A sanitary napkin includes: a substrate having a base layer and an absorbent body mounted on the base layer, and defining a longitudinal direction (X) and a width direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X); and at least one absorbing unit including a plurality of connecting portions connected to the absorbent body and spaced apart among one another in the longitudinal direction (X), an absorbing portion extending in the longitudinal direction (X) and connected to the connecting portions, and a plurality of cotton fluffs disposed on the absorbing portion. The absorbent body, the connecting portions and the absorbing portion cooperatively define a plurality of aerated channels extending in the width direction (Y).

Provided is an absorbent body for body fluid-absorbing articles, that is both soft and strong. The absorbent body for body fluid-absorbing articles: includes 100 parts by mass cellulose-based water-absorbent fibers and 7.5-100 parts by mass thermoplastic resin fibers; and has an apparent density of 0.06-0.14 g/cm.sup.3. The thermoplastic resin fibers having a fiber length longer than the cellulose-based water-absorbent fibers are twisted together. The absorbent body has compressed sections arranged in a repeated pattern. The compressed sections are characterized by having a Gurley bending resistance of no more than 1 mN as a result of not being fused.

A fluid management layer including a nonwoven having a basis weight of from about 40 gsm to about 85 gsm. The nonwoven includes from about 15 to about 35 weight percent of cellulosic fibers, from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of bonding fibers, and from about 40 to about 60 weight percent of divider fibers. The fluid management layer has a caliper factor of from about 0.26 to about 0.40, and each of the cellulosic fibers and the bonding fibers have a decitex no greater than about 2.

Absorbent cores comprising a layered structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent body may comprise a top layer comprising a liquid permeable web material, a bottom layer comprising a web material, and a reinforcement layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. The absorbent body may further comprise a first absorbent layer disposed between the reinforcement layer and the bottom layer, the first absorbent layer comprising absorbent material which comprises substantially only superabsorbent material and a second absorbent layer disposed between the top layer and the reinforcement layer, the second absorbent layer comprising absorbent material which comprises absorbent material. The body may also comprise adhesive disposed between the top layer and the second absorbent layer, between the second absorbent layer and the reinforcement layer, and between the first absorbent layer and the bottom layer.

Absorbent article (20) for personal hygiene such as diaper comprising an absorbent core (28) having two lateral absorbent zones (61, 63) disposed between respectively between a first and second longitudinally-extending channels (26a, 26b) and a first and second longitudinal edges (604, 606) of an absorbent layer (60). The lateral absorbent zones are profiled in the transversal direction, so that the basis weight of the absorbent material is higher towards the respective channel than towards the respective longitudinal side edge.

Absorbent cores comprising a layered structure and methods of manufacture are disclosed. An absorbent article can include a layered absorbent structure having top and bottom layers enclosing a reinforcement layer. The body can have a first absorbent layer between the reinforcement layer and the bottom layer, a second absorbent layer between the top layer and the reinforcement layer, and a third absorbent layer disposed between the top layer and the second absorbent layer with the third absorbent layer comprising fibrous absorbent material. The first and second absorbent layers can include superabsorbent material, and superabsorbent material can be embedded within the reinforcing layer. Adhesive can be disposed between the top layer and the third absorbent layer, between the second absorbent layer and the reinforcement layer, and between the first absorbent layer and the bottom layer.