Abstract: Absorbent members and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the absorbent member is a unitary absorbent fibrous web having a density profile through its thickness. In one embodiment, the density profile is relatively centered through the thickness of the web and the maximum density of the web is located between about 35% and about 65% of the distance through the thickness of the web. In one embodiment, the method involves subjecting a precursor web to at least one cycle (or pass) through a mechanical deformation process. Typically, the method involves subjecting the precursor web to multiples cycles (or passes) through a mechanical deformation process.

Abstract: Methods of mechanically deforming a material are disclosed. The methods of mechanically deforming a material involve using forming members that are moving at different surface speeds relative to each other to form deformed web materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles comprising a structured fibrous web, the structured fibrous web comprising thermally stable, hydrophilic fibers that are thermally bonded together using heat producing a base substrate that is thermally stable. The base substrate is textured via mechanical treatment to increase its thickness and optionally modified via over bonding to improve its mechanical and fluid handling properties. The structured fibrous web provides optimal fluid wicking and fluid acquisition capabilities and is directed toward fluid management applications.

Abstract: A patterned apertured web comprises a layer comprising a plurality of apertures and a plurality of land areas. The plurality of apertures comprise a first set of apertures in a first zone and a second set of apertures in a second zone. The first set of apertures in the first zone have Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances of the first set of apertures have a first distribution having a first mean and a first median. The first mean is different than the first median. The second set of apertures in the second zone have Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances of the second set of apertures have a second distribution having a second mean and a second median. The second mean is different than the second median. The first and second sets of apertures have different patterns.

Abstract: A laminate comprising a first nonwoven layer comprising a plurality of apertures and a second nonwoven layer is provided. One of the first and second nonwoven layers is a pre-strained layer and is joined to the other one of the first and second nonwoven layers. The other one of the first and second nonwoven layers is a non-pre-strained layer. The pre-strained layer and the non-pre-strained layer together form a three-dimensional laminate.

Abstract: A laminate comprises a first layer comprising a plurality of lower opacity zones positioned within a higher opacity zone is provided. The plurality of lower opacity zones form a first pattern. The laminate comprises a second layer comprising a second pattern. The laminate comprises a non-joined span of the first and second layers having a dimension of at least about 20 mm. A first portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a first position relative to the second layer, within the non-joined span. A second portion of the second pattern is visible through at least some of the plurality of lower opacity zones when the first layer, within the non-joined span, is in a second position relative to the first layer, within the non-joined span.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided. The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet on a wearer-facing side of the absorbent article and a garment-facing laminate on a garment-facing side of the absorbent article. The garment-facing laminate comprises a first nonwoven layer and a second layer joined to the first nonwoven layer. The first nonwoven layer comprises a plurality of apertures. At least 3 of the plurality of apertures in a repeat unit have a different Effective Aperture Area, according to the Aperture Test herein, a different shape, or a different Absolute Feret Angle, according to the Aperture Test herein. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the garment-facing laminate.

Abstract: A patterned apertured web comprises a plurality of land areas and a plurality of apertures. At least some of the land areas surround at least some of the apertures. The patterned apertured web has an Effective Open Area in the range of about 5% to about 50%, according to the Aperture Test herein. The patterned apertured web has a plurality of Interaperture Distances, according to the Aperture Test herein. The Interaperture Distances have a distribution having a median and a mean, wherein the mean is greater than the median.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional laminate for an absorbent article is provided. The method comprises providing a first nonwoven layer, providing a second nonwoven layer, and applying a pre-strain force to the first nonwoven layer or to the second nonwoven layer. The method comprises joining the first nonwoven layer to the second nonwoven layer while the first nonwoven layer or the second nonwoven layer is in a pre-strained condition, and releasing the pre-strain force to form the three-dimensional laminate.

Abstract: A method of producing a patterned apertured web is provided. The method comprises providing a web having a central longitudinal axis. The web comprises a plurality of overbonds extending substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The method comprises conveying the web in a machine direction that is substantially parallel to a direction of extension of the central longitudinal axis of the web. The method comprises stretching the web in a cross-machine direction to cause at least some of the overbonds to at least partially rupture and at least partially form patterned apertures in the web. At least some of the patterned apertures have Absolute Feret Angles, according to the Aperture Test herein, of at least about 20 degrees. At least some of the patterned apertures have an Aspect Ratio, according to the Aperture Test herein, in the range of about 2:1 to about 6:1.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described herein. The topsheet includes a first zone disposed between a second zone and a third zone; a first end area and a second end area; and an array of features which includes one of apertures, tufts, ridges, or grooves disposed in the first zone. A plurality of bond sites are disposed in the second and third zones. The plurality of bond sites are configured in a curvilinear manner in at least the first end area or the second end area and mask a boundary of the first zone.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described herein. The topsheet includes an array of apertures and a first array of structures which are disposed adjacent the array of apertures. The array of apertures forms apertured indicia, and the first array of structures forms first structural indicia. The apertured indicia is coordinated with the first structural indicia.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed therebetween is described herein. The topsheet includes an array of apertures and a first array of structures which are disposed adjacent the array of apertures. A first plurality of the array of apertures is disposed generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, a second plurality of apertures has a first Absolute Feret angle, and a third plurality of apertures has a second Absolute Feret angle. The first Absolute Feret angle is different than the second Absolute Feret angle.

Abstract: Deformed web materials are disclosed. The web materials have discrete deformations formed therein. The deformations may be features in the form of portions of a web with apertures therein, protrusions, depressed areas, and combinations thereof. These features may extend out from the surface on one side of the web, or from both of the surfaces of the web. Different features may be intermixed with one another.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sheet that is made of a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The method involves mechanically deforming a precursor nonwoven web to form a first web with deformations therein. The deformations form protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first web and openings in the other surface of the web. The method involves feeding the first nonwoven web with the deformations therein into a bonding nip where portions of the first region of the first web outside of the deformations are bonded to the second web to form a base-bonded composite web.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite sheet that is made of a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The method involves mechanically deforming a precursor nonwoven web to form a first web with deformations therein. The deformations form protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first web and openings in the other surface of the web. The method involves feeding the first nonwoven web with the deformations therein into a bonding nip where at least a portion of the distal ends of the protrusions is bonded to a second web to form a tip-bonded composite web.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. The nonwoven materials include multiple fibers that extend from the base of the protrusions to the distal end of the protrusions, and contribute to form a portion of the sides and cap of a protrusion. Such fibers may at least substantially surround the sides of the protrusions.

Abstract: A composite sheet that includes a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The first sheet is a nonwoven material that has discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first sheet to their distal ends and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the first sheet. The second sheet is a generally planar sheet that contacts the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet. The second sheet is bonded to the first sheet at spaced apart inter-sheet bond locations where the first region of the first sheet contacts the second sheet.

Abstract: Nonwoven materials having discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the nonwoven material and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the nonwoven material are disclosed. At least some of the three-dimensional deformations are configured to collapse in a controlled manner when compressive forces are applied on the nonwoven material.

Abstract: A composite sheet that includes a first sheet and a second sheet is disclosed. The first and second sheets are bonded to each other at a number of spaced apart discrete inter-sheet bond locations. The first sheet is a nonwoven material that has discrete three-dimensional deformations therein forming protrusions that extend outward from the first surface of the first sheet to their distal ends and wide base openings adjacent to the second surface of the first sheet. The second sheet is a generally planar sheet that contacts the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet. The second sheet is bonded to the first sheet at spaced apart inter-sheet bond locations where the distal ends of the protrusions on the first sheet contact the second sheet.