Absorbent article comprising fluid handling zones

Abstract

An absorbent article comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article comprises a first fluid handling zone having a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance and a second fluid handling zone having a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. The first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least about 50% greater than said second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, which results in an absorbent article that is better able to handle bodily fluids and reduce the risk of accidental leakage of bodily fluids onto a consumer's undergarments.

1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a composite or laminate topsheet comprising a nonwoven and a film;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. a second nonwoven disposed between the first nonwoven and the absorbent core;   e. a first fluid handling zone comprising a first portion of the topsheet and comprising a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, wherein the first portion comprises a first macro feature having an area greater than about 2 mm 2 ;   f. a second fluid handling zone comprising a second portion of the topsheet and comprising a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, wherein the second portion comprises a second macro feature that is different than the first macro feature;   g. wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second macro feature has an area greater than about 2 mm 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the area of the first macro feature is less than about 5 mm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 50% greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 5 mm greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first fluid handling zone has an Acquisition Time that is different than that of the second fluid handling zone. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first macro feature and the second macro feature comprises fiber tufts. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first macro feature and the second macro feature comprises discrete groups of fibers that are urged out-of-plane in a direction that is orthogonal to a plane of the topsheet. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first macro feature and the second macro feature comprises apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion and/or the second portion further comprises micro features. 
     
     
         11 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet comprising a first nonwoven and a second nonwoven, wherein one of the first nonwoven and the second nonwoven is hydroentangled;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. a first fluid handling zone comprising a first portion of the topsheet and comprising a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, wherein the first portion comprises a first structurally modified material;   e. a second fluid handling zone comprising a second portion of the topsheet and comprising a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance, wherein the second portion comprises a second structurally modified material that is different form the first structurally modified material;   f. wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance.   
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 50% greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 5 mm greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the first fluid handling zone has an Acquisition Time that is different than that of the second fluid handling zone. 
     
     
         15 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet comprising a nonwoven;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. a foam material disposed adjacent the nonwoven;   e. a first fluid handling zone comprising a first portion of the topsheet and comprising a first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance;   f. a second fluid handling zone comprising a second portion of the topsheet and comprising a second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance;   g. wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance.   
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 50% greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the first Transverse Fluid Travel Distance is at least 5 mm greater than the second Transverse Fluid Travel Distance. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the first fluid handling zone has an Acquisition Time that is different than that of the second fluid handling zone. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprises a macro feature having an area greater than about 2 mm 2 . 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein both the first portion and the second portion comprise a macro feature having an area greater than about 2 mm 2 .