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.

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.

The present invention relates to a unitary absorbent structure and method thereof wherein said unitary absorbent structure comprises an absorbent core (5) and/or an acquisition (2) and dispersion (3) layer, said absorbent core (5) and/or an acquisition (2) and dispersion (3) layer comprising at least one non-woven fibrous substrate layer (23) having a void volume suitable to be penetrated by super absorbent particles, characterized in that said super absorbent particles are dispersed in the substrate layer (23) according to a size distribution gradient along the depth direction or z-direction of said absorbent core (5) and/or acquisition (2) and dispersion (3) layers.

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article comprising a liquid management system (LMS) and an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate a topsheet and a backsheet. The LMS defines one or more channels therein. The one or more channels of the LMS may at least partially overlap or not overlap with channels defined in the absorbent core.

An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete zones that are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The continuous network region comprises a first average density and the plurality of discrete zones comprise a second average density. The discrete zones are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The first average density and the second average density are different.

A hygienic article structured to inhibit soiling of clothing from intermittent or sporadic leakage of urine from a penis over time is provided. The hygienic article provides secure and dynamically variable fit, unobtrusive appearance, and airflow to the skin. The hygienic article according to this disclosure may be as little as one eighth of the surface area of conventional male incontinence guard or shield products, and as little as one quarter of the size of other male incontinence guard products used only over a penis.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for relofting nonwoven substrates. During the relofting process, a substrate is directed to advance in a first direction such that a length of the substrate is in a facing relationship with a radiation source. The advancing substrate is relofted by irradiating the length of the substrate with infrared radiation from the infrared radiation source. The substrate comprises a first caliper upstream of the radiation source and the substrate comprises a second caliper downstream of the radiation source greater than the first caliper. The substrate may also be redirected around an axis to advance the substrate in a second direction, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction. The axis may be selectively movable between a first position and a second position to selectively subject the substrate to infrared radiation and remove the substrate from the infrared radiation.

An expandable absorbent structure comprises an expansion loop core configured to expand in response to absorption of a liquid and an expansion loop material structure surrounding the expansion loop core and having a trough therein, wherein the trough is formed from a first portion of the expansion loop material structure folded over a second portion of the expansion loop material structure at a first elbow of the expansion loop material structure. In response to an increase in size of the expansion loop core, the expansion loop core presses against the expansion loop material structure to cause a length of the trough to decrease.

A fluid distribution material for use in an absorbent article includes a formed film layer having a user-facing side and a garment-facing side opposite the user-facing side. The formed film layer includes a plurality of apertured protuberances arranged in a pattern having 10 to 40 protuberances per linear inch. Each of the protuberances includes a continuous sidewall extending from the user-facing side. The garment-facing side has a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of apertured protuberances and land areas in between the apertures. A nonwoven layer is laminated to the garment-facing side of the formed film layer. The nonwoven layer includes a plurality of continuous fibers extending across the land areas and the plurality of apertures of the formed film layer and attached to the land areas at bond sites. The fluid distribution material has a compressibility of less than 10% between pressures of 0.21 psi and 0.60 psi.