Absorbent article and method and apparatus for making absorbent article with fractable

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising an elastic laminate, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles having an elastic laminate in a front waist region and / or a back waist region with frangible pathways.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for making absorbent articles having front and / or rear waist regions that include one or more breakable pathways. Background Art

[0002] Various types of articles, such as diapers and other absorbent articles, can be assembled by adding each component to the continuous material web being advanced and / or otherwise changing the continuous material web being advanced along the assembly line. For example, in some processes, the material web being advanced is combined with other material webs being advanced. In other examples, each component produced by the material web being advanced is combined with the material web being advanced, and then combined with other material webs being advanced. In some cases, each component produced by one or more fiber webs being advanced is combined with other each component produced by other fiber webs being advanced. The material web and component parts used to make diapers may include: backsheet, topsheet, leg cuff, waistband, absorbent core component, front ear piece and / or back ear piece, fastening component, and various types of elastic fiber web and components such as front waist piece and / or back waist piece, leg elastic component, barrier leg cuff elastic component, stretch side piece and waist elastic component. After the desired components are assembled, the fiber web being advanced and the component are finally cut to separate the fiber web into discrete diapers or other absorbent articles.

[0003] Some absorbent articles have components that include elastomeric laminates. Such elastomeric laminates may include an elastic material bonded to one or more nonwovens. The elastic material may include an elastic film and / or an elastic strand. In some laminates, multiple elastic strands are joined to the nonwoven when the multiple strands are in a stretched state, so that when the elastic strands relax, the nonwoven gathers and then forms corrugations and roughness. The resulting elastomeric laminate can be stretched to the extent that the corrugations allow the elastic strands to extend.

[0004] Absorbent articles in the form of diaper pants may also be constructed with an absorbent infrastructure connected to front and rear elastic bands, wherein the opposing end regions of the front and rear bands are connected to each other at the side seams. In some cases, the elasticity of the front and rear bands is removed in the region where the infrastructure is connected to these bands. Therefore, in some converting configurations suitable for assembling such diaper pants, stretched elastic strands are glued between two continuous nonwoven webs to form an elastic laminate. The elastic strand regions can then be intermittently disabled along the length of the elastic laminate by cutting the elastic strands in the region to be connected to the infrastructure (sometimes referred to as raised elastic cuts).

[0005] Some elderly caregivers of incontinent infants or toddlers may prefer closed trouser-type disposable absorbent articles so that they can be applied to and removed from children when they are in a standing position. A shortcoming of this product form is that the removal and disposal of feces-containing products may be unsanitary and inconvenient. For example, pulling the product downwards may cause feces to be smeared downwards along the user's legs. In other examples, the caregiver may tear the adhesive side with force. Then, the force used can cause energy to be quickly released from the diaper, thereby causing the caregiver to lose control of the product and cause feces to overflow. In contrast, when the child lies on his back, the removal and disposal of the traditional open or adhesive diaper form with fasteners can be easily completed. In this case, the fastener is opened, the diaper is removed from the child, rolled into a roughly cylindrical shape, and then the fastener is fixed around the soiled diaper rolled up, and the leg openings are closed for sanitary treatment.

[0006] To avoid having to remove soiled diaper pants from a wearer by sliding them down the wearer's legs or tearing the bonded side seams, some diaper pants may be constructed with a tear line in the front or back bands. Such tear lines may include perforations that allow a caregiver to more easily separate the bands along the perforation lines. Once the bands are separated, the diaper pants may be more easily removed from the wearer without having to slide the diaper pants down the wearer's legs in a manner similar to conventional open-taped diaper formats. Thus, in addition to the assembly operations described above, the elastic laminate to be converted into the front and / or back bands may also be subjected to additional processing and conversion operations to create such perforation lines.

