Patent Description:
A key benefit of having the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette of less than <NUM> and even less than <NUM> is that it provides an article that more closely matches the shape of the body and more closely matches normal underwear. Furthermore, a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette of less than about <NUM> also provides a product which also closely matches the shape of the body. This results in the product being deformed to a significantly lesser degree during application than one that is generically designed to fit a bigger range as illustrated by the current marketed products. This results in the product being deformed to a significantly lesser degree during application than one that is generically designed to fit a bigger range as illustrated by the current marketed products. It also results in a product fit, which is more tailored to the body shape, providing more effective gasketing and less extraneous material in the crotch. Additionally, product designs, which mimic the general shape of the body, convey to consumers a better, more tailored fit, as the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouettes are more similar to consumers' Body Length-to-Hip Silhouettes and Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes are similar to consumers' Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes. The designs enabled by the present disclosure are more targeted by design and therefore provide a greater level of fit, gasketing, comfort and most importantly discretion.

Examples of disposable underwear-type absorbent articles are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Absorbent articles of the present disclosure may be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from the human body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled. Wearers who suffer from urinary incontinence including nocturnal enuresis urine can have instances of high flow rate and high volume. Absorbent articles of the present disclosure having a Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette Ratio have a more tailored anatomically based fit which helps to lock the product on the wearer especially the gaskets of the product thereby preventing leakage even at the higher flow rates and/or higher volumes.

Absorbent articles come in a variety of designs, each typically available in multiple sizes, including <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> size arrays. The size of articles of the prior art typically affects, for example, the size of the waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and the length or "pitch" of the article. The prior art articles are typically sized and sold by weight. If a consumer selects an absorbent article of the prior art which is size appropriate based on the weight of the wearer only given the large variation in size and shape associated with the various weights, the thigh openings or pitch of the article, for instance, may be too large for proper fit on the wearer, potentially leading to slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a loss of gasketing effects that are designed to inhibit leakage. Alternatively, depending on where the wearer is within the size range, the thigh opening or pitch of the article may be too small for proper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort, skin marking of the wearer's skin or improper application or positioning of the article on the wearer.

Desirably, an absorbent article should be designed and sized to maintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer's body. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness of the absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, or the like, will spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out of rather than be absorbed into the absorbent article. However, current absorbent articles on the market do not adequately address body shape or product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range of users adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically packages of absorbent articles are labeled with a recommended wearer weight range that the packaged article is intended to fit. As a result, the weight range is often the sole criteria used to identify the size of an absorbent article. The weight does not in itself adequately describe the body shape of the individual and therefore does not help define the hip or thigh circumference nor the pitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing of the article. This is the case as other characteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (for example, age, height, hip circumference, waist circumference, thigh circumference, and rise) may vary widely within the recommended weight range, and may result in an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's weight falls within that range. There is a need for absorbent articles that conform well to various wearers' body shapes and sizes. While there is a wide range of body shapes and sizes among wearers, available products do not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbent articles available today within a given product array tend to be scaled versions of each other, and do not even follow the natural trend of body shape and dimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e. smaller to larger wearers as well as wearers of varying shape.

Today there are a number of underwear forms that are sold globally and they can be characterized generally into the group of girl bikini, girl hipsters, girl briefs and girl boy shorts boy low rise briefs, boy briefs and boy boxer briefs. These various underwear forms exist to provide wearers with an individual choice to allow them to find the right fit, level of comfort, degree of coverage and appearance they desire. The transition from disposable absorbent articles to real underwear is the milestone every caregiver and absorbent article wearer looks forward to reaching. For wearers who have difficulty during the urine and or BM training stage, wearers with special needs and wearers who suffer from nocturnal enuresis, this milestone is very difficult to achieve. The inability for these individuals to achieve this milestone can have a significant emotional impact. Therefore, there is a significant longstanding unmet consumer need to create absorbent articles that more closely match underwear in shape, fit and appearance while delivering superior leakage performance, protection and confidence. This longstanding consumer need forms the basis for the present disclosure. The present disclosure leverages key anatomical parameters translated to product parameters that provide products that more closely match the anatomy and provide a more underwear like experience to those suffering from uncontrollable incontinence. The absorbent articles of the present disclosure help provide some level of normalcy and emotional relief for these incontinence sufferers.

These are all objects of the present disclosure; embodiments of the present disclosure may combine various objects mentioned. A particular embodiment may, but need not, embody every object as described. <CIT> discloses an array of packages comprising absorbent articles of different sizes.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an absorbent article according to claim <NUM>. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an absorbent article according to claim <NUM>.

"Pull-on garment" or "pant" means articles of wear which have a defined waist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto the body of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings and pulling the article up over the waist.

"Disposable" means garments, which are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). The pull-on garment may be "absorbent" such that it absorbs and contains the various exudates discharged from the body.

