Configurable absorbent articles

Abstract

Configurable absorbent articles are provided. The absorbent articles may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent articles may comprise a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region, and an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article. The absorbent articles may comprise a pair of leg cuffs and a fully removable fastening member. The fastening member may comprise a first fastener on a first surface of the fastening member and positioned proximate to a first end and a second fastener on the first surface and positioned proximate to a second end. The absorbent articles may also comprise a wetness guard.

1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a central lateral axis;   a central longitudinal axis;   a first end edge;   a second end edge opposing the first end edge;   a first side edge;   a second side edge opposing the first side edge;   a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis;   a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis;   a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis;   a liquid permeable topsheet;   a liquid impermeable backsheet;   an acquisition material;   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the acquisition material and the liquid impermeable backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material has a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region, and wherein the first width and the second width are greater than the third width;   a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges;   an outer cover material joined to a non-absorbent core facing side of the backsheet and forming at least a portion of a garment-facing side of the absorbent article;   a first wetness guard in the first waist region, wherein the first wetness guard comprises:
 a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; 
   a second wetness guard in the second waist region, wherein the second wetness guard comprises:
 a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; and 
   a removable fastening member, wherein the removable fastener is fully removable from the absorbent article, the removable fastening member comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite to the first surface; 
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite to the first end; 
 a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; and 
 a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end; 
   wherein the first wetness guard is free of any fasteners;   wherein the second wetness guard is free of any fasteners;   wherein the outer cover material is free of a discrete landing zone for the first and second pluralities of hooks; and   wherein the absorbent article has a crotch width of less than 45 mm, according to the Folded Crotch Width Test herein.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first width of the absorbent material and the second width of the absorbent material are substantially the same. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a first graphic in the first waist region, wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a second graphic in the second waist region, and wherein the first and second graphics are the same, or substantially the same, to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a first graphic in the first waist region, wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a second graphic in the second waist region, wherein the first and second graphics are mirror images of each other, relative to the central lateral axis, to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver, and wherein the first and second pluralities of hooks are configured to engage portions of the outer cover material. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a second removable fastening member comprising:
 a first surface;   a second surface opposite to the first surface;   a first end;   a second end opposite to the first end;   a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; and   a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end.   
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the removable fastening member defines a slot or aperture therethrough, wherein the slot or aperture is positioned intermediate the first end and the second end, and wherein the slot or aperture is configured to receive a tube or hose therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein, when the absorbent article is laid flat, elastic contraction pulled out, the absorbent article has a length, in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis, of less than 300 mm and a width, in a direction parallel to a central lateral axis, of less than 130 mm. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first wetness guard is a discrete component that is joined to a first portion of the topsheet and/or first portions of the leg cuffs, and wherein the second wetness guard is a discrete component that is joined to a second portion of the topsheet and/or second portions of the leg cuffs. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the first wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the first end edge of the absorbent article, wherein a second portion of the first wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the first side edge of the absorbent article, and wherein a third portion of the first wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the second side edge of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 10 , wherein the first wetness guard has a first end positioned proximate to the first end edge of the absorbent article, wherein the first wetness guard has a second end positioned intermediate the first end edge of the absorbent article and the central lateral axis, and wherein the second end of the first wetness guard has at least a portion that is free of attachment with the topsheet. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the second wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the first end edge of the absorbent article, wherein a second portion of the second wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the first side edge of the absorbent article, and wherein a third portion of the second wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the second side edge of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 12 , wherein the second wetness guard has a first end positioned proximate to the first end edge of the absorbent article, wherein the second wetness guard has a second end positioned intermediate the second end edge of the absorbent article and the central lateral axis, and wherein the second end of the second wetness guard has at least a portion that is free of attachment with the topsheet. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the removable fastening member comprises a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, and an elastic material positioned therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 14 , wherein the elastic material is apertured. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article has a Crotch Compression Force in the range of about 0.4N to about 1.5N, according to the Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test herein. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein each of the leg cuffs comprises three longitudinally extending fold lines. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first wetness guard overlaps a first portion of the absorbent core, and wherein the second wetness guard overlaps a second, different portion of the absorbent core. 
     
