Disposable absorbent pant-type article and method for manufacturing disposable absorbent pant-type article

Abstract

The disposable pant-shaped article (1) comprises front and rear body panels (3, 4), consisting of a front body panel material that is elastically stretchable in a transverse direction (T) of the pant-shaped article (1), and having a crotch region (5) located between the front body panel (3) and the rear body panel (4). The absorbent core (7) is arranged such that the front and rear end portions (7f, 7r) of the absorbent core (7) overlap the body panels (3, 4) in front and rear overlap regions (10, 11). The pant-type article (1) comprises at least one reduced-elasticity body panel region (16, 17) arranged in an overlap region (10, 11) between the absorbent core (7) and one of the front body panel (3) and the rear body panel (4). The elasticity of the body sheet material in the at least one reduced-elasticity body sheet region (16, 17) is 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body sheet material outside the reduced-elasticity body sheet region (16, 17). A method of manufacturing a disposable pant-type article having at least one reduced elasticity body panel region is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elastic disposable absorbent pant-type article comprising:

[0002] A front body panel consisting of a front body panel material that can be elastically stretched in the transverse direction of the trouser-type article, a back body panel consisting of a back body panel material that can be elastically stretched in the transverse direction of the trouser-type article, and a crotch area located between the front body panel and the back body panel. The absorbent core is arranged so that the central portion of the absorbent core is in the crotch area, and the front end portion of the absorbent core overlaps with the front body panel in the front overlapping area, and the rear end portion of the absorbent core overlaps with the back body panel in the rear overlapping area. The first front panel side edge is joined to the first back panel side edge in the first side seam, and the second front panel side edge is joined to the second back panel side edge in the second side seam, thereby forming a waist opening and two leg openings in the disposable trouser-type article.

[0003] The present disclosure also relates to a continuous method of making elastic disposable pant-type articles using at least one continuous elastic web material. Background Art

[0004] In the field of disposable absorbent pant-type articles, in particular those intended for adult users, the articles should meet high demands on fit, comfort and have a tailored and underwear-like appearance, while meeting equally high demands on absorbency and leakage protection. A disposable absorbent article is an article which is intended to be thrown away after a single use and not to be washed or otherwise restored for reuse, which means that it is also desirable that the product be manufactured cost-effectively and with a minimum of materials and separate components.

[0005] Such pant-type articles are relatively complex products involving a variety of materials and components that are combined in a high-speed process to form an absorbent article. The article typically includes nonwoven materials, barriers, elastics, adhesives, etc., and typically includes an absorbent core that may be provided in the form of an absorbent assembly that includes a barrier layer and a liquid-permeable top sheet that together surround the absorbent core.

[0006] Elastic web materials, such as elastic nonwoven materials, and elastic polymer films are used to manufacture pant-type articles with body-conforming properties similar to high-quality textile underwear. In addition, fit and leakage security are often enhanced by arranging pre-tensioned elastic elements along all or selected portions of the waist opening and leg openings of the pant-type article.

[0007] In disposable pant-type articles that include an absorbent core, the fit and body conformity imparted by the elastic material in the article may be negatively affected by the absorbent core because the absorbent material used in disposable articles is inelastic and tends to increase the stiffness of the article in the area of ​​the article in which the absorbent core is disposed. The rigidified portions of the pant-type article reduce the fit and body conformity of the article and may even cause the article to bulge away from the user's body. On the other hand, the elastic material may negatively affect the performance of the absorbent core because the core may wrinkle or otherwise deform in an undesirable manner under the influence of the contractile forces exerted by the elastic material in the article.

[0008] Therefore, there remains a need for improved elasticity in disposable absorbent pant-type articles. Summary of the invention

[0009] A disposable pant-type article with good functionality, fit and comfort may be provided at least in part by the features of claim 1 and may be manufactured according to claim 20. Variants of the disclosure are set out in the dependent claims.

[0010] Disclosed herein is a disposable pant-type article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, the article comprising:

[0011] - a precursor sheet consisting of a precursor sheet material which is elastically stretchable in the transverse direction;

[0012] - a rear body panel consisting of a rear body panel material which is elastically stretchable in the transverse direction;

[0013] - a crotch region, which is located between the front body panel and the back body panel;

[0014] - an absorbent core arranged with a central portion of the absorbent core located in the crotch region, a front end portion of the absorbent core overlapping with the front body panel in the front overlap region, and a rear end portion of the absorbent core overlapping with the rear body panel in the rear overlap region;

[0015] - a first front panel side edge joined to a first rear panel side edge in a first side seam;

[0016] - a second front panel side edge joined to a second rear panel side edge in a second side seam;

[0017] - Waist opening;

[0018] - a first leg opening; and

[0019] - second leg opening,

[0020] The disposable pant-type article further comprises a body panel area with reduced elasticity, wherein the body panel area with reduced elasticity is arranged in an overlapping area between the absorbent core and one of the front body panel and the rear body panel, wherein the elasticity of the body panel material in the body panel area with reduced elasticity is 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the body panel area with reduced elasticity, for example, 40% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the body panel area with reduced elasticity, and preferably 30% to 60% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the body panel area with reduced elasticity.

[0021] In the present context, an elastic material is defined as a material having a permanent elongation after relaxation of less than 10% after the material has been subjected to an elongation of 30% in the elasticity test specified in the specification.

[0022] Inelastic materials are materials that do not fall within the definition of elastic materials. Thus, as used herein, inelastic materials are either stretchable or non-stretchable materials. In the case of stretchable materials, the material has a permanent elongation after stretching and relaxation of greater than 10% after being subjected to a 30% elongation, as determined according to an elasticity test.

[0023] At least one reduced elasticity body panel region disclosed herein is a region in a body panel that has been treated so that the body panel material in the treated body panel region is less elastic than an untreated portion of the body panel material. The reduced elasticity region is also referred to herein as a "heat-treated region" or "treated region". The treated and less elastic body panel region is a heat-treated zone in the body panel material.

[0024] The at least one reduced elasticity body panel region as disclosed herein may be a reduced elasticity front body panel region.

[0025] The disposable pant-type article may further comprise a rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity, the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity being arranged in the overlapping area between the absorbent core and the rear body panel, the elasticity of the rear body panel material in the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity being 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the rear body panel material outside the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity, for example 40% to 70% of the elasticity of the rear body panel material outside the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity, preferably 30% to 60% of the elasticity of the rear body panel material outside the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity.

[0026] In a disposable pant-type article having a body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity in both the front body panel and the rear body panel, at least one of the shape, size, and elasticity of the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may be different between the front body panel and the rear body panel. Alternatively, the shape, size, and elasticity of the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may be the same in the front body panel and the rear body panel. Typically, the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity will have a larger area and a different shape than the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity because disposable pant-type articles as disclosed herein typically have a rear body panel that is larger than the front body panel.

[0027] The elastically stretchable front body panel and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel may comprise or consist of an elastic laminate comprising at least a first layer of a nonwoven material and an elastic layer. As used herein, the term "elastic layer" refers to a layer of a continuous inherently elastic web material, such as an elastic nonwoven material or an elastic film.

[0028] Although the nonwoven first layer may be an elastic nonwoven material, it is generally preferred that the nonwoven first layer is a non-elastic layer.

[0029] The elastic laminate may include a second nonwoven layer, and the elastic layer may be an intermediate elastic layer disposed between the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer. In addition to the first nonwoven layer and the second nonwoven layer and the elastic layer, the laminate may also include one or more additional layers. The elastic laminate may be a three-layer laminate, such as a three-layer laminate having an outer non-elastic nonwoven layer and an intermediate elastic film or nonwoven layer sandwiched therebetween.

[0030] For the nonwoven first layer, it may be preferred that the nonwoven second layer is a non-elastic layer.

[0031] The elastic layer in the elastic laminate disclosed herein may include or consist of an elastic film layer, or may include or consist of an elastic nonwoven material layer.

[0032] Laminates including both an elastic film layer and an elastic nonwoven layer may also be used in the disposable pant-type articles disclosed herein.

[0033] At least two layers of the elastic laminate used in a pant-type article as disclosed herein may be bonded together with a plurality of discrete bonds arranged in a regular bonding pattern that is visible on the outer surface of the elastomeric body panel, including on the outer surface of the elastomeric body panel in the area of ​​the body panel where elasticity is reduced. The outer surface of the body panel is the surface of the body panel that forms part of the outer surface of the pant-type article and is the surface of the body panel that will face away from the body of the wearer of the pant-type article. The outer surface of the pant-type article may also be referred to as the garment-facing surface of the pant-type article. Thus, the bonding pattern on the body panel is visible from the outside of the pant-type article.

[0034] In a three-layer laminate, such as a laminate of first and second outer nonwoven webs and an intermediate elastic layer (e.g., an elastic film layer or an elastic nonwoven layer), all three layers may be bonded together in the same bonding step. In this case, the bonding pattern is visible on the outer, garment-facing surface of a body panel made from the three-layer laminate and on the opposite, body-facing inner surface of the body panel.

[0035] The bonding pattern may be a pattern of discrete bonding elements, such as a pattern of evenly distributed discrete bonding elements. Each discrete bonding element may have a size of 0.1 mm 2 Up to 3.0mm 2 It may be preferred that the surface area of ​​each independent bonding area is at the lower part of this range, for example 0.1 mm 2 Up to 1.5mm 2 or 0.1mm 2 Up to 1.0mm 2 .

[0036] The total bonding area may be in the range of 4% to 13%, preferably in the range of 5% to 10%.

[0037] The binding elements can have any useful shape or combination of shapes, including rounded shapes (such as circles and ovals), polygonal shapes (such as triangles, squares / rectangles, and diamond shapes), as well as rod-shaped binding elements, shaped binding elements, and the like.

[0038] The bonding pattern may be formed by ultrasonic bonding or thermal bonding, the bonding elements being formed by locally heating the layers being bonded together to soften and / or melt the thermoplastic material in the laminate layers and subsequently solidify in the bond.

[0039] The elastically stretchable front body panel and the elastically stretchable back body panel of the pant-type article as disclosed herein may include or consist of a stretch-bonded laminated elastic web material. The stretch-bonded laminate is formed by bonding the layers of the laminate together while holding the elastic material layer in a stretched state at least in the machine direction MD of the elastic material layer and optionally also in the cross-machine direction CD of the elastic material layer. In the pant-type article as disclosed herein, the elastic laminate is arranged in the article, wherein the machine direction corresponds to the transverse direction of the pant-type article and the cross-machine direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the pant-type article.

[0040] The layers of the combined laminate can be coextensive, i.e., they can completely overlap each other. Optionally, the elastic material layer can have a smaller extension in the cross-machine direction of the laminate than one or more nonwoven layers, i.e., the elastic material layer can have a smaller extension in the longitudinal direction of the trouser-type article.

[0041] The binding elements are distributed on the body plate in a regular binding pattern over the entire area of ​​the body plate, i.e. also in the area of ​​reduced elasticity. In other words, the binding pattern is the same in the area of ​​reduced elasticity of the body plate as in the other parts of the body plate. In addition, when the area of ​​reduced elasticity is produced, the surface structure of the elastic laminate is not changed or is not significantly changed by the heat treatment to which the elastic laminate has been subjected. Therefore, the visual appearance of the body plate material is the same or substantially the same over the entire surface of the body plate. This has the effect of masking or hiding the presence of the absorbent core inside the body plate in the area of ​​reduced elasticity, thereby enhancing the similarity of the disposable trouser-type article to ordinary underwear.

[0042] The nonwoven material layer or web in the elastic laminate disclosed herein can be spunbond, airlaid, wetlaid, carded, electrospun or meltblown nonwoven material. Composite webs such as spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) and similar materials can also be used. The nonwoven material can be combined by any suitable technique, such as by needle punching, spunlace, ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding.

[0043] The fiber of the nonwoven material used herein can be a mixture of man-made fibers or man-made fibers and natural fibers. Man-made fibers include single-component, bi-component and multi-component fibers of polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyacrylates, and regenerated fibers such as viscose and modal fibers. Natural fibers are, for example, cellulose fibers, such as pulp fibers, cotton fibers, flax, hemp, etc.

[0044] In the laminates where each layer is combined by ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding, the nonwoven material for forming the laminate should contain a sufficient amount of thermoplastic material to allow the formation of bonding elements. Examples of suitable thermoplastic polymers used in the fibers of the nonwoven web disclosed herein are polyethylene, polypropylene and other polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers and polyester. The fiber can be a monocomponent fiber, a bicomponent fiber or a multicomponent fiber. The heat-bondable nonwoven web preferably contains at least 50% thermoplastic material, more preferably at least 80% thermoplastic material.

[0045] As an alternative to being comprised of an elastic laminate, at least a portion of the elastically stretchable front body panel and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel may be comprised of a single layer of elastic nonwoven material.

