A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described herein. The topsheet includes an array of apertures and a first array of structures which are disposed adjacent the array of apertures. A first plurality of the array of apertures is disposed generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of apertures has a first Absolute Feret angle, and a third plurality of apertures has a second Absolute Feret angle. The first Absolute Feret angle is different than the second Absolute Feret angle.

A method of processing a polymeric web includes providing a forming screen configured for supporting and moving with the web in a machine direction. The forming screen has a plurality of elliptical screen openings, each having a major axis perpendicular to the machine direction and a minor axis parallel to the machine direction. The method includes continuously depositing the web onto the forming screen and passing the web and forming screen through a water stream having a pressure level sufficient to cause the web to be forced into the screen openings, thereby forming protrusions extending from the planar surface of the web. Each protrusion has an apex, an opening at the apex, and an elliptical cross-section parallel to the planar surface of the web. The elliptical cross-section has a protrusion axis ratio that may be selected so as to produce a desired protrusion axis ratio.

The present disclosure relates to a nonwoven substrate comprising a plurality of apertures that form a pattern and define a plurality of discrete non-aperture zones. Each of the plurality of discrete non-aperture zones has a periphery formed by a continuous line of apertures, with adjacent apertures being spaced apart by an edge-to-edge distance of no more than 3 mm, while each of the plurality of discrete non-aperture zones is substantially free of apertures within the periphery. Particularly, the area ratio of such plurality of discrete non-aperture zones over the nonwoven substrate ranges from 60% to 90%, and at least some of said plurality of discrete non-aperture zones have an area of 100 mm.sup.2 or more.

A patterned apertured web is disclosed. The patterned apertured web includes a plurality of land areas in the patterned apertured web and a plurality of apertures defined in the patterned apertured web. At least some land areas of the plurality of land areas surround at least some apertures of the plurality of apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 3% to about 30%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions in a value of an average intensive property. The one or more first regions comprise a first line, a second line, and a third line extending at least partially intermediate the first line and the second line. The first line and the second line extend in substantially the same direction. The third line extends in a direction transverse to the first line and the second line.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described herein. The topsheet includes an array of apertures and a first array of structures which are disposed adjacent the array of apertures. A first plurality of the array of apertures is disposed generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of apertures has a first Absolute Feret angle, and a third plurality of apertures has a second Absolute Feret angle. The first Absolute Feret angle is different than the second Absolute Feret angle.

A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate includes a first layer including a hydrophobic material and a second layer including a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate includes a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 m to about 6000 m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

A nonwoven web for an absorbent article is provided. The nonwoven web includes a first surface and a second surface. The nonwoven web includes a repeat unit comprising a visually discernible pattern of three-dimensional features on the first surface or the second surface. The three-dimensional features comprise one or more first regions and a plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions are different than the plurality of second regions. The one or more first regions comprise a plurality of substantially linear segments. A first group of the plurality of substantially linear segments intersects with a second group of the plurality of substantially linear segments at angles of intersection. The angles of intersection are in the range of about 70 degrees to about 110 degrees.

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described. The topsheet includes a plurality of apertures arranged in a first zone and a first plurality of structures which are disposed adjacent to the first plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures have an Effective Aperture Area of from between 0.5 mm.sup.2 to about 8 mm.sup.2 as measured by the Aperture/Feret Angle test as described herein, and the topsheet has a top layer and a lower layer, wherein the top layer is more hydrophobic than the lower layer.