An absorbant article with absorbent core cavities

Abstract

An absorbent article includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. The absorbent core defines a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from an outer surface of the absorbent core along a transverse direction. The inner layer is coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments. Each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction. A cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction.

Description

BACKGROUND Conventional feminine and adult hygiene absorbent personal care articles, which are also referred to as sanitary napkins, frequently include a cover, an absorbent core with fluff that absorbs and stores menses, and a waterproof membrane. Certain conventional sanitary napkins also include an intermediate layer between the cover and the absorbent core. The intermediate layer can facilitate transfer of menses from the cover to the absorbent core. However, transfer through the intermediate layer may be limited such that menses does not quickly flow into the absorbent core and remains within the intermediate layer, which can cause the wearer to feel damp. Moreover, in conventional sanitary napkins, menses may predominantly remain directly below the insult location on the sanitary napkin rather than spreading out within the absorbent core. An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, with features for improving menses movement from the cover to the absorbent core and / or menses movement away from the directly below the insult location would be useful. SUMMARY In general, the present disclosure provides an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, with features for facilitating menses movement from the cover to the absorbent core and / or menses movement away from the directly below the insult location. The absorbent article may include an absorbent core with cavities or pockets at a bottom of the absorbent core, e.g., that are essentially free of cellulosic fibers. An inner layer and / or a transfer layer may be embossed to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments. Each of the embossments may be aligned with a respective pocket. Thus, e.g., each of the embossments may be positioned directly above the respective pocket. The absorbent core may include densified areas with cellulosic fluff that is densified relative to adjacent portions of the absorbent core. The absorbent article may advantageously have improved rewet and / or stain size at an insult area on a top of absorbent article relative to conventional absorbent articles such that a wearer feels more comfortable. In one example embodiment, an absorbent article includes an inner layer, a transfer layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent core. The absorbent core is disposed between the transfer layer and the outer layer. The transfer layer is disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core. The absorbent core includes cellulosic fluff. The absorbent core has an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction. The inner surface of the absorbent core faces towards the inner layer, and the outer surface of the absorbent core faces towards the outer layer. The absorbent core defines a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction. The inner layer and the transfer layer are coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments. Each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction. A cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction. In another example embodiment, an absorbent article includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. The absorbent core includes cellulosic fluff. The absorbent core has an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction. The inner surface of the absorbent core faces the inner layer, and the outer surface of the absorbent core faces the outer layer. The absorbent core defines a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction. The inner layer is coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments. Each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction. A cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction. In another example embodiment, a method for forming an absorbent article includes: applying cellulosic fluff over a plurality of pins on a formation drum; forming an absorbent core with the cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly along a transverse direction, each of the plurality of cavities corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of pins; embossing an inner layer and a transfer layer to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, each of the plurality of cavities aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction being greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction; and attaching an outer layer to the absorbent core opposite the inner layer. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an absorbent article according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 2 is a section view of the example absorbent article of FIG. 1 taken along the 2-2 line of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top plan of an array of embossments at a central portion of the example absorbent article of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system of forming an absorbent article according to an example embodiment of the present subject matter. FIG. 5 is a partial, side elevation view of a formation drum and projections of the example system of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a partial, side elevation view of an embosser and embossment pins of the example system of FIG. 4. Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawing is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure is generally directed to an absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, with features for facilitating menses movement from the cover to the absorbent core and / or menses movement away from the directly below the insult location. The absorbent article may include an inner layer, a transfer layer, an outer layer, and an absorbent core. The inner layer may be a body facing layer of the absorbent article, and the outer layer may be positioned opposite the inner layer and face away from the body of a wearer. The transfer layer may be disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core, and the absorbent core may be disposed between the transfer layer and the outer layer. An inner surface of the absorbent core may face towards the inner layer, and an outer surface of the absorbent core may face towards the outer layer. The absorbent core may define a plurality of cavities that extend inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along a transverse direction. The cavities may be essentially free of cellulosic fibers. The inner layer and the transfer layer may be coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments. Each of the plurality of cavities may be aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, and a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction. Menses at the inner layer may flow through the inner layer and the transfer layer (e.g., via the embossments) into the cavities in the absorbent core. The menses may collect within the absorbent core and then spread outwardly into the absorbent core. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure. When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a ten percent (10%) margin. The term “substantially free of’ when used to describe the amount of a material is not to be limited to entirely or completely free of and may correspond to a lack of any appreciable or detectable amount of the recited material. Thus, e.g., an area is “substantially free of’ a material when the amount of the material in the relevant area is less than the precision of an industry-accepted instrument or test for measuring the amount of the substance in the material. In certain example embodiments, an area may be “substantially free of’ a material when the amount of the material in the area is less than less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, or less than 0.1% by weight of the makeup of the area. Definitions: As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers herein to an article which may be placed against or in proximity to the body (i.e., contiguous with the body) of the wearer to absorb and contain various liquid, solid, and semi-solid exudates discharged from the body. Such absorbent articles, as described herein, are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use instead of being laundered or otherwise restored for reuse. It is to be understood that the present subject matter is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles, including, but not limited to, diapers, training pants, youth pants, swim pants, feminine hygiene products, including, but not limited to, menstrual pads, sanitary napkins, feminine pads, pantiliners, and panty shields, and incontinence products, and the like. As used herein, the term “airlaid” refers herein to a web manufactured by an airlaying process. In the airlaying process, bundles of small fibers having typical lengths ranging from about three (3) to about fifty-two (52) millimeters (mm) are separated and entrained in an air supply and then deposited onto a forming screen, usually with the assistance of a vacuum supply. The randomly deposited fibers are then bonded to one another using, for example, hot air to activate a binder component or a latex adhesive. Airlaying is taught in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,810 to Laursen, et al., which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto for all purposes. As used herein, the term “bonded” refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered bonded together when the two elements are joined, adhered, connected, attached, or the like, directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when bonded to an intermediate element. The bonding can occur via, for example, adhesive, pressure bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, stitching, suturing, and / or welding. The term “carded web” refers herein to a web containing natural or synthetic staple fibers typically having fiber lengths less than about 100 mm. Bales of staple fibers can undergo an opening process to separate the fibers that are then sent to a carding process that separates and combs the fibers to align them in the machine direction after which the fibers are deposited onto a moving wire for further processing. Such webs are usually subjected to some type of bonding process such as thermal bonding using heat and / or pressure. In addition to or in lieu thereof, the fibers can be subject to adhesive processes to bind the fibers together such as by the use of powder adhesives. The carded web can be subjected to fluid entangling, such as hydroentangling, to further intertwine the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded webs, due to the fiber alignment in the machine direction, once bonded, will typically have more machine direction strength than cross machine direction strength. As used herein, the term “coform” refers herein to composite materials comprising a mixture or stabilized matrix of thermoplastic fibers and a second non-thermoplastic material. As an example, coform materials may be made by a process in which at least one meltblown die head is arranged near a chute through which other materials are added to the web while it is forming. Such other materials may include, but are not limited to, fibrous organic materials such as woody or non-woody pulp such as cotton, rayon, recycled paper, pulp fluff, and also superabsorbent particles, inorganic and / or organic absorbent materials, treated polymeric staple fibers and so forth. Some examples of such coform materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,464 to Lau, U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,703 to Everhart, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,624 to Georger, et al., each of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto for all purposes. As used herein, the term “conjugate fibers” refers herein to fibers which have been formed from at least two polymer sources extruded from separate extruders and spun together to form on fiber. Conjugate fibers are also sometimes referred to as bicomponent or multicomponent fibers. The polymers are arranged