Patent Publication Number: US-8974430-B2

Title: Absorbent article comprising an activated region

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/073,154 filed Jun. 17, 2008, and 61/174,688 and 61/174,694, both filed on May 1, 2009, the substances of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Background of the Invention 
     Disposable absorbent articles are designed to absorb and contain bodily waste in order to prevent soiling of the body and clothing of the wearer, as well as bedding or other objects with which the wearer comes into contact. As the usage of disposable absorbent articles has expanded, their complexity has increased with the incorporation of additional features serving to enhance their performance and appearance. The costs of the materials and the costs of the manufacturing processes have also increased in conjunction with the increase in complexity. As a result, the prices at which these articles are sold have risen to levels that many potential purchasers around the world cannot afford to pay. Thus, a need exists for a simple disposable absorbent article. One approach to delivering a simple, affordable absorbent article is described herein. The approach described herein leverages simplicity of design and material efficiency enabled via activation to deliver a simplistic low cost article. The activation of the chassis web renders portions of a simple plastic film extensible and somewhat elastic. This extensibility allows for increased flexibility with regard to fit and sizing, as well as delivering significant wearer comfort. Delivering a high degree of extensibility of a complete absorbent article that comprises a non-extensible absorbent assembly requires holistic integration of the absorbent assembly into the extensible chassis. This integration is achieved via differential (zoned) activation and attachment of the absorbent assembly in a complimentary fashion thereby minimizing the impact of the non-extensible absorbent assembly on the extensibility of the absorbent article provided by the zoned activation. The combination of the highly extensible chassis, complimentarily attached absorbent assembly and abdominal stretch panels provide a structure that has the look and feel of real underwear when compared to other less extensible highly contracted diapers. This underwear look and feel is important to both the caregiver and the wearer, especially in a toilet training context, since it conveys a transition from being a “baby” to becoming a “big boy or big girl.” 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An absorbent article may comprise an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core. The article may also comprise a chassis formed by a web comprising at least one continuous layer that forms a portion of a water-impermeable backsheet and a portion of laterally opposing side flaps. The chassis may further comprise a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a front waist region comprising a front waist edge, a back waist region comprising a back waist edge, a crotch region between the waist regions, laterally opposing side edges extending between the front waist edge and the back waist edge, an exterior surface, and an interior surface to which the absorbent assembly is attached. Each of the side flaps may comprise a longitudinally extending first elastic gathering member attached at or adjacent to its proximal edge. 
     The article may also comprise at least one abdominal stretch panel attached to the interior surface or the exterior surface of the chassis in the front waist region or the back waist region. The abdominal stretch panel may have a circumferentially extending longitudinally distal edge disposed at or adjacent to the respective waist edge and a longitudinally opposing circumferentially extending longitudinally proximal edge. The abdominal stretch panel may provide a circumferential contractive force around the waist opening when the chassis is stretched circumferentially. 
     The chassis may further comprises a continuously activated region disposed in one or both of the front and back waist regions of the article. The continuously activated region may comprise longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys, wherein the continuously activated region overlaps the portion of the chassis where the at least one abdominal stretch panel is disposed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawing figures, like reference numerals identify like elements, which may or may not be identical in the several exemplary embodiments that are depicted. Some of the figures may have been simplified by the omission of selected elements for the purpose of more clearly showing other elements. Such omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of particular elements in any of the exemplary embodiments, except as may be explicitly delineated in the corresponding written description. 
       In the drawing figures and in the written description, lowercase letters appended to reference numerals indicate generally symmetric elements, e.g., left and right symmetric elements may be respectively identified by the reference numerals  1   a  and  1   b . A reference numeral without an appended lowercase letter identifies all of the elements to which that particular reference numeral applies, e.g., the same elements as a group may be designated  1 . 
       The edges of various components are shown offset from each other for clarity; the depiction of parallel edges immediately adjacent to each other is intended to represent that these edges are disposed either collinearly or in close proximity to each other. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary disposable absorbent article in the form of a diaper  20 , which is shown in its flat, uncontracted state, i.e., without the contraction induced by elastic members. In  FIG. 1 , the interior of the diaper is shown facing the viewer. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  with the exterior portion of the diaper  20  shown facing the viewer. 
         FIG. 3  is a section view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  5 - 5 . 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified side elevation view of an exemplary diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  being worn about a lower torso of a wearer. 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a back elevation view of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a laminate stretch panel. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of the laminate stretch panel of  FIG. 10  in a stretched condition. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view of an exemplary absorbent assembly  200  with the interior portion of the absorbent assembly  200  shown facing the viewer. 
         FIG. 13  is a section view of the absorbent assembly of  FIG. 12  taken at the section line  13 - 13 . 
         FIG. 14  is a section view of the absorbent assembly of  FIG. 12  taken at the section line  14 - 14 . 
         FIG. 15  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the absorbent assembly  200  of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  comprising an inner liner taken at the section line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 17  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  comprising an inner liner taken at the section line  6 - 6 . 
         FIG. 18  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the side flaps  147  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 19  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the side flaps  147  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 20  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the side flaps  147  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 21  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an activation and attachment pattern  675  and  210  of  FIG. 1 , which is shown in its flat, uncontracted state, i.e., without the contraction induced by elastic members. In  FIG. 21 , the exterior of the diaper is shown facing the viewer. 
         FIG. 22  is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of an attachment pattern  210  of  FIG. 1 , which is shown in its flat, uncontracted state, i.e., without the contraction induced by elastic members. In  FIG. 22 , the exterior of the diaper is shown facing the viewer. 
         FIG. 23  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the side flaps  147  of  FIG. 1  comprising attached side flaps taken at the section line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 24  is a section view of the abdominal stretch panel  370  of  FIG. 1  taken along the longitudinal axis  42 . 
         FIG. 25  is a section view of an alternative embodiment of the diaper  20  of  FIG. 1  taken along the longitudinal axis  42  comprising an inner liner. 
         FIG. 26  is a simplified section view of an alternative embodiment of the interior surface  102  of  FIG. 1  taken at the section line  3 - 3 . 
         FIG. 27  is a plan view of an exemplary fragment of a formed web material. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In this description, the following terms have the following meanings: 
     The term “absorbent article” refers to a device that absorbs and contains liquid, and more specifically, refers to a device that is placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. 
     The term “diaper” refers to an absorbent article that is generally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso and that is specifically adapted to receive and contain urinary and fecal waste. A diaper may be in the form of a taped diaper or a pull-on (pant style) diaper. 
     The term “disposable” refers to the nature of absorbent articles that generally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as an absorbent article, i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and, may be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner. 
     The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction running from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article. Directions within 45° of the longitudinal direction are considered to be “longitudinal”. 
