Abstract: An absorbent article having a flap and a spacer wherein the flap is positioned in the rear waist portion of the article and forms a pocket. The spacer is positioned proximate the pocket opening and biases the pocket into an open position. The flap may be a laterally extending liquid impermeable flap which is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which may be substantially U-shaped, extends between first and second terminal ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and free edge of the flap define the boundaries of a pocket which is formed between the flap and a topsheet of the absorbent article. The pocket has an opening extending between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The spacer affixed to the article whereby it is disposed between the flap and the topsheet proximate, and optionally extending through, the pocket opening to bias the free edge of the flap away from the topsheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a flap and a spacer wherein the flap is positioned in the rear waist portion of the article and forms a pocket. The spacer is positioned proximate the pocket opening and biases the pocket into an open position. The flap may be a laterally extending liquid impermeable flap which is fixedly secured to the article along a seam. The seam, which may be substantially U-shaped, extends between first and second terminal ends. The flap has a free edge which extends between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The seam and free edge of the flap define the boundaries of a pocket which is formed between the flap and a topsheet of the absorbent article. The pocket has an opening extending between the first and second terminal ends of the seam. The spacer affixed to the article whereby it is disposed between the flap and the backsheet proximate, and optionally extending through, the pocket opening to bias the free edge of the flap away from the topsheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article with an adhesive flap. The absorbent article has a crotch region, a rear waist region, and a body facing surface positionable adjacent a wearer when the article is in use. The absorbent article includes a backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet attached to the backsheet, an absorbent structure disposed between said topsheet and said backsheet, and a flap positioned in the rear waist region of the article. The flap has first and second oppositely facing major surfaces wherein the first major surface faces the topsheet and the second major surface forms a portion of the body facing surface of the absorbent article. A substantial portion of the front edge of the flap is a free edge and an adhesive is disposed on the body facing major surface of the flap whereby the adhesive may engage the skin of the wearer when the absorbent article is in use.