Absorbent article

Abstract

Asymmetrical absorbent articles having printed regions to facilitate individual placement of the absorbent article are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline, the absorbent article further comprising:
 a topsheet;   a backsheet;   an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   a first half of the article located on one side of the transverse centerline and a second half of the article located on the opposite side of the transverse centerline;   a pair of wings extending laterally from the article, each of the wings configured for wrapping around a portion of a user's undergarment and comprising a wing length, wherein 70% or more of the wing length is positioned on the first half;   a first end associated with the first half;   a second end associated with the second half, wherein the second end comprises a maximum width that is at least 20% greater than that of the first end so that the first end and the second end are asymmetrical about the transverse centerline; and   a printed region on at least one of the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core, the printed region intersecting the longitudinal centerline and having a length which is oriented generally parallel thereto, wherein the printed region exists in the first half, and wherein the printed region is partially framed by a pair of embossed channels which extend generally in a transverse direction and are generally concave to the transverse centerline.   
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein each of the pair of embossed channels are disposed in the second half. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of embossed channels is disposed in the second half, and one of the pair of embossed channels is disposed in the first half. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the topsheet and the absorbent core. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article of  claim 4 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate layer comprises a support layer disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article of  claim 6 , wherein the support layer comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the support layer extends laterally outward of the absorbent core in the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the printed region does not exist in the second half. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein more than 90% of the wing length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the printed region has a printed area and wherein more than 70% of the printed area is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the printed region comprises a printed length and wherein more than 70% of the printed length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article has an overall length of at least 330 millimeters.