     The term “lateral” refers to a direction running from a side edge to an opposing side edge of the article and generally at a right angle to the longitudinal direction. Directions within 45° of the lateral direction are considered to be “lateral”. 
     The term “circumferential” refers to a direction encircling the waist of the wearer generally parallel to the lateral direction. 
     The term “disposed” refers to an element being attached and positioned in a particular place or position in a unitary structure with other elements. 
     The term “attach” refers to elements being connected or united by adhering, bonding, fastening etc., by any method suitable for the elements being attached together and their constituent materials. Many suitable means for attaching or joining elements together are well-known, including adhesive, pressure, thermal, mechanical, etc. Such attachment methods may be used to attach elements together over a particular area either continuously or intermittently. Unless indicated otherwise, elements that are described as being attached to each other are attached directly together, with either nothing or via one or more closure members, e.g., an adhesive or fastener, between them. Elements that are described as being attached to each other are attached together either permanently or temporarily, i.e., permanent attachment means that one or both of the elements and/or any closure members that are present must be functionally damaged in order to separate them such that they are not reattachable or refastenable and temporary attachment means that one or both of the elements and/or any closure members that are present may be separated and reattached or refastened (i.e., opened and closed) multiple times while substantially maintaining functionality of the closure member. 
     The term “laminate” refers to elements being attached together in a layered arrangement. 
     The terms “water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure. A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., may be “water vapor-permeable”. Such a water vapor-permeable layer or layered structure is commonly known in the art as “breathable”. As is well known in the art, a common method for measuring the permeability to water of the materials typically used in absorbent articles is a hydrostatic pressure test, also called a hydrostatic head test or simply a “hydrohead” test. Suitable well known compendial methods for hydrohead testing are approved by INDA (formerly the International Nonwovens and Disposables Association, now The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry) and EDANA (European Disposables and Nonwovens Association). 
     The terms “proximal” and “distal” refer respectively to the location of an element near to or far from the center of a structure, e.g., the proximal edge of a longitudinally extending element is located nearer to the longitudinal axis than the distal edge of the same element is located relative to the same longitudinal axis. 
     The terms “interior” and “exterior” refer respectively to the location of an element that is intended to be placed against or toward the body of a wearer when an absorbent article is worn and the location of an element that is intended to be placed against or toward any clothing that is worn over the absorbent article. Synonyms for “interior” and “exterior” include, respectively, “inner” and “outer”, as well as “inside” and “outside”. Also, when the absorbent article is oriented such that its interior faces upward, e.g., when it is laid out in preparation for setting the wearer on top of it, synonyms include “upper” and “lower”, “above” and “below”, “over” and “under”, and “top” and “bottom”, respectively. 
     The term “nonwoven” refers to a sheet, web, or batt of directionally or randomly oriented fibers, made by bonding or entangling the fibers through mechanical, thermal, or chemical means. Nonwoven materials exclude paper and products which are woven, knitted, tufted, or felted by wet milling. The fibers may be man-made synthetics. 
     The term “abdominal stretch panel” refers to a structural component that resists elongation by providing a circumferential contractive force around the waist opening of a diaper when it is stretched in the circumferential direction. 
     The term “application force” is the force required to extend the waist region of the diaper in order to apply the diaper onto the wearer. 
     The term “sustained fit force” is the force delivered by the diaper at the waist that provides the requisite body contact post application in order to deliver proper fit, gasketing, and sustained position (i.e., sustained fit). 
     Description of Exemplary Diaper Embodiment 
     In  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , the exemplary diaper  20  is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to being formed into a pant. The finished pant product is shown in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 . 
     One end portion of the exemplary diaper  20  may be configured as a front waist region  36 . The longitudinally opposing end portion may be configured as a back waist region  38 . An intermediate portion of the diaper  20  extending longitudinally between the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38  may be configured as a crotch region  37 . 
     The basic structure of the diaper  20  includes a chassis  100 . The chassis  100  has a laterally extending front waist edge  136  in the front waist region  36  and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist edge  138  in the back waist region  38 . The chassis  100  has a longitudinally extending left side edge  137   a  and a laterally opposing and longitudinally extending right side edge  137   b , both chassis side edges extending longitudinally between the front waist edge  136  and the back waist edge  138 . The chassis  100  has an interior surface  102  and an exterior surface  104 . The chassis  100  also has a longitudinal axis  42  and a lateral axis  44 . The longitudinal axis  42  extends through the midpoint of the front waist edge  136  and through the midpoint of the back waist edge  138 . The lateral axis  44  extends through the midpoint of the left side edge  137   a  and through the midpoint of the right side edge  137   b . The exemplary chassis  100  shown in  FIG. 1  additionally has longitudinally extending and laterally opposing side flaps  147   a  and  147   b  that are described in more detail below. The portion of the chassis forming the backsheet and side flaps (including the side barriers and cuff flaps) may be formed by a web (herein, the “chassis web”) comprising one or more layers. One or more of the layers forming the chassis web  149  may be water impervious. The layers forming the chassis web  149  may have different lateral extents or may be coterminus in width. And, the chassis web  149 , as well as the layer or layers forming the chassis web  149 , may be laterally and/or longitudinally continuous. 
     The basic structure of the diaper  20  also includes an absorbent assembly  200  that may be attached to the chassis  100 . The absorbent assembly  200  has a laterally extending front edge  236  in the front waist region  36  and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge  238  in the back waist region  38 . The absorbent assembly  200  has a longitudinally extending left side edge  237   a  and a laterally opposing and longitudinally extending right side edge  237   b , both absorbent assembly side edges extending longitudinally between the front edge  236  and the back edge  238 . The absorbent assembly  200  has an interior surface  202  and an exterior surface  204 . The absorbent assembly  200  may be disposed symmetrically with respect to either or both of the longitudinal axis  42  and the lateral axis  44 . Alternatively, the absorbent assembly  200  may be disposed asymmetrically with respect to either or both of the longitudinal axis  42  and the lateral axis  44 . For example, the absorbent assembly  200  shown in  FIG. 1  is disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis  42  and asymmetrically with respect to the lateral axis  44 . In particular, the absorbent assembly  200  shown in  FIG. 1  is disposed asymmetrically toward the front waist region  36 . 
     The respective front edge  236 , back edge  238 , left side edge  237   a , and right side edge  237   b  of the absorbent assembly  200  may lie inward of the respective front waist edge  136 , back waist edge  138 , left side edge  137   a , and right side edge  137   b  of the chassis  100 , as in the exemplary diaper  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . In certain embodiments, the front edge  236  and back edge  238  of the absorbent assembly  200  may lie inward of the front and back interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390 , e.g., between the proximal edges  372  and  392  of the interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390  and the lateral axis  44 . Alternatively, one or more of the edges of the absorbent assembly  200  may coincide with the corresponding edge(s) of the chassis  100 . In yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 24 , the interior front and back abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390  may overlap a portion of the absorbent assembly  200 . In such an overlapping configuration, it may be advantageous for the interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and/or  390  to remain unattached to the absorbent assembly  200  over a portion of the longitudinal extent of the abdominal stretch panel  370  and/or  390 , particularly in the laterally central portions of the chassis, i.e., area between the laterally opposing side flaps  147 , for example  117  and  118 , to provide an abdominal stretch panel waist cap or stand up waist feature forming a pocket  650  which helps to prevent leakage of urine and/or feces at the waist. 
