Patent Publication Number: US-2006019063-A1

Title: Three dimensional apertured film

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/800,092, filed on Mar. 12, 2004, priority of which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to three-dimensional apertured film materials useful as components of personal care products such as sanitary napkins, diapers, incontinence products, tampons, surgical dressings, wound dressings, underpads, wiping cloths, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to three-dimensional apertured polymeric films with improved fluid-handling and masking properties when used as a component layer in a disposable absorbent article.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The use of apertured films in personal care products is well known in the art. These films may be used as body-contacting facing layers, as fluid handling layers or as other components of personal care products. When such films are used in feminine sanitary protection articles as the body-contacting facing layer, it has been generally found that the higher the open area of the film the more effectively the film will transfer menstrual fluid to underlying layers (e.g. transfer layer, absorbent core) of the article. Unfortunately, it has also be found that the higher the open area of the film, the less effective the film is at “stain masking” the absorbed menstrual fluid stain once the menstrual fluid has been transferred to the underlying layers of the article. That is, the higher the open area of the film, the more visible the menstrual fluid stain will be after it is absorbed by the article.  
      It is the object of the present invention to provide an apertured film having improved fluid-handling properties when used in disposable absorbent articles such as, for instance, feminine sanitary protection products. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apertured film that effectively transfers fluid to an underlying absorbent structure while at the same time exhibits improved stain masking characteristics.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In view of the foregoing, a first aspect of the invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first planar surface in a first imaginary plane; a second planar surface in a second imaginary plane; a plurality of apertures extending at least from said first planar surface to the second planar surface; at least one member spanning each one of said plurality of apertures, wherein the member spanning each one of said apertures has a top surface located in a third imaginary plane, the third imaginary plane being located below the first imaginary plane.  
      A second aspect of the invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first substantially planar surface located in a first imaginary plane; a second substantially planar surface located in a second imaginary plane; a plurality of interconnected frame portions, each of the frame portions having at least first and second interior walls arranged in opposed spaced relationship to one another; a plurality of cross members, each one of said cross members extending from one of the interior walls of one of the frame portions to the opposed second interior wall of one of the frame portions, each of the cross members having a top surface located in a imaginary plane located below the first imaginary plane; and a plurality of apertures extending from at least the first planar surface to the second planar surface, each of the apertures being bound by at least one of the frame portions and at least one of said cross members.  
      A third aspect of the invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first planar surface in a first imaginary plane; a second planar surface in a second imaginary plane; a first plurality of apertures; at least one member spanning each one of the first plurality of apertures to thereby define a plurality of smaller apertures, each of the plurality of smaller apertures in communication with a respective one of the first plurality of apertures, wherein the member spanning each one of said apertures has a top surface located in a third imaginary plane, the third imaginary plane being located below the first imaginary plane.  
      A fourth aspect of the invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first planar surface in a first imaginary plane, a second planar surface in a second imaginary plane located below said first imaginary plane, a first plurality of apertures, at least one member spanning each one of said first plurality of apertures to thereby define a plurality of smaller apertures, each of said plurality of smaller apertures in communication with a respective one of said first plurality of apertures, wherein said member spanning each one of said apertures has a top surface located in a third imaginary plane, said third imaginary plane being located below said first imaginary plane, and a second plurality of apertures.  
      A fifth aspect of the invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first substantially planar surface located in a first imaginary plane, a second substantially planar surface located in a second imaginary plane, a plurality of interconnected frame portions, each of said frame portions having at least first and second interior walls arranged in opposed spaced relationship to one another, a plurality of cross members, each one of said cross members extending from one of said interior walls of one of said frame portions to said opposed second interior wall of one of said flame portions, each of said cross members having a top surface located in a imaginary plane located below said first imaginary plane, a first plurality of apertures extending from at least said first planar surface to said second planar surface, each of said apertures being bound by at least one of said frame portions and at least one of said cross members, and a second plurality of apertures.  
      According to sixth aspect the present invention provides a three dimensional apertured film including a first planar surface in a first imaginary plane, a second planar surface in a second imaginary plane, a plurality of apertures extending at least from said first planar surface to said second planar surface, at least one member spanning each one of said plurality of apertures, wherein said member spanning each one of said apertures has a top surface located in a third imaginary plane, said third imaginary plane being located below said first imaginary plane, and a second plurality of apertures.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1   a  is a schematic view of a three-dimensional film according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 1   b  is a partially broken-away perspective view of the film shown in  FIG. 1   a  taken along line  1 B in  FIG. 1   a;    
       FIG. 1   c  is an enlarged photomicrograph of the three-dimensional film schematically shown in  FIG. 1   a,  showing a top surface thereof;  
       FIG. 1   d  is an enlarged photomicrograph of the three-dimensional film shown in  FIG. 1   c,  showing a bottom surface thereof;  
       FIG. 1   e  is a schematic view of a three-dimensional film according a second embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 1   f  is a partially broken away perspective view of the film shown in  FIG. 1   e  taken along line “ 1   f ” in  FIG. 1   e;    
       FIG. 1   g  is a photomicrograph of the top surface of the three-dimensional film schematically shown in  FIG. 1   e;    
       FIG. 1   h  is a photomicrograph of the bottom surface of the three-dimensional film shown in  FIG. 1   g;    
       FIG. 1   i  is an enlarged photomicrograph of a portion of the three-dimensional film shown in  FIG. 1   g,  said portion corresponding to the portion of the film encircled by the circle “ 1   f ” in  FIG. 1   e;    
       FIG. 1   j  is an photomicrograph of the portion of the three-dimensional film shown in  FIG. 1   i  showing a bottom surface thereof;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of one type of three dimensional topographical support member useful to make a film of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for laser sculpting a workpiece to form a three dimensional topographical support member useful to make a film of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a computer control system for the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a graphical representation of a file to laser sculpt a workpiece to produce a three dimensional topographical support member for producing an apertured film shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d;    
       FIG. 5   a  is a graphical representation of the file shown in  FIG. 5  showing an enlarged portion thereof;  
       FIG. 5   b  is a graphical representation of a file to laser sculpt a workpiece to produce a three dimensional topographical support member for producing the apertured film shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j;    
       FIG. 5   c  is an enlarged portion of the graphical representation of the file shown in  FIG. 5   b  showing the portion of the file encircled by the circle  5   c  in  FIG. 5   b;    
       FIG. 5   d  is an enlarged portion of the graphical representation of the file shown in  5   b  showing the portion of the file encircled by the circle  5   d  in  FIG. 5   b;    
       FIG. 5   e  is an enlarged portion of the graphical representation shown in  FIG. 5   d  showing the portion of the file encircled by the circle  5   e  in  FIG. 5   d;    
       FIG. 6  is a photomicrograph of a workpiece after it was sculpted utilizing the file of  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 6   a  is a photomicrograph of a workpiece after it was sculpted using the file shown in  FIGS. 5   b - 5   e ;  
       FIG. 6   b  is a enlarged portion of the workpiece shown in  FIG. 6   a,  said enlarged portion corresponding to the area encircled by the circle  6   b  in  FIG. 6   a;    
       FIG. 7  is a view of a support member used to make a film according to the invention in place on a film-forming apparatus;  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an apparatus for producing an apertured film according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the circled portion of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 10  is an average histogram representing stain intensity for an absorbent article having an apertured film according to the present invention as the cover layer thereof; and  
       FIG. 11  is a graphical representation of a file to drill a workpiece using raster scan drilling to produce a three dimensional topographical support member for producing an apertured film.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to three-dimensional apertured films particularly useful in personal care products. These films may be used as body-contacting facing layers, as fluid handling layers, or as other components of personal care products. The films of the present invention have been found to exhibit improved fluid-handling properties when used in disposable absorbent articles such as, for instance, feminine sanitary protection products. In particular, the films of the present invention have been found to provide improved stain masking characteristics while at the same time permitting the efficient transfer of fluid through the film as compared to conventional films.  
      Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  which depict an apertured film  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The film  10  includes a plurality of repeating interconnected frames  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d,  each frame  12  includes opposed end regions  12   a  and  12   b  and opposed side walls  12   c  and  12   d.  Each of the end regions  12   a  and  12   b  being in spaced relationship to one another and each of the opposed side walls  12   c  and  12   d  being in spaced relationship to one another. In the specific embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d,  each of the frames  12  are interconnected to an adjacent frame  12 . More particularly, as shown, each flame  12  “shares” a common side wall  12   c,    12   d,  with a directly adjacent flame  12 . Likewise, each frame  12  shares a common end region  12   a,    12   b  with a directly adjacent flame  12 . The apertured film  10  further includes first and second cross members  14   a  and  14   b.  As shown, cross member  14   b  extends from a first side wall  12   c  to an opposed side wall  12   d  of the frame  12 . Likewise, cross member  14   a  extends from an end region  12   a  to the opposed end region  12   b.  In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e,  the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  intersect at the center of the frame is shown. In addition, in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e,  the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are orthogonally arranged to one another.  
      Although the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  shows the apertured film  10  as having two cross members  14   a  and  14   b,  it is possible that only a single cross member could be employed as long as the cross member extends across the open area defined by the frame  12 . Also, although the frame  12  has been shown as being generally hexagonal in shape, it is possible that other shapes could be used for the frame  12 . Each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  preferably have a width “a” (See  FIG. 1   b ) in the range of about 4.0 mils to about 24.0 mils (1 mil=0.001 inch). Each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  preferably have a length “b” (See  FIG. 1   b ) in the range of about 30.0 mils to about 150.0 mils. The film  10  may optionally include a plurality of bumps  11  or the like arranged on the surface of the film as best seen in  FIG. 1   a.    
      The film  10  further includes a plurality of apertures  16 . Each aperture  16  is bound by at least a portion of the frame  12  and at least a portion of one of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b.  Reference is now made to  FIG. 1   b  which is an illustration of a partially broken away perspective view of the film  10  shown in  FIG. 1  taken along line  1 B of  FIG. 1   a  Each aperture is bound by at least a portion of each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  as well as by a portion of the frame  12 . More particularly, as best seen in  FIG. 1   b,  each of the apertures  16  is bound by a corresponding interior wall  22 ,  24  of a respective side wall  12   c,    12   d  of the frame portion  12 . Each aperture  16  is further bound by a corresponding interior wall  26  or  28  of cross member  14   b  and a corresponding interior wall  30 ,  32  of cross member  14   a  Finally, each aperture  16  is bound by a respective interior wall  34 ,  36  of a corresponding end region  12   a,    12   b.    
      Again referring to  FIG. 1   b,  film  10  generally includes a first generally planar top surface  18  in imaginary plane  23  and an opposed, generally planar, second bottom surface  21  in imaginary plane  25 . The top surface  38  of the side walls  12   c  and  12   d  and the top surface  40  of the end regions  12   a  and  12   b  are coplanar with plane  23 . However, the top surfaces  42  and  44  of cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are recessed relative to plane  23 . More particularly, the top surfaces  42  and  44  of cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are located in a plane  27  located below both planes  23  and  25 . Preferably the top surfaces  42  and  44  of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are recessed relative to the top surface  18  of the film, i.e. recessed relative to plane  23 , to a depth in the range of about 3.0 mils to about 17.0 mils. The top surfaces  42  and  44  of cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are preferably substantially parallel to the imaginary planes  23  and  25 .  
      The interior walls  22 ,  24  of side walls  12   c  and  12   d,  interior walls  26 ,  28  of cross member  14   a,  interior walls  30 ,  32  of cross member  14   b,  and interior walls  34 ,  36  of end regions  12   a,    12   b  cooperate to define the apertures  16  and each of these interior walls extend below plane  25  such that the bottom opening of each aperture  16  is located below the bottom planar surface  21  of the film, i.e., below imaginary plane  25 . More specifically, interior walls  22 ,  24  of side walls  12   c  and  12   d,  interior walls  26 ,  28  of cross member  14   a,  interior walls  30 ,  32  of cross member  14   b,  and interior walls  34 ,  36  of end regions  12   a,    12   b  extend downwardly such that the bottom opening of each aperture is located in imaginary plane  29  which is located below imaginary planes  23 ,  25  and  27 . It is noted that imaginary planes  23 ,  25 ,  27  and  29  are all substantially parallel to one another.  
      Since the top surfaces  42 ,  44  of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are recessed relative to the top surface  18  of the film  10 , i.e. recessed relative to imaginary plane  23 , a first relatively large aperture is effectively defined from the top surface  18  of the film  10  to the top surfaces  42 ,  44  of the cross members. The cross members  14   a  and  14   b  act to divide this larger aperture into four relatively smaller apertures which are in communication with the larger aperture from the top surfaces  42 ,  44  of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  through the bottom opening of each aperture  16 . Stated another way, within each frame member  12 , a relatively large aperture is defined from plane  23  to plane  27  and a plurality of relatively smaller apertures, that are communication with the larger aperture, are defined from plane  27  to plane  29 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d,  each of the smaller apertures defined from plane  27  to plane  29  have an area that is less than one quarter of the total area of the larger aperture defined from plane  23  to  27 . In an embodiment in which a single cross member was employed, each of the smaller apertures defined by the cross member would have an area less than one half the total area of the larger aperture. The reader is advised that for simplicity and clarity in the drawings, both the “smaller” and “large” apertures discussed above are generally identified by reference numeral  16  herein.  
      Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j  which depict an apertured film  100  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The same or similar reference numbers are used in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j  as those used in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  to identify the same and/or corresponding structure as identified in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  and described above.  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 1   e  and  1   g,  the film  100  includes at least a first portion  102  and at least a second portion  104 . The first portion  102  is defined by a plurality of repeating interconnected frames  12  defining a plurality of apertures  16  as described above. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j,  each frame  12  includes opposed end regions  12   a  and  12   b  and opposed side walls  12   c  and.  12   d.  The apertured film  100  also includes first and second cross members  14   a  and  14   b.  The cross members  14   a  and  14   b  preferably have a width “a” in the range of about 4.0 mils to about 24.0 mils. Each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  preferably have a length “b” in the range of about 30.0 mils to about 150.0 mils. Preferably the top surfaces  42  and  44  of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  are recessed relative to the top surface  18  of the film, i.e. recessed relative to plane  23 , to a depth in the range of about 3.0 mils to about 17.0 mils.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   f,  the film  100  generally includes a substantially planar top surface  18  in imaginary plane  23  and an opposed, substantially planar, second bottom surface  21  in imaginary plane  25 . The end regions  12   a  and  12   b,  and the portions  12   c ′ and  12   d ′ of the side walls  12   c  and  12   d  in the areas where the cross member  14   b  intersects with the side wall  12   c  and  12   d,  are formed such that at a least a portion of the top surface of the film in these areas is recessed relative to the imaginary plane  23 . In the particular embodiment of the film  100  shown in  FIG. 1   f,  the end regions  12   a  and  12   b,  and the portions  12   c ′ and  12   d ′ of the side walls  12   c  and  12   d  in the areas where the cross member  14   b  intersects with the side wall  12   c  and  12   d,  have a substantially “W” shape, or sinusoidal shape, cross section defining a pair of swales  111  and a peak  113  arranged between the swales  111 . As shown, the top surface of the film  115  in the area of the swales  111  is located in a plane  35  which is recessed relative to the imaginary plane  23 . In particular, plane  35  is located between plane  23  and plane  25 . Preferably the swales  111 , at their most recessed point relative to plane  23 , have a depth in the range of about 2 to about 5 mils, relative to plane  23 .  
      Although in the particular embodiment  100  the end regions  12   a  and  12   b  and the portions  12   c ′ and  12   d ′ of the side walls  12   c  and  12   d  in the areas where the cross member  14   b  intersects with the side wall  12   c  and  12   d  are formed to have a substantially “W′shaped cross section, these areas may be formed to have other shapes and configurations wherein at least a portion of the top surface of the film in the those areas where the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  intersect the frame  12  is recessed relative to plane  23 . By forming the film  100  in those areas where the cross member  14   a  intersects the end regions  12   a  and  12   b,  and in those areas where the cross-member  14   b  intersects the side walls  12   c  and  12   d,  such that at least a portion thereof is recessed relative to plane  23  the perceived softness of the film is enhanced. Although in the specific embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1   f  the film  100  is formed in the end regions  12   a  and  12   b,  and in the portions  12   c ′ and  12   d ′ of the side walls  12   c  and  12   d,  such that at least a portion of the surface of the film is recessed relative to plane  23  it is possible to construct the film such that only one of these regions is recessed relative to plane  23 . For example only portions  12   c ′ and  12   d ′ may be recessed or in the alternative only end regions  12   a  and  12   b  may be recessed.  
      As best seen in  FIG. 1   e,  the second portion  104  of the apertured film  100   a  includes a second plurality of apertures  106  that are visually distinguishable from the first plurality of apertures  16 . The term “visually distinguishable” as used herein means that each of the second plurality of apertures  106  has a shape and/or size that is sufficiently different from the shape and/or size of each of the apertures  16  of the first plurality of apertures  16  such that, when observed by the naked eye, each of the second plurality of apertures  106  is visually distinguishable from each of the first plurality of apertures  16 . In one embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j  each of the second plurality of apertures  106  has a generally elliptical shape with a major axis “y” and a minor axis “z”. Each of the major axis “y” and minor axis “z” preferably have a length in the range of about 5 mils to about 150 mils. In one specific embodiment, the major axis has a length of about 43 mils and the minor axis has a length of about 16 mils. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the second plurality of apertures  106  are spaced from one another by a distance “n” of about 10 mils to about 100 mils when measured from the center of one aperture to the center of a horizontally adjacent aperture along a horizontal line, and each of the second plurality of apertures  106  are spaced from a vertically adjacent aperture  106  by a distance “o” of about 10 mils to about 70 mils when measured from the center of one aperture to the center of a vertically adjacent aperture along a diagonal connecting the center of each of the apertures. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the distance “n” is 40 mils and the distance “o” is 34 mils.  
      The second plurality of apertures  106  may be arranged in a pattern to define a design, indicia, text or the like, or combinations thereof. For example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1   e  and  1   g,  the second plurality of apertures  106  are arranged to define a butterfly design. Although in the particular embodiment of the invention shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j,  a butterfly design is depicted, any other number of designs are possible.  
      The film  100  shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j  is also provided with a border  108  that separates the first plurality of apertures  16  from the second plurality of apertures  106 . Preferably, the border has a shape and size such that it is visually distinguishable, when viewed by the naked eye, from each of the first plurality of apertures  16  and each of the second plurality of apertures  106 . Preferably the border  108  has a width “x” (See  FIG. 1   e ) in the range of between about 25 mils and 90 mils. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the border  108  is not apertured. The surface of the film  109  located within the area defined by the border  108  is preferably recessed related to the top substantially planar surface  18  of the film. In other words, the surface of the film  109  bound within the border  108  is recessed relative to plane  23 . Preferably the surface of the film  109  is recessed relative to plane  23  in an amount from about 2 mils to about 5 mils. The surface of the film defining the border  108  itself is preferably located within plane  23 .  
      Preferably the border  108  cooperates with the second plurality of apertures  106  to visually define the design, indicia, text or the like. For example, in the embodiment of the film  100  shown, the border cooperates with the second plurality of apertures  106  to define a butterfly design.  