[0046] The elastically stretchable front body panel may be formed by a continuous front body panel web extending laterally across the width of the trouser-type article between the first and second front panel side edges, and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel may be formed by a continuous back body panel web extending laterally across the width of the trouser-type article between the first and second back panel side edges.

[0047] The crotch region of disposable pant-type articles as disclosed herein may include a non-elastic crotch web material, such as a non-elastic nonwoven web.

[0048] In a disposable pant article as disclosed herein, the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may have a shape in the longitudinal direction of the disposable pant article whose extension in the transverse direction is smaller adjacent the waist opening than adjacent the crotch area.

[0049] The reduced elasticity body panel region may have any tapered shape, such as a triangle, a trapezoid, a teardrop, or a funnel. In addition, the reduced elasticity body panel region may have a mushroom shape or a bat shape. The profile of the reduced elasticity body panel region is preferably continuous, without stepped or abrupt changes, to promote a smooth transition between the reduced elasticity body panel region and the body panel material outside the reduced elasticity body panel region.

[0050] Both the front body panel area with reduced elasticity and the rear body panel area with reduced elasticity can have a tapered shape, wherein the extension of the body panel area with reduced elasticity in the transverse direction is less near the waist opening than near the crotch area. The extension of the body panel area with reduced elasticity in the transverse direction is also referred to as the width of the body panel area with reduced elasticity in this article. If both the front body panel area with reduced elasticity and the rear body panel area with reduced elasticity are provided, one or both of the front body panel area with reduced elasticity and the rear body panel area with reduced elasticity can have a tapered shape. If only one body panel area with reduced elasticity has a tapered shape, the tapered shape can preferably be provided to the front body panel area with reduced elasticity.

[0051] By forming a region of reduced elasticity with a narrower portion at the waist of the article and a wider portion at the absorbent core of the article, the article will have greater elasticity, i.e., greater retractive force, at the waist. In addition, the elastic gradient in the front and / or rear body panels of the pant-type absorbent article will cause the side seams to assume an inwardly inclined configuration when the pant-type absorbent article is in a non-tensioned state. The side seams thus formed better conform to the shape of the user's buttocks.

[0052] The at least one body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may terminate at an elastic waistband which is disposed at the waist opening and provides waist elasticity to the article, or the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may continue below the already applied elastic waistband so that it overlaps the front and rear body panels. When manufacturing a pant-type article as disclosed herein, the elastic waistband is preferably applied after processing the material of the front and / or rear body panels to form the at least one body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity. The waistband may be applied so that it completely or partially overlaps the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity at the waist opening and provides the article with a fully functional, around-the-waist elastic waistband.

[0053] In the pant-type disposable articles disclosed herein, the absorbent core may form part of an absorbent assembly comprising an absorbent core, a liquid permeable topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet, the absorbent core being sandwiched between the liquid permeable topsheet and the liquid impermeable backsheet.

[0054] A disposable pant-type article as disclosed herein may include an elastic waist feature. The elastic waist feature forms a continuous waistband surrounding the waist opening of the disposable pant-type article.

[0055] The elastic waist feature may completely overlap the front and / or back body panels and may share waist edges with the corresponding front and / or back body panels.

[0056] The elastic waist feature may include one or more elastic elements. The waist feature may include multiple elastic strands or elastic bands. Alternatively, the elastic waist feature may include or be composed of an elastic material band, such as an elastic nonwoven, an elastic foam or an elastic film. The elastic waist feature may be attached to the front body panel and / or the rear body panel as a prefabricated component, such as a waistband component comprising two layers of carrier webs, wherein multiple elastic strands or bands are attached between the layers of the carrier webs. Alternatively, the elastic waist feature comprising multiple elastic elements (such as strands or bands) may be directly formed on the elastomeric panel material by applying the elastic elements to the body panel along the waist edge of the body panel and subsequently covering the elastic elements with a cover web (such as a nonwoven cover web).

[0057] The elastic waist feature provides the article with waist elastics that are additional elastics in addition to the elastics provided by the elastic material in the front and rear body panels. The elastic waist feature can be a component of the disposable pant-type article that is manufactured separately from the body panel material of the front and rear body panels, or can be incorporated into the front and rear body panel materials by being applied between layers of the front and rear body panel materials. The elastic waist feature is preferably applied after one or more body panel areas of reduced elasticity have been formed in the body panel material to avoid reduced elasticity in the elastic waist feature.

[0058] The elastic waist feature may completely overlap the front and / or back body panels, or may be applied to and protrude beyond the waist edge of the body panel.

[0059] Also disclosed herein is a method of making a disposable pant-type article, such as the disposable pant-type article disclosed herein, comprising:

[0060] - continuously feeding a tensioned elastic web material, such as an elastic laminate web material, in a machine direction, the elastic web material having a first side edge and a second side edge;

[0061] - producing areas of reduced elasticity in the elastic web material by exposing parts of the elastic web material to a heat treatment, said areas of reduced elasticity being spaced apart in the machine direction and having an elasticity of 30 to 70% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, such as 40 to 70% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment and preferably 30 to 60% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment;

[0062] - forming at least a tensioned first body panel web from a tensioned elastic web material as part of a composite web of interconnected precursor articles, the composite web of precursor articles having a first waist edge and a second waist edge, the tensioned first body panel web comprising at least a portion of each of the spaced-apart regions of reduced elasticity;

[0063] - arranging a tensioned first body panel web and a tensioned elastic second body panel web side by side with a cross-machine direction distance therebetween in a composite web of interconnected precursor articles;

[0064] - intermittently applying absorbent assemblies to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web, the absorbent assemblies being applied spaced apart in the machine direction and attached so that a first end of each absorbent assembly overlaps an area of ​​reduced elasticity in the tensioned first body panel web and a second end of the absorbent assembly overlaps a portion of the tensioned second body panel web;

[0065] - folding the composite web of the precursor article along a fold line extending in the machine direction (MD) and aligning the first waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article with the second waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article;

[0066] - forming a first side seam and a second side seam in each precursor article, said side seams joining the tensioned first body panel web to the tensioned second body panel web and formed in the cross-machine direction (CD) along the dividing line between the precursor articles; and

[0067] - Cutting the individual trouser-type articles from the composite web of precursor articles.

[0068] In the heat treatment step, the heat supplied to the elastic web material is preferably controlled to avoid raising the temperature of the thermoplastic material in the elastic web material above the melting point of the thermoplastic material. Thus, the fibrous structure of the nonwoven web comprising or consisting of thermoplastic fibers and forming part of the elastic web material may be retained or at least substantially retained in the elastic web material. The heat supply may be controlled by controlling the heat exposure time and / or the temperature of a heating device such as a heating roller.

[0069] During the heat treatment step, the elasticity of the elastic web material is reduced, i.e., not completely eliminated. By maintaining a certain degree of elasticity in the area of ​​reduced elasticity, the difference in appearance of the trouser-type article between the untreated area and the treated area is less obvious. In addition, the heat treatment does not affect or substantially does not affect the surface structure of the outer surface of the heat-treated elastomeric sheet material, such as the fiber structure and the bonding pattern. Therefore, the material in the heat-treated area cannot be distinguished from the untreated material with the naked eye or at least cannot be easily distinguished, which makes the presence of the heat-treated area less obvious. The outer cover of the absorbent article with a different appearance at the overlap of the cover and the absorbent core can signal the presence of the absorbent core. Therefore, the uniform appearance of the outer core is very beneficial because it can conceal the outline of the absorbent core and make the presence of the absorbent core less obvious. When the layers of the elastic laminate web material as disclosed herein are combined together, the special benefit of using a bonding pattern of multiple discrete bonding elements is that the bonding pattern contributes to the masking effect by shielding the transition between the untreated material and the treated area with reduced elasticity.

[0070] Therefore, the article disclosed herein is more like underwear than existing articles having completely inelastic areas in the area of ​​the absorbent core. In addition, by heat treating the elastic material in the area overlapping the absorbent core, the elastic effect of the elastic material on the core is reduced, thereby avoiding undesirable shrinkage and deformation of the core. At the same time, the residual elasticity in the area with reduced elasticity after heat treatment plays a role in keeping the absorbent core in contact with the body of the wearer of the pants-type absorbent article, thereby helping to reduce the bulkiness of the article and enhance the underwear-likeness.

[0071] The elastic web material may be an elastic laminate web material.The elastic laminate web material may be formed by bonding at least a first layer of a nonwoven material to an elastic layer, the bonding being performed with a plurality of discrete bonds arranged in a bonding pattern.

[0072] As described herein, discrete bonding elements can be created in the laminate so that voids are formed in the elastic film adjacent to the bonding elements and / or in the bonding elements. The discrete bonding elements increase the bulk of the laminate, and the voids provide high air permeability to the elastic laminate, thereby helping to increase the comfort of the wearer.

[0073] The method disclosed herein may further comprise the following steps:

[0074] - feeding a non-elastic continuous crotch web in the machine direction;

[0075] - attaching a crotch web to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web so as to bridge the distance between the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web, the non-elastic continuous crotch web being attached to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web after arranging the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned elastic second body panel web side by side and before applying the absorbent assembly to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web; and

[0076] - forming leg cuts in the composite web of interconnected precursor articles, each leg cut having a closed loop configuration and forming a first leg edge of a leading precursor article and a second leg edge of a trailing precursor article.

[0077] A method of making a disposable pant-type article, such as the disposable pant-type articles disclosed herein, may include:

[0078] - continuously feeding a tensioned elastic web material, such as an elastic laminate web material, in a machine direction, the tensioned elastic web material having a first side edge and a second side edge;

[0079] - producing areas of reduced elasticity in the elastic web material by exposing parts of the elastic web material to a heat treatment, said areas of reduced elasticity being spaced apart in the machine direction and having an elasticity of 30 to 70% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, such as 40 to 70% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, preferably 30 to 60% of the elasticity in the parts of the elastic web material not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment;

[0080] - forming at least a tensioned first body panel web from a tensioned elastic web material as part of a composite web of interconnected precursor articles, the composite web of precursor articles having a first waist edge and a second waist edge, the tensioned first body panel web comprising at least a portion of each of the spaced-apart regions of reduced elasticity;

[0081] - arranging a tensioned first body panel web and a tensioned elastic second body panel web side by side in a composite web of interconnected precursor articles, wherein the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web have a distance therebetween in the cross-machine direction;

[0082] - feeding a non-elastic continuous crotch web in the machine direction;

[0083] - attaching a crotch web to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web so as to bridge the distance between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge, the non-elastic continuous crotch web being attached to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web after arranging the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned elastic second body panel web side by side and before applying the absorbent assembly to the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web;

[0084] - intermittently applying absorbent assemblies to the tensioned first body panel web, the crotch web and the tensioned second body panel web, the absorbent assemblies being applied spaced apart in the machine direction and being attached such that a first end of each absorbent assembly overlaps a region of reduced elasticity in the tensioned first body panel web and a second end of the absorbent assembly overlaps a portion of the tensioned second body panel web, the portion of the tensioned second body panel web optionally being a region of reduced elasticity in the tensioned second body panel web;

[0085] - forming leg cuts in the composite web of interconnected precursor articles, each leg cut having a closed loop configuration and forming a first leg edge of a leading precursor article and a second leg edge of a trailing precursor article;

[0086] - folding the composite web of the precursor article along a fold line extending in the machine direction (MD) and aligning the first waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article with the second waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article;

[0087] - forming a first side seam and a second side seam in each precursor article, said side seams joining the tensioned first body panel web to the tensioned second body panel web and formed in the cross-machine direction (CD) along the dividing line between the precursor articles; and

[0088] - Cutting the individual trouser-type articles from the composite web of precursor articles.

[0089] The method for making an absorbent pant-type article as disclosed herein and involving applying a crotch web between a tensioned first body panel web and a tensioned second body panel web may further comprise:

[0090] - providing a pair of crotch elastic members, the pair of crotch elastic members consisting of a first crotch elastic member and a second crotch elastic member;

[0091] - stretching each crotch elastic member in its longitudinal direction and aligning the longitudinal direction of the crotch elastic member with the cross-machine direction; and

[0092] - attaching each stretched crotch elastic member to the crotch web while keeping the crotch elastic members stretched and aligned in the cross-machine direction, the first crotch elastic member being spaced apart from the second crotch elastic member by a crotch spacing in the machine direction, the pair of crotch elastic members of the leading precursor article being spaced apart from the pair of crotch elastic members of the trailing precursor article in the machine direction by an article spacing, the article spacing being dependent on the pitch length of the precursor articles in the composite web of interconnected precursor articles.

