Adult disposable absorbent articles and arrays comprising improved product lengths

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles and arrays of disposable absorbent articles which are designed to fit different adult body sizes, shapes and types, and as such are sized to fit a broad range of adult consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Body Rise is one of the key body dimensions used by tailors for panty and trouser design. For adult incontinent articles, the product fit relative to the wearer's navel and back are influenced by the wearers Body Rise, the Product Length and the Bulk in the Crotch, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2A and 2B</figref>. Product designs which utilize knowledge of the Body Rise over the range of consumers they are intended to fit, will inherently provide a better, more comfortable and more conforming fit. Today's marketed adult incontinence articles rely on a combination of waist, hip, and weight, neglecting the Body Rise. It is important for fit and comfort to design products wherein the length is not excessive, nor too short. Waist fit that is too low or too high can have a negative impact on performance, comfort, sagging and discretion. Knowing the targeted waist range, the targeted hip range and the targeted weight range of a given population, then determining the appropriate Body Rise range of that population may ensure proper design of the Product Length to cover the desired consumer range.

0003The appropriate Body Rise or "Target Body Rise" can be determined by knowing the Target BMI, as there is a relationship between BMI and Body Rise as illustrated in <figref idref="f0004">Fig 4</figref>. The Target BMI can be determined by knowing the Target Waist, Target Hip, and Target Weight (or any combination of these) as there is a relationship between each of these measures and BMI. These are illustrated in <figref idref="f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008">Figs 5-8</figref>.

0004Additionally, designing the Product Length to be closer to the Target Body Rise becomes increasingly important as advances in technology occur leading to for example, absorbent cores that become increasingly thinner, narrower, and more flexible. Thinner, narrower and more flexible cores may result in reduced Bulk in the Crotch. Simply stated the Bulk in the Crotch associated with the absorbent core when on the body, adds to the Body Rise and impacts the product length. The greater the Bulk in the Crotch the longer the product length needs to be to fit the intended Body Rise and vice versa, as the Bulk in the Crotch is reduced, the Product Length needs to be shortened in order to maintain the same fit relative to the navel and back of the consumer, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2A and 2B</figref>.

0005Adult incontinence ("AI") absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled. For adults who suffer from urinary incontinence, urine voiding consists of two general types: stress urinary incontinence ("SUI") and urge urinary incontinence ("UUI"). SUI is caused by high pressure on the bladder induced by coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending, etc., and can result in a high flow rate though at a smaller urine volume that is associated with UUI. UUI can result in a full bladder release, though at a lower flow rate than that associated with SUI.

0006Adult Incontinence articles come in a variety of designs, each typically available in multiple sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 size arrays. The size of articles of the prior art typically affects, for example, the size of the waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and the length or "pitch" of the article. Many of these prior art articles are designed to fit ranges up to 100 pounds. The prior art articles are typically sized and sold by waist circumference dimension. The various sizes can have a range in waist circumference of as much as 12 inches and in some cases up to 16 inches. If a consumer selects an adult incontinence article of the prior art which is size appropriate based on the waist circumference dimension of the wearer given the large ranges associated with the various sizes, the thigh openings or pitch of the article, for instance, may be too large for proper fit on the wearer, potentially leading to slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a loss of gasketing effects that are designed to inhibit leakage. Alternatively, depending on where the wearer is within the large size range, the thigh opening or pitch of the article may be too small for proper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort, skin marking of the wearer's skin or improper application or positioning of the article on the wearer.

0007Desirably, an adult absorbent article should be designed and sized to maintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer's body. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness of the adult absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, or the like, may spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out of rather than be absorbed into the adult absorbent article. However, current adult absorbent articles on the market do not adequately address body shape or product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range of users adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically AI packages of adult absorbent articles are labeled with a recommended wearer waist circumference range that the packaged article is intended to fit. As a result, the waist circumference is often the sole criteria used to identify the size of an AI article. The waist size does not in itself adequately describe the body shape of the individual and therefore does not help define the hip or thigh circumference nor the pitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing of the article. This is the case even though other characteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (for example, age, height, weight, thigh circumference, and Body Rise) may vary widely within the recommended waist circumference range, and may result in an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's waist circumference falls within that range. There is a need for adult absorbent articles that conform well to various wearers' body shapes and sizes. While there is a wide range of body shapes and sizes among women, available products do not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbent articles available today within a given product array tend to be scaled versions of each other, and do not even follow the natural trend of body shape and dimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e. smaller to larger women as well as women of varying shape.

0008Body Mass Index (BMI) is on the rise globally for both men and women. In the U.S. alone, more than 1/3 of adult females are now considered obese (BMI > 30). This has changed significantly over the past 30 years; in 1980 only about 16% of U.S. adult females were obese. Larger women exhibit different ratios of body anthropometrics than smaller women, i.e., all body dimensions do not simply scale-up as women get larger. In addition, women across the range of BMI may also have very different body shapes. There is a lack of recognition and understanding of this issue by current adult absorbent article manufacturers and as such consumers' needs are not being adequately met. Therefore, there is a need to develop adult absorbent articles for a wide variety of body shapes and sizes in order to provide an improved level of fit and contact between the body and the adult absorbent article to reduce the occurrence leakage and improve the overall fit, comfort, coverage and discretion of the article. There is a clear need for adult absorbent articles which are designed for variety of wearers based on their BMI and body shape. There is also a need to communicate to wearers the benefits of such customized adult absorbent articles in an easy-to-understand manner (e.g., some women may not understand what BMI is or know their BMI number), which is not off-putting (e.g., without stigmatizing or embarrassing women based on their BMI).

