Abstract: An absorbent article such as a diaper extending in a longitudinal direction parallel to a longitudinal axis (80?) and a transversal direction (90?) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and comprising a distribution layer (54) between a topsheet (24) and an absorbent core (28). The distribution layer comprises a fibrous material and a first and second longitudinally-extending channels (86a,b) substantially free of fibrous material.

Abstract: A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate includes a first layer including a hydrophobic material and a second layer including a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate includes a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 ?m to about 6000 ?m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

Abstract: A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate includes a first layer including a hydrophobic material and a second layer including a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate includes a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 ?m to about 6000 ?m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete zones that are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The continuous network region comprises a first average density and the plurality of discrete zones comprise a second average density. The discrete zones are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The first average density and the second average density are different.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region, a plurality of discrete zones, and a plurality of transition regions. The transition regions are positioned intermediate the continuous network region and at least some of the plurality of discrete zones.

Abstract: A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate includes a first layer including a hydrophobic material and a second layer including a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate includes a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 ?m to about 6000 ?m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

Abstract: A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate includes a first layer including a hydrophobic material and a second layer including a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate includes a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 ?m to about 6000 ?m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region, a plurality of discrete zones, and a plurality of transition regions. The transition regions are positioned intermediate the continuous network region and at least some of the plurality of discrete zones.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete zones. The discrete zones are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The continuous network region and the plurality of discrete zones have a common intensive property. The common intensive property of the continuous network region has a first value. The common intensive property of the plurality of discrete zones has a second value. The first value is different than the second value.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and a distribution material comprising a wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprising at least 80% pulp fibers by weight of the wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate. The wet-laid, three-dimensional fibrous substrate comprises a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete zones that are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The continuous network region comprises a first average density and the plurality of discrete zones comprise a second average density. The discrete zones are dispersed throughout the continuous network region. The first average density and the second average density are different.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising bleached polycrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers with reduced furfural content are disclosed. The reduced furfural content is accompanied by a strong reduction of malodor associated with crosslinked fibers. Methods of furfural reduction include treatment with hydrogen peroxide in the absence of alkaline or other bleaching agents subsequent to curing polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers. Some embodiments of treated polycrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers have a furfural content lower than 1.3 ppm. In some embodiments, the reduction of furfural content of the treated crosslinked fibers compared to untreated crosslinked fibers is at least 55%. In some embodiments, furfural content decreases with aging of the treated crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising bleached polycrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers with reduced furfural content are disclosed. The reduced furfural content is accompanied by a strong reduction of malodor associated with crosslinked fibers. Methods of furfural reduction include treatment with hydrogen peroxide in the absence of alkaline or other bleaching agents subsequent to curing polyacrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers. Some embodiments of treated polycrylic acid crosslinked cellulose fibers have a furfural content lower than 1.3 ppm. In some embodiments, the reduction of furfural content of the treated crosslinked fibers compared to untreated crosslinked fibers is at least 55%. In some embodiments, furfural content decreases with aging of the treated crosslinked fibers.

Abstract: A liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The substrate comprises a first layer comprising a hydrophobic material and a second layer comprising a hydrophilic material. The first layer is joined to the second layer. The substrate comprises a plurality of recesses, a plurality of projections, and a plurality of land areas. The land areas surround at least a majority of the plurality of projections and a plurality of the recesses. The plurality of recesses, the plurality of projections, and the plurality of land areas together form a first three-dimensional surface on a first side of the substrate and a second three-dimensional surface on a second side of the substrate. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1000 ?m to about 6000 ?m according to the Overall Substrate Height Test.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, liquid permeable substrate for an absorbent article is disclosed. The liquid permeable substrate comprises a first layer and a second layer joined to the first layer to form a composite. The composite comprises a plurality of apertures defined therein, a plurality of bridge portions, a plurality of first projections extending outwardly relative to the bridge portions and a plurality of second projections extending outwardly relative to the bridge portions and the first projections. A majority of the plurality of the second projections have a first z-directional height and a majority of the first projections have a second z-directional height. A majority of the plurality of the bridge portions have a third z-directional height. The first z-directional height may be greater than the second and third z-directional heights. The substrate has an overall z-directional height in the range of about 1300 ?m to about 2500 ?m.

Abstract: A disposable diaper with back ear panels. The back ear panels are attached to the longitudinal edges of the chassis and extend outward. The diaper can be manufactured at relatively low cost, because the back ear panels are relatively small and are non-extensible. Fastening tapes of appropriate size are provided to prevent sagging during wear.