A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 75 gsm, and a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers. The fluid management layer has a compression distance of at least 0.60 mm

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article provides improved fluid acquisition, improved stain size control, and improved performance when wet.

A fluid management layer having an integrated, carded nonwoven is described. The fluid management layer has a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 75 gsm; a plurality of absorbent fibers; a plurality of stiffening fibers; and a plurality of resilient fibers. The fluid management layer has a caliper factor of at least about 0.13.

A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core is disclosed. The fluid management layer is an integrated, carded, nonwoven disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The absorbent article exhibits an average stain size of less than about 2400 mm{circumflex over ()}2, when measured in accordance with the Stain Size test method.

An enzyme-degradable system for undergarments and feminine hygiene articles works to decompose the undergarments and feminine hygiene articles upon being triggered by bodily fluids, such as urine. The undergarment or feminine hygiene article comprises an absorbent core, an inner sheet of biodegradable material, and an outer sheet of biodegradable material. The core includes at least one of the following: a cellulose material, a wood pulp, a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources (polylactic acid plasticPLA), and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP). The inner and outer sheets comprise a plant based cellulosic nonwoven material. The cellulase enzyme decomposes the absorbent core, the inner sheet, and the outer sheet upon contact with a bodily fluid. The cellulase enzyme may include DIS-1018 Cellulose-AN, a pH buffer, and additives. Fasteners made from a resilient, biodegradable material help secure the undergarments and feminine hygiene articles to the body.

A fluid management layer having a basis weight of between about 40 grams per square meter (gsm) and about 120 gsm is described. The fluid management layer has a plurality of absorbent fibers, a plurality of stiffening fibers and a plurality of resilient fibers, wherein the absorbent fibers are present at about 20 percent to about 75 percent by weight, and wherein the integrated, carded, staple fiber, nonwoven has a first side and a second side, and wherein there is a higher number of absorbent fibers on the first side or second side versus the other.

An absorbent structure comprising a single stratum exhibiting a Capillarity Work Potential greater than the Capillarity Work Potential trade-off Boundary.

The present invention relates to a nonwoven acquisition distribution layer comprising: a) layered carded webs wherein the first layer comprises a carded web with high denier fibers wherein the denier is greater than about 5 d and a second layer comprising a carded web with low denier fibers wherein the denier is less than about 5 d and is positioned just below and in direct contact with the first layer; and b) a deflection layer comprising a fibrous nonwoven web wherein the fibrous nonwoven web has at least one component comprising meltblown, said meltblown having a basis weight of from about 15 gsm to about 50 gsm and having an air permeability of from about 45 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2 to about 350 ft.sup.3/min/ft.sup.2; and wherein the deflection layer is positioned just below and in direct contact with said second layer of said layered carded web.

A process and apparatus is used for making a fibrous nonwoven web with uniform, directionally-oriented projections by depositing fibrous material onto a first forming surface with holes positioned above a second forming surface with both forming surfaces traveling at different speeds to one another. As the fibers are deposited onto the first forming surface, a portion of the fibers are drawn down into the holes of the first forming surface forming the projections which contact the second forming surface. Due to the speed differential between the two forming surfaces the projections are uniformly skewed in the same direction. The resultant material is particularly suited for use as a wiping material which can be more abrasive in one direction but which is softer to the touch when wiped in the opposite direction thus making it a dual purpose material.

The present invention relates absorbent article having a wearer facing surface and a garment facing surface, the absorbent article comprising: a topsheet, a backsheet, and a layer of absorbent material disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein the topsheet comprises a first layer comprising cellulose-based fibers, the first layer comprising a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a plurality of apertures having side walls, wherein the first surface of the first layer forms at least part of the wearer facing surface; wherein the first surface of the first layer comprises at least one non-aperture area having a first non-aperture area contact angle as measured by Contact Angle Test; and wherein each of majority of the apertures has a side wall having an aperture contact angle as measured by Contact Angle Test, the aperture contact angle being higher than the first non-aperture area contact angle.