Diapers having a zoned non-attachable back sheet and methods of manufacturing same

A method of manufacturing an absorbent article to be worn about a wearer having a front portion and a back portion, the method comprising:

• forming an inner layer;
• forming an absorbent layer;
• forming an outer layer having a central portion between two side portions;
• coupling one or more fasteners to the back portion of the article, the one or more fasteners being configured to secure the back portion to the outer layer of the front portion;
• applying a chemical to the central portion of the outer layer to reduce the attachability of the one or more fasteners to the central portion of the outer layer;
• interposing the absorbent layer between the outer layer and the inner layer;
• and
• joining the inner layer, the absorbent layer, and the outer layer to form the absorbent article.

A method of determining whether an absorbent article is too large for a wearer comprising:

• positioning the article on the wearer, the article comprising a back portion and a front portion, an outer layer having a central portion between two side portions, an inner layer, an absorbent layer interposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and one or more fasteners located on the back portion of the article, the one or more fasteners securing the back portion of the article to the front portion of the article, the central portion of the outer layer being treated with a chemical that substantially inhibits attachment of the one or more fasteners to the central portion of the outer layer;
• pressing the one or more fasteners to the outer layer of the front portion such that the back portion is stretched to form a snug fit around the wearer;
• and
• determining whether the article should be downsized based on whether the one or more fastener components remain attached to the outer layer of the front portion.