Abstract: The present invention relates to functional structures that include a substrate and a first fixing agent applied to the substrate. The first fixing agent includes an aqueous polymer. The functional structure also includes a functional material that is adjacent to the first fixing agent. A second fixing agent is adjacent to the functional material. The first fixing agent may be a hydrophilic solution including an aqueous polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol and a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol. The aqueous polymers may have molecular weights from 1,500,000 to 4,000,000.

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles that include a bodyside liner, an outer cover and an absorbent core between the bodyside liner and the outer cover. The articles also include a core wrap surrounding the absorbent core. Further, the articles include a shaped form between the core wrap and the absorbent core where the shaped form is a functional structure. The functional structure includes a substrate and a first fixing agent applied to the substrate. The first fixing agent includes an aqueous polymer. The functional structure also includes a functional material that is adjacent to the first fixing agent. A second fixing agent is adjacent to the functional material. The first fixing agent may be a hydrophilic solution including an aqueous polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol and a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol. The aqueous polymers may have molecular weights from 1,500,000 to 4,000,000.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article having fluid barrier and decolorizing structures is described. Such structures can prevent the spread of menses fluid towards the edges of the article and can also decolorize stains so that the stains are less noticeable. The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet having a central layer positioned adjacent opposing side layers. The side layers can include a separating region that at least partially separates a decolorizing agent carrier material treated with a decolorizing agent from an absorbent core. At least one of the side layers can also include at least one fluid barrier region that can prevent or slow the spread of fluids from the center of the article to the edges. The combination of the separating and fluid barrier regions can allow the decolorizing agent to sufficiently decolorize a fluid insult that may have spread to the lateral edges of the article.

Abstract: A feminine care absorbent article having fluid barrier and decolorizing structures is described. Such structures can prevent the spread of menses fluid towards the edges of the article and can also decolorize stains so that the stains are less noticeable. The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet having a central layer positioned adjacent opposing side layers. The side layers can include a separating region that at least partially separates a decolorizing agent carrier material treated with a decolorizing agent from an absorbent core. At least one of the side layers can also include at least one fluid barrier region that can prevent or slow the spread of fluids from the center of the article to the edges. The combination of the separating and fluid barrier regions can allow the decolorizing agent to sufficiently decolorize a fluid insult that may have spread to the lateral edges of the article.