in substantially constantly positioned distinct zones across the cross-sections of the conjugate fibers and extend continuously along the length of the conjugate fibers. The configuration of such a conjugate fiber may be, for example, a sheath / core arrangement where one polymer is surrounded by another, or may be a side-by-side arrangement, a pie arrangement, or an “islands-in-the-sea” arrangement. Conjugate fibers are taught by U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,820 to Kaneko, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,668 to Krueger, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,992 to Marcher, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,552 to Strack, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,987 to Shawver, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike, et al., each being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto for all purposes. For two component fibers, the polymers may be present in ratios of 75 / 25, 50 / 50, 25 / 75 or any other desired ratio. Additionally, polymer additives such as processing aids may be included in each zone. Throughout this description, the term “disposed” and the expressions “disposed on,” “disposing on,” “disposed in,” “disposed between” and variations thereof (e.g„ a description of the article being “disposed” is interposed between the words “disposed” and “on”) are intended to mean that one element can be integral with another element, or that one element can be a separate structure bonded to or placed with or placed near another element. Thus, a component that is “disposed on” an element of the absorbent article can be formed or applied directly or indirectly to a surface of the element, formed or applied between layers of a multiple layer element, formed or applied to a substrate that is placed with or near the element, formed or applied within a layer of the element or another substrate, or other variations or combinations thereof. The term “film” refers herein to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and / or forming process, such as a cast film or blown film extrusion process. The term includes apertured films, slit films, and other porous films that constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids, such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films, and oriented films. The term “liquid impermeable” refers herein to a layer or multi-layer laminate in which liquid body exudates, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate, under ordinary use conditions, in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point of liquid contact. The term “liquid permeable” refers herein to any material that is not liquid impermeable. As used herein, the term “machine direction (MD) refers to the length of a fabric in the direction in which it is produced, as opposed to a “cross-machine direction” (CD) which refers to the width of a fabric in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. As used herein, the term “meltblown web” refers herein to a nonwoven web that is formed by a process in which a molten thermoplastic material is extruded through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten fibers into converging high velocity gas (e.g., air) streams that attenuate the fibers of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly disbursed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Buten, et al., which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto for all purposes. Generally speaking, meltblown fibers may be microfibers that are substantially continuous or discontinuous, generally smaller than ten (10) microns in diameter, and generally tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface. As used herein, the term “nonwoven fabric” or “nonwoven web” refers herein to a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, through-air bonded carded web (also known as BCW and TABCW) processes, etc. The basis weight of nonwoven webs may generally vary, such as, from about five (5), ten (10), or twenty (20) gsm to about one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125), or one hundred and fifty (150) gsm. The term “rewet” is used herein to mean the retransmission of liquid from the absorbent core to the body or wearer side of the top sheet when the disposable absorbent article is in use. Rewet therefore is a measure of the absorbent article's fluid retention capabilities under load. Low rewet means low retransmission of liquid from the fluid transport layer and / or absorbent core to the body or wearer side of the top sheet. The rewet property of an absorbent article is determined by the procedure outlined in the test procedures section below. Unless indicated otherwise, rewet values are reported herein in grams. As used herein, the term “spunbond web” refers herein to a web containing small diameter substantially continuous fibers. The fibers are formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material from a plurality of fine, usually circular, capillaries of a spinneret with the diameter of the extruded fibers then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, eductive drawing and / or other well-known spunbonding mechanisms. The production of spunbond webs is described and illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,992 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,538 to Levy, U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike, et al., which are each incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto for all purposes. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers may sometimes have diameters less than about forty (40) microns, and often between about five (5) to about twenty (20) microns. As used herein, the terms “superabsorbent polymer”, “superabsorbent”, or “SAP” shall be used interchangeably and shall refer to polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass. Water absorbing polymers, which are classified as hydrogels, which can be cross-linked, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding and other polar forces with water molecules. An SAP's ability to absorb water is based in part on iconicity (a factor of the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution), and the SAP functional polar groups that have an affinity for water. SAP are typically made from the polymerization of acrylic acid blended with sodium hydroxide in the presence of an initiator to form a poly-acrylic acid sodium salt (sometimes referred to as sodium polyacrylate). Other materials are also used to make a superabsorbent polymer, such as polyacrylamide copolymer, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymer, cross-linked carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, cross-linked polyethylene oxide, and starch grafted copolymer of polyacrylonitrile. SAP may be present in absorbent articles in particle or fibrous form or as a coating or another material or fiber. Absorbent Article: Generally, an absorbent article is disclosed herein. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an absorbent article 100 according to an example aspect of the present subject matter is shown in the form of a feminine hygiene product, such as a menstrual pad or sanitary napkin. It is to be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is suitable for use with various other absorbent articles, such as, but not limited to, diapers or incontinence products. The absorbent article 100 may have a longitudinal direction L, a lateral direction A, and a transverse direction T, which are mutually perpendicular. The absorbent article 100 may have an anterior region 102, a posterior region 104, and a central region 106 located between the anterior region 102 and the posterior region 104, e.g., along the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent article 100 may have a first lateral direction end edge 103, a second lateral direction end edge 105 opposed to the first lateral direction end edge 103, and a pair of opposing longitudinal direction side edges 107 extending between and connecting the first and second lateral direction end edges, 103 and 105. The absorbent article 100 may have a wearer facing, liquid permeable topsheet layer 110 and a garment facing, liquid impermeable layer 120. An absorbent core 130 may be positioned between the topsheet layer 110 and the liquid impermeable layer 120. The absorbent article 100 may have an exudate management layer 140 in fluid communication with the topsheet layer 110. In example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may be positioned between the topsheet layer 110 and the absorbent core 130, such as, for example, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The topsheet layer 110 and the liquid impermeable layer 120 may both extend beyond the outermost peripheral edges of the absorbent core 130, e.g., along the longitudinal direction L and / or the lateral direction A, and may be peripherally bonded together, either entirely or partially, using known bonding techniques to form a sealed peripheral region 109. For example, the topsheet layer 110 and the liquid impermeable layer 120 may be bonded together by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or any other suitable bonding technique known in the art. Each of the components of the absorbent article 100, as well as additional components, will be described in more detail herein. In example embodiments, the absorbent article 100 may include have a pair of wings 160 extending outwardly, in the lateral direction A, from the absorbent article 100. The wings 160 may drape over the edges of the wearer's undergarment so that the wings 160 are disposed between the edges of the wearer's undergarment and thighs. The wings 160 may serve at least two purposes. First, the wings 160 may prevent soiling of the wearer's undergarment by forming a barrier along the edges of the undergarment. Second, the wings 160 may be provided with an attachment aid (not shown), such as, for example, a garment attachment adhesive or a hook, to keep the absorbent article 100 securely and properly positioned in the undergarment. The wings 160 may wrap around the crotch region of the wearer's undergarment to aid in securing the absorbent article 100 to the wearer's undergarment when in use. Each wing 160 may fold under the crotch region of the wearer's undergarment and the attachment aid can either form a secure attachment to the opposite wing 160 or directly to the surface of the wearer's undergarment. In example embodiments, the wings 160 may be an extension of materials forming the topsheet layer 110 and / or the liquid impermeable layer 120 and may be bonded together along the sealed peripheral region 109. Such wings 160 may be integrally formed with the main portion of the absorbent article 100. In various example embodiments, the wings 160 may be constructed of materials similar to the topsheet layer 110, the liquid impermeable layer 120, or combinations of these materials. In various embodiments, the wings 160 may be separate elements bonded to the main body of the absorbent article 100. Examples of processes for manufacturing absorbent articles 100 and wings 160 include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,114 to Richards, U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,574 to Hassim, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,647 to Heindel, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,672 to Alcantara, et al., U.S. Publication No. 2004 / 0040650 to Ventunno, et al., and international publication WO1997 / 040804 to Emenaker, et al., each of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. It is to be understood that the wings 160 are optional and, in various example embodiments, an absorbent article 100 may be configured without wings 160. Topsheet Layer. The topsheet layer 110 may also be referred to as an “inner layer’’ herein. The topsheet layer 110 may define a body facing surface 112 of the absorbent article 100 that may directly contact the body of the wearer and is liquid permeable to receive body exudates. The topsheet layer 110 is desirably provided for comfort and functions to direct body exudates away from the body of the wearer, through its own structure, and towards the absorbent core 130. The topsheet layer 110 may desirably retain little to no liquid therein, so that the topsheet layer 110 provides a relatively comfortable and non-irritating surface next to the skin of the wearer of the absorbent article 