Absorbent cores with enhanced fit and absorbency

An absorbent article comprising:

• an absorbent core;
• a chassis, including a backsheet and a topsheet;
• wherein the absorbent core is positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet and is coupled with the backsheet;
• the absorbent core having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline that is transverse to the longitudinal centerline, the absorbent core comprising:
• a first absorbent core construction, the first absorbent core construction comprising:
• a plurality of laterally spaced-apart fibrous constructions, wherein each fibrous construction extends generally parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal centerline, and wherein each fibrous construction includes a nonwoven;
• a first nonwoven sheet positioned on a first side of the fibrous constructions;
• a second nonwoven sheet positioned on a second side of the fibrous constructions, opposite the first side of the fibrous construction;
• wherein the first nonwoven sheet is coupled with the second nonwoven sheet at locations between adjacent, laterally spaced-apart fibrous constructions;
• and
• absorbent material disposed within the nonwoven of each fibrous construction, the absorbent material positioned between the first and second nonwoven sheets.

A method of making a fibrous construction that includes a composite of absorbent material and a nonwoven, the method comprising:

• providing a nonwoven having a first surface and a second surface;
• passing a forced airstream containing absorbent material onto and through the first surface of the nonwoven, wherein at least some of the absorbent material is captured within the nonwoven, between the first surface and the second surface;
• and
• filtering at least some of the absorbent material at least partially through the nonwoven such that a gradient distribution of particle sizes of the absorbent material is formed within the nonwoven, between the first surface and the second surface.

A method of making an absorbent core having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline that is transverse to the longitudinal centerline, the method comprising:

• combining a nonwoven with absorbent material to form a fibrous construction;
• separating the fibrous construction into multiple fibrous constructions;
• coupling a first nonwoven sheet onto a first surface of the fibrous constructions, wherein the multiple fibrous constructions are laterally spaced-apart;
• positioning a second nonwoven sheet onto a second surface of the fibrous constructions, opposite the first surface;
• and
• coupling the first nonwoven sheet with the second nonwoven sheet along adhesion lines that extend between adjacent, laterally spaced-apart fibrous constructions, forming a first absorbent core construction.