"Closed form" means opposing waist regions are joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings. See <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

"Array" means a display of packages comprising disposable articles of different sizes having like article constructions (e.g., same elastomeric materials [compositionally and/or structurally] in the flaps, graphic elements) said packages having the same brand and/or sub-brand, and said packages oriented in proximity to each other in a given area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up of products normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packaging material type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) that convey to consumers that the different individual packages are part of a larger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, "Huggies," and same sub-brand, for example, "GoodNites. " A different array may have the brand "Huggies" and the sub-brand "Pull-Ups. " The differences between the "GoodNites" array and the "Pull-Ups" arrays may include for example different side seams, where "Good Nights" comprises a permanently closed side and "Pull-Ups" comprises a refastenable side seam. Furthermore, the packaging is distinctly different in that "GoodNites" is packaged in a predominately blue, film bag for boys and a predominantly pink, film bag for girls and "Pull-Ups" is packaged in a predominately blue, film bag for boys and a predominantly pink, film bag for girls. The key differences are the wearers displayed on the packaging wherein GoodNites packaging has older children displayed on it relative to the children on the Pull-Ups packaging.

Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of the brand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across the line-up.

"On-line Array" means an "Array" distributed by a common on-line source.

"Hip Circumference" means the circumference of the body at the level of the maximum posterior protuberance of buttocks.

"Hip Width" means the horizontal distance at the front of the body at the hips, where the hips are defined at the same level as the maximum prominent point of the buttocks as seen from the side.

"Body Length" means the vertical distance from the navel to the maximum depth of the crotch, determined by the maximum depth of the crotch within the sagittal plane.

"Waist Circumference" means the horizontal circumference of the waist at the level of the center of the navel (omphalion).

"Body Rise" means the surface distance from omphalion (center of navel) to the subjects back at the level of the navel measured through the crotch and over the middle of the buttock.

"Body Rise-to-Hip Circumference Ratio" means the Body Rise (mm) divided by the Hip Circumference (mm).

"Body Length-to-Hip Silhouette" means the Body Length (mm) divided by the Hip Width (mm).

"Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette" means Relaxed Product Length (<NUM>) (mm) divided by the Relaxed Product Hip Width (<NUM>) (mm). See <FIG> and <FIG>.

"Array Average Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette" means the average Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette of each size offered in a product array. For example, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketed and sold in an array of <NUM> sizes: Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large. The Array Average Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette is the average of: The Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette for size Small/Medium; the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette for size Large; and the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette for size Extra Large. Tables 1a and 1b show examples of the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette for some currently marketed product arrays.

"Relaxed Product Length" means the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and the longitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. The longitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

"Relaxed Product Hip Width" means the lateral distance from the laterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product.

"Relaxed Product Waist Width" means the lateral distance from the distal most point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most point at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

"Relaxed Product Side Length" means the linear distance from the point of intersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the product to the point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and the same side edge of the product. The relaxed product side length measurement is the average of the measurements from the left and right sides of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Consumers who are urinary incontinent especially those who are suffering from nocturnal enuresis often are traumatized by the condition. Many aspects of the condition contribute to the trauma, like the fear of having an incontinent event in public. Even when wearing an absorbent article, there is still the fear of leaking, and the fear of their absorbent article being noticeable under their clothes. As such providing a product experience that helps normalize the condition by providing a more underwear-like, thin and body conforming structure across the entire weight/age range is one of the objects of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a variety of specific shapes that may exist within each weight range: rectangle (also known as cylindrical), hourglass, pear, and apple. The higher the weight, the further to the right (toward the apple) a wearer typically is on this body shape scale. The prevalence of these shapes differs among weight ranges, for instance, higher weight wearers have a higher probability of being apple or pear shaped. Absorbent articles may be marketed to wearers of a particular body shape, such as apple, rather than focusing on exact weight values (which may be off-putting to a consumer), in order to match a wearer with the article that will best fit their unique body shape or size.

It may be desirable to link the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette to that of the targeted consumers Body Length-to-Hip Silhouette in order to achieve a better fitting, better conforming, better gasketing product. This may increase the wearing comfort for each consumer while reducing leakage. Additionally, a product array where the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette of each subsequently larger size follows the same general trend as the Body Length-to-Hip Silhouette for each subsequently larger size may also deliver a better fitting, better conforming better gasketing article to each consumer regardless of their respective size or shape. Furthermore, it may also be desirable to link the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette to that of the targeted consumers Body Length-to-Waist Silhouette in order to achieve a better fitting, better conforming, better gasketing product.

