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.

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a first fluid handling zone having a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance and a second fluid handling zone having a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. The first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least about 50% greater than said second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, which results in an absorbent article that is better able to handle bodily fluids and reduce the risk of accidental leakage of bodily fluids onto a consumer's undergarments.

A forming belt for use in making a nonwoven substrate. The forming belt includes a first surface defining a plane of the first surface and an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction corresponding to a machine direction when in use. A plurality of discrete belt patterns can be ordered in sequential relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. At least a majority of the plurality of discrete belt patterns can include a discrete belt pattern overall area, a first forming zone having a first pattern of three-dimensional raised elements extending outwardly from the plane of the first surface and a second forming zone having a second pattern of three-dimensional raised elements extending outwardly from the plane of the first surface. The first forming zone can have a first air permeability value and the second forming zone can have a second air permeability value. The first air permeability value can be different from the second air permeability value.

A multi-component topsheet for an absorbent article includes a first discrete substrate, a second discrete substrate, and a third discrete substrate, wherein the second discrete substrate is disposed at least partially intermediate the first discrete substrate and the third discrete substrate, wherein the second discrete substrate is joined to the first discrete substrate and the third discrete substrate, wherein the topsheet has a single layer of substrate in about 80% or more of the total area of the topsheet and a dual layer of substrate in about 20% or less of the total area of the topsheet.

An absorbent article which can have an improved feeling of comfort next to the skin of the wearer and a reduction in the feelings of wetness and rewet. An absorbent article can have a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a depth direction. The absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The topsheet layer can have a hydrophilic central layer, a semi-hydrophilic first side layer, and a semi-hydrophilic second side layer. Each of the semi-hydrophilic side layers can be bonded to the central layer utilizing an embossing technique in the regions of overlap of each of the semi-hydrophilic side layers with the central layer. The area of the body-facing surface of each of the regions of overlap can contain from about 10% to about 35% of at least one embossment.

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene articles, in particular to a means for reducing soiling of the skin of a wearer upon defecation. In particular, it relates to a hygiene article comprising a skin protection sheet that comprises a discontinuity as a faeces passageway, such as an opening or a slit. In use, the sheet and the discontinuity are urged towards the anus by a pull means and spread open by a spreading means, such that faeces can pass through the discontinuity but are separated from the skin of the wearer elsewhere. The pull means of the article is adapted to be connected to a suspender system that allows pulling of the pull means independently from the fixation of the article on the wearer, such that the disposable article and the suspender system represent an improved combined system or kit.

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.

Disclosed herein are textured nonwoven webs suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles. The textured nonwoven webs have a generally planar first region and a plurality of integrally formed discrete second regions. The textured nonwoven webs also have at least one composition disposed on at least one of the first region or the plurality of discrete second regions.

A forming belt for use in making a nonwoven substrate. The forming belt includes a first surface defining a plane of the first surface and an axis parallel to a longitudinal direction corresponding to a machine direction when in use. A plurality of discrete belt patterns can be ordered in sequential relationship with respect to the longitudinal direction. At least a majority of the plurality of discrete belt patterns can include a discrete belt pattern overall area, a first forming zone having a first pattern of three-dimensional raised elements extending outwardly from the plane of the first surface and a second forming zone having a second pattern of three-dimensional raised elements extending outwardly from the plane of the first surface. The first forming zone can have a first air permeability value and the second forming zone can have a second air permeability value. The first air permeability value can be different from the second air permeability value.

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a first fluid handling zone having a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance and a second fluid handling zone having a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. The first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least about 50% greater than said second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, which results in an absorbent article that is better able to handle bodily fluids and reduce the risk of accidental leakage of bodily fluids onto a consumer's undergarments.