      Although a single butterfly is shown in  FIG. 1   e  for simplicity a plurality of such elements may be spaced over the surface of the film. For example, in one specific embodiment the film may have a plurality of such butterflies spaced over the film material. In addition, different sized designs may be employed, for example in one specific embodiment a plurality of relatively large butterflies and a plurality of smaller butterflies are employed in the same film.  
      The apertured films according to the present invention preferably have an open area in the range about 20% to about 30%. Open area may be determined by using image analysis to measure the relative percentages of apertured and unapertured, or land, areas. Essentially image analysis converts an optical image from a light microscope into an electronic signal suitable for processing. An electronic beam scans the image, line-by-line. As each line is scanned, an output signal changes according to illumination. White areas produce a relatively high voltage and black areas a relatively low voltage. An image of the apertured formed film is produced and, in that image, the holes are white, while the solid areas of thermoplastic material are at various levels of gray.  
      The more dense the solid area, the darker the gray area produced. Each line of the image that is measured is divided into sampling points or pixels. The following equipment can be used to carry out the analysis described above: a Quantimet Q520 Image Analyzer (with v. 5.02 B software and Grey Store Option), sold by LEICA/Cambridge Instruments Ltd., in conjunction with an Olympus SZH Microscope with a transmitted light base, a plan 1.0.times objective, and a 2.50 times. eyepiece. The image can be produced with a DAGE MTI CCD72 video camera.  
      A representative piece of each material to be analyzed is placed on the microscope stage and sharply imaged on the video screen at a microscope zoom setting of 10 times. The open area is determined from field measurements of representative areas. The Quantimet program output reports mean value and standard deviation for each sample.  
      A suitable starting film for making a three-dimensional apertured film according to the present invention is a thin, continuous, uninterrupted film of thermoplastic polymeric material. This film may be vapor permeable or vapor impermeable; it may be embossed or unembossed; it may be corona-discharge treated on one or both of its major surfaces or it may be free of such corona-discharge treatment; it may be treated with a surface active agent after the film is formed by coating, spraying, or printing the surface active agent onto the film, or the surface active agent may be incorporated as a blend into the thermoplastic polymeric material before the film is formed. The film may comprise any thermoplastic polymeric material including, but not limited to, polyolefins, such as high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene; copolymers of olefins and vinyl monomers, such as copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride; polyamides; polyesters; polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of olefins and acrylate monomers such as copolymers of ethylene and ethyl acrylate and ethylenemethacrylate. Films comprising mixtures of two or more of such polymeric materials may also be used. The machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) elongation of the starting film to be apertured should be at least 100% as determined according to ASTM Test No. D-882 as performed on an Instron test apparatus with a jaw speed of 50 inches/minute (127 cm/minute). The thickness of the starting film is preferably uniform and may range from about 0.5 to about 5 mils or about 0.0005 inch (0.0013 cm) to about 0.005 inch (0.076 cm). Coextruded films can be used, as can films that have been modified, e.g., by treatment with a surface active agent. The starting film can be made by any known technique, such as casting, extrusion, or blowing.  
      A method of aperturing the films according to the present invention involves placing the film onto the surface of a patterned support member. The film is subjected to a high fluid pressure differential as it is on the support member. The pressure differential of the fluid, which may be liquid or gaseous, causes the film to assume the surface pattern of the patterned support member. If the patterned support member has apertures therein, portions of the film overlying the apertures may be ruptured by the fluid pressure differential to create an apertured film. A method of forming an apertured film is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,597 to James et al., incorporated herein by reference.  
      Such a three dimensional apertured film is preferably formed by placing a thermoplastic film across the surface of an apertured support member with a pattern corresponding to desired final film shape. A stream of hot air is directed against the film to raise its temperature to cause it to be softened. A vacuum is then applied to the film to cause it to conform to the shape of the surface of the support member. Portions of the film lying over the apertures in the support member are further elongated until rupture to create apertures in the film.  
      A suitable apertured support member for making these three-dimensional apertured films is a three-dimensional topographical support member made by laser sculpting a workpiece. A schematic illustration of an exemplary workpiece that has been laser sculpted into a three dimensional topographical support member is shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      The workpiece  102  comprises a thin tubular cylinder  110 . The workpiece  102  has non-processed surface areas  111  and a laser sculpted center portion  112 . A preferred workpiece for producing the support member of this invention is a thin-walled seamless tube of acetal, which has been relieved of all residual internal stresses. The workpiece has a wall thickness of from  1 - 8  mm, more preferably from 2.56.5 mm. Exemplary workpieces for use in forming support members are one to six feet in diameter and have a length ranging from two to sixteen feet However, these sizes are a matter of design choice. Other shapes and material compositions may be used for the workpiece, such as acrylics, urethanes, polyesters, high molecular weight polyethylene and other polymers that can be processed by a laser beam.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a schematic illustration of an apparatus for laser sculpting the support member is shown. A starting blank tubular workpiece  102  is mounted on an appropriate arbor, or mandrel  121  that fixes it in a cylindrical shape and allows rotation about its longitudinal axis in bearings  122 . A rotational drive  123  is provided to rotate mandrel  121  at a controlled rate. Rotational pulse generator  124  is connected to and monitors rotation of mandrel  121  so that its precise radial position is known at all times.  
      Parallel to and mounted outside the swing of mandrel  121  is one or more guide ways  125  that allow carriage  126  to traverse the entire length of mandrel  121  while maintaining a constant clearance to the top surface  103  of workpiece  102 . Carriage drive  133  moves the carriage along guide ways  125 , while carriage pulse generator  134  notes the lateral position of the carriage with respect to workpiece  102 . Mounted on the carriage is focusing stage  127 . Focusing stage  127  is mounted in focus guide ways  128 . Focusing stage  127  allows motion orthogonal to that of carriage  126  and provides a means of focusing lens  129  relative to top surface  103 . Focus drive  132  is provided to position the focusing stage  127  and provide the focusing of lens  129 .  
      Secured to focusing stage  127  is the lens  129 , which is secured in nozzle  130 . Nozzle  130  has means  131  for introducing a pressurized gas into nozzle  130  for cooling and maintaining cleanliness of lens  129 . A preferred nozzle  130  for this purpose is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,962 to James et al. which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      Also mounted on the carriage  126  is final bending mirror  135 , which directs the laser beam  136  to the focusing lens  129 . Remotely located is the laser  137 , with optional beam bending mirror  138 , to direct the beam to final beam bending mirror  135 . While it would be possible to mount the laser  137  directly on carriage  126  and eliminate the beam bending mirrors, space limitations and utility connections to the laser make remote mounting far preferable.  
