Patent Publication Number: US-2022233365-A1

Title: Absorbent article with rear pocket design

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A primary function of personal care absorbent articles is to absorb and retain body exudates such as urine, fecal material, blood, and menses with additional desired attributes including low leakage of the exudates from the absorbent article and a dry feel to the wearer of the absorbent article. By preventing leakage of the exudates from the absorbent article, the absorbent article intends to prevent the body exudates from soiling or contaminating a wearer&#39;s or caregiver&#39;s clothing or other articles, such as bedding, that can come in contact with the wearer. 
     Another important emphasis of some absorbent articles is to draw and retain exudates away from the wearer&#39;s skin and otherwise reduce exposure of the wearer&#39;s skin to the exudates. Drawing away and reducing skin exposure to the exudates can help to keep the skin dry and to ensure that there is minimal exposure of irritants in the exudates to the skin. These functions can help to promote and maintain healthy skin for the wearer. Absorbent articles with enhanced abilities to draw away and store exudates and/or reduce skin exposure to exudates are continually desired to help ensure that the absorbent article wearer&#39;s skin remains healthy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The absorbent articles disclosed herein are designed to reduce exposure of a wearer&#39;s skin to exudates after a bowel movement (BM). In general, the absorbent articles disclosed herein are constructed so as to cover a large extent of a wearer&#39;s skin, particularly in a rear end section of the absorbent articles. 
     In a first embodiment, an absorbent article can comprise a chassis extending in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, the chassis having a front half section with a front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear half section having a rear waist region including a rear waist edge, a body facing surface, and a garment facing surface, and an absorbent body. The article may further comprise a pair of containment flaps extending between the front waist region and the rear waist region and attached to the body facing surface of the chassis, each of the pair of containment flaps having a flap distal edge, and the pair of containment flaps further including a connecting portion in the rear half section where the containment flaps and connecting portion define an opening to the body facing surface in the rear end section. Additionally, the opening may be defined by a pair of laterally opposed edges having a minimum separation distance within the rear end section of between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of a distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps. 
     In a second embodiment, the pair of laterally opposed edges of the absorbent article of the first embodiment may have a minimum separation distance between about one-third and about two-thirds of the distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps. 
     In a third embodiment, the opening of any of the first or second embodiments may be further defined by a laterally extending back edge, and the lateral extent of the laterally extending back edge may comprise the minimum separation distance. 
     In a fourth embodiment, each of the laterally opposed edges of any of the first through third embodiments may form an angle with the laterally extending back edge of between about 60 degrees to about 85 degrees. 
     In a fifth embodiment, each of the laterally opposed edges of any of the first through fourth embodiments may form an angle with the laterally extending back edge of between about 65 degrees to about 75 degrees. 
     In a sixth embodiment, the connecting portion of any of the first through fifth embodiments may comprise a web of material bonded to each of the pair of containment flaps. 
     In a seventh embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassis having a front half section with a front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear half section having a rear waist region including a rear waist edge, a body facing surface, and a garment facing surface, an absorbent body, and a pair of containment flaps extending between the front waist region and the rear waist region and attached to the body facing surface of the chassis, each of the pair of containment flaps having a flap distal edge. The article may further comprise a shaped patch bonded to the pair of containment flaps and the body facing surface of the absorbent article within the rear half section of the chassis. Additionally, the shaped patch may comprise a tongue portion, a base portion, and leg portions, and the leg portions may be separated from each other by a minimum of between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of a distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps. 
     In an eighth embodiment, the leg portions of the seventh embodiment may be separated from each other by a minimum of between about one-third and about two-thirds of a distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps. 
     In a ninth embodiment, each of the leg portions of any of the seventh or eighth embodiments may form an angle with the base portion of between about 60 degrees to about 85 degrees. 
     In a tenth embodiment, each of the leg portions of any of the seventh through ninth embodiments may form an angle with the base portion of between about 65 degrees to about 75 degrees. 
     In an eleventh embodiment, the shaped patch of any of the seventh through tenth embodiments may be positioned on top of each of the containment flaps. 
     In a twelfth embodiment, the shaped patch of any of the seventh through eleventh embodiments may be positioned between the containment flaps and the body facing surface of the chassis. 
     In a thirteenth embodiment, any of the seventh through twelfth embodiments may further comprise an elastic waistband, and the elastic waistband may cover at least a portion of the tongue portion of the shaped patch. 
     In a fourteenth embodiment, each of the leg portions of any of the seventh through thirteenth embodiments may be bonded to a respective containment flap, and wherein each of the leg portions extends laterally inward of the respective containment flap. 
     In a fifteenth embodiment, at least a portion of the shaped patch of any of the seventh through fourteenth embodiments may be elasticized. 
     In a sixteenth embodiment, a method of forming an absorbent article may comprise moving an absorbent article chassis containing an absorbent body in a machine direction, the absorbent article chassis comprising: a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, a front half section with a front waist region including a front waist edge, a rear half section having a rear waist region including a rear waist edge, a body facing surface, and a garment facing surface. The method may further comprise moving a pair of containment flaps in the machine direction, each of the containment flaps having distal flap edges, bonding the pair of containment flaps to the absorbent article chassis at laterally opposed positions, moving a length of shaped patch material in the machine direction, and separating a shaped patch from the shaped patch material, wherein the shaped patch comprises: a tongue portion, a base portion, and leg portions. In some embodiments, the leg portions may be separated from each other by a minimum of between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of a distance between the distal flap edges of the containment flaps after the containment flaps are bonded to the absorbent article chassis. The method may finally comprise bonding the shaped patch to the pair of containment flaps and to the body facing surface. 
     In a seventeenth embodiment, the shaped patch of the sixteenth embodiment may be separated from the shaped patch material such that there is no waste of the shaped patch material. 
     In an eighteenth embodiment, the shaped patch of the sixteenth or seventeenth embodiments may bonded on top of the pair of containment flaps. 
     In a nineteenth embodiment, the shaped patch of any of the sixteenth through eighteenth embodiments may be bonded between the pair of containment flaps and the garment facing surface. 
     In a twentieth embodiment, the method of any of the sixteenth through nineteenth embodiments may further comprise bonding an elasticized waistband to the chassis of the absorbent article in the rear waist region and covering at least a portion of the shaped patch. 
     The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. Advantages and attainments, together with a more complete understanding of the disclosure, will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  perspective view of an absorbent article according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1A  perspective view of a different absorbent article according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 1  in a stretched, laid flat and unattached condition and including a connecting portion, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 1A  in a stretched, laid flat and unfastened condition and including a connecting portion, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2  in a relaxed state showing the connecting portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up top plan view of region A of the absorbent article depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an exemplary patch according to aspects of the present disclosure, which may be used in conjunction with the absorbent articles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7A  is a view detailing a configuration of the layers of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2  as viewed from a cross-section taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a view detailing an alternative configuration of the layers of the absorbent article of  FIG. 2  as viewed from a cross-section taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an absorbent article in a stretched, laid flat and unattached condition and including an alternative connecting portion, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of an absorbent article in a stretched, laid flat and unattached condition and including an alternative connecting portion, according to aspects of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an absorbent article including a first exemplary connecting portion where the absorbent article is depicted in a configuration as it would appear if worn by a wearer; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an absorbent article including a second exemplary connecting portion where the absorbent article is depicted in a configuration as it would appear if worn by a wearer; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an absorbent article including a third exemplary connecting portion where the absorbent article is depicted in a configuration as it would appear if worn by a wearer; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary process for forming absorbent articles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of an alternative exemplary process for forming absorbent articles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit aspects of the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally directed towards absorbent articles constructed so as to cover a large extent of a wearer&#39;s skin, particularly in a rear end section of the absorbent articles. The articles of the present disclosure may have enhanced BM flaps which are constructed so as to provide a relatively small opening to the absorbent core, and thereby provide cover to a large extent of a wearer&#39;s skin. The articles of the present disclosure may additionally or alternatively include an extra patch of material in the rear end section of the absorbent articles which connects the BM flaps and provides the large skin coverage area of the article. 
     Each example is provided by way of explanation and is not meant as a limitation. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment or figure can be used on another embodiment or figure to yield yet another embodiment. It is intended that the present disclosure include such modifications and variations. 
     Although some suitable dimensions, ranges and/or values pertaining to various components, features and/or specifications are disclosed, one of skill in the art, incited by the present disclosure, would understand desired dimensions, ranges and/or values may deviate from those expressly disclosed. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Definitions 
     The term “absorbent article” refers herein to an article which may be placed against or in proximity to the body (i.e., contiguous with the body) of the wearer to absorb and contain various liquid, solid, and semi-solid exudates discharged from the body. Such absorbent articles, as described herein, are intended to be discarded after a limited period of use instead of being laundered or otherwise restored for reuse. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to various disposable absorbent articles, including, but not limited to, diapers, diaper pants, training pants, youth pants, swim pants, feminine hygiene products, including, but not limited to, menstrual pads or pants, incontinence products, adult diapers and pants, medical garments, surgical pads and bandages, other personal care or health care garments, and the like without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The term “acquisition layer” refers herein to a layer capable of accepting and temporarily holding liquid body exudates to decelerate and diffuse a surge or gush of the liquid body exudates and to subsequently release the liquid body exudates therefrom into another layer or layers of the absorbent article. 
