Flexible absorbent article

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles with increased stiffness. In particular, an absorbent article has a body-side liner, an outer cover layer, and an absorbent system including a fluid collection layer disposed between the body-side liner and the outer cover layer. The article also includes a resilient leakproof flap having an active region and one or more inactive regions. The article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 35 gf at a first location of the article located within a first inactive region of the leakproof flap, and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of greater than or equal to 40 gf at a second location of the article located within an active region of the leakproof flap, the flexibility of the article is determined according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to absorbent articles having high flexibility. Background Art

[0002] The primary function of personal care absorbent articles is to absorb and retain body exudates such as urine, feces, blood, and menstruation, with additional desirable attributes, including minimal leakage of exudates from the absorbent article and a dry feel for the wearer of the absorbent article. Absorbent articles are intended to prevent body exudates from soiling or contaminating the wearer's or caregiver's clothing, or other articles such as bedding that may come in contact with the wearer, by preventing the exudates from leaking from the absorbent article.

[0003] Since such absorbent articles are worn by users, the fit and comfort of such absorbent articles are important considerations for the success of the product. One area of ​​exploration to improve the fit and comfort of such absorbent articles is through product thinness. In some cases, thinner products may be considered to be more fit and more comfortable. However, thin products bring new challenges to the overall product construction, which may affect the fit and comfort of such articles as well as other features such as product appearance. Advances in absorbent article construction are constantly expected to accommodate thin structures. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to a first embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system, the absorbent system being disposed between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers; a fluid acquisition layer; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps having an active area and one or more inactive areas; and a leg elastic member, wherein the leg elastic member is arranged on the outer side of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and forms an active leg elastic zone between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive zone extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive zone extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active zone arranged between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the absorbent article has a product flexibility of less than or equal to 35 gf at a first position of the article located in the first inactive zone of the anti-leakage flap, and wherein the absorbent article has a product flexibility of greater than or equal to 40 gf at a second position of the article located in the active zone of the anti-leakage flap, and the product flexibility is measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0005] According to a second embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between the longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system, the absorbent system being disposed between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers and further comprising a rear region, a middle region and a front region, the absorbent system being composed of an absorbent material, the absorbent material being disposed in a certain basis weight throughout the absorbent system wherein the basis weight of the absorbent material in any of the back region, the middle region, and the front region varies by no more than 20% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any of the other of the back region, the middle region, and the front region; a fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis One or more longitudinally extending elastic members on the second side of the axis, each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active area and one or more inactive areas; and a leg elastic member, the leg elastic member is arranged on the outer side of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and forms an active leg elastic area between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive area extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, and the first inactive area extends at least 10%, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active area arranged between the first inactive area and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid collection layer is arranged to be at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that does not exceed the distance between the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf at the first position of the article located in the first inactive area and where the absorbent system is present, and the article flexibility is measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0006] In a third embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system extending between a front edge of the absorbent system disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge of the absorbent system disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article and disposed between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers; a flow a body acquisition layer, the fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article, wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed closer to the rear waist edge of the article than the front edge of the absorbent system; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis a plurality of longitudinally extending elastic members, each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps having an active area and one or more inactive areas; and a leg elastic member, the leg elastic member being disposed on the outer side of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and forming an active leg elastic area between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive area extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive area extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has an active zone disposed between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that is no greater than the distance between the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf at a first position of the article located within the first inactive zone and where the absorbent system is present, the article flexibility being measured according to the Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] A complete and enabling disclosure of the present invention presented to one of ordinary skill in the art is more particularly described in the remainder of the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1is a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article, such as a diaper, in a fastened state.

[0009] Figure 2A is in a stretched, flat, relaxed state as viewed from the body-facing surface Figure 1 A top plan view of an absorbent article.

[0010] Figure 2B is in a stretched, flat, relaxed state as viewed from the surface facing the outer cover. Figure 1 A top plan view of an absorbent article.

[0011] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an absorbent article, such as a pant.

[0012] Figure 4 It is in stretched flat state Figure 3 Top plan view of an absorbent article.

[0013] Figure 5 is a front perspective cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 2, with the absorbent article in a relaxed configuration.

[0014] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In embodiments, the present disclosure generally relates to absorbent core absorbent materials including a high proportion of superabsorbent material. Each example is given by way of illustration and is not meant to be limiting. For example, a feature illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or figure may be used in another embodiment or figure to produce yet another embodiment. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such modifications and variations.

[0016] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to indicate that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements beyond the listed elements. Many modifications and variations may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0017] definition:

[0018] The term "absorbent article" herein refers to an article that can be placed close to or near the wearer's body (i.e., adjacent to the body) to absorb and contain various liquid, solid and semi-solid exudates discharged from the body. Such absorbent articles as described herein are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use, rather than being washed or otherwise restored for reuse. It should be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles, including but not limited to diapers, diapers, training pants, older children's pants, swim trunks, feminine hygiene products (including but not limited to menstrual pads or menstrual pants), incontinence products and other adult care garments, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or health care garments, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] The term "acquisition layer" herein refers to a layer capable of accepting and temporarily holding liquid body exudates to decelerate and diffuse a gush or burst of liquid body exudates and subsequently release the liquid body exudates therefrom into another layer or layers of the absorbent article.

[0020] The term "bonding" or "coupling" refers herein to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, etc. of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be bonded or coupled together when they are joined, adhered, connected, attached, etc. directly to each other or indirectly to each other, such as when each element is directly bonded to an intermediate element. The bonding or coupling of one element to another element can be performed by continuous or intermittent bonding.

[0021] The term "carded web" herein refers to a web containing natural or synthetic staple length fibers, typically less than 100 mm in fiber length. The staple fiber bundles may be subjected to an opening process to separate the fibers, after which the fibers are sent to a carding process, where the fibers are separated and carded to align them in the machine direction, after which the fibers are deposited on a moving wire for further processing. Such webs typically undergo some bonding process, such as thermal bonding using heat and / or pressure. Additionally or alternatively, the fibers may undergo an adhesion process to bond the fibers together, for example, by using a powdered adhesive. The carded web may undergo fluid entanglement, such as hydroentanglement, to further entangle the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Since the fibers are aligned in the machine direction, the carded web, once bonded, typically has a machine direction strength greater than the cross machine direction strength.

[0022] "Elastomeric" refers to a material or composite that can be elongated by at least 50% of its relaxed length and will recover at least 20% of its elongation after release of an applied force. It is generally preferred that the elastomeric material or composite be able to elongate by at least 50% of its relaxed length, more preferably by at least 100%, even more preferably by at least 300%, and recover at least 50% of its elongation after release of an applied force.

[0023] The term "film" herein refers to thermoplastic films produced using extrusion and / or forming processes such as cast film or blown film extrusion processes. This term encompasses apertured films, slit films, and other porous films that constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films that do not transfer fluids, such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films, and oriented films.

[0024] The term "gsm" herein means grams per square meter.

[0025] The term "hydrophilic" herein refers to fibers or fiber surfaces that are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wettability of a material can also be described in terms of the contact angle and surface tension of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of a particular fiber material or fiber material blend can be provided by a Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or a substantially equivalent system. When measured using this system, fibers having a contact angle of less than 90 are identified as "wettable" or hydrophilic, and fibers having a contact angle of greater than 90 are identified as "non-wettable" or hydrophobic.

[0026] The term "liquid-impermeable" herein refers to one or more layers of laminated materials wherein, under normal use conditions, liquid body exudates such as urine will not pass through the layer or laminated material in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminated material at the point of liquid contact.

[0027] The term "liquid permeable" is used herein to refer to any material that is not liquid impermeable.

[0028] The term "meltblown" herein refers to fibers formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular die capillaries as molten strands or filaments into a converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air) stream, which attenuates the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be a microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a web composed of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that may be continuous or discontinuous, are typically less than 0.6 denier, and may be tacky and self-adhesive when deposited on a collecting surface.

[0029] The term "nonwoven" herein refers to a material or web of material that is formed without the aid of a fabric weaving or knitting process. The material or web of material may have a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads (collectively referred to as "fibers") that may be interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven materials or webs may be formed by many processes, such as, but not limited to, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, carded web processes, and the like.

[0030] The term "flexible" herein refers to materials that are compliant and will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the wearer's body.

[0031] The term "spunbond" herein refers to small diameter fibers formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinning head having a circular or other configuration and then rapidly reducing the diameter of the extruded filaments by conventional processes such as draw-off drawing and the processes described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,538 to Peterson, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Spunbond fibers are substantially continuous and generally have an average denier greater than 0.3, and in embodiments between 0.6, 5 and 10 and 15, 20 and 40. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface.

[0032] The term "superabsorbent" herein refers to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material that is capable of absorbing at least 15 times its weight, and in embodiments at least 30 times its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride under most favorable conditions. Superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials such as silica gel or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.

[0033] The term "supermajority" as used herein refers to a majority of at least 65%.

[0034] The term "thermoplastic" refers herein to a material that is softenable and shapeable when exposed to heat and that substantially returns to a non-softened state when cooled.

[0035] The term "user" or "caregiver" refers herein to a person who fits an absorbent article such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diapers, training pants, older children's pants, incontinence products or other absorbent articles around the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. The user and the wearer may be the same person.

[0036] Absorbent products:

[0037] See also Figure 1 2, a non-limiting illustration of an absorbent article 10 (e.g., a diaper) is shown. Although the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally apply to absorbent articles manufactured in the longitudinal direction of the product (hereinafter referred to as the machine direction manufacture of the product), it should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art may apply the information herein to absorbent articles manufactured in the latitudinal direction of the product, hereinafter referred to as the cross-machine direction manufacture of the product, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 3 to Figure 4 The absorbent article 210 in is provided as an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article 210 that can be manufactured in a cross-machine direction manufacturing process.

[0038] As will be described in more detail below, such articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure can be particularly thin and flexible. For example, a specific absorbent system of such articles 10, 210 containing a very small amount of pulp fluff allows such absorbent systems to be very thin and flexible, thereby producing very thin and flexible articles 10, 210. From the perspective of fit and comfort, the thinness and flexibility of such articles 10, 210 are beneficial to the wearer. However, thinness and flexibility also bring new challenges to such articles 10, 210. In some thin and flexible articles 10, 210, the elastic tension in the article provides such retraction force, so that the article 10, 210 forms creases or folds in a relaxed configuration. These creases or folds can interfere with the appearance of the article 10, 210 and / or distort the graphic elements of the article 10, 210 in an undesirable manner.

[0039] Turning to the construction of the articles of the present disclosure, Figure 1 and the absorbent article 10 shown in FIG. 2 and Figure 3 and Figure 4 The absorbent articles 210 shown may each include a backsheet 11. The absorbent articles 10, 210 may include a front waist region 12, a back waist region 14, and a crotch region 16, wherein the crotch region is disposed between and interconnects the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14, respectively. The front waist region 12 may be referred to as a front end region, the back waist region 14 may be referred to as a back end region, and the crotch region 16 may be referred to as a middle region. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a three-piece construction of an absorbent article 210 is depicted, wherein the absorbent article 210 may have a backsheet 11, the backsheet including a front waist panel 13 defining a front waist region 12, a back waist panel 15 defining a back waist region 14, and an absorbent sheet 17 defining a crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 210. The absorbent sheet 17 may extend between the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15. In some embodiments, the absorbent sheet 17 may overlap the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15. The absorbent sheet 17 may be bonded to the front waist panel 13 and the back waist panel 15 to define a three-piece construction. However, it is contemplated that the absorbent article may be manufactured in the cross-machine direction without being a three-piece construction garment.

