Disposable absorbent article

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article is provided having an absorbent core located in a chassis and including absorbent particulate polymer material defining at least one cavity. The absorbent core may be substantially cellulose free or comprise a combination of particulate absorbent polymer material and wood pulp. Methods for making such an absorbent core and corresponding disposable absorbent article are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a front waist region;   a back waist region;   a crotch region positioned between the first waist region and the back waist region;   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising absorbent particulate polymer material and wood pulp; and   an acquisition layer disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet;   wherein a cavity is defined in the absorbent core;   wherein the cavity comprises a first channel extending in a first direction;   wherein the cavity comprises a second channel extending in a second, different direction;   wherein the first direction crosses the second direction;   wherein a first portion of the first channel overlaps a first portion of the second channel; and   wherein a second portion of the first channel is free from overlap with a second portion of the second channel.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel has a positive slope with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 2 , wherein the second channel has a negative slope with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel together form a V shape. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel and the second channel together for an X shape. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first channel has substantially the same length as the second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first channel has substantially the same width as at least a portion of the second channel. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a first width of the front waist region, taken in a direction parallel to a central lateral axis of the absorbent article, is wider than a second width of the crotch region, taken in a direction a parallel to the central lateral axis of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising front ears in the front waist region. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising rear ears in the rear waist region. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a landing zone in the front waist region. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising an elastic waist feature in the rear waist region. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising elasticized leg cuffs. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a core wrap surrounding the absorbent particulate polymer material and wood pulp, wherein the core wrap comprises a first nonwoven layer and a second nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity and the first and second channels are substantially free of the absorbent particulate polymer material. 
     
     
         16 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a front waist region;   a back waist region;   a crotch region positioned between the first waist region and the back waist region;   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising absorbent particulate polymer material and wood pulp; and   an acquisition layer disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet;   wherein a cavity is defined in the absorbent core;   wherein the cavity comprises a first channel extending in a first direction;   wherein the cavity comprises a second channel extending in a second, different direction;   wherein the first and second channels together form an X configuration;   wherein the first and second channels have substantially the same length; and   wherein at least a portion of the first and second channels have substantially the same width.   
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 16 , wherein the cavity and the first and second channels are substantially free of the absorbent particulate polymer material. 
     
     
         18 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a front waist region;   a back waist region;   a crotch region positioned between the first waist region and the back waist region;   a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent core comprising absorbent particulate polymer material and wood pulp; and   an acquisition layer disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet;   wherein a cavity is defined in the absorbent core;   wherein the cavity comprises a first channel extending in a first direction;   wherein the cavity comprises a second channel extending in a second direction,   wherein the first direction and the second direction are different;   wherein the cavity comprises a third channel extending in a third direction;   wherein the cavity comprises a fourth channel extending in a fourth direction,   wherein the third direction and the fourth direction are different;   wherein a first portion of the first channel and a first portion of the second channel converge;   wherein a first portion of the third channel and a first portion of the fourth channel converge; and   wherein a second portion of the first channel is free from overlap with a second portion of the second channel; and   wherein a second portion of the third channel is free from overlap with a second portion of the fourth channel.   
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 18 , wherein the first channel and the second channel together from a V shape. 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein the third channel and the fourth channel together form a V shape.