[0007] For example, in some operations, the elastic laminate may be advanced through a cutting station that perforates the advanced laminate to form a tear line in the final assembled diaper pants. However, various challenges may be associated with forming a tear line. Some elastic laminates may include several elastic strands, and therefore, there may be challenges associated with cutting the elastic strands at the position of the perforation line. There may be challenges associated with ensuring that all elastic strands extending through the tear line are also cut consistently. When the uncut elastic strands extend through the tear line in the belt of the diaper pants, such uncut elastic strands will need to be broken during the removal of the diaper pants from the wearer. Such uncut elastic strands may be very difficult to break or tear. In addition, cutting the perforation line in the nonwoven web while also cutting the elastic strands in the elastic laminate may weaken the laminate, which in turn may lead to unintentional or premature opening of the belt during the use of the diaper pants. Moreover, such weakening of the laminate may render the laminate relatively more likely to tear during assembly operations and / or may otherwise result in control and handling difficulties associated with differing stretch properties within the laminate. Furthermore, utilizing a separate cutting station to form a tear line in an elastic laminate may present challenges associated with ensuring the intended positioning of such a tear line relative to other cutting operations to be performed on the laminate, such as a final knife cut and / or a raised elastic cut.

[0008] Therefore, it would be beneficial to create a pant-type article that provides the caregiver with the ability to remove and dispose of soiled product in a manner similar to traditional open diaper formats. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide methods and apparatus configured to form breakable pathways in elastic laminates that consistently cut elastic strands in such breakable pathways in a manner that maintains sufficient strength during use and reduces difficulties in web control and handling. Summary of the invention

[0009] In one form, an absorbent article comprises: a chassis comprising a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, the chassis further comprising a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region; a first band connected to the first end region of the chassis; a second band connected to the second end region of the chassis, wherein laterally opposite ends of the second band are connected to laterally opposite ends of the first band to form a waist opening; wherein the first band comprises: a proximal edge and a distal edge; an elastic strand positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate; and a first breakable path extending in the first band between the proximal edge and the distal edge, the first breakable path comprising a line of weakness, wherein all elastic strands extending through the first breakable path are cut at the line of weakness, such that the first plurality of elastic strands are cut only once, and such that the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once.

[0010] In another form, a method for assembling an absorbent article includes the steps of providing a first elastic laminate, the first elastic laminate including elastic strands positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, the elastic strands extending in a longitudinal direction, the first elastic laminate also including a first edge separated from the second edge in a transverse direction, wherein the first elastic laminate includes a first laminate width defined by a distance extending in the transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge; advancing the first elastic laminate in the longitudinal direction; and forming a first breakable path in the first elastic laminate extending in the transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge, the first breakable path including a line of weakness, wherein all elastic strands extending through the first breakable path are cut at the line of weakness, such that the first plurality of elastic strands are cut only once, and such that the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once.

[0011] In yet another form, a cutting apparatus includes a knife roll including means for forming breakable pathways in an elastic laminate and means for creating low stretch areas in the elastic laminate.

[0012] In yet another form, a cutting apparatus includes a knife roll including means for forming breakable pathways in an elastic laminate and means for cutting the elastic laminate into discrete pieces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 A perspective view of a diaper pant is shown in a pre-fastened configuration.

[0014] Figure 1A A perspective view of a diaper pant with an adjoining outer cover in a pre-fastened configuration is shown.

[0015] Figure 2A A plan view of a diaper pant is shown with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented towards the viewer.

[0016] Figure 2B A plan view of a diaper pant is shown with the wearer-facing portion of the diaper oriented toward the viewer.

[0017] Figure 2C A plan view of a diaper pant is shown with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer, illustrating the size and shape features of the first and second belts.

[0018] Figure 2D A plan view of a diaper pant is shown with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer, illustrating the size and shape features of the first and second belts.

[0019] Figure 2EA plan view of a diaper pant is shown with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer, illustrating the size and shape features of the first and second belts.

[0020] Figure 2F A plan view of a diaper pant with an adjoining outer cover is shown with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented toward the viewer.

[0021] Figure 3 Taken along line 3-3 Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of a diaper pant is shown, showing a first elastic belt and a second elastic belt provided with a panel.

[0022] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional detail view of a first belt provided with plies, one ply folded over another.

[0023] Figure 3A1 is a cross-sectional detail view of another example configuration in which a first belt is provided with plies where one ply is folded over another ply.

[0024] Figure 3A2 is a cross-sectional detail view of another example configuration in which a first belt is provided with plies where one ply is folded over another ply.

[0025] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional detail view of a second belt provided with plies, one ply folded over another.