[0093] As used herein, the pitch length is the length of each precursor article in the machine direction during the manufacture of a pant-type article as disclosed herein, corresponding to the width direction of the final pant-type article. The pitch length can remain the same throughout the manufacturing process until the individual pant-type articles are cut from the composite web of interconnected precursor articles.

[0094] The method disclosed herein may further comprise the following steps:

[0095] -The heat-treated elastic web material is divided into two parts by forming an incision in the elastic web material along a dividing line extending in the machine direction, thereby forming a tensioned first body panel web and a tensioned second body panel web, the tensioned first body panel web having a first side edge formed by the first side edge of the elastic web material and a second side edge formed by the incision in the elastic web material, and the tensioned second body panel web having a first side edge formed by the second side edge of the elastic web material and a second side edge formed by the incision in the elastic web material.

[0096] In a method as disclosed herein including the step of separating a heat treated elastic web material into two parts, the step of arranging the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web side by side at a distance from each other in the cross-machine direction may include moving the position of the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web in the cross-machine direction, whereby the second side edge of the tensioned first body panel web forms the first waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article and the second side edge of the tensioned second body panel web forms the second waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article. The waist elastic may be applied to the elastic web material along a dividing line in the elastic web material before the cut is formed in the elastic web material, and the cut is subsequently formed through the elastic web material and through the waist elastic. Thus, after cutting the elastic web material and moving the position of the first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web, the applied and separated waist elastic will form the front waist elastic and the back waist elastic on the manufactured pant-type article.

[0097] In a method as disclosed herein that includes a step of dividing a heat-treated elastic web material into two parts, the elasticity-reduced regions formed in the elastic web material can be each divided into a first part and a second part by a cut in the elastic web material, wherein the first part of each elasticity-reduced region is located in the tensioned first body panel web, and the second part of each elasticity-reduced region is located in the tensioned second body panel web.

[0098] In the method disclosed herein, the method includes the steps of dividing the heat-treated elastic web material into two parts and moving the positions of the tensioned first body panel web and the tensioned second body panel web in the cross-machine direction. When viewed in the cross-machine direction, the elasticity-reduced area formed in the elastic web material can have a shape having a first end and a second end and a middle part located between the first end and the second end, the width of the first end and the second end in the machine direction is greater than the width of the middle part in the machine direction, and the cut in the elastic web material divides each elasticity-reduced area in the middle part of the elasticity-reduced area.

[0099] In a method as disclosed herein comprising the step of separating a heat treated elastic web material into two parts, the step of arranging a tensioned first body panel web and a tensioned second body panel web side by side at a distance from each other in the cross-machine direction may involve pulling the tensioned first body panel web away from the tensioned second body panel web in the cross-machine direction, whereby a first side edge of the tensioned first body panel web forms a first waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article and a first side edge of the tensioned second body panel web forms a second waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article. Waist elastics may be applied along the first side edge and the second side edge of the elastic web material before or after the cuts are formed in the elastic web material.

[0100] In a method as disclosed herein including the steps of dividing a heat-treated elastic web material into two parts and pulling the parts in a cross-machine direction, the reduced elasticity area formed in the elastic web material may have a shape including a first end and a second end and a middle part between the first end and the second end, the width of the first end and the second end in the machine direction being smaller than the width of the middle part in the machine direction as observed in the cross-machine direction, and the cut in the elastic web material divides each reduced elasticity area in the middle part of the reduced elasticity area.

[0101] Typically, waist elastics may be applied to the waist edge of the tensioned first body panel web and the waist edge of the tensioned second body panel web prior to forming the composite web of the precursor article, or may be applied along the first and second waist edges of the composite web of the precursor article.

[0102] In the method of manufacturing a disposable pant-type article as disclosed herein, an absorbent assembly attached to and bridging the distance between the first and second body panel webs can form the only connection between the first and second body panel webs in the continuous composite web of the front body article. Leg opening portions are formed in the continuous composite web of the front body article in the gaps between the intermittently attached absorbent assemblies. The leg opening portions can then be shaped by cutting to provide the desired curvature to the leg opening edges.

[0103] By cutting leg openings in a chassis web formed by continuously connecting the inwardly facing side edges of the first and second panel webs, alternating crotch portions and leg opening portions are formed in a continuous chassis web. The side edges of the first and second panel webs may be directly connected to each other or may be indirectly connected via a bridging web.

[0104] As described herein, the distance between the first and second body panel webs can be bridged by an outer covering web and / or an inner covering web applied across the entire cross-machine direction width of the composite web of the precursor article, or the outer covering web and / or the inner covering web are applied at least in the crotch region and optionally applied over all or a portion of one or both of the first and second body panel webs. In this case, leg openings are cut into one or more covering webs between intermittently applied absorbent assemblies. The absorbent assemblies can be applied before or after the leg openings are formed.

[0105] The elastic panel web may comprise reinforcing elastic elements, such as leg elastic elements and / or waist elastic elements applied in addition to the continuous elastic layer in the elastic panel web.

[0106] The method as disclosed herein may further involve applying components, such as leg elastics, elastic barrier cuffs, disposal devices, fastener elements, etc. Such components would then form part of a disposable absorbent pant-type article as disclosed herein.

[0107] As described herein, one or both of the front plate web and the back plate web can include or be composed of a three-layer pressed web, the three-layer pressed web comprising two outer nonwoven layers and an intermediate coherent elastic layer, such as an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven sandwiched between the outer nonwoven layers. The three-layer nonwoven-film-nonwoven laminate provides an elastic sheet with a smooth, soft and skin-friendly fabric-like outer surface and an inner surface. Laminates can be manufactured by any known method or combination of methods, such as stretch-bonding methods, methods involving incremental stretching, etc.

[0108] The layers of the laminate can be bonded together by patterns of discrete bonding elements (such as point bonds) distributed on the surface of the laminate. The bonding elements can be formed by ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding (also referred to herein as thermal bonding). After cutting a single trouser-type article from the manufacturing width, the tensioning elastic layer in the laminate shrinks and causes the non-elastic nonwoven layer to wrinkle between the bonding elements, thereby increasing the bulkiness of the outer surface of the laminate in the finished trouser-type article. As described herein, the bonding of the laminate can also be implemented so that a hole is formed in the elastic layer at or in the bonding element, thereby increasing the breathability of the laminate. Such holes in the inner elastic layer in the three-layer laminate are usually invisible from the surface of the outer layer of the laminate.

[0109] A three-layer elastic panel web can be formed by stretch-bonding a first surface of an elastic layer (such as an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven) to a nonwoven first layer and then bonding a nonwoven second layer to a second surface of the elastic layer. As described herein, bonding between the layers can be performed by ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding.

[0110] As described herein, in addition to the continuous elastic layer, the elastic panel web may also include reinforcing elastic elements, which may be applied between the nonwoven first layer and the nonwoven second layer or may be applied to the outer surface of the three-layer panel web. Forming the laminate by stretch bonding means that the elastic layer is stretched in the machine direction MD, for example 50% to 600%, and maintained in a stretched state while being bonded to a non-elastic or less elastic web, such as a non-elastic or less elastic nonwoven layer, to maintain the elastic properties of the elastic layer in the laminate. As described herein, the nonwoven first and second layers are preferably non-elastic nonwoven layers.

[0111] When a laminated elastic panel web comprising a stretch-bonded elastic layer and one or more non-stretch layers (e.g., one or more non-stretch nonwoven layers) is used in the methods disclosed herein, the web is kept taut throughout the process until the final step of severing individual pant-type articles from the base web. This generally means that the web is stretched in the machine direction to the maximum extent allowed by the non-stretch layer or layers.

[0112] The crotch web disclosed herein can be any suitable non-stretchable web material, such as a non-stretchable nonwoven web, a non-stretchable polymer film or a non-stretchable laminate. Laminates including one or more non-woven webs and laminates including one or more non-woven webs and polymer films can also be envisioned. In the crotch web that forms the outer surface of the garment facing the trouser-type article, it may be preferred that the outer surface facing the garment is formed by a nonwoven material. The crotch web can be a crotch panel web having a first side edge and an opposite second side edge, the first side edge of the crotch panel web being attached to the front crotch edge of the tensioned front panel web in the front seam, and the second side edge of the crotch panel web being attached to the rear crotch edge of the tensioned rear panel web in the rear seam, thereby bridging the gap between the front crotch edge of the front panel web and the rear crotch edge of the rear panel web. Optionally, the crotch web can be an outer covering web or an inner covering web that extends the entire distance or at least 75% of the distance between the front waist edge and the rear waist edge of the composite web of the forebody article in the cross-machine direction.

[0113] The underwear-likeness of the pant-type absorbent article as disclosed herein can be further improved by forming the heat-treated area. By forming a region of reduced elasticity with a narrower portion in the waist portion of the article and a wider portion in the crotch portion of the article, the article will have greater elasticity in the waist portion. As described herein, the higher elasticity in the front and / or back panels of the pant-type absorbent article allows the side seams to present an inwardly inclined configuration, which promotes a better fit to the user's body on the hips. This shape may be particularly beneficial to female users because it is particularly suitable for female anatomy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] The absorbent article and the method for making the same disclosed herein will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0115] Figure 1 shows a plan view of a stretched absorbent pant-type article having an absorbent assembly and open side seams as viewed from the inner surface of the pant-type article;

[0116] Figure 2 Shows the view from the outer surface of the trouser-type article Figure 1 A plan view of an absorbent pant-type article stretched open;

[0117] Figure 3 Shown in a non-stretched state Figure 1 and Figure 2 Pants-type items in;

[0118] Figure 4-9 showing a plan view of a section of a web of interconnected precursor articles at an ongoing stage of manufacture;

[0119] Fig.10A plan view showing a method for making a body panel web;

[0120] Fig.11 a plan view showing another method for making a body panel web; and

[0121] Fig.12 Shown in Fig.10 An alternative way of forming the region of reduced elasticity in the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0122] Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings.The embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein.

[0123] The absorbent pant-type article may be a baby diaper, training pants, feminine hygiene pants, swimwear, disposable underpants, and the like.

[0124] The drawings are schematic and the pant-type articles shown in the drawings are simplified articles. It should be understood that the articles may include additional features, such as barrier cuffs, disposal devices, etc. It should also be understood that the waist elastics disclosed herein are optional, or any other suitable type of waist elastics may be used. The side seams may be reclosable side seams, and the pant-type articles may be provided with fastener elements to provide reclosability of the side seams.

[0125] The method for making a pant-type article disclosed herein is described in the context of a disposable pant-type article including an absorbent assembly. However, it should be understood that the method is equally applicable to the manufacture of absorbent pant-type articles that do not include a preformed absorbent assembly. The method disclosed herein can be used to make any type of disposable pant-type article, such as adult incontinence articles, baby diapers, training pants, swim pants, disposable underpants, sanitary pants for women, etc.

[0126] First reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , shows a disposable absorbent pant-type article 1 in the form of a pant-type incontinence article for adult users. The pant-type article 1 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 It is shown in an unfolded and flat state in which all elastic elements and components are in a stretched state, so that the pant-type article 1 appears to be generally two-dimensional. Figure 1 The article is shown from its inner surface facing the wearer, Figure 2 The article is shown from its outer, garment-facing surface.

[0127] A trouser-type article has a longitudinal direction L and a transverse direction T. Any measurements of distances and sizes are made with the trouser-type article in a fully stretched, non-gathered state, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2shown.

[0128] The article comprises a front body panel 3 and a back body panel 4 , wherein the front body panel 3 is composed of a front body panel material elastically stretchable in the transverse direction T, and the back body panel 4 is composed of a back body panel material elastically stretchable in the transverse direction T. A crotch region 5 is located between the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 4 .

[0129] The elastically stretchable front body panel web, at least in the transverse direction T, provides the overall elastic stretchability of the front body panel 3 .

[0130] The back body panel web being elastically stretchable at least in the transverse direction T provides the back body panel 4 with overall elastic stretchability.

[0131] The article further comprises an absorbent core 7. The absorbent core 7 forms a part of an absorbent assembly 6 which is arranged in the crotch region 5 of the pant-type article 1 and extends forwardly over the front body panel 3 and rearwardly over the back body panel 4 in the longitudinal direction L. The absorbent assembly 6 bridges the gap between the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 4. Figure 1 and 2 The absorbent assembly 6 shown in FIG. 1 is a separately manufactured component comprising an absorbent core 7, a liquid permeable top sheet 8 and a liquid impermeable back sheet 9. The absorbent core 7 is sandwiched between the top sheet 8 and the back sheet 9.

[0132] The absorbent core 7 is arranged so that the central portion 7c of the absorbent core 7 is located in the crotch region 5, the front end portion 7f of the absorbent core overlaps with the front body panel 3 in the front overlapping region 10, and the rear end portion 7r of the absorbent core 7 overlaps with the rear body panel 4 in the rear overlapping region 11.