     The term “bonded”, “attached” or “coupled” refers herein to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered bonded, attached or coupled together when they are joined, adhered, connected, attached, or the like, directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly bonded to intermediate elements. The bonding, attaching or coupling of one element to another can occur via continuous or intermittent bonds. 
     The term “carded web” refers herein to a web containing natural or synthetic staple length fibers typically having fiber lengths less than about 100 mm. Bales of staple fibers can undergo an opening process to separate the fibers which are then sent to a carding process which separates and combs the fibers to align them in the machine direction after which the fibers are deposited onto a moving wire for further processing. Such webs are usually subjected to some type of bonding process such as thermal bonding using heat and/or pressure. In addition to or in lieu thereof, the fibers may be subject to adhesive processes to bind the fibers together such as by the use of powder adhesives. The carded web may be subjected to fluid entangling, such as hydroentangling, to further intertwine the fibers and thereby improve the integrity of the carded web. Carded webs, due to the fiber alignment in the machine direction, once bonded, will typically have more machine direction strength than cross machine direction strength. 
     The term “film” refers herein to a thermoplastic film made using an extrusion and/or forming process, such as a cast film or blown film extrusion process. The term includes apertured films, slit films, and other porous films which constitute liquid transfer films, as well as films which do not transfer liquids, such as, but not limited to, barrier films, filled films, breathable films, and oriented films. 
     The term “gsm” refers herein to grams per square meter. 
     The term “hydrophilic” refers herein to fibers or the surfaces of fibers which are wetted by aqueous liquids in contact with the fibers. The degree of wetting of the materials can, in turn, be described in terms of the contact angles and the surface tensions of the liquids and materials involved. Equipment and techniques suitable for measuring the wettability of particular fiber materials or blends of fiber materials can be provided by Cahn SFA-222 Surface Force Analyzer System, or a substantially equivalent system. When measured with this system, fibers having contact angles less than 90 are designated “wettable” or hydrophilic, and fibers having contact angles greater than 90 are designated “nonwettable” or hydrophobic. 
     The term “liquid impermeable” refers herein to a layer or multi-layer laminate in which liquid body exudates, such as urine, will not pass through the layer or laminate, under ordinary use conditions, in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer or laminate at the point of liquid contact. 
     The term “liquid permeable” refers herein to any material that is not liquid impermeable. 
     The term “meltblown” refers herein to fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity heated gas (e.g., air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which can be a microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly dispersed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,241 to Butin et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than about 0.6 denier, and may be tacky and self-bonding when deposited onto a collecting surface. 
     The term “nonwoven” refers herein to materials and webs of material which are formed without the aid of a textile weaving or knitting process. The materials and webs of materials can have a structure of individual fibers, filaments, or threads (collectively referred to as “fibers”) which can be interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven materials or webs can be formed from many processes such as, but not limited to, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, carded web processes, hydroentangling processes, etc. 
     The term “pliable” refers herein to materials which are compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the wearer&#39;s body. 
     The term “spunbond” refers herein to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine capillaries of a spinnerette having a circular or other configuration, with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced by a conventional process such as, for example, eductive drawing, and processes that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 to Hartmann, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,538 to Peterson, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and often have average deniers larger than about 0.3, and in an embodiment, between about 0.6, 5 and 10 and about 15, 20 and 40. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited on a collecting surface. 
     The term “stretch film laminate” refers herein to a laminate of an elastic film laminated to at least one outer layer of fibrous nonwoven web material. Desirably, the elastic film is air and vapor permeable and liquid impermeable and elastic in at least one and preferably two directions generally perpendicular to one another. More desirably, the elastic film is elastic in all directions of the X-Y plane of the material. In other embodiments, the elastic film can have cover layers, such as fibrous nonwoven web materials laminated to both sides of the elastic film so as so form a laminate with opposed exterior nonwoven layers, an intermediate layer of elastic film bonded to both of the exterior nonwoven layers. Further information can be found with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 7,803,244 to Siqueira et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 8,361,913 to Siqueira et al., each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     The term “superabsorbent” refers herein to a water-swellable, water-insoluble organic or inorganic material capable, under the most favorable conditions, of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight and, in an embodiment, at least about 30 times its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride. The superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. In addition, the superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked polymers. 
     The term “thermoplastic” refers herein to a material which softens and which can be shaped when exposed to heat and which substantially returns to a non-softened condition when cooled. 
     The term “user” or “caregiver” refers herein to one who fits an absorbent article, such as, but not limited to, a diaper, diaper pant, training pant, youth pant, incontinent product, or other absorbent article about the wearer of one of these absorbent articles. A user and a wearer can be one and the same person. 
     Absorbent Article: 
       FIGS. 1 through 4  depict absorbent articles according to the present disclosure. One of the features of the present disclosure is the unique nature of the rear half section of the absorbent articles. Specifically, the absorbent of the present disclosure include a unique shape of an opening through the BM containment flaps (also referred to herein as simply “containment flaps” or “flaps” or “BM flaps”) to the bodyside liner and absorbent core of the absorbent article which provides increased protection of a wearer&#39;s skin after a BM. The shape of the opening provides adequate room for exudates from a BM to pass through the opening to contact the liner and absorbent core while still providing coverage to a large area of the wearer&#39;s skin. As the BM contacts the liner and absorbent core, the BM may spread toward the sides and the rear waist region of the absorbent article, where the skin of the wearer is protected by the BM flaps and additional material forming the unique opening.  FIG. 10  depicts an exemplary configuration of an absorbent article according to the present disclosure on a wearer. 
     In contrast,  FIGS. 8, 9, 11, and 12  depict absorbent articles with alternative configurations of an opening through the BM flaps to the liner and absorbent core and the resultant configuration of those absorbent articles on a wearer. As can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the alternative configurations of the opening shapes of the absorbent articles shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  result in less optimal wear configurations of than the absorbent article described with respect to  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a non-limiting illustration of an absorbent article  10  for example, a diaper, is illustrated. Other embodiments of the absorbent article  10  can include, but are not limited to, training pants, youth pants, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene articles. While the embodiments and illustrations described herein may generally apply to absorbent articles manufactured in the product longitudinal direction, which is hereinafter called the machine direction manufacturing of a product, it should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art could apply the information herein to absorbent articles manufactured in the latitudinal direction of the product, which hereinafter is called the cross direction manufacturing of a product, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the absorbent article  110  in  FIGS. 1A and 2A  provides an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article  110  that can be manufactured in cross-direction manufacturing process. 
     The absorbent article  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4  can include a chassis  11 . The absorbent article  10  can include a front waist region  12  and a rear waist region  14 , and a crotch region  16  disposed between the front waist region  12  and the rear waist region  14  and interconnecting the front and rear waist regions,  12 ,  14 , respectively. The front waist region  12  is located in the front half section  25  of the article  10 , and the rear waist region  14  is located in the rear half section  27  of the article  10 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , a three-piece construction of an absorbent article  110  is depicted where the absorbent article  110  can have a chassis  11  including a front waist panel  13  defining the front waist region  12 , a rear waist panel  15  defining the rear waist region  14 , and an absorbent panel  17  defining the crotch region  16  of the absorbent article  110 . The absorbent panel  17  can extend between the front waist panel  13  and the rear waist panel  15 . In some embodiments, the absorbent panel  17  can overlap the front waist panel  13  and the rear waist panel  15 . The absorbent panel  17  can be bonded to the front waist panel  13  and the rear waist panel  15  to define a three-piece construction. However, it is contemplated that an absorbent article can be manufactured in a cross-direction without being a three-piece construction garment which is also sometimes referred to as a one-piece construction (not shown) as the front waist panel  13  and the rear waist panel  15  are integral with one another by way of commonly connected components forming the waist panel such as a bodyside liner and/or an outer cover which can envelope the absorbent panel  17  or simply cover the garment side of the absorbent panel  17 . 
     The absorbent article  10 ,  110  can have a pair of longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20 , and a pair of opposite waist edges, respectively designated front waist edge  22  and rear waist edge  24 . The front waist region  12  can be contiguous with the front waist edge  22  and the rear waist region  14  can be contiguous with the rear waist edge  24 . The longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  can extend from the front waist edge  22  to the rear waist edge  24 . The longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  can extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction  30  for their entire length, such as for the absorbent article  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, the longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  can be curved between the front waist edge  22  and the rear waist edge  24 . In the absorbent article  110  of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  can include portions of the front waist panel  13 , the absorbent panel  17 , and the rear waist panel  15 . 
     The front waist region  12  can include the portion of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  that, when worn, is positioned at least in part on the front of the wearer while the rear waist region  14  can include the portion of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  that, when worn, is positioned at least in part on the back of the wearer. The crotch region  16  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  can include the portion of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  that, when worn, is positioned between the legs of the wearer and can partially cover the lower torso of the wearer. Dimensionally, the front waist region  12  can be defined as the front one-third of the overall longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article  10  measuring from the front waist edge  22  to the rear waist edge  24 . The rear waist region  14  can be defined as the rear one-third of the longitudinal dimension of the absorbent article  10  and the crotch region  16  is the middle one-third of the longitudinal dimension of the overall absorbent article  10 . The waist edges,  22  and  24 , of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  are configured to encircle the waist of the wearer and together define a central waist opening  23  (as labeled in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A ) for the waist of the wearer. Portions of the longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  in the crotch region  16  can generally define leg openings for the legs of the wearer when the absorbent article  10 ,  110  is worn. 
