the core and into the front portion. A distance is defined between said front edge of the core and a front edge of each channel sealing, such that the ratio of the depth and the distance is within the interval 0.05-0.8.

An absorbent article including an absorbent core sandwiched between a liquid-permeable topsheet and a liquid-impermeable backsheet, the article defining a front portion, a back portion and a crotch portion, wherein the absorbent core includes an absorbent component enclosed by a core cover including an upper side and a lower side, and a sealing arrangement for joining the upper and lower sides, wherein the sealing arrangement includes two side seams extending along two side edges in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the core, wherein the sealing arrangement further includes at least one transversally oriented connecting sealing, the at least one connecting sealing joining the side seams, wherein the sealing arrangement further includes welding spots, wherein the sum of the area of the welding spots is constant along a direction of a transversal axis of the core.

A nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric can include a first surface and a second surface and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on one of the first or second surface. Each of the three-dimensional features can define a microzone comprising a first region and a second region. The first and second regions can have a difference in values for an intensive property, wherein the intensive property is one or more of thickness, basis weight, or volumetric density, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value different than a TS7 value of the second surface.