Abstract: An absorbent article is curved in a saucer like shape in the transverse direction. The absorbent article offers not only a better fitting and feeling product to the wearer, but also has better flow characteristics. The article is formed by having an absorbent core that is made from multiple strips of absorbent material arranged in a stepwise manner so as to form a gradient. These strips may be of uniform or varying width and maybe made from a combination of one or more suitable material types.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a substantially oblong shape, which is superior in liquid-proof performance and fitness, includes a liquid permeable top sheet, a back sheet, an absorbent body having elasticity disposed between the top sheet and the back sheet, and a compressed portion compressing the top sheet and the absorbent body. The compressed portion is disposed continuously to form a protrusion in a longitudinal direction to define a substantially U shape. The absorbent portion has a low elasticity portion, disposed on one part of the absorbent body, and formed so that elasticity weakens when compression to a prescribed thickness is carried out. The low elasticity portion is disposed in the vicinity of an end protruding the most in the longitudinal direction of the substantially U shape.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin has a top layer, an absorbent layer and a bottom layer with a sensor layer. The absorbent layer has a hollow portion covered with a silk-made cover layer and has multiple holes defined in the cover layer, wherein some silk cloth filled inside the hollow portion. By having the hollow portion with silk cloth, the menstrual blood is drained quickly and absorbed by the absorbent layer to keep the sanitary napkin dry at the top layer and to avoid toxic vapor. Moreover, the holes on the cover layer provide a ventilating efficiency and the silk is cool to be contact so that muggy feeling is efficiently reduced. The sensor at the bottom layer conveniently indicates the changing occasion to the user.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent garment having an inner layer with a first end panel, a second end panel, and a pair of side panels formed separate from the first and second end panels. The first and second end panels are stretchable in at least the lateral direction of the garment. The side panels extend longitudinally between the first and second end panels in laterally spaced relationship with each other such that the end panels and side panels together define a central opening of the inner layer. The side panels are each secured to the first and second end panels and are extensible in at least the lateral direction of the garment. The garment includes an outer layer is in opposed relationship with the inner layer and an absorbent assembly disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article (14) used by being fitted to the female pubic region, which comprises: an absorbent sheet body made of a water permeable sheet (11), a water impermeable sheet (12), and an absorbent body (13) being formed into one body; and a body fluid inflow hole (14b) in a cylindrical shape with the garment side being the bottom, having an opening in a size capable of being fitted to cover a pair of labia majoras from outside.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body liquids, comprising a unitary system of microlayered film constructed and arranged to carry out the multiple functions of liquid intake, liquid uptake and distribution, liquid retention and liquid barrier requisite for such an absorbent article. The unitary system comprises a series of sequentially arranged topside, inside and bottom side regions having different properties needed to perform the functions of the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorptive product comprising a front region, a rear region, a crotch region, a waist opening, a pair of leg openings, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet. Disposed interiorly of the back sheet are a front absorber and a rear absorber. An access port is provided for taking out and/or replacing at least one of these absorbers.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article partially defined by a pair of longitudinally extending side edges and a pair of end edges extending between the side edges, includes a topsheet layer, a backsheet layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The disposable absorbent article also has a pair of side wall structures each having a pair of oppositely positioned end portions. A first side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and one of the side edges and the other side wall structure extends generally longitudinally between the core and the other side edge. Further, an end strip constructed from an elastic material is positioned substantially adjacent each one of the end edges, and extends laterally between the side edges.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and exhibits two side edges a front edge and a rear edge a front portion and a rear portion and a central portion situated between the front portion and the rear portion The article furthermore exhibits a liquid-pervious cover layer and a liquid-impervious cover layer and an absorbent body. The rear portion of the absorbent body includes a layer that is split in a first leg and a second leg with a gap between the legs, where an angle ? is defined between the first leg and the second leg, and an elastic member is placed between the first leg and the second leg, which elastic member essentially extends in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided having an absorbent core with an absorbent pledget adhered to the body-facing side of the core between the core and the body-facing surface of the article. The pledget has a greater structural stiffness and a reduced surface area relative to the core. The absorbent article has a fluid permeable coverstock including a bi-component fiber. An hourglass-shaped absorbent pledget is disposed between the core and the coverstock. The pledget includes airlaid material adhered to the body-facing side of the absorbent core. The pledget further includes a three-dimensional apertured film mounted to the airlaid material, which engages the coverstock. The absorbent core is configured to fold about the hourglass shape of the pledget and resist undesired deformity of the absorbent article. The coverstock includes adhesive-coated elastic members disposed adjacent the longitudinal sides. The longitudinal sides are folded about a backsheet to enclose the core and pledget.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a compressed groove provided on a body-side surface of a sanitary napkin includes a pair of lateral groove segments extending substantially in the longitudinal direction symmetrically about a longitudinal center line and a pair of rear groove segments converging rearward from respective rear ends of the pair of lateral groove segments so that the compressed groove as a whole presents an elongated shape which is angular rearward. The rear side groove segment has a curve conforming, in the vicinity of its rear end, with an arc of a circle having a predetermined radius and inscribed to the rear side groove segment. A bottom covering region extending rearward from the rear end of the rear groove segment has a predetermined thickness and is adapted to be folded along the longitudinal center line so that the bottom covering region can become convex on the side of the body-side surface.