The anthropometric measures of Body Rise and Waist Circumference are illustrated in <FIG>. The relationship between the ratio of Body Rise to Waist Circumference versus Body Weight is illustrated in <FIG>. The projected body shape measures Body Length and Waist Width are illustrated in <FIG>. The relationship of Body Length-to-Waist Silhouette versus Body Weight is illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that there is a correlation between Body Rise to Waist Circumference versus Body Weight, and the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouette versus Body Weight.

<FIG> shows how the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes of these arrays compare to the consumers' Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes. It can be seen that for these comparative example arrays, their Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes not only fail to match those of their target consumers, but it can also be seen that the trend from size to size for the existing product arrays is that the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes get larger rather than smaller as do the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes of the consumers. The result of this mismatch is that the products provide an inferior level of fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing across much of the weight range than products that are designed in line with the anthropometric measures across the same weight range.

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure are generally designed and configured to manage bodily exudates such as urine, menses, feces or other vaginal discharges.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed at least partially between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent chassis may comprise a waistband, leg cuffs and or elastic strands. In various embodiments, referring to <FIG>, an example absorbent article <NUM> is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to joining the fastening components 53a and b.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, one end portion of the absorbent article <NUM> may be configured as a front waist region <NUM> and the longitudinally opposing end portion may be configured as a back waist region <NUM>. An intermediate portion of the absorbent article <NUM> extending longitudinally between the front waist region <NUM> and the back waist region <NUM> may be configured as a crotch region <NUM>. The length of each of the front waist region <NUM>, the back waist region <NUM> and the crotch region <NUM> may be about <NUM>/<NUM> of the length of the absorbent article <NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> (versus coinciding with the front and back belts as illustrated in <FIG>. In other embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region <NUM>, the back waist region <NUM>, and the crotch region <NUM> may have other dimensions. In various embodiments, the absorbent article <NUM> may have a laterally extending front waist end edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM> and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>.

Many current pull-on pant absorbent articles have a brief style design, dimensionally similar to full cut brief underwear. Such brief style articles are designed to fit in the waist at the navel of the wearer and along the legs and sides at level of the hip. All of these products have excessive length at the waist (see <FIG>, which has a greater length at the waist versus <FIG>, which illustrates an article having a lower waist profile). Pant designs like the one illustrated in <FIG>, where the front (and back - not shown) waist edge <NUM> is fitted above a wearers <NUM> belly button <NUM> may provide for additional anchoring, but may not be as discrete as pant designs like the one illustrated in <FIG>, where the front (and back - not shown) waist edge <NUM> is fitted below a wearers <NUM> belly button <NUM>.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, a chassis <NUM> of the absorbent article <NUM> may comprise a first longitudinally extending side edge 137a and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 137b. Both of the side edges <NUM> may extend longitudinally between the front waist end edge <NUM> and the back waist end edge <NUM>. The chassis <NUM> may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist end edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM> and a portion of the longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>. Furthermore, the chassis <NUM> may comprise an interior surface <NUM>, an exterior surface <NUM>, a longitudinal axis <NUM>, and a lateral axis <NUM>. The longitudinal axis <NUM> may extend through a midpoint of the front waist end edge <NUM> and through a midpoint of the back waist end edge <NUM>, while the lateral axis <NUM> may extend through a midpoint of the first side edge 137a and through a midpoint of the second side edge 137b.

In various embodiments, a portion of or the whole absorbent article <NUM> may be made to be laterally extensible. The extensibility of the absorbent article <NUM> may be desirable in order to allow the absorbent article <NUM> to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by the wearer. The extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in order to allow the caregiver to extend the front waist region <NUM>, the back waist region <NUM>, the crotch region <NUM>, and/or the chassis <NUM> to provide additional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailor the absorbent article <NUM> to the individual wearer. Such extension may provide the absorbent article <NUM> with a generally hourglass shape, so long as the crotch region <NUM> is extended to a relatively lesser degree than the waist regions <NUM> and/or <NUM>. This extension may also impart a tailored appearance to the absorbent article <NUM> during use.

Any or all portions of the absorbent article may comprise a bacteriophage composition as described in <CIT>.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the absorbent article <NUM> may comprise a topsheet <NUM>. The topsheet <NUM> may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and may be elastically stretchable in one or more directions. Further, the topsheet <NUM> may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) to penetrate through its thickness. Various topsheets may also comprise a hydrophilic material, for example, which is configured to draw bodily fluids into an absorbent core of the chassis <NUM> when these fluids are expelled from the body. A suitable topsheet <NUM> may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials, apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films, apertured nonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and/or thermoplastic scrims, for example. Suitable apertured films may comprise those described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Apertured film or nonwoven topsheets typically may be pervious to bodily exudates, yet non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as, for example, wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as, for example, polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet <NUM> comprises fibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed, for example, as is generally known in the art.