[0133] The absorbent core 7 shown in the figures has an hourglass shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited to hourglass shaped cores, and it should be understood that the absorbent core may have any useful shape, such as rectangular, T-shaped, etc., as known in the art.

[0134] The absorbent assembly 6 is applied to the inner surface of the pant-type article 1, which is the surface intended to face the wearer when the pant-type article 1 is worn. The inner surface of the absorbent assembly 6 is formed by a liquid-permeable topsheet 8 and optionally comprises barrier cuffs (not shown) extending along the side edges of the absorbent assembly 6.

[0135] As disclosed herein, both the top sheet 8 and the back sheet 9 may extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent core 7 and may be joined to each other in an edge seal extending along the periphery of the absorbent core 7 to outside the peripheral edge of the absorbent core 7. In addition, the peripheral edge portion of the absorbent assembly 6 may be formed by only one of the top sheet and the back sheet.

[0136] The absorbent core 7 as disclosed herein may include any conventional material suitable for absorbing discharged body waste, such as cellulose fluff pulp, tissue paper layers, high absorbent polymers (superabsorbents), absorbent foam materials including hydrogel foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials, etc. The absorbent core may include non-absorbent components, such as reinforcing elements, shaping elements, adhesives, etc. Various types of liquid acquisition and liquid distribution elements may also be included in the core.

[0137] The absorbent core 7 may be a three-dimensionally shaped core having different amounts of absorbent material in different parts of the core. The core may be provided with features such as embossing, fluid collection cavities and fluid distribution channels. The properties of the absorbent core, such as density, amount of absorbent material and absorption capacity may also vary in different parts of the absorbent core. The absorbent core 7 may include a core cover, sandwiching the absorbent material between an upper core cover layer and a lower core cover layer. Such a core cover may be a tissue paper material or a nonwoven material, and is provided in addition to the top sheet and the back sheet.

[0138] Liquid permeable top sheet 8 can comprise nonwoven material or be made up of nonwoven material.Other suitable top sheet materials comprise tow fibers, porous foam, apertured plastic film and laminate and the combination of these materials.The material most suitable as top sheet material is soft and non-irritating to the skin, is easily penetrated by body fluids, and demonstrates low rewetting property.

[0139] Liquid impermeable backsheet 9 can be made of thin plastic film (for example, polyethylene or polypropylene film), nonwoven material coated with liquid impermeable material, hydrophobic nonwoven material or laminate of plastic film and nonwoven material that resists liquid penetration. Backsheet material can be breathable to allow vapor to escape from absorbent body, while still preventing liquid from passing through backsheet material.

[0140] The top sheet and the back sheet can be connected to each other, for example, by adhesive bonding, gluing or by the welding performed by heating or ultrasonic waves. The top sheet and / or the back sheet can also be attached to the absorbent cores by any method known in the art, such as needling, thermal bonding, welding, acupuncture, etc.

[0141] The front body panel 3 has a front panel waist edge 31 extending in the transverse direction T, a pair of front panel side edges 32, 33 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and a front panel crotch edge 34 extending in the transverse direction T opposite to the front panel waist edge 31. The back body panel 4 has a back panel waist edge 41 extending in the transverse direction T, a pair of back panel side edges 42, 43 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and a back panel crotch edge 44 extending in the transverse direction T opposite to the back panel waist edge 41.

[0142] The crotch region 5 comprises a crotch region web, preferably a non-stretchable web material, such as a non-stretchable nonwoven material.

[0143] exist Figure 1-3 In the pant-type article 1 shown, the crotch region 5 comprises a crotch panel 5' which is attached to the front body panel 3 in a front overlapping seam 23 extending along the front panel crotch edge 34, and which is attached to the back body panel 4 in a back overlapping seam 24 extending along the back panel crotch edge 44. The crotch panel 5' is preferably formed of a non-stretchable web material, such as a non-stretchable nonwoven material.

[0144] Alternative Figure 1-3 A crotch panel is applied in the crotch area as shown or in addition to Figure 1-3 In addition to applying a crotch panel in the crotch region as shown, the crotch region may include a portion of a web material, such as an inner or outer covering web material of a trouser-type article, which extends continuously in the longitudinal direction from the front panel waist edge to the rear panel waist edge and bridges the gap between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge. The portion of the continuous covering web material applied in the crotch region between the front panel crotch edge and the rear panel crotch edge constitutes the crotch web material.

[0145] In the trouser-type article 1 shown in the figures, the elastically stretchable front body panel 3 has been formed by a continuous front body panel web which has been applied in the machine direction MD corresponding to the transverse direction T of the trouser-type article 1. Thus, the front body panel web extends across the trouser-type article 1 in the transverse direction T from the first front panel side edge 32 to the second front panel side edge 33 and in the longitudinal direction L from the front waist edge 31 to the front crotch edge 34. The elastically stretchable back body panel 4 has been formed by a continuous back body panel web which has been applied in the machine direction MD corresponding to the transverse direction T of the trouser-type article 1. Thus, the back body panel web extends across the trouser-type article 1 in the transverse direction T from the first back panel side edge 42 to the second back panel side edge 43 and in the longitudinal direction L from the back waist edge 41 to the back crotch edge 44.

[0146] The crotch region 5 is arranged between the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 3 and adjoins the front body panel 3 along the front panel crotch edge 34 and adjoins the back body panel 4 along the back panel crotch edge 44. The extension of the crotch region 5 in the longitudinal direction L is defined as the distance between the front panel crotch edge 34 and the back panel crotch edge 44 in the longitudinal direction.

[0147] The first front panel side edge 32 is intended to be joined to the first rear panel side edge 42 in the first side seam 20, and the second front panel side edge 33 is intended to be joined to the second rear panel side edge 43 in the second side seam 21 to form a trouser-type article 1 with a waist opening 12, a first leg opening 13 and a second leg opening 14, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 shown.

[0148] The waist opening 12 is defined by the front panel waist edge 31 and the back panel waist edge 41. The first leg edge 18 defines the first leg opening 13 and the second leg edge 19 defines the second leg opening 14.

[0149] The side seams of the trouser-type articles as disclosed herein may be generally band-shaped joints formed by ultrasonic welding or heat welding. In order to have sufficient strength to withstand the forces to which the trouser-type articles are subjected during donning, and to allow for sufficient manufacturing tolerances when cutting individual trouser-type garments from the front body web, the side seams typically have a width of the order of about 5 to 10 mm. It is also known to manufacture side seams having a width less than 5 mm.

[0150] It is often desirable that soiled pant-type garments can be easily removed without having to pull the garment down onto the user's legs. Therefore, side seams are often made so that they can be broken by manual force to allow the user or caregiver to pull the side seams apart before removing the soiled pant-type garment. Pant-type articles can be reclosable articles, meaning that the side seams can be opened manually, for example, to check whether the article is soiled and needs to be changed, and then closed again if the article is found to still be in a condition that allows further use. Reclosability is often provided by fastener elements, such as hook-and-loop type fasteners.

[0151] The disposable pant-type article 1 comprises a front body panel area 16 of reduced elasticity, which is arranged in the overlap area 10 between the absorbent core 7 and the front body panel 3. The elasticity of the body panel material in the front body panel area 16 of reduced elasticity is 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the front body panel area 16 of reduced elasticity, for example 40% to 70%, preferably 30% to 60% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the front body panel area 16 of reduced elasticity.

[0152] Figure 1-3 The disposable pant-type article 1 shown in the drawing further comprises a rear body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity, which is arranged in the overlap area 11 between the absorbent core 7 and the rear body panel 4. The elasticity of the body panel material in the rear body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity is 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the rear body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity, for example 40% to 70%, preferably 30% to 60% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the rear body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity.

[0153] It should be understood that Figure 1-3The disposable pant-type article shown in may alternatively have a body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity in only one of the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 4. In the case where the disposable pant-type article has only a single body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity, it may be preferred that the body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity is the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity. The front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity may be particularly beneficial because the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity will be the portion of the pant-type article 1 that is applied to the abdomen of the wearer. The front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity 16 will exert less pressure on the abdomen of the wearer than the adjacent, untreated portion of the front body panel 3, thereby helping to improve the comfort of the wearer, while still maintaining the pant-type article 1 in contact with the wearer's body also in the abdomen area.

[0154] As disclosed herein, the elastically stretchable front body panel 3 and / or the elastic rear body panel 4 can be composed of a single layer of elastic material, preferably an elastic nonwoven material. Alternatively, the elastic front body panel 3 and / or the elastic rear body panel 4 can include an elastic laminate having at least a nonwoven first layer and an elastic layer or be composed of an elastic laminate having at least a nonwoven first layer and an elastic layer. The elastic laminate can include a nonwoven second layer, and the elastic layer is an intermediate elastic layer arranged between the nonwoven first layer and the nonwoven second layer. One or both of the nonwoven first layer and the second layer can be a non-elastic nonwoven material.

[0155] The elastic layer in the elastic laminate may include or consist of an elastic film layer, an elastic nonwoven layer or an elastic scrim layer.

[0156] At least two layers of the elastic laminate may be bonded together using a plurality of discrete bonding elements 27 arranged in a bonding pattern, such as Figure 3 The bonding pattern is visible over the entire outer surface of the elastic front panel 3 including the front panel area of ​​reduced elasticity 16. The bonding pattern is the same over the entire front panel 3, which means that the front panel area of ​​reduced elasticity 16 cannot be discerned by the naked eye and the presence of the absorbent core beneath the front panel area of ​​reduced elasticity 16 is obscured. Each discrete bonding element may have a thickness of 0.1 mm 2 Up to 3.0mm 2 It may be preferred that the surface area of ​​each bonding area is in the lower part of this range, for example from 0.1 mm 2 Up to 1.5mm 2 Or from 0.1mm 2 Up to 1.0mm 2 The bonding elements may be formed by ultrasonic bonding as disclosed herein or by thermal bonding.

[0157] The total bonding area may be in the range of 4% to 13%, preferably in the range of 5% to 10%.

[0158] As disclosed herein, the apertures may be disposed in the elastic layer in or at the binding element.

[0159] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the invention, only the front body panel 3 is visible. However, the back body panel 4 preferably also consists of an elastic laminate having a bonding pattern applied over the entire outer surface of the back body panel 4, which in the same way as the front body panel 3 masks the presence of the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity and the part of the absorbent core 7 located inside the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity.

[0160] The leg elastic members 25, 26 are arranged on the elastically stretchable rear body panel 4 along the rear of the leg edges 18, 19. Although not shown in the figures, the leg elastics may be applied along other portions of the leg edges 18, 19, such as along portions of the leg edges 18, 19 extending in the crotch region 5 and / or along portions of the leg edges 18, 19 extending on the front body panel 3. Each leg elastic member may include a plurality of individual elastic elements, such as 2 to 15 individual elastic elements, 3 to 12 individual elastic elements, or 4 to 10 individual elastic elements.

[0161] The plurality of separate elastic elements may be elastic cords, strings or bands applied at spaced intervals along the rear leg edge sections of the first and second leg edges.

[0162] The reinforcing leg elastic members may be covered with a nonwoven cover web.

[0163] The leg elastic members constitute reinforcing elastics applied in addition to the elastic material in the front and back body panel webs. The reinforcing leg elastic members are optional for a pant-type absorbent article as disclosed herein and may be omitted so that the only elasticity provided at the leg openings 13, 14 is the elasticity from the elastically stretchable front and back body panel materials.

[0164] A pant-type article 1 as disclosed herein may have an elastic waist feature 50 disposed along the waist opening 12, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown. The elastic waist feature 50 may include one or more elastic elements extending parallel to the front panel waist edge 31 and the back panel waist edge 41. An elastic waist element or multiple elastic waist elements may be incorporated into the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 4, or may be applied as a separate waistband attached to the front body panel waist edge 31 and the back body panel waist edge 41, or attached to the front body panel 3 and / or the back body panel 4, wherein the waistband completely overlaps the respective body panels 3, 4 and shares a common waist edge. Figure 1-3The pant-type article 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an elastic waist feature 50 extending around the entire circumference of the waist opening 12, thereby forming a continuous waistband around the waist.

[0165] The waist elastic features 50 constitute reinforcing elastic members applied in addition to the elastic material in the front and back body panel webs.

[0166] The elastic material in the elastic elements arranged along the leg openings 13, 14 and the waist opening 12 may be any suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane or styrene block copolymers or elastic fibers, also known as spandex (polyurethane-polyurea copolymers). The elastic elements may be of the type of elastic fibers available under the trade name "LYCRA", but any suitable elastic thread may be used. The thread may have a linear mass density dtex of about 80-1200 dtex.