100. The topsheet layer 110 may be a single layer of material, or alternatively, may be multiple layers that have been laminated together. The topsheet layer 110 may be constructed of any material, such as one or more woven sheets, one or more fibrous nonwoven sheets, one or more film sheets, such as blown or extruded films, which may themselves be of single or multiple layers, one or more foam sheets, such as reticulated, open cell or closed cell foams, a coated nonwoven sheet, or a combination of any of these materials. Such combination may be adhesively, thermally, or ultrasonically laminated into a unified planar sheet structure to form the topsheet layer 110. In example embodiments, the topsheet layer 110 may be constructed from various nonwoven webs, such as meltblown webs, spunbond webs, hydroentangled spunlace webs, or through air bonded carded webs. Examples of suitable topsheet layer 110 materials may include, but are not limited to, natural fiber webs (such as cotton), rayon, hydroentangled webs, bonded carded webs of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bondable fibers (such as bicomponent fibers), polyolefins, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid. Finely perforated films and net materials may also be used, as may laminates of / or combinations of these materials. An example of a suitable topsheet layer 110 may be a bonded carded web made of polypropylene and polyethylene such as that obtainable from Sandler Corp., Germany. U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,494 to Datta, etal., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,026 to Sukiennik, et al., and WO 2009 / 062998 to Texol teach various other topsheet materials that may be used as the topsheet layer 110, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. Additional topsheet layer 110 materials may include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,644 to Matthews, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,643 to Curro, etal., U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,625 to Van Iten, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,991 to Kirby, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,823 to Daley, et al., and U.S. Publication No. 2012 / 0289917 to Abuto, et al., each of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. In various example embodiments, the topsheet layer 110 may contain a plurality of apertures formed therethrough to permit body exudates to pass more readily into the absorbent core 130. The apertures may be randomly or uniformly arranged throughout the topsheet layer 110. The size, shape, diameter, and number of apertures may be varied to suit the absorbent article 100. In example embodiments, the topsheet layer 110 may have a basis weight ranging from about five (5), ten (10), fifteen (15), twenty (20), or twenty-five (25) gsm to about fifty (50), one hundred (100), one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125), or one hundred and fifty (150) gsm. For example, in example embodiment, a topsheet layer 110 may be constructed from a through air bonded carded web having a basis weight ranging from about fifteen (15) gsm to about one hundred (100) gsm. In another example, a topsheet layer 110 may be constructed from a through air bonded carded web having a basis weight from about twenty (20) gsm to about fifty (50) gsm, such as a through air bonded carded web that is readily available from nonwoven material manufacturers, such as Xiamen Yanjan Industry, Beijing, DaYuan Nonwoven Fabrics, and others. In various example embodiments, the topsheet layer 110 may be at least partially hydrophilic. In example embodiments, a portion of the topsheet layer 110 may be hydrophilic and a portion of the topsheet layer 110 may be hydrophobic. In example embodiments, the portions of the topsheet layer 110 which may be hydrophobic may be either an inherently hydrophobic material or may be a material treated with a hydrophobic coating. In various example embodiments, the topsheet layer 110 may be a multicomponent topsheet layer 110, such as by having two or more different nonwoven or film materials, with the different materials placed in separate locations in the lateral direction L of the absorbent article 100. For example, the topsheet layer 110 may be a two layer or multicomponent material having a central portion positioned along and straddling a longitudinal centerline 111 of an absorbent article 100, with lateral side portions flanking and bonded to each side edge of the central portion. The central portion may be constructed from a first material and the side portions can be constructed from a material which can be the same as or different from the material of the central portion. In such example embodiments, the central portion may be at least partially hydrophilic and the side portions may be inherently hydrophobic or may be treated with a hydrophobic coating. Examples of constructions of multi-component topsheet layers 110 are generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,505 to Coe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,640 to Kirby, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,523 to Sugahara, each of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto in its entirety. In example embodiments, a central portion of a topsheet layer 110 may be positioned symmetrically about the absorbent article 100 longitudinal centerline 111. Such central longitudinally directed central portion may be a through air bonded carded web (“TABCW”) having a basis weight between about fifteen (15) and about one hundred (100) gsm. Previously described nonwoven, woven, and aperture film topsheet layer materials may also be used as the central portion of a topsheet layer 110. In example embodiments, the central portion may be constructed from a TABCW material having a basis weight from about twenty (20) gsm to about fifty (50) gsm, such as is available from Xiamen Yanjan Industry, Beijing, DaYuan Nonwoven Fabrics, and others. Alternatively, aperture films, such as those available from such film suppliers as Texol, Italy and Tredegar, U.S.A, may be utilized. Different nonwoven, woven, or film sheet materials may be utilized as the side portions of the topsheet layer 110. The selection of such topsheet layer 110 materials may vary based upon the overall desired attributes of the topsheet layer 110. For example, it may be desired to have a hydrophilic material in the central portion and hydrophobic-barrier type materials in the side portions to prevent leakage and increase a sense of dryness in the area of the side portions. Such side portions can be adhesively, thermally, ultrasonically, or otherwise bonded to the central portion along or adjacent the longitudinally directed side edges of the central portion. Traditional absorbent article construction adhesive may be used to bond the side portions to the central portion. Either of the central portion and / or the side portions may be treated with surfactants and / or skin-health benefit agents, as are well known in the art. Such longitudinally directed side portions may be of a single or multi-layered construction. In example embodiments, the side portions may be adhesively or otherwise bonded laminates. In various example embodiments, the side portions may be constructed of an upper fibrous nonwoven layer, such as a spunbond material, laminated to a bottom layer of a hydrophobic barrier film material. Such a spunbond layer may be formed from a polyolefin, such as a polypropylene and can include a wetting agent if desired. In various example embodiments, a spunbond layer may have a basis weight from about ten (10) or twelve (12) gsm to about thirty (30) or seventy (70) gsm and may be treated with hydrophilic wetting agents. In various example embodiments, a film layer may have apertures to allow fluid to permeate to lower layers, and may be either of a single layer or multi-layer construction. In various example embodiments, such film may be a polyolefin, such as polyethylene having a basis weight from about ten (10) to about forty (40) gsm. Construction adhesive may be utilized to laminate the spunbond layer to the film layer at an add-on level of between about one-tenth (0.1) gsm and fifteen (15) gsm. When a film barrier layer is used in the overall topsheet layer 110 design, the film barrier layer may include opacifying agents, such as film pigments, that can help the film in masking stains along the absorbent article 100 side edges, thereby serving as a masking element. In such a fashion, the film layer may serve to limit visualization of a fluid insult stain along the absorbent article 100 side edges when viewed from above the topsheet layer 110. The film layer may also serve as a barrier layer to prevent rewet of the topsheet layer 110 as well as to prevent the flow of fluid off the side edges of the absorbent article 100. In various embodiments, the side portions may be laminates such as a spunbond-meltblown-meltblown-spunbond layer (“SMMS”) laminate, spunbond-film laminate, or alternatively, other nonwoven laminate combinations. Absorbent Core: An absorbent core 130 may be positioned between the topsheet layer 110 and the liquid impermeable layer 120 of the absorbent article 100. The absorbent core 130 may generally be any single layer structure or combination of layer components, which can demonstrate some level of compressibility, conformability, be non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids and other body exudates. In various example embodiments, the absorbent core 130 may be formed from a variety of different materials and may include any number of desired layers. For example, the absorbent core 130 may include one or more layers (e.g., two layers) of absorbent web material of cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers), other natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or nonwoven sheets, scrim netting, or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In an example embodiment, the absorbent web material may include a matrix of cellulosic fluff and may also include superabsorbent material. The cellulosic fluff may include a blend of wood pulp fluff, such as available from Weyerhaeuser Corp., that is a bleached, highly absorbent wood pulp containing primarily soft wood fibers. In example embodiments, if desired, the absorbent core 130 may include superabsorbent material. Examples of suitable superabsorbent material may include poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamide), poly(vinyI ether), maleic anhydride copolymers with vinyl ethers and a-olefins, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinylmorpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and salts and copolymers thereof. Other superabsorbent materials may include unmodified natural polymers and modified natural polymers, such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, methyl cellulose, chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and natural gums, such as alginates, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, and so forth. Mixtures of natural and wholly or partially synthetic superabsorbent polymers may also be used. The superabsorbent material may be present in the absorbent core 130 in any amount as desired. Regardless of the combination of absorbent materials used in the absorbent core 130, the absorbent materials may be formed into a web structure by employing various conventional methods 13 and techniques. For example, the absorbent web may be formed by techniques such as, but not limited to, a dry-forming technique, an air forming technique, a wet forming technique, a foam forming technique, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. A coform nonwoven material may also be employed. Methods and apparatus for carrying out such techniques are well known in the art. The shape of the absorbent core 130 may vary as desired and may include any one of various shapes including, but not limited to, triangular, rectangular, dog-bone, elliptical, trapezoidal, T-shape, I-shape, and hourglass shapes. In example embodiments, the absorbent core 130 may have a shape that generally corresponds with the overall shape of the absorbent article 100. The dimensions of the absorbent core 130 may be substantially similar to those of the absorbent article 100, however, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the absorbent core 130 while similar, will often be less than those of the overall absorbent article 