A nonwoven web for use in an absorbent article is described. The nonwoven web has first and second nonwoven layers. The first nonwoven layer has a first plurality of fibers, an additive disposed, at least in part, on a portion of the first plurality of fibers, a first side and an opposing second side, wherein second side has a plurality of discontinuities. The second nonwoven layer has a second plurality of fibers, a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a plurality of tufts extending through at least a portion of the discontinuities in the first nonwoven layer, wherein the second nonwoven layer is attached to the first nonwoven layer such that at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers are in liquid communication with the first nonwoven layer, wherein the first nonwoven layer is hydrophobic and the second nonwoven layer is hydrophilic.

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.

Methods for making an apertured polymeric film web or a composite structure web are disclosed. These webs may be utilized as a topsheet in an absorbent article and can provide fluid handling and softness benefits.

A breast pad for receiving fluid leaked from a subject's breast includes an inner layer disposed for contacting the subject's breast. The inner layer has an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. The inner layer includes wicking material for wicking fluid from the inner surface to the outer surface away from the subject's breast. An intermediate layer is disposed over the outer surface of the inner layer. The intermediate layer includes an absorbent material for absorbing the fluid wicked from the subject's breast by the wicking material of the inner layer. An outer layer is disposed over the intermediate layer. The outer layer includes a liquid-impermeable material for trapping the fluid absorbed by the intermediate layer within the breast pad.

A fluid distribution material for use in an absorbent article includes a formed film layer, with a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 25 gsm, a user-facing side, and a garment-facing side. The formed film layer includes a plurality of apertured protuberances, numbering 10 to 40 per linear inch. The garment-facing side has a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of apertured protuberances, with land areas therebetween. A nonwoven layer, with a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 15 gsm, is laminated to the garment-facing side of the formed film layer. The nonwoven layer includes a plurality of fibers adjacent the land areas. Fibers adjacent the land areas are gathered a higher density than fibers located adjacent the plurality of apertures. The fluid distribution material has a compressibility of less than 10% between pressures of 0.21 psi and 0.60 psi.

A fluid distribution material for use in an absorbent article includes a formed film layer, with a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 25 gsm, a user-facing side, and a garment-facing side. The formed film layer includes a plurality of apertured protuberances, numbering 10 to 40 per linear inch. The garment-facing side has a plurality of apertures aligned with the plurality of apertured protuberances, with land areas therebetween. A nonwoven layer, with a basis weight of between about 10 gsm and about 15 gsm, is laminated to the garment-facing side of the formed film layer. The nonwoven layer includes a plurality of fibers adjacent the land areas. Fibers adjacent the land areas are gathered a higher density than fibers located adjacent the plurality of apertures. The fluid distribution material has a compressibility of less than 10% between pressures of 0.21 psi and 0.60 psi.

An absorbent article having a nonwoven topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core is disclosed. The fluid management layer is an integrated nonwoven material having a basis weight in a range of from 40 gsm to 75 gsm and has 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of absorbent fibers, from between about 15 percent to about 70 percent of resilient fibers, and from between about 25 percent to about 70 percent stiffening fibers. The absorbent article exhibits a third dose acquisition time of less than 10 seconds, more preferably less than 8 seconds, and most preferably less than 7 seconds, and a Rewet of no greater than 0.40 g, more preferably less than about 0.3 grams, or most preferably less than about 0.2 grams.

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to webs or topsheets for absorbent articles and methods of making the same. The webs and topsheets include bicomponent fibers having a first component and a second component, wherein the first component has a different hydrophilicity than the second component. The webs and topsheets include a continuous land area and discrete zones of modified surface energy. One of the first and second components forms an outer surface of the fibers in the continuous land area and the other of the components at least partially forms an outer surface of the fibers in the discrete zones of modified surface energy such that the discrete zones of modified surface energy have a different hydrophilicity than the continuous land area.

A feminine hygiene pad is disclosed. The disclosed pad has a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, and has a topsheet including a nonwoven web, a backsheet, and an absorbent structure between the topsheet and the backsheet. The nonwoven web includes at least a first arrangement of first apertures having a first average size, and a second arrangement of second apertures having a second average size. The first average size is greater than the second average size. The first arrangement occupies a rectangular central region centered about the longitudinal axis and straddling the lateral axis. The first average size is 0.4 mm.sup.2 to 0.6 mm.sup.2; and the central region has an Average Percent Open Area of 1 to 12 percent. The second arrangement occupies one or more regions laterally and/or longitudinally outboard of the central region, and the second average size is 0.05 mm.sup.2 to 0.2 mm.sup.2.

An absorbent article having a nonwoven topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed therebetween, and a fluid management layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core is disclosed. The fluid management layer is an integrated nonwoven material having a basis weight in a range of from 40 gsm to 75 gsm and has 10 percent to about 60 percent by weight of absorbent fibers, from between about 15 percent to about 70 percent of resilient fibers, and from between about 25 percent to about 70 percent stiffening fibers. The absorbent article exhibits a third dose acquisition time of less than 10 seconds, more preferably less than 8 seconds, and most preferably less than 7 seconds, and a Rewet of no greater than 0.40 g, more preferably less than about 0.3 grams, or most preferably less than about 0.2 grams.