[0040] The absorbent article 10, 210 may have a pair of longitudinal side edges 18, 20 and a pair of opposing waist edges, which are respectively designated as a front waist edge 22 and a rear waist edge 24. The front waist region 12 may be adjacent to the front waist edge 22, and the rear waist region 14 may be adjacent to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the rear waist edge 24. The longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 30 over their entire length, such as for Figure 1 2. In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 may be curved between the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the longitudinal side edges 18 , 20 may include portions of the front waist panel 13 , the absorbent panel 17 , and the back waist panel 15 .

[0041] The front waist region 12 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is at least partially positioned on the front of the wearer when worn, and the back waist region 14 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is at least partially positioned on the back of the wearer when worn. The crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210 may include a portion of the absorbent article 10, 210 that is positioned between the legs of the wearer when worn and may partially cover the lower body of the wearer. The waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10, 210 are configured to surround the waist of the wearer and together define a central waist opening 23 (e.g., a central waist opening 23) at the waist of the wearer. Figure 1 and Figure 3 ). When the absorbent article 10, 210 is worn, the portions of the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 in the crotch region 16 can generally define leg openings for the wearer's legs.

[0042] The absorbent article 10, 210 may include an outer cover 26 and a body side liner 28. The outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may form part of the backsheet 11. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 in an overlying relationship by any suitable means, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover 26 may define a length in the longitudinal direction 30 and a width in the transverse direction 32, which in the illustrated embodiment may correspond to the length and width of the absorbent article 10. As shown in Figures 2 and Figure 4 As shown in , the absorbent article 10 , 210 may have a longitudinal axis 29 extending in the longitudinal direction 30 and a transverse axis 31 extending in the transverse direction 32 .

[0043] The backsheet 11 may include an absorbent system 34. The absorbent system 34 may be disposed between the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28. The absorbent system 34 may have longitudinal edges 36 and 38, which, in an embodiment, may form portions of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210, respectively. The absorbent system 34 may have a first end edge 40 correspondingly opposite a second end edge 42, which, in an embodiment, may form portions of the waist edges 22 and 24 of the absorbent article 10, respectively. In some embodiments, the first end edge 40 may be in the front waist region 12. In some embodiments, the second end edge 42 may be in the rear waist region 14. In an embodiment, the absorbent system 34 may have a length and width that are the same as or less than the length and width of the absorbent article 10, 210. The body side liner 28, the outer cover 26, and the absorbent system 34 may form a portion of an absorbent assembly 44. In Figure 3 and Figure 4In the absorbent article 210 of the present invention, the absorbent sheet 17 can form an absorbent assembly 44. As is known in the art, the absorbent assembly 44 can also include a fluid transfer layer 46 (e.g., Figure 5 ) and a fluid acquisition layer 43 positioned between the body-side liner 28 and the fluid transfer layer 46. Such a fluid transfer layer 46 is sometimes alternatively referred to as a core wrap. The fluid acquisition layer 43 is sometimes alternatively referred to as a surge layer. The absorbent assembly 44 may also include a spacer layer 48 (such as Figure 5 ). Still other embodiments of the absorbent assembly 44 are contemplated. For example, the absorbent assembly 44 may include an additional core wrap material disposed opposite the fluid transfer layer 46 and between the absorbent system 34 and the spacer layer 48. The spacer layer 48 may be present in some of these embodiments and absent in other embodiments.

[0044] The absorbent article 10, 210 can be configured to contain and / or absorb liquid, solid and semi-solid body exudates discharged from the wearer. In some embodiments, the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 can be configured to provide a barrier for the lateral flow of body exudates. In order to further enhance the anti-leakage and / or absorption effect on body exudates, the absorbent article 10, 210 can appropriately include a waist anti-leakage member 54. In some embodiments, the waist anti-leakage member 54 can be arranged in the rear waist area 14 of the absorbent article 10, 210. Although not shown herein, it is conceivable that the waist anti-leakage member 54 can be arranged in the front waist area 12 of the absorbent article 10, 210 in addition or as an alternative.

[0045] A waist leakage containment member 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 to help contain and / or absorb body exudates. Figure 1 2, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28. In some embodiments, such as in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the depicted absorbent article 210 , the waist leakage containment member 54 may be disposed on the body-facing surface 58 of the rear waist panel 15 .

[0046] The absorbent article 10, 210 may further include leg elastic members 60, 62 known to those skilled in the art. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be attached to the outer cover 26 and / or the body side liner 28 along the opposite longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 and positioned in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 29, as shown in FIGS. Figure 4or may be curved as is known in the art. The leg elastic members 60, 62 may be elastomeric and may provide elasticized leg cuffs.

[0047] In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may further include longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b, as shown in FIGS. Figure 4 . The first longitudinally extending fold line 25a may be on one side of the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210, and the second longitudinally extending fold line 25b may be on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis 29. In some embodiments, the longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may further include a transversely extending fold line 27. In some embodiments, the transversely extending fold line 27 may be parallel to and located at the lateral axis 31 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0048] Additional details regarding each of these elements of the absorbent articles 10, 210 described herein can be seen below and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0049] Outer Covering:

[0050] The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof may be breathable and / or liquid impermeable. The outer cover 26 and / or portions thereof may be elastic, stretchable, or non-stretchable. The outer cover 26 may be constructed of a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics, elastic netting, microporous webs, bonded carded webs, or foams provided by elastomeric or polymeric materials. In an embodiment, for example, the outer cover 26 may be constructed of a microporous polymer film such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0051] In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be a single layer of liquid-impermeable material, such as a polymer film. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be appropriately stretched at least in the transverse direction 32 of the absorbent article 10, 210, and more appropriately elastic. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be stretchable in both the transverse direction 32 and the longitudinal direction 30, and more appropriately elastic. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 can be a multilayer laminate, at least one of which is liquid-impermeable. In some embodiments, the outer cover 26 can be a two-layer structure, which includes an outer layer (not shown) and an inner layer (not shown) that can be bonded together such as by a laminate adhesive. Suitable laminate adhesives can be applied in a continuous or intermittent manner as beads, spraying, parallel vortices, etc., but it should be understood that the inner layer can be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods including but not limited to ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, etc.

[0052] The outer layer of the outer cover 26 can be any suitable material and can be a material that provides a generally cloth-like texture or appearance to the wearer. An example of such a material can be a 100% polypropylene bonded carded web with a diamond bond pattern available from Sandler AG of Germany, for example, 30 gsm Sawabond Or equivalent. Another example of a material suitable for use as the outer layer of the outer cover 26 can be a 20 gsm spunbond polypropylene nonwoven web. The outer layer can also be constructed of the same materials as the body side liner 28 can be constructed as described herein.

[0053] The liquid-impermeable inner layer of the outer cover 26 (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26, in which case the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can be vapor-permeable (i.e., "breathable") or vapor-impermeable. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26 when the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can be made of a thin plastic film. The liquid-impermeable inner layer (or the liquid-impermeable outer cover 26, in which case the outer cover 26 has a single-layer construction) can inhibit liquid body exudates from leaking out of the absorbent article 10, 210 and wetting articles such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver.

[0054] In some embodiments, where the outer cover 26 has a single layer construction, it may be embossed and / or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like texture or appearance. The outer cover 26 may allow vapor to escape from the absorbent article 10 while preventing liquid from passing therethrough. Suitable liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable materials may be composed of microporous polymer films or nonwoven materials that have been coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability.

[0055] Body Side Lining:

[0056] The body side liner 28 of the absorbent article 10, 110, 210 can overlie the absorbent system 34 and the outer cover 26 and can isolate the wearer's skin from waste fluids retained by the absorbent system 34. In various embodiments, a fluid transfer layer 46 can be positioned between the body side liner 28 and the absorbent system 34. In various embodiments, an acquisition layer (not shown) can be positioned between the body side liner 28 and the absorbent system 34 or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if present). In various embodiments, the body side liner 28 can be bonded to the acquisition layer or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if an acquisition layer is not present) via an adhesive and / or by point fusion bonding. The point fusion bonding can be selected from ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, pressure bonding, and combinations thereof.

[0057] In an embodiment, the bodyside liner 28 may extend beyond the absorbent system 34 and / or the fluid transfer layer 46 (if present) and / or the acquisition layer (if present) and / or the spacer layer 48 (if present) so as to overlie a portion of the outer cover 26 and may be bonded to the outer cover by any method deemed suitable (such as by bonding to the outer cover by an adhesive) to substantially enclose the absorbent system 34 between the outer cover 26 and the bodyside liner 28. The bodyside liner 28 may be narrower than the outer cover 26. However, in other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 and the outer cover 26 may have the same width and length dimensions. In other embodiments, the bodyside liner 28 may be wider than the outer cover 26. It is also contemplated that the bodyside liner 28 may not extend beyond the absorbent system 34 and / or may not be secured to the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the body side liner 28 can wrap around at least a portion of the absorbent system 34, including around the longitudinal edges 36, 38 and / or one or more end edges 40, 42 of the absorbent system 34. It is further contemplated that the body side liner 28 can be comprised of more than one material segment. The body side liner 28 can have different shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other shape. The body side liner 28 can be appropriately conformable, soft and comfortable, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and can be the same or less hydrophilic than the absorbent system 34 to allow body exudates to easily penetrate the absorbent system 34 and provide a relatively dry surface for the wearer.

[0058] The body side liner 28 can be made of various types of materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester fibers or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), combinations of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, cellular foams, perforated plastic films, etc. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or other heat-bondable fibers, polyolefins, such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, perforated film webs, mesh materials, etc., and combinations thereof.

[0059] Various woven and nonwoven fabrics can be used for the body side liner 28. The body side liner 28 may include woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, polymer films, film-fabric laminates, etc., and combinations thereof. Examples of nonwoven fabrics may include spunbond fabrics, meltblown fabrics, coform fabrics, carded webs, bonded carded webs, bicomponent spunbond fabrics, spunlace fabrics, etc., and combinations thereof. The body side liner 28 is not necessarily a single layer structure and therefore may include more than one layer of fabric, film and / or web, and combinations thereof. For example, the body side liner 28 may include a support layer and a protruding layer that can be entangled by water. The protruding layer may include a hollow protrusion (such as the hollow protrusion disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,660 to Kirby, Scott SC et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0060] For example, the body side liner 28 can be composed of a meltblown or spunbonded web of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the body side liner 28 can be a bonded carded web composed of natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers. The body side liner 28 can be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can optionally be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means such as spraying, printing, brushing, etc. The surfactant can be applied to the entire body side liner 28, or can be selectively applied to specific sections of the body side liner 28.

[0061] In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be constructed of a nonwoven bicomponent web. The nonwoven bicomponent web may be a spunbond bicomponent web or a bonded carded bicomponent web. Examples of bicomponent tufted fibers include polyethylene / polypropylene bicomponent fibers. In this particular bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the sheath of the fiber. Fibers having other orientations, such as multi-lobed, side-by-side, end-to-end, may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be a spunbond substrate having a basis weight of 10 or 12 to 15 or 20 gsm. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be a 12 gsm spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate with 10% meltblown content applied between the two spunbond layers.