100, in order to be adequately contained therein. The size and the absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 130 is generally compatible with the size of the intended wearer and the liquid loading imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article 100. Additionally, the size and the absorbent capacity of the absorbent core 130 may be varied to accommodate wearers ranging from infants to adults. The absorbent core 130 may have a length ranging from about one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125), one hundred and thirty (130), one hundred and fifty (150), one hundred and sixty (160), one hundred and seventy (170), one hundred and eighty (180), one hundred and ninety (190), two hundred (200), two hundred and ten (210), two hundred and twenty (220), two hundred and twenty-five (225), two hundred and thirty (230), two hundred and forty (240), two hundred and fifty (250), two hundred and sixty (260), two hundred and seventy (270), two hundred and eighty (280), two hundred and ninety (290), three hundred (300), three hundred and ten (310), three hundred and twenty (320), three hundred and thirty (330), three hundred and forty (340), or three hundred and fifty (350) millimeters (mm) to about three hundred and fifty-five (355), three hundred and sixty (360), three hundred and eighty (380), three hundred and eighty-five (385), three hundred and ninety (390), three hundred and ninety-five (395), four hundred (400), four hundred and ten (410), four hundred and fifteen (415), four hundred and twenty (420), four hundred and twenty-five (425), four hundred and forty (440), four hundred and fifty (450), four hundred and sixty (460), four hundred and eighty (480), five hundred (500), five hundred and ten (510), five hundred and twenty (520), five hundred and thirty (530), five hundred and forty (540), five hundred and fifty (550), six hundred (600), six hundred and ten (610), six hundred and twenty (620), or six hundred and thirty (630) millimeters (mm). The absorbent core 130 may have a width in the central region 106 ranging from about thirty (30), forty (40), fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), sixty-five (65), or seventy (70) mm to about seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90), ninety-five (95), one hundred (100), one hundred and five (105), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred and fifteen (115), one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125), one hundred and thirty (130), one hundred and forty (140), one hundred and fifty (150), one hundred and sixty (160), one hundred and seventy (170) or one hundred and eighty (180) millimeters (mm). The width of the absorbent core 130 located within the anterior region 102 and / or posterior region 104 of the absorbent article 100 may range from about fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), sixty-five (65), seventy (70) mm, seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90), or ninety-five (95) millimeters (mm) to about one hundred (100), one hundred and five (105), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred and fifteen (115), one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125) or one hundred and thirty (130) millimeters (mm). As noted herein, the absorbent core 130 may have a length and width that may be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article 100. In an example embodiment, the absorbent article 100 may be a feminine hygiene product having the following ranges of lengths and widths of the absorbent core 130 having an hourglass shape: the length of the absorbent core 130 may range from about one hundred and fifty (150), one hundred and sixty (160), one hundred and seventy (170), or one hundred and eighty (180) millimeters (mm) to about one hundred and ninety (190), two hundred (200), two hundred and ten (210), two hundred and twenty (220), two hundred and thirty (230), two hundred and forty (240), two hundred and fifty (250), two hundred and sixty (260), two hundred and seventy (270), two hundred and eighty (280), two hundred and ninety (290), three hundred (300), three hundred and ten (310) or three hundred and twenty (320) millimeters (mm); the width of the absorbent core 130 in the central region 106 may range from about thirty (30), forty (40), or fifty (50) millimeters (mm) to about sixty (60), seventy (70), eighty (80), ninety (90) or one hundred (100) millimeters (mm). By way of example, suitable materials and / or structures for the absorbent core 130 may include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 to Weisman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,636 to Yahiaoui, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,903 to Latimer, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,358,282 to Krueger, et al., and U.S. Publication No. 2010 / 0174260 to Di Luccio, et al. each of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. In example embodiments, an absorbent core 130 may be a single layer structure and may include, for example, a matrix of cellulosic fluff and superabsorbent material. In various example embodiments, the absorbent core 130 can have at least two layers of material, such as, for example, a body facing layer and a garment facing layer. In example embodiments, the two layers may be identical to each other. In example embodiments, the two layers may be different from each other. In such example embodiments, the two layers may provide the absorbent article 100 with different absorption properties as suitable. In example embodiments, the body facing layer of the absorbent core 130 may be constructed of an airlaid material and the garment facing layer of the absorbent core 130 may be constructed of a superabsorbent polymer-containing compressed sheet. In such example embodiments, the airlaid material may have a basis weight from about forty (40) to about two hundred (200) gsm and the superabsorbent polymer-containing compressed sheet may be a cellulosic fluff based material that may be a combination of cellulosic pulp and SAP enclosed with a tissue carrier and having a basis weight from about forty (40) to about four hundred (400) gsm. Liquid Impermeable Layer. The liquid impermeable layer 120 is also referred to as an “outer layer” herein. The liquid impermeable layer 120 may be generally liquid impermeable and may be the portion of the absorbent article 100 which faces the garments of the wearer. The liquid impermeable layer 120 may permit the passage of air or vapor out of the absorbent article 100 while still blocking the passage of liquids. Any liquid impermeable material may generally be utilized to form the liquid impermeable layer 120. The liquid impermable layer 120 may be a single layer or multiple layers, and these one or more layers may themselves include similar or different materials. Suitable material that may be utilized may be a microporous polymeric film, such as a polyolefin film or polyethylene or polypropylene, nonwovens, and nonwoven laminates, and film / nonwoven laminates. The particular structure and composition of the liquid impermeable layer 120 may be selected from various known films and / or fabrics with the particular material being selected as appropriate to provide the desired level of liquid barrier, strength, abrasion resistance, tactile properties, aesthetics, and so forth. In various example embodiments, a polyethylene film may be utilized that can have a thickness in the range of from about two-tenths (0.2) or five-tenths (0.5) mils to about three (3.0) or five (5.0) mils. An example of a liquid impermeable layer 120 may be a polyethylene film, such as that obtainable from Pliant Corp., Schaumburg, III., USA. Another example may include calcium carbonate-filled polypropylene film. In still another example embodiment, the liquid impermeable layer 120 may be a hydrophobic nonwoven material with water barrier properties, such as a nonwoven laminate, an example of which may be a spunbond, meltblown, meltblown, spunbons, four-layered laminate. In example embodiments, the liquid impermeable layer 120 may be a two layer construction, including an outer layer material and an inner layer material which may be bonded together. The outer layer may be any suitable material and may be one that provides a generally cloth-like texture or appearance to the wearer. An example of such material may be a one hundred percent (100%) polypropylene bonded-carded web with a diamond bond pattern available from Sandler A. G., Germany. Another example of material suitable for use as an outer layer may be a twenty (20) gsm spunbond polypropylene non-woven web. The inner layer may be either vapor permeable (i.e., “breathable ) or vapor impermeable. The inner layer may be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The inner layer may inhibit liquid body exudates from leaking out of the absorbent article 100 and wetting articles, such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver. The liquid impermeable layer 120 may, therefore, be of a single or multiple layer construction, such as of multiple film layers or laminates of film and nonwoven fibrous layers. Suitable liquid impermeable layers 120 may be constructed from materials such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,069 to Whitehead, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,799 to Tusim, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,849 to Shawver, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,179 to McCormack, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,095 to Cheung, et al., each of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. Exudate Management Layer. In example embodiments, the absorbent article 100 can have an exudate management layer 140 in fluid communication with the topsheet layer 110. The exudate management layer 140 may also be referred to as a “transfer layer” herein. In various example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may be positioned between the topsheet layer 110 and the absorbent core 130. The exudate management layer 140 may be made of a material that can be capable of transferring, in the transverse direction T, body exudates that are delivered to the topsheet layer 110. Any of a variety of materials can be utilized as the exudate management layer 140. In various example embodiments, the material can be synthetic, cellulosic, or a combination of synthetic and cellulosic materials. In example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may be constructed from woven or nonwoven materials. For example, the exudate management layer 140 may be constructed as an airlaid or a TABCW material. For example, airlaid cellulosic tissues may be suitable for use in the exudate management layer 140. The airlaid cellulosic tissue may have a basis weight ranging from about ten (10) or one hundred (100) gsm to about two hundred and fifty (250) or three hundred (300) gsm. The airlaid cellulosic tissue may be formed from hardwood and / or softwood fibers. An airlaid cellulosic tissue may have a fine pore structure and can provide an excellent wicking capacity, especially for menses. The exudate management layer 140 may have a first lateral direction end edge 142, a second lateral direction end edge 144, and an opposing pair of longitudinal direction side edges 146 extending between and connecting the lateral direction end edges, 142 and 144. In example embodiments, the first lateral direction end edge 142 may be the leading edge of the exudate management layer 140 closest to the first lateral direction end edge 103 of the absorbent article 100 in the anterior region 102 of the absorbent article 100. In example embodiments, the second lateral direction end edge 144 may be the trailing edge of the exudate management layer 140 closest to the second lateral direction end edge 105 of the absorbent article 100 in the posterior region 104 of the absorbent article 100. The exudate management layer 140 can generally have any shape and / or size desired. In example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may have a rectangular shape, a curved rectangular shape, an oval shape, an elliptical shape, a circular shape, an hourglass shape, a square shape, or a curved square shape. In various example embodiments, each of the edges, 142,144, and 146, of the exudate management layer 140 may be straight. In example embodiments, at least one of the edges, 142,144, or 146, of the exudate management layer 140 may be arcuate and the remaining