      When the laser  137  is powered, the beam  136  emitted is reflected by first beam bending mirror  138 , then by final beam bending mirror  135 , which directs it to lens  129 . The path of laser beam  136  is configured such that, if lens  129  were removed, the beam would pass through the longitudinal center line of mandrel  121 . With lens  129  in position, the beam may be focused above, below, at, or near top surface  103 .  
      While this apparatus could be used with a variety of lasers, the preferred laser is a fast flow CO 2  laser, capable of producing a beam rated at up to 2500 watts. However, slow flow CO 2  lasers rated at 50 watts could also be used.  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of the control system of the laser sculpting apparatus of  FIG. 3 . During operation of the laser sculpting apparatus, control variables for focal position, rotational speed, and traverse speed are sent from a main computer  142  through connection  144  to a drive computer  140 . The drive computer  140  controls focus position through focusing stage drive  132 . Drive computer  140  controls the rotational speed of the workpiece  102  through rotational drive  123  and rotational pulse generator  124 . Drive computer  140  controls the traverse speed of the carriage  126  through carriage drive  133  and carriage pulse generator  134 . Drive computer  140  also reports drive status and possible errors to the main computer  142 . This system provides positive position control and in effect divides the surface of the workpiece  102  into small areas called pixels, where each pixel consists of a fixed number of pulses of the rotational drive and a fixed number of pulses of the traverse drive. The main computer  142  also controls laser  137  through connection  143 .  
      A laser sculpted three dimensional topographical support member may be made by several methods. One method of producing such a support member is by a combination of laser drilling and laser milling of the surface of a workpiece.  
      Methods of laser drilling a workpiece include percussion drilling, fire-on-the-fly drilling, and raster scan drilling.  
      A preferred method is raster scan drilling. In this approach, the pattern is reduced to a rectangular repeat element  141 , an example of which is depicted in  FIG. 11 . This repeat element contains all of the information required to produce the desired pattern. When used like a tile and placed both end-to-end and side-by-side, the larger desired pattern is the result.  
      The repeat element  141  is further divided into a grid of smaller rectangular units or “pixels”  142 . Though typically square, for some purposes, it may be more convenient to employ pixels of unequal proportions. The pixels themselves are dimensionless and the actual dimensions of the image are set during processing, that is, the width  145  of a pixel and the length  146  of a pixel are only set during the actual drilling operation. During drilling, the length of a pixel is set to a dimension that corresponds to a selected number of pulses from the carriage pulse generator  134 . Similarly, the width of a pixel is set to a dimension that corresponds to the number of pulses from the rotational pulse generator  124 . Thus, for ease of explanation, the pixels are shown to be square in  FIG. 5   a;  however, it is not required that pixels be square, but only that they be rectangular.  
      Each column of pixels represents one pass of the workpiece past the focal position of the laser. This column is repeated as many times as is required to reach completely around workpiece  102 . A white pixel represents an off instruction to the laser and each black pixel represents an on instruction to the laser. This results in a simple binary file of 1&#39;s and 0&#39;s where a 1, or white, is an instruction for the laser to shut off and a 0, or black, is an instruction for the laser to turn on.  
      Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the contents of an engraving file are sent in a binary form where 1 is off and 0 is on by the main computer  142  to the laser  137  via connection  143 . By varying the time between each instruction, the duration of the instruction is adjusted to conform to the size of the pixel. After each column of the file is completed, that column is again processed, or repeated, until the entire circumference is completed. While the instructions of a column are being carried out, the traverse drive is moved slightly. The speed of traverse is set so that upon completion of a circumferential engraving, the traverse drive has moved the focusing lens the width of a column of pixels and the next column of pixels is processed. This continues until the end of the file is reached and the file is again repeated in the axial dimension until the total desired width is reached.  
      In this approach, each pass produces a number of narrow cuts in the material, rather than a large hole. Because these cuts are precisely registered to line up side-by-side and overlap somewhat, the cumulative effect is a hole.  
      A highly preferred method for making the laser sculpted three dimensional topographical support members is through laser modulation. Laser modulation is carried out by gradually varying the laser power on a pixel by pixel basis. In laser modulation, the simple on or off instructions of raster scan drilling are replaced by instructions that adjust on a gradual scale the laser power for each individual pixel of the laser modulation file. In this manner, a three dimensional structure can be imparted to the workpiece in a single pass over the workpiece.  
      Laser modulation has several advantages over other methods of producing a three dimensional topographical support member. Laser modulation produces a one-piece, seamless, support member without the pattern mismatches caused by the presence of a seam. With laser modulation, the support member is completed in a single operation instead of multiple operations, thus increasing efficiency and decreasing cost. Laser modulation eliminates problems with the registration of patterns, which can be a problem in a multi-step sequential operation. Laser modulation also allows for the creation of topographical features with complex geometries over a substantial distance. By varying the instructions to the laser, the depth and shape of a feature can be precisely controlled and features that continuously vary in cross section can be formed. Also, with laser sculpting the regular positions of the apertures relative to one another can be maintained.  
      Referring again to  FIG. 4 , during laser modulation the main computer  142  may send instructions to the laser  137  in other than a simple “on” or “off” format. For example, the simple binary file may be replaced with an 8 bit (byte) format, which allows for a variation in power emitted by the laser of 256 possible levels. Utilizing a byte format, the instruction “11111111” instructs the laser to turn off, “00000000” instructs the laser to emit full power, and an instruction such as “10000000” instructs the laser to emit one-half of the total available laser power.  
      A laser modulation file can be created in many ways. One such method is to construct the file graphically using a gray scale of a 256 color level computer image. In such a gray scale image, black can represent full power and white can represent no power with the varying levels of gray in between representing intermediate power levels. A number of computer graphics programs can be used to visualize or create such a laser-sculpting file. Utilizing such a file, the power emitted by the laser is modulated on a pixel by pixel basis and can therefore directly sculpt a three dimensional topographical support member. While an 8-bit byte format is described here, other levels, such as 4 bit, 16 bit, 24 bit or other formats can be substituted.  
      A suitable laser for use in a laser modulation system for laser sculpting is a fast flow CO 2  laser with a power output of 2500 watts, although a laser of lower power output could be used. Of primary concern is that the laser must be able to switch power levels as quickly as possible. A preferred switching rate is at least 10 kHz and even more preferred is a rate of 20 kHz. The high power-switching rate is needed to be able to process as many pixels per second as possible.  
