Absorbent Article Including A Plurality Of Longitudinally Extending Channels

Abstract

An absorbent article including a first end region, a second end region and a central region, a plurality of channels arranged in each of the first and second end regions, at least one channel arranged in the central region and extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, the at least one channel being connected at each end thereof to the plurality of channels in the first end region and the plurality of channels in the second end region.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An absorbent article, comprising:
 a longitudinally extending centerline;   a transversely extending centerline;   a first end region and a second end region, said first end region having a length generally along said longitudinal centerline, said second end region having a second length generally along said longitudinal centerline;   a central region arranged between the first and second end regions, said central region having a third length generally along said longitudinal centerline;   a first longitudinal edge;   a second longitudinal edge;   a first transverse edge;   a second transverse edge;   a main absorbent body;   a first embossing pattern having a first portion arranged in the first end region and a second portion arranged in the second end region, each of the first end region and second end region including at least one channel;   a second embossing pattern in the central region including at least one channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the article, the at least one channel has a length that extends into one of said first end region and second end region;   
       wherein said second embossing pattern in the central region is different from the first embossing pattern at least one of the first end region or the second end region. 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel in at least one of said first end region and said second end region is arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel in at least one of said first end region and said second end region is at least two channels. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent article according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least two channels are in a spaced relationship. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel in said central region is arcuate. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one channel in said central region is at least two channels. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent article according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least two channels are in a spaced relationship. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent article according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one channel forms an at least partial embossed ring spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of said main absorbent body, wherein at least partial embossed ring prevents leakage from said central region. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent article according to  claim 2 , wherein said at least one channel forms an at least partial embossed ring spaced inwardly from a peripheral edge of said main absorbent body, wherein said at least partial embossed ring prevents leakage from at least one of said first end region and said second end region. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent article according to  claim 9 , wherein said absorbent article has an at least partial embossed ring about said peripheral edge of said main absorbent body such that said at least partial embossed ring prevents leakage from said first end region and said second end region. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said first length and said second length, wherein are different. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said first length and said second length, wherein are about equal. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said third length is greater than or equal to at least one of said first length and said second length. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent article according to  claim 1 , wherein said main absorbent body has a color cue. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent article according to  claim 14 , wherein said color cue generally corresponds with said at least one channel in said first end region, said second end region, and/or said central region. 
     
     
         16 . The absorbent article according to  claim 15 , wherein said absorbent article has a cover layer substantially covering said main absorbent body, wherein said color cue is printed on said cover layer. 
     
     
         17 . The absorbent article according to  claim 15 , wherein said absorbent article has an absorbent layer within said main absorbent body, wherein said color cue is printed on said absorbent layer.