The topsheet may comprise a skin care lotion. Examples of suitable lotions include, but are not limited to, those described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>, and as described in <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the topsheet may comprise graphics (e.g., <NUM> in <FIG>) such that depth perception is created as described in <CIT>.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the absorbent article <NUM> may comprise a backsheet <NUM>. The backsheet <NUM> may be impervious, or at least partially impervious, to fluids or body exudates (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may be manufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materials may also be used. The backsheet <NUM> may prevent the body exudates or fluids absorbed and contained in an absorbent core of the absorbent article <NUM> from wetting articles which contact the absorbent article <NUM>, such as bedsheets, pajamas, clothes, and/or undergarments. The backsheet <NUM> may comprise a woven or nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising a film and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). A suitable backsheet may comprise a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about <NUM> (<NUM> mils) to about <NUM> (<NUM> mils). Examples of polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-<NUM> and BR-<NUM>, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind. , under the designation XP-<NUM>.

One suitable material for the backsheet can be a liquid impervious thermoplastic film having a thickness of from about <NUM> (<NUM> mil) to about <NUM> (<NUM> mils), for example including polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the backsheet can have a basis weight of from about <NUM>/m<NUM> to about <NUM>/m<NUM>. The backsheet can be typically positioned adjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core and can be joined thereto. For example, the backsheet may be secured to the absorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Illustrative, but non-limiting adhesives, include adhesives manufactured by H. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. , and marketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment device including an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosed in <CIT>. Another suitable attachment device including several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. Alternatively, the attachment device may include heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment device or combinations of these attachment devices.

In one embodiment, the backsheet <NUM> may be embossed and/or matte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Further, the backsheet <NUM> may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core of the absorbent article <NUM> (i.e., the backsheet <NUM> is breathable) while still preventing, or at least inhibiting, fluids or body exudates from passing through the backsheet <NUM>. In one embodiment, the size of the backsheet <NUM> may be dictated by the size of the absorbent article <NUM> and the design or configuration of the absorbent article <NUM> to be formed, for example.

In various embodiments, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the absorbent article <NUM> may comprise an absorbent core (also referred to as an "absorbent member" or "absorbent assembly" or "absorbent structure" or "absorbent composite") <NUM> that is disposed between the topsheet <NUM> and the backsheet <NUM>. The absorbent core <NUM> may comprise a laterally extending front edge <NUM> in the front waist region <NUM>, a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back edge <NUM> in the back waist region <NUM>, a first longitudinally extending side edge 237a, and a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 237b. Both of the side edges <NUM> may extend longitudinally between the front edge <NUM> and the back edge <NUM>. In one embodiment, more than one absorbent core <NUM> or more than one absorbent core layer may be provided in an absorbent article <NUM>, for example. The absorbent core <NUM> may be any suitable size or shape that is compatible with the absorbent article <NUM>. Example absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core <NUM> of the present disclosure that have achieved acceptance and commercial success are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

In one embodiment, suitable absorbent cores may comprise cellulosic airfelt material. For instance, such absorbent cores may comprise less than about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or even <NUM>% of the cellulosic airfelt material as determined by weight. Additionally, such an absorbent core may be primarily comprised of an absorbent gelling material in amounts of at least about <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or even about <NUM>% as determined by weight. Furthermore, a portion of the absorbent core may comprise a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such absorbent cores, microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT> and in <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the core, including multiple layers making up the core system, may be printed and embossed as described in <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the core may be separable from the chassis as disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. In such embodiments, the measurements described in this disclosure may be made to the chassis alone or may be made to the chassis in combination with the separable core/absorbent assembly.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure, and particularly, a portion where the absorbent member is disposed, may have a body fluid absorption rate greater than <NUM>/sec according to <CIT>. According to <CIT>, the expression "the portion (of the absorbent article) where the absorbent member is disposed" is intended to mean the portion occupied by the absorbent member when the absorbent article is flatly unfolded and seen in its plan view.

In one embodiment, the absorbent structure may have an intake factor greater than <NUM> according to <CIT>, wherein the intake factor is defined as the absorbent core permeability divided by the normalized retention capacity (which is defined by the Retention Capacity Test - also according to <CIT>, <CIT>).

In one embodiment, the absorbent composite has a body fluid absorption greater than <NUM>/<NUM><NUM>, according to <CIT>.

