Extensible Absorbent Layer And Absorbent Article

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of preparing an absorbent layer from an absorbent nonwoven web having a first plurality of slits with a first orientation and a second plurality of slits with a second orientation, wherein the first orientation is different from the second orientation. The first plurality of slits and the second plurality of slits are at least partially through the absorbent nonwoven web, and the second plurality of slits at least partially intersects the first plurality to form apertures in the absorbent nonwoven web.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for aperturing a web comprising an anvil roll, a first cutting roll and a second cutting roll, wherein the first cutting and second cutting rolls are in communication with the anvil roll, each cutting roll comprises a series of protrusions that are capable of forming slits in a web passed between the anvil and each cutting roll; at least some of the protrusions of the first cutting roll and some of the protrusions of the second cutting roll are aligned on the anvil such that at least a portion of slits cut in the first cutting roll overlap at least a portion of the slits cut by the second cutting roll, and where the slits overlap one another the area of said web between the overlapping slits is cut free from the web, thereby forming at least one aperture in the web. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one additional cutting roll, wherein the additional cutting rolls are in communication with the anvil roll and has a series of protrusions that are capable of forming slits in a web passed between the anvil and each cutting roll. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first cutting roll has a series of protrusions which are non-linear and the first plurality of slits are non-linear. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second cutting roll has a series of protrusions which are non-linear and the second plurality of slits are non-linear. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first cutting roll and the second cutting roll are driven in unison with the anvil roll.