Absorbent article with a lower intermediate layer partially bonded to the absorbent core

An absorbent article comprising:

• a liquid permeable topsheet;
• a liquid impermeable backsheet;
• an absorbent core comprising an absorbent material and a core wrap, wherein the absorbent material is sandwiched between a top side and a bottom side of the core wrap, and the absorbent core further comprises one or more channel forming areas which are free of absorbent material;
• an intermediate layer between the absorbent core and the backsheet, the intermediate layer having a basis weight of more than 20 gsm;
• wherein a wearer-facing side of the intermediate layer and the bottom side of the core wrap are only partially bonded to each other, their interface thus comprising a bonded portion and an unbonded portion, and wherein the one or more channel-forming areas are in the unbonded portion;
• wherein at least 50% of a surface of a garment-facing side of the intermediate layer is bonded to the backsheet;
• wherein at least one of the one or more channel forming areas forms a three-dimensional channel when the absorbent material swells;
• wherein the top side and the bottom side of the core wrap are bonded to each other in the one or more channel-forming areas;
• and
• wherein the intermediate layer can decouple from the three-dimensional channel when the absorbent material swells.