       FIG. 5  is a graphical representation of a laser modulation file, including a repeat element  141   a , that may be used to form a support member for forming the apertured film shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   e.    FIG. 5   a  is an enlarged portion of the laser modulation file shown in  FIG. 5 .  
       FIG. 5   b  is a graphical representation of a laser modulation file, including a repeat element  141   b,  that may be used to form a support member for forming the apertured film shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j.    FIG. 5   c  is an enlarged portion of the laser modulation file shown in  FIG. 5   b  corresponding to the portion of file encircled by the circle “ 5   c ” in  FIG. 5   b.    FIG. 5   d  is an enlarged portion of the laser modulation file shown in  FIG. 5   b  corresponding to the portion of file encircled by the circle “ 5   d ” in  FIG. 5   b.    FIG. 5   e  is an enlarged portion of the laser modulation file shown in  FIG. 5   b  corresponding to the portion of file encircled by the circle “ 5   e ” in  FIG. 5   d.    
      In  FIGS. 5 through 5   e  the black areas  154   a  indicate pixels where the laser is instructed to emit full power, thereby creating a hole in the support member, which corresponds to apertures  16  in the three-dimensional apertured film  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d.  The light gray areas  155  indicate pixels where the laser receives instructions to apply a very low level power, thereby leaving the surface of the support member essentially intact. These areas of the support member correspond to the protuberances  11  shown in  FIG. 1   a.  The other areas depicted in  FIGS. 5-5   e,  which are depicted in various levels of gray, represent corresponding levels of laser power and correspond to various features of the films  10  and  100  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  and  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j  respectively. For example, areas  157  and  159  correspond to cross members  14   a  and  14   b  of the film  10  and the film  100 .  
       FIG. 6  is a photomicropgraph of a portion  161  of a support member after it was engraved using the file shown in  FIG. 5 . The pattern on the portion of support member shown in  FIG. 6  is repeated over the surface of the support member to thereby produce the repeating pattern of the film  10  shown in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d .  
       FIG. 6   a  is a photomicropgraph of a portion  162  of a support member after it was engraved using the file shown in  FIG. 5 . The pattern on the portion of support member shown in  FIG. 6   a  is repeated over the surface of the support member to thereby produce a film having repeating butterfly pattern of the type shown in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j .  FIG. 6   b  is an enlarged portion of the support member shown in  FIG. 6   a  corresponding to the portion of the support member in  FIG. 6   a  encircled by the circle “ 6 ” b .Upon completion of the laser sculpting of the workpiece, it can be assembled into the structure shown in  FIG. 7  for use as a support member. Two end bells  235  are fitted to the interior of the workpiece  236  with laser sculpted area  237 . These end bells can be shrink-fit, press-fit, attached by mechanical means such as straps  238  and screws  239  as shown, or by other mechanical means. The end bells provide a method to keep the workpiece circular, to drive the finished assembly, and to fix the completed structure in the aperturing apparatus.  
      A preferred apparatus for producing such three dimensional apertured films is schematically depicted in  FIG. 8 . As shown here, the support member is a rotatable drum  753 . In this particular apparatus, the drum rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Positioned outside drum  753  is a hot air nozzle  759  positioned to provide a curtain of hot air to impinge directly on the film supported by the laser sculpted support member. Means is provided to retract hot air nozzle  759  to avoid excessive heating of the film when it is stopped or moving at slow speed. Blower  757  and heater  758  cooperate to supply hot air to nozzle  759 . Positioned inside the drum  753 , directly opposite the nozzle  759 , is vacuum head  760 . Vacuum head  760  is radially adjustable and positioned so as to contact the interior surface of drum  753 . A vacuum source  761  is provided to continuously exhaust vacuum head  760 .  
      Cooling zone  762  is provided in the interior of and contacting the inner surface of drum  753 . Cooling zone  762  is provided with cooling vacuum source  763 . In cooling zone  762 , cooling vacuum source  763  draws ambient air through the apertures made in the film to set the pattern created in the aperturing zone. Vacuum source  763  also provides means of holding the film in place in cooling zone  762  in drum  753  and provides means to isolate the film from the effects of tension produced by winding up the film after its aperturing.  
      Placed on top of laser sculpted support member  753  is a thin, continuous, uninterrupted film  751  of thermoplastic polymeric material.  
      An enlargement of the circled area of  FIG. 8  is shown in  FIG. 9 . As shown in this embodiment, vacuum head  760  has two vacuum slots  764  and  765  extending across the width of the film. However, for some purposes, it may be preferred to use separate vacuum sources for each vacuum slot. As shown in  FIG. 23 , vacuum slot  764  provides a hold down zone for the starting film as it approaches air knife  758 . Vacuum slot  764  is connected to a source of vacuum by a passageway  766 . This anchors the incoming film  751  securely to drum  753  and provides isolation from the effects of tension in the incoming film induced by the unwinding of the film. It also flattens film  751  on the outer surface of drum  753 . The second vacuum slot  765  defines the vacuum aperturing zone. Immediately between slots  764  and  765  is intermediate support bar  768 . Vacuum head  760  is positioned such that the impingement point of hot air curtain  767  is directly above intermediate support bar  768 . The hot air is provided at a sufficient temperature, a sufficient angle of incidence to the film, and at a sufficient distance from the film to cause the film to become softened and deformable by a force applied thereto. The geometry of the apparatus ensures that the film  751 , when softened by hot air curtain  767 , is isolated from tension effects by hold-down slot  764  and cooling zone  762  ( FIG. 22 ). Vacuum aperturing zone  765  is immediately adjacent hot air curtain  767 , which minimizes the time that the film is hot and prevents excessive heat transfer to support member  753 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a thin flexible film  751  is fed from a supply roll  750  over idler roll  752 . Roll  752  may be attached to a load cell or other mechanism to control the feed tension of the incoming film  751 . The film  751  is then placed in intimate contact with the support member  753 . The film and support member then pass to vacuum zone  764 . In vacuum zone  764  the differential pressure further forces the film into intimate contact with support member  753 . The vacuum pressure then isolates the film from the supply tension. The film and support member combination then passes under hot air curtain  767 . The hot air curtain heats the film and support member combination thus softening the film.  
      The heat-softened film and the support member combination then pass into vacuum zone  765  where the heated film is deformed by the differential pressure and assumes the topography of the support member. The heated film areas that are located over open areas in the support member are further deformed into the open areas of the support member. If the heat and deformation force are sufficient, the film over the open areas of the support member is ruptured to create apertures.  
      The still-hot apertured film and support member combination then passes to cooling zone  762 . In the cooling zone a sufficient quantity of ambient air is pulled through the now-apertured film to cool both the film and the support member.  