In one embodiment, a target location of the absorbent article may have a wicking value greater than <NUM>%, according to <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a bending stiffness between <NUM>-<NUM> gf, according to <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a crotch fluid absorption rate greater than <NUM>/sec according to <CIT>. In one embodiment, a freeze-dried composite of the absorbent composite may have an intake rate of at least about <NUM> cubic centimeters (cc) of liquid/second at <NUM>% composite saturation according to <CIT>.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the chassis <NUM> of the absorbent article <NUM> may comprise longitudinally extending and laterally opposing leg cuffs 147a and 147b that are disposed on the interior surface of the chassis <NUM> that faces inwardly toward the wearer and contacts the wearer. The leg cuffs 147a and 147b may comprise one or more elastic gathering members disposed at or adjacent the proximal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs <NUM>. In addition, the elastic gathering members of the leg cuff may also comprise one or more elastic strands <NUM> disposed at or adjacent the distal edge of one or both of the leg cuffs <NUM>. The elasticized leg cuffs <NUM> may comprise several embodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates or fluids in the leg regions. The elasticized leg cuffs <NUM> are sometimes referred to as leg bands, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasketing cuffs. Suitable elasticized leg cuffs <NUM> may comprise those described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, and <CIT>. The leg cuffs <NUM> may be formed by folding portions of the chassis <NUM> laterally inward, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis <NUM>, to form both the respective leg cuffs <NUM> and the side edges 137a and b of the chassis <NUM>. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs <NUM> may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis <NUM> at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges 137a and 137b of the chassis <NUM>. In one embodiment, the chassis <NUM> may also comprise other elastics disposed adjacent the side edges <NUM> which may cause the article <NUM> to form into a "U" shape when allowed to relax thereby pulling the interior surface <NUM> of the front waist region <NUM> toward the interior surface <NUM> of the back waist region <NUM>.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff <NUM> may comprise a proximal edge 157a and 157b. These edges 157a and 157b are positioned proximate to the longitudinal axis <NUM> compared to distal edges 139a and 139b. The leg cuffs <NUM> may overlap the absorbent core <NUM>, i.e., the proximal edges 157a and 157b lie laterally inward of the respective side edges 237a and 237b of the absorbent core <NUM>. Such an overlapped configuration may be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to the absorbent article <NUM> than that imparted by a non-overlapped configuration. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs <NUM> may not overlap the absorbent core <NUM>.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff <NUM> may be attached to the interior surface <NUM> of the chassis <NUM> in a leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the front waist end edge <NUM> and in a longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the back waist end edge <NUM>. In one embodiment, between the leg cuff attachment zones, the proximal edge <NUM> of the leg cuff <NUM> remains free, i.e., not attached to the interior surface <NUM> of the chassis <NUM> or to the absorbent core <NUM>. Also, between the longitudinally opposing leg cuff attachment zones, each leg cuff <NUM> may comprise one or more (specifically including one, two, three, or four elastic strands per leg cuff <NUM>) longitudinally extensible cuff elastic gathering members <NUM> that may be disposed at or adjacent to the proximal edge <NUM> of the leg cuff <NUM> by any suitable methods. Each of such cuff elastic gathering members <NUM> may be attached over the leg cuff's entire length or over only a portion of the leg cuff's length. For example, such cuff elastic gathering members <NUM> may be attached only at or near the leg cuff's longitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of the leg cuff's length. Such cuff elastic gathering members <NUM> may be disposed in the crotch region <NUM> and may extend into one or both of the front waist region <NUM> and the back waist region <NUM>. For example, an elastic gathering member <NUM> may be attached at or adjacent to the proximal edge <NUM> of each of the leg cuffs <NUM> and extends into both the front waist region <NUM> and the back waist region <NUM>.

In various embodiments, each cuff elastic gathering member <NUM> may be enclosed inside a folded hem for example. In various embodiments, the cuff elastic gathering members <NUM> may be sandwiched between two layers forming the leg cuff <NUM>, by two layers of the chassis <NUM>, or may be attached on a surface of the chassis <NUM> or the leg cuff <NUM> and remain exposed.

In one embodiment, when stretched, the cuff elastic gathering member <NUM> disposed adjacent to each leg cuff's proximal edge <NUM> allows the leg cuff proximal edge <NUM> to extend to the flat uncontracted length of the chassis <NUM>, e.g., the length of the chassis <NUM>. When allowed to relax, the cuff elastic gathering member <NUM> contracts to pull the front waist region <NUM> and the back waist region <NUM> toward each other and, thereby, bend the article <NUM> into a "U" shape in which the interior of the "U" shape may be formed by the portions of the article <NUM> that are intended to be placed toward the body of the wearer (i.e., interior surface <NUM>). Because each of the proximal edges <NUM> remains free between the longitudinally oriented leg cuff attachment zones, the contractive force of the elastic gathering member <NUM> may lift the proximal edge <NUM> of the leg cuff <NUM> away from the interior surface <NUM> of the chassis <NUM>. This lifting of the proximal edges <NUM> when the article <NUM> is in the relaxed condition lifts the leg cuffs <NUM> into a position to serve as side barriers to prevent, or at least inhibit, leakage of bodily exudates.