Abstract: A disposable diaper comprising a fluid-permeable topsheet, a fluid-impermeable backsheet and a fluid-retentive absorbent core interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the disposable diaper being formed in a substantially vertically elongated configuration and having a stomach side, a back side and a crotch region positioned between the stomach side and the back side, wherein a second absorbent core is disposed at an outside region of each opposite side edge of the absorbent core at the crotch region along a longitudinal direction of the diaper, and an elastic member is disposed at the region where the second absorbent core is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the diaper.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent panel. The panel is composed of a first fibrous assembly panel lying on the side of a topsheet and a second fibrous assembly panel underlying the first sub-panel. The first sub-panel has a flat portion, a plurality of protuberant portions and a plurality of wall portions. The first fibrous assembly sub-panel has a fiber density lower than that of the second fibrous assembly sub-panel whereas the fiber density of the first fibrous assembly sub-panel is higher in the protuberant portions and the wall portions than in the flat portion. The panel thus formed is capable of rapidly spreading body fluids and preventing the body fluids from flowing back to a top surface of the article.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent wearing article includes a liquid-absorbent panel. The panel is composed of a first fibrous assembly panel lying on the side of a topsheet and a second fibrous assembly panel underlying the first sub-panel. The first sub-panel has a flat portion, a plurality of protuberant portions and a plurality of wall portions. The first sub-panel has a fiber density that increases toward the second sub-panel which has a fiber density higher than that of the first panel.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a top sheet, a back sheet, and a liquid absorbent core disposed therebetween. The diaper has openings, which pass through the top sheet and the core, and are formed in at least the crotch region of the diaper. The back sheet has a free portion which is disposed beneath the core and extendible downwards in its thickness direction. The back sheet further has a fixed edge portion which is outside an outer periphery of the free portion and fixed to the top sheet. A plurality of longitudinally extending contractible elastic members are disposed at least in the free portion and the fixed edge portion. A plurality of transversely extending gathers are formed under the contraction of the elastic members.

