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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a central lateral axis;   a central longitudinal axis;   a liquid permeable topsheet;   a liquid impermeable backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet;   a first waist region;   a second waist region;   a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region;   an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article;   a pair of leg cuffs;   a fully 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 on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; and 
 a second fastener on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end, wherein the fully removable fastening member has a slot or aperture defined therethrough, and wherein the slot or aperture is positioned intermediate the first fastener and the second fastener; and 
   a discrete wetness guard in the first waist region or the second waist region, wherein the wetness guard forms a portion of a wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the wetness guard comprises a laminate comprising:
 a first liquid impermeable layer facing the topsheet; and   liquid permeable layer forming a portion of the wearer-facing surface.   
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the wetness guard comprises a hydrophilic nonwoven material and is free of a film. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the wetness guard is in the first waist region, wherein the absorbent article comprises a second wetness guard in the second waist region, and wherein the second wetness guard forms a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener comprises a first plurality of hooks configured to engage the outer cover material, and wherein the second fastener comprises a second plurality of hooks configured to engage the outer cover material. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid permeable topsheet comprises natural fibers. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article has a folded crotch width of less than about 35 mm, according to the Folded Crotch Width Test. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a first waist edge in the first waist region and a second waist edge in the second waist region, and wherein the first waist edge and/or the second waist edge has a first umbilical cord notch defined therein. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a first waist edge in the first waist region and a second waist edge in the second waist region, and wherein the first waist edge and/or the second waist edge comprises a first umbilical cord projection. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the topsheet comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein the absorbent article comprises an acquisition layer positioned at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the outer cover material has an Opacity in the range of about 5% to about 30%, according to the Opacity Test, and wherein the backsheet has an Opacity in the range of about 15% to about 70%, according to the Opacity Test. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , 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 central lateral axis in the second waist region, wherein the absorbent material has a third width in the direction parallel to the central lateral axis, in the crotch region, and wherein the first width and the second width are greater than the third width. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening member comprises:
 a first nonwoven material forming a portion of the first surface;   a second nonwoven material forming a portion of the second surface; and   an elastic material positioned at least partially between the first nonwoven material and the second nonwoven material.   
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , comprising a pair of crotch narrowing joints in the crotch region, wherein the pair of crotch narrowing joints each comprise a bond positioned between a portion of the backsheet and a portion of the leg cuffs. 
     
     
         15 . 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 mirror images of each other, relative to the central lateral axis, to indicate reversibility of the absorbent article to a caregiver. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the discrete 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 discrete 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 discrete wetness guard is joined to the leg cuffs and/or the topsheet proximate to the second side edge of the absorbent article. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete wetness guard has a first end positioned proximate to the first end edge of the absorbent article, wherein the discrete 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 discrete wetness guard has at least a portion that is free of attachment with the topsheet. 
     
     
         18 . A kit comprising:
 the absorbent article of  claim 1 ; and   an insert configured to be positioned on the wearer-facing surface of the absorbent article.   
     
     
         19 . A package comprising a plurality of the absorbent articles of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a central lateral axis;   a central longitudinal axis;   a liquid permeable topsheet;   a liquid impermeable backsheet;   an absorbent core positioned at least partially intermediate the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet;   a first waist region;   a second waist region;   a crotch region extending intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region;   an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article;   a pair of leg cuffs; and   a fully 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 on the first surface and positioned proximate to the first end; and 
 a second fastener on the first surface and positioned proximate to the second end, wherein the fully removable fastening member has a slot or aperture defined therethrough, and wherein the slot or aperture is positioned intermediate the first fastener and the second fastener.