Abstract: An absorbent core for a personal care product such as an incontinence or catamenial product has a retention layer having major plane surfaces, a thickness, and a central target area positioned in an area most likely to receive insult from the discharge of bodily fluids. The retention layer has a horizontal density gradient from a lower density and higher permeability throughout the thickness of the target area to a higher density and lower permeability distal from the target area, thereby permitting faster fluid flow through the target area than through the surrounding higher density material. The retention layer is further covered by high-rate fluid acquisition and distribution material on both major plane surfaces. Thus, bodily fluids will be quickly drawn away from the skin of the wearer and rapidly distributed to both major plane surfaces and to the interior of the retention layer through its thickness and retained in the high absorbent capacity areas of the retention layer.

Abstract: A wrapped absorbent structure that includes two or more absorbent materials to maximize the absorbent functionality of the structure without sacrificing integrity. The structure includes an absorbent core surrounded by an absorbent wrap. The absorbent core is primarily intended to provide absorbent capacity while the absorbent wrap is used to maintain wetness integrity, although the absorbent wrap also provides a considerable amount of absorbent capacity. The absorbent structure is particularly suitable for use in absorbent swimwear.