edges may be straight. In example embodiments, at least two of the edges, 142,144, or 146, of the exudate management layer 140 may be arcuate and the remaining edges may be straight. In example embodiments, the longitudinal direction side edges 146 of the exudate management layer 140 may be straight, and the lateral direction end edges, 142 and 144, may be arcuate. In FIG. 1, the lateral direction end edge 142 may have an arcuate shape, which can form a complementary configuration with lateral direction end edge 144 of the two edges, 142 and 144, were to be brought together. In various example embodiments, at least three of the edges, 142,144, or 146, of the exudate management layer 140 may be arcuate and the remaining edge may be straight. In various example embodiments, all of the edges, 142,144, and 146, of the exudate management layer 140 may be arcuate. In example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may have a longitudinal direction length as measured from the first lateral direction end edge 142 to the second lateral direction end edge 144, which can be less than the overall length of the absorbent article 100. For example, the exudate management layer 140 may have a longitudinal length between about twenty (20), thirty (30), forty (40), fifty (50), or sixty (60) millimeters (mm) to about one hundred (100), one hundred and fifty (150), one hundred and seventy-five (175), two hundred (200), two hundred and fifty (250) or three hundred (300) millimeters (mm). In various example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may have a longitudinal direction length that is from about fifteen (15), twenty (20), twenty-five (25), thirty (30), thirty-five (35), or forty (40) percent (%) to about fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), seventy (70), seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), or ninety (90) percent (%) of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article 100. In various example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may have a lateral width as measured from a first longitudinal direction side edge 146 to a second longitudinal direction side edge 146, which can be equal to or less than the overall width of the absorbent article 100. For example, the exudate management layer 140 may have a lateral width between about ten (10), fifteen (15), twenty (20), or thirty (30) millimeters (mm) to about sixty (60), eighty (80), one hundred (100), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred and fifteen (115), 18 one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and twenty-five (125), one hundred and thirty (130), one hundred and forty (140) or one hundred and fifty (150) millimeters (mm). In various example embodiments, the exudate management layer 140 may have a lateral width that is from about fifteen (15), twenty (20), twenty-five (25), thirty (30), thirty-five (35), or forty (40) percent (%) to about fifty (50), fifty-five (55), sixty (60), seventy (70), seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), or ninety (90) percent (%) of the lateral width of the absorbent article 100. The exudate management layer 140 may have a body facing 148 and a garment facing surface opposite the body facing surface 148 along the transverse direction T. The exudate management layer 140 may provide the exudate management layer 140 with a height in the transverse direction T. In various example embodiments, the height of the exudate management layer 140 may be from about five-tenths (0.5), seventy-five hundredths (0.75), one (1), one and five-tenths (1.5), two (2), or three and five-tenths (3.5) millimeters (mm) to about three (3), three and five-tenths (3.5), four (4), four and five-tenths (4.5), five (5), six (6), or ten (10) millimeters (mm). In various example embodiments, the first lateral direction end edge 142 of the exudate management layer 140 may be from about fifteen (15) millimeters (mm) to about one hundred and fifty (150) millimeters (mm) from the first lateral direction end edge 103 of the absorbent article 100. Acquisition Layer: In addition to the exudate management layer 140, the absorbent article 100 may include an acquisition layer 150, which may be connected to the exudate management layer 140, in example embodiments. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the absorbent article 100 may omit the acquisition layer 150 in certain example embodiments. The acquisition layer 150 may be positioned between the absorbent core 130 and the exudate management layer 140. The acquisition layer 150 can help decelerate and diffuse surges or gushes of liquid body exudates penetrating the topsheet layer 110. The acquisition layer 150 may have any longitudinal length dimension as suitable. In an example embodiment, the longitudinal length of the acquisition layer 150 may be the same as the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 130. In an example embodiment, the longitudinal length of the acquisition layer 150 may be shorter than the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 130. In such an example embodiment, the acquisition layer 150 may be positioned at any desired location along the longitudinal length of the absorbent core 130. As an example of such an embodiment, the absorbent article 100 may contain a target area where repeated liquid surges typically occur in the absorbent article 100. In example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may include natural fibers, synthetic fibers, superabsorbent material, woven material, nonwoven material, wet-laid fibrous webs, a substantially unbounded airlaid fibrous web, an operatively bonded, stabilized-airlaid fibrous web, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Alternatively, aperture films, such as those available from such film suppliers as Texol, Italy and Tredegar, U.S.A. may be utilized. In example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may be formed from a material that is substantially hydrophobic, such as a nonwoven web composed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and the like, and combinations thereof. In various example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may include conjugate, biconstituent, and / or homopolymer fibers of staple or other lengths and mixtures of such fibers with other types of fibers. In example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may have fibers which may have a denier of greater than about five (5). In example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may have fibers which have a denier of less than about five (5). In various example embodiments, the acquisition layer 150 may be a bonded carded web or an airlaid web. In various example embodiments, the bonded carded web may be, for example, a powder bonded carded web, an infrared bonded carded web, or a through air bonded carded web. In example embodiments, the basis weight of the acquisition layer 150 may be at least about ten (10) or twenty (20) gsm. In various example embodiments, the basis weight of the acquisition layer 150 may be from about ten (10), twenty (20), thirty (30), forty (40), fifty (50) or sixty (60) gsm to about sixty-five (65), seventy (70), seventy-five (75), eighty (80), eighty-five (85), ninety (90), one hundred (100), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred and twenty (120), or one hundred and thirty (130) gsm. In various example embodiments, the basis weight of the acquisition layer 150 may be less than about one hundred and thirty (130), one hundred and twenty (120), one hundred and ten (110), one hundred (100), ninety (90), eighty-five (85), eighty (80), seventy-five (75), seventy (70), sixty-five (65), sixty (60) or fifty (50) gsm. Cavities: As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent core 130 may include a plurality of pockets or cavities 136. The absorbent core 130 may include an inner surface 132 and an outer surface 134 that are spaced apart along the transverse direction T. The inner surface 132 of the absorbent core 130 may face towards the topsheet layer 110, and the outer surface 134 of the absorbent core 130 may face towards the liquid impermeable layer 120. For instance, the inner surface 132 of the absorbent core 130 may be positioned at and / or contact the topsheet layer 110, and the outer surface 134 of the absorbent core 130 may be positioned at and / or contact the liquid impermeable layer 120, the exudate management layer 140, and / or the acquisition layer 150. The cavities 136 may extend inwardly from the outer surface 134 of the absorbent core 130, e.g., along the transverse direction T. For instance, the cavities 136 may be open at or adjacent the outer surface 134 of the absorbent core 130, such as at a garment facing layer of the absorbent core 130. In example embodiments, the cavities 136 may be, e.g., essentially, free of cellulosic fibers and / or superabsorbent material. The topsheet layer 110 and the exudate management layer 140 may be coupled or bonded to the absorbent core 130 via a plurality of embossments 138. Thus, the topsheet layer 110 and the exudate management layer 140 may be embossed to the absorbent core 130. The embossments 138 may correspond to absorption holes formed by a pin embossing process, and densified areas 139 may be disposed at the bottom of the absorption holes as part of the pin embossing process. Thus, as used herein, “embossments" may refer to absorption holes formed by an embossing process. In FIG. 2, the embossments 138 may extend downwardly to the densified areas 139, such as through the topsheet layer 110 and the exudate management layer 140 into the absorbent core 130, e.g., along the transverse direction T. The acquisition layer 150 may also be coupled or bonded to the absorbent core 130 via the embossments 138, such as the densified areas 139, in example embodiments. In example embodiments, the embossments 138 may be, e.g., essentially, free of nonwoven fibers. The topsheet layer 110, the absorbent core 130, and the exudate management layer 140 may be compressed into densified areas 139 at the embossments 138. For example, the absorbent core 130 may be compressed from a thickness TA to a thickness TE at the embossments 138 when the topsheet layer 110 and the exudate management layer 140 are embossed to the absorbent core 130. The thickness TE of the absorbent core 130 at the embossments 138 may be less than the thickness TA of the absorbent core 130 between the embossments 138. For example, the thickness TA of the absorbent core 130 at the embossments 138 may be less than half the thickness TE of the absorbent core 130 between the embossments 138. Thus, the absorbent core 130 may be denser at the embossments 138 than between the embossments 138. Each of the cavities 136 may be aligned with a respective one of the embossments 138 and / or densified areas 139, e.g., along the transverse direction T. For example, the densified areas 139 may be positioned directly above the cavities 136, e.g., along the transverse direction T, between the cavities 136 and embossments 138. The cavities 136 and the alignment between the embossments 138 and cavities 136 may facilitate menses flow from an insult area at the topsheet layer 110 to the absorbent core 130, such that the absorbent articles 100 is more comfortable than conventional absorbent articles. Thus, the cavities 136 and the alignment between the embossments 138 and cavities 136 may advantageously reduce the residence time of menses on the topsheet layer 110 and maximize the use of the absorbent core 130. Menses at the topsheet layer 110 may flowthrough the topsheet layer 110 and the exudate management layer 140 (e.g., via the embossments 138) into the cavities 136 in the absorbent core 130. Menses may collect within the absorbent core 130 and then spread outwardly into the absorbent core 130, e.g., along the longitudinal direction L and / or the lateral direction A. As shown in FIG. 1, the cavities 136 may be distributed at a center portion of the absorbent core 130, e.g., at the at the central region 106 of the absorbent article 100. The absorbent core 130 may include a suitable number of cavities 136. For example, the cavities 136 may include no less than nine (9) cavities and no greater than thirty (30) cavities, such as no less than ten (10) cavities and no greater than twenty (20) cavities. Such location and / or number of cavities 136 may advantageously assist with menses flow from an insult area at the topsheet layer 110 to the absorbent core 