0009<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US20130211356A"><text>US 2013/0211356</text></patcit> discloses taped and pant articles comprising first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical. <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US20020072723A"><text>US 2002/0072723</text></patcit> describes an array of disposable absorbent article configurations comprising a sequence of designs corresponding to a wearer's stages of development. <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20070255248A"><text>US 2007/0255248</text></patcit> discloses an array of disposable absorbent articles having different types of discretion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0010<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a plan view of a pant diaper with a continuous belt in the front and back waist regions.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figures 2A and 2B</figref> show the relationship between where a product fits on the body, how much bulk is in the crotch region of a product, and the Product Length.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> shows Body Rise against a female body shape.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> is a chart which shows the relationship between Target Body Rise and Target BMI.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI and Target Weight.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref> is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI and Target Waist.</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref> is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI and Target Hip.</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Figure 8</figref> is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI and Target Thigh.</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Figure 9</figref> is a chart which shows the Target Body Rise and examples of Rise Limits</li><li><figref idref="f0010">Figure 10</figref> is a chart which shows examples of existing and inventive product arrays, and how their Product Lengths compare to the Target Body Rise for each product in the array.</li><li><figref idref="f0011">Figure 11</figref> shows how the general female body shape changes as BMI increases.</li><li><figref idref="f0012">Figure 12</figref> depicts the variability of female body shapes within each BMI class.</li><li><figref idref="f0013">Figure 13</figref> is a partially cut away plan view of a pant diaper with a pair of flaps, wherein the wearer-facing interior of the diaper faces the viewer.</li><li><figref idref="f0014">Figure 14</figref> is a partially cut away plan view a pant diaper with front and rear flaps, wherein the garment-facing exterior of the diaper faces the viewer.</li><li><figref idref="f0015">Figure 15</figref> is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> wherein belts connect opposing waist regions.</li><li><figref idref="f0016">Figure 16</figref> is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in <figref idref="f0013">Figure 13</figref> wherein flaps connect opposing waist regions.</li><li><figref idref="f0017">Figure 17</figref> is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in <figref idref="f0014">Figure 14</figref> wherein side seams connect the flaps and opposing waist regions.</li><li><figref idref="f0018">FIG. 18</figref> is a schematic cross section view taken along line 18-18 in <figref idref="f0013">FIG. 13</figref> of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodiment of the invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0019">Figure 19</figref> is a schematic cross section view of a back belt-like flap suitable in one embodiment of the invention, taken along line 19-19 of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0011"Pull-on garment" or "pant" means articles of wear which have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings and pulling the article up over the waist.

0012"Disposable" means garments, which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). The pull-on garment may be "absorbent" such that it absorbs and contains the various exudates discharged from the body.

0013"Closed form" means opposing waist regions are joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings. See <figref idref="f0015 f0016 f0017">Figs. 15-17</figref>.

0014"Array" means a display of packages comprising disposable articles of different sizes having like article constructions (e.g., same elastomeric materials [compositionally and/or structurally] in the flaps, graphic elements) said packages having the same brand and/or sub-brand, and said packages oriented in proximity to each other in a given area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up of products normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) that convey to consumers that the different individual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, "Depend," and same sub-brand, for example, "for Women Underwear." A different array may have the brand "Depend" and the sub-brand "Silhouette For Women." The differences between the "for Women Underwear" array and the "Silhouette For Women" arrays include different elastomeric materials in the side flaps, where "for Women Underwear" comprises strands as the elastomeric material and "Silhouette For Women" comprises a film elastomeric material." Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that "for Women Underwear" is packaged in a predominately green, film bag and "Silhouette For Women" is packaged in a predominately maroon box.

0015Further regarding "Arrays," as another example of two separate "arrays" having the same brand, "Certainty," one line-up has the sub-brand "Women's Underwear." A different array may have the same brand "Certainty" and the sub-brand "Smooth Shape Briefs for Women." The differences between the "Women's Underwear" array and the "Smooth Shape Briefs for Women" arrays include different elastomeric materials in the side flaps, where "Women's Underwear" comprises strands as the elastomeric material and "Smooth Shape Briefs for Women" comprises a film elastomeric material." Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that "Women's Underwear" is packaged in a predominately blue, film bag and "Smooth Shape Briefs for Women" is packaged in a predominately maroon box.

0016Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across the line-up.

0017"On-line Array" means an "Array" distributed by a common on-line source.

0018"Hip" means the circumference of the body at the level of the maximum posterior protuberance of buttocks.

0019"Waist" means the horizontal circumference of the waist at the level of the center of the navel (omphalion).

0020"Thigh" means the circumference of the thigh at its juncture with the buttock, the measurement made perpendicular to the long axis of the thigh.

0021"Product Length" means the way it is described in the TEST METHODS section below.

0022"Body Rise" means the surface distance from omphalion (center of navel) to the subjects back at the level of the navel measured through the crotch and over the middle of the buttock. See <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2A and 2B</figref>.

0023"Crotch Width" means the lateral spacing between the thighs at their juncture with the body as shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>.

0024"Bulk in Crotch" means the bulk of the product at the crotch of the consumer. It is influenced by: the Crotch Width of the consumer; the lateral width of the product as defined by the lateral edges 137a and 137b; the lateral width of the absorbent core 200; the thickness of the core 200; the capacity of the absorbent core 200 at the crotch; volume of fluid stored in the absorbent core 200 at the crotch.

0025"Target Waist" means for a product with a recommended waist range, the mid point of that recommended waist range.

0026"Target Hip" means for a product with a recommended hip range, the mid point of that recommended hip range.

0027"Target Weight" means for a product with a recommended weight range, the mid point of that recommended weight range.

0028"Target Thigh" means for a product with a recommended thigh range, the mid point of that recommended thigh range.

