Absorbent article having a breathability gradient

A refastenable disposable absorbent article which defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, an intermediate section which interconnects said front and said rear waistband sections, a pair of opposed side margins, and a pair of opposed end margins, said absorbent article comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable backsheet which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test as set forth herein;
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet;
• c) an absorbent body which is located between said backsheet and said topsheet and which includes a matrix of hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency material;
• d) a vapor permeable barrier layer which is smaller in size than said backsheet and which is located between said absorbent body and said backsheet wherein a combination of said vapor permeable backsheet and said vapor permeable barrier layer defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 100 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test;
• e) a pair of fasteners which are located in at least one of said front and said rear waistband sections and which are configured to refastenably secure said absorbent article about a waist of a wearer in use;
• and
• f) a pair of leg elastic members located on said opposed side margins of said absorbent article.

A disposable diaper which defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects said front and said rear waistband sections, said diaper comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable backsheet which includes a first zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of from about 100 to about 2500 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test set forth herein and a second zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test;
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet;
• c) an absorbent body located between said backsheet and said topsheet;
• and
• d) a pair of fasteners which are located in at least one of said front and said rear waistband sections and which are configured to refastenably secure said diaper about a waist of a wearer in use.

A disposable diaper which defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, an intermediate section which interconnects said front and said rear waistband sections, a pair of opposed side margins, and a pair of opposed end margins, said diaper comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable backsheet which includes a first zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of from about 100 to about 2500 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test set forth herein and a second zone of vapor permeability which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test,
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet
• c) an absorbent body which is located between said backsheet and said topsheet and which Includes a matrix of hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency material;
• d) a pair of fasteners which are located in at least one of said front and said rear waistband sections and which are configured to refastenably secure said diaper about a waist of a wearer in use;
• and
• e) a pair of leg elastic members located on said opposed side margins of said diaper.

A disposable diaper comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable backsheet which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test as set forth herein;
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet
• c) an absorbent body which is located between said backsheet and said topsheet;
• and
• d) a vapor permeable barrier layer which is smaller in size than said backsheet and which is located between said absorbent body and said backsheet wherein a combination of said vapor permeable backsheet and said vapor permeable barrier layer defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 100 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test.

A disposable diaper which defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, an Intermediate section Which interconnects said front and said rear waistband sections, a pair of opposed side margins, and a pair of opposed end margins, said diaper comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable backsheet which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test as set forth herein;
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet;
• c) an absorbent body which is located between said backsheet and said topsheet and which includes a matrix of hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency material;
• d) a pair of fasteners which are located in at least one of said front and said rear waistband sections and which are configured to refastenably secure said diaper about a waist of a wearer in use;
• e) a pair of leg elastic members located on said opposed side margins of said diaper;
• and
• f) a vapor permeable barrier layer which is smaller in size than said backsheet and which is located between said absorbent body and said backsheet wherein a combination of said vapor permeable backsheet and said vapor permeable barrier layer defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 100 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test.

A disposable diaper which defines a front waistband section, a rear waistband section, an intermediate section which interconnects said front and said rear waistband sections, a pair of opposed side margins, and a pair of opposed end margins, said diaper comprising:

• a) a vapor permeable, nonwoven backsheet which defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 3000 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to a Water Vapor Transmission Rate test as set forth herein;
• b) a liquid permeable topsheet which is positioned in facing relation with said backsheet;
• c) an absorbent body which is located between said backsheet and said topsheet and which includes a matrix of hydrophilic fibers and high-absorbency material;
• d) a pair of hook and loop type fasteners which are located in at least one of said front and said rear waistband sections and which are configured to refastenably secure said diaper about a waist of a wearer in use;
• e) a pair of leg elastic members located on said opposed side margins of said diaper, and
• f) a microporous polymeric film layer which is smaller in size than said backsheet and which is located between said absorbent body and said backsheet wherein a combination of said vapor permeable nonwoven backsheet and said microporous polymeric film layer defines a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 100 g/sq.m/24 hr as determined according to said Water Vapor Transmission Rate test.