     The chassis  100  and  100  may additionally include an inner liner  22  attached to the backsheet  26  and/or the absorbent assembly  200  as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . The inner liner  22  may form a portion of the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  that is intended to be placed against the body of the wearer. The inner liner  22  may be formed of a soft material that will not irritate the skin of the wearer. Such an inner liner  22  may serve to isolate the skin of the wearer from a portion of the backsheet  26  as may be desirable, for example, when the diaper  20  is worn under conditions in which contact between the skin and a backsheet  26  could be uncomfortable. Many suitable materials for the inner liner  22  are well-known in the art, including rayon and synthetic nonwovens such as spunbonded or carded polypropylene or polyester. The inner liner  22  may extend to the same width and the same length as the backsheet  26 . 
     Alternatively, one or more of the edges of the inner liner  22  may lie inward of the edges (i.e., side edges  137   a  and  b , and waist end edges  136  and  138 ) of the chassis  100 . For example, with reference to the exemplary diaper  20  shown in  FIG. 1  only the portions of the inner liner  22  (see  FIGS. 16 and 17 ) lying in a front gap  606  between the front edge  236  of the absorbent assembly  200  and the front waist edge  136  of the chassis  100  and a back gap  607  between the back edge  238  of the absorbent assembly  200  and the back waist edge  138  of the chassis  100  are exposed, while the remainder of the inner liner  22  is covered by the absorbent assembly  200  and the side flaps  147   a  and  b . Therefore, a laterally extending strip of the inner liner  22  disposed in the front gap  606  in the front waist region  36  and a similar laterally extending strip of the inner liner  22  disposed in the back gap  607  in the back waist region  38  may suffice to isolate the skin of the wearer from the backsheet  26  in these two gaps. The inner liner  22  may be partially disposed under the side flaps  147  or alternatively the inner liner  22  may be disposed on top of the side flaps  147  in one or both of the waist regions  36  and  38 . In certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 25 , the inner liner  22  may overlap a portion of the absorbent assembly  200 . In such an overlapping configuration, it may be advantageous for the inner liner  22  to remain unattached to the absorbent assembly  200  over a portion of the longitudinal extent of the inner liner  22  particularly in the laterally central portions, area between the laterally opposing side flaps  147 , for example  117  and  118 , to provide an inner liner waist cap or stand up waist feature forming a pocket  650  which helps to prevent leakage of urine and/or feces at the waist. 
     The basic structure of the diaper  20  also includes at least one abdominal stretch panel that may be attached to the chassis  100  in a waist region. When the chassis  100  is stretched in the circumferential direction, the abdominal stretch panel resists by providing a circumferential contractive force around the waist opening of the diaper  20 . In  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , the diaper  20  is shown as having four abdominal stretch panels. In particular, in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a front interior abdominal stretch panel  370  is shown attached interiorly to the chassis  100  in the front waist region  36  of the diaper  20 . Similarly, in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 , a back interior abdominal stretch panel  390  is shown attached interiorly to the chassis  100  in the back waist region  38  of the diaper  20 . In  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , a front exterior abdominal stretch panel  360  is shown attached exteriorly to the chassis  100  in the front waist region  36 . Finally, in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 6 , a back exterior abdominal stretch panel  380  is shown attached exteriorly to the chassis  100  in the back waist region  38  of the diaper  20 . The abdominal stretch panel may be applied to the surface of the absorbent article in an untensioned state, i.e. the abdominal stretch panel applies little or no contractive force on the article until the waist region of the article is extended laterally, e.g. during application. Alternatively, the abdominal stretch panel may be applied to the surface of the absorbent article under tension and therefore applies some contractive force to the waist region of the article prior to use. 
     Alternatively, the diaper  20  may have four abdominal stretch panels as described above, or may have only one, two, or three abdominal stretch panels, as desired for providing an appropriate level of circumferential contractive forces around the waist of a wearer. For example, in some embodiments, the diaper  20  may have only a front exterior abdominal stretch panel  360 , while in other exemplary embodiments, the diaper  20  may have both a front exterior abdominal stretch panel  360  and a back exterior abdominal stretch panel  380 . In some exemplary embodiments, the diaper  20  may have only a front interior abdominal stretch panel  370 , while in other exemplary embodiments, the diaper  20  may have both a front interior abdominal stretch panel  370  and a back interior abdominal stretch panel  390 . In some exemplary embodiments, the diaper  20  may have an exterior abdominal stretch panel and an interior abdominal stretch panel in either the front waist region  36  or the back waist region  38 , and only either an exterior abdominal stretch panel or an interior abdominal stretch panel in the opposing waist region. The exterior abdominal stretch panels  360  and  380  may be attached to the exterior surface of the backsheet  26 . The interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390  may be attached to the interior surface of the chassis  102  and/or the interior surface of the absorbent assembly  202  and/or the upper surfaces  613   a  and  b  of the side flaps  147   a  and  b.    
     During application of the diaper  20 , particularly a diaper configured as a pull-on pant, the diaper  20  may be pulled upward along the legs and over the hips of the wearer to the waist. Several factors impact ease of application for pull-on style diapers. First, the wearer or caregiver should be able to get the wearer&#39;s legs through the leg openings easily. Second, the abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390  should have an acceptable application force (i.e., the force that allows a wearer or caregiver of the wearer to extend the abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390  and pull the diaper upward over the wearer&#39;s buttocks and hips without excessive effort). Excessive application force makes application of the diaper  20  more difficult for both the caregiver and/or the wearer, for example a potty training child who pulls the pant up and down on their own. Finally, the abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390  should provide an adequate level of wearing force or sustained fit force (i.e., the force that the abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390  apply to the waist of the wearer during wear providing the requisite sustained fit, including maintaining the position, fit, and gasketing of the diaper  20  at the waist, without marking the skin). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 , when the diaper  20  is worn on the lower torso of a wearer, the front waist edge  136  and the back waist edge  138  of the chassis  100  encircle the waist of the wearer, while at the same time the chassis side edges  137   a  and  137   b  encircle the legs of the wearer. At the same time, the crotch region  37  may be positioned between the legs of the wearer and the absorbent assembly  200  extends from the front waist region  36  through the crotch region  37  to the back waist region  38 . 