130. For example, such location and / or number of cavities 136 may provide a distribution of cavities 136 that advantageously reduces the residence time of menses on the topsheet layer 110 and maximizes the use of the absorbent core 130. As shown in FIG. 2, a width WC of each of the cavities 136 along the lateral direction A may be greater than a width WE of the respective one of the embossments 138 along the lateral direction A. The width WC of the cavities 136 along the lateral direction A may be correspond to an average width of the cavities 136, and the width WE of the embossments 138 may be correspond to an average width of the embossments 138. In example embodiments, the width WC of each of the cavities 136 may be no less than twice the width WE of the embossments 138. In addition, a crosssectional area of each cavity 136, e.g., in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction A, may be greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the embossments 138, e.g., in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction A. The cross-sectional area of the cavities 136 may be no less than five square millimeters (5 mm2) and no greater than ninety square millimeters (90 mm2), such as no less than ten square millimeters (10 mm2) and no greater than eighty square millimeters (80 mm2), such as no less than twenty square millimeters (20 mm2) and no greater than seventy square millimeters (70 mm2). The cross-sectional area of the embossments 138 may be no less than fifteen-hundredths (0.15 mm2) and no greater than eight square millimeters (8 mm2), such as no less than one square millimeters (1 mm2) and no greater than six square millimeters (6 mm2). A height HC of each of the cavities 136 along the transverse direction A may be no less than thirty percent (30%) and no greater than eighty percent (80%) of a height TA of the absorbent core 130 along the transverse direction A. A height HE of the embossments 138 along the transverse direction A may be no less than forty percent (40%) and no greater than seventy percent (70%) of the height TA of the absorbent core 130 along the transverse direction A. In example embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the cavities 136 may be measured at a center of the height HC of the cavities 136 along the transverse direction T, and the cross-sectional area of the embossments 138 may be measured at a center of the height HE of the embossments 138 along the transverse direction T. The above described sizing of the cavities 136 and the embossments 138 may facilitate menses flow from an insult area at the topsheet layer 110 to the absorbent core 130, such that the absorbent articles 100 is more comfortable than conventional absorbent articles. Thus, such sizing of the cavities 136 and the embossments 138 may advantageously reduce the residence time of menses on the topsheet layer 110 and maximize the use of the absorbent core 130. For example, the embossments 138 may facilitate capillary flow of menses to the cavities 136 due to the size differential between the cavities 136 and the embossments 138. As shown in FIG. 3, the cavities 136 may be disposed in an array 200. The array 200 may be disposed at a central portion of the absorbent core 130, e.g., at the central region 106 of the absorbent article 100. The array 200 may be sized to provide a desired distribution of the cavities 136. For example, a length LA of the array 200 may be no less than eighty millimeters (80 mm) and no greater than one hundred and twenty millimeters (120 mm), e.g., along the longitudinal direction L, and a width WA of the array 200 may be no less than thirty-five millimeters (35 mm) and no greater than sixty millimeters (60 mm), e.g., along the lateral direction A. Thus, the array 200 may be elongated along the longitudinal direction L. The cavities 136 may be distributed in a pattern in the array 200. In example embodiments, the pattern may include columns (e.g., two, three, four, or more columns) along the longitudinal direction L and rows (e.g., three, four, five, or more columns) along lateral direction A. In example embodiments, the columns and rows may be linear, arcuate, or curved to provide a desired pattern for the cavities 136. A distance between adjacent cavities 136, e.g., in the array 200, may be no less than five millimeters (5 mm) and no greater than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm), e.g., in the longitudinal direction L and / or the lateral direction A. Thus, e.g., each of the cavities 136 may be spaced, e.g., along the longitudinal direction L and / or the lateral direction A, by no less than five millimeters (5 mm) and no greater than twenty-five millimeters (25 mm) from the closest adjacent cavity 136 in the array 200. Such arrangement of the cavities 136 may advantageously assist with menses flow from an insult area at the topsheet layer 110 to the absorbent core 130. For example, such arrangement of the cavities 136 in the array 200 may provide a distribution of cavities 136 that advantageously reduces the residence time of menses on the topsheet layer 110 and maximizes the use of the absorbent core 130. Formation System and Method: FIGS. 4 through 6 show a system 300 and method for forming an absorbent article. System 300 is described in greater detail below in the context of the absorbent article 100. However, it will be understood that system 300 may be used to form any suitable absorbent article in other example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, system 300 includes a supply roll 310 for a bottom carrier sheet 312. Forming the absorbent core 130 may begin with unwinding the carrier sheet 312 from the supply roll 310. The bottom carrier sheet 312 may be constructed from any natural or synthetic material. The bottom carrier sheet 312 may be formed from a material that is capable of allowing air, as well as a liquid or fluid, to pass therethrough. A material that works well as the bottom carrier sheet 312 is tissue. Tissue can be formed from one or more kinds of cellulose fibers. System 300 also includes an absorbent supply 323 for cellulose pulp and / or superabsorbent material. The absorbent supply 323 may include a supply roll for unwinding a cellulose pulp sheet. The cellulose pulp sheet may be formed from cross-linked pulps, hardwood, softwood, synthetic fibers or any combination thereof. The cellulose pulp sheet may be directed to a fiberizer where the cellulose pulp sheet is broken apart into individual fibers. The fiberizer may include a hammer mill or other similar equipment for breaking or beating the cellulose pulp sheet into individual fibers. The individual fibers are then mixed with air or pressurized air and acquire a fluffy appearance. Those skilled in the art normally referred to such fibers as "fluff'. After exiting the fiberizer, one or more streams of superabsorbent material may be injected into the fluff. The superabsorbent material may be in the form of small particles, fibers, flakes or other forms. The percentage of superabsorbent material in the absorbent fluff / SAM mixture may vary from 1% to about 95%, such as from about 10% to about 80%, such as from about 25% to about 65%. The superabsorbent material may be dispersed throughout the fibrous structure. Alternatively, the superabsorbent material may be dispersed into one or more preselected areas or regions of the absorbent fluff. The exact positioning of the superabsorbent material in the absorbent fluff will be dependent on the type of absorbent core being produced as well as the size and shape of the absorbent core. The mixture of superabsorbent and / or fluff (fiberized pulp) may then be deposited onto the surface of a forming drum 320 The peripheral surface of the forming drum 320 may be constructed from a fine mesh screen that allows air to pass through while gathering the fluff / SAM mixture to a predetermined thickness. This fluff / SAM mixture forms into a web 302, which is deposited onto the upper surface of the bottom carrier sheet 312. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the forming drum 320 may include a formation surface 322 for receiving the mixture of superabsorbent and / or fluff (fiberized pulp). The formation surface 322 may include a plurality of pins 324 for forming cavities in the web 302. Thus, the number, sizing, and distribution of the pins 324 on the formation surface 322 may correspond to the cavities 136 formed in the absorbent core 130. The pins 324 may be disposed within a recess 328 radially inward of an outer surface 326 of the forming drum 320. The fluff / SAM web 302, residing on the upper surface of the bottom carrier sheet 312, may be passed between a pair of nip rolls 340 wherein the fluff / SAM web 302 is debulked or reduced in thickness. This debulking step is optional and may be eliminated or be used later downstream. The debulking can reduce the thickness of the fluff / SAM web 302 from between about 10% to about 95%, such as from between about 20% to about 90%, such as from between about 30% to about 85%. As shown in FIG. 4, system 300 includes a supply roll 330 for a top carrier sheet 332. Forming the absorbent core 130 may include unwinding the top carrier sheet 332 from the supply roll 330. The top carrier sheet 332 also may be constructed from any natural or synthetic material. The top carrier sheet 332 may be formed from a material that is capable of allowing air, as well as a liquid or fluid, to pass therethrough, such as the same material as the bottom carrier sheet 312. The top carrier sheet 332 may be applied over the fluff / SAM web 302 on the bottom carrier sheet 312 to form an absorbent strip. In other example embodiments, the carrier sheet 312 may be wrapped or folded around at least a portion of the fluff / SAM web 302 by a folder rather than using as separate top carrier sheet 332. The absorbent strip 304 may be longitudinally trimmed by a cutter into a predetermined shape. The trimming removes material from locations on the absorbent strip 304 that will eventually become the crotch region of the absorbent core. The longitudinal trimming of the absorbent strip 304 may remove less than about 50% of the material forming the width of the absorbent strip 304, such as less than about 40% of the material, such as less than about 30% of the material. The system 300 may also include a cutter 350 for cutting or severing the absorbent strip 304 into a plurality of individual absorbent members 306, such as the absorbent cores 130. The cutter 350 severs the absorbent strip 304 in a cross-direction, which is aligned approximately perpendicular to the machine direction MD. Once the individual absorbent members 306 are produced, the absorbent members 306 are longitudinally separated from one another. The exact distance of separation will depend upon the final design of the absorbent core, the running speed of the equipment, etc. The separation can easily be accomplished a variety of ways as is known to those skilled in the machinery art. One way is to use a pair of conveyor belts where a first conveyor supports the absorbent strip 304 and a second conveyor supports the individual absorbent members 306. By speeding up the second conveyor, slowing down the first conveyor, or a combination of speeding up one conveyor and slowing down the other conveyor, one can cause the individual absorbent members 306 to become longitudinally separated, in the machine direction MD, a predetermined distance from one another. As shown in FIG. 4, the system 300 includes a supply roll 360 for an exudate management material 362, such as the exudate management layer 140. The system 300 may unwind the exudate management material 362 from the supply roll 360. The system 300 further includes a supply roll 370 for a topsheet material 372, such as the topsheet layer 110. The system 300 may unwind the topsheet 25 material 372 from the supply roll 370. The exudate management material 362 and the topsheet material 372 may be bonded to the absorbent members 306. In example embodiments, the exudate management material 362 and the topsheet material 372 may be adhesively, thermally, ultrasonically, or otherwise bonded to the absorbent members 306. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the system 300 further includes an embosser 380 for joining the exudate management material 362 and the topsheet material 372 to the absorbent members 306. As shown in FIG. 6, the embosser 380 may include a plurality of pins 384, such as channel embossing pins, extending radially outward on an embossing roll 382. The raised pins 384 may be used to impart the desired embossing pattern to create a compression, an embossment, in the exudate management material 362, the topsheet material 372, and the absorbent members 306. Thus, the embosser 380 may form the densified areas 139 to bond the exudate management material 362, the topsheet material 372, and the absorbent members 306 together. For instance, the embosser 380 may be configured for thermal bonding, wherein the exudate management material 362, the topsheet material 372, and the absorbent members 306 passes between two rolls (e.g., steel, rubber, etc.), including the embossing roll 382 and another flat roll. Thus, the embossing may be from one direction only in example embodiments. One or both rolls may be heated. The number, sizing, and distribution of the pins 384 may correspond to the embossments 138 in the absorbent article 100. In some example embodiments, no adhesive may be present between the exudate management material 362 and the absorbent members 306, e.g., to allow body fluid which will insult the absorbent core to be quickly and efficiently transferred from the exudate management layer 140 to the absorbent core 130. However, one could apply one or more spots or lines of adhesive between these two members, exudate management material 362 and the absorbent members 306, if desired. The system 300 also includes a supply roll 390 for a liquid impermeable material 392, such as the liquid impermeable layer 120. The system 300 may unwind the liquid impermeable material 392 from the supply roll 390. The liquid impermeable material 392 may be bonded to the absorbent members 306, the exudate management material 362, and the topsheet material 372, which are embossed together, to form a core precursor web 308. In example embodiments, the liquid impermeable material 392 may be adhesively, thermally, ultrasonically, or otherwise bonded to the absorbent members 306, the exudate management material 362, and the topsheet material 372. The precursor web 308 may be cut or severed at predetermined locations and bonded together, e.g., to form the absorbent article 100. Examples: Sample Preparation: The absorbent articles were prepared for testing in accordance with the following procedures. The rewet of the inventive absorbent articles were compared with conventional, commercially available absorbent articles using the following test procedure. Testing Procedure: The apparatus used for rewet calculations included one 4"x4" Lucite cylinder block with a 1" diameter opening was used to define the area to be tested, a flat plate weighing 0.05 kilograms (4"x4"x1 / s Lucite square), a 2.2 kilogram weight, a 25 ml capacity cylinder and a top loading electronic balance, accurate ±0.01 g. In addition, a dyed 1% saline solution (refer to STM-2000), VWR Filter paper, Grade #417, 9 cm in diameter or equivalent were used. The experimental protocol for measuring rewet properties are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art and has been additionally described in various patent publications, such as, U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,905 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,391, the pertinent disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. The Table below summarizes the results obtained through above test procedures on several examples of the inventive absorbent articles and control absorbent articles. The inventive articles and a first set of control absorbent articles (Comparative #1 and Comparative #3) were constructed from the same materials, with the inventive articles including cavities and embossments in the manner described above. The first and second sets of control absorbent articles (Comparative #1 through #4) were commercially available absorbent articles. Comparative #1 was a "New GoodFeel Original” absorbent article from Yuhan-Kimberly company with a polyethylene / polypropylene TABCW topsheet. Comparative #2 was a “Unicharm Sofy” absorbent article from Unicharm company with a polyethylene / polyester TABCW topsheet. Comparative #3 was a “GoodFeel Good Cotton” absorbent article from Yuhan-Kimberly company with a 100% spunlace cotton topsheet, and Comparative #4 was a “Unicharm Sofy” absorbent article from Unicharm company with a 100% spunlace cotton topsheet. TABLE Sample Rewet (g) Inventive #1 0.1 Comparative #1 0.66 Comparative #2 0.95 Inventive #2 0.65 Comparative #3 0.89 Comparative #4 1.51 As shown the inventive samples offered significantly better rewet performance relative to the comparative samples, which can indicate that the inventive absorbent articles are more comfortable to wear by keeping skin drier. These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and 5 is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS First example embodiment: An absorbent article, comprising: an inner layer; a transfer layer; an outer layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the transfer layer and the outer layer, the transfer layer disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction, the inner surface of the absorbent core facing towards the inner layer, the outer surface of the absorbent core facing towards the outer layer, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, wherein the inner layer and the transfer layer are coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, and wherein each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, and a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction. Second example embodiment: The absorbent article of the first example embodiment, further comprising an acquisition layer disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core. Third example embodiment: The absorbent article of the first or the second example embodiment, wherein the acquisition layer is coupled to the absorbent core via the plurality of embossments. 5            Fourth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through third example embodiments, wherein a thickness of the absorbent core at the plurality of embossments is less than a thickness of the absorbent core between the plurality of embossments. Fifth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through fourth example embodiments, wherein the thickness of the absorbent core at the plurality of embossments is 10 less than half the thickness of the absorbent core between the plurality of embossments. Sixth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through fifth example embodiments, wherein an open end of each of the plurality of cavities is disposed at the outer layer. Seventh example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through sixth example embodiments, wherein the plurality of cavities are distributed at a center portion of the 15 absorbent core. Eighth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through seventh example embodiments, wherein the cross-sectional area of the plurality of cavities is no less than five square millimeters and no greater than ninety square millimeters, and the cross-sectional area of the plurality of embossments is no less than fifteen-hundredths of a square millimeter and no greater than eight square millimeters. Nineth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through eighth example embodiments, wherein a height of the plurality of cavities along the transverse direction is no less than thirty percent and no greater than eighty percent of a height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, and a height of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction is no less than forty percent and no greater than seventy percent of the height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction. Tenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through nineth example embodiments, wherein a distance between adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities is no less than five millimeters and no greater than twenty-five millimeters in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. Eleventh example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through tenth example embodiments, wherein the plurality of cavities are disposed in an array, a length of the array 5 is no less than eighty millimeters and no greater than one hundred and twenty millimeters, and a width of the array is no less than thirty-five millimeters and no greater than sixty millimeters. Twelfth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through eleventh example embodiments, wherein a length of the absorbent core is no less than one hundred and fifty millimeters and no greater than two hundred and fifty millimeters, and a width of the absorbent core is no less than fifty millimeters and no greater than eighty millimeters. Thirteenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through twelfth example embodiments, wherein the inner layer comprises a liquid permeable nonwoven liner, and the outer layer comprises a liquid impermeable film. Fourteenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the first through thirteenth example embodiments, wherein the plurality of cavities comprises no less than nine cavities and no greater than thirty cavities. 10            Fifteenth example embodiment: An absorbent article, comprising: an inner layer; an outer layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, the absorbent core comprising cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction, the inner surface of the absorbent core facing the inner layer, the outer surface of the absorbent core facing the outer layer, the absorbent core defining a plurality of 15 cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, wherein the inner layer is coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, and wherein each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, and a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction. Sixteenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of the fifteenth example embodiment, wherein: the plurality of cavities are distributed in an array at a center portion of the absorbent core; a length of the array is no less than eighty millimeters and no greater than one hundred and twenty millimeters, and a width of the array is no less than thirty-five millimeters and no greater than sixty millimeters; and a length of the absorbent core is no less than one hundred and fifty millimeters and no greater than two hundred and fifty millimeters, and a width of the absorbent core is no less than fifty millimeters and no greater than eighty millimeters Seventeenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of either of the fifteenth or sixteenth example embodiments, wherein: the cross-sectional area of the plurality of cavities is no less than five square millimeters and no greater than ninety square millimeters, and the cross-sectional area of the plurality of embossments is no less than fifteen-hundredths of a square millimeter and no greater than eight square millimeters; a height of the plurality of cavities along the transverse direction is no less than thirty percent and no greater than eighty percent of a height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, and a height of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction is no less than forty percent and no greater than seventy percent of the height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction; and a distance between adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities is no less than five millimeters and no greater than twenty-five millimeters in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction Eighteenth example embodiment: The absorbent article of any one of the fifteenth through seventeenth example embodiments, wherein Nineteenth example embodiment: A method for forming an absorbent article, comprising: applying cellulosic fluff over a plurality of pins on a formation drum; forming an absorbent core with the cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly along a transverse direction, each of the plurality of cavities corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of pins; embossing an inner layer and a transfer layer to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, each of the plurality of cavities aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction being greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction; and attaching an outer layer to the absorbent core opposite the inner layer.