[0026] Figure 3C It was taken along line 3C-3C Figure 2F A cross-sectional view of a diaper pant of FIG. 1 is shown with reference to a first elastic belt and a second elastic belt having a panel and an adjacent outer cover.

[0027] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a diaper pant including a frangible passage in the front belt.

[0028] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A perspective view of a diaper pants of , showing that the front belt has been torn along one of the frangible paths.

[0029] Figure 5A is a perspective view of a diaper pant including a frangible access in the front belt and adjacent to the absorbent chassis.

[0030] Figure 5B for Figure 5A A perspective view of a diaper pants of , showing that the front belt has been torn along one of the frangible paths.

[0031] Figure 5C for Figure 5AA perspective view of a diaper pant showing that the front belt has been torn along two breakable paths.

[0032] Figure 5D Shows Figure 5C The diaper pants are rolled up on themselves in the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Figure 5E Shows Figure 5D A diaper pant of the type described herein wherein the fastener components are coupled to the backsheet of the chassis to hold the diaper pant in a disposal configuration.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic side view of converting equipment suitable for making prefastened pant diapers.

[0035] Fig. 6A Taken along line AA Figure 6 View of continuous lengths of advancing first elastic belt laminate and second elastic belt laminate.

[0036] Figure 6B Taken along line BB Figure 6 A view of a continuous length of an infrastructure component.

[0037] Fig.6C1 Taken along line C1-C1 Figure 6 A view of the discrete infrastructure of the

[0038] Fig.6C2 Taken along line C2-C2 Figure 6 A view of the discrete infrastructure of the

[0039] Fig.6D1 The longitudinal direction MD is separated from each other and is formed by Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a view of a plurality of discrete chassis having first and second elastic belt laminates connected to one another and showing outer edges of the first and second elastic belt laminates being folded.

[0040] Fig.6D2 The longitudinal direction MD is separated from each other and is formed by Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a view of a plurality of discrete chassis having first and second elastic belt laminates connected to one another and showing outer edges of the first and second elastic belt laminates being folded.

[0041] Fig. 6E is a view of a folded plurality of discrete base structures taken along line EE, the base structures having faces in a face-to-face relationship. Figure 6 A first elastic belt laminate and a second elastic belt laminate.

[0042] Fig. 6FThe length of the line FF taken along the longitudinal direction MD Figure 6 View of two discrete absorbent articles.

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of converting equipment suitable for assembling an elastomeric laminate including a plurality of elastic strands positioned between a first substrate and a second substrate.

[0044] Figure 8 Taken along line 8-8 Figure 7 View of a converting plant.

[0045] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of a cutting apparatus suitable for forming a breakable pathway in an elastic laminate.

[0046] Fig.10 Taken along line 10-10 Fig. 9 View of the cutting equipment.

[0047] Fig. 10A Taken along line 10-10 Fig. 9 A view of another configuration of a cutting device.

[0048] Fig.11A is a side view of an elastic laminate having a breakable pathway in a first configuration.

[0049] Fig. 11B After the waist edge folding operation Fig.11A Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0050] Fig. 11C After measuring the seam Fig. 11B Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0051] Fig.11D After the final knife cutting operation Fig. 11B Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0052] Fig. 12A Detailed fragmentary view of a breakable pathway in an elastic laminate showing details of the line of weakness.

[0053] Fig. 12B A detailed view of a portion of a frangible pathway showing details of the line of weakness and severed elastic strands therein.

[0054] Fig.13 A detailed view of the cutting device showing details of the blade thereon.

[0055] Fig.14A is a side view of an elastic laminate having fastener components bonded thereto.

[0056] Fig. 14B for Fig.14A Side view of a second configuration of breakable pathways on an elastic laminate.

[0057] Fig. 14C After the infrastructure grooming operation Fig. 14B Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0058] Fig.14D1 After the waist edge folding operation Fig. 14C Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0059] Fig.14D2 After the waist edge folding operation Fig. 14C Side view of an elastic laminate.

[0060] Fig.15A is a detailed fragmentary view of another configuration of a breakable pathway in an elastic laminate showing details of the line of weakness.

[0061] Fig. 15B for Fig.15A Detailed view of a portion of a breakable pathway showing details of the line of weakness and severed elastic strands.

[0062] Fig.16 A detailed view of another cutting device configuration showing details of the blade thereon.

[0063] Fig.17A for Fig.14A Side view of a third configuration of breakable pathways on an elastic laminate.

[0064] Fig. 17B Detailed view of another configuration of a fastener component and frangible via.

[0065] Fig. 17C for Fig.14A Side view of a fourth configuration of breakable pathways on an elastic laminate.

[0066] Fig.17D1 for Fig.14A Side view of a fifth configuration of breakable pathways on an elastic laminate.

[0067] Fig.17D2 for Fig.14D1 Detailed view of the breakable pathway area on the elastic laminate of FIG.

[0068] Fig.18A A perspective view of a diaper pant having a breakaway access.

[0069] Fig.18B Shows Fig.18A Front plan view of diaper pants.

[0070] Fig. 18C Shown after a frangible path has been torn out Fig.18B Front plan view of diaper pants.

[0071] Fig.18D1 for Fig.18B Detailed view of the fastening components.

[0072] Fig.18D2 A detailed view of another fastening component configuration.

[0073] Fig.18E A front plan view of a diaper pant having another configuration of frangible access is shown.

[0074] Fig.18F Lines of weakness arranged in an overlap and underlap pattern are shown.

[0075] Fig.19 A front plan view of a diaper having another configuration of a frangible access is shown.

[0076] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20F An example of tear progression along a frangible pathway is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] definition

[0078] The following term explanations may help understand the present disclosure:

[0079] "Absorbent article" refers to a device that absorbs and contains body exudates, and more specifically, refers to a device that fits against or adjacent to the wearer's body to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Exemplary absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, pull-on diapers (i.e., diapers with preformed waist and leg openings such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,487), refastenable diapers or pant diapers, incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene undergarments such as panty liners, absorbent inserts, catamenial pads, and the like.

[0080] "Body-facing" and "garment-facing" refer to the relative position of an element or the relative position of surfaces of an element or a group of elements, respectively. "Body-facing" means that an element or surface is closer to the wearer than some other element or surface during wear. "Garment-facing" means that an element or surface is farther from the wearer than some other element or surface during wear (i.e., the element or surface is near the wearer's clothing, which may be worn over a disposable absorbent article).

[0081] The terms "elastic," "elastomeric," or "elastomeric" refer to materials that exhibit elastic properties, including any material that can be stretched or elongated to an elongation of more than 10% of its original length when a force is applied to its relaxed original length, and will substantially recover to about its original length when the applied force is released. Elastomeric materials may include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0082] As used herein, the term "joined" includes configurations in which an element is directly secured to another element by attaching it directly to the other element, as well as configurations in which an element is indirectly secured to another element by attaching it to an intermediate member which is in turn attached to the other element.

[0083] As used herein, the term "distal" is used to describe a location located away from the center of the body or away from a point of attachment, and the term "proximal" is used to describe a location located closer to the center of the body or a point of attachment.

[0084] The term "substrate" is used herein to describe a material that is primarily two-dimensional (i.e., in the XY plane) and whose thickness (in the Z direction) is relatively small (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (in the X direction) and width (in the Y direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include fiber webs, one or more layers of fiber materials, nonwovens, films, and foils such as polymer films or metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a fiber web is a substrate.

[0085] The term "nonwoven" herein refers to a material made of continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, etc. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

[0086] The term "machine direction" (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction of material flow during a process. In addition, the relative placement and movement of materials can be described as flowing through a process in the machine direction from upstream in the process to downstream in the process.

[0087] The term "cross direction" (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0088] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain applied to an elastic or elastomeric material before combining it with an elastomeric laminate or another element of an absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by the following formula: Pre-strain = ((elastic relaxed length of elastic component) / relaxed length of elastic component)*100.

[0089] "Dtex" is a measurement used in the textile industry for measuring yarn or filaments. 1 dtex = 1 gram / 10,000 meters. In other words, if 10,000 linear meters of a yarn or filament weighs 500 grams, the yarn or filament will have 500 dtex.

