Disposable absorbent article of manufacture

A multi-layer diaper comprising:

• a generally rectangularly shaped layer in the form of a water-wettable bonded web of mixed short and long fibers as a facing layer;
• an absorbent panel including a first highly porous loosely compacted, cellulosic fibrous batt underlying the facing layer and having greater wettability to water than the facing layer, the first batt being generally rectangularly shaped and smaller than the facing layer;
• a water-impervious film underlying the first batt, the film having a plurality of openings therein for permitting fluid to pass therethrough in the form of perforations;
• and a second batt including a highly porous, loosely compacted, cellulosic fibrous batt underlying the perforated film, the second batt further including a paper-like, densified compacted, cellulosic layer of relatively high wettability and relatively high fluid retentivity integral with the loosely compacted batt portion of the second batt on the face thereof opposite the face in contact with the perforated film to provide a wickability gradient for drawing fluid through the perforated film and trapping fluid in the second batt, the film and first and second batts being of substantially the same size and coextensive with one another;
• and a water-impervious backing sheet adhered to the face of the second batt opposite the face in contact with the perforated film, the water-impervious sheet being of substantially the same size as the facing layer and being adhered thereto in the marginal regions lying beyond the regions of the absorbent panel.