[0062] Although the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may comprise an elastomeric material, it is contemplated that the outer cover 26 and the body side liner 28 may be constructed of a substantially non-elastomeric material. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be stretchable, and more suitably elastic. In an embodiment, the body side liner 28 may be suitably stretchable, and more suitably elastic, at least in the transverse or circumferential direction of the absorbent article 10, 210. In other aspects, the body side liner 28 may be stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in both the transverse direction 32 and the longitudinal direction 30, respectively.

[0063] Leak-proof flaps:

[0064] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10, 210 may include a pair of anti-leakage flaps 50, 52. The anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 may be formed separately from the absorbent backsheet 11 and attached to the backsheet 11, or may be formed integrally with the backsheet 11. In some embodiments, the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 may be fixed to the backsheet 11 of the absorbent article 10, 210 in a generally parallel and spaced relationship from each other laterally inward from the leg openings to provide a barrier to prevent the flow of body exudates. One anti-leakage flap 50 may be on a first side of the longitudinal axis 29, and another anti-leakage flap 52 may be on a second side of the longitudinal axis 29. In an embodiment, the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 may extend from the front waist region 12 of the absorbent article 10 generally in the longitudinal direction 30 through the crotch region 16 to the back waist region 14 of the absorbent article 10. In some embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210, but in other embodiments, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be curved as is known in the art. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the leakage-proof flaps 50 , 52 may be disposed on the absorbent sheet 17 in the crotch region 16 .

[0065] In embodiments where the containment flaps 50, 52 are attached to the backsheet 11, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the bodyside liner 28 using a barrier adhesive 49, such as Figure 5 Alternatively, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to the outer cover 26 with a barrier adhesive 49, or to the spacer layer 48. Of course, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be bonded to other components of the backsheet 11, and may be bonded using other suitable means other than the barrier adhesive 49. The containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed of a fibrous material, which may be similar to the material forming the bodyside liner 28. Other conventional materials, such as polymeric films, may also be used.

[0066] The containment flaps 50, 52 may each include a base portion 64 and a protruding portion 66. The base portion 64 may be bonded to the backsheet 11, for example, to the body side liner 28 or the outer cover 26 as described above. The base portion 64 may include a proximal end 64a and a distal end 64b. The protruding portion 66 may be separated from the base portion 64 at the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64. As used in this context, the protruding portion 66 is separated from the base portion 64 at the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 because the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 defines a transition between the protruding portion 66 and the base portion 64. The proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 may be located near the barrier adhesive 49. In some embodiments, the distal end 64b of the base portion 64 may extend laterally to the corresponding longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210. In other embodiments, the distal end 64b of the base portion 64 may terminate laterally inwardly of the respective longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210. The containment flaps 50, 52 may also each include a protruding portion 66 that is configured to extend away from the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 at least in the crotch region 16 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, such as Figure 5 The containment flaps 50, 52 may include pinned areas 71 in either or both of the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14 where the projections 66 are attached to the body-facing surface 19 of the chassis 11.

[0067] It is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may have a variety of configurations and shapes and may be constructed in a variety of ways. For example, Figure 5 The containment flaps 50, 52 of the embodiment of the present invention depict vertical containment flaps 50, 52 having pinned areas 71 in both the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14, where the protruding portion 66 of each containment flap 50, 52 is pinned into the body side liner 28 toward or away from the longitudinal axis 29 of the absorbent article 10, 210. However, the containment flaps 50, 52 may include pinned areas 71 where the protruding portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 is folded back on itself and connected to itself and the body side liner 28 in a "C-shaped" configuration, as known in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,382 to Robert L. Popp et al. As yet another alternative, it is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed in a "T-shaped" configuration, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,362 to Robert L. Popp et al. Such a configuration may also include pinning areas 71 in either or both of the front waist region 12 and the back waist region 14, respectively. Of course, other configurations of containment flaps 50, 52 may be used in the absorbent article 10, 210 and still be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] The containment flaps 50, 52 may include one or more flap elastic members 68, such as Figure 5 . Suitable elastomeric materials for the flap elastic members 68 may include sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. Of course, although two elastic members 68 are shown in each containment flap 50, 52, it is contemplated that the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed with one or three or more elastic members 68. Alternatively or in addition, the containment flaps 50, 52 may be constructed of a material that itself exhibits elastomeric properties.

[0069] like Figure 5 The flap elastic member 68 shown in the drawings may have two strands of elastomeric material that extend longitudinally in a generally parallel and spaced relationship with each other in the protruding portion 66 of the containment flap 50, 52. The elastic member 68 can be located within the containment flap 50, 52 when in an elastically contractible state so that contraction of the strands gathers and shortens the protruding portion 66 of the containment flap 50, 52 in the longitudinal direction 30. Therefore, when the absorbent article 10 is in a relaxed configuration, in the generally upright orientation of the containment flap 50, 52, the elastic member 68 can bias the protruding portion 66 of the containment flap 50, 52 to extend away from the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, particularly in the crotch region 16 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0070] During the manufacture of the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52, at least a portion of the elastic member 68 can be bonded to the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 when the elastic member 68 is stretched. The elongation percentage of the elastic member 68 can be, for example, 110% to 350%. In one embodiment, before the elastic member 68 is attached to the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52, the elastic member 68 can be coated with an adhesive when it is stretched to a specified length. In the stretched state, the length of the elastic member 68 with the adhesive attached thereto can provide an active flap elastic area 70 in the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52, as marked in Figure 2, which will gather when the absorbent article 10 is relaxed. The active flap elastic area 70 of the anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 can have a longitudinal length less than the length of the absorbent article 10, 210. In this exemplary method of bonding the elastic member 68 to the containment flaps 50, 52, the portion of the elastic member 68 that is not coated with adhesive will be retracted after the elastic member 68 and the absorbent article 10 are cut during the manufacturing process to form individual absorbent articles 10. As described above, the relaxation of the elastic member 68 in the active flap elastic zone 70 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed state can cause each containment flap 50, 52 to gather and cause the protruding portion 66 of each containment flap 50, 52 to extend away from the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, or the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28), as described above. Figure 5 Of course, the elastic members 68 may be bonded to the containment flaps 50, 52 to provide the active flap elastic regions 70 in a variety of other ways known to those skilled in the art and within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] In the case of elastic members 68 without a leak-proof flap when the article 10, 210 is in the stretched position, the leak-proof flap includes one or more inactive areas, such as area 73. Some embodiments include such inactive areas 73 extending from the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24, with the active area 70 disposed between the two inactive areas. Typically, the length of the active area 70 may be between about 70%-80% of the total length of the article. Although as will be described in more detail below, embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure may have an active flap area 70 having a length between about 45%-75%, or between 50%-75%, or between 50%-70%, or between 50%-60% of the total length of the article.

[0072] The leak-proof flaps 50, 52 preferably have an elastic tension between 40gf and 200gf as measured by the elastic tension test method described herein. The elastic tension of the leak-proof flaps 50, 52 may have an impact on fit and comfort and leakage. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic tension of the leak-proof flaps 50, 52 also plays a role in the existence and / or prevalence of creases and folds in the articles 10, 210. For example, as discussed, the thin and flexible absorbent articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure are more prone to wrinkling and folding under the contraction force of the leak-proof flaps 50, 52. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the elastic tension of the leak-proof flaps 50, 52 as low as 40gf is not enough to prevent creases or folds from being formed in the absorbent articles 10, 210. The elastic tension of up to 200gf helps to ensure the tight seal of the wearer and prevents leakage. However, some wearers may feel uncomfortable tightness or skin redness when the leak-proof flaps 50, 52 have such elastic tension. It has been found that the preferred range of elastic tension of the containment flaps 50, 52 is between about 50 gf and about 175 gf, or between about 60 gf and about 150 gf, or between about 75 gf and about 125 gf, or between about 75 gf and about 105 gf. Such elastic tension ranges of the containment flaps provide a good balance between leakage performance and wearer comfort, and still allow the article 10, 210 of the present disclosure to resist the retraction force of the flaps 50, 52 so that when in a relaxed configuration, creases or folds are not formed in the absorbent article 10, 210, even when the absorbent article 10, 210 is as thin and flexible as described herein.

[0073] Leg elastic:

[0074] The leg elastic members 60, 62 can be secured to the outer cover 26, such as by being bonded to the outer cover with a laminate adhesive at a location generally laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges 18 and 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210. The leg elastic members 60, 62 can form elasticized leg cuffs to further help contain body exudates. In an embodiment, the leg elastic members 60, 62 can be disposed between the inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover 26 or between other layers of the absorbent article 10, for example, between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the body-side liner 28 (e.g., Figure 5 ), between the base portion 64 of each containment flap 50, 52 and the outer cover 26, or between the body side liner 28 and the outer cover 26. The leg elastic members 60, 62 can be one or more elastic components near each longitudinal side edge 18, 20. For example, the leg elastic members 60, 62 as shown herein each include two elastic strands. A variety of elastomeric materials can be used for the leg elastic members 60, 62.

[0075] Suitable elastomeric materials may include sheets, strands or strips of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastic materials. The elastomeric material may be stretched and fixed to the substrate, fixed to a gathered substrate, or fixed to the substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example by applying heat, so that elastic retraction forces are imparted to the substrate. In addition, it is conceivable that in some embodiments, the leg elastic members 60, 62 may be formed with anti-leakage flaps 50, 52 and then attached to the backsheet 11. Of course, the leg elastic members 60, 62 may be omitted from the absorbent article 10, 210 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0076] The leg elastic members 60, 62 generally define the leg elastic active zones 77 of the leg cuffs. Figure 4 As shown, the leg elastic members 60, 62 are shown as being disposed along a specific portion of the total length of the article 10, 210. The portion where the leg elastic members 60, 62 are located defines a leg elastic active zone 77. The portion of the leg cuff where the leg elastic members 60, 62 are not present is a leg cuff inactive zone 81. In some embodiments, the leg elastic active zone may be between 50% and 90% of the total longitudinal length of the article 10, 210. In more specific embodiments, the leg elastic active zone may be between 50% and 80%, or between 50% and 75%, or between 50% and 70%, or between 50% and 65% of the total longitudinal length of the article 10, 210.

[0077] Waist leak-proof component:

[0078] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have one or more waist leakage prevention members 54. One or more waist leakage prevention members 54 may be disposed in the rear waist region 14, such as Figures 1 to 5In general, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can help to contain and / or absorb body exudates (especially low-viscosity feces), and thus may be preferably located in the rear waist region 14. In some embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have a waist leakage prevention member 54 disposed in the front waist region 12. The waist leakage prevention member 54 in the front waist region 12 can help to contain and / or absorb body exudates, such as urine, in the front waist region 12. Although not as common as in the rear waist region 14, in some cases, feces may also spread to the front waist region 12, and therefore, the waist leakage prevention member 54 disposed in the front waist region 12 may also help to contain and / or absorb body exudates. In other embodiments, the absorbent article 10, 210 may have a waist leakage prevention member 54 in both the rear waist region 14 and the front waist region 12.