0029"Target BMI from Waist" is determined from the Target Waist and is shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>. It is calculated by: <maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">from</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Waist</mi></mfenced><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Waist</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mi>ln</mi><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Waist</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0001.tif" /></maths> Where: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><i>Target Waist:</i> is in units of <i>mm</i></li><li><i>Target BMI:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i>/<i>m²</i></li><li><i>a</i> = -2.483 × 10^-1</li><li><i>b = 4.625</i> × 10^-3</li></ul>

0030"Target BMI from Hip" is determined from the Target Hip and is shown in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref>. It is calculated by: <maths id="math0002" num=""><math display="block"><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">from</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Hip</mi></mfenced><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Hip</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mi>ln</mi><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Hip</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0002.tif" /></maths> Where: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><i>Target Hip:</i> is in units of <i>mm</i></li><li><i>Target BMI:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i>/<i>m²</i></li><li><i>a = -15.517</i></li><li><i>b = 6.010</i> × 10^-3</li></ul>

0031"Target BMI from Weight" is determined from the Target Weight and is shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>. It is calculated by: <maths id="math0003" num=""><math display="block"><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">from</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Weight</mi></mfenced><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Weight</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mi>ln</mi><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Weight</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0003.tif" /></maths> Where: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><i>Target Weight:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i></li><li><i>Target BMI:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i>/<i>m²</i></li><li><i>a = 7.879</i></li><li><i>b = 6.525</i> × 10^-2</li></ul>

0032"Target BMI from Thigh" is determined from the Target Thigh and is shown in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref>. It is calculated by: <maths id="math0004" num=""><math display="block"><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">from</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Thigh</mi></mfenced><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Thigh</mi></mfenced><mo>×</mo><mi>ln</mi><msup><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Thigh</mi></mfenced><mn>2.5</mn></msup></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0004.tif" /></maths> Where: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><i>Target Thigh:</i> is in units of <i>mm</i></li><li><i>Target BMI:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i>/<i>m²</i></li><li><i>a = 8.979</i></li><li><i>b = 1.868</i> × 10^-6</li></ul>

0033"Target BMI" means the Target BMI from Waist if a waist range is recommended (e.g., from a package of absorbent articles). If a waist range is not recommended then the Target BMI means the Target BMI from Hip if a hip range is recommended. If neither a hip range nor a waist range is recommended, then Target BMI means the Target BMI from Weight if a weight range is recommended. If neither a waist, hip nor weight range is recommended, then Target BMI means the Target BMI determined from a panty size if a panty size is recommended. If a panty size is not recommended, then the Target BMI is determined from the clothing size if a clothing size is recommended. See Tables 1-5 for examples.

0034"Target Body Rise" is determined from the Target BMI and is shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>. It is calculated by: <maths id="math0005" num=""><math display="block"><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Body</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">Rise</mi></mfenced><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><msup><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi></mfenced><mn>0.5</mn></msup><mo>×</mo><mi>ln</mi><mfenced separators=""><mi mathvariant="italic">Target</mi><mspace width="1ex" /><mi mathvariant="italic">BMI</mi></mfenced></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0005.tif" /></maths> Where: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><i>Target Body Rise:</i> is in units of <i>mm</i></li><li><i>Target BMI:</i> is in units of <i>kg</i>/<i>m²</i></li><li><i>a = 404.324</i></li><li><i>b = 13.142</i></li></ul>

0035Table 1 shows an example of how the Target BMI and Target Body Rise are determined for absorbent articles where a waist range and a weight range are recommended. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0006.tif" /></tables>

0036Table 2 and Table 3 show examples of how the Target BMI and Target Body Rise are determined for absorbent articles where a waist range, a hip range and a weight range are recommended. <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0007.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0008.tif" /></tables>

0037Table 4 and Table 5 show examples of how the Target BMI and Target Body Rise are determined for panty and clothing sizes where a waist range and a hip range are recommended. <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0009.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0010.tif" /></tables>

0038"Rise Limit" is defined as a fixed distance from the Target Body Rise as is shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 9</figref>.

0039"Length Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called 'Product Length Difference')" is the difference between the Product Length and the Target Body Rise for a given product.

0040"Percent Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called 'Product Percent Difference')" is the percentage difference between the Product Length and the Target Body Rise for a given product.

0041"Array Average Length Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called 'Average Array Length Difference')" means the average Product Length Difference of each size offered in a product array. For example, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketed and sold in an array of 3 sizes. Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large. The Average Array Length Difference is the average of the Product Length Difference for size small/medium; the Product Length for size Large; and the Product Length Difference for size Extra Large.

0042"Array Average Percent Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called 'Average Array Percent Difference')" means the average Product Percent Difference of each size offered in a product array. For example, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketed and sold in an array of 3 sizes. Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large. The Average Array Percent Difference is the average of the Product Percent Difference for size Small/Medium; the Product Percent Difference for size Large; and the Product Percent Difference for size Extra Large.

0043Consumers who are urinary incontinent often are traumatized by the condition. Many aspects of the condition contribute to the trauma, like the fear of having an incontinent event in public. Even when wearing an absorbent article, there is still the fear of leaking, and the fear of her absorbent article being noticeable under her clothes. As such providing a product experience that helps normalize the condition by providing a more underwear-like, thin and body conforming structure across the entire BMI range is one of the objects of the present disclosure.

0044The body mass index (BMI) is a classification system for body shapes based upon height and mass. BMI may be calculated as follows: <maths id="math0006" num=""><math display="block"><mi>BMI</mi><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mi>weight</mi><mfenced><mi>kg</mi></mfenced></mrow><mrow><mi>height</mi><msup><mfenced><mi mathvariant="normal">m</mi></mfenced><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mfrac><mo>=</mo><mfrac><mrow><mn>703</mn><mo>∗</mo><mi>weight</mi><mfenced><mi>lb</mi></mfenced></mrow><mrow><mi>height</mi><msup><mfenced><mi>in</mi></mfenced><mn>2</mn></msup></mrow></mfrac></math><img file="EP3200740B1_D0011.tif" /></maths>

0045The BMI comprises different classes of body mass, including: underweight (BMI <20), normal weight (BMI 20-25), overweight (BMI 25-30), obese (BMI 30-40), and morbidly obese (BMI > 40).

