Configurable absorbent articles having removable fastening members

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 leg cuffs and one or more fully removable fastening members. 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.

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 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;   an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming at least a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article;   a pair of leg cuffs;   an adjustable waist circumference;   a first fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the first 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; 
   a second fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, the second fully removable fastening member comprising:
 a third surface; 
 a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; 
 a third end; 
 a fourth end opposite to the third end; 
 a third fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the third end; and 
 a fourth fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the fourth end; 
   
       wherein a ratio of a length of the first fully removable fastening member to a total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.19; and
 wherein a ratio of a width of the first fully removable fastening member to a total width of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0. 
 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable waist circumference, using at least one of the first and second fully removable fastening members, is configured to fit a wearer waist or hip circumference in a range of about 70 mm to about 300 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener has an area in the range of about 0.0001 m2 to about 0.0005 m2. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the width of the first fully removable fastening member to the total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.5. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length of the first fastener to the total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.18. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a width of the first fastener to the total width of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.2. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a sum of the areas of the first fastener, the second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener to a total area of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.07 to about 0.15. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of an area of the first fastener to an area of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.04. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the first fully removable fastening member comprises a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, and an elastic material positioned at least partially between the first nonwoven material and the second nonwoven material. 
     
     
         10 . 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 herein. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent core comprises superabsorbent polymers. 
     
     
         12 . 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 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;   an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming at least a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article;   a pair of leg cuffs;   an adjustable waist circumference;   a first fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the first 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; 
   a second fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, the second fully removable fastening member comprising:
 a third surface; 
 a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; 
 a third end; 
 a fourth end opposite to the third end; 
 a third fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the third end; and 
 a fourth fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the fourth end; 
   
       wherein the first fully removable fastening member comprises a first nonwoven material, a second nonwoven material, and an elastic material positioned at least partially intermediate the first nonwoven material and the second nonwoven material; and
 wherein a ratio of a width of the first fully removable fastening member to a total width of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0. 
 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of a length of the first fully removable fastening member to a total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.19. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of the width of the first fully removable fastening member to a total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.5. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of a length of the first fastener to a total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.18. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of a width of the first fastener to the total width of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.2. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of a sum of the areas of the first fastener, the second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener to a total area of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.07 to about 0.15. 
     
     
         18 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein a ratio of an area of the first fastener to an area of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.015 to about 0.04. 
     
     
         19 . The absorbent article of  claim 13 , wherein the absorbent core comprises superabsorbent polymers. 
     
     
         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, wherein the absorbent core comprises a mixture of superabsorbent polymers and cellulosic material;   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;   an outer cover material joined to the backsheet and forming at least a portion of a garment-facing surface of the absorbent article;   a pair of leg cuffs;   an adjustable waist circumference;   a first fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, the first 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; 
   a second fully removable fastening member configured to join the first waist region to the second waist region on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, the second fully removable fastening member comprising:
 a third surface; 
 a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; 
 a third end; 
 a fourth end opposite to the third end; 
 a third fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the third end; and 
 a fourth fastener on the third surface and positioned proximate to the fourth end; 
   
       wherein a ratio of a length of the first fully removable fastening member to a total length of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.19; and
 wherein a ratio of a width of the first fully removable fastening member to a total width of the absorbent article is in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0.