Abstract: An absorbent article worn in the groin area, in which, when a compressive force is received from a lateral direction, a main absorbent region can oppose an excretion area of a wearer's body without twists or wrinkles occurring, and when the compressive force is relaxed, the article easily recovers to its original shape. An absorbent body provided in the absorbent article has a main absorbent region, reinforcing regions, and buffer regions. The bending stiffness of the reinforcing regions is larger than that of the buffer regions, and the bending stiffness of the main absorbent region is larger than that of the buffer regions. When compressive force is received from a wearer's thigh areas in the lateral direction, the reinforcing regions that are positioned to the left and right deform in a curved shape, and the buffer regions that are to the left and right are compressed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable sanitary article for use with a woman's body in the area of the pudendum. The sanitary article comprises a pad portion having a fluid-permeable surface portion and an absorbent material adjacent to the surface portion. The pad portion is configured to be positioned exterior of the pudendum and to absorb a bodily fluid from the pudendum. A reservoir member is coupled to the pad portion and has sidewalls that define a reservoir adjacent to the absorbent material. The reservoir member is shaped and sized to fit on a portion of the pudendum. The reservoir member is configured to receive and contain the bodily fluid therein until the bodily fluid can be substantially absorbed by the absorbent material.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article wherein: a body fluid absorbent assembly of a disposable pull-on wearing article is formed in a crotch region with a pair of inwardly folded portions on both sides of a longitudinal center line. The body fluid absorbent assembly comprises an hourglass-shaped core and a cover sheet used to cover this core. The core is formed its both side edges with notches and respective regions of the cover sheet lying in these notches are provided with a pair of crotch region elastic members extending in a back-and-forth direction and intersecting folding guide lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single use hygiene article, comprising an absorbing body layer (24, 60, 70), which serves to store body fluids and which can also contain superabsorbent materials, and comprising standing cuff elements (26, 28), which extend in an essentially longitudinal direction, form a lateral leakage barrier and which are attached to the body-facing side of the article at least along a cuff base line (34, 36; 62, 64; 76, 78). The cuff elements (26, 28) are guided with variable distances between the cuff base lines (34, 36; 62, 64; 76, 78). The aim of the invention is to improve the absorption characteristics of the hygiene article. Towards this end, the article is designed in such a manner that the absorbing body layer (24, 60, 70) comprises, in a transversal direction (44) of the hygiene article up to the lateral edges (16) and/or in a longitudinal direction (38) up to at least one longitudinal end (40), an increasing mass per unit area of an absorbent material of this layer.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) such as a sanitary napkin includes an elongate absorbent core (12) delimited by an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16). A pair of opposed longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) terminates in longitudinal edges (22, 24) and a pair of opposed transverse edges (26, 28). The core has a first end portion (30), a second end portion (32) and a central portion (34) located between the end portions. A liquid permeable topsheet (36) extends over the upper surface (14), and a liquid barrier backsheet (42) covers the lower surface (16) of the absorbent core (12). Leakage barriers (68, 70), each barrier covering a longitudinal edge portion (18, 20) in a respective longitudinal edge portion (18, 20), forms liquid-retaining pockets along each longitudinal edge portion.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has an absorbent core. The core contains therein hydrophilic fibers of 30–70 wt % and super-absorbent polymer particles of 70–30 wt %. Of the super-absorbent particles, first super-absorbent polymer particles having a relatively long liquid-absorbing duration lying in a middle zone of the core as viewed in a transverse direction as well as in a thickness direction of the core to form a polymer phase and second super-absorbent polymer particles having a relatively short liquid-absorbing duration lying in the core above, below and laterally outside the polymer phase to form a mixture phase containing therein the hydrophilic fibers mixed therewith.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly and is adapted to be configured as a loincloth diaper for use in combination with a support element that is worn around the waist of the wearer. The chassis has fastening elements for use in forming laterally extending tunnels adjacent to the waist edges through which the support element extends. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that may be folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow unattached portions of the chassis to extend laterally.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article including a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis is folded laterally inward and outward in a zigzag pattern to form laterally opposing layered containment pockets and laterally opposing side flaps interiorly of the layered containment pockets. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its distal edge. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets.

Abstract: Acquisition members having 20 to 40 weight percent of a latex binder and 60 to 80 weight percent of polyester fibers are useful in absorbent articles such as diapers and sanitary napkins. The polyester fibers may further include 20 to 80 weight percent of a first type of fiber, and 20 to 80 weight percent of a second type of fiber, wherein the second type of fiber has spiral-crimped fibers.

Abstract: An primary liquid retention layer suitable for use in an incontinence garment includes a plurality of pleats defined by fold lines in at least one region of the composite. The fold lines are oriented in a first direction. The primary liquid retention layer is stretchable in a second direction perpendicular to the fold lines, between a first position where the pleats are substantially folded and a second position where the pleats are substantially unfolded or extended due to liquid loading, while the primary liquid retention layer remains substantially in the plane of the garment so as to not distort the wetted appearance of the garment.

Abstract: A pant-like absorbent garment having a swellable absorbent core positioned between an outer cover and a body side liner at least partially bonded to the outer cover. The swellable absorbent core is swellable to a final thickness (tf) which is at least three times an initial thickness (ti) of the swellable absorbent core; tf?3ti. The significant swelling renders the garment suitable for use as a toilet training aid.

Abstract: An improved absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article has a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline, and comprises a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent component. The topsheet has a topsheet opening. The absorbent component comprises a storage member and a distribution member. The storage member has a storage member opening surrounded by a periphery edge. The distribution member comprises an acquisition portion and a main portion wherein. The main portion extends underneath the storage member. The acquisition portion protrudes through the topsheet opening and the storage member opening, and extends over the topsheet longitudinally outwardly or laterally outwardly beyond the periphery edge of the storage member opening.

Abstract: An absorbent core structure having at least one acquisition region, at least one distribution region, and at least one storage region. The acquisition region being constructed from a fibrous material. The acquisition region having a relatively low density from about 0.018 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc. The distribution region being constructed from said fibrous material. The distribution region being consolidated to have a relatively medium density from about 0.024 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc. The distribution region being in fluid communication with said acquisition region. The storage region being constructed from said fibrous material. The storage region being consolidated to have a relatively high density from about 0.030 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc. The storage region being in fluid communication with said distribution region. A portion of the fibrous material being formed into at least one peak and at least one valley and then subsequently folded in order to form said absorbent core structure.