0046<figref idref="f0011">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates how the general female body shape changes as BMI increases. <figref idref="f0012">FIG. 12</figref> illustrates a variety of specific shapes that may exist within each BMI class: rectangle (also known as cylindrical), hourglass, pear, and apple. The higher her BMI, the further to the right (toward the apple) a woman typically is on this body shape scale. The prevalence of these shapes differs among BMI ranges, for instance, higher BMI women have a higher probability of being apple or pear shaped. Adult absorbent articles may be marketed to women of a particular body shape, such as apple, rather than focusing on exact BMI values (which may be off-putting to a consumer), in order to match a wearer with the article that may best fit her unique body shape or size.

0047One region where the shape of the female body changes as BMI gets higher is in the Target Body Rise. The Target Body Rise gets larger on average for larger women. <figref idref="f0004">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates how the Target Body Rise increases as BMI increases.

0048It may be desirable to link the Product Length to the Target Body Rise in order to achieve a better fitting, better conforming, better gasketing product. This may increase the wearing comfort for each consumer while reducing leakage. As absorbent cores become thinner, narrower, more flexible and improve in their ability to distribute fluid more broadly, the Bulk in the Crotch may be reduced both dry and wet. As the Bulk in the Crotch is reduced, the Product Length needs to be shortened in order to maintain the same fit relative to the navel and back of the consumer, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2A and 2B</figref>. Shortening the Product Length will reduce the Length Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise. Additionally, a product array where the Array Average Length Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise is reduced may deliver a better fitting, better conforming better gasketing article to each consumer, in particular as absorbent cores become thinner, narrower, more flexible and more functional, i.e. increased liquid distribution.

0049Table 6 (below) details some of today's marketed product arrays. <figref idref="f0010">FIG. 10</figref> shows how the Product Length of these arrays compare to the Target Body Rise of the consumers each product is intended to fit. The greater the Length Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise and Percent Difference - Product Length to Target Body Rise are, the less conforming the product may be, in particular through the crotch of the consumer. The result of this mismatch is that the products provide an inferior level of fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing across much of the BMI range than products that are designed in line with the anthropometric measures across the same BMI range. <tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0012.tif" /></tables>

0050Table 7 below illustrates an example of an array of 3 packages, and an example of an inventive array of 4 packages whose Product Lengths better match the Target Body Rise of the consumers that they are targeted to fit and thereby provide better fit, comfort and coverage while reducing the chance of leakage. <tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP3200740B1_D0013.tif" /></tables>

ABSORBENT ARTICLE

0051The absorbent articles of the present disclosure are generally designed and configured to manage bodily exudates such as urine, menses, feces or other vaginal discharges.

0052In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent chassis may comprise a waistband, leg cuffs and or elastic strands. In various embodiments, referring to <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref>, an example absorbent article 10 is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to joining the fastening components 53a and b (illustrated in <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>).

0053In one embodiment, referring to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, one end portion of the absorbent article is configured as a front waist region 36 and the longitudinally opposing end portion configured as a back waist region 38. An intermediate portion of the absorbent article 10 extending longitudinally between the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38 may be configured as a crotch region 37. In one embodiment, although not illustrated as such, the length of each of the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38 and the crotch region 37 may be about 1/3 of the length of the absorbent article 10, for example. In other embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38, and the crotch region 37 may have other dimensions. In various embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may have a laterally extending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region 36 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138 in the back waist region 38.

0054In one embodiment, referring to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, a chassis 100 of the absorbent article 10 may comprise a first longitudinally extending side edge 137a and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 137b. Both of the side edges 137 may extend longitudinally between the front waist end edge 136 and the back waist end edge 138. The chassis 100 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region 36 and a portion of the longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138 in the back waist region 38. Furthermore, the chassis 100 may comprise an interior surface 102, an exterior surface 104, a longitudinal axis 42, and a lateral axis 44. The longitudinal axis 42 may extend through a midpoint of the front waist end edge 136 and through a midpoint of the back waist end edge 138, while the lateral axis 44 may extend through a midpoint of the first side edge 137a and through a midpoint of the second side edge 137b.

0055In various embodiments, a portion of or the whole absorbent article 10 may be made to be laterally extensible. The extensibility of the absorbent article 10 may be desirable in order to allow the absorbent article 10 to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. The extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in order to allow the caregiver to extend the front waist region 36, the back waist region 38, the crotch region 37, and/or the chassis 100 to provide additional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailor the absorbent article 10 to the individual wearer. Such extension may provide the absorbent article 10 with a generally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region 37 is extended to a relatively lesser degree than the waist regions 36 and/or 38. This extension may also impart a tailored appearance to the absorbent article 10 during use.

0056Any or all portions of the absorbent article may comprise a bacteriophage composition as described in <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US61931229" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Serial No. 61/931,229</text></patcit>, titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES COMPRISING BACTERIOPHAGES AND RELATED METHODS, and filed on January 24, 2014.

TOPSHEET

0057The absorbent article 10 comprises a topsheet 81. The topsheet 81 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and may be elastically stretchable in one or more directions. Further, the topsheet 81 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) to penetrate through its thickness. Various topsheets may also comprise a hydrophilic material, for example, which is configured to draw bodily fluids into an absorbent core of the chassis 100 when these fluids are expelled from the body. A suitable topsheet 81 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials, apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films, apertured nonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and/or thermoplastic scrims, for example. Suitable apertured films may comprise those described in <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US3929135A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US4324246A"><text>4,324,246</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US4342314A"><text>4,342,314</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US4463045A"><text>4,463,045</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="US5006394A"><text>5,006,394</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="US5628097A"><text>5,628,097</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="US5916661A"><text>5,916,661</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="US6545197B"><text>6,545,197</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0013" dnum="US6107539A"><text>6,107,539</text></patcit>.

