A method of manufacturing an activated composite web includes laminating a film layer to a nonwoven web to form a composite web, forming a plurality of apertured protuberances in the film layer, and passing the composite web through intermeshing elements to form an activated composite web. The intermeshing elements form a plurality of first lanes, with first widths, substantially unaffected by activation, and a plurality of second lanes, with second widths. The second widths are less than the first widths. Portions of the plurality of apertured protuberances define first apertures in the first lanes and second apertures in the second lanes. The cross-sections of the second apertures are larger than the first apertures. The first apertures have their major axes substantially aligned in the first direction while the second apertures have their major axis substantially aligned in the second direction. An activated composite web also is provided.

A nonwoven fabric is provided. 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 at least one of the surfaces has a TS7 value of less than about 15 dB V.sup.2 rms, and wherein the first surface has a TS7 value that is higher than the second surface TS7 value.

A disposable absorbent article having a facing layer joined to a backsheet and an absorbent core disposed between the facing layer and the backsheet, is described herein. The facing layer is a composite material having a plurality of apertures extending through the facing layer.

A nonwoven fabric, comprising thermoplastic fibers, a first surface side and a second surface side which is a surface side opposite to the first surface side, wherein the nonwoven fabric has outer surface fiber layers on the first surface side and the second surface side in which fibers are oriented in plane direction; and a plurality of connecting portions arranged between the outer surface fiber layer on the first surface side and the outer surface fiber layer on the second surface side, in which fibers are oriented in thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric; and part of the fibers is fused to each other between the outer surface fiber layer on the first surface side, the outer surface fiber layer on the second surface side, and the connecting portions.

Absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core, said absorbent core having: a first and second longitudinal edge and a first and second transverse edge; a longitudinal center line dividing the absorbent core in a first and second longitudinal portion; and a transverse crotch line dividing the absorbent core in a front and a rear portion; wherein the absorbent core is provided with at least a first and second elongate attachment zone extending in the direction of the first and/or second transverse edge; said first elongate attachment zone crossing said longitudinal center line in at least a first crossing point; and said second elongate attachment zone crossing said longitudinal center line in at least a second crossing point; wherein said first and second crossing point may be the same point or a different point, and may be located in said front portion and/or in said rear portion.

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 disposable absorbent article having a longitudinally channeled absorbent core structure is disclosed.

Provided is an absorbent article in which the shape of projections formed in a predetermined region of a topsheet can be maintained. In this absorbent article: a nonwoven fabric that has a skin-side surface having projections formed thereon is used as a topsheet; and an absorbent body has formed therein a through hole that penetrates the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

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, and wherein in at least one of the microzones, the first region is hydrophobic and the second region is hydrophilic.

As absorbent article for absorbing urine includes a topsheet which is a nonwoven fabric that has a skin-side surface having projections formed thereon. The content by percentage of fibers oriented in the thickness direction in each projection of the nonwoven fabric is greater than the content by percentage of fibers oriented in the thickness direction in sections of the nonwoven fabric other than the projections. The thickness of the nonwoven fabric when wet is greater than or equal to 85% the thickness of the nonwoven fabric when dry. The nonwoven fabric includes a first fiber layer and a second fiber layer. The first fiber layer is constituted by durable hydrophilic fibers, and the second fiber layer is constituted by durable hydrophilic fibers and non-durable hydrophilic fibers.