Absorbent Article

Abstract

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

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. one or more optional intermediate layers disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet;   e. a longitudinal centerline;   f. a transverse centerline;   g. a first half of the article located on one side of the transverse centerline and a second half of the article located on the opposite side of the transverse centerline;   h. a pair of wings extending laterally from the article, each of the wings configured for wrapping around a portion of a user's undergarment and comprising a wing length, wherein 70% or more of the wing length is positioned on the first half; and   i. a printed region on at least one of the topsheet, the backsheet, the absorbent core, and the one or more optional intermediate layers, the printed region comprising a printed length and a printed area;   j. wherein more than 85% of at least one of the printed area and the printed length is positioned on the first half; and   k. wherein a maximum width of the absorbent core in the first half is substantially the same dimension as that in the second half.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein more than 80% of the wing length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein more than 90% of the wing length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein more than 90% of at least one of the printed area and the printed length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein all of the printed length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the topsheet comprises a nonwoven layer. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the printed region is printed on the garment-facing side of the topsheet. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the printed region is printed on the garment-facing side of the topsheet. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the first half comprises an embossed channel on each side of the longitudinal centerline. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 9 , wherein the printed region and the embossed channels are substantially coextensive longitudinally with the wings. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the second half comprises an embossed channel on each side of the longitudinal centerline. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent article has a varying caliper comprising a lower caliper region and a higher caliper region, and wherein the printed region is biased toward the higher caliper region. 
     
     
         13 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. a support layer disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet;   e. a longitudinal centerline;   f. a transverse centerline;   g. a first half of the article located on one side of the transverse centerline and a second half of the article located on the opposite side of the transverse centerline;   h. a pair of wings extending laterally from the article, each of the wings configured for wrapping around a portion of a user's undergarment and comprising a wing length, wherein 70% or more of the wing length is positioned on the first half;   i. a first end associated with the first half;   j. a second end associated with the second half, wherein the second end comprises a maximum width that is at least 20% greater than that of the first end so that the first end and the second end are asymmetrical about the transverse centerline; and   k. a printed region on at least one of the topsheet, the backsheet, the absorbent core, and the support layer;   l. wherein the printed region exists in the first half.   
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the support layer extends laterally outward of the absorbent core in the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the printed region does not exist in the second half. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein more than 90% of the wing length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the printed region has a printed area and wherein more than 70% of the printed area is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the printed region comprises a printed length and wherein more than 70% of the printed length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the article has an overall length of at least 330 millimeters. 
     
     
         20 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. one or more optional intermediate layers disposed between the absorbent core and the topsheet;   e. a longitudinal centerline;   f. a transverse centerline;   g. a first half of the article located on one side of the transverse centerline and a second half of the article located on the opposite side of the transverse centerline;   h. a pair of wings extending laterally from the article, each of the wings configured for wrapping around a portion of a user's undergarment and comprising a wing distal edge;   i. a first end associated with the first half;   j. a second end associated with the second half, the second end comprising a maximum width;   k. a printed region on at least one of the topsheet, the backsheet, the absorbent core, and the one or more optional intermediate layers; and   l. an embossed channel on each side of the longitudinal centerline;   m. wherein the printed region and the embossed channels are substantially longitudinally-coextensive with the wings; and   n. wherein the wing distal edge extends laterally substantially to the same extent as the maximum width of the second end.   
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein each of the wings comprises a wing length and wherein more than 90% of the wing length is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the printed region has a printed area and wherein more than 70% of the printed area is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the printed region has a printed area and wherein more than 90% of the printed area is positioned on the first half. 
     
     
         24 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein a second printed region exists in the second half. 
     
     
         25 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the printed region does not exist in the second half. 
     
     
         26 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the article has an overall length of at least 330 millimeters. 
     
     
         27 . The article of  claim 20 , wherein the topsheet comprises a nonwoven. 
     
     
         28 . The article of  claim 27 , wherein the printed region is printed on a garment-facing side of the nonwoven. 
     
     
         29 . The article of  claim 20 , further comprising a support layer disposed between the absorbent core and the backsheet. 
     
     
         30 . The article of  claim 29 , wherein the support layer extends laterally outward of the absorbent core in the second end. 
     
     
         31 . An absorbent article comprising:
 a. a topsheet;   b. a backsheet;   c. an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet;   d. a first end;   e. a second end that comprises a maximum width that is greater than that of the first end;   f. a pair of wings that are folded and positioned above a first section of the topsheet prior to use;   g. opposing lateral portions of the second end folded and positioned above another section of the topsheet prior to use;   h. a first protection sheet applied over adhesive on each of the pair of wings;   i. a second protection sheet applied over adhesive on the opposing lateral portions;   j. a printed region on at least one of the topsheet, the backsheet, the absorbent core;   k. wherein a portion of the printed region extends outward from only one of the first and second protection sheets and is visible when viewing the topsheet side of the article before the first and second protection sheets are removed.