Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed, including a three-dimensional material formed of a liquid permeable topsheet and an acquisition material. The acquisition material is positioned beneath the topsheet, and both may be formed of nonwoven material. The three dimensional material may have two surfaces and a plurality of protrusions extending in a z-direction from one of the surfaces, each protrusion having side walls defining an opening in the other of the surfaces. One of the topsheet and the acquisition material may include fibers spun of polymer resin pigmented with a first color that differs from a second color of fibers of the other of the topsheet and the acquisition material, and the differing colors are visible when viewing a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A process of making an absorbent article is disclosed. A liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction a backsheet web, and an intermediate layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The intermediate layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and intermediate layer are aligned in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the intermediate layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the intermediate layer. The topsheet web and intermediate layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the intermediate layer to provide a topsheet/intermediate layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

Abstract: A process of making an absorbent article is disclosed. A liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction a backsheet web, and an acquisition layer are provided. The topsheet web has first and second surfaces. The backsheet web extends substantially continuously in the machine direction. The acquisition layer has a first and second surface. The topsheet and acquisition layer are aligned in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deformed which combines the topsheet with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a topsheet; a backsheet; an acquisition layer disposed between the topsheet and backsheet; first and second absorbent layers is described. The topsheet and acquisition layer form a three dimensional substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a plurality of recesses and a plurality of land areas, wherein each recess is separated from one another by at least one land area, and wherein each of the plurality of recesses has an opening at a base of the recess, and side walls extending from the second surface to a distal portion. The first absorbent layer is disposed between the acquisition layer and backsheet and has a mixture of pulp and synthetic fibers. The second absorbent layer is disposed between the first absorbent layer and backsheet and has super absorbent polymer attached to a core wrap.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a topsheet with a hydrophobic treatment and a plurality of apertures therethrough is disclosed. The disposable absorbent article has a backsheet; an absorbent system having a plurality of layers; a first zone having a morphological treatment of plurality of three-dimensional protrusions, each of the three-dimensional protrusions having a base forming an opening, a distal portion and side walls extending between the base and the distal portion each of the protrusions configured such that the topsheet forms a portion of an inner surface of each protrusion and at least one of the plurality of layers of the absorbent system forming a portion of an outer facing surface of each protrusion; and a second zone having a morphological treatment that is different than that of the first zone.

Abstract: A process of making an absorbent article comprising providing a liquid permeable topsheet web extending substantially continuously in a machine direction. The topsheet web having a first and second surface and a backsheet web extending substantially continuously in the machine direction and an acquisition layer having a first and second surface. The process comprises aligning the topsheet web and the acquisition layer in a face to face relationship such that the second surface of the topsheet in in contact with the first surface of the acquisition layer and simultaneously mechanically deforming and combining the topsheet web together with the acquisition layer. The topsheet web and acquisition layer are nested together such that a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the topsheet web coincide with and fit together with a majority of the three-dimensional protrusions formed in the acquisition layer to provide a topsheet/acquisition layer laminate web having three-dimensional protrusions.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and acid, and forming an ester condensation reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and acid. In some embodiments, a pre-polymer formed from the ester condensation reaction may be provided as a pre-polymer that is mixed with the starch.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride, and forming a transesterification reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and triglyceride.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions comprising starch and articles made therefrom are water stable or may be rendered so. One method of making water stable thermoplastic compositions comprises the steps of mixing destructured starch with polyhydric alcohol and acid, and forming an ester condensation reaction product from at least a portion of the polyhydric alcohol and acid. In some embodiments, a pre-polymer formed from the ester condensation reaction may be provided as a pre-polymer that is mixed with the starch.

Abstract: Water stable fibers and articles made therefrom are formed from a thermoplastic composition comprising destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, acid, and optionally triglyceride. Processes for making water stable compositions may comprise melt extruding a mixture of destructured starch, polyhydric alcohol, acid, and optionally triglyceride, to form an extrudate, and heating the mixture, extrudate, or both to provide a water stable article.