| abstract |
This invention is a disposable absorbent article ( 20 ) for wearing adjacent a body discharge area having a longitudinal centerline, and a lateral centerline orthogonal thereto; and defining longitudinal and lateral directions, respectively. The disposable absorbent article ( 20 ) comprises a liquid pervious topsheet ( 24 ), a backsheet ( 26 ) joined to said topsheet ( 24 ), and an absorbent core ( 28 ) intermediate the backsheet ( 26 ) and the topsheet ( 24 ). The absorbent core ( 28 ) comprises an expanding layer ( 46 ) for expanding the article ( 20 ) into a tridimensional structure while being worn by a user. The expanding layer ( 46 ) is activated by body fluids, and has a predetermined profile in Z direction in the dry state prior to use. The expanding layer ( 46 ) is capable, upon activation by body fluids, of expanding into the predetermined wet profile. |