[0167] Figure 1-3 The front body panel area 16 and the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity shown in the figure have a tapered shape in the longitudinal direction L of the disposable pant-type article, with a wider portion at the crotch area 5 and a narrower portion at the waist elastic feature 50. By forming a reduced elasticity area with a narrower portion at the waist of the article and a wider portion at the crotch of the article, the elasticity in the front body panel 3 and the back body panel 4 is higher at the waist, so that the side seams appear Figure 3 The shaped side seams conform to the shape of the buttocks of the wearer of the article better than the side seams of conventional pant-type absorbent articles and improve the fit and retention of the pant-type absorbent article.

[0168] In the figure it is shown that the front and rear body panel regions 16, 17 of reduced elasticity are arranged so that they substantially coincide with the overlap regions 10, 11 between the absorbent core 7 and the front and rear body panels 3, 4. It may be preferred that the body panel regions of reduced elasticity coincide with the respective front or rear overlap regions 10, 11 to at least 70%, more preferably to at least 80%. The shape and size of the front and rear body panel regions 16, 17 of reduced elasticity may be made to correspond to the shape and size of the respective one of the front overlap regions 10 and the rear overlap regions 11.

[0169] The tapered portion of the front body panel region 16 of reduced elasticity between the front edge of the absorbent assembly 6 and the front edge of the front body panel 3 is the portion of the front body panel region 16 of reduced elasticity that provides the pant-type absorbent article 1 with an improved body-conforming shape by creating an elastic gradient that causes the side seams 20, 21 to present ... Figure 3 The tilted configuration shown in .

[0170] like Figure 1As shown, the taper angle α is measured between the inclined line li of the portion of the front body panel region 16 of reduced elasticity located between the front end edge 27 of the absorbent assembly 6 and the front waist edge 2 of the front body panel 3 and the line l parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the pant-type absorbent article 1. The taper angle α of the front body panel region 16 of reduced elasticity may be 3° to 35°, preferably 7° to 25°.

[0171] In articles in which the absorbent assembly is narrower than the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity so that the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity extends beyond the side edges of the absorbent assembly in the transverse direction, an inclined line is drawn from the point where the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity intersects a line parallel to the transverse direction T of the pant-type absorbent article, and is drawn through the front end point of the absorbent assembly to the point where the front body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity intersects the front waist edge of the front body panel.

[0172] In a corresponding manner, the taper angle α of the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity is measured between the inclined line li of the portion of the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity between the rear end edge 28 of the absorbent assembly 6 and the rear waist edge 15 of the back body panel 4 and the line l parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the pant-type absorbent article 1. The taper angle α of the back body panel area 17 of reduced elasticity may be from 3° to 35°, preferably from 7° to 25°.

[0173] In an article in which the rear portion of the absorbent assembly is narrower than the rear body panel region of reduced elasticity, so that the rear body panel region of reduced elasticity extends beyond the side edges of the absorbent assembly in the transverse direction, an inclined line is drawn from the point where the rear body panel region of reduced elasticity intersects a line parallel to the transverse direction T of the pant-type absorbent article, and is drawn through the rear end point of the absorbent assembly to the point where the rear body panel region of reduced elasticity intersects the rear waist edge of the rear body panel.

[0174] When the edge of the body panel area with reduced elasticity deviates from a straight line, as in the case of the funnel-shaped rear body panel area with reduced elasticity 17 shown in the figure, an inclined line li is drawn from the point where the inclined edge of the body panel area with reduced elasticity intersects the end edge of the absorption component 6 to the point where the inclined edge of the body panel area on the end edge of the body panel area intersects the end edge of the body panel.

[0175] In the example shown in the figures, the front waist edge 2 of the front body panel 3 coincides with the front waist edge 31 of the pant-type absorbent article 1, and the rear waist edge 15 of the rear body panel 4 coincides with the rear waist edge 41 of the pant-type absorbent article 1, because the elastic waist feature 50 is applied so that it completely overlaps the front body panel 3 and the rear body panel 4. As described herein, the elastic waist feature may alternatively be applied to the absorbent pant-type article so that the elastic waist feature extends beyond the waist edges of the front body panel 3 and the rear body panel 4 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0176] In an absorbent pant-type article in which an absorbent core has been applied but not incorporated into an absorbent assembly, the inclined line l i The body panel area with reduced elasticity is defined for that portion of the body panel which is located between the end edges of the absorbent core and the waist edge of the body panel.

[0177] A pant-type article as disclosed herein may be of the type shown in the figures, having a two-part chassis with a crotch panel connected to the front panel along the front panel crotch edge and connected to the back panel along the back panel crotch edge. Alternatively, the pant-type article may have a unitary chassis with a non-elastic outer or inner covering web extending the entire distance between the front panel waist edge and the back panel waist edge, the covering web constituting the non-elastic layer of each of the front and back panels and constituting the crotch web material in the crotch region of the pant-type article.

[0178] As disclosed herein, the elastically stretchable front body panel and the elastically stretchable back body panel may include or consist of a stretch-bonded laminated elastic web material. The stretch-bonded laminated elastic web material is preferably bonded with a bonding pattern produced by ultrasonic bonding or heat bonding and consists of a plurality of discrete, evenly distributed bonding elements. The bonding elements may each have a thickness of 0.1 mm. 2 Up to 3.0mm 2 It may be preferred that the surface area of ​​each bonding area is in the lower part of this range, for example from 0.1 mm 2 Up to 1.5mm 2 Or from 0.1mm 2 Up to 1.0mm 2 The total bonding area may be in the range of 4% to 13%, preferably in the range of 5% to 10%.

[0179] Suitable stretch-bonded laminates may include nonwoven layers or webs, such as spunbond, airlaid, wetlaid, carded, electrospun or meltblown nonwovens. The nonwovens may be bonded by any suitable technique, such as by needlepunching, hydroentanglement, ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding.

[0180] The fiber of the nonwoven material used herein can be a mixture of man-made fibers, natural fibers, or man-made fibers and natural fibers. Man-made fibers include monocomponent, bicomponent and multicomponent fibers of polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, polyacrylates, and regenerated fibers such as viscose and modal fibers. Natural fibers are, for example, cellulose fibers, such as pulp fibers, cotton fibers, flax, hemp, etc.

[0181] The nonwoven web material used in the trouser-type articles as disclosed herein can include thermoplastic materials. The nonwoven web material will usually be incorporated in the joints and seams of the trouser-type articles, and it is desirable that the nonwoven web can be welded by heating or ultrasonic welding processes. Examples of suitable polymers for the fiber nonwoven web disclosed herein are polyethylene, polypropylene and other polyolefin homopolymers and copolymers and polyesters. The weldable nonwoven web has a high content of thermoplastic components, preferably containing at least 50% thermoplastic fibers, more preferably at least 80% thermoplastic fibers.

[0182] The elastic material used in the front and back panels of the absorbent pant-type articles disclosed herein can be a breathable elastic film, such as a porous or microporous elastic film. The basis weight of the elastic film can be 20 g / m 2 and 80g / m 2 Between, preferably between 20g / m 2 and 60g / m 2 The elastic web may be any suitable elastic polymer, natural or synthetic. Some examples of useful materials for the elastic web are low crystallinity polyethylene, metallocene-catalyzed low crystallinity polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), polyurethane, polyisoprene, butadiene-styrene copolymer, styrene block copolymer, such as styrene / isoprene / styrene (SIS), styrene / butadiene / styrene (SBS), or styrene / ethylene-butadiene / styrene block copolymer. Blends of these polymers may also be used, as well as other modified elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials.

[0183] As described herein, the front body panel and / or the back body panel can be made of an elastic laminate comprising an elastic film, the elastic film being sandwiched between two inelastic nonwoven layers, and being formed into a laminate by combining the layers together with a plurality of discrete bonding patterns of the bonding elements. Discrete bonding elements can be produced in the laminate so as to form a void in the elastic film adjacent to the bonding element and / or in the bonding element. Discrete bonding elements increase the bulkiness of the laminate, and the void provides high air permeability for the elastic laminate, thereby contributing to increasing the comfort of the wearer.

[0184] The basis weight of the stretch-bonded elastic laminate web used as the elastic panel material in the absorbent pant-type articles disclosed herein is preferably in the range of 40-100 g / m 2 More preferably, no more than 90 g / m 2 .

[0185] Reference Figure 4-9 A continuous process for making the disposable absorbent pant-type articles disclosed herein is described.

[0186] Figure 4A continuous elastic front panel web 101 is shown advancing in the machine direction MD. The front panel web 101 advances in the machine direction MD while being stretched in the machine direction MD such that the front panel web 101 is taut in the machine direction MD.

[0187] The front panel web 101 has a front waist edge 102 and an opposite front crotch edge 103 .

[0188] Figure 4 Also shown is a continuous elastic back panel web 108 fed in the machine direction MD parallel to the elastic front panel web 101. The back panel web 108 advances in the machine direction MD while being stretched in the machine direction MD such that the back panel web 108 is tensioned in the machine direction MD.

[0189] The back panel web 108 has a back waist edge 109 and an opposite back crotch edge 110. The back panel web 108 is spaced apart from the front panel web 101 in the cross-machine direction CD perpendicular to the machine direction MD, wherein between the crotch edge 103 of the front panel web 101 and the crotch edge 110 of the back panel web 108 there is a distance 115 between the front panel web 101 and the back panel web 108 in the cross-machine direction CD.

[0190] By exposing a portion of the elastic front panel web 101 to a heat treatment, a front region 116 of reduced elasticity is formed in the elastic front panel web 101, the front region 116 of reduced elasticity being spaced apart in the machine direction MD and having an elasticity of 30% to 70% of the elasticity in the portion of the front panel web 101 that has not been subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, such as an elasticity of 40% to 70% of the elasticity in the portion of the front panel web 101 that has not been subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, preferably an elasticity of 30% to 60% of the elasticity in the portion of the front panel web 101 that has not been subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment.

[0191] By exposing a portion of the elastic back panel web 108 to a heat treatment, a rear region 117 with reduced elasticity is formed in the elastic back panel web 108, the rear regions 116 with reduced elasticity are spaced apart in the machine direction MD, and the elasticity of the rear regions 116 with reduced elasticity is 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the portion of the back panel web 108 that has not been subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment, for example, 40% to 70%, preferably 30% to 60% of the elasticity of the portion of the back panel web 108 that has not been subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment.

[0192] In the heat treatment step, the heat supplied to the elastic web material is preferably controlled to avoid raising the temperature of the thermoplastic material in the elastic web material above the melting point of the thermoplastic material. Thus, the fibrous structure of the nonwoven web comprising or consisting of thermoplastic fibers and forming part of the elastic web material may be retained or at least substantially retained in the elastic web material. The heat supply may be controlled by controlling the heat exposure time and / or the temperature of a heat supply device, such as a heating roller.

[0193] During the heat treating step, sufficient heat is provided to reduce the elasticity of the elastic web material without completely eliminating the elasticity in the elastic web material.

[0194] The elastic front panel web 101 and / or the elastic back panel web 108 may be an elastic laminate web material as disclosed herein. The elastic laminate web material may be formed by bonding at least a first layer of a nonwoven material to an elastic layer, the bonding being performed with a plurality of discrete bonding elements arranged in a bonding pattern, preferably in a bonding pattern of uniformly distributed bonding elements.

[0195] Providing heat treated areas of reduced elasticity 116, 117 in both the elastic front panel web 101 and the elastic back panel web 108 is optional for the methods and pant-type absorbent articles disclosed herein. If only one of the elastic front panel web 101 and the elastic back panel web 108 is provided with heat treated areas of reduced elasticity, it may be preferred that the reduced elastic body panel web is the elastic front panel web 101.

[0196] exist Figure 4-9 In the method shown, the elastic front panel web 101 is provided with a front panel area 116 of reduced elasticity having a shape tapering in the direction from the front crotch edge 103 to the front waist edge 102. It may be preferred that the front panel area 116 of reduced elasticity is produced before applying any waist elastics so that the heat treatment does not affect the waist elastics arranged along the front waist edge 102 of the elastic front panel web 101.

[0197] Likewise, the elastic back panel web 108 is provided with a reduced elastic back panel region 117 having a tapered shape in the direction from the back crotch edge 110 to the back waist edge 109. It may be preferred that the reduced elastic back panel region 117 is produced before any waist elastic is applied so that the reduced elastic back panel region 117 does not affect the waist elastic 111 arranged along the back waist edge 109 of the elastic back panel web 108.

[0198] By forming a region of reduced elasticity with a narrower portion at the waist of the article and a wider portion of the absorbent core adjacent to the article, the article will have greater elasticity at the waist. In addition, the increased elasticity in the front and / or rear body panels of the pant-type absorbent article in the portions of the front and rear body panels located above the respective end edges of the absorbent assembly or absorbent core will result in the side seams assuming an inwardly inclined configuration when the pant-type article is in a non-tensioned state. The side seams thus formed better conform to the shape of the buttocks of a user, particularly a female user.