[0079] The waist leakage containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 To Figure 2 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the waist leakage containment member 54 can be disposed on the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28. However, in some embodiments, such as Figure 4 In the absorbent article 210 , the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 58 of the back waist panel 15 .

[0080] The waist leakage prevention member 54 may include a first longitudinal side edge 72 and a second longitudinal side edge 74. The first longitudinal side edge 72 may be opposite to the second longitudinal side edge 74. The distance between the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74 may define a width 51 of the waist leakage prevention member 54 in the transverse direction 32, as shown in FIG.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown in , the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be configured so that the first longitudinal side edge 72 can be arranged laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the leakage prevention flap 50. Similarly, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be configured so that the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be arranged laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the leakage prevention flap 52. The waist leakage prevention member 54 can be configured so that the width 51 of the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be greater than the lateral distance between the longitudinally extending fold lines 25a, 25b, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 4 as shown in .

[0082] The waist leakage prevention member 54 may also include a proximal portion (not shown) and a distal portion 78. The proximal portion may be coupled to the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 (e.g., the body-facing surface 45 of the absorbent assembly 44, or the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28), while the distal portion 78 of the waist leakage prevention member 54 may be free to move relative to the backsheet 11 and the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, such as Figure 5 When the waist leakage prevention member 54 is in a relaxed configuration, the distal portion 78 extends away from the backsheet 11 and the absorbent assembly 44 in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the longitudinal axis 29 and the transverse axis 31. The fold 79a can separate the proximal portion and the distal portion 78 of the waist leakage prevention member 54. As used in this context, the fold 79a separates the proximal portion and the distal portion 78 because the fold 79a defines a transition between the proximal portion and the distal portion 78.

[0083] In some embodiments, the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 can be coupled to the body-facing surface 56 of the body-side liner 28. In other embodiments, the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 can be coupled to the body-facing surface 58 of the back waist panel 15. The proximal portion can be coupled to the body-facing surface 45 by adhesives, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, and combinations thereof.

[0084] Since the distal portion 78 of the waist leakage prevention member 54 can move freely relative to the absorbent assembly 44 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration, the distal portion 78 can help provide a leak-proof bag 82 when the absorbent article 10, 210 is in a relaxed configuration. The leak-proof bag 82 can help provide a barrier to accommodate body exudates and / or can help absorb body exudates. The leak-proof bag 82 can be particularly helpful for accommodating and / or absorbing low-viscosity feces (this feces may be common for young children). The first longitudinal side edge 72 can be arranged laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the leak-proof wing 50, so that the leak-proof bag 82 can extend laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the leak-proof wing 50. Similarly, the second longitudinal side edge 74 can be arranged laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the base portion 64 of the leak-proof wing 52, so that the leak-proof bag 82 can extend laterally outward from the proximal end 64a of the leak-proof wing 52. Such a configuration provides the waist containment member 54 with a spacious containment pocket 82 to contain and / or absorb body exudates.

[0085] To help prevent the lateral flow of body exudates contained in the leak-proof pocket 82 of the waist leak-proof member 54, the distal portion 78 of the waist leak-proof member 54 can be bonded to the proximal portion of the waist leak-proof member 54 and / or the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 near the first longitudinal side edge 72 and the second longitudinal side edge 74, respectively. For example, Figure 5Pinning areas 84 are depicted where the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 may be bonded to the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 and / or the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 .

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, the waist leakage prevention member 54 may include at least one elastic member, and in further embodiments even more elastic members. Generally speaking, the elastic member may span substantially from the first longitudinal side edge 72 to the second longitudinal side edge 74 of the waist leakage prevention member 54. The elastic member may be disposed in the distal portion 78 of the waist leakage prevention member 54, and preferably located near the free edge 88 of the distal portion 78 of the waist leakage prevention member 54.

[0087] A variety of elastomeric materials can be used for the elastic member in the waist leakage prevention member 54. Suitable elastomeric materials may include sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic foam or thermoplastic elastomeric materials (e.g., films). The elastomeric material may be stretched and fixed to the substrate forming the waist leakage prevention member 54, fixed to the gathered substrate, or fixed to the substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example, by applying heat, so that an elastic retractive force is imparted to the substrate forming the waist leakage prevention member 54.

[0088] The waist leakage prevention member 54 can be arranged to be connected to the backsheet 11 by being placed above the leakage prevention flaps 50, 52 or below the leakage prevention flaps 50, 52. More specifically, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 so that the proximal portion of the waist leakage prevention member 54 is arranged above the corresponding base portions 64 of the first leakage prevention flap 50 and the second leakage prevention flap 52. Alternatively, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be arranged on the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet 11 so that the proximal portion of the waist leakage prevention member 54 is arranged below the corresponding base portions 64 of the first leakage prevention flap 50 and the second leakage prevention flap 52. Both configurations can provide advantages that facilitate the waist leakage prevention member 54 to function to contain and / or absorb body exudates.

[0089] In the case where the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 is disposed above the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52, the containment flaps 50, 52 may have an active flap elastic region 70 that longitudinally overlaps the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54 when the absorbent article 10 is in the stretched flat configuration, such as shown in Figure 2. In addition or as an alternative, the pinning region 71 may not extend from the rear waist edge 24 to the free edge 88 of the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54, such as shown in Figure 2.

[0090] With the proximal portion of the waist containment member 54 disposed below the base portion 64 of the containment flaps 50, 52, the pinned region 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 may longitudinally overlap the distal portion 78 of the waist containment member 54. In some of these embodiments, the pinned region 71 of the protruding portion 66 of each of the containment flaps 50, 52 may extend to the free edge 88 of the waist containment member 54 to further help contain the exudate in the leak-proof pocket 82 created by the waist containment member 54.

[0091] The waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of a variety of materials. In a preferred embodiment, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of spunbond-meltblown-spunbond ("SMS") material. However, it is conceivable that the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of other materials, including but not limited to spunbond-film-spunbond ("SFS") material, bonded carded web ("BCW") material or any nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of more than one laminate or other materials in these exemplary materials. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of liquid-impermeable materials. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be composed of materials coated with a hydrophobic coating. The basis weight of the material forming the waist leakage prevention member 54 may vary, but in a preferred embodiment, when the elastic member 86 is not included in the waist leakage prevention member 54, the basis weight can be between 8gsm and 120gsm. The basis weight of the material constituting the waist leakage prevention member 54 may more preferably be between 10 gsm and 40 gsm, and even more preferably between 15 gsm and 25 gsm.

[0092] Fastening system:

[0093] In an embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may include a fastening system. The fastening system may include one or more rear fasteners 91 and one or more front fasteners 92. Figure 1 2 depicts an embodiment having one front fastener 92. Multiple portions of the fastening system may be included in the front waist region 12, the rear waist region 14, or both.

[0094] The fastening system can be configured such as Figure 1 The fastened state shown secures the absorbent article 10 around the waist of the wearer and helps keep the absorbent article 10 in place during use. In an embodiment, as is known in the art, the rear fastener 91 may include one or more materials bonded together to form a composite ear. For example, the composite fastener may be composed of a stretch component 94, a nonwoven carrier or hook seat 96, and a fastening component 98 as marked in Figure 2. Figure 5As shown in , in some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can extend to the rear fastener 91. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can be directly or indirectly coupled to the stretch component 94 of the rear fastener 91. In some embodiments, the waist leakage prevention member 54 can extend to the longitudinal side edges 18, 20 of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0095] Absorption body:

[0096] The absorbent system 34 may be appropriately constructed to be substantially compressible, conformable, flexible, non-irritating to the wearer's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent system 34 may be made in a variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shaped, I-shaped, hourglass-shaped, etc.) and made of a variety of materials. The size and absorptive capacity of the absorbent system 34 should be matched to the body shape of the intended wearer (infant to adult) and the liquid load imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article 10, 210. The absorbent system 34 may have a length and width that may be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article 10, 210.

[0097] If a spacer layer 48 is present, the absorbent system 34 may be disposed on the spacer layer 48 and superimposed over the outer cover 26. The spacer layer 48 may be bonded to the outer cover 26, such as by an adhesive. In some embodiments, the spacer layer 48 may not be present and the absorbent system 34 may be in direct contact with the outer cover 26 and may be directly bonded to the outer cover 26. However, it should be understood that the absorbent system 34 may be in contact with the outer cover 26 but not bonded thereto and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the outer cover 26 may be comprised of a single layer and the absorbent system 34 may be in contact with the single layer of the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer such as, but not limited to, a fluid transfer layer 46 and / or a spacer layer 48 may be positioned between the absorbent system 34 and the outer cover 26, such as Figure 5 . The absorbent system 34 may be bonded to the fluid transfer layer 46 and / or the spacer layer 48. In an embodiment, the absorbent system 34 may be composed of absorbent materials, such as fibrous absorbent materials and / or superabsorbent materials, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents, etc., and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the absorbent system 34 may be a matrix of cellulose fluff and superabsorbent materials. In another embodiment, the absorbent material of the absorbent system 34 may include only superabsorbent materials. When at least partially composed of superabsorbent materials, such superabsorbent materials may be selected from natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. Superabsorbent materials may be inorganic materials such as silica gel or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers.

[0098] In an embodiment, the absorbent system 34 may be constructed of a single layer of material, or in an alternative, may be constructed of two or more layers of material. In the case where the absorbent system 34 is composed of multiple layers of absorbent material, the combination of absorbent layers forms the absorbent system 34. In addition, the absorbent system 34 of the envisioned embodiment may have specific properties that contribute to the desired fit and comfort of the article 10, 210 of the present disclosure. In such embodiments, the absorbent system 34 may include a high content of superabsorbent material. For example, a preferred absorbent system 34 may have superabsorbent material accounting for greater than about 80% by weight of the total weight of the absorbent material of the absorbent system 34. In other embodiments, superabsorbent material may account for greater than about 85% by weight of the total weight of the absorbent material of the absorbent system 34, or greater than about 90% by weight, or greater than about 95% by weight, or up to 100% by weight. Such absorbent systems 34 may also include adhesives to fix superabsorbent material. The adhesive may be present in an amount between about 2% and about 10%, or more preferably between about 3% and about 8%, or between about 3% and about 7%, or between about 3% and about 6%, or between about 3% and about 5%. The superabsorbent material and adhesive may be disposed between the core wrapping materials having a basis weight between about 10 gsm and about 75 gsm, or between about 10 gsm and about 65 gsm, or between about 10 gsm and about 55 gsm, or between about 10 gsm and about 45 gsm. In some specific embodiments, the absorbent system 34 may be formed by one or more absorbent bodies 101, as described in PCT Application No. PCT / US2020 / 047741 of Schoon et al.

