Disposable diapers

Abstract

Disposable absorbent diapers are provided with improved comfort, fit and liquid transportation. The absorbent core of the disposable absorbent diapers includes at least one absorbent structure having a substrate layer and an absorbent layer with channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disposable diaper having a transverse and longitudinal dimension, the disposable diaper comprising a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, wherein the absorbent core comprises a first absorbent structure,
 wherein the first absorbent structure has a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surface comprising a substrate layer and an absorbent layer comprising absorbent material, the absorbent layer comprising:
 i. transverse and longitudinal dimensions; 
 ii. a pair of opposing longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal dimension; 
 iii. a pair of opposing transversal edges extending in the transverse dimension; and 
 iv. front, crotch and back regions arranged sequentially in the longitudinal dimension; 
   wherein the absorbent layer comprises a channel, the channel being substantially free of the absorbent material and extending through the thickness of the absorbent layer in the longitudinal dimension; and   wherein the absorbent core comprises an acquisition system which is disposed between the topsheet and the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent structure, and wherein the acquisition system is in direct contact with the first absorbent structure such that the acquisition system at least partially fills in the channel of the first absorbent structure.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the channel:
 a. has a width of at least 4% of the transverse dimension of the absorbent layer; 
 b. extends over at least 15% of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent layer; and 
 c. is at least present in the crotch region or part thereof. 
 
     
     
         3 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent layer does not comprise channels extending up to the longitudinal and transversal edges of the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material is immobilized on the substrate layer. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate layer folds into the channel, or part thereof, and forms a side wall or portion of a side wall of said channel. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the channel comprises one or more curvilinear portions. 
     
     
         7 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  comprising a second substrate layer, wherein the substrate layer and the second substrate layer are bonded in the channel. 
     
     
         8 . The disposable diaper of  claim 8  wherein the substrate layer and second substrate layer are bonded via adhesive, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the channel is permanent. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable diaper of  claim 1  wherein the acquisition system comprises a nonwoven. 
     
     
         11 . A disposable diaper having a transverse and longitudinal dimension, the disposable diaper comprising a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween, wherein the absorbent core comprises a first absorbent structure and a second absorbent structure to form a laminate,
 wherein each of the first absorbent structure comprising a substrate layer and an absorbent layer, wherein the absorbent layer comprises absorbent material immobilized on the substrate layer, the absorbent layer comprising:
 i. transverse and longitudinal dimensions; 
 ii. a pair of opposing longitudinal edges extending in the longitudinal dimension; 
 iii. a pair of opposing transversal edges extending in the transverse dimension; 
 iv. front, crotch and back regions arranged sequentially in the longitudinal dimension; and 
 v. two longitudinal portions delimited by a plane having a dimension that is coextensive with a central longitudinal axis of the absorbent structure and a second dimension that is perpendicular to both the central longitudinal axis and a central transverse axis; 
   wherein the absorbent layer comprises at least two channel portions, each channel portion being substantially free of the absorbent material and each channel portion extending through the thickness of the absorbent layer in the longitudinal dimension, wherein each longitudinal portion of the absorbent layer comprises at least one of the channel portions, and   wherein the at least two channel portions are separated by a first distance in the crotch region and separated by a second distance in at least one of the front and back regions, and   wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.   
     
     
         12 . The disposable diaper of  claim 10  wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         13 . The disposable diaper of  claim 10  wherein the absorbent layer does not comprise channel portions extending up to the longitudinal and transversal edges of the absorbent layer. 
     
     
         14 . The disposable diaper of  claim 10 , wherein the substrate layer folds into one or more channel portions and forms a side wall of said one or more channel portions. 
     
     
         15 . The disposable diaper of  claim 10  wherein at least one channel portion is curvilinear. 
     
     
         16 . The disposable diaper of  claim 10  comprising a second substrate layer, wherein the substrate layer and the second substrate layer are bonded in the channel portions. 
     
     
         17 . The disposable diaper of  claim 15  wherein the substrate layer and second substrate layer are bonded via adhesive, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The disposable diaper of  claim 11  wherein the channel is permanent.