     Description of the Chassis 
     The chassis  100  includes a water-impermeable backsheet  26 . The backsheet  26  forms an exterior surface that is intended to be placed toward any clothing that is worn over the diaper  20 . Many suitable materials for use as the backsheet  26  are well-known, including films of polyethylene and other polyolefins. Multi-layer backsheets, such as a laminate of a film  30  and a nonwoven material  31  or a laminate of multiple nonwoven layers, may also be suitable for use as the backsheet  26 . Such a backsheet may be oriented with the nonwoven  31  disposed exteriorly of the film, as shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , to provide the feel and appearance of a more cloth-like outermost layer than would be provided by using the film  30  as the outermost layer. A multi-layer backsheet  26 , such as a laminate of a film  30  and a nonwoven  31 , may also be suitable for use with the nonwoven  31  disposed interiorly to separate the film  30  from the skin of the wearer, or with nonwoven  31  disposed both exteriorly and interiorly, such that the film  30  is sandwiched. In addition, the nonwoven  31  and film  30  layers of the multi-layer laminate may have different widths, for example the film  30  may be wider than the nonwoven  31  or alternatively the nonwoven  31  may be wider than the film  30 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , the exemplary chassis  100  has longitudinally extending and laterally opposing side flaps  147  that are disposed on the interior portion of the diaper  20  that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer. The side flaps  147  may be formed by folding portions of the chassis  100  laterally inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis  42 , to form both the respective side flaps  147  and the side edges  137  of the chassis  100 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the side flaps  147  may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis  100  at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges  137  of the chassis  100 . 
     Each side flap  147  has a proximal edge  157 . In the exemplary diaper  20  shown in  FIG. 1 , the side flaps  147  overlap the absorbent assembly  200 , i.e., the proximal edges  157  lie laterally inward of the respective side edges  237  of the absorbent assembly  200 . Such an overlapped configuration may be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to the diaper  20  than that imparted by a non-overlapped configuration. Alternatively, the side flaps  147  may not overlap the absorbent assembly  200 . 
     Each of the side flaps  147  may be attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  in longitudinally oriented side flap attachment zones  151  in the front waist region  36  and longitudinally oriented side flap attachment zones  152  in the back waist region  38 . 
     In the exemplary chassis  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , the side flaps  147  may also be attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  in laterally oriented side flap attachment zones  153  adjacent to the front waist edge  136  and in a longitudinally opposing laterally oriented side flap attachment zones  154  adjacent to the back waist edge  138 . 
     In embodiments in which the front edge  236  or the back edge  238  of the absorbent assembly  200  coincides with the respective front waist edge  136  or back waist edge  138  of the chassis  100  and the side flaps  147  overlap the absorbent assembly  200 , the side flaps  147  may be attached to the absorbent assembly  200  instead of, or in addition to, being attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100 . 
     In embodiments in which the chassis  100  comprises a multi-layer chassis web  149 , such as a laminate of a film  30  and a nonwoven  31 , the nonwoven  31  may extend laterally to the full extent, width of the film  30  or alternatively the nonwoven  31  may have a width that is less than or greater than that of the film  30  layer. In an embodiment where the nonwoven  31  has a width, lateral extent, that is less than that of the film  30 , the portion of the chassis web  149  that is folded to form the side flap  147  may consist solely of the film  30  layer, or may consist substantially of the film  30  layer (in other words, for a multilayered chassis web  149 , the nonwoven  31  may extend across the exterior surface  104  from one chassis side edge  137   a  to the opposing side edge  137   b ; or alternatively, the nonwoven  31  may wrap the chassis side edges  137   a  and  b  and cover a portion of the side flaps  147   a  and  b ). In an embodiment where the nonwoven  31  has a width, lateral extent, that is greater than that of the film  30 , the portion of the chassis web  149  that is folded to form the side flap  147  may consist solely of the nonwoven  31  layer, or may consist substantially of the nonwoven  31  layer. Furthermore, the nonwoven  31  of a multi-layer chassis web  149  may extend longitudinally to the full extent, length, of the film  30  or alternatively the nonwoven  31  may have a longitudinal extent that is less than that of the film  30  layer. In an embodiment where the nonwoven  31  has a length, longitudinal extent, that is less than that of the film  30 , the portion of the chassis  100  uncovered by the nonwoven  31  in the front and/or back waist regions  36  and  38  may be covered by the abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390 . 
     Between the longitudinally opposing side flap attachment zones, the proximal edges  157  of the side flaps  147  remain free, i.e., are not attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  or to the absorbent assembly  200 . Also between the longitudinally opposing side flap attachment zones, each side flap may include one or more (specifically including one, two, three, or four strands per side flap) longitudinally extensible flap elastic gathering members that may be attached adjacent to the proximal edge of the side flap by any of many well-known means. Each of such flap elastic gathering members may be attached over its entire length or over only a portion of its length. For example, such flap elastic gathering members may be attached only at or near its longitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of its length. Such flap elastic gathering members may be disposed in the crotch region  37  and may extend into one or both of the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38 . For example, in the exemplary chassis  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , an elastic strand  167  may be attached adjacent to the proximal edge  157  of each of the side flaps  147  and extends into both the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38 . 
     Each flap elastic gathering member may be enclosed inside a folded hem. For example, in the exemplary chassis  100  shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , each of the elastic strands  167  may be enclosed inside a hem  170  formed adjacent to the proximal edge  157  of the respective side flap  147 . Alternatively, the flap elastic gathering member(s) may be sandwiched between two layers of the chassis or may be attached on a surface of the chassis  100  and remain exposed. 