[0099] These absorbent systems 34 can be formed from superabsorbent material having a basis weight between about 200 gsm and about 500 gsm. In other embodiments, the absorbent system 34 can be formed from superabsorbent material having a basis weight between about 250 gsm and about 450 gsm, or between about 250 gsm and about 400 gsm. In at least some embodiments, the absorbent system 34 of the present disclosure can have a relatively uniform distribution of superabsorbent material. For example, the absorbent system 34 can be conceptually divided into a front region 34a, a middle region 34b, and a rear region 34c, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Figure 4As shown. Each of the front region 34a, the middle region 34b and the back region 34c may include one-third of the total longitudinal length of the absorbent system 34. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the change in the average basis weight of any one of the front region 34a, the middle region 34b and the back region 34c may not exceed about 20% of the average basis weight of any one of the other in the front region 34a, the middle region 34b and the back region 34c. As an illustrative example, if the average basis weight of the front region 34a is 250gsm, the average basis weight of the middle region 34b and the back region 34c may not be less than about 208gsm or greater than about 300gsm. In other embodiments, the change in the average basis weight of any one of the front region 34a, the middle region 34b and the back region 34c may not exceed about 15% of the average basis weight of any one of the other in the front region 34a, the middle region 34b and the back region 34c, or the change does not exceed about 10%, or the change does not exceed about 5%.

[0100] Such an absorbent system 34 as described above can be particularly thin and flexible, thus providing good fit and comfort for the wearer. For example, embodiments according to the present disclosure having such an absorbent system 34 as described above can provide a very thin absorbent system, such as less than about 5 mm, or even less than about 4.5 mm, or even less than about 4.0 mm, or even less than about 3.5 mm, or even less than about 3.0 mm, or even less than about 2.5 mm, or even less than about 2.0 mm. Such a thin absorbent system 34 helps to improve the comfort of the wearer. In addition, in the case where such an absorbent system 34 has a relatively uniform basis weight of superabsorbent material as described above, the articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure can provide improved comfort for the wearer by not forming bulges in the article after liquid absorption or by applying different pressures to the wearer's body due to large differences in superabsorbent material distribution after liquid absorption.

[0101] Likewise, such absorbent systems 34 can provide greatly improved flexibility of the absorbent system 34 as compared to other absorbent systems having greater amounts of non-superabsorbent absorbent material (such as pulp fluff, etc.) and / or having different properties than those described above. For example, when used within the articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure, portions of the articles 10, 210 having the absorbent system 34 have been able to achieve probe flexibility measurements of less than 60 gf, less than 50 gf, less than 40 gf, less than 35 gf, less than 30 gf, less than 25 gf, less than 20 gf, or even less than 15 gf.

[0102] Although products having such probe flexibility measurements may provide improved fit and comfort for the wearer, such high flexibility may affect other aspects of the article 10, 210 in undesirable ways. For example, in the case where the article 10, 210 has a probe flexibility measurement of less than about 60 gf, elastic tension within the article may cause the article 10, 210 to form undesirable creases or folds. For example, the article 10, 210 may not be able to resist the retractive forces of the active zones of the containment flaps and / or leg elastics to a sufficient degree to prevent the elastic members from buckling the article 10, 210 and causing creases and / or folds.

[0103] Such creases and / or folds may be particularly undesirable in articles that include outer cover graphics. Figure 1 As shown, the article 10 may include a graphic feature 121 disposed on the outer cover 26. In some embodiments, the graphic feature 121 is a continuous graphic feature that includes at least one connecting motif or at least one separate graphic element extending from the front waist region 12 or the back waist region 14 into the crotch region 16. The presence of one or more creases and / or folds may distort the graphic feature 121 in an undesirable manner. As an illustrative example, the graphic feature 121 may include a single graphic element that includes an anthropomorphic component extending from the front waist region 12 or the back waist region 14 into the crotch region 16. The presence of one or more creases or folds, particularly for the head or upper torso region of the anthropomorphic component, may result in undesirable deformation of the anthropomorphic component. In other embodiments, the formation of creases and / or folds may occur, occur more frequently, or occur to a greater extent (e.g., greater or more) where the article 10, 210 has a probe flexibility measurement of less than about 50 gf, or less than about 40 gf, or less than about 35 gf, or less than about 30 gf, or less than about 25 gf, or less than about 20 gf, or less than about 15 gf. Such problems may occur particularly when the elastic members 68 of the active zones of the containment flaps 50, 52 and / or the elastic members 60, 62 of the leg cuffs have a separate tension between 40 gf and 200 gf.

[0104] The articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure have been able to maintain the desired flexibility while mitigating such crease and / or folding problems in a surprising manner. It has been found that aligning the active zones 70 of the containment flaps 50, 52 and / or the active zones of the leg cuffs defined by the leg elastic members 60, 62 with portions of the articles 10, 210 can prevent such creases and / or folding, as will be described in more detail below.

[0105] In particular embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure, the article 10, 210 has an absorbent system 34 that includes greater than 80%, greater than 90%, or up to 100% superabsorbent material based on the total weight of the absorbent material of the absorbent system 34. The absorbent system 34 may also have a relatively uniform distribution of superabsorbent material. According to some embodiments, the average basis weight of any one of the front region 34a, the middle region 34b, and the back region 34c may vary by no more than about 20%, or no more than about 10%, or no more than about 5% of the average basis weight of any other of the front region 34a, the middle region 34b, and the back region 34c. The absorbent system 34 may alternatively have a thickness of less than about 4 mm, or less than about 3.5 mm, or less than about 3.0 mm, or less than about 2.5 mm, or less than about 2.0 mm. The absorbent system 34 may typically have a thickness greater than about 1.0 mm. These thicknesses are measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0106] These articles 10, 210 may also have a containment flap active zone 70 and / or a leg cuff active zone 77 extending between 45% and 80%, or between 45% and 70%, or between 45% and 62.5%, or between 45% and 55% of the overall length of the article 10, 210. These active zones 70, 77 may be disposed between the inactive zones 73 or 81 disposed near the front waist edge 22 and the back waist edge 24. The inactive zones 73, 81 disposed near the front waist edge 22 may extend from the front waist edge 22 to the back waist edge and may have a length between 10% and 30%, or between 10% and 25%, or between 10% and 20% of the overall length of the article 10, 210. These active zones 70, 77 may define an active zone of the article 10, 210 that covers the entire lateral width of the article 10, 210 in the area of ​​the active zones 70, 77. The elastic members 68 and / or 60, 62 can be applied to the article 10, 210 with a tension between 40 gf and 200 gf, or between 50 gf and 150 gf, or between 75 gf and 105 gf. Tensions within this range help ensure that the containment flaps 50, 52 and leg cuffs have sufficient tension to seal against the wearer's body and help prevent leakage and ensure a comfortable fit.

[0107] The article 10, 210 may also include a fluid acquisition layer 43 disposed above the absorbent system 34. For example, the fluid acquisition layer 43 may be disposed between the absorbent system 34 and the body-side liner 34, such as Figure 5As shown. However, in other embodiments, the fluid acquisition layer 43 can be a local material of the body-side liner 28 applied to the body-facing surface 19 of the backsheet. The fluid acquisition layer 43 may include a single material or a multi-layer material including a fibrous nonwoven web. The fluid acquisition layer 43 can be designed to quickly absorb liquid and distribute the liquid throughout the fluid acquisition layer 43. Example nonwoven webs include spunbond webs, meltblown webs, and staple fiber webs, such as through air bonded carded fiber webs (TABCW) and hydroentangled webs. Such fluid acquisition layers 43 are typically formed from polymer fibers. In some embodiments, where the fluid acquisition layer 43 is not inherently hydrophilic, the fluid acquisition layer 43 or the fibers forming the fluid acquisition layer 43 are treated to be hydrophilic. The useful basis weight of the fluid acquisition layer 43 is typically between about 15 gsm and about 150 gsm, or more specifically between about 20 gsm and about 125 gsm, or between about 30 gsm and about 100 gsm.

[0108] It has been surprisingly discovered that the presence or absence of a fluid acquisition layer 43 can significantly affect the flexibility of the article 10, 210 - even to the extent that the article 10, 210 is sufficiently rigid to resist the forces of the elastic members 68 of the containment flaps 50, 52 and / or the leg elastic members 60, 62 and prevent creases and / or folds of the article 10, 210. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the article 10, 210 may include a first location located within an inactive zone (e.g., portions of the article 10, 210 that include the containment flaps 50, 52 and the inactive zones 73, 81 of the leg cuffs) in which an absorbent system having a Probe Flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf is present. Such a first location, sample preparation for such a first location, and methods of determining Probe Flexibility are described in detail below with respect to the Probe Flexibility Test Method.

[0109] In other embodiments, such a first location may have a probe flexibility of less than or equal to 35 gf, or less than or equal to 30 gf, or less than or equal to 25 gf, or less than or equal to 20 gf, or less than or equal to 15 gf. Typically, such a first location may have a probe flexibility greater than 5 gf. Typically, the fluid collection layer 43 is not present at such a first location, but this feature is not required. From the perspective of fit and comfort, these high flexibilities (e.g., low values ​​of probe flexibility measurements) are desirable.

[0110] These embodiments of the article 10, 210 may include a second position disposed within the active zone (e.g., portions of the active zone 70, 77 of the article 10, 210 that include the containment flaps 50, 52 and the leg cuffs), in which the absorbent system is present and the fluid acquisition layer 43 is present. Such a second position, sample preparation for such a second position, and a method for determining probe flexibility are described in detail below with respect to the probe flexibility test method. The second position may desirably have a probe flexibility of greater than or equal to 40 gf. In another embodiment, such a second position may have a probe flexibility of greater than or equal to 45 gf, or greater than or equal to 50 gf, or greater than or equal to 55 gf, or greater than or equal to 60 gf, or greater than or equal to 65 gf. Typically, such a second position may have a probe flexibility of less than 100 gf. It has been found that such flexibility values ​​of the second position are sufficient to prevent undesirable creases and / or folds of the article 10, 210 having such a thin and flexible absorbent system 34.

[0111] One of the surprising discoveries is that the fluid acquisition layer 43 is able to increase the stiffness (e.g., reduce flexibility) of the article 10, 210 without adding much thickness to the article 10, 210. For example, if the article 10, 210 can be considered as a beam, the thickness contributes to the bending of the beam (e.g., causing creases or folds) in a cubic manner. However, the article 10, 210 of the present disclosure may have a first thickness of the article at a first position and a second thickness at a second position, and the two thicknesses are not much different. In the measurement of the article 10, 210 of the present disclosure, the thickness measured at the second position may be no more than 20% greater than the first thickness. In other embodiments, the article 10, 210 is measured to have a second thickness that is no more than 10% greater than the first thickness. In other embodiments, the article 10, 210 is measured to have a second thickness that is no more than 5% greater than the first thickness. In each of these examples, the article 10, 210 exhibits sufficient stiffness in the second position to reduce and / or eliminate crease or fold issues. Both the first thickness and the second thickness can be less than about 6 mm, or less than about 5.5 mm, or less than about 5.0 mm, or less than about 4.5 mm. All of these described thicknesses are measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0112] Compared to the low thickness variation between the first position and the second position, the presence or absence of the fluid acquisition layer 43 can affect the probe flexibility measurement by more than 400%. As can be seen in Table 1 below, the example product has a probe flexibility of about 15 gf at the first position and a probe flexibility of more than 60 gf at the second position. In some embodiments, the fluid acquisition layer 43 may be bonded to one or more other layers in the second position. For example, the fluid acquisition layer 43 may be bonded to the absorbent system 34 and / or the body side liner 28 by an adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, and / or pressure and / or thermal bonding. In the case where the fluid acquisition layer 43 is bonded to the absorbent system 34 and / or the body side liner 28 by an adhesive, the adhesive may be present in an amount greater than or equal to 0.3 gsm and less than or equal to 5 gsm. In the case where the fluid acquisition layer 43 is bonded to the absorbent system 34 and / or the body side liner 28, it is believed that such bonding can further enhance the stiffness of the article at such positions.

