Absorbent articles with channels

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed, in part, to an absorbent article that comprises a liquid management system (LMS) and an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate a topsheet and a backsheet. The LMS defines one or more channels substantially free of superabsorbent polymers. The one or more channels of the LMS may at least partially overlap channels defined by the absorbent core. The absorbent article may comprises a liquid distribution system (LDS) that defines one or more channels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a front waist region;   a rear waist region;   a crotch region positioned intermediate the front waist region and the rear waist region;   a liquid permeable material;   a liquid impermeable material;   an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable material and the liquid impermeable material and comprising an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is positioned within a core wrap, wherein the absorbent core defines a first channel substantially free of the absorbent material, wherein the first channel extends substantially through the thickness of the absorbent material, wherein a first side of the core wrap is joined to a second side of the core wrap in a portion of the first channel, wherein the first channel extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region, wherein the first channel has a length and an average width about the length, and wherein the average width about the length is substantially constant; and   a liquid distribution system, wherein the liquid distribution system defines a second channel, wherein the liquid distribution system is positioned intermediate the liquid permeable material and the core wrap, wherein the second channel extends substantially through the thickness of the liquid distribution system, and wherein the second channel has a length and an average width about the length, and wherein the average width about the length of the second channel is substantially constant.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a first layer and a second layer, and wherein the second channel extends substantially through the thickness of the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second channel overlaps a portion of the first channel. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second channel does not overlap the first channel. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a high surface area material comprising high surface area fibers, a high surface area open-celled foam, or a hydrophilic polymeric foam. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises cross-linked cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises microfibers. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid distribution system comprises a third channel defined therein. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the liquid management system has a different color than a portion of the liquid permeable material, a portion of the liquid impermeable material, or a portion of the absorbent core. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a third channel defined in the absorbent core. 
     
     
         11 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a front waist region;   a rear waist region;   a crotch region positioned intermediate the front waist region and the rear waist region;   a liquid permeable material;   a liquid impermeable material;   an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable material and the liquid impermeable material and comprising an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is positioned within a core wrap, wherein the absorbent core defines a first channel substantially free of the absorbent material, wherein the first channel extends substantially through the thickness of the absorbent material, wherein a first side of the core wrap is joined to a second side of the core wrap in a portion of the first channel, wherein the first channel extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region, wherein the first channel has a length and an average width about the length, and wherein the average width about the length is substantially constant;   an acquisition layer positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable material and the core wrap, wherein the acquisition layer is substantially free of any superabsorbent polymers; and   a distribution layer, wherein the distribution layer defines a second channel, wherein the distribution layer is positioned intermediate the acquisition layer and the core wrap, and wherein the second channel extends substantially through the thickness of the distribution layer.   
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 11 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a central longitudinal axis, wherein the absorbent core defines a third channel therein, wherein the distribution layer defines a fourth channel therein, wherein the first and second channels are positioned on a first side of the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent article, and wherein the third and fourth channels are positioned on a second side of the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , wherein a portion of the second channel at least partially overlaps a portion of the first channel. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the fourth channel at least partially overlaps a portion of the third channel. 
     
     
         15 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a front waist region;   a rear waist region;   a crotch region positioned intermediate the front waist region and the rear waist region;   a liquid permeable material;   a liquid impermeable material;   an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable material and the liquid impermeable material and comprising an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is positioned within a core wrap, wherein the first channel extends substantially through the thickness of the absorbent material, wherein a first side of the core wrap is joined to a second side of the core wrap in a portion of the first channel, and wherein the first channel extends from the front waist region to the rear waist region;   an acquisition layer positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable material and the core wrap, wherein the acquisition layer is substantially free of any superabsorbent polymers; and   a distribution layer, wherein the distribution layer defines a second channel, wherein the distribution layer is positioned intermediate the acquisition layer and the core wrap, and wherein the second channel extends substantially through the thickness of the distribution layer.   
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent core or the distribution layer defines a third channel. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the first channel has a length and an average width about the length, and wherein the average width about the length is substantially constant. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the second channel has a length and an average width about the length, and wherein the average width about the length is substantially constant. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent article comprises a central longitudinal axis, wherein the absorbent core defines a third channel therein, wherein the distribution layer defines a fourth channel therein, wherein the first and second channels are positioned on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the third and fourth channels are positioned on a second side of the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 19 , wherein a portion of the second channel at least partially overlaps a portion of the first channel, and wherein a portion of the third channel at least partially overlaps a portion of the fourth channel.