Disposable absorbent article having multi-component upstanding leg gathers

A disposable absorbent article, comprising:

• an absorbent core;
• a liquid permeable topsheet positioned on top of said absorbent core;
• and a backsheet assembly positioned beneath said absorbent core,
• said backsheet assembly including a central liquid impermeable layer, and opposite side marginal portions comprising nonwoven fabric and each comprising a separate element joined to said impermeable layer,
• said liquid impermeable layer including opposite side edges extending upwardly about respective opposite side edges of said absorbent core to form a pair of standing leg gathers,
• each of said standing leg gathers further including an upper element each comprising hydrophobic nonwoven material, with each said upper element joined to a respective one of said side edges of said impermeable layer, and elastic means operatively associated with an upper free edge portion of the respective upper element for elastically contracting each of said standing leg gathers.

A disposable absorbent article, comprising:

• an absorbent core;
• a liquid permeable topsheet positioned on top of said absorbent core;
• and a backsheet assembly positioned beneath said absorbent core,
• said backsheet assembly comprising a nonwoven fabric containing thermoplastic fibers and a thermoplastic film extruded onto said nonwoven fabric so as to include a central liquid impermeable layer in which said film is at its central portion secured to said nonwoven fabric, and opposite side marginal portions comprise nonwoven fabric;
• said thermoplastic film including unsecured opposite side edges extending upwardly about respective opposite side edges of said absorbent core to form a pair of standing leg gathers,
• each of said standing leg gathers further including an upper element each comprising hydrophobic nonwoven material, with each said upper element joined to a respective one of said side edges of said thermoplastic film, and elastic means operatively associated with an upper free edge portion of the respective upper element for elastically contracting each of the standing leg gathers.