Disposable absorbent article

Abstract

An absorbent article that can be a sanitary napkin. The absorbent article comprises a topsheet joined to a backsheet and has an absorbent core material disposed therebetween, the absorbent core material being a fibrous absorbent material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions. The raised portions define a continuous network of channels, the channels defining a void region adjacent the topsheet of the sanitary napkin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sanitary napkin comprising a topsheet joined to a backsheet and having an absorbent core material disposed therebetween, said absorbent core material being a fibrous absorbent material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said topsheet of said sanitary napkin. 
     
     
         2 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent core material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid, and airlaid webs. 
     
     
         3 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 2 , wherein said absorbent core material comprises airlaid fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent core comprises cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent core material comprises absorbent gelling materials. 
     
     
         6 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary topsheet, said secondary topsheet comprising an absorbent fibrous web disposed adjacent to and between said topsheet and said absorbent core material. 
     
     
         7 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 6 , wherein said secondary topsheet is an airlaid web comprising cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         8 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 6 , wherein said secondary topsheet comprises a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent core material is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer. 
     
     
         10 . A sanitary napkin comprising in layered order a topsheet, a secondary topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, at least said topsheet and backsheet being joined, and wherein said secondary topsheet is an absorbent fibrous web having discrete regions of distinct fiber disruption relative to adjacent regions, and wherein said absorbent core material is an absorbent fibrous material exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said secondary topsheet. 
     
     
         11 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said absorbent core material is selected from the group consisting of meltblown, spunbond, carded, wetlaid, and airlaid webs. 
     
     
         12 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 11 , wherein said absorbent core material comprises airlaid fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said absorbent core comprises cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         14 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said absorbent core material comprises absorbent gelling materials. 
     
     
         15 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said secondary topsheet is an airlaid web comprising cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said secondary topsheet comprises a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         17 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said absorbent core material is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer. 
     
     
         18 . The sanitary napkin of  claim 10 , wherein said secondary topsheet is a layered, airlaid nonwoven fibrous web having discrete layers, at least one of said discrete layers comprising a different type of fiber or blend of fibers with respect to one other discrete layer. 
     
     
         19 . An absorbent article comprising in layered order a topsheet, a secondary topsheet, an absorbent core, and a backsheet, at least said topsheet and said backsheet being joined, the layers being in a generally flat, layered relationship, said secondary topsheet being an absorbent airlaid fibrous web comprising cellulosic fibers, said secondary topsheet having discrete regions of distinct fiber disruption relative to adjacent regions, and wherein said absorbent core material is an airlaid absorbent fibrous material comprising cellulosic fibers and exhibiting on one side thereof discrete raised portions, said raised portions being oriented toward said secondary topsheet and defining a continuous network of channels, said channels defining a void region adjacent said secondary topsheet of said absorbent article. 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin.