Sanitary napkin having a cover formed from a nonwoven web

A sanitary napkin comprising:

• a) a fluid-impermeable baffle;
• b) an absorbent positioned on said baffle;
• and
• c) a fluid-permeable cover cooperating with said baffle to enclose said absorbent, said cover positioned over at least one surface of said absorbent, said cover formed from a nonwoven web having a network of essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers, said web having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which extend completely through said cover and expose said absorbent, said apertures being located in a predetermined area which are void of any extraneous fibers, said predetermined area representing less than about 60% of the surface area of said cover, and each of said apertures being surrounded by a consolidated ring formed of thermally set thermoplastic fibers, which in turn is surrounded by a raised area, wherein said apertures occupy about 30% to 55% of said predetermined area.

A sanitary napkin comprising:

• a) a fluid-impermeable baffle;
• b) an absorbent positioned on said baffle;
• and
• c) a fluid-permeable cover cooperating with said baffle to enclose said absorbent, said cover positioned over at least one surface of said absorbent, said cover formed from a nonwoven web having a network of essentially unbroken thermoplastic fibers, said web having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough which extend completely through said cover and expose said absorbent, said apertures being located in a predetermined area and which are void of any extraneous fibers, said predetermined area representing less than about 60% of the surface area of said cover, said apertures having side walls which are aligned approximately 90 degrees to an upper plane of said sanitary napkin, and each of said apertures being surrounded by a consolidated ring formed of thermally set thermoplastic fibers, which in turn is surrounded by a raised area, wherein said apertures occupy about 30% to 55% of said predetermined area, and
• d) a binder added to said fluid-permeable cover.