In one embodiment, referring to <FIG>, the article <NUM> may comprise an elasticized waistband 112a and b. The elasticized waistband may provide improved fit and containment and may be configured to elastically expand and contract laterally to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. The elasticized waistband may extend longitudinally outwardly from the waist edge of the absorbent article <NUM> toward the waist edge of the absorbent core <NUM>. In one embodiment, the absorbent article <NUM> may have two elasticized waistbands, one positioned in the back waist region <NUM> and one positioned in the front waist region <NUM>, although other pant embodiments may be constructed with a single elasticized waistband. The elasticized waistband may be constructed in a number of different configurations including those described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

In one embodiment, the elasticized waistbands may comprise materials that have been "prestrained" or "mechanically prestrained" (i.e., subjected to some degree of localized pattern mechanical stretching to permanently elongate the material). The materials may be prestrained using suitable deep embossing techniques. In other embodiments, the materials may be prestrained by directing the material through an incremental mechanical stretching system as described in <CIT>. The materials may then be allowed to return to their substantially untensioned condition, thus forming a zero strain stretch material that is extensible, at least up to the point of initial stretching. Examples of zero strain materials are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>,<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and<CIT>.

The flaps <NUM> (a-d) may be discrete from or integral with the chassis <NUM>. A discrete flap is formed as separate element, which is joined to the chassis <NUM>. In some embodiments, this includes a plurality of flaps, e.g. <NUM> or <NUM> (often referred to as ear panels or side flaps) being joined to the side edges <NUM> a and b of the chassis in the front and/or rear waist regions <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>). In other embodiments, this may include a front and/or back belt-like flaps ("belts") being joined across the front and back (or rear) waist regions of the chassis <NUM>, at least across end edges of the chassis <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>). In some embodiments, the waistbands <NUM> can overlap the flaps to create a continuous belt-like structure (see <FIG>).

The belt-like flaps and may comprise an inner nonwoven layer and an outer nonwoven layer and elastics there between. The inner and outer nonwoven layers may be joined using adhesive or thermoplastic bonds. Various suitable belt-like flap configurations can be found in <CIT>. <FIG> illustrates belt flaps in the front and back waist regions that are discrete and that have a relatively small distance between the front and back belt flaps such that only a small portion of the chassis hangs below the belts (see <FIG>).

An integral flap is a portion, one or more layers, of the chassis that projects laterally outward from the longitudinal edge. The integral flap may be formed by cutting the chassis to include the shape of the flap projection.

While many of the embodiments illustrated in this application having belt-like flaps are pant articles, taped articles may have belt-like flaps disposed in one or both waist regions as well.

The structure of flaps play an important role in the functionality of the absorbent article and are fundamentally different than the elastics used in underwear. As mentioned above, incontinence events, such as SUI and UUI, can result in a high flow rate and/or a full bladder release. The amounts of urine expelled during the incontinence events can vary wildly given the type of urinary incontinence as well as other circumstances such as time since last bathroom visit, amount of fluid intake, day or night, etc. Loadings can range from as low as a few drops of urine to loadings as high as <NUM> mls. It is not unusual to have single loadings as high as <NUM>, <NUM> and even <NUM> mls. These levels of loading present a significant downward force associated with the loading which can be a pound or more. This downward force must be compensated for by the absorbent article chassis in order to minimize sagging, gapping and leakage. In order to sustain the fit of the article even after loading the article comprises elastomeric element(s) <NUM>, including films (including apertured films) and/or strands) that are disposed proximate to and along the side seams 280a and b (see, for example, <FIG>, where the elastomeric elements <NUM> terminate proximate to and along the length of the seams 280a and b) of the article and extend laterally from one side toward the other. Each of the elastomeric elements <NUM> may extend continuously from side seam 280a to side seam 280b in the front and the back belts along the longitudinal distance from the belt waist edges <NUM>, <NUM> to the opposite belt end edges (versus being cut as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>), such that one or more of the elastomeric elements <NUM> overlap with the absorbent core <NUM>; it may be desirable for <NUM> or more elastic elements <NUM> to overlap with the core in the front and/or back waist regions <NUM> and <NUM>. These elastomeric element(s) should create a normal force against the body sufficient to anchor the article. The location of the elastomeric element(s), as well as the forces exerted by the elastomeric element(s) can be varied to ensure proper anchoring at the hips and along the body specifically across the front waist region and in the back waist region. One form of anchoring beneficial for sustaining the fit of a loaded article is disclosed in <CIT>. It should also be noted that regular underwear with elastic along the waist edge and leg edges would not typically provide sufficient support to sustain the fit of the underwear if a weight of <NUM>-<NUM> grams was applied to the crotch region of the underwear.

As shown in <FIG>, the flaps may be shaped along the leg openings.