     When stretched, the flap elastic gathering member disposed adjacent to each side flap proximal edge allows the side flap edge to extend to the flat uncontracted length of the chassis, e.g., the length of the chassis  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . When allowed to relax, the flap elastic gathering member contracts to pull the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38  toward each other and thereby bend the diaper  20  into a “U” shape in which the interior of the “U” shape may be formed by the portions of the diaper  20  that are intended to be placed toward the body of the wearer. Because each of the proximal edges  157  remains free between the longitudinally oriented side flap attachment zones  151  and  152 , the contractive force of the elastic strand  167  lifts the proximal edge  157  of the side flap  147  away from the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100 . This lifting of the proximal edges  157  when the diaper  20  is in the relaxed condition lifts the side flaps  147  into position to serve as side barriers adjacent to the side edges  237  of the absorbent assembly  200 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  18 ,  19 , and  20 , one or more (specifically including one, two, three, or four strands per side flap) second elastic strands  168   a  and  b  may be attached at or adjacent the chassis side edges  137   a  and  b  of the chassis  100  where it is folded to form the side flaps  147   a  and  b . When allowed to relax, the second elastic strands  168   a  and  b  may gather the side edges  137   a  and  b  of the chassis  100  to form side barriers  633   a  and  b  and function as a barrier to leakage of urine and fecal waste. A channel  621   a  and  b  may be formed adjacent the side edge  137   a  and  b  of the chassis  100  where it is folded to form the side flap  147   a  and  b  such that the portion of the chassis web  149  forming the channel  621   a  and  b  remains largely non-adhered to itself or to the second elastic strands  168   a  or  b , particularly in each of the opposing waist regions  36  and  38 , such that the second elastic strands  168   a  and  b  floats in the hollow of the channels  621   a  and  b  to enable the second elastic strands  168   a  and  b  to snap back to its glued-in length once the diaper  20  is cut to length during manufacture. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  18 ,  19  and  20  the side flaps  147  may be formed into cuff flaps  631  and side barriers  633 . Particularly, side barrier attachments  630  may be oriented between the first and second elastic strands  167  and  168 . The placement of side barrier attachments  630  relative to the longitudinal axis  42  has a direct and coupled effect on the depth of cuff flaps  631  and the size of the side barriers  633 . For example, when the side barrier attachments  630  are moved laterally inward, the depth of the cuff flaps  631  decreases and the size of the side barriers  633  increases. Conversely, as shown in  FIG. 18 , when the side barrier attachments  630  are moved laterally outward, the depth of the cuff flaps  631  increases and the size of the side barriers  633  decreases. The depth and/or size of the cuff flaps  631  and side barriers  633  may be adjusted for various applications to provide enhanced functionality. In one such embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 19 , it has been found that reduced depth cuff flaps  631  and larger side barriers  633  provides better application ease with regard to a pull-on pant style application. This configuration increases the size of the leg opening (not shown in  FIG. 19 ) enabling the wearer to step into the diaper  20  more easily. In yet another embodiment, it has been found that increasing the depth of the cuff flaps  631  and reducing the size of the side barriers  633  provides improved leakage protection and increased perception of capacity. 
     The depth of the cuff flaps  631  as measured from the proximal edge  157  of the side flap  147  to the side barrier attachment  630  may be from about 2 cm to about 7 cm, from about 2.5 cm to about 6.5 cm, or from about 3 cm to about 6 cm. The length of the side flap  147 , as measured from the proximal edge  157  of the side flap  147  to the side edge  137  of the chassis  100  may be from about 4.5 cm to about 9.5 cm, from about 5 cm to about 8.5 cm, or from about 5.5 cm to about 7.5 cm. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 20 , a second pair of side barrier attachments  630   c  and  d  may be used such that one can adjust the height of the cuff flaps  631  of the side flaps  147  without impacting the height of the side barriers  633 . A channel  634   a  and  b  may be formed between side barrier attachments  630   a  and  c  and/or  630   b  and  d  and may comprise one or more additional elastic gathering members/strands  635   a  and  b  disposed therein. 
     For embodiments wherein the side flaps  147  are formed by attaching additional layers (e.g., film  30  and/or nonwoven  31 ) to the chassis  100  at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges  137   a  and  b  of the chassis  100 , the second elastic strand  168   a  and  b  may be oriented and attached between the layers (e.g., film  30  and nonwoven  31 ) see  FIG. 24 . The layers (e.g., film  30  and nonwoven  31 ) may also form a channel (e.g.,  621   a  and  b ) and provide the functionality associated with it as described above. 
     At and/or adjacent to each of the side edges  137  of the chassis, the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38  are attached together to form the finished pant product having a waist opening  10  and two leg openings  12 . This attachment may have the form of side seams  115 . Such a side seam may be formed where the waist regions are overlapped such that the interior surface of one lies against the exterior surface of the other. In another form, a side seam may be formed where the side edges in the waist regions are abutted. In another form, a side seam may be formed where either the interior surfaces or the exterior surfaces of the waist regions are in face-to-face contact, i.e., in a so-called flanged attachment. Such flanged attachments are shown in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , side seam  115  may comprise primary closure members  700  which are refastenable. The primary closure members  700  may comprise any refastenable fastening components known in the art. For example, the primary closure members  700  may comprise mechanical fasteners, e.g. hook and loop fasteners, hook and hook fasteners, macrofasteners, buttons, snaps, tab and slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic fasteners, hermaphrodidic fasteners and the like. Some suitable examples of fastening systems and/or fastening elements are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060; 4,946,527; 5,151,092; 5,221,274; 6,251,097; 6,669,618; and 6,432,098; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/240,943, entitled, “Anti-Pop Open Macrofasteners” filed on Sep. 30, 2005; and Ser. No. 11/240,838, entitled, “A Fastening System Having Multiple Engagement Orientations”, filed on Sep. 30, 2005. Additionally, various suitable pant configurations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,246,433; 5,569,234; 6,120,487; 6,120,489; 4,940,464; 5,092,861; 5,897,545; 5,957,908; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0233082; 2005/0234419A1; 2003/0088220; 2005/0130821; 2003/0233082; 2005/0215971; 2005/0215970; 2007/0078427; 2007/0093769; 2007/0074381; 2007/0078426A1; and 2008-0107861. 
     A side seam may be formed where the waist regions are overlapped such that the interior surface of one lies against the exterior surface of the other. In such an embodiment, one closure member  700  may be disposed on the interior surface of the side flap while the other closure member  700  is disposed on the exterior surface of the backsheet. In an alternative embodiment, a side seam may be formed where the side edges in the waist regions are abutted. In such an embodiment, the closure member  700  may be disposed on the outer surface of the backsheet in both the front and back waist regions and/or on the inner surface of the side flaps in the front and back waist regions such that it spans from one waist region to the opposing waist region. In yet another embodiment, a side seam may be formed where either the interior surfaces or the exterior surfaces of the waist regions are in face-to-face contact, i.e., in a so-called flanged attachment. Such flanged attachments are shown in  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 9 . 
     In other embodiments, secondary closure members (not shown) may be employed to enable adjustment of the article once the article has been applied to a wearer. Secondary closure members (not shown) serve to increase the tension (i.e., “cinch”) in the waist hoop subsequent to application in order to provide enhanced sustained fit of the article. Secondary closure members (not shown) may include any type of fastener as known in the art and may be associated with a stretch element that aids in increasing the tension in the waist hoop. A secondary closure member (not shown) may be disposed adjacent one of the primary closure members  700  or may be made unitarily with one of the primary closure members  700 , The purpose of a secondary closure member (not shown) is to allow the user to adjust the fit of the article. It should be understood that multiple closure members, i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary, etc. may be incorporated into one or all of the components forming the refastenable side seam  115 . 
     Further, it should be appreciated that closure members  700  need not have an infinite life span, but it is sufficient that the closure members  700  attached in a refastenable manner can be separated and re-attached successively several times over the typical use life span of the absorbent article. It will also be appreciated that the aggressiveness of actual fastening may be reduced significantly from fastening to refastening in absolute terms, but that such reduction is not “substantial degradation” of fastener performance if the resulting refastened strength is sufficient for the fastening system&#39;s purpose of use. 
