Absorbent article having functional enhancement indicators

Abstract

An absorbent article having a body-facing surface, a first end region a second end region, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet is described. The absorbent article being adapted for placement in an undergarment has a crotch portion disposed between the first end region and the second end region; a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, the centerlines being perpendicular to one another in the plane of the absorbent article when in a flat-out configuration. The absorbent article is asymmetric about the transverse centerline and has a first functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface and provides visually and tactilely perceptible indication of the first end region. A second functional enhancement indicator perceptible from the body-facing surface providing visually and tactilely perceptible indication of a region of fluid entry in the absorbent article is also included.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article having a body-facing surface, a first end region a second end region, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent article being adapted for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion disposed between the first end region and the second end region, the absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, the centerlines being perpendicular to one another in the plane of the absorbent article when in a flat out configuration, the absorbent article being asymmetric about the transverse centerline, and the absorbent article further comprising a first functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface, wherein the first functional enhancement indicator provides visually and tactilely perceptible indication of the first end region, and further comprising a second functional enhancement indicator perceptible from the body-facing surface, wherein the second functional enhancement indicator provides visually and tactilely perceptible indication of a region of fluid entry in the absorbent article. 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article comprises an absorbent core having a thickness of less than about 5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article is a sanitary napkin or pantyliner. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first enhancement indicator and the second enhancement indicator comprise a plurality of embossments. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first functional enhancement indicator is symmetric about the longitudinal centerline. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or the second functional enhancement indicator comprises dots and lines. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the second functional enhancement indicator comprises printing registered with an embossing. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first functional enhancement indicator comprises printing registered with an embossing. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 7 , wherein the first functional enhancement indicator comprises printing registered with an embossing. 
     
     
         10 . An absorbent article having a body-facing surface, a first end region a second end region, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the absorbent article being adapted for placement in an undergarment having a crotch portion disposed between the first end region and the second end region, the absorbent article having a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, the centerlines being perpendicular to one another in the plane of the absorbent article when in a flat out configuration, the absorbent core being asymmetric about the transverse centerline, and the absorbent article further comprising a first functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface, wherein the first functional enhancement indicator provides visually and tactilely perceptible indication of a region of fluid entry in the absorbent article, and further comprising a second functional enhancement indicator visible from the body-facing surface, wherein the second functional enhancement indicator provides visually and tactilely perceptible indication of the second end region, wherein each of the first and second functional enhancement indicator comprise a plurality of embossments and a plurality of printed elements, wherein at least one embossment is registered with at least one printed element. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of printed elements are disposed subjacent to the body-facing surface.