An absorbent article includes a topsheet layer, backsheet layer, and a subjacent layer between the topsheet layer and backsheet layer. A compressible fluid management layer is positioned between the topsheet layer and subjacent layer. The compressible fluid management layer has an inner edge that defines an annular opening, with the annular opening extending entirely through the compressible fluid management layer. The compressible fluid management layer includes a dimension which is smaller than a dimension of the subjacent layer. The absorbent article further includes a first embossed feature positioned at least at portions, within the annular opening, and adjacent to the compressible fluid management layer inner edge, shaped to conform to the shape of the inner edge. The first embossed feature is positioned within the topsheet layer and the subjacent layer. The article also includes a second embossed feature positioned lateral to compressible fluid management layer peripheral edges.

An absorbent article (1) includes a liquid permeable intermediate sheet (5) arranged between a topsheet (2) and an absorbent member (4). A non-skin-facing surface of the intermediate sheet (5) has a plurality of contact portions (54S) that are in contact with the absorbent member (4) adjacent to the intermediate sheet, and a non-contact portion (54N) that is not in contact with the absorbent member (4). When the intermediate sheet (5) is pressed from the absorbent member (4) side in a thickness direction at a pressure of 30 gf/cm.sup.2, a proportion of a total area of contact faces on which the plurality of contact portions (54S) located on a pressed face that has been pressed are in contact with the absorbent member (4), with respect to the pressed face, is 80% or less.

An absorbent article is provided with microencapsulated phase change material (microPCM) particles that are embedded in and/or coated onto a layer of the absorbent article that includes a resilient sheet of an open-cell foam. The foam layer is disposed such that it is in contact with or is in proximity to the user. The microPCM particles absorb heat generated during use of the absorbent article to reduce the contact temperature on the inside of the absorbent article and improve the comfort of the user. To maximize comfort, the phase change temperature of the microPCM particles may be an average normal body temperature.

An absorbent product includes a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core enclosed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent core includes an absorbent fibrous layer and a liquid inlet foam layer and the absorbent core includes a transversally central liquid inlet region extending in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent core. Within the liquid inlet region, the liquid inlet foam layer is covered by a plurality of inlet openings and has a transversal width, which is equal to, or up to 9 mm smaller than, the minimum transversal width of the absorbent fibrous layer. The liquid inlet foam layer also has side edge regions arranged in front and rear portions of the absorbent core transversally outside of the liquid inlet region, and within which the liquid inlet foam layer is free from liquid inlet openings.

A method of manufacturing an activated composite web includes laminating a film layer to a nonwoven web to form a composite web, forming a plurality of apertured protuberances in the film layer, and passing the composite web through intermeshing elements to form an activated composite web. The intermeshing elements form a plurality of first lanes, with first widths, substantially unaffected by activation, and a plurality of second lanes, with second widths. The second widths are less than the first widths. Portions of the plurality of apertured protuberances define first apertures in the first lanes and second apertures in the second lanes. The cross-sections of the second apertures are larger than the first apertures. The first apertures have their major axes substantially aligned in the first direction while the second apertures have their major axis substantially aligned in the second direction. An activated composite web also is provided.

An absorbent article includes a liquid-permeable nonwoven topsheet having a bulk greater than or equal to 10 cm.sup.3/g, a backsheet, and one or more absorbent laminates disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. Each of the laminate(s) can comprise one or more substrate laminae, each comprising a nonwoven or tissue, and one or more absorbent laminae, each comprising SAP particles.

An absorbent article comprising a liquid permeable nonwoven topsheet, a nonwoven second material that is a separate material from the topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned intermediate the second material and the backsheet. The second material is positioned intermediate the topsheet and absorbent core and is generally planar. The topsheet comprises a plurality of recesses and raised areas, and voids are defined in the raised areas under the topsheet. A first aperture is formed in a substantially central location of the raised areas. The recesses each form a base positioned most distal from the substantially central locations of the raised areas. A second aperture is formed in the bases of the recesses. The first aperture extends through the topsheet, and the second aperture extends through the topsheet and at least partially through the second material.

Provided is an absorbent article in which the shape of projections formed in a predetermined region of a topsheet can be maintained. In this absorbent article: a nonwoven fabric that has a skin-side surface having projections formed thereon is used as a topsheet; and an absorbent body has formed therein a through hole that penetrates the absorbent body in the thickness direction.

Absorbent articles comprising odor control compositions that are not visible from the outside of the article due to placement on or next to the absorbent core wrap.

A carded nonwoven fibrous web and method of making is provided. The web comprises at least 50%, by weight of the fibrous web, of staple fibers and at least 10%, by weight of the fibrous web, of non-fibrous latex binder, wherein, the staple fibers are autogenously bonded to each other and are bonded to each other by the latex binder.