The absorbent article may also include a fastening system. When fastened, the fastening system interconnects the front waist region <NUM> and the rear waist region <NUM> resulting in a waist circumference that may encircle the wearer during wear of the absorbent article <NUM>. This may be accomplished by flaps <NUM> a and b in the back waist region interconnecting with flaps <NUM> c and d in the front waist region or by flaps in the back waist region interconnecting with the chassis <NUM> in the front waist region. The fastening system may comprise a fastener <NUM> a and b such as tape tabs, hook and loop fastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots, buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components, although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. The fasteners may releasably engage with a landing zone <NUM>, which may be a woven or nonwoven. Some exemplary surface fastening systems are disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. An exemplary interlocking fastening system is disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system may also provide a means for holding the article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system may also include primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in <CIT>. The fastening system may be constructed to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or to improve fit as disclosed in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

As disclosed in <CIT>, it may be desirable to offer an array of packages for fitting different sized wearers, but comprising identical or substantially identical chassis. For instance, an array may comprise a first package comprising a first size of absorbent articles and a second package may comprise a second size of absorbent articles, where the first and second packages comprise identical or substantially identical chassis as described in <CIT>. More particularly, the first package may comprise a first chassis and the second package may comprise a second chassis, where each of the first and second chassis comprise the same dimensions of one or more of: core width at the lateral centerline, core width at one of the front or rear core end, a distance from a left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff distal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a right inner cuff proximal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a free height of the inner cuff, inner cuff hem fold width, inner cuff elastics length, outer cuff elastics length, core length, and backsheet width.

Further, each of the first and second chassis may comprise identical chemical compositions of one or more of a topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, core nonwoven, core tissue, leg cuff film, leg cuff nonwoven, super absorbent polymer adhesive, core nonwoven adhesive, leg cuff elastic adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise the same basis weight of one or more of the topsheet, backsheet film, backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, leg cuff nonwoven, leg cuff film, super absorbent polymer adhesive, leg cuff adhesive, and backsheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise compositionally identical core super absorbent polymers. The first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may be composed of the compositionally identical materials.

And, the core adhesives of the first and second chassis may be the same adhesive(s). The first and second chassis may comprise core super absorbent polymers that are in the same chemical class and subclass.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise first and second wetness indicators, respectively, and wherein the first and second wetness indicators are compositionally identical.

Further, the inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in at least one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. The distance from the left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuff distal edge may the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to left outer cuff distal edge may be the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximal edge to the right inner cuff proximal edge is the same. The lengths of the inner and outer cuffs are the same.

In some embodiments, different size offerings in an array may have identical or substantially identical chassis as the flaps or belts may be used to enable the absorbent article to fit different sized wearers. For example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length due to disposition of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article. As a second example, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have a different length and/or width due to the size of the belts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than the second article.

In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis compositionally, but not dimensionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis dimensionally, but not compositionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have identical chassis cross-sectionally, but not dimensionally, and not compositionally. In still other embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may have two, but not three of (<NUM>) compositionally, (<NUM>) dimensionally, and (<NUM>) cross-sectionally identical chassis.

It may be desirable to link the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette to the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouette in order to deliver a more body-like product shape. Tables 1a and 1b detail some of today's marketed product arrays. <FIG> shows how the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes of these arrays compare to the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes. It can be seen that today's product arrays Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes do not match the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes. It may also be desirable to link the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette to the Body Length-to-Hip Silhouette in order to deliver a more body-like product shape. Tables 1a and 1b detail some of today's marketed product arrays. <FIG> shows how the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouettes of these arrays compare to the Body Length-to-Hip Silhouettes. It can be seen that today's product arrays Product Length-to-Hip Silhouettes do not match the Body Length-to-Hip Silhouettes.

Table <NUM> illustrates several arrays of <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> packages, whose Product Length-to-Waist Silhouettes are similar to the Body Length-to-Waist Silhouettes providing better fitting products. These arrays are provided simply as non-limiting examples. Other arrays are possible. These arrays are also shown in <FIG>. Table <NUM> also illustrates several arrays of <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> packages, whose Product Length-to-Hip Silhouettes are similar to the Body Length-to-Hip Silhouettes proving better fitting products. These arrays are provided simply as non-limiting examples. Other arrays are possible. These inventive Length-to-Hip Silhouette arrays are also shown in <FIG>.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article having a Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette value of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article having a Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette value from about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, and any combination thereof. It may be desirable to have an absorbent article having a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette value from about <NUM>, about <NUM>, about <NUM>, or about <NUM> to about <NUM>, about <NUM>, or about <NUM>, and any combination thereof.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article having a Relaxed Product Side Length less than about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% of the Relaxed Product Length.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article having a Relaxed Product Side Length greater than about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>%, but less than about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>%, of the Relaxed Product Length.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article within an array, the array comprising two or more absorbent articles, where one or more absorbent articles in the array has a Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette value of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Further, it may be desirable to have an Array Average Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and an Array Average Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article within an array, the array comprising two or more absorbent articles, where one or more absorbent articles in the array has a Relaxed Product Side Length less than about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% of the Relaxed Product Length.