     
         19 . A package comprising a plurality of the absorbent articles of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent core comprises a core bag enclosing the absorbent material, and wherein the core bag is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         21 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a central lateral axis;   a central longitudinal axis;   a first end edge;   a second end edge opposing the first end edge;   a first side edge;   a second side edge opposing the first side edge;   a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis;   a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis;   a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis;   a liquid permeable topsheet;   a liquid impermeable backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises a generally rectangular core bag comprising an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material has a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region, and wherein the first width and the second width are greater than the third width;   a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges;   an outer cover material joined to a non-absorbent core facing side of the backsheet and forming at least a portion of a garment-facing side of the absorbent article;   a first wetness guard in the first waist region, wherein the first wetness guard comprises:
 a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; 
   a second wetness guard in the second waist region, wherein the second wetness guard comprises:
 a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; and 
   a removable fastening member, wherein the removable fastening member is fully removable from the absorbent article, the removable fastening member comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite to the first surface; 
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite to the first end; 
 a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; and 
 a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end; 
   wherein the first wetness guard is free of any fasteners;   wherein the second wetness guard is free of any fasteners; and   wherein the absorbent article has a Crotch Compression Force in the range of about 0.4N to about 1.5N, according to the Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test herein.   
     
     
         22 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a central lateral axis;   a central longitudinal axis;   a first end edge;   a second end edge opposing the first end edge;   a first side edge;   a second side edge opposing the first side edge;   a first waist region on a first side of the central lateral axis;   a second waist region on a second side of the central lateral axis;   a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region and crossing the central lateral axis;   a liquid permeable, apertured topsheet, wherein the topsheet is hydrophobic;   a liquid impermeable backsheet;   an acquisition material;   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the acquisition material and the liquid impermeable backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises a generally rectangular core bag comprising an absorbent material, wherein the absorbent material has a first width, in a direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the first waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a second width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the second waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a third width, in the direction parallel to the lateral axis, in the crotch region, and wherein the first width and the second width are greater than the third width;   a pair of leg cuffs positioned proximal to the first and second side edges;   a first wetness guard in the first waist region, wherein the first wetness guard comprises:
 a first liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a second liquid permeable material forming a first portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; 
   a second wetness guard in the second waist region, wherein the second wetness guard comprises:
 a third liquid impermeable material in a facing relationship with the topsheet; and 
 a fourth liquid permeable material forming a second portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article; 
   wherein the first wetness guard overlaps a first portion of the absorbent core, and wherein the second wetness guard overlaps a second, different portion of the absorbent core;   wherein the first wetness guard is a discrete component that is joined to a first portion of the topsheet and/or first portions of the leg cuffs, and wherein the second wetness guard is a discrete component that is joined to a second portion of the topsheet and/or second portions of the leg cuffs;   a removable fastening member, wherein the removable fastening member is fully removable from the absorbent article, the removable fastening member comprising:
 a first surface; 
 a second surface opposite to the first surface; 
 a first end; 
 a second end opposite to the first end; 
 a first fastener comprising a first plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; 
 a second fastener comprising a second plurality of hooks on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end; and 
   an outer cover material joined to a non-absorbent core facing side of the backsheet, wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a first graphic in the first waist region, wherein the outer cover material or the backsheet comprises a second graphic in the second waist region, and wherein the second graphic is a mirror image of the first graphic relative to the central longitudinal axis to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver;   wherein the first wetness guard is free of any fasteners;   wherein the second wetness guard is free of any fasteners; and   wherein the absorbent article has a crotch width of less than 45 mm, according to the Folded Crotch Width Test herein; and   wherein the absorbent article has a Crotch Compression Force in the range of about 0.4N to about 1.5N, according to the Crotch Compression Force Measurement Test herein.