     A portion or the whole of the chassis  100  may be made extensible to a degree greater than the inherent extensibility of the material or materials from which the chassis is made, e.g., the backsheet  26 . The additional extensibility may be desirable in order to allow the chassis  100  to conform to the body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. The additional extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in order to allow the user of a diaper  20  including a chassis  100  having a particular size before extension to extend the front waist region  36 , the back waist region  38 , or both waist regions of the chassis  100  to provide additional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailor the diaper to the individual wearer. Such extension of the waist region or regions may give the diaper a generally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region  37  is extended to a relatively lesser degree than the waist region or regions, and may impart a tailored appearance to the diaper  20  when it is worn. In addition, the additional extensibility may be desirable in order to minimize the cost of the diaper. For example, an amount of material that would otherwise be sufficient only to make a relatively smaller diaper lacking this extensibility can be used to make a diaper capable of being extended to adequately cover a wearer that is larger than the unextended smaller diaper would fit. 
     A portion of the chassis  100  in the front and/or back waist regions  36  and  38  may be made laterally extensible to a maximum extensibility greater than a maximum extensibility of another portion of the chassis  100  in the crotch region  37  such that a lateral extension of each of the portions in the front, back, and crotch regions  36 ,  38 , and  37  to its maximum extensibility imparts an hourglass shape to the chassis  100 . In one embodiment, the portion of the chassis  100  underlying and/or immediately adjacent an abdominal stretch panel (e.g., back/front interior/exterior abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390 ) may be made laterally extensible to a maximum extensibility greater than a maximum extensibility of another portion of the chassis  100 , for example the crotch region  37 , such that a lateral extension of each of the portions to its maximum extensibility facilitates application of the diaper  20  onto the body of a wearer by enabling the waist opening  10  to be extended to fit over the wearer&#39;s hips and in addition, opening and orienting the leg openings  12  enabling the wearer to place the legs through the leg openings  12  more effectively. 
     Additional lateral extensibility in the chassis  100  may be provided in a variety of ways. For example, a material or materials from which the chassis  100  is made may be pleated by any of many known methods. Alternatively, all or a portion of the chassis may be intermittently activated to create a structured elastic-like formed web material or a formed laminate of web materials like those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801 issued on 21 May 1996 in the name of Chappell et al. This formed web material includes distinct laterally extending regions in which the original material has been altered by embossing or another method of deformation to create a pattern of generally longitudinally oriented alternating ridges and valleys and also includes laterally extending unaltered regions between the laterally extending altered regions. The formed web material can be extended in a direction perpendicular to the ridges up to the point where the ridges and valleys flatten with substantially less force than is required to extend beyond that point. In addition to lateral extensibility, the creation of a formed laminate web as described above provides the backsheet  26  with improved texture and cloth-like appearance and feel. The deformation creates a cloth-like pattern in the film and increases the loft of the nonwoven  31  in multi-layer film  30  and nonwoven  31  laminate backsheets  26 . 
     An exemplary fragment  300  of such a formed web material  305  is shown in  FIG. 27 . This formed web material  305  includes distinct laterally extending regions  310  in which the original material has been altered by embossing or another method of deformation to create a pattern of generally longitudinally oriented alternating ridges  312  and valleys  314 . The formed web material  305  also includes laterally extending unaltered regions  316  located between the laterally extending altered regions  310 . 
     Such a formed web material  305  can be laterally extended beyond its original dimension with the application of relatively less force than that required to extend the same material to the same extent when undeformed. In particular, the effects of an application of opposing divergent forces directed generally perpendicular to the ridges  312  and valleys  314  include an extension of such a formed web material along an axis between the opposing forces and the generation of a resistive contractive force, primarily in the unaltered regions  316 . This resistive force is relatively smaller than the resistive force that is generated by the same material in its unaltered form when extended to the same extent, at least up to an extension at which the ridges and valleys in the altered regions flatten and begin to contribute to the resistive force. Thus, such formed web materials exhibit an extensible behavior resembling that of traditional elastic materials in the range of extensibility that is useful for the type of lateral extension desired for use in absorbent articles. However, such formed web materials may be made of relatively less expensive materials that are not inherently elastic and, thus, their use may provide an advantage in terms of the cost of manufacturing the absorbent articles. 
     Alternatively, a portion of the chassis can be continuously activated (e.g., ring-rolled and thus rendered highly extensible as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,782 (issued Nov. 22, 1994 to Curro, et al)). Specifically, a ring-rolling apparatus (not shown), which comprises opposing rolls (not shown) having intermeshing teeth (not shown) that incrementally stretch and thereby plastically deform the chassis (or a portion thereof) thereby rendering the chassis extensible in the ring-rolled regions. In one embodiment, the backsheet  26  can be ring-rolled in a portion of at least one of the front or back waist regions  36  and  38 , for example the portion of the chassis  100  underlying and/or immediately adjacent the back/front interior/exterior abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390 , while other regions may comprise a structured elastic-like formed web material. 
     The activation approaches described above are achieved by using a set of opposing rolls comprising a staggered orientation of teeth such that when a material such as the chassis web  149  or backsheet passes through the intermeshing rolls, the material is deformed to create the desired activation pattern in the web. Alternatively, the teeth of one of the rolls may be continuous around the circumference of the roll while the teeth on the opposing roll may be discontinuous forming intermittent activation (e.g. a structured elastic-like formed web) or a pitched continuous activation (e.g. continuously activated in the opposing waist regions and not the crotch region). The depth to which the teeth intermesh, i.e. depth of engagement, will determine to what degree the web is incrementally stretched and/or plastically deformed and therefore the degree of extensibility imparted to the web. 
     In some embodiments, the chassis web  149  can be activated in a portion of side barriers or cuff flaps to a greater extent, for example, length of the activated/deformed region or the depth of engagement. For example, in these embodiments, one or both of the waist regions of the chassis immediately adjacent the side edges may comprise longer longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys while other portions of the waist region may comprise relatively shorted longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys. Alternatively, one or both of the waist regions of the chassis immediately adjacent the side edges and or end edges may comprise a material that has been deformed to a greater extent forming larger (i.e. deeper) longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys while other portions of the absorbent article may comprise relatively smaller (i.e. shallower) longitudinally oriented ridges and valleys. 