Abstract: An absorbent core structure having at least one acquisition region, at least one distribution region, and at least one storage region. The acquisition region being constructed from a fibrous material. The acquisition region having a relatively low density from about 0.018 g/cc to about 0.20 g/cc. The at least one distribution region being constructed from the fibrous material. The distribution region being consolidated to have a relatively medium density from about 0.024 g/cc to about 0.45 g/cc. The distribution region being in fluid communication with the acquisition region. The at least one storage region being constructed from the fibrous material. The storage region being consolidated to have a relatively high density from about 0.030 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc. The storage region being in fluid communication with the distribution region.

Abstract: This invention provides an absorbent article having an absorbent layer including elongated longitudinal portions which thereby define an elongated gap. The elongated gap is defined by lateral spacing of the elongated longitudinal portions of the absorbent layer from one another. The invention is also directed to the method of manufacturing the absorbent article and the method of forming the elongated gap within the absorbent layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved disposable article for the absorption and containment of urine or other body exudates, for example a diaper, training pants or an adult incontinence article, that has a high fecal fluid intake rate as measured by the Fecal Fluid Intake Test.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a disposable diaper, which includes a liquid-absorbent zone in a crotch region having first through fourth sections. A stiffness of the first and second sections formed from top- and backsheets is lower than a stiffness of the third and fourth sections formed from the top- and backsheets and an absorent core. Stretchably elastic members extending in a longitudinal direction are contractibly attached to the fourth section. A liquid-absorbent zone in the crotch region is formed with a concavity (feces pocket) as the fourth section contract in the longitudinal direction under a contractile force of the elastic members.

Abstract: An absorbent, multi-layer, moisture management pad is provided for wear in the crotch area of apparel. The pad includes multiple permeable layers. At least one of the layers has alternating ridges and valleys for directing moisture in one direction across its surface area. At least one of the layers has alternating ridges and valleys for directing moisture in a second direction across its surface area, wherein the surface areas and volumes of the respective layer are maximized.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a porous, macroscopically-expanded, three-dimensional, elastomeric web suitable for use in elasticized portions of disposable absorbent articles such as bandages, diapers and pull-up diaper training pants. In a preferred embodiment the web has a continuous first surface and a discontinuous second surface remote from first surface. An elastomeric web of the present invention preferably comprises a formed film having at least two polymeric layers, with at least one of the layers being an elastomer and at least one of the other layers being a substantially less elastomeric skin layer. In a preferred embodiment the elastomeric web exhibits a multiplicity of primary apertures in the first surface of the web, the primary apertures being defined in the plane of the first surface by a continuous network of interconnecting members. Each interconnecting member exhibits an upwardly concave-shaped cross-section along its length.

Abstract: Absorbent articles for absorbing a bodily fluid comprise a pad region and a pre-formed conformable gluteal region. The pad region includes a first absorbent core, a liquid pervious surface, and a liquid impervious surface, wherein the absorbent core of the pad region is positioned between the liquid pervious surface and the liquid impervious surface. The conformable gluteal region includes a second absorbent core that is in fluid connection with the first absorbent core in the pad region. The gluteal region is configured to secure at least a portion of the absorbent article between a user's buttocks, and is further configured to wick fluid from the pad region. The absorbent article extends greater than about 12 inches in length.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as disposable diaper or sanitary napkin in which discharged liquid can be penetrated and diffused quickly. A rectangular shaped flat absorbent core interposed between a front surface sheet and a back surface sheet comprises at least one ditch traversing a point within a circle with a radius of 25 mm from its plane center to the periphery of the flat absorbent core so as to divide the flat absorbent core into not less than two parts.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a first essentially liquid permeable surface layer (13), a backing layer (14) and, located between said liquid permeable surface layer (13) and said liquid impermeable backing layer (14), an absorbent body (15). The absorbent body has cavities (20) which are essentially cone-shaped and extend at least through part of the absorbent body (15), said cavities (20) having a tip part (21) and a base (22), the tip part (21) being located towards or in the liquid permeable surface layer (13) and the base (22) being located away from the liquid permeable surface layer (13). The inner surface of said cavities (20) is treated with at least one functional substance.

Abstract: A transfer layer of liquid fluids and an absorbent article incorporating the transfer layer, like a diaper, a sanitary napkin or a similar product, which has a permeable cover below which there is disposed a nonwoven transfer layer for liquid fluids followed beneath by an absorbent core which retains the fluids. In the transfer layer there is provided a top layer of predominating hydrophobic properties and a bottom layer of predominating hydrophilic properties. The transfer layer has an embossed surface configuration, with channels formed by compressed nonwoven streaks forming transversal peaks and valleys extending in longitudinal direction along the transfer layer.