[0090] The term "taped diaper" (also known as an "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article that has an initial front waist region and an initial rear waist region that are not fastened, not prefastened, or not connected to each other when packaged before being put on the wearer. The taped diaper can be folded about a lateral centerline with the interior of one waist region contacting the interior of the opposite waist region in a surface-to-surface manner without fastening or joining the waist regions together. and 6,861,571; and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887 A1, 2013 / 0211356 A1, and 2013 / 0306226 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0091] The term "pants" (also referred to as "training pants," "pre-closed diapers," "diaper pants," "pant diapers," and "pull-on diapers") refers herein to disposable absorbent articles designed for infants or adult wearers having a continuous peripheral waist opening and continuous peripheral leg openings. Pants can be constructed with a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the wearer puts on the article. Pants can be preformed or prefastened using a variety of techniques, including but not limited to joining the parts of the article together using any refastenable closure member and / or permanent closure member (e.g., sewing, heat bonding, pressure welding, adhesives, cohesive bonding, mechanical fasteners, etc.). Pants can be preformed anywhere along the circumference of the article in the waist region (e.g., side fastened or seamed, front waist fastened or seamed, rear waist fastened or seamed). Exemplary diaper pants of various configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,940,464, 5,092,861, 5,246,433, 5,569,234, 5,897,545, 5,957,908, 6,120,487, 6,120,489, 7,569,039 and U.S. Patent Publications 2003 / 0233082 A1, 2005 / 0107764 A1, 2012 / 0061016 A1, 2012 / 0061015 A1, 2013 / 0255861 A1, 2013 / 0255862 A1, 2013 / 0255863 A1, 2013 / 0255864 A1 and 2013 / 0255865 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0092] "Closed" means that the opposing waist regions are permanently or refastenably joined when encapsulated to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

[0093] "Open" means that the opposing waist regions are not initially joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings before or during application of the article to the wearer, but rather include a closure device (such as a fastening system) to join the waist regions to form a waist opening and leg openings.

[0094] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including elastic laminates, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles having elastic laminates in front waist regions and / or rear waist regions with breakable paths. In the method for manufacturing absorbent articles, a first elastic laminate and a second elastic laminate may be assembled and converted into a first elastic band and a second elastic band on an assembled absorbent article. The first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate may include an elastic strand positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the elastic strand extends in a longitudinal direction. The first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate also include a first edge that is separated from the second edge in a transverse direction. The first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate are advanced in a longitudinal direction, and a breakable path extending in a transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge may be formed in the first elastic laminate and / or the second elastic laminate. Such breakable paths provide a feature that allows the elastic band of the diaper pants to be relatively easily torn along the breakable path when the diaper pants are removed from the wearer, thereby avoiding the need to remove the diaper pants by sliding the diaper pants on the wearer's legs.

[0095] The breakable path includes a plurality of weak lines that are positioned, oriented, and / or configured so that all elastic strands extending through the breakable path are cut, so as to help ensure that the elastic band can be torn along the breakable path without also breaking the elastic strands in the process. In some configurations, all elastic strands extending through the breakable path are cut at the weak line, so that the first plurality of elastic strands are only cut once, and the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once. In some configurations, some elastic strands may remain intact to strengthen specific portions of the breakable path. In some configurations, the elastic laminate may be advanced longitudinally through a cutting device that is suitable for forming a weak line defining the breakable path and cutting the elastic strands extending through the breakable path. It should be understood that the cutting device may be configured to produce various forms of weak lines. For example, the cutting device may be configured to cut through the first substrate and the second substrate so that the weak line includes discrete cutting lines. In another example, the cutting device can pressure bond the first substrate and the second substrate together without cutting through the first substrate and the second substrate, so that the weak line includes discrete bonding pieces, wherein the materials of the first substrate and the second substrate are fused together. In addition, the cutting device can be configured to form more than one breakable passage in the elastic laminate, and can also be configured to perform additional cutting operations, such as final knife cutting operations or raised elastic cutting operations. In some configurations, the cutting device can be configured to form one or more breakable passages in the elastic laminate, and can also be configured to perform punching operations, such as leg hole forming operations. In some configurations, the cutting device can be configured as an independent process of forming one or more breakable passages in the elastic laminate, which is a process separated from other cutting operations (such as raised cutting, final knife cutting and / or die cutting operations). In some configurations, each weak line can be oriented to define an offset angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction. Subsequently, when a force is applied to the corresponding first substrate and the second substrate during the assembly operation and / or during the use of the assembled product, the offset angle of the weak line helps to prevent the weak line from opening.