[0113] Therefore, it is believed that a specific combination of flexibility (as measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein) and thickness is particularly useful for ensuring that creases and folds are not formed in the article 10, 210 when in a relaxed configuration. For example, it is believed that the article 10, 210 in the active zone 70 should have a combination of flexibility and thickness such that the flexibility multiplied by the cube of the thickness is greater than or equal to 2534 (gf*mm 3 ).

[0114] To take advantage of this discovery, certain embodiments of the disclosed articles 10, 210 may place the fluid acquisition layer 43 in a specific position relative to other portions of the article 10, 210. According to some embodiments, the fluid acquisition layer 43 has a front edge disposed proximate the article front edge 22 and a rear edge disposed proximate the article rear edge 24. The fluid acquisition layer 43 front edge may be positioned relative to the active zone 70 of the containment flaps 50, 52 such that the fluid acquisition layer 43 front edge is disposed less proximate to the article front edge 22 than the active zone 70 of the containment flaps 50, 52 is disposed to the article front edge. In at least some of these embodiments, the first end edge 40 of the absorbent system 34 is disposed closer to the article front waist edge 22 than the fluid acquisition layer 43 front edge and is disposed within an inactive zone of the article, the inactive zone comprising an inactive zone 73 disposed between the containment flap active zone 70 and the article front waist edge 22. In such embodiments, the contraction forces of the active zones 70 of the containment flaps 50, 52 begin where the article 10, 210 has sufficient stiffness (e.g., reduced flexibility compared to where the article is located in the inactive zones) to resist the forces of the elastic members 68 and prevent creases and / or folds from forming in the article 10, 210.

[0115] In further refined embodiments, the leg cuff active zone 77 may begin at the same longitudinal position within the article 10, 210 relative to the article front waist edge 22 as the containment flap active zone 77. In alternatives to these embodiments, the leg cuff active zone 77 may be disposed further away from the article front waist edge 22 than the containment flap active zone 77.

[0116] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the article 10, 210 may include a graphic feature 121 disposed at least in the front region 12. In some embodiments, the graphic feature may extend continuously between the front region 12 and the crotch region 16. The graphic feature 121 may be formed by a single theme or pattern, and therefore it may be desirable that the article 10, 210 does not form any creases and / or folds extending through the graphic feature 121, which would disrupt the theme or pattern or distort the graphic feature 121 in an undesirable manner. In some specific embodiments, the graphic feature 121 is an anthropomorphic element. The graphic feature 121 may further extend within an inactive area of ​​the article 10, 210 near the front waist edge 22 of the article, the inactive area being defined by the inactive area 73 of the containment flap 50, 52 disposed between the active area 70 and the front waist edge 22 of the article. The graphic feature 121 may further extend through the transition between the inactive area and the active area of ​​the article 10, 210 and extend into the active area. Furthermore, the graphic feature 121 may extend across the transition between the inactive zone and the active zone such that the graphic feature is not disrupted by creases or folds of the article 10, 210 when in a relaxed state.

[0117] The above description of the articles 10, 210 generally describes embodiments related to features near the front waist edge 22 of the articles that can solve the problem of crease fold formation in thin flexible articles. However, it should be understood that similar problems may occur in portions of such articles 10, 210 near the back waist edge 24. Therefore, similar solutions and features of such articles 10, 210 are also applicable to portions near the back waist edge 24. For example, the first position can be selected in the inactive area near the back waist edge 24 of the article 10, 210 instead of the front waist edge 22. Similarly, the positioning of the rear edge of the fluid acquisition layer 43 relative to the active area 70 and the rear waist edge 24 of the containment flaps 50, 52 can be selected in a manner similar to the manner described relative to the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer 43 relative to the active area 70 and the front waist edge 22 of the containment flaps 50, 52.

[0118] The following are measurements obtained from example articles 10, 210 and comparative absorbent articles including an absorbent system that includes a mixture of superabsorbent material and pulp fluff, wherein the amount of superabsorbent material is within a range lower than the amount of example articles 10, 210. In these embodiments, Examples 1a to 1d are consistent with article 10 of the present disclosure. Examples 1a to 1d have a single layer absorbent system 34 that includes approximately 100% superabsorbent material at a uniform basis weight based on the total weight of the absorbent material. The absorbent system has superabsorbent material present in an amount of about 340 gsm, wherein the adhesive weight is about 7% based on the total weight of the superabsorbent material. The fluid acquisition layer is disposed between the body side liner and the absorbent system and is composed of 85 gsm TABCW material and is positioned at different distances from the front edge of the absorbent system. Examples 2a, 2b are consistent with article 210 of the present disclosure and have the same absorbent system 34 as Examples 1a to 1d. Examples 2a, 2b had a fluid acquisition layer disposed on top of the bodyside liner and consisted of 75 gsm of hydroentangled material.

[0119] Comparison of Example 1 with Pull-Ups New purchased in 2022 The absorbent system comprises 56% by weight of superabsorbent material based on the total weight of the absorbent material, the remaining 44% by weight being pulp fluff. The fluid acquisition layer comprises 85 gsm of TABCW material.

[0120]

[0121]

[0122] Table 1

[0123] Table 2 below details the thickness of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1a to 1d at different first and second locations to highlight the minimum thickness difference between the first and second locations for measuring probe flexibility.

[0124]

[0125]

[0126] Table 2

[0127]

[0128] Table 3

[0129]

[0130]

[0131] Table 4

[0132] Tables 3 and 4 describe in detail an alternative test of flexibility of the articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure, flexural stiffness. Flexural stiffness can be measured according to the flexural stiffness test described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2010 / 0158964 to Cunningham et al., the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0133] As can be seen, Example 1 performs better than Comparative Example 1. In addition, it was found that the article 10, 210 in the second position should have an average bending stiffness greater than or equal to 5.43 to help alleviate problems associated with creases and folds. In some embodiments, the article desirably has an average bending stiffness greater than or equal to 5.5, greater than or equal to 5.75, greater than or equal to 5.9, greater than or equal to 6.1, or greater than or equal to 6.3. In such embodiments, the article 10, 210 may desirably have an average bending stiffness less than or equal to 15, or less than or equal to 12.5, or less than or equal to 10, or less than or equal to 7.5 to ensure good flexibility for fit and comfort.

[0134] Probe flexibility test method:

[0135] This test method is a single cycle compression bench test to measure the force required to deflect a length of a material sample to a fixed distance into a circular hole. The procedure measures the load value as the material is pressed into the hole by the probe. Peak load values ​​are reported. This method is designed to be consistent with ASTM D4032 Standard Test Method for Stiffness of Fabrics by Circular Bend Procedure.

[0136] Overview and Sample Preparation:

[0137] Material samples are prepared by cutting samples from a sample product or material. Die cutting can be used for this purpose. The sample size is a 37.5 mm x 37.5 mm square. For testing the articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure, the samples are taken directly from the complete article. In these cases, the straight sides of the square should be aligned with the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the article. In the case of samples with multiple layers that are not bonded or joined together, special attention should be paid to maintaining the original relative orientation of the layers and keeping the edges of all component layers flush.

[0138] In the case of selecting material samples from a "first position" as described herein, the samples should have an absorbent core present throughout the sample. Some portions of these samples may also include a fluid acquisition layer. In the case of selecting material samples from a "second position" as described herein, the samples should have both an absorbent core and a fluid acquisition layer present throughout the sample. If possible, the second position should be selected so that the entire sample is cut from within the active zone 70.

[0139] Elastics that may be present in the article should be removed before obtaining the sample, taking care to avoid cutting, compressing or distorting the absorbent core during removal. Alternatively, the sample can be carefully selected so that there are no elastics. The sample should be tested with the body side of the absorbent (or product) facing the test probe.

[0140] Apparatus and Materials:

[0141] Tensile testing machine: MTS tensile testing machine Synergie 200 test stand; available from Systems, Inc. (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina USA), or an equivalent system, preferably equipped with a computerized data acquisition system capable of calculating peak load in grams.

[0142] Load Cell: Choose a suitable cell so that most peak load values ​​fall within the manufacturer's recommended full-scale value range for the load cell; for example, a 2,000 g load cell such as the one available from Systems Corporation, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina USA. The load cell must be able to measure compressive forces.

[0143] Operating software and data acquisition system: MTS for Windows software version 4 Available from Systems Corporation, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina USA, or an equivalent system for the tensile testing machine used.

[0144] The apparatus used is a modified circular bending stiffness tester having the following parts: a smooth polished metal plate platform, 110 mm (length) x 102 mm (width) x 6.35 mm (depth), with an 18.75 mm diameter hole. The overlapping edges of the hole should be at a 45 degree angle with a depth of 4.75 mm.

[0145] A plunger with the following dimensions is used: 100 mm total length, 6.25 mm diameter, a ball head with a 2.97 mm radius, and a needle tip extending about 1 mm from the ball head, the needle tip having a base diameter of 0.33 mm and a radius of less than 0.5 mm. The plunger is mounted concentrically with the hole, with equal clearance on all sides. The needle tip is only used to prevent lateral movement of the sample during the test. The bottom of the plunger should be set above the top of the orifice plate. From this position, the downward stroke of the ball head reaches the exact bottom of the plate hole.

[0146] Sample conditioning

[0147] Sample testing should use reasonable environmental conditions, such as 73 + / - 2 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 + / - 2% relative humidity. Samples should be allowed to equilibrate under laboratory conditions for at least two hours prior to testing.

[0148] Device preparation and procedures

[0149] Tensile testing machine test conditions:

[0150] Data acquisition rate 100Hz

[0151] Crosshead speed 500+ / -10mm / min

[0152] Full scale load: 2,000g

[0153] Gauge length: 25.4+ / -1mm

[0154] Number of cycles: 1

[0155] program:

[0156] A. Place the sample in the center of the well.

[0157] B. Start the crosshead.

[0158] C. When the test is completed and the crosshead returns, remove the sample from the hole.

[0159] D. Repeat the above steps for each additional sample.

[0160] E. Continue testing all samples in this manner.

[0161] F. Report the data for each sample in the following manner:

[0162] Average peak load

[0163] Specimens with a peak load exceeding the load cell limit (~2,000 g) should have a peak load listed as >2,000 g. The average calculation for that sample should use 2,000 g as the peak load for that sample, and since at least one peak load level was rounded to 2,000 g, it should be noted that the average is a conservative value (low).

[0164] Elastic tensile test method:

[0165] To determine the elastic tension of an article 10, 210, hang the sample article in an open, unfolded, vertical orientation over a conventional light box or other suitable device with one end (e.g., rear end) of the article facing upward and the body-facing surface of the article facing laterally outward away from the light box. If the article is a closed product such as a pant article, the article is opened and the pant side seams are cut if the article does not have mechanical fasteners.

