Abstract: Thermally bonded absorbent structures for catamenial products, in particular catamenial pads, that provide improved ability in acquiring, distributing and storing aqueous body fluids, especially menstrual fluids, as well as better fit and comfort for the user of the products. These structures comprise an optional thermally bonded secondary topsheet, a thermally bonded absorbent core having a relatively higher capillary suction primary fluid distribution layer, an optional but preferred relatively lower capillary suction secondary distribution layer, a storage layer having absorbent gelling material, and an optional fibrous "dusting" layer. These thermally bonded absorbent structures are particularly useful with catamenial pads having a primary fluid pervious topsheet selected from apertured formed film topsheets and high loft nonwoven topsheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides absorbent structures for absorbent articles, in particular catamenial pads, that are capable of acquiring, distributing, and storing aqueous body fluids, especially menstrual fluids, as well as providing better fit and comfort for the user of the products. These absorbent structures comprise an absorbent core and a comparatively low density, fluid-pervious, resilient web in fluid communication with the absorbent core. The resilient webs of the present invention are formed from a thermally-bonded matrix predominantly comprised of synthetic fibers which maintains substantially constant resiliency and density properties even after exposure to aqueous bodily fluids. The advantageous aspects of absorbent structures of the present invention include: (a) maintenance of a comparatively low density structure to aid in handling of fluids under "gush" situations; (b) the ability to increase total fluid capacity and retain the absorbed fluid, i.e.