It may be desirable to have an absorbent article within an array, the array comprising two or more absorbent articles, where one or more absorbent articles in the array has a Relaxed Product Side Length greater than about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, about <NUM>%, or about <NUM>% of the Relaxed Product Length and less than <NUM>%.

All measurements are conducted at <NUM>° C +/- <NUM>° and <NUM>% RH +/- <NUM>%.

This method is used to prepare pant type products for subsequent dimensional measurement. The method provides a consistent means of opening a product that has been removed from a bag. This method is applicable to all forms of pant products. A constant rate of extension tensile testing machine with computer interface is used.

A load cell is chosen so that the load cell capacity ensures accuracy of a 5N load to within <NUM>.

"C" (<NUM>) and "O" (<NUM>) Bar attachments each with a rod radius of <NUM> that extend longer than the length of the longest side seam. Refer to <FIG>. The bars are mounted horizontally in the tensile tester with their longitudinal axes in the same vertical plane and with upper bar mounted directly above the lower bar.

Calibrate tensile tester equipment according to the instrument manufacturer's recommendations.

The initial gauge length is determined by removing <NUM> sample products from the bag, unfolding the pant products (<NUM>) and laying them flat as illustrated in <FIG>, below and measuring the distance between the sides of the pant at the waist as shown (<NUM>). The average of the waist measurement will be used as the initial gauge length for the specific set of specimens. The initial gauge length is the distance from the uppermost edge of the upper bar to the lowermost edge of the lower bar.

Apply the whole product (<NUM>) to the bars as shown in <FIG> while minimizing manipulation of the specimen.

Pull Sample to 5N Force then hold for <NUM> seconds. Return to initial gauge length.

Crosshead Speed = <NUM>/min, Data acquisition rate = <NUM>. Cycles = <NUM>.

Remove the specimen from the bars while minimizing manipulation. Lay the specimen flat with the front side facing upward as shown in <FIG>.

Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on <NUM> separate like specimens and the average of the <NUM> separate like specimens is considered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Relaxed Product Length is the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally distal most point in the crotch region and the longitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge. The longitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Relaxed Product Hip Width is the lateral distance from the laterally distal most point of the left side edge of the product at the upper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the right side edge of the product at the upper edge of the right leg opening. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product.

Relaxed Product Waist Width is the lateral distance from the distal most point at the right side of the front waist edge to the distal most point at the left side of the front waist edge. The lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Relaxed Product Side Length is the linear distance from the point of intersection between the waist edge and the side edge of the product to the point of intersection between the top of the leg opening and the same side edge of the product. The relaxed product side length measurement is the average of the measurements from the left and right sides of the product. Refer to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An absorbent article (<NUM>) having a central chassis, the central chassis comprising a topsheet (<NUM>), a backsheet (<NUM>), a crotch region (<NUM>) and an absorbent core (<NUM>), the absorbent article comprising
a front waist region (<NUM>) and a front waist edge (<NUM>);
a back waist region (<NUM>) and a back waist edge (<NUM>);
a front belt disposed in the front waist region;
a back belt disposed in the back waist region;
wherein the front and back belts are joined at seams to form a waist opening, a left leg opening and a right leg opening;
wherein the article is characterised in that:
the front and back belts comprise: inner and outer nonwovens; and elastomeric strands or elastomeric apertured films sandwiched therebetween;
wherein the article has a Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette from <NUM> to <NUM>;
wherein the Product Length-to-Hip Silhouette is the Relaxed Product Length (<NUM>) divided by the Relaxed Product Hip Width (<NUM>), and
wherein the Relaxed Product Length (<NUM>) is the longitudinal distance between the longitudinally distal most point in the crotch region (<NUM>) and the longitudinally distal most point along the front waist edge (<NUM>), wherein the longitudinal distance is measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the article (<NUM>);
wherein the Relaxed Product Hip Width (<NUM>) is the lateral distance from the laterally distal most point of the left side edge of the article at the upper edge of the left leg opening to the laterally distal most point of the right side edge of the article at the upper edge of the right leg opening, wherein the lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article; and
and wherein the article has a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette from <NUM> to <NUM>;
wherein the Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette is the Relaxed Product Length (<NUM>) divided by the Relaxed Product Waist Width (<NUM>); and
wherein the Relaxed Product Waist Width (<NUM>) is the lateral distance from the distal most point at the right side of the front waist edge (<NUM>) to the distal most point at the left side of the front waist edge (<NUM>), wherein the lateral distance is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article, and
wherein the Relaxed Product Length, Relaxed Product Side Length and the Relaxed Product Hip Width are measured in accordance with the Test Methods set out in the description.