Sanitary napkin for dynamic body fit

Abstract

An absorbent article providing improved body fit. The absorbent article includes an extensible fluid permeable facing layer and a first absorbent layer joined to the facing layer. Each zone of extensibility is a region of the first absorbent layer of relatively higher extensibility than regions of first absorbent layer adjacent to the zone of extensibility. A liquid impermeable backsheet is joined to the facing layer at the periphery. The liquid impermeable backsheet has a garment facing surface. A fastening means is disposed on at least a portion of the garment facing surface of the liquid impermeable backsheet. The first absorbent layer is decoupled from the fluid impermeable backsheet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a. a fluid permeable facing layer;   b. a fluid impermeable backsheet;   c. a first absorbent layer disposed between the facing layer and the backsheet; and   d. a second absorbent layer disposed between the first absorbent layer and the backsheet;   e. wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a plurality of openings, each of which comprising a peripheral wall that is substantially linear as the opening extends through the first absorbent layer; and   f. wherein the plurality of openings overlie a solid region of the second absorbent layer.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the facing layer is a laminate of two layers. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second absorbent layer comprises fluff pulp. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first absorbent layer is directly joined to the facing layer. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein the second absorbent layer is directly joined to the backsheet. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second absorbent layer is directly joined to the backsheet. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings arise from slits in the first absorbent layer. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings have a major axis that is oriented obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of wings that are formed from extensions of the facing layer and/or the backsheet. 
     
     
         11 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a. a fluid permeable facing layer;   b. a fluid impermeable backsheet;   c. a first absorbent layer disposed between the facing layer and the backsheet; and   d. a second absorbent layer disposed between the first absorbent layer and the backsheet;   e. wherein the first absorbent layer comprises a plurality of slits that extend all the way through the first absorbent layer; and   f. wherein the plurality of slits overlie a solid region of the second absorbent layer.   
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the facing layer is a laminate of two layers. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the second absorbent layer comprises fluff pulp. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 10 , wherein the first absorbent layer is directly joined to the facing layer. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 14 , wherein the second absorbent layer is directly joined to the backsheet. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the second absorbent layer is directly joined to the backsheet. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the slits have a major axis that is oriented obliquely to a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the slits are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of wings that are formed from extensions of the facing layer and/or the backsheet. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making an absorbent article, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a fluid permeable facing layer;   b. providing a fluid impermeable backsheet;   c. providing a first absorbent layer;   d. slitting the first absorbent layer in a plurality of locations to define a slit first absorbent layer that is extensible in at least one dimension;   e. providing a second absorbent layer; and   f. arranging the slit first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer between the fluid permeable facing layer and the fluid impermeable backsheet to define the absorbent article.