0058Apertured film or nonwoven topsheets typically may be pervious to bodily exudates, yet non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as, for example, wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as, for example, polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 81 comprises fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed, for example, as is generally known in the art.

0059The topsheet may comprise a skin care lotion. Examples of suitable lotions include, but are not limited to, those described in <patcit id="pcit0014" dnum="US5607760A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,607,760</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0015" dnum="US5609587A"><text>5,609,587</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0016" dnum="US5635191A"><text>5,635,191</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0017" dnum="US5643588A"><text>5,643,588</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0018" dnum="US5968025A"><text>5,968,025</text></patcit>, and as described in <patcit id="pcit0019" dnum="US61391353" dnum-type="L"><text>U.S. Application No. 61/391,353</text></patcit>.

0060In one embodiment, the topsheet may comprise graphics (e.g., 116 in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref>) such that depth perception is created as described in <patcit id="pcit0020" dnum="US7163528B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,528</text></patcit>.

BACKSHEET

0061The absorbent article 10 comprises a backsheet 83. The backsheet 83 may be impervious, or at least partially impervious, to fluids or body exudates (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 83 may prevent the body exudates or fluids absorbed and contained in an absorbent core of the absorbent article 10 from wetting articles which contact the absorbent article 10, such as bedsheets, pajamas, clothes, and/or undergarments. The backsheet 83 may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising a film and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). A suitable backsheet may comprise a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Examples of polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-120 and BR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under the designation XP-39385.

0062One suitable material for the backsheet can be a liquid impervious thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.50 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), for example including polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the backsheet can have a basis weight of from about 5 g/m² to about 35 g/m². The backsheet can be typically positioned adjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core and can be joined thereto. For example, the backsheet may be secured to the absorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Illustrative, but nonlimiting adhesives, include adhesives manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., and marketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment device including an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0021" dnum="US4573986A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986</text></patcit>. Another suitable attachment device including several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in <patcit id="pcit0022" dnum="US3911173A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,911,173</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0023" dnum="US4785996A"><text>4,785,996</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0024" dnum="US4842666A"><text>4,842,666</text></patcit>. Alternatively, the attachment device may include heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment device or combinations of these attachment devices.

0063In one embodiment, the backsheet 83 may be embossed and/or matte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Further, the backsheet 83 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core of the absorbent article 10 (i.e., the backsheet 83 is breathable) while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, fluids or body exudates from passing through the backsheet 83. In one embodiment, the size of the backsheet 83 may be dictated by the size of the absorbent article 10 and the design or configuration of the absorbent article 10 to be formed, for example.

ABSORBENT CORE

0064The absorbent article 10 comprises an absorbent core (also referred to as an "absorbent member" or "absorbent assembly" or "absorbent structure" or "absorbent composite") 200 that may be disposed between the topsheet 81 and the backsheet 83. The absorbent core 200 may comprise a laterally extending front edge 236 in the front waist region 36, a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge 238 in the back waist region 38, a first longitudinally extending side edge 237a, and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 237b. Both of the side edges 237 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 236 and the back edge 238. In one embodiment, more than one absorbent core 200 or more than one absorbent core layer may be provided in an absorbent article 10, for example. The absorbent core 200 may be any suitable size or shape that is compatible with the absorbent article 10. Example absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 200 of the present disclosure that have achieved acceptance and commercial success are described in <patcit id="pcit0025" dnum="US4610678A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0026" dnum="US4673402A"><text>4,673,402</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0027" dnum="US4888231A"><text>4,888,231</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0028" dnum="US4834735A"><text>4,834,735</text></patcit>.

0065In one embodiment, suitable absorbent cores may comprise cellulosic airfelt material. For instance, such absorbent cores may comprise less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even 1% of the cellulosic airfelt material as determined by weight. Additionally, such an absorbent core may be primarily comprised of an absorbent gelling material in amounts of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100% as determined by weight. Furthermore, a portion of the absorbent core may comprise a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such absorbent cores, microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in <patcit id="pcit0029" dnum="US5599335A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0030" dnum="US5562646A"><text>5,562,646</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0031" dnum="US5669894A"><text>5,669,894</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0032" dnum="US6790798B"><text>6,790,798</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0033" dnum="US7521587B"><text>7,521,587</text></patcit> and in <patcit id="pcit0034" dnum="US20040158212A"><text>U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2004/0158212</text></patcit>.

0066In one embodiment, the core, including multiple layers making up the core system, may be printed and embossed as described in <patcit id="pcit0035" dnum="US8536401B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 8,536,401</text></patcit>.

0067In one embodiment, the core may be separable from the chassis as disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0036" dnum="US6989006B"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,006</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0037" dnum="US7381202B"><text>7,381,202</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0038" dnum="US7175613B"><text>7,175,613</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0039" dnum="US7824386B"><text>7,824,386</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0040" dnum="US7766887B"><text>7,766,887</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0041" dnum="US6989005B"><text>6,989,005</text></patcit>. In such embodiments, the measurements described in this disclosure may be made to the chassis alone or may be made to the chassis in combination with the separable core/absorbent assembly.

0068In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure, and particularly, a portion where the absorbent member is disposed, may have a body fluid absorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to <patcit id="pcit0042" dnum="US6649810B"><text>US Pat. No. 6,649,810</text></patcit>. According to <patcit id="pcit0043" dnum="US6649810B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810</text></patcit>, the expression "the portion (of the absorbent article) where the absorbent member is disposed" is intended to mean the portion occupied by the absorbent member when the absorbent article is flatly unfolded and seen in its plan view.

0069In one embodiment, the absorbent structure may have an intake factor greater than 3 according to <patcit id="pcit0044" dnum="US7073373B"><text>US Pat. No. 7,073,373</text></patcit>, wherein the intake factor is defined as the absorbent core permeability divided by the normalized retention capacity (which is defined by the Retention Capacity Test - also according to <patcit id="pcit0045" dnum="US7073373A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 7,073, 373</text></patcit>).