[0166] To determine the elastic tension of the containment flaps of an article, the light box should include a pair of fixed upper clamps spaced approximately 5.5 inches apart at their centerlines (e.g., spaced according to the approximate spacing between the containment flaps on opposite sides of the article). The waistband at the rear end of the article is typically fully stretched (e.g., to eliminate wrinkles in the waistband or otherwise straighten the waistband), and the clamps are clamped to the waistband without clamping any absorbent core therein. The operator then gently moves his or her fingers down the sides of the containment flaps to straighten and extend the article.

[0167] The waistband at the front (i.e., lower) end of the article is then substantially fully stretched (i.e., to eliminate wrinkles in the waistband or otherwise straighten the waistband), and a clamp weight is secured to the waistband at the front end of the article so that the article hangs freely from the upper clamp in a longitudinally elongated configuration. The clamp weight has a total mass of approximately 1,000 grams and includes a pair of clamps spaced approximately 5.5 inches apart at their centerlines (e.g., approximately the same spacing as the clamps attached to the rear end of the article) for attaching the clamp weight to the front end of the article.

[0168] When the product is in the longitudinally elongated configuration, a pair of marks are formed on each anti-leakage flap, usually at the place where the elastic member is attached to the flap. More specifically, the marks on each anti-leakage flap are longitudinally spaced apart by a distance of about 100mm from each other, and are equidistant from the longitudinal center of the flap. The distance of 100mm should include the area of ​​the elastic member of the anti-leakage flap. The center of the 100mm distance can be adjusted to ensure that every 100mm distance includes the elastic member present in the entire distance. The fixture counterweight is then removed from the product and the product is removed from the light box. By first cutting inwardly to the fixed edge of the flap from the free (i.e., distal) edge of the flap at a longitudinally spaced position, the longitudinally spaced position exceeds each mark formed on the flap (e.g., toward the nearest end of the product) by about 0.5 inches (12.85mm), then cutting each anti-leakage flap longitudinally at the adhesive bead that is roughly adjacent to the fixed edge of the flap being fixed to the liner.

[0169] Each test sample (e.g., the mark and cut portion of each leak-proof flap) is then fixed in the test apparatus by a substantially fixed upper fixture and a substantially movable lower fixture, which are configured to prevent the sample from sliding or being damaged when the sample is tightened. More specifically, the sample is first fixed at one end by the upper fixture, wherein the sample mark near one end is aligned with the leading edge (e.g., the lowermost edge) of the upper fixture, so that the sample is freely suspended on the upper fixture in a substantially relaxed (e.g., unstretched) state. The weight of the sample is tare-weighed, and then the other end of the sample is fixed by the lower fixture, wherein the mark near the end of the sample is aligned with the leading edge (e.g., the uppermost edge) of the lower fixture. Then, the lower fixture is longitudinally moved away from the upper fixture until the sample is longitudinally stretched to about 90% of the longitudinal stretch configuration previously achieved by the article (e.g., stretched to a configuration in which the spacing between the marks on the sample is about 90 mm, i.e., 90% of 100 mm). The sample is maintained under this condition for about thirty seconds. The elastic tension is then measured and recorded using a suitable dynamometer. Test the containment flaps of at least five similar articles using the same procedure and average the results to determine the elastic tension in the flaps.

[0170] Although this method has been discussed in terms of leak-proof flaps, the same method can also be used to determine the leg elastic tension of a leg cuff. In such a method, the upper fixture of the light box and the lower fixture holding the weight can be spaced apart to roughly match the spacing of the leg cuff. Likewise, if the length of the leg cuff does not extend 100 mm, the distance selected can be smaller, such as 70 mm, etc.

[0171] Thickness determination test method:

[0172] To determine the thickness of the sample, particularly the sample location, a suitable thickness gauge should be used, such as a Mitutoyo 543 series thickness gauge available from Mitutoyo-MTI Corporation, Japan. Either 1 inch or 3 inch brass feet may be used, and the test machine should be configured to apply a 0.2 psi weight. Five samples should be tested, and the results averaged to provide a thickness value for the sample.

[0173] For the articles 10, 210 of the present disclosure, the articles should be tested in an unfolded configuration. In addition, when testing the thickness of a specific location (such as the first location or the second location described with respect to the probe flexibility test method), the following instructions should be followed.

[0174] Where the position includes specific layers such as an outer cover, an absorbent system, a body-side liner, and a fluid management layer, etc., care should be taken to ensure that only such layers are present under the tester's foot. For example, where a selected position (e.g., such as a first position) includes only an outer cover, an absorbent system, and a body-side liner, thickness measurements should be made so that only these layers are present under the tester's foot. Where the configuration of the article and / or the size of the tester's foot make this impossible, the foot should be positioned to include maximizing the area under the foot that has the same layers as the selected position. Likewise, if possible, the area under the tester's foot that has different layers should be selected to have fewer layers than the selected position.

[0175] Bending stiffness test method

[0176] Bending stiffness and hysteresis were measured using a KES model FB-2 (available from Kato Tech Co, Ltd, Japan). To measure bending, the sample was clamped in an upright position between two chucks. If the sample is larger than 1 mm, no center adjustment plate is used (the use and size of any adjustment plate depends on the sample thickness and is typically used for samples less than 1 mm thick). Samples were cut from the product with the center of the sample centered laterally between the edges of the absorbent system. The sample should be square and have dimensions of 37.5 mm x 37.5 mm. One of the chucks is fixed while the other chuck is held at 2.5 cm. -1 With -2.5cm -1 The bending test machine (KES-FB-2) is used to rotate the curvature between 0.5cm -1 The pure bending properties of the sample within a given curvature range are measured at a constant rate of / s. Bending curvature 0 to 2.5cm -1 Indicates forward bending, with a curvature of 0 to -2.5 cm -1 The bend of 0.5 cm indicates the bend is backward. -1 The sample was moved at a rate of / sec. The amount of torque (gram-force*cm / cm) used to bend the material was plotted versus the curvature. The sample was oriented in the chuck so that the edge of the sample closest to the product from the waist edge was positioned to extend laterally and furthest from the base of the tester. For all test materials, the following instrument settings were used:

[0177] Measurement mode = one cycle

[0178] Sensitivity = 2 × 1

[0179] kSpanControl = Setting

[0180] Curvature = + / - 2.5 cm -1

[0181] The KES system algorithm calculates the following bending eigenvalues:

[0182] B = bending stiffness (gram force × cm 2 / cm)

[0183] 2HB = bending hysteresis (gram force × cm / cm)

[0184] Bending stiffness is defined as the bending strength at 0.5 cm -1 With 1.5cm -1 The slope of the bending moment versus curvature is obtained, while the bending hysteresis is a measure of the recovery of the sample after it has been bent and is calculated at 1.0 cm. -1 The distance between the bend and recovery curves at the curvature of the sample. The sample was tested 5 times in MD and 5 times in CD. Higher bending stiffness values ​​indicate a stiffer sample. Higher bending hysteresis values ​​indicate a more difficult time for the sample to recover from bending.

[0185] Implementation :

[0186] According to a first embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system, the absorbent system being disposed between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers; a fluid acquisition layer; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps having an active area and one or more inactive areas; and a leg elastic member, wherein the leg elastic member is arranged on the outer side of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and forms an active leg elastic zone between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive zone extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive zone extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active zone arranged between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the absorbent article has a product flexibility of less than or equal to 35 gf at a first position of the article located in the first inactive zone of the anti-leakage flap, and wherein the absorbent article has a product flexibility of greater than or equal to 40 gf at a second position of the article located in the active zone of the anti-leakage flap, and the product flexibility is measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0187] In a second embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment 1 further comprises an absorbent system present at the first location.

[0188] In a third embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one and two further comprises wherein the fluid acquisition layer is not present at the first location.

[0189] In a fourth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to three further comprises wherein the absorbent system is present at the second location.

[0190] In a fifth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to four further comprises wherein the fluid acquisition layer is present at the second location.

[0191] In a sixth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to five further comprises wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 27.5 gf at the first position of the article, as measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0192] In a seventh embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to six further comprises wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 20 gf at the first position of the article as measured according to the Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein.

[0193] In an eighth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to seven further comprises wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility greater than or equal to 50 gf at the second position of the article, the article flexibility being measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0194] In a ninth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to eight further comprises wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility greater than or equal to 60 gf at the second position of the article, the article flexibility being measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0195] In a tenth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to nine also includes wherein the absorbent system includes a back region, a middle region and a front region and also includes absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is arranged in a certain basis weight throughout the absorbent system, and wherein the basis weight of the absorbent material in any one of the back region, the middle region and the front region varies by no more than 20% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any other of the back region, the middle region and the front region.

[0196] In an eleventh embodiment, the absorbent article as described in embodiment 10 also includes a case in which the absorbent material basis weight of any one of the back region, the middle region and the front region varies by no more than 10% relative to the absorbent material basis weight of any other of the back region, the middle region and the front region.

[0197] In a twelfth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to eleven also includes wherein the absorbent article has a first thickness at the first position and a second thickness at the second position, the second thickness is less than 20% greater than the first thickness, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0198] In a thirteenth embodiment, the absorbent article as shown in embodiment twelve further includes wherein the second thickness is less than 10% greater than the first thickness by the thickness as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0199] In a fourteenth embodiment, the absorbent article as shown in embodiment fourteen further includes wherein the second thickness is less than 5% greater than the first thickness by the first thickness, as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0200] In a fifteenth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to fourteen also includes one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the second longitudinally extending containment flap have a flap tension between 75gf and 105gf measured according to the elastic member tension measurement test method.

[0201] In a sixteenth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to fifteen also includes a portion wherein the extent to which the active leg elastic zone extends toward the front waist edge is less than the extent to which the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends toward the front waist edge.

[0202] In a seventeenth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to sixteen further comprises wherein the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-70% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0203] In an eighteenth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to seventeen further comprises wherein the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-62.5% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0204] In a nineteenth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to eighteen further comprises wherein the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-55% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0205] In a twentieth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to nineteen further comprises, wherein the absorbent article has a thickness at the second location of less than 4 mm, as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0206] In a twenty-first embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments one to twenty further comprises wherein the absorbent article has a thickness at the second location of less than 3 mm as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0207] In a twenty-second embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to twenty-one also includes wherein the absorbent article has a graphic element arranged on the outer cover, and wherein the graphic element extends continuously between the one or more inactive areas and the active area of ​​each longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap in the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps.

[0208] In a twenty-third embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment twenty-two further comprises wherein the graphic element is an anthropomorphic graphic element.