     The absorbent article  10 ,  110  can include an outer cover  26  and a bodyside liner  28 . The outer cover  26  and the bodyside liner  28  can form a portion of the chassis  11  where the outer cover is disposed at the garment facing surface of the chassis (not shown; opposite body facing surface  19  of chassis  11 ) and the bodyside liner  28  is disposed at the body facing surface  19  of the chassis  11 . In an embodiment, the bodyside liner  28  can be bonded to the outer cover  26  in a superposed relation by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or other conventional techniques. The outer cover  26  can define a length in a longitudinal direction  30 , and a width in the lateral direction  32 , which, in the illustrated embodiment, can coincide with the length and width of the absorbent article  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the absorbent article  10 ,  110  can have a longitudinal axis  29  extending in the longitudinal direction  30 , and a lateral axis  31  extending in the lateral direction  32 . The lateral axis  31  is located midway between the front waist edge  22  and the rear waist edge  24 , separating article  10  into front half section  25  and rear half section  27 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the absorbent article  10  also has a vertical or z-direction axis  100  extending in the vertical direction  33 . 
     The chassis  11  can include an absorbent body  34 . The absorbent body  34  can be disposed between the outer cover  26  and the bodyside liner  28 . The absorbent body  34  can have longitudinal edges,  36  and  38 , which, in an embodiment, can form portions of the longitudinal side edges,  18  and  20 , respectively, of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The absorbent body  34  can have a first end edge  40  that is opposite a second end edge  42 , respectively, which, in an embodiment, can form portions of the waist edges,  22  and  24 , respectively, of the absorbent article  10 . In some embodiments, the first end edge  40  can be in the front waist region  12 . In some embodiments, the second end edge  42  can be in the rear waist region  14 . In an embodiment, the absorbent body  34  can have a length and width that are the same as or less than the length and width of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The bodyside liner  28 , the outer cover  26 , and the absorbent body  34  can form part of an absorbent assembly  44 . In the absorbent article  110  of  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the absorbent panel  17  can form the absorbent assembly  44 . The absorbent assembly  44  can also include a fluid transfer layer  46  and a fluid acquisition layer (not shown) between the bodyside liner  28  and the fluid transfer layer  46  as is known in the art. The absorbent assembly  44  can also include a spacer layer  48  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) disposed between the absorbent body  34  and the outer cover  26 . 
     The absorbent article  10 ,  110  can be configured to contain and/or absorb liquid, solid, and semi-solid body exudates discharged from the wearer. To this end, the absorbent article  10 ,  110  is fitted with a pair of containment flaps  50 ,  52  which are configured to provide a barrier to the lateral flow of body exudates. In some further embodiments, the absorbent article  10 ,  110  can optionally include a waistband, such as waistband  202  depicted in dashed lines in  FIGS. 2-5  which cooperates with the containment flaps  50 ,  52  to form a pocket to further retain body exudates. See, for example, PCT/US15/23620, Attorney Docket Number 64967740PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/23596, Attorney Docket Number 64965789PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/23637, Attorney Docket Number 64967082PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/38271, Attorney Docket Number 64969698PCT01 filed 29 Jun. 2015; PCT/US15/47672, Attorney Docket Number 64970360PCT01 filed 31 Aug. 2015; and 62/212,051, Attorney Docket Number 64968524US01 filed 31 Aug. 2015 each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, the waist containment member can be disposed in the rear waist region  14  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . 
     The absorbent article  10 ,  110  can further include leg elastic members  60 ,  62  as are known to those skilled in the art. The leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be attached to the outer cover  26  and/or the bodyside liner  28  along the opposite longitudinal side edges,  18  and  20 , and positioned in the crotch region  16  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be parallel to the longitudinal axis  29  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A  or can be curved as is known in the art. The leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can provide elasticized leg cuffs. 
     Additional details regarding each of these elements of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  described herein can be found below and with reference to the  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     Outer Cover: 
     The outer cover  26  and/or portions thereof can be breathable and/or liquid impermeable. The outer cover  26  and/or portions thereof can be elastic, stretchable, or non-stretchable. The outer cover  26  may be constructed of a single layer, multiple layers, laminates, spunbond fabrics, films, meltblown fabrics, elastic netting, microporous webs, bonded-carded webs or foams provided by elastomeric or polymeric materials. In an embodiment, for example, the outer cover  26  can be constructed of a microporous polymeric film, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     In an embodiment, the outer cover  26  can be a single layer of a liquid impermeable material, such as a polymeric film. In an embodiment, the outer cover  26  can be suitably stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in at least the lateral direction  32  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . In an embodiment, the outer cover  26  can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in both the lateral  32  and the longitudinal  30  directions. In an embodiment, the outer cover  26  can be a multi-layered laminate in which at least one of the layers is liquid impermeable. In some embodiments, the outer cover  26  can be a two layer construction, including an outer layer (not shown) and an inner layer (not shown) which can be bonded together such as by a laminate adhesive. Suitable laminate adhesives can be applied continuously or intermittently as beads, a spray, parallel swirls, or the like, but it is to be understood that the inner layer can be bonded to the outer layer by other bonding methods, including, but not limited to, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, pressure bonds, or the like. 
     The outer layer of the outer cover  26  can be any suitable material and may be one that provides a generally cloth-like texture or appearance to the wearer. An example of such material can be a 100% polypropylene bonded-carded web with a diamond bond pattern available from Sandler A. G., Germany, such as 30 gsm Sawabond 4185® or equivalent. Another example of material suitable for use as an outer layer of an outer cover  26  can be a 20 gsm spunbond polypropylene non-woven web. The outer layer may also be constructed of the same materials from which the bodyside liner  28  can be constructed as described herein and it also may be apertured to enhance evaporation of urine in the event the inner layer is vapor permeable. 
     The liquid impermeable inner layer of the outer cover  26  (or the liquid impermeable outer cover  26  where the outer cover  26  is of a single-layer construction) can be either vapor permeable (i.e., “breathable”) or vapor impermeable. The liquid impermeable inner layer (or the liquid impermeable outer cover  26  where the outer cover  26  is of a single-layer construction) can be manufactured from a thin plastic film. The liquid impermeable inner layer (or the liquid impermeable outer cover  26  where the outer cover  26  is of a single-layer construction) can inhibit liquid body exudates from leaking out of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  and wetting articles, such as bed sheets and clothing, as well as the wearer and caregiver. 
     In some embodiments, where the outer cover  26  is of a single layer construction, it can be embossed and/or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like texture or appearance. The outer cover  26  can permit vapors to escape from the absorbent article  10 ,  110  while preventing liquids from passing through. A suitable liquid impermeable, vapor permeable material can be composed of a microporous polymer film or a non-woven material which has been coated or otherwise treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability. 
     Absorbent Body: 
     The absorbent body  34  can be suitably constructed to be generally compressible, conformable, pliable, non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin and capable of absorbing and retaining liquid body exudates. The absorbent body  34  can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes (for example, rectangular, trapezoidal, T-shape, I-shape, hourglass shape, etc.) and from a wide variety of materials. The size and the absorbent capacity of the absorbent body  34  should be compatible with the size of the intended wearer (infants to adults) and the liquid loading imparted by the intended use of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The absorbent body  34  can have a length and width that can be less than or equal to the length and width of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . 
     In an embodiment, the absorbent body  34  can be composed of a web material of hydrophilic fibers, cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp fibers), natural fibers, synthetic fibers, woven or nonwoven sheets, scrim netting or other stabilizing structures, superabsorbent material, binder materials, surfactants, selected hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, pigments, lotions, odor control agents or the like, as well as combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the absorbent body  34  can be a matrix of cellulosic fluff and superabsorbent material. In an embodiment, the absorbent body  34  may be constructed of a single layer of materials, or in the alternative, may be constructed of two or more layers of materials. 
     Various types of wettable, hydrophilic fibers can be used in the absorbent body  34 . Examples of suitable fibers include natural fibers, cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers composed of cellulose or cellulose derivatives, such as rayon fibers; inorganic fibers composed of an inherently wettable material, such as glass fibers; synthetic fibers made from inherently wettable thermoplastic polymers, such as particular polyester or polyamide fibers, or composed of nonwettable thermoplastic polymers, such as polyolefin fibers which have been hydrophilized by suitable means. The fibers may be hydrophilized, for example, by treatment with a surfactant, treatment with silica, treatment with a material which has a suitable hydrophilic moiety and is not readily removed from the fiber, or by sheathing the nonwettable, hydrophobic fiber with a hydrophilic polymer during or after formation of the fiber. Suitable superabsorbent materials can be selected from natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. The superabsorbent materials can be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as cross-linked polymers. In an embodiment, the absorbent body  34  can be free of superabsorbent material or in an alternate embodiment be comprised entirely of superabsorbent material. 