0070In one embodiment, the absorbent composite has a body fluid absorption greater than 75 g/100 cm², according to <patcit id="pcit0046" dnum="US6649810B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810</text></patcit>.

0071In one embodiment, a target location of the absorbent article may have a wicking value greater than 36%, according to <patcit id="pcit0047" dnum="US6383960B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,960</text></patcit>.

0072In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a bending stiffness between 0.05-1.0 gf, according to <patcit id="pcit0048" dnum="US5810796A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,796</text></patcit>.

0073In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a crotch fluid absorption rate greater than 3g/sec according to <patcit id="pcit0049" dnum="US6649810B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810</text></patcit>.In one embodiment, a freeze-dried composite of the absorbent composite may have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubic centimeters (cc) of liquid/second at 80% composite saturation according to <patcit id="pcit0050" dnum="US6689934B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,934</text></patcit>.

0074In some embodiments the absorbent core 200 may comprise channels as described in <patcit id="pcit0051" dnum="US8568566B"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 8,568,566</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0052" dnum="US2012316046A"><text>U.S. Pub. Nos. 2012/316046</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0053" dnum="US2014027066A"><text>2014/027066</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0054" dnum="US2014163500A"><text>2014/163500</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0055" dnum="US2014163506A"><text>2014/163506</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0056" dnum="US2014163511A"><text>2014/163511</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0057" dnum="US2012316526A"><text>2012/316526</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0058" dnum="US2012316527A"><text>2012/316527</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0059" dnum="US2012316528A"><text>2012/316528</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0060" dnum="US2012316529A"><text>2012/316529</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0061" dnum="US2012316523A"><text>2012/316523</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0062" dnum="US2014163501A"><text>2014/163501</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0063" dnum="US2014163502A"><text>2014/163502</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0064" dnum="US2014163503A"><text>2014/163503</text></patcit> and European Pub. Nos. <patcit id="pcit0065" dnum="EP2532328A"><text>2532328</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0066" dnum="EP2532329A"><text>2532329</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0067" dnum="EP2717823A"><text>2717823</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0068" dnum="EP2717820A"><text>2717820</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0069" dnum="EP2717821A"><text>2717821</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0070" dnum="EP2717822A"><text>2717822</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0071" dnum="EP2532332A"><text>2532332</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0072" dnum="EP2740449A"><text>2740449</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0073" dnum="EP2740452A"><text>2740452</text></patcit>.

LEG CUFFS

0075In one embodiment, referring to <figref idref="f0013">Figs. 13</figref> and <figref idref="f0014">14</figref>, the chassis 100 of the absorbent article 10 may comprise longitudinally extending and laterally opposing leg cuffs 147a and 147b that are disposed on the interior surface of the chassis 100 that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer. The leg cuffs 147a and 147b may comprise one or more elastic gathering members disposed at or adjacent the proximal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs 147. In addition, the elastic gathering members of the leg cuff may also comprise one or more elastic strands 146 disposed at or adjacent the distal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs 147. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise several embodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates or fluids in the leg regions. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 are sometimes referred to as leg bands, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasketing cuffs. Suitable elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. <patcit id="pcit0074" dnum="US3860003A"><text>3,860,003</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0075" dnum="US4909803A"><text>4,909,803</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0076" dnum="US4695278A"><text>4,695,278</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0077" dnum="US4795454A"><text>4,795,454</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0078" dnum="US4704115A"><text>4,704,115</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0079" dnum="US4909803A"><text>4,909,803</text></patcit>, and U.S. Pat. Publ. No.<patcit id="pcit0080" dnum="US20090312730A"><text> 2009/0312730</text></patcit>. The leg cuffs 147 may be formed by folding portions of the chassis 100 laterally inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis 42, to form both the respective leg cuffs 147 and the side edges 137a and b of the chassis 100. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis 100 at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges 137a and 137b of the chassis 100. In one embodiment, the chassis 100 may also comprise other elastics disposed adjacent the side edges 137 which may cause the article 10 to form into a "U" shape when allowed to relax thereby pulling the interior surface 102 of the front waist region 36 toward the interior surface 102 of the back waist region 38.

0076In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may comprise a proximal edge 157a and 157b. These edges 157a and 157b are positioned proximate to the longitudinal axis 42 compared to distal edges 139a and 139b. The leg cuffs 147 may overlap the absorbent core 200, i.e., the proximal edges 157a and 157b lie laterally inward of the respective side edges 237a and 237b of the absorbent core 200. Such an overlapped configuration may be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to the absorbent article 10 than that imparted by a non-overlapped configuration. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may not overlap the absorbent core 200.

0077In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may be attached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 in a leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the front waist end edge 136 and in a longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the back waist end edge 138. In one embodiment, between the leg cuff attachment zones, the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 remains free, i.e., not attached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 or to the absorbent core 200. Also, between the longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zones, each leg cuff 147 may comprise one or more (specifically including one, two, three, or four elastic strands per leg cuff 147) longitudinally extensible cuff elastic gathering members 159 that may be disposed at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 by any suitable methods. Each of such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be attached over the leg cuff's entire length or over only a portion of the leg cuff's length. For example, such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be attached only at or near the leg cuff's longitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of the leg cuff's length. Such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be disposed in the crotch region 37 and may extend into one or both of the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. For example, an elastic gathering member 159 may be attached at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of each of the leg cuffs 147 and extends into both the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38.

0078In various embodiments, each cuff elastic gathering member 159 may be enclosed inside a folded hem for example. In various embodiments, the cuff elastic gathering members 159 may be sandwiched between two layers forming the leg cuff 147, by two layers of the chassis 100, or may be attached on a surface of the chassis 100 or the leg cuff 147 and remain exposed.