Claims

What Is Claimed:

1. An absorbent article, comprising:an inner layer;a transfer layer;an outer layer; andan absorbent core disposed between the transfer layer and the outer layer, the transfer layer disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core, the absorbent core comprising cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction, the inner surface of the absorbent core facing towards the inner layer, the outer surface of the absorbent core facing towards the outer layer, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction,wherein the inner layer and the transfer layer are coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, andwherein each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, and a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising an acquisition layer disposed between the inner layer and the absorbent core.

3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein the acquisition layer is coupled to the absorbent core via the plurality of embossments.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the absorbent core at the plurality of embossments is less than a thickness of the absorbent core between the plurality of embossments.

5. The absorbent article of claim 4, wherein the thickness of the absorbent core at the plurality of embossments is less than half the thickness of the absorbent core between the plurality of embossments.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein an open end of each of the plurality of cavities is disposed at the outer layer.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities are distributed at a center portion of the absorbent core.

8. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the plurality of cavities is no less than five square millimeters and no greater than ninety square millimeters, and the cross-sectional area of the plurality of embossments is no less than fifteen-hundredths of a square millimeter and no greater than eight square millimeters.

9. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a height of the plurality of cavities along the transverse direction is no less than thirty percent and no greater than eighty percent of a height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, and a height of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction is no less than forty percent and no greater than seventy percent of the height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein a distance between adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities is no less than five millimeters and no greater than twenty-five millimeters in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction.

11. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities are disposed in an array, a length of the array is no less than eighty millimeters and no greater than one hundred and twenty millimeters, and a width of the array is no less than thirty-five millimeters and no greater than sixty millimeters.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein a length of the absorbent core is no less than one hundred and fifty millimeters and no greater than two hundred and fifty millimeters, and a width of the absorbent core is no less than fifty millimeters and no greater than eighty millimeters.

13. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the inner layer comprises a liquid permeable nonwoven liner, and the outer layer comprises a liquid impermeable film.

14. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cavities comprises no less than nine cavities and no greater than thirty cavities.

15. An absorbent article, comprising:an inner layer;an outer layer; andan absorbent core disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, the absorbent core comprising cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core having an inner surface and an outer surface spaced apart along a transverse direction, the inner surface of the absorbent core facing the inner layer, the outer surface of the absorbent core facing the outer layer, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly from the outer surface of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, wherein the inner layer is coupled to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, and wherein each of the plurality of cavities is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, and a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction is greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction.

16. The absorbent article of claim 15, wherein:the plurality of cavities are distributed in an array at a center portion of the absorbent core;a length of the array is no less than eighty millimeters and no greater than one hundred and twenty millimeters, and a width of the array is no less than thirty-five millimeters and no greater than sixty millimeters; anda length of the absorbent core is no less than one hundred and fifty millimeters and no greater than two hundred and fifty millimeters, and a width of the absorbent core is no less than fifty millimeters and no greater than eighty millimeters.

17. The absorbent article of claim 15, wherein:the cross-sectional area of the plurality of cavities is no less than five square millimeters and no greater than ninety square millimeters, and the cross-sectional area of the plurality of embossments is no less than fifteen-hundredths of a square millimeter and no greater than eight square millimeters;a height of the plurality of cavities along the transverse direction is no less than thirty percent and no greater than eighty percent of a height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction, and a height of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction is no less than fortypercent and no greater than seventy percent of the height of the absorbent core along the transverse direction; anda distance between adjacent cavities of the plurality of cavities is no less than five millimeters and no greater than twenty-five millimeters in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction.

18. The absorbent article of claim 15, wherein the plurality of cavities comprises no less than nine cavities and no greater than thirty cavities.

19. A method for forming an absorbent article, comprising:applying cellulosic fluff over a plurality of pins on a formation drum;forming an absorbent core with the cellulosic fluff, the absorbent core defining a plurality of cavities extending inwardly along a transverse direction, each of the plurality of cavities corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of pins;embossing an inner layer and a transfer layer to the absorbent core via a plurality of embossments, each of the plurality of cavities aligned with a respective one of the plurality of embossments along the transverse direction, a cross-sectional area of each of the plurality of cavities in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction being greater than a cross-sectional area of the respective one of the plurality of embossments in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction; andattaching an outer layer to the absorbent core opposite the inner layer.

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