[0199] It should be understood that the shape and size of the area of ​​reduced elasticity are not limited to Figure 1-9 The shapes and sizes shown in the figures may vary as disclosed herein, for example, depending on the size and cut of the pant-type article and the size and shape of the absorbent core in the absorbent pant-type article. However, it is preferred that the reduced elasticity body panel area as disclosed herein has a continuous tapered shape, but without any abrupt change in the width of the reduced elasticity body panel area in a portion of the reduced elasticity body panel area, wherein the portion of the reduced elasticity body panel area is arranged between the end edge of the absorbent assembly or absorbent core of the absorbent pant-type article and the waist edge of the body panel area in which the reduced elasticity area is arranged.

[0200] The front waist elastic member 104 is arranged along the front waist edge 102, and the back waist elastic member 111 is arranged along the back waist edge 109. Figure 4 Prior to the manufacturing steps shown, the front waist elastic 104 and the back waist elastic 111 have been attached to the front panel web 101 and the back panel web 108, for example, by methods as disclosed in WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and WO 2017 / 044014 A1. The methods in WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and WO 2017 / 044014 A1 start with a base web to which a continuous waist elastic is attached, after which the base web is cut into two parts along a cutting line extending in the machine direction, and both the base web and the waist elastic are cut along the cutting line. By dividing the base web into two parts, a first panel web having a first part of a waistband component attached thereto and a second panel web having a second part of a waistband component attached thereto are formed. The two web portions are then shifted in the cross-machine direction so that the portions of the web portions in which the waist elastics are attached are arranged opposite to each other along the cut edges to which they are attached. When the web portions are further processed in a method as disclosed herein, the cut edge of the first panel web forms the front waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101, and the cut edge of the second panel web forms the rear waist edge 109 of the rear panel web 108, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The separate waistband components form the front waist elastic member 104 and the back waist elastic member 111 on the corresponding front panel web 101 and the back panel web 108.

[0201] The methods described in WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and WO 2017 / 044014 A1 produce a front waist elastic member 104 that coincides with the front waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101 and a back waist elastic member 111 that coincides with the back waist edge 109 of the back panel web 108.

[0202] exist Figure 4-9 In the example shown, the front waist edge 102 and the back waist edge 109 have matching sinusoidal configurations. It should be understood that the waist edges do not necessarily have to have Figure 4-9 The undulating configuration shown in , and any other configuration may be used, such as Figure 1-3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the waist elastic member can be attached to the front panel web and the back panel web by the straight edge, zigzag edge, etc. shown in FIG. In addition, it should be understood that other methods for attaching the waist elastic member to the front panel web and the back panel web can be used. Optionally, the front waist elastic member can be attached to the edge seam along the front waist edge of the front panel web, and the back waist elastic member can be attached to the edge seam along the back waist edge of the back panel web. In such an embodiment, the waist elastic member extends beyond the waist edge of the corresponding panel web in the cross-machine direction CD. Another conceivable arrangement of the waist elastic member is to attach the waist elastic member to the slightly inner side of the waist edge of the panel web. In such an embodiment, each waist elastic member completely overlaps the corresponding panel web, and the small edge portion of the panel web extends to the outside of the waist edge of the panel web in the cross-machine direction CD by a distance of about 2 to 15 mm in magnitude, and when wearing a trouser-type article, the edge portion of the panel web forms a hem border above the waist elastic member.

[0203] Waist elastics attached to the front and back panel webs by methods other than those disclosed in WO 2017 / 044013 A1 and WO 2017 / 044014 A1 may be attached during any suitable stage of the methods as disclosed herein, or may be attached at any time during the process. Figure 4 It should also be understood that the waist elastic members disclosed herein are optional to the methods and disposable pant-type articles disclosed herein.

[0204] The waist elastic member may comprise or consist of any suitable elastic or elasticized material known in the art, including elastic threads, elastic films, elastic nonwovens, and elastic foams. In addition, the elastic member may be applied in the form of a plurality of elongated elastic elements, as a single band of elastic or elasticized material, such as an elastic laminate. In all cases, the elastic member is a component of the chassis web or disposable pant-type article as disclosed herein, which is separate and distinct from the elastic material (e.g., leg elastics or body elastics) in the front and back panel webs of the pant-type article.

[0205] A non-elastic continuous crotch panel web 118 having a first side edge 119 and an opposite second side edge 120 advances in the machine direction MD, and the first side edge 119 of the crotch panel web 118 is attached in a first overlapping seam 121 along the crotch edge 103 of the tensioned front panel web 101, and the second side edge 120 of the crotch panel web 118 is attached in a second overlapping seam 122 along the crotch edge 110 of the tensioned back panel web 108, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown. The crotch panel web 118 bridges the distance 115 between the front panel web 101 and the back panel web 108 to form a continuous composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c, which are bounded by dividing lines Ld extending in the cross-machine direction CD, each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c having a pitch length Lp in the machine direction MD between the dividing lines Ld. The pitch length Lp of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c remains the same until the final step of the method as disclosed herein when the individual pant-type articles are severed from the chassis web 130 and tensioning of the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c is stopped.

[0206] Reference Figure 6 A pair of crotch elastic components consisting of a first belt-shaped crotch elastic component 141 and a second belt-shaped crotch elastic component 142 are provided.

[0207] Each crotch elastic member 141, 142 is disposed in the longitudinal direction L of the crotch elastic member. e On stretching, the longitudinal direction L e The cross-machine direction CD coincides with the moving composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c.

[0208] Each stretched crotch elastic member 141, 142 is attached to the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c while keeping the crotch elastic members 141, 142 stretched and aligned in the cross-machine direction CD. The pair of crotch elastic members 141, 142 are attached to the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c and wherein the first crotch elastic member 141 is spaced apart from the second crotch elastic member 142 at a crotch spacing S in the machine direction MD. C The pairs of crotch elastic members of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c are spaced apart and symmetrically placed on each side of the centerline Lc of the precursor article extending in the cross-machine direction CD. The pairs of crotch elastic members of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c are spaced apart in the machine direction at an article spacing corresponding to the pitch length of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c.

[0209] In the composite web 130 of the interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c shown in the figure, the first end 143, 144 of each of the first crotch elastic member 141 and the second crotch elastic member 142 overlaps with and is attached to the tensioned front panel web 101, and the second end 145, 146 of each of the first crotch elastic member 141 and the second crotch elastic member 142 overlaps with and is attached to the tensioned back panel web 108, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 shown.

[0210] When stretching and applying the stretched crotch elastic members 141, 142 to the base web, the first ends 143, 144 and the second ends 145, 146 of the crotch elastic members 141, 142 may be held in a movable clamp in a stretching device (not shown). The clamped ends 143, 144, 145, 146 are not subjected to stretching and are applied and attached to the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c in a non-tensioned state.

[0211] The stretched crotch elastic members 141 , 142 may have a width w measured in the machine direction MD in the range of 15 mm to 50 mm and a length l measured in the cross-machine direction in the range of 150 mm to 350 mm.

[0212] The crotch elastic members 141 , 142 may include or consist of an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven belt.

[0213] Crotch elastic members are optional for the methods and pant-type absorbent articles disclosed herein.

[0214] like Figure 7 As shown, the method also includes applying and attaching an absorbent assembly 160 to the composite web 130 of the moving interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c. Each absorbent assembly 161 includes an absorbent core 161, a liquid-impermeable backsheet 162 and a liquid-permeable topsheet 163, and the absorbent core 161 is sandwiched between the topsheet 163 and the backsheet 162.

[0215] Each absorbent assembly 160 is applied to the composite web 130 of the precursor article on a precursor article centerline Lc extending in the cross-machine direction CD and covers the stretched and attached crotch elastic members 141 , 142 .

[0216] The absorbent components 160 are applied at intervals in the machine direction MD and attached so that the front end portion 160' of each absorbent component 160 overlaps the front area 116 of reduced elasticity in the front body panel web 101, and the rear end portion 160" of the absorbent component 160 overlaps the rear area 117 of reduced elasticity in the rear body panel web 108.

[0217] The absorbent core 161 is disposed between the top sheet 163 and the back sheet 162 to absorb liquid, such as urine or other body fluids, that has passed through the top sheet 163. The top sheet 162, the back sheet 163 and the absorbent core 161 may be composed of any material suitable for its purpose.

[0218] Absorbent core 161 can be a single layer structure or a layered structure. Absorbent core 161 can include a suitable amount of superabsorbent material. Such superabsorbent material is well known in the field of absorbent articles and is composed of water-swellable and water-insoluble materials that can absorb a large amount of fluid when forming a hydrogel. Absorbent core 161 can include superabsorbent materials in the form of fibers or particles of absorbent polymer materials. For example, superabsorbent material can be surface cross-linked, partially neutralized polyacrylate. Superabsorbent material (e.g., superabsorbent fibers or particles) can be mixed with other one or more absorbent or liquid-intake materials (e.g., cellulose fluff pulp), and / or be arranged in a bag or layer in absorbent core 161.

[0219] The absorbent core 161 may also include components for improving the performance (e.g., integrity and strength) of the absorbent core 161. For example, the absorbent core 161 may include one or more binders, such as binder fibers. Elastic fibers, chemically hardened fibers, etc. may be present in the absorbent core 161 to offset the wet collapse of cellulose fibers. Such fibers may also be used to maintain a fluid transport capillary network in the absorbent component so that the absorbed fluid may be distributed in the absorbent component and also absorbed by the superabsorbent material in the portion of the absorbent component outside the initial wet zone of the absorbent article.

[0220] Top sheet 163 is the layer facing the wearer, and can comprise fluid permeable nonwoven fabric, perforated polymer film, net or foam or be made up of it.Top sheet can be made up of thermoplastic material, for example thermoplastic synthetic fiber, film or net.Top sheet 163 can be made up of single layer, or can have the laminated structure that comprises multiple layers (for example two or more layers).These layers can be made up of the same material, or some or all layers can be made up of different materials.

[0221] In addition, egative film 162 can be made of liquid impermeable layer, for example polymer film, for example polyethylene or polypropylene film.Egative film 162 can be breathable.The material that can be used for egative film 162 comprises thin and flexible fluid impermeable plastic film or fluid impermeable nonwoven material, fluid impermeable foam and fluid impermeable laminate.Egative film 162 can be formed by individual layer, or can be multilayer structure, and wherein at least one deck is fluid impermeable.

[0222] After the absorbent assembly 160 is applied and attached to the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c, leg cutouts 170 are formed in the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c between the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c, each leg cutout 170 having a shape such as Figure 7 The closed loop configuration shown between precursor articles 131b and 131c in FIG. The leg cuts form a first leg edge 171 of the leading precursor article 131c and a second leg edge 172 of the trailing precursor article 131b.

[0223] like Figure 7 As shown, the closed-loop leg cutouts 170 form a generally heart-shaped cutout 173 inside each leg cutout 170. The shape of the leg cutouts 170 and the contour of the cutouts are not limited to the methods or pant-type absorbent articles disclosed herein and may vary within the scope of the appended claims. For example, Figure 1-3 The leg edges of the pant-type absorbent article 1 shown in FIG. 1 have a slightly different leg contour, but can still be used as in combination with Figure 4-9 The method described is used for manufacturing.

[0224] After forming the leg cuts 170, the cut-away portions 173 are removed from the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c and are not a further part of the methods disclosed herein.

[0225] After the leg cuts are formed, the absorbent assembly 160 will be centrally located between the first leg edge 171 and the second leg edge 172 of each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c in the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c.

[0226] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the leg edges 171, 172 have been formed, the composite web 130 of interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c is folded along a folding line Lv extending in the machine direction MD so that the waist edge 102 of the front panel web 101 is aligned with the waist edge 109 of the back panel web 108.

[0227] A first side seam 181 and a second side seam 182 are formed in each precursor article 131a, 131b, 131c from the aligned waist edges 102, 109 of the front panel web 101 and the back panel web 108 to the leg cutouts 170 along the dividing line Ld between the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c.

[0228] The first side seam 181 of the leading precursor article 131a and the second side seam 182 of the trailing precursor article 131b may be formed as a single wide seal extending along the dividing line Ld, such as Fig. 9 When a single trouser-type article is cut from the base web 130 of the precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c by cutting the composite web 130 of the interconnected precursor articles 131a, 131b, 131c along the dividing line Ld, Fig. 9 The single wide seal shown in will simultaneously be divided into two side seams 181, 182 interconnecting the precursor articles 131a, 131b. Alternatively, the side seams 181, 182 may be formed as separate seals placed on each side of the dividing line Ld.

