An elastic composite (10, 110, 210, 310) can include a first layer (20, 120, 220, 320), a second layer (22, 122, 222, 322), and a third layer (24, 124, 224, 324). The third layer (24, 124, 224, 324) can be formed by at least one elastic material (32, 132, 232, 332) and can be coupled to the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) when the elastic material (32, 132, 232, 332) is in an extended condition. The first layer (20, 120, 220, 320) can be coupled to the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) near the first and second longitudinal edge (16, 18) but can be independent of the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) therebetween such that the first layer (20, 120, 220, 320) forms gathers (36, 136, 236, 336) when the elastic composite (10, 110, 210, 310) is in a retracted condition.

An elastic composite (10, 110, 210, 310) can include a first layer (20, 120, 220, 320), a second layer (22, 122, 222, 322), and a third layer (24, 124, 224, 324). The third layer (24, 124, 224, 324) can be formed by at least one elastic material (32, 132, 232, 332) and can be coupled to the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) when the elastic material (32, 132, 232, 332) is in an extended condition. The first layer (20, 120, 220, 320) can be coupled to the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) near the first and second longitudinal edge (16, 18) but can be independent of the second layer (22, 122, 222, 322) therebetween such that the first layer (20, 120, 220, 320) forms gathers (36, 136, 236, 336) when the elastic composite (10, 110, 210, 310) is in a retracted condition.

An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include an absorbent assembly (43) including a bodyside liner (28), an outer cover (26, 126, 226), and an absorbent body (35) disposed between the bodyside liner (28) and the outer cover (26, 126, 226). The outer cover (26, 126, 226) can include at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264) and a first indicator region (66, 166, 266). The first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can have a light transmittance that is greater than a light transmittance of the at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264). At least a portion of the first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can be located between the first longitudinal edge (36) of the absorbent body (35) and the first coupling length (45) of the first containment flap (44) in at least the crotch region (16) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210).

An absorbent article (10, 110, 210) can include an absorbent assembly (43) including a bodyside liner (28), an outer cover (26, 126, 226), and an absorbent body (35) disposed between the bodyside liner (28) and the outer cover (26, 126, 226). The outer cover (26, 126, 226) can include at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264) and a first indicator region (66, 166, 266). The first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can have a light transmittance that is greater than a light transmittance of the at least one opaque region (64, 164, 264). At least a portion of the first indicator region (66, 166, 266) can be located between the first longitudinal edge (36) of the absorbent body (35) and the first coupling length (45) of the first containment flap (44) in at least the crotch region (16) of the absorbent article (10, 110, 210).

An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable, apertured topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition material disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisition material has a caliper in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, according to the Caliper Test, and an Air Permeability in the range of about 5,000 l/m.sup.2/s to about 11,000 l/m.sup.2/s, according to the Air Permeability Test. The acquisition material has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional features extending outwardly from the first surface or the second surface.

An absorbent article includes a liquid permeable, apertured topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, an absorbent core disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the backsheet, and an acquisition material disposed at least partially intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The acquisition material has a caliper in the range of about 2.5 mm to about 10 mm, according to the Caliper Test, and an Air Permeability in the range of about 5,000 l/m.sup.2/s to about 11,000 l/m.sup.2/s, according to the Air Permeability Test. The acquisition material has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of three-dimensional features extending outwardly from the first surface or the second surface.

Configurable absorbent articles with improved bodily exudate separation and sampling are provided.

Configurable absorbent articles with improved bodily exudate separation and sampling are provided.

A diaper configured for collection of a stool sample for an infant, and an associated method for collection, are disclosed. The diaper may include a backsheet including an effectively urine- and feces-impermeable material; a transverse perineal barrier including an effectively urine- and feces-impermeable material and having a proximal portion overlying the backsheet and sealingly connected to the diaper, and a free distal edge; and a liquid control structure disposed over the backsheet. The diaper may include additional features configured to receive a discharge of urine, isolate fecal material from urine, and facilitate collection of an intact stool sample following elimination.

Absorbent articles comprising connecting portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. In an embodiment an absorbent article may comprise a chassis having a front half section, a rear half section, a body facing surface, and a garment facing surface. The article further comprises an absorbent body and a of containment flaps attached to the body facing surface of the chassis, each of the pair of containment flaps having a flap distal edge. The article may further comprise a connecting portion in the rear half section where the containment flaps and connecting portion define an opening to the body facing surface. The opening may be defined by a pair of laterally opposed edges having a minimum separation distance within the rear end section of between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of a distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps.