Abstract: A method of making a slitted or particulate absorbent material for an absorbent article such as sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence devices, and the like. The method can be carried out in situ on another component of the absorbent article in a manufacturing process without cutting the other component. In one embodiment, the absorbent material is placed between two canier webs, and a force is applied to the composite of the absorbent material and the carrier webs. The force breaks the absorbent material, but only deforms the carrier webs to provide a self-contained web of particulate material between two carrier webs.

Abstract: An apparatus for embossing a pattern into absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, diapers, and adult incontinence pads is disclosed. The apparatus for forming a pattern of embossments in an absorbent article comprises an embosser assembly having a patterned die roll and an anvil roll. In one embodiment, the anvil roll comprises a multi-layered structure, that comprises a metal hub, encircled by a compressible layer and enclosed by a sleeve which reduces machine dynamics, such as vibration, associated with the embossing apparatus and significantly improves the embossing line process and quality. The embosser assembly also has a mechanism for applying compressive pressure on the components of an absorbent article when the components are placed between the die roll and the anvil roll.