[0209] In the twenty-fourth embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between the longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being arranged between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system, the absorbent system being arranged between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers and further comprising a rear region, a middle region and a front region, the absorbent system being composed of an absorbent material, the absorbent material being arranged in a certain basis weight throughout the absorbent system wherein the basis weight of the absorbent material in any of the back region, the middle region, and the front region varies by no more than 20% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any of the other of the back region, the middle region, and the front region; a fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on the first side of the central longitudinal axis, One or more longitudinally extending elastic members on the second side of the central longitudinal axis, each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active area and one or more inactive areas; and leg elastic members, the leg elastic members are arranged on the outside of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and form an active leg elastic area between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive area extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, and the first inactive area extends the longitudinal length of the product at least 10%, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has an active zone disposed between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid collection layer is disposed at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that does not exceed the distance between the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf at a first position of the article located in the first inactive zone and where the absorbent system is present, the article flexibility being measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0210] In the twenty-fifth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in embodiment twenty-four also includes a thickness at a second position where the absorbent article is arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorbent system and the fluid acquisition layer are present, and the thickness is less than 4 mm, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0211] In the twenty-sixth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four and twenty-five also includes a second position in which the absorbent article is arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorption system and the fluid collection layer are present, and the thickness is less than 3 mm, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0212] In a twenty-seventh embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to twenty-six also includes wherein the absorbent article has a first thickness at the first position, and has a second thickness at a second position arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are present, and wherein the second thickness is less than 20% greater than the first thickness, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0213] In a twenty-eighth embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment twenty-seven further comprises wherein the second thickness is less than 10% greater than the first thickness as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0214] In a twenty-ninth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments twenty-seven and twenty-eight further comprises wherein the second thickness is less than 5% greater than the first thickness as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0215] In a thirtieth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to twenty-nine also includes a case in which the basis weight of the absorbent material in any one of the back region, the middle region, and the front region varies by no more than 10% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any other of the back region, the middle region, and the front region.

[0216] In a thirty-first embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty also includes one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the second longitudinally extending containment flap have a flap tension between 75gf and 105gf measured according to the elastic member tension measurement test method.

[0217] In a thirty-second embodiment, the absorbent article described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty-one further includes wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-70% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0218] In a thirty-third embodiment, the absorbent article described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty-two further includes wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-62.5% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0219] In a thirty-fourth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty-three further includes a step wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-55% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0220] In a thirty-fifth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty-four also includes a portion wherein the starting point of the active leg elastic zone is closer to the front waist edge than the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending leak-proof flaps is closer to the front waist edge.

[0221] In a thirty-sixth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments twenty-four to thirty-five also includes wherein the absorbent article has a graphic element disposed on the outer cover, and wherein the graphic element extends continuously between the one or more inactive areas and the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps.

[0222] In a thirty-seventh embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment thirty-six further comprises wherein the graphic element is an anthropomorphic graphic element.

[0223] In the thirty-eighth embodiment, an absorbent article has a central longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between the longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region, a rear waist region and a crotch region, the crotch region being disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a body side liner; an outer cover; an absorbent system, the absorbent system extending between a front edge of the absorbent system disposed near the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge of the absorbent system disposed near the rear waist edge of the article and disposed between the body side liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers a fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article, wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed closer to the rear waist edge of the article than the front edge of the absorbent system; a first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis and a second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis or more longitudinally extending elastic members, each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active area and one or more inactive areas; and a leg elastic member, the leg elastic member is arranged on the outer side of each of the first longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and the second longitudinally extending anti-leakage flap and forms an active leg elastic area between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has a first inactive area extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive area extends at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and And wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps has an active area arranged between the first inactive area and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid collection layer is arranged to be at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that does not exceed the distance between the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending anti-leakage flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has a product flexibility of less than or equal to 40gf at the first position of the article located in the first inactive area and where the absorbent system is present, and the product flexibility is measured according to the probe flexibility test method described in this article.

[0224] In a thirty-ninth embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment thirty-eight further comprises wherein the fluid acquisition layer is not present at the first location.

[0225] In the fortieth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight and thirty-nine further includes wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility less than or equal to 27.5 gf at the first position of the article, and the article flexibility is measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

[0226] In the forty-first embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty also includes a portion wherein the absorbent article has a certain thickness at a second position where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are located within the active area where the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings are located and where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are present, and the thickness is less than 4 mm, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0227] In the 42nd embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments 38 to 41 also includes a part wherein the absorbent article has a certain thickness at a second position where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are located within the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are present, and the thickness is less than 3 mm, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0228] In the forty-third embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-two also includes wherein the absorbent article has a first thickness at the first position, and has a second thickness at a second position arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorbent system and the fluid collection layer are present, and wherein the second thickness is less than 20% greater than the first thickness, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

[0229] In a forty-fourth embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment forty-three further comprises wherein the second thickness is less than 10% greater than the first thickness as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0230] In a forty-fifth embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment forty-three further comprises wherein the second thickness is less than 5% greater than the first thickness as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

[0231] In a forty-sixth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-five further comprises wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-70% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0232] In the forty-seventh embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-six further includes wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-62.5% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0233] In a forty-eighth embodiment, the absorbent article of any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-seven further comprises wherein the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps extends between 45-55% of the longitudinal length of the absorbent article.

[0234] In the forty-ninth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-eight also includes a portion wherein the starting point of the active leg elastic zone is closer to the front waist edge than the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps is closer to the front waist edge.

[0235] In a fiftieth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to forty-nine further includes wherein the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the second longitudinally extending containment flap have a flap tension between 75gf and 105gf measured according to the elastic member tension measurement test method.

[0236] In a fifty-first embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to fifty also includes a portion wherein the starting point of the active leg elastic zone is closer to the front waist edge than the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending leak-proof flaps is closer to the front waist edge.

[0237] In a fifty-second embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments thirty-eight to fifty-one also includes wherein the absorbent article has a graphic element disposed on the outer cover, and wherein the graphic element extends continuously between the one or more inactive areas and the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps.

[0238] In a fifty-third embodiment, the absorbent article of embodiment fifty-two further comprises wherein the graphic element is an anthropomorphic graphic element.

[0239] In the fifty-fourth embodiment, the absorbent article as described in any one of embodiments one to fifty-three also includes wherein the absorbent article has a probe flexibility measured according to the probe flexibility test method and a thickness measured according to the thickness measurement test method at the first position, so that the probe flexibility multiplied by the cube of the thickness is greater than or equal to 2534.

Claims

1. An absorbent article having a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: A front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is arranged between the front waist region and the back waist region; body side lining; External covering; an absorbent system disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers; Fluid collection layer; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, each longitudinally extending containment flap of the pair having an active region and one or more inactive regions; as well as a leg elastic member disposed outboard of each of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the second longitudinally extending containment flap and forming an active leg elastic zone between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has a first inactive zone extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive zone extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has an active zone disposed between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 35 gf at a first position of the article within the first inactive zone of the containment flap, and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of greater than or equal to 40 gf at a second position of the article within the active zone of the containment flap, the article flexibility being measured according to the probe flexibility test method described herein.

2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the absorbent system is present at the first location.

3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the fluid acquisition layer is absent at the first location.

4. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent system is present at said second location.

5. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the fluid acquisition layer is present at the second location.

6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article has an Article Flexibility of less than or equal to 27.5 gf at said first location of said article as measured according to said Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein.

7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article has an Article Flexibility at said second location of said article of greater than or equal to 50 gf as measured according to said Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein.

8. An absorbent article as described in Claim 1, wherein the absorbent system includes a back region, a central region and a front region and further includes absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material is arranged in a certain basis weight throughout the absorbent system, and wherein the basis weight of the absorbent material in any one of the back region, the central region and the front region varies by no more than 20% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any other of the back region, the central region and the front region.

9. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein the absorbent article has a first thickness at the first position and a second thickness at the second position, the second thickness being less than 20% greater than the first thickness, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

10. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein said absorbent article has a thickness at said second location of less than 4 mm as measured according to the Thickness Determination Test Method described herein.

11. An absorbent article as described in claim 1, wherein the absorbent article has a graphic element arranged on the outer cover, and wherein the graphic element extends continuously between the one or more inactive areas and the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11, wherein the graphic element is an anthropomorphic graphic element.

13. An absorbent article having a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: A front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is arranged between the front waist region and the back waist region; body side lining; External covering; an absorbent system disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers and further comprising a back region, a central region, and a front region, the absorbent system being comprised of an absorbent material disposed throughout the absorbent system at a basis weight, wherein the basis weight of the absorbent material in any one of the back region, the central region, and the front region does not vary by more than 20% relative to the basis weight of the absorbent material in any other of the back region, the central region, and the front region; a fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, each longitudinally extending containment flap of the pair having an active region and one or more inactive regions; as well as a leg elastic member disposed outboard of each of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the second longitudinally extending containment flap and forming an active leg elastic zone between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has a first inactive zone extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive zone extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has an active zone disposed between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that is no greater than the distance between the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf at a first location of the article located in the first inactive zone and where the absorbent system is present, as measured according to the Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein.

14. An absorbent article as claimed in claim 13, wherein the absorbent article has a certain thickness at a second position arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof wings and where the absorbent system and the fluid acquisition layer are present, and the thickness is less than 4 mm, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

15. An absorbent article as described in claim 13, wherein the absorbent article has a first thickness at the first position, and has a second thickness at a second position arranged in the active area of ​​the pair of longitudinally extending leakage-proof flaps and where the absorbent system and the fluid acquisition layer are present, and wherein the second thickness is less than 20% greater than the first thickness, and the thickness is measured according to the thickness measurement test method described herein.

16. An absorbent article as described in claim 13, wherein the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the one or more longitudinally extending elastic members of the second longitudinally extending containment flap have a flap tension between 75gf and 105gf measured according to the Elastic Member Tension Measurement Test Method.

17. An absorbent article having a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal length extending between a front waist edge and a rear waist edge and extending in a transverse direction between longitudinally extending side edges, the absorbent article comprising: A front waist region, a back waist region and a crotch region, wherein the crotch region is arranged between the front waist region and the back waist region; body side lining; External covering; an absorbent system extending between a front absorbent system edge disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear absorbent system edge disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article and disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, the absorbent system comprising one or more absorbent layers; a fluid acquisition layer extending between a front edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the front waist edge of the article and a rear edge of the fluid acquisition layer disposed proximate the rear waist edge of the article, wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed closer to the rear waist edge of the article than the front edge of the absorbent system; a first longitudinally extending containment flap and a second longitudinally extending containment flap, the first longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the second longitudinally extending containment flap comprising a barrier material and one or more longitudinally extending elastic members disposed on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, each longitudinally extending containment flap of the pair having an active region and one or more inactive regions; as well as a leg elastic member disposed outboard of each of the first longitudinally extending containment flap and the second longitudinally extending containment flap and forming an active leg elastic zone between the front waist edge and the back waist edge; wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has a first inactive zone extending from the front waist edge toward the back waist edge, the first inactive zone extending at least 10% of the longitudinal length of the article, and wherein each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps has an active zone disposed between the first inactive zone and the back waist edge; wherein the front edge of the fluid acquisition layer is disposed at a distance from the front waist edge of the absorbent article that is no greater than the distance between the active area of ​​each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps and the front waist edge of the absorbent article; and wherein the absorbent article has an article flexibility of less than or equal to 40 gf at a first location of the article located in the first inactive zone and where the absorbent system is present, as measured according to the Probe Flexibility Test Method described herein.

18. The absorbent article of claim 17, wherein the fluid acquisition layer is absent at the first location.

19. An absorbent article as claimed in claim 17, wherein the starting point of the active leg elastic zone is closer to the front waist edge than the active zone of each of the pair of longitudinally extending containment flaps is closer to the front waist edge.

20. The absorbent article of claim 17, wherein the absorbent article has, at the first position, a probe flexibility measured according to the probe flexibility test method and a thickness measured according to the thickness measurement test method, such that the probe flexibility multiplied by the cube of the thickness is greater than or equal to 2534.

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