     In certain embodiments, the activated portion of the chassis web  149  disposed in one of the front or back waist region may comprise a continuous activation pattern (e.g., via ring rolling) and an intermittent activation pattern (i.e., a structured elastic-like formed web material). These two activation patterns may be disposed in an overlapping or side-by-side relationship. For example, as a more particular embodiment, the entire chassis web  149  may be intermittently activated to form a structured elastic-like formed web material and the portion of the chassis web  149  disposed in one or both of the waist regions may be continuously activated, such that the continuously activated region overlaps the intermittently activated region. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , when exterior abdominal stretch panels  360  and  380  are used, but not interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390 , ring-roll type (e.g. continuous) activation may create corrugations  636  in the interior of the waist regions  36  and  38 . Specifically, the chassis  100  (including the backsheet  26 , side flaps  147 , and inner liner  22  (when present)), may be corrugated to provide an undulating inner surface  102 , forming the corrugations  636 . These corrugations  636  are believed to promote breathability and, overall, a healthier environment for the wearer&#39;s skin, particularly in the waist region. 
     Alternatively, when interior abdominal stretch panels  370  and  390  are used, but not exterior abdominal stretch panels  360  and  380 , ring-roll type (e.g. continuous) activation may create corrugations  636  on the exterior of the waist regions  36  and  38 . Specifically, the chassis  100  (including the backsheet  26 , side flaps  147 , and inner liner  22  (when present)), may be corrugated to provide an undulating outer surface  104 , forming the corrugations  636 . These corrugations  636  are believed to provide an impression of extensibility as the waist region of the article is extended during application. 
     The chassis  100  may be ring-rolled across the entire width in one or both of the front/back waist regions  36  and  38  or alternatively may be ring-rolled over only a portion of the chassis  100  width. In yet another embodiment the portion of the chassis  100  may be ring-rolled where the side flaps  147   a  and  b  overlap and are joined to the chassis  100  in the side flap attachment zones  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154 . The ring-rolling may take place prior to folding portions of the chassis  100  to form the side flaps  147   a  and  b  or alternatively after the side flaps  147   a  and  b  have been formed and/or attached. Further, ring-rolling may take place after the back/front interior/exterior abdominal stretch panels  360 ,  370 ,  380 , and  390  are attached. 
     The front laterally central portion  117  and the back laterally central portion  118  of the chassis  100  may have a different range of extensibility from the portions of the chassis in the side flap attachment zones  151 ,  152 ,  153 , and  154  where the side flaps  147   a  and  147   b  may be attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis. Additionally or alternatively, the laterally central portions  117  and  118  may be extensible to a greater or lesser degree when subjected to a given level of opposing tensile forces, i.e., may be more easily or less easily extensible, than the portions of the chassis in the side flap attachment zones. For example, if the chassis is made uniformly extensible across its entire width prior to the formation of the side flaps, the double layering in the areas of the side flap attachment zones after the formation of the side flaps may have an effect of decreasing the degree of lateral extensibility of those areas under a given level of opposing tensile forces, such as by the side flaps acting as parallel “springs” that may be extended in order to extend the underlying attached portion of the chassis. As another example, the altered regions in the laterally central portions of the chassis may be deformed to a greater or a lesser degree than the altered regions in the side flap attachment zones to render the laterally central portions more easily or less easily extensible than the respective portions in the side flap attachment zones. 
     Description of the Abdominal Stretch Panels 
     As shown in the figures, each abdominal stretch panel has a circumferentially extending longitudinally distal edge that is disposed at or adjacent to the respective waist edge of the chassis  100  and a longitudinally opposing circumferentially extending longitudinally proximal edge that is disposed relatively nearer to the lateral axis  44  than the longitudinally distal edge of the same abdominal stretch panel is disposed. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each abdominal stretch panel also has laterally opposing longitudinally extending side edges  373 , an interior surface  374 , and an exterior surface  375 . 
     In particular, the front interior abdominal stretch panel  370 , when present, has a circumferentially extending longitudinally distal edge  371  and a longitudinally opposing circumferentially extending longitudinally proximal edge  372 . The front interior abdominal stretch panel  370 , when present, also has laterally opposing longitudinally extending side edges  373 , an interior surface  374 , and an exterior surface  375 . Similarly, when present, the back interior abdominal stretch panel  390  has a distal edge  391 , a proximal edge  392 , side edges  393 , an interior surface  394 , and an exterior surface  395 . Similarly, when present, the front exterior abdominal stretch panel  360  has a distal edge  361 , a proximal edge  362 , side edges  363 , an interior surface  364 , and an exterior surface  365 . Similarly, when present, the back exterior abdominal stretch panel  380  has a distal edge  381 , a proximal edge  382 , side edges  383 , an interior surface  384 , and an exterior surface  385 . 
     Each of the abdominal stretch panels shown in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6  has a circumferential extent that is substantially equivalent to the lateral extent of the chassis  100  in the respective waist region. In such embodiments, each abdominal stretch panel may be attached to the chassis  100  where the front waist region  36  and the back waist region  38  are attached together. For example, if a side seam  115  is formed by means of pressure bonding or thermal bonding in any of their forms, including ultrasonic bonding, an abdominal stretch panel may be attached to the chassis in the same side seam, such that the side seam effectively extends through the thicknesses of the chassis  100  and the abdominal stretch panel. An ability to bond all of the layers together in one side seam may have advantages in terms of manufacturing simplicity and cost, because the side seam can be formed in a single bonding process. 
     The number of apertures  622  per unit area of apertured web (i.e., the area density of apertures  622 ) can be varied from about 1 aperture  622  per square centimeter to as high as 60 apertures  622  per square centimeter. There can be at least 10 or at least 20 apertures  622  per square centimeter, depending on the end use. In general, the area density need not be uniform across the entire area of web, but apertures  622  may be oriented in only certain regions (e.g., the front or back waist regions  36  and  38 ) of the chassis  100 , and can be disposed in a variety of shapes, including lines, stripes, bands, circles, and the like. 
     The abdominal stretch panels attached to the chassis as described herein are desirable from the standpoints of comfort and appearance. For example, unlike typical stretch waistbands, each abdominal stretch panel covers some portion of a waist region of the diaper  20 , i.e., is disposed on one or both of the interior and exterior surfaces rather than being hidden between layers of the chassis  100 . Therefore, if the abdominal stretch panel is formed from soft and attractive materials, such as one of the aforementioned nonwovens, the exposed abdominal stretch panel can provide a finished appearance resembling that of cloth underwear and thereby convey an impression of softness and comfort to the user. 
     Description of the Absorbent Assembly 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 , and  15 , the absorbent assembly  200  includes an absorbent core  250  that serves to absorb and retain liquid bodily waste materials. The absorbent core  250  has a laterally extending front edge  256  and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge  258 . The absorbent core  250  also has a longitudinally extending left side edge  257   a  and a laterally opposing and longitudinally extending right side edge  257   b , both absorbent core side edges extending longitudinally between the front edge  256  and the back edge  258 . The absorbent core  250  also has an interior surface  252  and an exterior surface  254 . 