      The cooled film is then removed from the support member around idler roll  754 . Idler roll  754  may be attached to a load cell or other mechanism to control winding tension. The apertured film then passes to finish roll  756 , where it is wound up.  
      Construction of Test Assemblies  
      Inventive test assemblies # 1  and # 5  were created to illustrate the improved properties of apertured films according to the present invention. Comparative assemblies # 2 , # 3  and # 4  were also created. Test assemblies # 1 -# 5  each included a cover layer, transfer layer, absorbent core and barrier layer. The transfer layer, absorbent core and barrier layer used in test assemblies # 1 -# 5  were as follows:  
      (a) transfer layer—100 gsm 3003 Visorb airlaid commercially available from Buckeye Technologies Inc., Memphis Tenn.;  
      (b) absorbent core—208 gsm Novathin product code 080525, commercially available from Rayonier Inc., Jessup Ga.; and  
      (c) a conventional polyethylene monolithic film barrier layer. The various layers of the test assemblies were adhered to each other in a conventional manner using a conventional and commercially available construction adhesive.  
      Each of the cover materials described in the test assemblies # 1 -# 3  and # 5  below were constructed from a commercially available base film, product code DPD81715 from Tredegar Corporation, Sao Paulo, Brazil.  
      Test assembly # 1  was constructed by first creating an apertured film according to the invention, as show in  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  and described above (hereinafter referred to as Film # 1 ). Film # 1  was constructed such that the upper surfaces of cross members  14   a  and  14   b  were recessed relative to the upper surface of film by 15 mils and the width “a” for each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  was 10 mils. The length of each cross member  14   a  was 100 mils and the length of each cross member  14   b  was 60 mils. Film # 1  was measured to have average open area of 26%. Test assembly # 1  was completed by applying Film # 1  on top of the transfer layer described above to thereby form a test assembly including, from top to bottom, a cover, transfer layer, core and barrier layer.  
      Test assembly # 2  was constructed by first creating an apertured film (hereinafter referred to as Film # 2 ) that was identical in all respects to Film # 1  except for the fact that the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  were arranged to be coplanar with the top surface of the film, i.e. the cross members were not recessed relative to the top surface of the film. Film # 2  was determined to have an average open area of 26%. Test assembly # 2  was completed by applying Film # 2  on top of the transfer layer described above to thereby form a test assembly including, from top to bottom, a cover, transfer layer, core and barrier layer.  
      Test assembly # 3  was constructed by first creating an apertured film (hereinafter referred to as Film # 3 ) that was identical in all respects to Film # 1  except for the fact that the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  were entirely omitted, i.e. the film included a plurality of hexagonally shaped apertures. Film # 3  was measured to have an open area of about 39%. Test assembly # 3  was completed by applying Film # 3  on top of the transfer layer described above to thereby form a test assembly including, from top to bottom, a cover, transfer layer, core and barrier layer.  
      Test assembly # 4  was constructed by removing an apertured film cover layer (hereinafter referred to as Film # 4 ) from the Sempre Livre Ultra Thin with Wings product manufactured by Johnson &amp; Johnson Ind. E. Corn. Ltda., Brazil. Test assembly # 4  was completed by applying Film # 4  on top of the transfer layer described above to thereby form a test assembly including, from top to bottom, a cover, transfer layer, core and barrier layer  
      Test assembly # 5  was constructed by first creating an apertured film according to the invention, as show in  FIGS. 1   e - 1   j,  and described above (hereinafter referred to as Film # 5 ). The upper surfaces of cross members  14   a  and  14   b  were recessed relative to the upper surface of film by 4.5 mils and the width of each cross member  14   a  and  14   b  was 5 mils and 9 mils respectively. The length of each of the cross members  14   a  and  14   b  was 100 mils and 60 mils respectively. The film included a plurality of larger butterfly patterns of the type shown in  FIG. 1   e  and a plurality of smaller butterfly patterns of the type shown in  FIG. 1   e.  The size of the larger butterfly was 1.0 inch when measured from the most distal point of one wing to the most distal point of the other wing, and 0.6 inch when measured at the most narrow waist portion of the butterfly. The size of the smaller butterfly was 0.6 inch when measured from the most distal point of one wing to the most distal point of the other wing, and 0.4 inch when measured at the most narrow waist portion of the butterfly. The larger and smaller butterflies were equally spaced such that a 9 inch (length)×6 inch (width) swatch of the apertured film had 9 large and 9 small butterflies equally spaced over the swatch of the film. Each of the large and small butterflies included a border  108  and a plurality of apertures  106  arranged within the area defined by the border. The border  108  of each of the larger butterflies had a width of 78 mils and the border  108  for each of the smaller butterflies had a width of 31 mils. The surface of the film within the area  109  of the film defined by the of the borders  108 , for both the larger and smaller butteflies, was recessed relative to the top surface of the film by an amount of about 4.5 mils. The areas bound by border  109  of both the smaller and larger butterflies had a plurality of apertures  106 , each of the apertures  106  having a elliptical shape with a major axis of 43 mils and a minor axis of 16 mils. The distance “n” between horizontally adjacent apertures  106  was 40 mils and the distance “o” between vertically adjacent apertures was 34 mils.  
      Five samples of each of the test assemblies # 1 - 5  described above were created and tested to determine Fluid Penetration Time (FPT), Rewet (in grains) and Masking Value. Thus a total of twenty five total samples (five for each test assembly) were created. The test methods for determining Fluid Penetration Time (FPT), Rewet and Masking Value are discussed in greater detail below. The same five samples were used in each of the tests. That is, a clean sample was not be used for each test but rather the same sample was tested for fluid penetration and then rewet and then masking value.  
      The test fluid used for the Fluid Penetration test, Rewet test and Masking Value test according to the test procedures set forth below may be any synthetic menstrual fluid having the following properties: (1) a viscosity of approximately 30 centipoise; and (2) Hunter color values as follows: L=about 17, a=about 7, b=about 1.5. The L Hunter values of the test fluid were measured by placing a quantity of the test fluid in a glass dish to a depth of 0.25″.  
      Fluid Penetration Time (FPT)  
      Fluid Penetration Time is measured by placing a sample to be tested under a Fluid Penetration Test orifice plate. The test plate is rectangular and made from Lexan and is 25.4 cm (10.0 inches) long by 7.6 cm (3.0 inches) wide by 1.27 cm (0.5 inches) thick. A concentric, elliptical orifice is formed through the plate having a major axis of length 3.8 cm and being parallel to the length of the plate and a minor axis of width 1.9 cm and being parallel to the width of the plate.  
