The presently disclosed subject matter relates to multi-layer nonwoven materials and their use in absorbent articles. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to layered structures that have high absorbency performance while having less absorbent mass than other commercially available materials.

A sheet-like absorber including: a channel portion that is formed over an entire length of one sheet face; a first absorption layer that forms another sheet face; and plural second absorption layers that form the one sheet face, wherein, where the first absorption layer and the second absorption layers are each fiber layers formed of heat-fusible fibers and have an absorbent polymer incorporated inside the fiber layers, a content of the absorbent polymer per unit area in the second absorption layers is greater than a content of the absorbent polymer per unit area in the first absorption layer, and a more durable hydrophilicity for maintaining hydrophilicity of the fibers is imparted to fibers that form portions of the second absorption layers on an opposite side from a first absorption layer side than to fibers that form portions of the second absorption layers on the first absorption layer side.

An absorbent article which can have an improved vertical absorption capability in the depth direction of the absorbent article. The absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent system positioned between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. The absorbent system can have at least a fluid intake layer and an absorbent core. The fluid intake layer can provide the absorbent article with a raised portion which can improve the vertical absorption capability in the depth direction of the absorbent article.

An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.

An absorbent article such as a diaper comprising an acquisition layer with one or more longitudinally-extending stretch openings is provided. The stretch openings may be obtained by slitting and stretching an acquisition layer material. The topsheet forms recesses at the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article as it folds inside the stretch openings. The stretch openings may provide a three dimensional profile on the wearer-facing side of the absorbent article in a simple and cost effective manner.

A forming apparatus for forming a plurality of apertures in a nonwoven substrate is provided. The apparatus includes intermeshing members having a first and second member. The first member includes a body portion and a plurality of conical-shaped pins. The plurality of conical-shaped pins each have a first section having a first wall extending from a base portion to a distal portion, at least a portion of the first wall disposed at a first angle greater than 17.5 degrees relative to a central axis. The plurality of conical-shaped pins each have a second section having a second wall extending from a base portion, the base portion extending from the first member body portion, at least a portion of the second wall disposed at a second angle relative to the central axis of each conical-shaped pin, the second angle being different than the first angle and less than 20 degrees.

An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.

An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable, apertured topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition material disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisition material has a caliper in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, according to the Caliper Test, and an Air Permeability in the range of about 5,000 l/m.sup.2/s to about 11,000 l/m.sup.2/s, according to the Air Permeability Test. The acquisition material has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional features extending outwardly from the first surface or the second surface.

An absorbent article, the absorbent article being a personal hygiene article, comprising a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a fluid flow control member arranged between the top sheet and the backsheet, said fluid flow control member being of a nonwoven material comprising a three dimensional network of fibres, said fibres having a thickness of 200-700 μm, said nonwoven material having a strain of max 50% at 5 kPa.

An absorbent article having a front side, a back side, a longitudinal axis notionally extending in a longitudinal direction from the middle of the front side to the middle of the back side. The absorbent article has a length L measured along the longitudinal axis. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet on the wearer-facing side, a liquid impermeable backsheet on the garment-facing side, an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition layer comprising two or more discrete longitudinally-orientated stripes of an acquisition material between the topsheet and the absorbent core. The topsheet forms recesses at the surface of the absorbent article in the gaps between the stripes.