Process for accurately profiling fluid distribution in multi-layer absorbent articles in two and three dimensions

A process for quantitatively profiling fluid distribution in multi-layer absorbent articles, the process comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a device comprising a frame, a pressure chamber, and an NMR sensor, said pressure chamber comprising a conformable surface and a top plate disposed adjacent thereto, said conformable surface and said top plate being separable;
• b) providing a first multi-layer absorbent article, said first multi-layer absorbent article having a top sheet and an absorbent core, said top sheet and said absorbent core comprising nuclei having excitable nuclear spins excited by radiofrequency pulses emitted by said NMR sensor;
• c) positioning said first multi-layer absorbent article between said conformable surface and said top plate, said top sheet of said first multi-layer absorbent article being disposed within said pressure chamber so said absorbent core is disposed proximate to and in contacting engagement with said conformable surface and said top sheet is disposed proximate to and in contacting engagement with said top plate when said conformable surface and said top plate of said pressure chamber are conjoined;
• d) disposing said NMR sensor at a first position relative to said top plate and said top sheet contactingly engaged thereto;
• e) emitting said radiofrequency pulses from said NMR sensor to define a float sensitive volume of said first multi-layer absorbent article at said first position;
• f) detecting at least a portion of said nuclei having a non-zero spin interacting with said radiofrequency pulses at said first position;
• and,
• g) producing said fluid distribution profile of said first multi-layer absorbent article according to said detected nuclei having a non-zero spin interacting with said radiofrequency pulses at said first position,
• h) wherein said top plate comprises an insult application aperture, said insult application aperture being disposed within said top plate and facilitating contacting engagement of at least a first fluid to said top sheet through said top plate.