Absorbent article having a breathable backsheet

Abstract

A disposable absorbent article having a breathable laminate backsheet. The absorbent article has a front waist region, a rear waist region, a crotch region positioned between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a pair of opposed side edges, a first end edge and a second end edge. The absorbent article includes an absorbent core having a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a garment-facing side and a body-facing side, and a breathable laminate backsheet disposed adjacent to the garment-facing side of the absorbent core. The breathable laminate backsheet has an inner layer and an outer layer joined to one another. The inner layer is positioned between the absorbent core and the outer layer. The outer layer is relatively vapor pervious. The inner layer is substantially liquid impermeable and substantially vapor pervious. The inner layer is longitudinally coterminous with the absorbent article and of a smaller transverse width than the front waist region, the rear waist region, and the crotch region so as to form a breathable zone which is longitudinally coterminous with the absorbent article and adjacent to each of the side edges.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disposable absorbent article having a front waist region having a transverse width, a rear waist region having a transverse width, a crotch region having a transverse width positioned between the front waist region and the rear waist region, a pair of opposed side edges, a first end edge located in said front waist region and a second end edge located in said rear waist region, said absorbent article comprising: an absorbent core having a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a garment-facing side and a body-facing side; and   a breathable laminate disposed adjacent said garment-facing side of said absorbent core, said breathable laminate comprising an inner layer and an outer layer joined to one another, said inner layer being positioned between said absorbent core and said outer layer, said outer layer being relatively vapor pervious, said inner layer being substantially liquid impermeable and substantially vapor pervious, said inner layer being longitudinally coterminous with said absorbent article and of a smaller transverse width than the transverse width of said front waist region, said rear waist region, and said crotch region so as to form a breathable zone which is longitudinally coterminous with said absorbent article and adjacent to each of said side edges.