[0229] The side seams may be formed by any method suitable for the purpose, for example by heat welding, ultrasonic welding or by adhesive.In the case of adhesive side seals, the adhesive is typically applied before folding the base web along the fold line Lv.

[0230] Methods as disclosed herein may also include attaching reinforcing leg elastics along all or selected portions of the leg openings.

[0231] like Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the areas of reduced elasticity 116, 117 may be formed in an elastic material web 200, wherein the elastic material web 200 is a front body web used to form the first and second body panel webs 101, 108, such as the front body panel web 101 and the back body panel web 108. After the areas of reduced elasticity 116, 117 are formed, the elastic material web 200 is divided into the front body panel web 101 and the back body panel web 108.

[0232] Fig.10 and Fig.11 The method steps shown are as follows Figure 4 This is shown performed before arranging the tensioned front body panel web 101 and the tensioned rear body panel web 108 side by side.

[0233] The tensioned first body panel web 101 and the tensioned second body panel web 108 are formed from a single elastic web material 200 having a first side edge 201 and a second side edge 202, and are heat treated to form a region of reduced elasticity 205. Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown, by forming a cut 210 in the elastic web material 200 along a dividing line L1 extending in the machine direction MD, the tensioned elastic web material 200 is subsequently divided into two parts, thereby forming a tensioned first body panel web 101 and a tensioned second body panel web 108 from the heat-treated elastic web material 200. The tensioned first body panel web 101 has a first side edge 101' constituted by the first side edge 201 of the elastic web material 200, and has a second side edge 101" formed by the cut 210 in the elastic web material, and the tensioned second body panel web 108 has a first side edge 108' constituted by the second side edge 202 of the elastic web material 200, and has a second side edge 108" formed by the cut 210 in the elastic web material 200.

[0234] like Fig.10 As shown, in the method disclosed herein, the step of arranging the tensioned first body panel web 101 and the tensioned second body panel web 108 side by side at a distance 115 from each other in the cross-machine direction CD may include moving the positions of the first body panel web 101 and the second body panel web 108 formed by dividing the tensioned elastic web material 200. Thus, the second side edge 101" of the tensioned first body panel web is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 4-8 The first waist edge 102 of the composite web of the precursor article 130 shown, and the second side edge 108" of the tensioned second body panel web 108 form a Figure 4-8 The second waist edge 109 of the composite web of the precursor article 130 is shown.

[0235] refer to Fig.10 Before forming the cut 210 in the elastic web material 200, the waist elastic 215 is applied to the elastic web material 200 along the dividing line L1 in the elastic web material 200. The cut 210 is then formed through the elastic web material 200 and through the waist elastic 215 applied and attached to the elastic web material 200. Fig.10 In the example of FIG, the waist elastic member 215 is applied in the form of a plurality of elastic elements, which are then covered by a nonwoven cover web 216. It should be understood that the waist elastic member can be applied in any useful form, such as in the form of a preformed belt-like waist elastic member, which may include one or more elastic elements, such as belts, ropes, elastic films, elastic nonwovens, etc.

[0236] like Fig.10 and Fig.11As shown, the elasticity reduced areas 205 formed in the elastic web material 200 are each divided into a first part 116 and a second part 117 by a cut 210 in the elastic web material 210, wherein the first part 116 of each elasticity reduced area 205 of the original elastic web material 200 is located in the tensioned first body panel web 101, and the second part 117 of each elasticity reduced area 205 is located in the tensioned second body panel web 108.

[0237] exist Fig.10 In the embodiment, the area of ​​reduced elasticity 205 formed in the elastic web material 200 has a shape including a first end 205' and a second end 205", and a middle portion 205'" between the first end 205' and the second end 205", as seen in the cross-machine direction CD. The widths of the first end 205' and the second end 205" in the machine direction MD are greater than the width of the middle portion 205'" in the machine direction MD. The cuts 210 in the elastic web material 200 divide each area of ​​reduced elasticity 205 in a narrow middle portion 205'" of the area of ​​reduced elasticity 205.

[0238] Fig.11 An alternative method of performing the step of arranging the tensioned first body panel web 101 and the tensioned second body panel web 108 side by side at a distance 115 from each other in the cross-machine direction CD is shown, wherein the first body panel web 101 and the second body panel web 108 formed by dividing the tensioned elastic web material 200 are pulled apart in the cross-machine direction CD, whereby the first side edge 101' of the tensioned first body panel web 101 is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 4-8 The first waist edge 102 of the composite web of the precursor article 130 shown, and the first side edge 108' of the tensioned second body panel web 108 are formed as shown in FIG. Figure 4-8 The second waist edge 109 of the composite web of the precursor article 130 is shown.

[0239] exist Fig.11 In the method shown, the waist elastic may be applied along the first side edge 201 and the second side edge 202 of the elastic web material 200 either before or after the cuts 210 are formed in the elastic web material 200 .

[0240] exist Fig.10 The method shown and Fig.11 In both of the methods shown, waist elastics may also be omitted. It is also understood that waist elastic material may be added to the waist edge of the composite web of the precursor article at any stage of the process until individual absorbent pant-type articles are cut from the composite web of the precursor article.

[0241] like Fig.11As shown, the area of ​​reduced elasticity 205 formed in the elastic web material 200 may have the following shape: as seen in the cross-machine direction CD, it has a first end 205' and a second end 205" and a middle portion 205"' between the first end 205' and the second end 205". The width of the first end 205' and the second end 205" in the machine direction MD is smaller than the width of the middle portion 205"' in the machine direction MD. The cuts 210 in the elastic web material 200 divide each area of ​​reduced elasticity 205 in the wider middle portion 205" of the area of ​​reduced elasticity 205.

[0242] Another option to provide a tensioned first body panel web 101 and a tensioned second body panel web 108 is to supply the body panel webs 101, 108 as separate elastic material webs 200. Such an option provides the advantage that the first body panel web 101 and the second body panel web can be freely selected from different materials, for example, from materials with different elastic properties.

[0243] Fig.12 Another alternative for forming heat treated regions 205', 205" of reduced elasticity in a tensioned elastic web material 200 is shown. Fig.10 The method shown in is different in that the portion of the tensioned elastic web material 200 to be used to form the tensioned first body panel web 101 is provided with a first partial region 205' of reduced elasticity, and the portion of the tensioned elastic web material 200 to be used to form the tensioned second body panel web 108 is provided with a second partial region 205", of reduced elasticity, the first region 205' of reduced elasticity and the second region 205" of reduced elasticity form a first region 116 of reduced elasticity and a second region 117 of reduced elasticity in the tensioned first body panel web 101 and the tensioned second body panel web 108. The first and second partial regions 205', 205" of reduced elasticity are arranged spaced apart in the cross-machine direction CD, leaving an area 206 at the dividing line L1 that has not been subjected to heat treatment and retains its original elastic properties. The spacing between the first and second partial regions 205', 205" of reduced elasticity is preferably sufficient to allow the application of a waist elastic member in the untreated portion of the elastic web material.

[0244] Description of the test method and examples

[0245] Elasticity testing

[0246] This method is used to determine whether a material can be considered elastic by determining the degree of permanent deformation after two loading and unloading cycles.

[0247] Use a suitable tensile tester, such as available from Lloyd, Instron or Zwick Corp. The tensile tester should be equipped with two vertically aligned grips and capable of cyclic motion.

[0248] The test material shall be conditioned for at least 4 hours in an environment set at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 5% relative humidity. The test shall be carried out in the same environment.

[0249] For subsequent stable attachment into the tensile tester fixture, high friction tape can be attached on the front and back sides of the sample strip, just outside the tested 50 mm middle section of the sample.

[0250] Sample strips 25 mm wide and preferably at least 100 mm long are cut from the test material using a trowel and cutting template.

[0251] The tester's grips should be as wide or wider than the sample being tested. At the start of the procedure, set the grips at a mutual distance of 50 mm, equal to the test length of the sample.

[0252] This method can be used to determine the cross-machine direction elasticity or the machine direction elasticity of a material, depending on which direction is aligned with the length direction of the sample. Therefore, this method measures the elasticity in the length direction of the sample.

[0253] When testing portions of an article as disclosed herein, the functionality of the portion of the article being tested should be considered when preparing the sample strips. For example, the elasticity of a panel material in a pant-type diaper is typically evaluated in the transverse direction of the article with the length of the sample arranged parallel to the waist edge, as this is the primary direction of stretch for the article when in use. However, the elasticity of an article in the length direction may also be evaluated using the methods described herein.

[0254] Calibrate the tensile tester according to the equipment manual.

[0255] The load and clamping distance on the tensile tester are zeroed. The sample is inserted (vertically centered) into the clamps and a very slight stress (preload) of 0.05N ± 0.01N is applied to the sample. This is the starting point of the test. The upper clamp is set to move a distance of 15mm at a speed of 500mm / min, equivalent to a 30% extension from the initial 50mm sample length, and then immediately returned to the starting point at the same speed.

[0256] The first cycle of elongation and return to the starting point is performed, followed by the same second cycle. At the beginning of the first cycle, the pre-test value of the sample elongation is recorded at 0.1N. After the second cycle, the sample is allowed to rest for 60 seconds while remaining fastened in the fixture at the starting point. Thereafter, the sample is stretched until a force of 0.1N is recorded, and the post-test elongation of the sample is recorded as the elongation of the sample at 0.1N. The permanent deformation of the sample is calculated by dividing the difference (δ) between the post-test elongation at 0.1N and the pre-test elongation at 0.1N by the pre-test elongation at 0.1N.

[0257] For example, an elongation of 5 mm is read when stretched to 0.1 N after testing. The elongation (5 mm) is then divided by the original length of the sample (50 mm) to give a permanent set of 10%.

[0258] In the context of the present disclosure, a material is considered elastic if the permanent deformation is less than 10%, and is considered inelastic if the permanent deformation exceeds 10%.

[0259] Comparison of elastic properties in different regions of a material

[0260] The test method for plate area elasticity follows the general setup of standard method ASTM D882-18, with some adjustments and modifications as described in the following description.

[0261] All preparation and testing were performed in a laboratory environment set at 23°C + / - 1°C and 50% + / - 5% relative humidity.

[0262] The test is conducted on samples taken from an elastomeric panel having a crotch edge and a waist edge, the elastomeric panel being formed from an elastic web material that has been heat treated to form an area of ​​reduced elasticity in the body panel. The test is conducted on the elastic web material of the elastomeric panel, i.e., without any additional elastic or non-elastic components.

[0263] The test samples are taken from the heat treated body panels. The samples are 25 mm wide and at least 100 mm long. All samples are cut so that the length direction of the samples is parallel to the transverse direction of the panels, i.e. parallel to the crotch and waist edges of the panels. For this purpose, a metal template is placed on top of the panels and the samples are prepared by cutting along the perimeter of the template with a slitting knife. The first group of 10 samples is centered so that the 50 mm long middle portion of the sample is completely within the area of ​​reduced elasticity. The second group of samples is centered so that the 50 mm long middle portion is completely outside the area of ​​reduced elasticity.

[0264] For subsequent stable attachment into the tensile tester fixture, high friction tape can be attached on the front and back sides of the sample strip, just outside the 50 mm middle section of the sample that is being tested.

[0265] Elasticity testing should be completed within 10 minutes of cutting the specimen from the sheet to minimize creep of the elastic material.

[0266] A conventional tensile tester is used for testing (e.g., available from Zwick / Roell, Instron, or Lloyd's). The upper and lower clamps should be at least 25 mm wide and aligned vertically. The gauge length (test length) between the clamps is set to 50 mm. The force reading of the tensile tester is zeroed and the tape portion of the sample is inserted into the clamps. After insertion, the sample pretension should be 0.05 N + / - 0.01 N (as shown on the force display). The upper clamp is then set to move at a constant speed of 500 mm / min. When the tensile tester reads a force of 5 N, the percent extension of the sample is calculated.

[0267] For example, a test length of 50 mm is inserted into the grips. The upper grip moves, and 5 N is read after 70 mm (or a total of 120 mm grip spacing). The reported elasticity at 5 N is equal to the 70 mm extension divided by the initial 50 mm sample length, or 140%.

[0268] In the context of the present disclosure, the elasticity value is the arithmetic mean from a series of 10 representative individual samples.

[0269] Example

[0270] The elasticity of the treated and untreated portions of the three-layer elastic laminate was compared using the elasticity comparison method described above.

[0271] The laminate tested was a three layer ultrasonically bonded laminate with an elastic film sandwiched between two nonwoven layers. The membrane was a polyolefin based elastic film, Exten, Extretch MD2 35gsm, and the nonwoven was a spunbond polypropylene nonwoven, Fitesa, SS6KW-01 16NN 16GSM.

[0272] The laminate was point bonded where the film was stretched to 300% elongation at a 4x stretch ratio and 6.25% bond area, with each bond element having a 0.64 mm 2 The combined area.