     If a spacer layer  48  is present, the absorbent body  34  can be disposed on the spacer layer  48  and superposed over the outer cover  26 . The spacer layer  48  can be bonded to the outer cover  26 , for example, by adhesive. In some embodiments, a spacer layer  48  may not be present and the absorbent body  34  can directly contact the outer cover  26  and can be directly bonded to the outer cover  26 . However, it is to be understood that the absorbent body  34  may be in contact with, and not bonded with, the outer cover  26  and remain within the scope of this disclosure. In an embodiment, the outer cover  26  can be composed of a single layer and the absorbent body  34  can be in contact with the singer layer of the outer cover  26 . In some embodiments, at least a portion of a layer, such as but not limited to, a fluid transfer layer  46  and/or a spacer layer  48 , can be positioned between the absorbent body  34  and the outer cover  26 , such as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The absorbent body  34  can be bonded to the fluid transfer layer  46  and/or the spacer layer  48 . Typically the absorbent body  34  will be completely enveloped by a core wrap material such as a tissue wrap or a nonwoven material such a meltblown web, a spunbond web or both. 
     Bodyside Liner: 
     The bodyside liner  28  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  can overlay the absorbent body  34  and the outer cover  26  and can isolate the wearer&#39;s skin from liquid waste retained by the absorbent body  34 . In various embodiments, a fluid transfer layer  46  can be positioned between the bodyside liner  28  and the absorbent body  34 . In various embodiments, an acquisition layer (not shown) can be positioned between the bodyside liner  28  and the absorbent body  34  or a fluid transfer layer  46 , if present. In various embodiments, the bodyside liner  28  can be bonded to the acquisition layer, or to the fluid transfer layer  46  if no acquisition layer is present, via adhesive and/or by a point fusion bonding. The point fusion bonding may be selected from ultrasonic, thermal, pressure bonding, and combinations thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the bodyside liner  28  can extend beyond the absorbent body  34  and/or a fluid transfer layer  46 , if present, and/or an acquisition layer, if present, and/or a spacer layer  48 , if present, to overlay a portion of the outer cover  26  and can be bonded thereto by any method deemed suitable, such as, for example, by being bonded thereto by adhesive, to substantially enclose the absorbent body  34  between the outer cover  26  and the bodyside liner  28 . It is contemplated that the bodyside liner  28  may be narrower than the outer cover  26 . However, in other embodiments, the bodyside liner  28  and the outer cover  26  may be of the same dimensions in width and length, for example, as depicted in the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, the bodyside liner  28  can be of greater width than the outer cover  26 . It is also contemplated that the bodyside liner  28  may not extend beyond the absorbent body  34  and/or may not be secured to the outer cover  26 . In some embodiments, the bodyside liner  28  can wrap at least a portion of the absorbent body  34 , including wrapping around both longitudinal edges  36 ,  38  of the absorbent body  34 , and/or one or more of the end edges  40 ,  42 . It is further contemplated that the bodyside liner  28  may be composed of more than one segment of material such as a central region of material which is different from one or both of the lateral regions of the bodyside liner  28  (not shown). The bodyside liner  28  can be of different shapes, including rectangular, hourglass, or any other shape. The bodyside liner  28  can be suitably compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer&#39;s skin and can be the same as or less hydrophilic than the absorbent body  34  to permit body exudates to readily penetrate through to the absorbent body  34  and provide a relatively dry surface to the wearer. 
     The bodyside liner  28  can be manufactured from a wide selection of materials, such as synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, reticulated foams, apertured plastic films, or the like. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, rayon, wood, cotton, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, or other heat-bondable fibers, polyolefins, such as, but not limited to, copolymers of polypropylene and polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, and aliphatic esters such as polylactic acid, finely perforated film webs, net materials, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. 
     Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the bodyside liner  28 . The bodyside liner  28  can include a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a polymer film, a film-fabric laminate or the like, as well as combinations thereof. Examples of a nonwoven fabric can include spunbond fabric, meltblown fabric, coform fabric, carded web, bonded-carded web, bicomponent spunbond fabric, spunlace, or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The bodyside liner  28  need not be a unitary layer structure, and thus, can include more than one layer of fabrics, films, and/or webs, as well as combinations thereof. For example, the bodyside liner  28  can include a support layer and a projection layer that can be hydroentagled. The projection layer can include hollow projections, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,473 to Kirby et al. 
     For example, the bodyside liner  28  can be composed of a meltblown or spunbond web of polyolefin fibers. Alternatively, the bodyside liner  28  can be a bonded-carded web composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The bodyside liner  28  can be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material can, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The surfactant can be applied by any conventional means, such as spraying, printing, brush coating or the like. The surfactant can be applied to the entire bodyside liner  28  or it can be selectively applied to particular sections of the bodyside liner  28 . 
     In an embodiment, a bodyside liner  28  can be constructed of a non-woven bicomponent web. The non-woven bicomponent web can be a spunbonded bicomponent web, or a bonded-carded bicomponent web. An example of a bicomponent staple fiber includes a polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber. In this particular bicomponent fiber, the polypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the sheath of the fiber. Fibers having other orientations, such as multi-lobe, side-by-side, end-to-end may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In an embodiment, a bodyside liner  28  can be a spunbond substrate with a basis weight from about 10 or 12 to about 15 or 20 gsm. In an embodiment, a bodyside liner  28  can be a 12 gsm spunbond-meltblown-spunbond substrate having 10% meltblown content applied between the two spunbond layers. 
     Although the outer cover  26  and bodyside liner  28  can include elastomeric materials, it is contemplated that the outer cover  26  and the bodyside liner  28  can be composed of materials which are generally non-elastomeric. In an embodiment, the bodyside liner  28  can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic. In an embodiment, the bodyside liner  28  can be suitably stretchable and more suitably elastic in at least the lateral or circumferential direction of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . In other aspects, the bodyside liner  28  can be stretchable, and more suitably elastic, in both the lateral and the longitudinal directions  32 ,  30 , respectively. 
     Containment Flaps: 
     In an embodiment, the absorbent article  10 ,  110  can include a pair of containment flaps  50 ,  52 . Examples of containment flaps can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,362 granted 16 Feb. 2016 Robert L. Popp et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 9,168,181 granted 27 Oct. 2015 Robert L. Popp et al. each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be formed separately from the absorbent chassis  11  and attached to the chassis  11  or can be formed integral to the chassis  11 . In some embodiments, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be secured to the chassis  11  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110  in a generally parallel, spaced relation with each other laterally inward of the leg openings to provide a barrier against the flow of body exudates. One containment flap  50  can be on a first side of the longitudinal axis  29  and the other containment flap  52  can be on a second side of the longitudinal axis  29 . In an embodiment, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can extend generally in a longitudinal direction  30  from the front waist region  12  of the absorbent article  10 , through the crotch region  16  to the rear waist region  14  of the absorbent article  10 . In some embodiments, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  29  of the absorbent article  10 , however, in other embodiments, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be curved, as is known in the art. In other embodiments, such as the absorbent article  110  in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be disposed on the absorbent panel  17  in the crotch region  16 . 
     In embodiments where the containment flaps  50 ,  52  are coupled to the chassis  11 , the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be bonded to the bodyside liner  28  with a barrier adhesive  49 , as shown in  FIG. 3  or the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be bonded to the outer cover  26  with a barrier adhesive  49  in some embodiments where the bodyside liner  28  does not extend the full lateral width of the outer cover  26 . Of course, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be bonded to other components of the chassis  11  and can be bonded with other suitable means other than a barrier adhesive  49  or with several areas or beads of barrier adhesive. In addition to adhesive, other bonding means can be employed including, but not limited to, pressure bonding and ultrasonic bonding. The containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be constructed of a fibrous material which can be similar to the material forming the bodyside liner  28 , including, but not limited to a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (“SMS”) material. Other conventional materials, including, but not limited to, polymer films, can also be employed. In addition, laminates of materials including multiple layers of film and/or nonwovens can be used to form the containment flap material. 
     The containment flaps  50 ,  52  in an embodiment such as is shown in  FIGS. 1-5  can each include a base portion  64  and a projection portion  66 . The base portion  64  and the projection portion  66  can be formed from the same materials or from different materials. In an embodiment, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can comprise only the projection portion  66  with the projection portion  66  defining the entire containment flap  50 ,  52 . In such situations, the base portion  64  may be eliminated or it may be formed from one of the other components such as an extension of the bodyside liner  28 , the outer cover  26  or from a separate and distinct piece of material (not shown). 
     The base portion  64  can be bonded to the chassis  11 , for example, to the bodyside liner  28  or the outer cover  26  or another component of the chassis  11 . The base portion  64  can include an interior end  64   a  and an exterior end  64   b . The projection portion  66  can be separated from the base portion  64  at the interior end  64   a  of the base portion  64 . As used in this context, the projection portion  66  is separated from the base portion  64  at the interior end  64   a  of the base portion  64  in that the interior end  64   a  of the base portion  64  defines a transition between the projection portion  66  and the base portion  64 . The interior end  64   a  of the base portion  64  can be located near and/or utilize all or a portion of the barrier adhesive  49  or a separate barrier adhesive  49  or other attachment means. In some embodiments, the exterior ends  64   b  of the base portion  64  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can laterally extend to the respective longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  of the absorbent article  10 . In other embodiments, the exterior ends  64   b  of the base portion  64  can end laterally inward of the respective longitudinal side edges  18 ,  20  of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The containment flaps  50 ,  52  also each include a projection portion  66  that is configured to extend away from the body facing surface  19  of the chassis  11  at least in the crotch region  16  when the absorbent article  10  is in a relaxed configuration, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The containment flaps  50 ,  52  can include a tack-down region  71  in either or both of the front waist region  12  and the rear waist region  14  where the projection portion  66  is coupled to the body facing surface  19  of the chassis  11 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2 . 
