Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Sandra Ann Richlen

Suzanne Marie Schmoker

David Fleger Bishop

Paul William Christoffel

Sarah Jane Freiburger

Melanie J Milslagle

Paul Hasler

Amanda Jean Simon

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an array of gender-specific disposable absorbent articles having gender-specific containment flaps. In one embodiment, the array of articles comprises a first disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn by males, and a second absorbent article adapted to be worn by females. The first disposable absorbent article comprises a first pair of containment flaps, and the second disposable absorbent article comprises a second pair of containment flaps. The first pair of containment flaps differs from the second pair of containment flaps in at least one structural feature. In particular embodiments, the structural feature that differs is selected from the group consisting of flap active length, flap active-portion longitudinal position, flap tension, flap height, distal-to-distal spacing, and proximal-to-proximal spacing. In another aspect, the present invention pertains to a method of marketing gender-specific absorbent articles having gender-specific containment flaps.

Disposable absorbent articles having gender-specific containment flaps

An absorbent garment includes a front body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge and a rear body panel having a terminal waist edge and a terminal crotch edge. The terminal crotch edge of the rear body panel is longitudinally spaced from and forms a gap with the terminal crotch edge of the front body panel. An absorbent insert includes first and second longitudinally spaced end portions and opposite laterally spaced side edges. The absorbent insert bridges the gap between the front and rear body panels with the first and second end portions overlying and connected to the front and rear body panels respectively. At least one of the first and second end portions of the absorbent insert is connected respectively to a corresponding one of the front and rear body panels with at least first and second adhesive regions having first and second adhesive basis weights respectively. At least a portion of the second adhesive region is located adjacent the terminal crotch edge of at least one of the front and rear body panels. The second adhesive basis weight is greater than the first adhesive basis weight. In another aspect, the first adhesive region has a first peel strength and the first and second adhesive regions in combination have a second peel strength. In one embodiment, the second peel strength is greater than the first peel strength. In another aspect, a method of assembling the absorbent garment is provided.

Three-piece garment having an absorbent insert secured with variable adhesive regions

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Black Creek, WI, United States of America

Sandra Ann Richlen