[0273] The samples were taken from elastic panels made from a three-layer elastic laminate provided with areas of reduced elasticity produced at three different temperatures: 134°C, 139°C and 144°C, reported in the table below as material numbers 67, 68 and 69. The three-layer laminate used in the tests was therefore the same material for all samples, the only difference being that the heat treated areas in the material were produced at different temperatures.

[0274] The elastic ratio of the heat-treated area to the untreated area in each plate was calculated from the average of 10 measurements of each of the heat-treated and untreated areas as

[0275] % = (strain percentage of treated area at 5N / strain percentage of untreated area at 5N) * 100

[0276] Calculated relative elasticity of the heat treated area versus the untreated area.

[0277]

[0278] The measurements show that the percent strain at 5N and the relative elasticity within the region decrease with increasing temperature. Sample 69, which was heat treated at 144°C and found to have a relative elasticity of only 48% between the heat treated and untreated regions, may be particularly advantageous if minimal impact on the absorbent core is desired.

Claims

1. A disposable pant-type article (1), the article (1) having a longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (T), the article (1) comprising: - a precursor sheet (3) consisting of a precursor sheet material which is elastically stretchable in said transverse direction (T); - a rear body panel (4) consisting of a rear body panel material which is elastically stretchable in said transverse direction (T); - a crotch region (5), said crotch region (5) being situated between said front body panel (3) and said back body panel (4); - an absorbent core (7), the absorbent core (7) being arranged such that a central portion (7c) of the absorbent core (7) is located in the crotch region (5), a front end portion (7f) of the absorbent core (7) overlaps the front body sheet (3) in a front overlapping region (10), and a rear end portion (7r) of the absorbent core (7) overlaps the rear body sheet (4) in a rear overlapping region (11); - a first front panel side edge (32) joined to a first rear panel side edge (42) in a first side seam (20); - a second front panel side edge (33) joined to a second rear panel side edge (43) in a second side seam (21); - waist opening (12); - a first leg opening (13); and - a second leg opening (14), The disposable pant-type article (1) further comprises at least one body panel area (16, 17) of reduced elasticity, wherein the at least one body panel area (16, 17) of reduced elasticity is arranged in an overlapping area (10, 11) between the absorbent core (7) and one of the front body panel (3) and the rear body panel (4), the elasticity of the body panel material in the at least one body panel area (16, 17) of reduced elasticity being 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the body panel material outside the body panel area (16, 17) of reduced elasticity.

2. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one reduced elasticity body panel region is a reduced elasticity front body panel region (16) which is arranged in an overlap region (10, 11) between the absorbent core (7) and the front body panel (3).

3. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The disposable pant-type article (1) further comprises a rear body panel area (17) of reduced elasticity, wherein the rear body panel area of ​​reduced elasticity is arranged in an overlapping area (11) between the absorbent core (7) and the rear body panel (4), the elasticity of the rear body panel material in the rear body panel area (17) of reduced elasticity being 30% to 70% of the elasticity of the rear body panel material outside the rear body panel area (17) of reduced elasticity.

4. A disposable pant-type article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The elastically stretchable front body panel material and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel material comprises or consists of an elastic laminate comprising at least a first layer of a nonwoven material and an elastic layer.

5. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The first layer of nonwoven material is a non-elastic layer.

6. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The elastic laminate comprises a second layer of nonwoven material, and the elastic layer is an intermediate elastic layer disposed between the first layer of nonwoven material and the second layer of nonwoven material.

7. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The second layer of nonwoven material is a non-elastic layer.

8. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein: The elastic layer includes an elastic film layer or consists of an elastic film layer.

9. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claims 4 to 7, wherein: The elastic layer comprises or consists of an elastic nonwoven material layer.

10. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein: At least two layers of the elastic laminate are bonded together by a plurality of discrete bonding elements (27).

11. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The total bonding area of ​​the discrete bonding elements (27) is in the range of 4% to 13%.

12. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The bonding elements (27) are arranged in a regular bonding pattern which is visible to the naked eye on the outer surface of the elastomeric panels (3, 4), including on the outer surface of the elastomeric panels in the body panel regions (16, 17).

13. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The elastically stretchable front body panel (3) and / or the elastically stretchable back body panel (4) comprises or consists of an elastic nonwoven material.

14. A disposable pant-type article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The elastically stretchable front panel (3) is formed by a continuous front panel web (101), which extends laterally across the width of the trouser-type article (1) between the first front panel side edge (32) and the second front panel side edge (33), and / or wherein the elastically stretchable back body panel (4) is formed by a continuous back body panel web (108), which extends laterally across the width of the trouser-type article (1) between the first back panel side edge (42) and the second back panel side edge (43).

15. A disposable pant-type article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The crotch region (5) comprises a non-elastic crotch web material, such as a non-elastic nonwoven web.

16. A disposable pant-type article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one body panel area (16, 17) of reduced elasticity has a shape in the longitudinal direction (L) of the disposable pant-type article such that its extension in the transverse direction is smaller adjacent to the waist opening (12) than adjacent to the crotch area (5).

17. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 16, wherein: The reduced elasticity body panel region has a triangular shape or a trapezoidal shape.

18. A disposable pant-type article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The absorbent core (7) forms part of an absorbent assembly (6), which comprises the absorbent core (7), a liquid-permeable top sheet (8) and a liquid-impermeable bottom sheet (9), the absorbent core (7) being sandwiched between the liquid-permeable top sheet (8) and the liquid-impermeable bottom sheet (9).

19. A disposable pant-type article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The disposable pant-type article includes an elastic waist feature (50).

20. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 19, wherein: The elastic waist feature (50) includes one or more elastic elements.

21. The disposable pant-type article (1) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The elastic waist feature (50) is a component of the disposable pant-type article (1) that is of a different body panel material than the front body panel (3) and the rear body panel (4).

22. A method of making a disposable pant-type article, the method comprising: - continuously feeding a tensioned elastic web material (200) in a machine direction, said elastic web material (200) having a first side edge (201) and a second side edge (202); - producing areas of reduced elasticity (205; 205', 205") in the elastic web material (200) by exposing parts of the elastic web material (200) to a heat treatment, the areas of reduced elasticity (205; 205', 205") being spaced apart in the machine direction (MD) and having an elasticity of 30% to 70% of the elasticity in parts of the elastic web material (200) not subjected to the elasticity reducing heat treatment; - forming at least a first body panel web (101) from said elastic web material (200) as part of a composite web of interconnected precursor articles (130), said composite web of said precursor articles (130) having a first waist edge (102) and a second waist edge (109), the tensioned first body panel web (101) comprising at least a portion (116, 117) of each of the spaced apart regions of reduced elasticity (205); - arranging the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned elastic second body panel web (108) side by side in a composite web of interconnected precursor articles (130) with a distance (115) between the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) in the cross-machine direction (CD); - intermittently applying absorbent assemblies (160) to the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108), the absorbent assemblies (160) being applied at intervals in the machine direction (MD), and the absorbent assemblies (160) being attached so that a first end (161') of each absorbent assembly (160) overlaps an elastically reduced region (116) in the tensioned first body panel web (101), and a second end (161") of the absorbent assembly (160) overlaps a portion of the tensioned second body panel web (108); - folding the composite web of the precursor article (130) along a fold line (Lv) extending in the machine direction (MD) and aligning a first waist edge (102) of the composite web of the precursor article (130) with a second waist edge (109) of the composite web of the precursor article (130); - forming a first side seam (181, 182) and a second side seam (181, 182) in each precursor article (131a, 131b, 131c), the side seams (181, 182) joining the tensioned first body panel web (101) to the tensioned second body panel web (108) and formed in the cross-machine direction (CD) along a dividing line (Ld) between the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c); and - cutting individual pant-type articles from said composite web of precursor articles (130).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the elastic web material (200) is formed by bonding at least a first layer of nonwoven material to an elastic layer, the bonding being performed with a plurality of discrete bonds, the bonds being arranged in a bonding pattern.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the method further comprises: - feeding a continuous non-elastic crotch web (118) in said machine direction (MD); - attaching the non-elastic crotch web (118) to the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) so as to bridge the distance (115) between the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108), the non-elastic continuous crotch web (118) being attached to the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) after arranging the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned elastic second body panel web (108) side by side and before applying the absorbent assembly (160) to the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108); and - forming leg cutouts (170) in the composite web of interconnected precursor articles (130), each leg cutout (170) having a closed loop configuration and forming a first leg edge (171) of a leading precursor article (131a) and a second leg edge (172) of a trailing precursor article (131b).

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the method further comprises: - providing a pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142), the pair of crotch elastic members consisting of a first crotch elastic member (141) and a second crotch elastic member (142); - stretching each crotch elastic member (141, 142) in the longitudinal direction (Le) of the crotch elastic member (141, 142) and aligning the longitudinal direction (Le) of the crotch elastic member (141, 142) with the cross-machine direction (CD); - attaching each stretched crotch elastic member (141, 142) to the crotch web (118) while maintaining the crotch elastic member (118) stretched and aligned with the cross-machine direction (CD), the first crotch elastic member (141) being spaced apart from the second crotch elastic member (142) by a crotch spacing (Sc) in the machine direction (MD), and the pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142) of the leading precursor article (131a) being spaced apart from the pair of crotch elastic members (141, 142) of the trailing precursor article (131b) by an article spacing in the machine direction (MD) that depends on the pitch length (Lp) of the precursor articles (131a, 131b, 131c) in the composite web of the interconnected precursor articles (130).

26. The method of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the method further comprises: - The tensioned heat-treated elastic web material (200) is divided into two parts by forming an incision (210) in the elastic web material along a dividing line (L1) extending in the machine direction (MD), thereby forming the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) from the heat-treated elastic web material (200), the tensioned first body panel web (101) having a first side edge (101') formed by the first side edge (201) of the elastic web material (200) and a second side edge (101") formed by the incision (210) in the elastic web material (200), and the tensioned second body panel web (108) having a first side edge (108') formed by the second side edge (202) in the elastic web material and a second side edge (108") formed by the incision (210) in the elastic web material (200).

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The step of arranging the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) side by side at a distance (115) from each other in the cross-machine direction (CD), comprises moving the positions of the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) in the cross-machine direction, whereby the second side edge (101") of the tensioned first body panel web (101) forms the first waist edge (102) of the composite web of the precursor article (130), and the second side edge (108") of the tensioned second body panel web (108) forms the second waist edge (109) of the composite web of the precursor article (130).

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein: The waist elastic member (215) is applied and attached to the elastic web material along a dividing line (L1) in the elastic web material (200) before the incision (210) is formed in the elastic web material (200), and the incision (210) is then formed through the elastic web material and through the waist elastic member (215).

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein: The areas of reduced elasticity (205; 205', 205") formed in the elastic web material (200) are each divided into a first part (116) and a second part (117) by the incision (210) in the elastic web material (200), wherein the first part (116) of each area of ​​reduced elasticity (205; 205', 205") is located in the tensioned first body panel web (101), and the second part (117) of each area of ​​reduced elasticity (205) is located in the tensioned second body panel web (108).

30. The method of claim 27, wherein: The reduced elasticity area (205) formed in the elastic web material (200) has the following shape: the shape has a first end (205') and a second end (205") and a middle part (205'") between the first end (205') and the second end (205") in the cross-machine direction (CD), the width of the first end (205') and the second end (205") in the machine direction (MD) is greater than the width of the middle part (205'") in the machine direction (MD), and the cut (210) in the elastic web material (200) divides each reduced elasticity area (205) in the middle part (205'") of the reduced elasticity area (205).

31. The method of claim 26, wherein: The step of arranging the tensioned first body panel web (101) and the tensioned second body panel web (108) side by side at a distance (115) from each other in the cross-machine direction (CD), comprises pulling the tensioned first body panel web (101) away from the tensioned second body panel web (108) in the cross-machine direction, whereby the first side edge of the tensioned first body panel web (101) forms the first waist edge (102) of the composite web of the precursor article (130), and the first side edge of the tensioned second body panel web (108) forms the second waist edge (109) of the composite web of the precursor article (130).

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein: Waist elastics are applied along the first and second side edges of the elastic web material (200) either before or after the cuts (210) are formed in the elastic web material (200).

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein: The reduced elasticity area formed in the elastic web material (200) has the following shape: viewed in the cross-machine direction (CD), the shape has a first end (205') and a second end (205") and a middle part (205'") between the first end (205') and the second end (205"), the width of the first end (205') and the second end (205") in the machine direction (MD) is smaller than the width of the middle part (205'") in the machine direction (MD), and the cut (210) in the elastic web material (200) divides each reduced elasticity area (205) in the middle part (205'") of the reduced elasticity area (205).

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