Absorbent core with elongate liquid holding formation

1. An absorbent core comprising an elongate liquid holding formation with a peripheral edge, the liquid holding formation comprising a fibrous material composed at least in part of cellulosic fibers and having a surface formed with at least one longitudianlly extending channel in the fibrous material for distributing liquid lengthwise along the core, the channel having longitudinally opposite ends spaced longitudinally inward from the peripheral edge of the liquid holding formation to inhibit the flow of liquid in the channels past the peripheral edge of the liquid holding formation, said cellulosic fibers being distributed throughout the thickness of the liquid holding formation.

2. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an outer region of fibrous material located outward of the peripheral edge of the liquid holding formation, the outer region being thinner than the liquid holding formation.

3. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 wherein the absorbent core includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposed to the upper surface, the upper surface having the channels formed therein, the lower surface being substantially flat.

4. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an outer region of fibrous material located outward of the peripheral edge of the liquid holding formation.

5. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 4 wherein the absorbent core has a width and a length greater than said width, the outer region of the absorbent core having, in cross-section taken across the width of the absorbent core, a first thickness, the liquid holding formation having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

6. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 5 wherein the absorbent core further comprises a transition portion connecting the outer region and the liquid holding formation.

7. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 wherein the liquid holding formation has a surface area that is at least about 10% greater than a projected surface area of the liquid holding formation.

8. An absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 wherein the core comprises an air formed fibrous material.

9. An absorbent article comprising an absorbent core as set forth in claim 1 .

10. An absorbent article as set forth in claim 9 wherein the absorbent article is selected from a group consisting of a disposable diaper, a training pant, a feminine care article, and an incontinence article.