A method for making an apertured polymeric film web is disclosed herein. The polymeric film web may be utilized as a topsheet in an absorbent article and can provide fluid handling and softness benefits.

A method for making an apertured polymeric film web, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a polymeric film web; b. providing a first process selected from the group consisting of, hydroforming, vacuum forming, needle punching, mechanical embossing, flocking, ultrasonics, printed hair, brushing, and combinations thereof; c. providing a second process, different from the first process, the second process selected from the group consisting of, hydroforming, vacuum forming, needle punching, mechanical embossing, ultrasonics, stretch rupturing, hydrocutting, hydrosonics, slitting, ring-rolling, and combinations thereof; d. forming three dimensional surface structures in the polymeric film web by the first process; and e. forming fluid transport apertures in the polymeric film web by the second process.

A method for making an apertured polymeric film web, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a polymeric film web; b. providing a first process selected from the group consisting of, hydroforming, vacuum forming, needle punching, mechanical embossing, flocking, ultrasonics, printed hair, brushing, and combinations thereof; c. providing a second process, different from the first process, the second process selected from the group consisting of, hydroforming, vacuum forming, needle punching, mechanical embossing, ultrasonics, stretch rupturing, hydrocutting, hydrosonics, slitting, ring-rolling, and combinations thereof; d. forming three dimensional surface structures in the polymeric film web by the first process; and e. forming fluid transport apertures in the polymeric film web by the second process.

An absorbent article having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent layer enveloped therebetween is disclosed. The topsheet comprises a fibrous nonwoven material and has an upper topsheet surface and a lower topsheet surface. The lower topsheet surface exhibits a lower topsheet surface Sdc less than 0.350 mm, and the upper topsheet surface exhibits an upper topsheet surface Sdc that is greater than the lower topsheet surface Sdc. Additionally, or alternatively, the lower topsheet surface exhibits a lower topsheet surface Sdr % less than 0.80; and the upper topsheet surface exhibits an upper topsheet surface Sdr % that is greater than the lower topsheet surface Sdr %. The absorbent layer comprises a layer of open-cell foam having an upper foam surface that is in direct facing contact with the lower topsheet surface.

A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.

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.