     In a more simplified version, the base portion  64  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be eliminated (not shown) or can be made from a separate piece of material such that the projection portion  66  forms the entire containment flap  50 ,  52 . In this case, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be regarded as having a proximal edge  65   a  and a distal edge  65   b  joined by a medial section  65   c . See in particular,  FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 . The proximal edge  65   a  can be attached to the chassis  11  including direct or indirect attachment to any of the components including the bodyside liner  28 , the outer cover  26  or any of the other components of the absorbent article  10 . Thus, the barrier adhesive  49  can be used to attach the proximal edge  65   a  to the chassis  11  and this barrier adhesive  49  can be the same as or separate from the barrier adhesive used to attach the interior end  64   a  of the base portion  64  to the chassis  11 . 
     It is contemplated that the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be of various configurations and shapes, and can be constructed by various methods. For example, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  of  FIG. 2  depict a vertical containment flap  50 ,  52  with a tack-down region  71  in both the front and rear waist regions  12 ,  14  where the projection portion  66  of each containment flap  50 ,  52  is tacked down to the bodyside liner  28  towards or away from the longitudinal axis  29  of the absorbent article  10 . However, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can include a tack-down region  71  where the projection portion  66  of each of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  is folded back upon itself and coupled to itself and the bodyside liner  28  in a “C-shape” configuration, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,382 to Robert L. Popp et al. As yet another alternative, it is contemplated that the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be constructed in a “T-shape” configuration, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,259,362 by Robert L. Popp et al. Such a configuration can also include a tack-down region  71  in either or both of the front and rear waist regions  12 ,  14 , respectively. Of course, other configurations of containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be used in the absorbent article  10 ,  110  and still remain within the scope of this disclosure. 
     The containment flaps  50 ,  52  can include one or more flap elastic members  68 , such as the two flap elastic strands depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Of course, while two elastic members  68  are shown in each containment flap  50 ,  52 , it is contemplated that the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be configured with one or three or more elastic members  68 . As shown in the Figures, the elastic members  68  are located adjacent the flap distal edges  65   b  but they can also be located in any other portion of the containment flaps including adjacent the flap proximal portion  65   a  and the flap medial portion  65   c.    
     Suitable elastic materials for the flap elastic members  68  can include, but are not limited to, spandex elastomeric strands, sheets, strands, or ribbons of natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomeric materials, or heat activated elastomeric materials. The elastic members  68  can be any elastomeric material capable of being elongated at least about 50 percent, desirably about 350 percent, and capable of recovering to within at least about 250 percent, and desirably about 150 percent of its original length after being elongated about 300 percent. The elastic members  68  can be a spandex elastomeric strand(s) such as, for example, a LYCRA thread commercially available from E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Co. Alternatively, the elastic members  68  can be composed of a thermoplastic elastomer or a natural or a synthetic rubber commercially available from J.P.S. Elastomerics Corp. Alternatively, the elastic members  68  can also be composed of a heat activated elastic material such as PEBAX, commercially available from Atochem, Inc., which can be activated with heat treatment after the elastic members  68   d  are secured to the containment flaps  50 ,  52 . 
     Alternatively or additionally, the containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be composed of a material exhibiting elastic properties itself thereby eliminating the need for the use of separate flap elastic members  68 . In an alternate embodiment, the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , and in particular the projection portions  66 , can be formed from an elastic material or laminate such as a stretch film laminate as described herein which optionally can be supplemented with flap elastics adjacent the distal edges  65   b , alternately adjacent the proximal edges  65   a , alternately adjacent the medial section  65   c / 41  or a combination of any or all of the foregoing regions of the projection portions  66  forming the containment flaps  50 ,  52 . Example suitable materials that may be used as containment flaps  50 ,  52  include vertical film laminate materials, stretch film laminate materials, or elastic laminate structures. One specific example material is the elastic film laminate material called SABBEEL herein, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,677, titled “Printable Elastic Composite” and is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety. Additionally, it should be understood that these are only example materials. More generally, any material having at least some of the below described properties are contemplated by this disclosure for use as containment flaps  50 ,  52 . 
     The flap elastic members  68 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , can have two strands of elastomeric material extending longitudinally in the projection portion  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , in generally parallel, spaced relation with each other. The elastic members  68  can be within the containment flaps  50 ,  52  while in an elastically contractible condition such that contraction of the strands gathers and shortens the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  in the longitudinal direction  30 . As a result, the elastic members  68  can bias the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  to extend away from the body facing surface  45  of the absorbent assembly  44  in a generally upright orientation of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , especially in the crotch region  16  of the absorbent article  10 , when the absorbent article  10  is in a relaxed configuration. 
     During manufacture of the containment flaps  50 ,  52  at least a portion of the elastic members  68  can be bonded to the containment flaps  50 ,  52  while the elastic members  68  are elongated. The percent elongation of the elastic members  68  can be, for example, about 110% to about 350%. The elastic members  68  can be coated with adhesive while elongated to a specified length prior to attaching the elastic members  68  to the containment flaps  50 ,  52 . In a stretched condition, the length of the elastic members  68  which have adhesive coupled thereto can provide an active flap elastic region  70  in the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , as labeled in  FIG. 2 , which will gather upon relaxation of the absorbent article  10 . The active flap elastic region  70  of containment flaps  50 ,  52  can be of a longitudinal length that is less than the length of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . In this exemplary method of bonding the elastic members  68  to the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , the portion of the elastic members  68  not coated with adhesive will retract after the elastic members  68  and the absorbent article  10  are cut in manufacturing to form an individual absorbent article  10 . As noted above, the relaxing of the elastic members  68  in the active flap elastic region  70  when the absorbent article  10 ,  110  is in a relaxed condition can cause each containment flap  50 ,  52  to gather and cause the projection portion  66  of each containment flap  50 ,  52  to extend away from the body facing surface  19  of the chassis  11  (e.g., the body facing surface  45  of the absorbent assembly  44  or the body facing surface  56  of the bodyside liner  28 ), as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     Of course, the elastic members  68  can be bonded to the containment flaps  50 ,  52  in various other ways as known by those of skill in the art to provide an active flap elastic region  70 , which is within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, the active flap elastic regions  70  can be shorter or longer than depicted herein, including extending to the front waist edge  22  and the rear waist edge  24 , and still be within the scope of this disclosure. 
     Leg Elastics: 
     Leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be secured to the outer cover  26 , such as by being bonded thereto by laminate adhesive, generally laterally inward of the longitudinal side edges,  18  and  20 , of the absorbent article  10 ,  110 . The leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can form elasticized leg cuffs that further help to contain body exudates. In an embodiment, the leg elastic members  60 ,  62  may be disposed between inner and outer layers (not shown) of the outer cover  26  or between other layers of the absorbent article  10 , for example, between the base portion  64  of each containment flap  50 ,  52  and the bodyside liner  28  as depicted in  FIGS. 2, 2A and 3 , between the base portion  64  of each containment flap  50 ,  52  and the outer cover  26 , or between the bodyside liner  28  and the outer cover  26 . The leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be one or more elastic components near each longitudinal side edge  18 ,  20 . For example, the leg elastic members  60 ,  62  as illustrated herein each include two elastic strands. A wide variety of elastic materials may be used for the leg elastic members  60 ,  62 . 
     Suitable elastic materials can include sheets, strands or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric materials. The elastic materials can be stretched and secured to a substrate, secured to a gathered substrate, or secured to a substrate and then elasticized or shrunk, for example, with the application of heat, such that the elastic retractive forces are imparted to the substrate. Additionally, it is contemplated that the leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be formed with the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , and then attached to the chassis  11  in some embodiments. Of course, the leg elastic members  60 ,  62  can be omitted from the absorbent article  10 ,  110  without departing from the scope of this disclosure. 
     Fastening System: 
     In an embodiment, the absorbent article  10 , can include a fastening system. The fastening system can include one or more back fasteners  91  and one or more front fasteners  92 . The embodiments being shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict embodiments with one front fastener  92 . Portions of the fastening system may be included in the front waist region  12 , rear waist region  14 , or both. 
     The fastening system can be configured to secure the absorbent article  10  about the waist of the wearer in a fastened condition as shown in  FIG. 1  and help maintain the absorbent article  10  in place during use. In an embodiment, the back fasteners  91  can include one or more materials bonded together to form a composite ear as is known in the art. For example, the composite fastener may be composed of a stretch component  94 , a nonwoven carrier or hook base  96 , and a fastening component  98 , as labeled in  FIG. 2 . 