     The absorbent assembly  200  may be attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  over any part or the whole of the area of the absorbent assembly  200 . The absorbent assembly  200  may be attached on its exterior surface  204  to the chassis  100  in a shaped attachment pattern, for example a cruciform attachment pattern, i.e., an attachment pattern that forms or is arranged in a cross or “+” shape. 
     Suitable configurations of cruciform attachment patterns are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,578 to La Von issued on 8 Nov. 2005. 
     Alternatively, the absorbent assembly  200  may be attached to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100  in a convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210 ′, which may be in the shape of an oval or may be egg-shaped. The convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210 ′ may be contiguous, i.e., all of its portions may be touching or connected throughout the pattern in an unbroken sequence. Alternatively, it may include detached portions and thereby lack contiguity but still be arranged such that the shape of the overall pattern is in the form of, for example, an oval. For example, a discontiguous convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210 ′ may include a longitudinally extending portion disposed along the longitudinal axis  42  and separate left and right laterally spaced portions disposed along or adjacent to the lateral axis  44 , the laterally spaced portions having extending longitudinally to different lengths thereby forming an oval shaped pattern. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 21 , the oval-like attachment pattern  210  comprises 5 laterally spaced stripes of adhesive  624 - 628  attaching the absorbent assembly  200  to the interior surface  102  of the chassis  100 . The central stripe  626  may be disposed at or adjacent the longitudinal axis  42  and is shown as having the greatest longitudinal extent. The most distal of the adhesive stripes  624  and  628  are shown as having the least longitudinal extent and the intermediate stripes  625  and  627 , those located between the distal stripes  624  and  628  and the central stripe  626  are shown having a longitudinal extent between that of the central stripe  626  and the distal stripes  624  and  628 . 
     The portions of the chassis  100  that lie outside such a convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210  or oval-like attachment pattern  210  are not restrained by attachment to the absorbent assembly  200  and therefore remain extensible. Thus, in embodiments where the absorbent assembly  200  is attached to the backsheet  26  in the convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210 , the backsheet  26  substantially loses its extensibility in the area of attachment. The portion of the backsheet  26  disposed outside of the convexly-shaped attachment pattern  210  may remain extensible. Thus, it may be desirable to activate the backsheet  26  in a pattern complimentary with a given attachment pattern (e.g., a concave activation pattern  675  to compliment a convexly-shaped or oval-like attachment patterns  210 ). 
     Within the extent of the shaped attachment patterns (e.g., the cruciform, convexly-shaped, and oval-like attachment patterns  210 ), the absorbent assembly  200  may be attached to the chassis  100  continuously or intermittently as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . For example, a film of adhesive (not shown) may be applied continuously over the entire area of the cruciform attachment pattern  210  and then used to continuously attach the absorbent assembly  200  to the chassis  100 . As an alternative example, an adhesive may be applied discontinuously at and inside the boundaries of the convexly shaped attachment pattern  210 ″, such as in the form of dots, stripes (e.g., stripes  624 - 628 ), beads, spirals, etc., and then used to attach the absorbent assembly  200  to the chassis  100 . 
     The shaped attachment patterns (e.g., the cruciform, convexly-shaped, and oval-like attachment patterns  210 ) may be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to either or both of the longitudinal axis  42  and the lateral axis  44  of the chassis  100 . In addition, the shaped attachment patterns (e.g., the cruciform, convexly-shaped, and oval-like attachment patterns  210 ) may be disposed symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to either or both of the side edges  237   a  and  b  and the front and back edges  236  and  238  of the absorbent assembly  200 . Other suitable configurations of cruciform attachment patterns  210  are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,578 issued on 8 Nov. 2005. 
     The absorbent core  250  may be disposed between a lower covering sheet that is disposed on the exterior face of the absorbent core  250  and an upper covering sheet that is disposed on the interior face of the absorbent core  250 . Such an upper covering sheet and lower covering sheet may be attached together to contain the absorbent core  250  between them and thereby form the absorbent assembly  200 . For example, in the exemplary absorbent assembly  200  shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 , an upper covering sheet  24  and a lower covering sheet  25  are attached together at or adjacent to the side edges  237  of the absorbent assembly  200  in longitudinally extending adhesive attachment zones  29 . Alternatively, the upper covering sheet  24  and the lower covering sheet  25  may be attached together in places other than the side edges  237 , e.g., at or adjacent to the end edges  236  and  238  of the absorbent assembly  200 , or at or adjacent to both the end edges  236  and  238  and the side edges  237 . Both the upper covering sheet and the lower covering sheet are water vapor-permeable, i.e., breathable. 
     The upper covering sheet  24  may be water-permeable and may allow liquid waste to pass through to the absorbent core  250 , where the liquid waste may be absorbed. The lower covering sheet  25  may be water-impermeable. However, alternatively, the lower covering sheet  25  may be water-permeable. 
     In the exemplary absorbent assembly  200  shown in  FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15 , the upper covering sheet  24  and the lower covering sheet  25  are of the same size, i.e., both the upper covering sheet  24  and the lower covering sheet  25  extend to the front edge  236  and back edge  238 , as well as to the side edges  237  of the absorbent assembly  200 . Alternatively, the upper covering sheet  24  and the lower covering sheet  25  may differ in size. 
     As another example, the upper covering sheet  24  may be larger than the lower covering sheet  25  and may be wrapped over the side edges  257  of the absorbent core  250  onto the interior surface of the absorbent core  250 , where the upper covering sheet  24  and the lower covering sheet  25  may be attached together. Alternatively, in place of a separate upper covering sheet  24  and a separate lower covering sheet  25 , a single covering sheet may be wrapped around the absorbent core  250  and attached to itself to contain the absorbent core  250 . 
     The absorbent core  250  includes a storage component  272  that serves to absorb and retain liquid bodily waste materials. Suitable known materials for the absorbent core storage component include cellulose fibers in the form of comminuted wood pulp, commonly known as “airfelt”, natural or synthetic fibrous materials, and superabsorbent polymers, used either singly or in mixtures and commonly formed into layers or sheets, etc. 
     The absorbent core may include an acquisition component in addition to one or more storage components. The absorbent core acquisition component serves to acquire deposited liquid bodily waste material and transfer it to the absorbent core storage component. Any porous absorbent material which will imbibe and partition liquid bodily waste material to the storage component or components may be used to form the acquisition component. Examples of such acquisition materials are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264 issued to Osborn on Aug. 21, 1990. 
     Such an absorbent core acquisition component  290  is shown overlying the absorbent core storage component  272  in  FIG. 15 . A separation sheet  292  of, e.g., a tissue or a nonwoven material, may be disposed between the absorbent core storage component  272  and the absorbent core acquisition component  290  to help ensure that none of the gel formed by a superabsorbent polymer that may be included in the absorbent core storage component reaches the skin of the wearer. 
     Statements of Incorporation by Reference and Intended Scope of Claims 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.