Abstract: A new and improved sanitary napkin that prevents backflow of menstrual fluids from the napkin during use. The sanitary napkin includes a napkin body having an absorbent tab that extends from the absorbent surface of the napkin body. In use, the absorbent tab blocks and absorbs menstrual fluid and prevents the fluid from running off the back edge or end of the napkin body.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The front end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges. The rear end region has a width defined between the longitudinal edges. The ratio of the width of the rear end region to the width of the front end region ranges between 1:1 and 2.5:1. The absorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet at least in the central region and the rear end region. The absorbent core has a pair of longitudinal edges. The absorbent article further comprises a pair of rear side flaps each extending laterally from the corresponding longitudinal edge of the absorbent core in the rear end region; and a continuous support layer disposed on the backsheet in the rear end region.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to an absorbent article having a pair of longitudinal edges, front and rear transverse edges, a front end region, a rear end region, and a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions. The absorbent article comprises: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels formed at least in the central region. The traversal distance of the pair of outwardly convex longitudinal central channels decreases towards the both ends of the channels to define a central closed area which has a maximum length of 80-220 mm and a maximum width of 25-70 mm. The absorbent article further comprises a rear channel defining a rear closed area in the rear end region.

Abstract: An absorbent product, such as a diaper or an incontinence garment, having a longitudinal and a lateral direction, includes a back sheet, being distal from the body of the wearer in use of the garment, and a top sheet, being proximal to the body of the wearer in use of the garment. The product has a front part, a rear part and a crotch part lying between the front and rear parts, and an absorbent structure between the top and back sheet extending longitudinally from the front part to the rear part. The absorbent structure includes two separate absorbent cores, wherein a first absorbent core extends longitudinally from the front to the rear part, and a second absorbent core is disposed in the front part or in the rear part.

Abstract: A urine-absorbing pad assembly for use without disrobing and while the wearer is standing includes an absorbent member for receiving and retaining urine and a supporting member for the absorbing member that assists in manually positioning the absorbing member in the wearer's groin between the wearer's clothing and body in preparation for use. The supporting member is optionally separable from the absorbent member to serve as a reusable applicator to assist in positioning the pad, after which it can be withdrawn, either before use or following removal from the wearer and prior to disposal of the pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including compressed grooves (11) and a rear flexible portion (16). The compressed grooves (11) where a liquid absorbent layer (4) is compressed and recessed from the side of a skin surface toward a garment surface are provided to extend in a longitudinal direction of the article so as to approach each other the nearest on a lateral reference line (Ox-Ox) of the article. The rear flexible portion (16) where the liquid absorbent layer (4) is recessed from the side of the garment surface toward the skin surface is provided to extend toward a rear end edge (1d) from a starting point (16a) that is located closer to the rear end edge (1d) than the lateral reference line (Ox-Ox). At least a portion of the rear flexible portion (16) is located between the compressed grooves (11).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement of performance for disposable absorbent articles to prevent a leakage of body discharges. A disposable absorbent article comprising: an absorbent body having an average width of from about 5 mm to about 30 mm. The first resilient material is disposed between the body facing surface and the garment facing surface of the absorbent article; and a first resilient material disposed between the body facing surface and the absorbent body in a circumferential manner such that at least a part of the body facing surface of the absorbent article forms a raised circumferential bank in the central region and a concave portion surrounded by the raised circumferential bank. The first resilient material is selected from the group consisting of a polymeric foam material, a fibrous material, an elastic material, a formed film material, an absorbent gelling material, and a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad includes an absorbent fibrous structure (10) having a longitudinal axis (11), a transverse axis (12), and front and rear regions (15a, 15b) aligned with each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis wherein a flexibility of the front region is higher than that of the rear region.

Abstract: A wearing article absorption of body fluids has an inner sheet, an outer sheet and a body fluid absorbent first panel underlying the inner sheet. The inner sheet and the first panel are formed in central regions thereof with a void to be filled with a hydrophobic second panel which is elastically compressible and liquid-pervious. A plurality of narrow strips, each comprising water-absorbent fibers compressed to a high density, and a hydrophobic and liquid-pervious spacer member underlying the narrow strips are interposed between the second panel and the outer sheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin including a liquid absorbent layer and a liquid-permeable topsheet covering a body surface of the liquid absorbent layer. The topsheet is joined to the liquid absorbent layer in a specific pattern. The pattern includes longitudinal join lines which extend longitudinally and are laterally spaced from each other and a connecting join line which connects the longitudinal join lines. The liquid absorbent layer has a low stiffness portion in a region enclosed by the longitudinal join lines and the connecting join line. The liquid absorbent layer has a lower stiffness in the low stiffness portion than in portions outside the longitudinal join lines.