Absorbent article with expandable cover

摘要

An integral absorbent article (10) has a longitudinal article length (26) and a lateral article width (24). The article (10) includes an absorbent composite (32) having first and second longitudinally opposed end regions (78,79), laterally opposed side regions (80), a bodyside surface, an outward surface, and a first longitudinally terminal end edge (82). The absorbent composite (32) further includes a substantially liquid-impermeable backsheet layer (30); a liquid permeable topsheet layer (28); and a retention portion (48) sandwiched between said backsheet (30) and topsheet (28) layers. An extensible outercover (40) is joined to extend over a major portion of said outward surface of said absorbent composite (32). The extensible outercover (40) is desirably capable of providing a selected elongation when subjected to a tensile force. The extensible outercover (40) is also desirably capable of providing a selected, sustained deformation, when subjected to an applied tensile force and then allowed to relax after a removal of the applied force.