     According to aspects of the present disclosure, some embodiments of absorbent articles  10 ,  110  may include connecting portion  200 , which connects containment flaps  50 ,  52  in the rear half section  27  of the articles  10 ,  110  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . The connecting portion  200  cooperates with containment flaps  50 ,  52  to form opening  201  to absorbent assembly  44 . Opening  201  is designed to allow exudates from a BM pass by BM flaps  50 ,  52  to absorbent assembly  44 , where the exudates are ideally absorbed, while still providing a large area of coverage of the wearer&#39;s skin forming a barrier between the skin and the BM as exudates spread on absorbent assembly  44 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts a close-up of region A in the rear half section  27  of article  10  of  FIG. 2  to provide greater detail on connecting portion  200  and opening  201 . As seen in  FIGS. 2-5 , opening  201  can be defined by laterally opposed edges  203  and  205 . Laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  may generally extend in the longitudinal direction  30 , although in some embodiments laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  may form an angle with respect to longitudinal axis, as seen in  FIG. 5 . Laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  may further have a minimum separation distance  207  within the rear half section  27 . Minimum separation distance  207  may be the smallest distance that laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  are separated in the lateral direction  32  in the rear half section  27 . In different embodiments, minimum separation distance  207  may range between 0 mm and up to the distance between projection portions  66  of containment flaps  50 ,  52  when the article is in a laid flat configuration. In further embodiments, minimum separation distance  207  may range between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of the distance between the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , or the distance between the distal flap edges  65   b  of the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , when the article is in a laid flat configuration. In further embodiments, minimum separation distance  207  may range between about one-third and about two-thirds of the distance between the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , or the distance between the distal flap edges  65   b  of the projection portions  66  of the containment flaps  50 ,  52 , when the article is in a laid flat configuration. In still additional embodiments, minimum separation distance  207  may range between about 0 mm and about 250 mm. As will be described below with respect to  FIGS. 8-12 , the minimum separation distance  207  may be an important feature affecting how articles of the present disclosure, such as articles  10  and  110 , fit on a wearer and ultimately how the articles  10  and  110  perform to allow BM to pass through opening  201  yet still protect the skin of the wearer. 
     In some embodiments, opening  201  may further be defined by laterally extending back edge  204 . Laterally extending back edge  204  may define the rear-most part of opening  201  and may extend generally in the lateral direction  32 , but does not need to be parallel with lateral axis  31 . For instance, in some embodiments, laterally extending back edge  204  may form an angle with lateral axis  31 . Additionally, laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  may form angles  209 ,  211  with laterally extending back edge  204  where laterally opposed edges  203  and  205  connect to laterally extending back edge  204 . The specific values for angles  209 ,  211  may result from the construction of connecting portion  200 , in terms of minimum separation distance  207  and the lengths of laterally opposed edges  203  and  205 . However, in at least some embodiments, angles  209 ,  211  may range between about 60 degrees and about 85 degrees. In further embodiments, angles  209 ,  211  may range between about 65 degrees and about 75 degrees. However, it should be understood that angles  209 ,  211  are not limited to these specified values. Rather, angles  209 ,  211  may be any value achieved as a result for suitable chosen values of minimum separation distance  207  and the lengths of laterally opposed edges  203  and  205 . Additionally, although in some embodiments angles  209 ,  211  may be the same, this is not necessary in all embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, angles  209 ,  211  may differ from each other, although may generally differ by less than about 25 degrees. As one illustrative example, angle  209  may be 75 degrees, while angle  211  may be 60 degrees. 
     In general, connecting portion  200  may be formed through any desired means. In some embodiments, connecting portion  200  may be integral with containment flaps  50 ,  52 . For instance, containment flaps  50 ,  52  may originally comprise a continuous web of material with a section that spans between elastic members  68  of each containment flap  50 ,  52 . In such embodiments, a portion of the intermediate web between elastic members  68  of each containment flap  50 ,  52  may be removed to form opening  201 . In other embodiments, however, connecting portion  200  may be a discrete patch of material that is attached across containment flaps  50 ,  52 , as described below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an exemplary discrete patch  250  that may be used according to aspects of the present disclosure to form articles  10 ,  110  including connecting portion  200  and opening  201 . Discrete patch  250  may comprise tongue portion  256 , base portion  258 , and leg portions  260   a ,  260   b . However, it should be understood that each of tongue portion  256 , base portion  258 , and leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  need not be separate components that are bonded together. Rather, discrete patch  250  may be a single piece of continuous material, with tongue portion  256 , base portion  258 , and leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  called out for ease of description. 
     In general, tongue portion  256  may extend away base portion  258  in a first direction while leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  extend away from base portion  258  in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. Tongue portion  256  may comprise side edges  262 ,  264  and top edge  263  and may extend away from base portion a distance  271  any suitable amount for a given absorbent article. Because patch  250  may be used on many varieties of absorbent articles of different sizes, distance  271  may span a relatively large range of values. However, in at least some embodiments, distance  271  may be between about 15 mm and about 100 mm. Top edge  263  may additionally have a lateral extent  274 . Again, as patch  250  may be used on many varieties of absorbent articles of different sizes, lateral extent  274  may span a relatively large range of values. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, lateral extent  274  may equal minimum separation distance  257 . However, this is not necessary in all embodiments. In these embodiments, patch  250  may be formed using a no-waste process, as is described below with respect to  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Further, in at least some embodiments, lateral extent  274  may be the same as a lateral extent of tongue portion  256  where tongue portion  256  connects to base portion  258 . That is, tongue portion  256  may have a square shape instead of the trapezoid shape depicted in  FIG. 6 . In still further embodiments, lateral extent  274  may be greater than a lateral extent of tongue portion  256  where tongue portion  256  connects to base portion  258 . In such embodiments, tongue portion  256  may look like an upside-down trapezoid. 
     As seen in  FIG. 6 , in at least some embodiments, side edges  262 ,  264  may extend away from base portion  258  at an angle, although this is not necessary in all embodiments. In other embodiments, side edges  262 ,  264  may be perpendicular with base portion  258 . However, in embodiments where side edges  262 ,  264  extend away from base portion  258  at an angle, side edges  262 ,  264  may form angles  275 ,  276  with base portion  258 . In different embodiments, angles  275 ,  276  may range between about 90 degrees and about 165 degrees. In other embodiments, angles  275 ,  276  may range between about 115 degrees and about 145 degrees. In embodiments where patch  250  is formed in a nested, no waste manner, angles  275 ,  276  may be the same as angles  259 ,  261 , and angles  259 ,  261  may be a result of the chosen minimum separation distance  257  and lengths of angled internal edges  253  and  255 . 
     Base portion  258  may generally connect tongue portion  256  with leg portions  260   a ,  260   b . In the example of  FIG. 6 , base portion  258  is depicted as rectangular. However, in other embodiments, base portion  258  may have be another shape, for instance a trapezoid. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, base portion  258  and tongue portion  256  may be configured into a combined section where there is no distinction between where base portion  258  ends and tongue portion  256  begins. Base portion  258  may further have a longitudinal dimension  272  which may span a relatively large range of values. However, in at least some embodiments, longitudinal dimension  272  may range between about 5 mm and about 100 mm in various embodiments. In still further embodiments, longitudinal dimension  272  may range between about 15 mm and about 60 mm. 
     As mentioned above, leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  may extend away from base portion  258  and may each have a longitudinal dimension  273 . In general, longitudinal dimension  273  may have any value suitable for a given absorbent article, which may vary relatively greatly between different sized absorbent articles. In at least some embodiments, longitudinal dimension  273  may equal to between about 30% and about 75% of the distance between a central lateral fold line of an absorbent article to which patch  250  is to be attached and a back waist edge of the absorbent article. In further embodiments, longitudinal dimension  273  may be equal to between about 45% and about 65% of the distance between a central lateral fold line of an absorbent article to which patch  250  is to be attached and a back waist edge of the absorbent article. As will be described in more detail below, in some embodiments, patch  250  may be applied to an absorbent article in a stretched state. In such embodiments, longitudinal dimension  273  have a value equal to between about 40% to about 80% of the distance between a central lateral fold line of the absorbent article to which patch  250  is attached and a back waist edge of the absorbent article, when the absorbent article is in a stretched and laid-flat configuration. In further embodiments, longitudinal dimension  273  have a value equal to between about 55% to about 75% of the distance between a central lateral fold line of the absorbent article to which patch  250  is attached and a back waist edge of the absorbent article, when the absorbent article is in a stretched and laid-flat configuration. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, each leg portion  260   a ,  260   b  may have at least one angled edge, such as for example angled internal edges  253  and  255 . In general, angled internal edges  253  and  255  may extend in the longitudinal direction  30 , but may not necessarily be perpendicular to longitudinal axis  29 . Accordingly, angled internal edges  253  and  255  may form angles  259 ,  261  where leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  connect with base portion  258 . Additionally, where leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  connect with base portion  258 , leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  may be separated by a separation distance  257 , which is the length of bottom portion  254  of base portion  258 . 
     As can be seen, in embodiments where connecting portion  200  is a discrete patch of material, such as patch  250 , opening  251  may be defined by angled internal edges  253  and  255  and bottom portion  254  of base portion  258 . Accordingly, in various embodiments according to the present disclosure, angles  259 ,  261  may range between the same values as angles  209 ,  211  described previously with respect to  FIGS. 2-4 , and separation distance  257  may range between the same values as minimum separation distance  207 . 
     Patch  250  further has an overall lateral dimension  280 . This lateral dimension  280  may generally be enough to allow patch  250  to span between containment flaps  50 ,  52  of absorbent articles of the present disclosure. For instance, patch  250  may be useful in absorbent articles of differing forms and sizes, such as different sized diapers or adult absorbent articles. Accordingly, lateral dimension  280  may comprise any suitable value and may be chosen such that patch  250  spans the distance between containment flaps on the desired absorbent article. In at least some embodiments, lateral dimension  280  may be chosen such that leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  each encompass at least the projection portions  66  of a respective containment flap on the absorbent article. 
