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.

A through-air thermally bonded 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 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.

The present invention relates to an absorbent core (1) for an absorbent article, comprising absorbent material and a continuous channel (4) substantially free of said absorbent material. Said channel (4) comprises at least (i) one longitudinally extending central section (41) coincident with the longitudinal center line (LCL), (ii) four longitudinally extending lateral sections (42), (iii) four diagonally extending diagonal sections (43), and (iv) one transversally extending ending section (44, 44′). A continuous channel made of at least these essential channel sections provides fast absorption, good liquid distribution throughout the entire core, improved fit and comfort and minimizes the risk of leakage.

A waste collection device to connect to an interior of an undergarment, the waste collection device including a top layer, including an absorbent surface to absorb at least one liquid thereon, a plurality of reservoirs disposed within at least a portion of the absorbent surface to collect the at least one liquid therein, and a collection channel longitudinally disposed along at least a portion of the absorbent surface to collect at least one fecal matter therein, and a bottom layer removably connected to at least a portion of the top layer to prevent movement of at least one of the at least one liquid and the at least one fecal matter therethrough.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, said method comprising guiding a first sheet material along a rotating member, wherein a surface of said rotating member is provided with a pattern with at least one suction zone and at least one non-suction zone; applying an absorbent material on said first sheet material on the rotating member; locally removing the absorbent material applied on at least one attachment portion of the first sheet material located above the at least one non-suction zone, such that at least one remaining portion of the first sheet material located above the at least one suction zone is covered with absorbent material and substantially no absorbent material is present on the at least one attachment portion; applying a second sheet material on top of the absorbent material on the first sheet material.

An absorbent article includes: a liquid-impermeable outer surface sheet; an absorber; and a liquid-permeable inner surface sheet. These are laminated in the order named. The absorbent article has a longitudinal direction that corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the body of the user of the absorbent article, and a width direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The absorbent article has a middle area that includes a body fluid discharging orifice facing area facing a body fluid discharging orifice in the body of the person, a front area that is joined to a front portion of the middle area, and a rear area that is joined to a rear portion of the middle area. A chemical-carrying portion is formed in at least one of the front area and the rear area of the absorbent article, the chemical-carrying portion being where a chemical is applied to a surface that is separate from an exposed surface of the absorbent article. A compressed portion is provided at a distance from the chemical-carrying portion, on a straight line that connects the center of the body fluid discharging orifice facing area and the chemical-carrying portion.

A through-air thermally bonded 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 through-air thermally bonded 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.

An absorbent has longitudinal and lateral centerlines, first, second, and target regions, the target region being disposed between the first second regions. Each of the first, second target regions extend laterally across the disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article also has a topsheet; a backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and absorbent core; and a target zone disposed in the target region. The target zone has a first plurality of conforming features in at least the absorbent core or a combination of the absorbent core and at least one of the topsheet or fluid management layer. The absorbent article also has a long fiber network.