[0096] Figures 1 to 2B An example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of a diaper pant 100P is shown that may include components comprised of an elastic laminate assembled according to the configurations disclosed herein. Specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of a diaper pant 100P is shown in a pre-fastened configuration. Figure 2A shows a plan view of a diaper pant 100P in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented toward the viewer, and Figure 2B A plan view of a diaper pant 100P is shown with the wearer-facing portion of the diaper oriented toward the viewer. The diaper pant 100P includes a chassis 102 and an annular elastic belt 104. As described in more detail below, a first elastic belt 106 and a second elastic belt 108 are bonded together to form the annular elastic belt 104.

[0097] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 2B , the diaper pants 100P and the chassis 102 each include a first waist region 116, a second waist region 118, and a crotch region 119 disposed between the first waist region and the second waist region. It can also be described that the chassis 102 includes a first end region 116a, a second end region 118a, and a crotch region 119 disposed between the first end region 116a and the second end region 118a. The first waist region 116 can be configured as a front waist region, and the second waist region 118 can be configured as a rear waist region. The diaper 100P may also include a laterally extending front waist edge 121 in the front waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposite and laterally extending rear waist edge 122 in the rear waist region 118. To provide a frame of reference for this discussion, Figure 2A and Figure 2B A diaper 100P and chassis 102 are shown having a longitudinal axis 124 and a lateral axis 126. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 124 may extend through the front waist edge 121 and through the back waist edge 122. And the lateral axis 126 may extend through the first longitudinal or right side edge 128 and the second longitudinal or left side edge 130 of the chassis 102. As previously mentioned, the longitudinal axis 124 extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge 121 and the back waist edge 122, and the lateral axis 126 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 124. To provide an additional frame of reference for this discussion, a diaper 100P and chassis 102 are shown. Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Fig.18B The diaper 100P of the present invention is characterized in that: the first elastic belt 106 includes a longitudinal centerline 124a and a lateral centerline 126a; the second elastic belt 108 includes a longitudinal centerline 124b and a lateral centerline 126b; and the chassis 102 includes a longitudinal centerline 124c and a lateral centerline 126c. The longitudinal centerlines 124a, 124b, 124c are perpendicular to the lateral centerlines 126a, 126b, 126c.

[0098] like Figures 1 to 2B As shown, the diaper pant 100P may include a body-facing inner surface 132 and a garment-facing outer surface 134. The chassis 102 may include a backsheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 having an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As described in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other structures, such as leg elastics and / or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0099] like Figure 2AAs shown, the perimeter of the chassis 102 can be defined by a first longitudinal side edge 128, a second longitudinal side edge 130, a first laterally extending end edge 144 disposed in the first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending end edge 146 disposed in the second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first end edge 144 and the second end edge 146. Figure 2A As shown, the end edges 144 and 146 extending laterally can be located at the longitudinal inner side of the laterally extending front waist edge 121 in the front waist region 116 and the laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waist region 118. In some configurations, the end edges 144 and 146 extending laterally can be adjacent to the laterally extending front waist edge 121 in the front waist region 116 and the laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waist region 118, or can be located at the longitudinal outer side of the front waist edge and the back waist edge. When the diaper pants 100P is worn on the lower body of the wearer, the front waist edge 121 and the back waist edge 122 can surround a part of the waist of the wearer. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 can surround at least a part of the legs of the wearer. And the crotch region 119 can generally be positioned between the legs of the wearer, wherein the absorbent core 142 extends from the front waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the back waist region 118.

[0100] As previously mentioned, diaper pants 100P may include backsheet 136. Backsheet 136 may also define the outer surface 134 of the garment facing the base structure 102. Backsheet 136 may also include woven or nonwoven materials, polymer films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene or polypropylene, and / or include multiple layers or composite materials of film and nonwoven materials. Backsheet may also include elastomeric films. Example backsheet 136 may be a polyethylene film with a thickness of about 0.012mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051mm (2.0 mil). In addition, backsheet 136 may also allow steam to escape from the absorbent core (that is, backsheet is breathable), while still preventing effluent from penetrating backsheet 136.

