Patent ID: 7858841

Claim:
An absorbent article, comprising: an absorbent retention portion; and a body-conformance system which is positioned at least operatively proximate a bodyside surface of said article; said body conformance system including at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer, and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material being entirely surrounded and enclosed by said at least one flexible containment layer; said substantially free-flowing particulate material having an avalanche-time of less than 10 sec between avalanches, and a retention capacity that is within the range of about 1-15 g/g menses-simulant; said substantially free-flowing particulate material including an adsorbent material that neither substantially softens nor substantially swells during its handling of liquids; said adsorbent material being selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, silicates, granulated silica, perlite, vermiculate, granulated clay, glass beads, metal oxides, zeolites, carbonate, phosphates, borates, and aerogels; and said adsorbent material present in an amount which is within the range of about 80 to about 100 wt %, based on a total weight of the adsorbent and other material that is entirely surrounded and enclosed by the at least one flexible containment layer.