0079In one embodiment, when stretched, the cuff elastic gathering member 159 disposed adjacent to each leg cuff's proximal edge 157 allows the leg cuff proximal edge 157 to extend to the flat uncontracted length of the chassis 100, e.g., the length of the chassis 100. When allowed to relax, the cuff elastic gathering member 159 contracts to pull the front waist region 36 and the back waist region 38 toward each other and, thereby, bend the article 10 into a "U" shape in which the interior of the "U" shape may be formed by the portions of the article 10 that are intended to be placed toward the body of the wearer (i.e., interior surface 102). Because each of the proximal edges 157 remains free between the longitudinally oriented leg cuff attachment zones, the contractive force of the elastic gathering member 159 may lift the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 away from the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100. This lifting of the proximal edges 157 when the article 10 is in the relaxed condition lifts the leg cuffs 147 into a position to serve as side barriers to prevent, or at least inhibit, leakage of bodily exudates.

0080Examples of acceptable leg cuffs 147 are disclosed in U.S.S.N. <patcit id="pcit0081" dnum="US13457521B"><text>13/457,521, filed April 27, 2012</text></patcit>, including the configurations disclosed by <figref idref="f0008">Figures 8a-t</figref> of the '521 application.

WAISTBAND

0081In one embodiment, referring to <figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref>, the article 10 may comprise an elasticized waistband 112a and b. The elasticized waistband may provide improved fit and containment and may be configured to elastically expand and contract laterally to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. The elasticized waistband may extend longitudinally outwardly from the waist edge of the absorbent article 10 toward the waist edge of the absorbent core 200. In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have two elasticized waistbands, one positioned in the back waist region 38 and one positioned in the front waist region 36, although other pant embodiments may be constructed with a single elasticized waistband. The elasticized waistband may be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in <patcit id="pcit0082" dnum="US4515595A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0083" dnum="US5151092A"><text>5,151,092</text></patcit>.

0082In one embodiment, the elasticized waistbands may comprise materials that have been "prestrained" or "mechanically prestrained" (i.e., subjected to some degree of localized pattern mechanical stretching to permanently elongate the material). The materials may be prestrained using suitable deep embossing techniques. In other embodiments, the materials may be prestrained by directing the material through an incremental mechanical stretching system as described in <patcit id="pcit0084" dnum="US5330458A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,458</text></patcit>. The materials may then be allowed to return to their substantially untensioned condition, thus forming a zero strain stretch material that is extensible, at least up to the point of initial stretching. Examples of zero strain materials are disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0085" dnum="US2075189A"><text>U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,075,189</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0086" dnum="US3025199A"><text>3,025,199</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0087" dnum="US4107364A"><text>4,107,364</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0088" dnum="US4209563A"><text>4,209,563</text></patcit>,<patcit id="pcit0089" dnum="US4834741A"><text> 4,834,741</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0090" dnum="US5151092A"><text>5,151,092</text></patcit>.

FLAPS

0083The flaps 189 (a-d) may be discrete from or integral with the chassis 100. A discrete flap is formed as separate element, which is joined to the chassis 100. In some embodiments, this includes a plurality of flaps, e.g. 2 or 4 (often referred to as ear panels or side flaps) being joined to the side edges 137 a and b of the chassis in the front and/or rear waist regions 36 and 38 (see <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0013 f0017">13-17</figref>). In other embodiments this may include a front and/or back belt-like flaps ("belts") being joined across the front and back (or rear) waist regions of the chassis 100, at least across end edges of the chassis 136 and 138 (see <figref idref="f0001">Figs. 1</figref> and <figref idref="f0019">19</figref>). In some embodiments the waistbands 112 can overlap the flaps to create a continuous belt-like structure (see <figref idref="f0014">Fig.14</figref>).

0084The belt-like flaps and may comprise an inner nonwoven layer and an outer nonwoven layer and elastics there between. The inner and outer nonwoven layers may be joined using adhesive or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt-like flap configurations can be found in <patcit id="pcit0091" dnum="US20130211363A"><text>U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211363</text></patcit>.

0085An integral flap is a portion, one or more layers, of the chassis that projects laterally outward from the longitudinal edge. The integral flap may be formed by cutting the chassis to include the shape of the flap projection.

0086While many of the embodiments illustrated in this application having belt-like flaps are pant articles, taped articles may have belt-like flaps disposed in one or both waist regions as well.

0087The structure of flaps play an important role in the functionality of the absorbent article and are fundamentally different than the elastics used in underwear. As mentioned above, incontinence events, such as SUI and UUI, can result in a high flow rate and/or a full bladder release. The amounts of urine expelled during the incontinence events can vary wildly given the type of urinary incontinence as well as other circumstances such as time since last bathroom visit, amount of fluid intake, day or night, etc. Loadings can range from as low as a few drops of urine to loadings as high as 600 mls. It is not unusual to have single loadings as high as 300, 400 and even 500 mls. These levels of loading present a significant downward force associated with the loading which can be a pound or more. This downward force must be compensated for by the absorbent article chassis in order to minimize sagging, gapping and leakage. In order to sustain the fit of the article even after loading the article comprises elastomeric element(s) 146, including films and/or strands) that are disposed proximate to and along the side seams 280a and b (see, for example, <figref idref="f0015">Fig.15</figref>, where the elastomeric elements 146 terminate proximate to and along the length of the seams 280a and b) of the article and extend laterally from one side toward the other. These elastomeric element(s) should create a normal force against the body sufficient to anchor the article. The location of the elastomeric element(s), as well as the forces exerted by the elastomeric element(s) can be varied to ensure proper anchoring at the hips and along the body specifically across the front waist region and in the back waist region. One form of anchoring beneficial for sustaining the fit of a loaded article is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0092" dnum="US5358500A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,500</text></patcit> Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit issued Oct 25, 1994 to LaVon, et al. It should also be noted that regular underwear with elastic along the waist edge and leg edges would not typically provide sufficient support to sustain the fit of the underwear if a weight of 300-600 grams was applied to the crotch region of the underwear. This paragraph illustrates another fundamental reason why proper Body Rise/Length of the absorbent article is key to maintain contact and gasketing, as well as proper anchoring on the body to overcome the fit degrading forces associated with high loadings.