      The orifice plate is centered on the sample to be tested. A graduated 10 cc syringe containing 7 ml of test fluid is held over the orifice plate such that the exit of the syringe is approximately 3 inches above the orifice. The syringe is held horizontally, parallel to the surface of the test plate, the fluid is then expelled from the syringe at a rate that allows the fluid to flow in a stem vertical to the test plate into the orifice and a stop watch is started when the fluid first touches the sample to be tested. The stop watch is stopped when surface of the sample first becomes visible within the orifice. The elapsed time on the stop watch is the Fluid Penetration Time. The average Fluid Penetration Time (FPT) is calculated from the results of testing five samples. Thus the average Fluid Penetration Time was determined for each of Test Assemblies # 1 -# 5  by testing five samples for each test assembly.  
      Rewet Potential  
      The rewet potential is a measure of the ability of a napkin or other article to hold liquid within its structure when the napkin contains a relatively large quantity of liquid and is subjected to external mechanical pressure. The rewet potential is determined and defined by the following procedure.  
      The apparatus required for the test includes a stop watch with an accuracy to 1 sec and at least 5 minutes duration, a graduated glass cylinder of 10 ml capacity and having an internal diameter of approximately 12 mm, a quantity of test fluid, and a fluid penetration test orifice plate.  
      The apparatus further includes a weighing machine or balance capable of weighing to an accuracy of ±0.0.001 g, a quantity of NuGauze general use sponges (10 cm×10 cm) (4 inches×4 inches)−4 ply from Johnson &amp; Johnson Medical Inc. Product Code 3634 (available from Johnson &amp; Johnson Hospital Services, re: order number 7634), a standard weight of 2.22 kg (4.8 pounds) having dimensions 5.1 cm (2 inches) by 10.2 cm (4.0 inches) by approximately 5.4 cm (2.13 inches) which applies a pressure of 4.14 kPa (0.6 psi) over the 5.1 by 10.2 cm (2 inches by 4 inches) surface.  
      Two sponges are folded with the creased edges placed opposing each other to create a layered structure of approximately 5 cm by 10 cm by 16 plies. A 16 ply sponge for each napkin sample to be tested is then weighed to the nearest 0.001 grams. The preconditioned sanitary napkin or other article is placed on a level surface, without removing the release paper and with the cover layer facing upwards.  
      After the test fluid is applied within the orifice plate in the FPT test described above, and as soon as the cover layer of the napkin first appears through the top surface of the fluid, the stop watch is started and an interval of 5 minutes is measured. After 5 minutes have elapsed, the orifice plate is removed and the napkin is positioned on a hard level surface with the cover layer facing upwards. One pre-weighed 16 ply layered sponge is placed on and centered over the wetted area and the standard 2.22 kg weight is placed on top of the 16 ply layered sponge. Immediately after placing the sponge and weight on the napkin, the stop watch is started and after a 3 minute interval has elapsed the standard weight and 16 ply layered sponge are quickly removed. The wet weight of the 16 ply layered sponge is measured and recorded to the nearest 0.001 grams. The rewet value is then calculated as the difference in grams between the weight of the wet 16 ply layered sponge and the dry 16 ply layered sponge.  
      The above measurement is repeated for the five samples and, if necessary, the weight is wiped clean before each run. The average rewet potential is obtained by averaging the value obtained from the five test samples. Thus the average rewet potential was determined for each of Test Assemblies # 1 -# 5  by testing five samples for each test assembly.  
      When conducting the above method, it is important that the tests are performed at a temperature of 21±1 degree C. and 65±2% relative humidity.  
      Masking Value  
      The following procedure was employed to determine the ability of a facing material to reduce the appearance of product staining after use, i.e., the Masking Value. After each of the assemblies # 1 - 5  were subject to the fluid penetration test and the rewet test, they were immediately imaged, after fluid testing, at 50× using a Scalar USB Microscope model UM02-SUZ-01, utilizing the included light source. The Scalar scope was set at hue saturation and intensity with auto-exposure enabled. Five images of the stained area from each sample were taken and saved as 640×480 pixel 24 bit true-color image files in the “bmp” format. Thus a total of 25 images (5 images/sample for each of 5 samples) were obtained.  
      The original “bmp” images were then opened in Image Pro Plus ver 4.0 software, a product of Media Cybermetics, LP. The images were then converted, in Image Pro Plus, from their original 24 bit true-color format into an 8-bit gray scale image. Image Pro Plus&#39;s histogram function was then applied to the images and a histogram of the images gray values was then constructed. This provides a count of the number of pixels at a particular gray value which gray value ranges from “0” black to “255” white. The data from the histogram was then transferred into a Microsoft Excel 2000 worksheet, utilizing DDE (Windows dynamic data exchange).  
      The DDE to Excel 2000 then produces a worksheet that contains 25 columns each containing 256 rows. Each of the columns in the worksheet contains the histogram values for a single image. Each column consists of 256 values, which is a count of the number of pixels in the image, which have a corresponding value from 0 to 255. Each of the rows was then averaged to create an average histogram for that particular material.  
      A typical average histogram shows a bi-modal distribution of the gray area, representing the stained area of the test assembly, and the white area, representing the unstained area of the test assembly. Examination of the average histograms demonstrated a plateau between the gray region and the white region and that all of the stained area was defined by a gray value of 90 or less. Thus, the stain area of a material can be determined by the sum of gray values between 0 and 90, with lower values representing lower gray areas and thus better masking. The summation of the gray values of 90 or less is the “Masking Value”. The average masking value for each test assembly was obtained by averaging the Masking Value obtained from each of the five test samples for that test assembly.  FIG. 10  is a typical average histogram representing stain intensity for an absorbent article having a apertured film according to the present invention as the cover layer thereof.  
      Table 1 set forth below provides the average Fluid Penetration Time, average Rewet (in grams) and Masking Value for test assemblies #1-#5. 
                                               Average Fluid               Test   Penetration Time   Average Rewet   Average Masking       Assembly   (in seconds)   (in grams)   Value                                                #1   38.50   .032   50,841.26       #2   45.52   .040   78,587.00       #3   21.55   .052   114,930.20       #4   46.50   .024   111,959.93       #5   30.43   .037   55,794.13                  
 
      As set forth in the table above, the test assemblies # 1  and # 5  constructed using the apertured films according to the present invention provide a unique combination of fluid handling capabilities and masking characteristics.  
      Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is intended that the present application cover the modifications and variations of the invention provided that they come with the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.