     Where connecting portion  200  comprises a discrete patch of material, such as discrete patch  250 , patch  250  may be formed separately from absorbent assembly  44  and containment flaps  50 ,  52  and bonded to absorbent assembly  44  and containment flaps  50 ,  52 . In such embodiments, patch  250  may be bonded to at least to containment flaps  50 ,  52 . For instance, for a given embodiment, patch  250  may have a lateral dimension  280  such that, when placed on an absorbent article containing containment flaps  50 ,  52 , patch  250  extends between containment flaps  50 ,  52  and encompasses at least a portion of each of containment flaps  50 ,  52 . In some embodiments, patch  250  may have a lateral dimension  280  such that portions leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  and base portion  258  encompass the entire lateral extent of containment flaps  50 ,  52  (or at least the projection portions  66  of each of containment flaps  50 ,  52 ). In other embodiments,  250  may have a lateral dimension  280  such that portions leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  and base portion  258  encompass only a portion of the lateral extent of containment flaps  50 ,  52  (or at least the projection portions  66  of each of containment flaps  50 ,  52 ). 
     In any case, patch  250  may be bonded to containment flaps  50 ,  52  along bond regions  282  and  284 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . In some exemplary embodiments, bond regions  282 ,  284  may align with projection portions  66  of containment flaps  50 ,  52 . However, in other embodiments, bond regions  282 ,  284  may align with base portion  64  of containment flaps  50 ,  52 . In still other embodiments, bond regions  282 ,  284  may align with bodyside liner  28 , or another component disposed on the body facing surface  19  of absorbent article  10 ,  110 , for instance in embodiments where containment flaps  50 ,  52  do not include base portion  64 . 
     Bond regions  282 ,  284  may extend through both leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  and through base portion  258 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . However, in other embodiments, bond regions  282 ,  284  may extend only through leg portions  260   a ,  260   b . Additionally, although shown as generally rectangular, bond regions  282 ,  284  may form any suitable shape sufficient to adhere patch  250  to absorbent articles of the present disclosure, such as article  10  or  110 . 
     In some additional embodiments where connecting portion  200  comprises a discrete patch, such as patch  250 , patch  250  may be further bonded absorbent article  10  along bond region  286 . Unlike bond regions  282 ,  284 , bond  286  may bond patch  250  to absorbent article  10  along the bodyside liner  28 , or along another component disposed on the body facing surface  19 . Although, in other embodiments, instead of bond region  286  bonding patch  250  to the bodyside liner  28  or other component disposed on the body facing surface  19  of article  10 , bond region  286  may bond patch  250  to an optional waistband. In any case, bonding patch  250  to absorbent article  10  along bond regions  282 ,  284 , and  286  as described above may create a “pocket” to for BM exudates as they spread out along absorbent assembly  44  after passing through opening  201 . 
     Although depicted as generally square in  FIG. 6 , bond region  286  may have any suitable shape including but not limited to circular, trapezoidal, rectangular, or the like. Additionally, bond region  286  may comprise multiple individual sub-bond regions. For example, patch  250  may comprise two bond regions  286  which are separated from each other and extend parallel to side edges  262  and  264 . In this manner, patch  250  may form a pocket underneath tongue portion  256  after patch  250  has been bonded to the absorbent article as a middle portion of tongue portion  256  may be left un-bonded to the absorbent article. Bond region  286  may also extend into base portion  258  in some embodiments. In some further embodiments, bond region  286  may span across patch  250  and connect bond region  282  with bond region  284 . In such embodiments, there may be only a single, continuous bond region, although the single region may generally conform to a shape similar to that depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
     Patch  250  may be bonded to the absorbent article along bond regions  282  and  284  (and possibly  286 ) using any bonding technique known in the art. For instance, patch  250  may be bonded to the absorbent article along bond regions  282  and  284  (and possibly  286 ) through application of adhesive, ultrasonic energy, heat energy, and/or pressure. In at least some embodiments, patch  250  may be have elastic properties—for instance, patch  250  may comprise elastic materials as described below—and may be bonded to the absorbent article in a stretched state. For instance, patch  250  may be stretched in its longitudinal dimension, e.g. in the direction of lengths  271 ,  272 , and  273 , before being applied to the article. In some embodiments, patch  250  may be stretched between about 110% and about 150% of its un-stretched length before being applied to the article. In other embodiments, patch  250  may be stretched between about 120% and about 130% of its un-stretched length before being applied to the article. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict alternative contemplated embodiments for positioning of patch  250  in relation to containment flaps  50 ,  52 . Specifically,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict an order of layers of absorbent article  10  as viewed along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7A , leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  of patch  250  can be seen disposed on top of containment flaps  50 ,  52 . Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, patch  250  may be bonded to absorbent article  10 ,  110  in a configuration where patch  250  is disposed over containment flaps  50 ,  52 .  FIG. 7B , depicts and an alternative embodiment. As can be seen, leg portions  260   a ,  260   b  are disposed underneath containment flaps  50 ,  52 . Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, patch  250  may be bonded to absorbent article in a configuration where patch  250  is disposed underneath containment flaps  50 ,  52 . 
     As mentioned, in some optional embodiments, absorbent articles of the present disclosure, such as articles  10 ,  110  may further include an elasticized waistband, such as waistband  202 , located in the rear half sections  27 , and more specifically in the rear waist region  14 . In embodiments where connecting portion  200  of an absorbent article of the present disclosure comprises a patch, such as patch  250 , and where the article further includes waist band  202 , waistband  202  may cover at least a portion of patch  250 , as seen in  FIGS. 2-5 . In some of these embodiments, waistband  202  may cover a portion of tongue portion  256 . However, in other embodiments, waistband  202  may cover all of tongue portion  256 . In still further embodiments, waistband  202  may cover all of tongue portion  256  and a portion of base portion  258 . Additionally, as described previously, in at least some embodiments patch  250  may be bonded to bodyside liner  28  or another absorbent article component disposed on the body facing surface  19 , for instance by bond region  286 . However, in other embodiments, patch  250  may alternatively be bonded to waistband  202  through bond region  286  instead of to bodyside liner  28  or another component on body facing surface  19 . In such embodiments, waistband  202  may be bonded to the absorbent articles of the present disclosure in a manner consistent with what is described in PCT/US15/23620, Attorney Docket Number 64967740PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/23596, Attorney Docket Number 64965789PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/23637, Attorney Docket Number 64967082PCT01 filed 31 Mar. 2015; PCT/US15/38271, Attorney Docket Number 64969698PCT01 filed 29 Jun. 2015; PCT/US15/47672, Attorney Docket Number 64970360PCT01 filed 31 Aug. 2015; and 62/212,051, Attorney Docket Number 64968524US01 filed 31 Aug. 2015. In such embodiments, patch  250  may increase the volume of the pocket formed by waistband  202 , thereby providing a greater holding capacity for BM exudates and greater skin protection by covering a larger area of a wearer&#39;s skin. 
     In general, patch  250  may be constructed of any suitable material. Although, in at least some embodiments, patch  250  may comprise a material which is liquid impermeable so as to provide a barrier between BM exudates and a wearer&#39;s skin. Patch  250  may be a single piece construction comprising just a single layer of material, although this is not necessary in all embodiments. Patch  250  may instead have a multi-layer construction, for instance comprising two, three, four, or more layers. Again, in general, patch  250  may have any suitable construction and may be formed of any suitable material. As some examples, patch  250  may have the same construction and be formed of any of the materials described above with respect to outer cover  26 , bodyside liner  28 , or containment flaps  50 ,  52 . 
     In at least some embodiments, patch  250  may comprise one or more elastic elements, thereby imparting elastic properties to patch  250 . For instance, patch  250  may comprise one or more elastic strands, an elastic film, and/or an elastic laminate such as a stretch film laminate as described herein. Example suitable materials that may be used for patch  250  include vertical film laminate materials, stretch film laminate materials, or elastic laminate structures. One specific example material is the elastic film laminate material called SABBEEL herein, which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,287,677, titled “Printable Elastic Composite” and is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety. Additionally, it should be understood that these are only example materials. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  depict further alternative embodiments of absorbent articles including connecting portions defining differently shaped openings than described previously with respect to absorbent article  10  and  110  of  FIGS. 2-5 . Specifically,  FIG. 8  depicts exemplary absorbent article  310 , including connecting portion  300  defining opening  301 . As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , opening  301  is defined by laterally opposed edges  303  and  305 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , laterally opposed edges  303  and  305  connect such that there is no minimum separation distance between laterally opposed edges  303  and  305 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts a further exemplary embodiment of an absorbent article, absorbent article  410  including connecting portion  400  defining opening  401 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , opening  401  is defined by laterally opposed edges  403  and  405 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the minimum separation distance  407  between laterally opposed edges  403  and  405  is at the maximum value described for minimum separation distance  207  detailed with respect to  FIGS. 2-5 . That is, minimum separation distance  407  equals the lateral distance between distal edges  465   b  of containment flaps  450 ,  452 . 
