Absorbent structures and methods for manufacturing absorbent structures

An absorbent structure having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis and comprising:

• a first substrate material layer having a first surface and a second surface;
• a second substrate material layer having a first surface and a second surface, the second substrate material layer differing from the first substrate material layer;
• and
• a mixture of superabsorbent particles and adhesive disposed between the first substrate material layer and the second substrate material layer, the superabsorbent particles having an average diameter of greater than 200 microns;
• wherein the superabsorbent particles are disposed in an amount greater than 200 gsm and less than 600 gsm, and wherein the adhesive is disposed in an amount greater than 3% and less than 6%, by weight, of the weight of the superabsorbent particles,
• wherein the adhesive forms a three-dimensional mesh network comprising network adhesive filaments with the superabsorbent particles immobilized within the mesh network, and the network adhesive filaments extending substantially throughout a three-dimensional space defined by the network adhesive filaments and the superabsorbent particles, and
• wherein the absorbent structure has an overall thickness in a vertical direction perpendicular to the lateral and longitudinal axes, wherein the structure may be considered to have three vertical regions comprising two exterior regions and an interior region disposed between the two exterior regions and with each vertical region representing one third of the overall thickness, and wherein at least 28% of an overall amount of adhesive within the structure is present within the interior region, as measured according to the Binder Distribution Test Method.