Absorbent article with multi-functional topsheet

Abstract

An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin having an improved topsheet that provides improved skin comfort as well as superior fluid handling characteristics. Such absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The topsheet has a central zone and an outer zone extending laterally outwardly from and contiguous with the central zone. The topsheet comprises an outer portion located substantially in the outer zone and a central portion located substantially in the central zone. The outer portion includes a microapertured polymeric web which exhibits a soft and silky tactile impression. The central portion includes a macroscopically-expanded, apertured formed-film for the transmission of bodily fluids deposited on the topsheet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-zone, unitary, polymeric web having a liquid pervious central zone and an outer zone extending outwardly from and contiguous with said central zone, said web comprising: (a) a central portion located substantially in said central zone, said central portion including a plurality of macroscopically expanded apertures, said macroscopically expanded apertures transmitting bodily fluid deposited on said web; and   (b) an outer portion located substantially in said outer zone, said outer portion including a plurality of microapertures.   
     
     
       2. The multi-zone, unitary, polymeric web of claim 1 wherein said web is a topsheet on an absorbent article. 
     
     
       3. The multi-zone, unitary, polymeric web of claim 1 wherein said outer portion includes a first outer portion and a second outer portion, said second outer portion extends outwardly from and contiguous with said first outer portion. 
     
     
       4. The multi-zone, unitary, polymeric web of claim 3 wherein said first outer portion and said second outer portion form a topsheet on an absorbent article. 
     
     
       5. The multi-zone, unitary, polymeric web of claim 3 wherein said second outer portion forms a backsheet on an absorbent article. 
     
     
       6. An absorbent article comprising: (a) a liquid pervious, unitary, topsheet having a central zone and an outer zone extending outwardly from and contiguous with said central zone, said topsheet comprising: (i) a central portion located substantially in said central zone, said central portion including a plurality of macroscopically expanded apertures, said macroscopically expanded apertures transmitting bodily fluids deposited on said topsheet, and   (ii) an outer portion located substantially in said outer zone, said outer portion including a plurality of microapertures;     (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to said topsheet; and   (c) an absorbent core having side edges positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet.   
     
     
       7. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said absorbent article is a pantiliner. 
     
     
       8. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said absorbent article is a sanitary napkin. 
     
     
       9. The absorbent article of claim 6 wherein said backsheet comprises a microapertured polymeric web. 
     
     
       10. The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein said topsheet and said backsheet are made of a single unitary web. 
     
     
       11. The absorbent article of claim 6 further comprising a pair of flaps extending laterally outward from said side edges of said absorbent core. 
     
     
       12. The absorbent article of claim 11 wherein each said flap includes a portion of said topsheet and said backsheet. 
     
     
       13. The absorbent article of claim 12 wherein each said flap includes said outer portion of said topsheet.