Sanitary napkin having shaping means

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A sanitary napkin according to the invention is characterized in that the shaping means comprise two axes of flexibility of the core, one axis of flexibility extending on each side of the longitudinal center line and generally parallel thereto, the stiffness of the core being reduced along each axis of flexibility, each axis of flexibility forming an axis of inflexion of the core's body facing side upon compression of the core transverse to the core's longitudinal sides.
By reducing the stiffness of the core along the axes of flexibility, for instance by scoring, embossing, perforating or cutting the core along these axes, the central area of the core located between the axes of flexibility will rise upward upon compression of the core in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center line.
The deformation of the core is controlled by the axes of flexibility so that undesired bunching and formation of longitudinal channels, along which liquids can be transported to the perimeter of the sanitary napkin, are reduced.
Providing the core with axes of flexibility causes the central part of the core and the topsheet to remain close to the loading point for efficient acquisition of liquids discharged from the user's vestibule, while the areas flanking the central region remain relatively flat for providing a maximum coverage of the undergarment.
The axes of flexibility also reduce the forces necessary for initial deformation (before the napkin is wetted) and hence increase the comfort of the sanitary napkin for the wearer.
In an embodiment of an absorbent article according to the invention, the core comprising an absorption layer and a fluid handling layer located between the absorption layer and the topsheet is characterized in that the shaping means comprise a pair of bond lines, one bond line extending on either side of the longitudinal center line near the axes of flexibility, generally parallel thereto, or coincident with the axes of flexibility, the absorption layer and the fluid handling layer being bonded along the bond lines