Lin Miao, Beijing, China; Xueen George Hao, Beijing, China; and Chun Lei Pu, Beijing, China.
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI.

Filed: 12/4/12
Issued: 2/26/19

An absorbent article that extends in a plane defined by a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, wherein the article comprises: a liquid permeable multi-layered topsheet having a length in the longitudinal direction, a width in the transverse direction, a longitudinal centerline, and a transverse centerline, wherein the multi-layered topsheet defines a body-facing surface of the absorbent article, the multi-layered topsheet comprising at least a first topsheet layer disposed above a second topsheet layer, wherein the first topsheet layer defines a first opening having a first perimeter, wherein the first topsheet layer and the second topsheet layer are joined by a seal, and further wherein the multi-layered topsheet extends in the longitudinal direction to define a distal end and an opposing proximal end of the absorbent article and in the transverse direction to define a first edge and an opposing second edge of the absorbent article; a liquid impermeable baffle, wherein the baffle defines a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article; a first sub-topsheet layer positioned between the second topsheet layer and the baffle, wherein the first sub-topsheet layer defines a second opening having a second perimeter, wherein the first perimeter surrounds the second perimeter; and a second sub-topsheet layer positioned between the first sub-topsheet layer and the baffle, wherein the second sub-topsheet layer has a shape that includes a first bulge facing the first edge in the transverse direction and a second bulge facing the second edge in the transverse direction, wherein the first bulge and the second bulge are visible from the body-facing surface of the absorbent article, and further wherein the second sub-topsheet layer defines a third opening having a third perimeter.