       FIGS. 10-12  depict each of exemplary absorbent articles  10 ,  310 , and  410 , connecting portions  200 ,  300 , and  400 , and openings created by connecting portions  200 ,  300 , and  400  as they would appear if worn by a wearer.  FIGS. 10-12  were derived from absorbent articles configured according to  FIGS. 2, 8, and 9  and viewed when placed on a clear test mannequin.  FIG. 10  depicts absorbent article  10  including connecting portion  200  and opening  201 . As can be seen opening  201  has become narrowed with respect to its depiction in  FIG. 2  due to the in-use position of article  10 . Narrowed opening  201  still has room for BM exudates to pass through opening  201  but is narrow enough to prevent the exudates from contacting a broad area of the wearer&#39;s skin as the exudates spread out on absorbent assembly  44  after passing through opening  201 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts absorbent article  310  including connecting portion  300  and opening  301 . As can be seen, opening  301  has also become narrowed with respect to its depiction in  FIG. 8  due to the in-use position of article  310 . However, opening  301  has narrowed so much that there is no effective opening for BM exudates to pass through past containment flaps of article  310  to contact the absorbent assembly of article  310 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts absorbent assembly  410 , including connecting portion  400  and opening  401 . As can be seen, opening  401  has become narrowed with respect to its depiction in  FIG. 9  due to the in-use position of article  410 . However, opening  401  is still functional in that there is room for BM exudates to pass through the containment flaps of article  410  to contact the absorbent assembly of absorbent article  410 . Although, opening  401  exposes a larger area of the wearer&#39;s skin to BM exudates after they pass through the containment flaps of the article  410  than the configuration according to  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, as can be see through  FIGS. 8-13 , careful selection of the shape of opening  201  is necessary to achieve a result of allowing BM exudates to pass beyond containment flaps to contact the absorbent assembly of an absorbent article while maintaining coverage over a relatively large area of a wearer&#39;s skin to protect the skin from the BM exudates as they spread over the absorbent assembly. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  depict portions of an exemplary manufacturing processes for forming absorbent articles of the present disclosure, such as articles  10  and  110 . In  FIG. 10 , depicts exemplary process  500  where discrete patches  550  are applied on top of containment flaps, resulting in a structure similar to that shown with respect to  FIG. 7A . Process  500  comprises moving a continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  in machine direction  505 . Absorbent assemblies  544  may include a chassis  511 , including outer cover  526 , bodyside liner  528 , and absorbent core  534  sandwiched between outer cover  526  and bodyside liner  528 . At the beginning of process  500 , containment flaps  551 ,  552  may be brought into contact with and bonded to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . Containment flaps  551 ,  552  may be bonded to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  using suitable technique as known in the art. As one example, containment flaps  551 ,  552  may be bonded to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  using a barrier adhesive, such as described previously with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     Once containment flaps  551 ,  552  have been bonded to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 , the absorbent assemblies  544  and containment flaps  551 ,  552  may pass through adhesive applicator  520 . Adhesive applicator  520  may apply adhesive onto containment flaps  551 ,  552 , and in some embodiments to absorbent assemblies  544 , in a predefined pattern. The predefined pattern may align with locations where discrete patches  550  will be applied to containment flaps  551 ,  552  and absorbent assemblies  544 . For instance, the predefined pattern may align with bond regions of patches  550  as patches  550  are placed onto the containment flaps  551 ,  552  and the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . 
     After passing adhesive applicator  520 , the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552  may pass by transfer drum  535 . Transfer drum may generally receive individual, separated patches  550  and transfer those individual, separated patches  550  onto the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  and containment flaps  551 ,  552 . As drum  535  rotates, patches  550  may come into contact with the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 , and more particularly the portions of the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552  where the adhesive has been applied by adhesive applicator  520  in the predefined pattern. Accordingly, as patches  550  contact the adhesive on the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 , patches  550  will adhere and bond to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  and containment flaps  551 ,  552 , forming openings  561  as depicted in  FIG. 13 . In embodiments where patches  550  are applied in a pre-stretched state, the cut and transfer process depicted in  FIG. 13  can further include a stretch or draw mechanism to impart elongation to the patches  550  before they are applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  and containment flaps  551 ,  552 . 
     It should be understood that adhesive application is only one exemplary way in which to bond patches  550  to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 . In other embodiments, ultrasonic energy, heat energy, and/or pressure, without the use of adhesive, may be used to bond patches  550  to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 . In such embodiments, process  500  may not include adhesive applicator  520 . Additionally, transfer drum  535  may additionally function as a portion of a rotary ultrasonic unit, e.g. as a pattern roll or an anvil roll. In such embodiments, patches  550  may still be bonded to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552  along predefined bond regions, however the bonding may occur without the use of adhesives. 
     In some embodiments, patches  550  may be separated from a continuous length of patch material  545  before being applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 .  FIG. 13  depicts continuous length of patch material  545 , including outlines  547  of individual patches  550 . In actuality, outlines  547  may not be present in patch material  545 , but are shown for ease of description. 
     Rollers  530 ,  531  may comprise a knife roll and an anvil roll. For instance, roller  530  may comprise a knife roll and roller  531  may comprise an anvil roll. Knife roll  530  may have one or more individual knife blades spaced circumferentially around roll  530 , and each individual knife blade may have a shape that, when pressed again patch material  545 , separates individual patches  550  from patch material  545  in a desired shape. For instance, the individual knife blades may have a shape that coincides with outlines  547 . As individual patches  550  are cut from patch material at rollers  530 ,  531 , the individual patches  550  may be captured on transfer roller  535 , which transfers the patches  550  to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552 . 
     The speed of the continuous length of patch material  545 , the rotational speed of rollers  530 ,  531 , and the rotational speed of transfer drum  535  may be chosen such that individual patches  550  are separated from each other along this path so that they are applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  including containment flaps  551 ,  552  in an intermittent fashion, as shown in  FIG. 13 . Additionally, as seen in the embodiment of  FIG. 13 , patches  550  have a nested shape and are cut from patch material  545  in a manner where there is no wasted patch material  545 . However, this does not have to be the case in all contemplated embodiments. 
       FIG. 14  depicts alternative exemplary process  600  where discrete patches  550  are first applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 , and then the containment flaps  551 ,  557  are applied on top of patches  550  and the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . Process  600  may result in a structure similar to that shown with respect to  FIG. 7B . 
     In the alternative exemplary process  600 , the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  may first encounter adhesive applicator  520 . In these embodiments, adhesive applicator  520  may also apply adhesive in a predefined to the absorbent assemblies  544 . However, the predefined pattern in process  600  may be different than in process  500 . For instance, in process  500 , the predefined pattern may comprise adhesive being applied to containment flaps  551 ,  557  and possibly to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . In contrast, in process  600 , the predefined pattern may only comprise adhesive being applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . 
     Next, similar to process  500 , the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  with applied adhesive encounters transfer drum  535 , where individual patches  550  are applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . The patches  550  may be secured to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  by the adhesive applied by adhesive applicator  520 . In some embodiments, the adhesive applied by adhesive applicator  520  may align with the tongue portions of patches  550 . For instance, the applied adhesive may align with a bond region such as bond region  286  as described with respect to  FIG. 6 . In embodiments where patches  550  are applied in a pre-stretched state, the cut and transfer process depicted in  FIG. 14  can further include a stretch or draw mechanism to impart elongation to the patches  550  before they are applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  and containment flaps  551 ,  557 . 
     After passing transfer drum  535 , the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 , now including patches  550 , may pass through adhesive applicator  522 . Like adhesive applicator  520 , adhesive applicator  522  may also apply adhesive to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  (and including patches  550  in these embodiments) in a predefined pattern. In some embodiments, the predefined pattern may align with at least some portions of patches  550 . For instance, the predefined pattern may encompass bond regions of patches  550 , such as bond regions  282 ,  284  as described above with respect to  FIG. 6 . In some further embodiments, adhesive applicator  522  may also apply adhesive to secure containment flaps  551 ,  557  to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . For instance, adhesive applicator  522  may additionally apply barrier adhesive  49  as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     After adhesive applicator  522 , containment flaps  551 ,  557  may be applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  and patches  550 . Accordingly, in the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , containment flaps  551 ,  557  are applied on top of patches  550 , forming openings  561 . In these embodiments, patches  550  end up positioned between bodyside liner  528  and containment flaps  551 ,  557 . 
     In both of process  500  and  600 , once containment flaps  551 ,  557  and patches  550  have been attached to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 , individual absorbent articles may be formed from the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 . For instance, the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  may continue on to a knife roll which separates the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  into individual absorbent assemblies  544 , a folding unit which folds the individual absorbent assemblies  544 , and a packaging unit which packages the individual absorbent assemblies  544 , as is known in the art. 
     Additionally, in at least some embodiments, additional components may be applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544 , or to the individual absorbent assemblies  544  after they are separated. For instance, as described, absorbent articles of the present disclosure may further comprise an elasticized waistband. Accordingly, in further embodiments of processes  500  and/or  600 , an elasticized waistband may be applied to the continuous stream of absorbent assemblies  544  or separated, individual absorbent assemblies  544  over patches  550 . 
     All documents cited in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by references, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure may be manifested in a variety of forms other than the specific embodiments described and contemplated herein. Specifically, the various features described with respect to the various embodiments and figures should not be construed to be applicable to only those embodiments and/or figures. Rather, each described feature may be combined with any other feature in various contemplated embodiments, either with or without any of the other features described in conjunction with those features. Accordingly, departure in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as described in the appended claims.