0088The seams 280a and b may each be from about 150 mm to about 200 mm, from about 160 mm to about 190 mm, or from about 170 mm to about 180 mm. The seams are the portions of the flap that overlap (i.e., the distance from the waist opening to the leg opening of the overlapped or abutted flaps).

FASTENING SYSTEM

0089The absorbent article may also include a fastening system. When fastened, the fastening system interconnects the front waist region 36 and the rear waist region 38 resulting in a waist circumference that may encircle the wearer during wear of the absorbent article 10. The fastened elements connecting the front and back waist regions form refastenable side seams. This may be accomplished by flaps 189 a and b in the back waist region interconnecting with flaps 189 c and d in the front waist region or by flaps in the back waist region interconnecting with the chassis 100 in the front waist region. The fastening system may comprises a fastener 53 a and b such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs &amp; slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. The fasteners may releasably engage with a landing zone 118, which may be a woven or nonwoven. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0093" dnum="US3848594A"><text>U.S. Patent Nos. 3,848,594</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0094" dnum="US4662875A"><text>4,662,875</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0095" dnum="US4846815A"><text>4,846,815</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0096" dnum="US4894060A"><text>4,894,060</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0097" dnum="US4946527A"><text>4,946,527</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0098" dnum="US5151092A"><text>5,151,092</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0099" dnum="US5221274A"><text>5,221,274</text></patcit>. Particularly, the flaps may be configured as described and illustrated in <figref idref="f0003">Figs. 3A-C</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4A-k</figref> of U.S.S.N. <patcit id="pcit0100" dnum="US61666065B"><text>61/666,065, filed on June 29, 2012</text></patcit>, titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT REFASTENABLE PANTS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME. Further, the absorbent articles of this disclosure may be manufactured in accordance with the descriptions and illustrations of U.S.S.N. <patcit id="pcit0101" dnum="US61666065B"><text>61/666,065</text></patcit> (see, for example, <figref idref="f0005 f0010">Figs. 5-10C</figref> of the '065 application). An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0102" dnum="US6432098B"><text>U.S. Patent No. 6,432,098</text></patcit>. The fastening system may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0103" dnum="US4963140A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140</text></patcit>. The fastening system may also include primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0104" dnum="US4699622A"><text>U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622</text></patcit>. The fastening system may be constructed to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0105" dnum="US5242436A"><text>U.S. Patent Nos. 5,242,436</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0106" dnum="US5499978A"><text>5,499,978</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0107" dnum="US5507736A"><text>5,507,736</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0108" dnum="US5591152A"><text>5,591,152</text></patcit>.

IDENTICAL OR SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL CHASSIS

0090As disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0109" dnum="US20130211355A"><text>U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355</text></patcit>, it may be desirable to offer an array of packages for fitting different sized wearers, but comprising identical or substantially identical chassis. For instance, an array may comprise a first package comprising a first size of absorbent articles and a second package may comprise a second size of absorbent articles, where the first and second packages comprise identical or substantially identical chassis as described in <patcit id="pcit0110" dnum="US20130211355A"><text>U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355</text></patcit>. More particularly, the first package may comprise a first chassis and the second package may comprise a second chassis, where each of the first and second chassis comprise the same dimensions of one or more of: core width at the lateral centerline, core width at one of the front or rear core end, a distance from a left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff distal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a right inner cuff proximal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a free height of the inner cuff, inner cuff hem fold width, inner cuff elastics length, outer cuff elastics length, core length, and backsheet width.

0091Further, each of the first and second chassis may comprise identical chemical compositions of one or more of a topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, core nonwoven, core tissue, leg cuff film, leg cuff nonwoven, super absorbent polymer adhesive, core nonwoven adhesive, leg cuff elastic adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

0092And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise the same basis weight of one or more of the topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, leg cuff nonwoven, leg cuff film, super absorbent polymer adhesive, leg cuff adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

0093And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise compositionally identical core super absorbent polymers. The first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may be composed of the compositionally identical materials.

0094And, the core adhesives of the first and second chassis may be the same adhesive(s). The first and second chassis may comprise core super absorbent polymers that are in the same chemical class and subclass.

0095And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise first and second wetness indicators, respectively, and wherein the first and second wetness indicators are compositionally identical.

0096Further, the inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The distance from the left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge may the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to left outer cuff distal edge may be the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to the right inner cuff proximal edge is the same. The lengths of the inner and outer cuffs are the same.

0097In some embodiments, different size offerings in an array may have identical or substantially identical chassis as the flaps or belts may be used to enable the absorbent article to fit different sized wearers. For example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length due to disposition of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article. As a second example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length and/or width due to the size of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article.

0098In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis compositionally, but not dimensionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis dimensionally, but not compositionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis cross-sectionally, but not dimensionally, and not compositionally. In still other embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have two, but not three of (1) compositionally, (2) dimensionally, and (3) cross-sectionally identical chassis.

TEST METHODS

Product Measurement Preparation

0099All measurements are conducted at 22° C +/- 2° and 50% RH +/- 20%.

Physical Measurements

0100Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on 10 separate like specimens and the average of the 10 separate like specimens is considered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Product Length of an absorbent article

0101Defined as the longitudinal distance between the first waist edge 136 to the second waist edge 138 as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>. For a closed form pant, the product is cut along the side seams 280a and 280b (see <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref>). The product is held at the first waist edge 136. The second waist edge 138 is pulled longitudinally with a force of 20 N (4.5 lbs) along the direction of the longitudinal axis 42. The average of several measurements of the distance between the first waist edge 136 and second waist edge 138 as measured along the length of the product is considered to be the Product Length.

0102Each of the measurements above is recorded to within +/- 1.0 mm.