[0101] As also described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a top sheet 138. The top sheet 138 may also define all or part of the inner surface 132 of the base structure 102 facing the wearer. In addition, the top sheet 138 may be liquid permeable, thereby allowing liquids (e.g., menstrual fluid, urine and / or loose stools) to penetrate its thickness. The top sheet 138 may be made of various materials, such as woven materials and nonwoven materials; open or hydraulically formed thermoplastic films; open nonwovens, porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Woven materials and nonwoven materials may include natural fibers such as wood fibers or cotton fibers; synthetic fibers such as polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers or polyethylene fibers; or combinations thereof. If the top sheet 138 includes fibers, the fibers may be processed by spunbonding, carding, wet-laid, meltblown, spunlace or other methods known in the art. The top sheet 138 may be selected from high-loft nonwoven top sheets, open-cell film top sheets and open-cell nonwoven top sheets. Exemplary apertured films may include those described in US Pat. Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0102] As described above, the diaper pant 100P may also include an absorbent assembly 140 joined to the chassis 102. Figure 2A As shown, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a front edge 148 extending laterally in the front waist region 116, and may have a rear edge 150 extending longitudinally oppositely and laterally in the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a right edge 152 extending longitudinally, and may have a left edge 154 extending laterally oppositely and longitudinally, and these two absorbent assembly side edges 152 and 154 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 148 and the rear edge 150. The absorbent assembly 140 may additionally include one or more absorbent cores 142 or absorbent core layers. The absorbent core 142 may be at least partially arranged between the top sheet 138 and the back sheet 136, and may be formed in various sizes and shapes compatible with diapers. Exemplary absorbent structures used as absorbent cores of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patents 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231 and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0103] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core that includes a reduced amount of cellulose air felt material. For example, such a core may include less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or even 1% cellulose air felt material. Such a core may primarily include an absorbent gelling material having a content of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or even about 100%, wherein the remainder of the core includes microfiber glue (if applicable). Such cores, microfiber glue and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Patents 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894 and 6,790,798 and U.S. Patent Publications 2004 / 0158212 A1 and 2004 / 0097895 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0104] As previously mentioned, the diaper 100P may also include elasticized leg cuffs 156. It should be understood that the leg cuffs 156 may be and are sometimes referred to as leg circumferences, side wings, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasket cuffs. The elasticized leg cuffs 156 may be constructed in various ways to help reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. Exemplary leg cuffs 156 may include those described in U.S. Patents 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, 4,909,803, and U.S. Patent Publication 2009 / 0312730A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] As described above, the diaper pants can be manufactured with the loop elastic band 104 and provided to the consumer in a configuration where the front waist region 116 and the back waist region 118 are connected to each other as packaged before being applied to the wearer. Thus, the diaper pants can have a continuous peripheral waist opening 110 and continuous peripheral leg openings 112, such as Figure 1 The looped elastic band may be formed by joining a first elastic band to a second elastic band with permanent side seams or with an openable and reclosable fastening system disposed at or adjacent laterally opposite sides of the band.

[0106] As previously mentioned, the annular elastic band 104 may be defined by a first elastic band 106 connected to a second elastic band 108. Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the first elastic band 106 extends between the first longitudinal side edge 111a and the second longitudinal side edge 111b, and defines opposite first and second end regions 106a, 106b and a central region 106c. And the second elastic band 108 extends between the first longitudinal side edge 113a and the second longitudinal side edge 113b, and defines opposite first and second end regions 108a, 108b and a central region 108c. The distance between the first longitudinal side edge 111a and the second longitudinal side edge 111b defines the pitch PL of the first elastic band 106, and the distance between the first longitudinal side edge 113a and the second longitudinal side edge 113b defines the pitch PL of the second elastic band 108. The central region 106c of the first elastic band is connected to the first waist region 116 or the first end region 116a of the chassis 102, and the central region 108c of the second elastic band 108 is connected to the second waist region 118 or the second end region 118a of the chassis 102. As shown Figure 1 As shown, the first end region 106a of the first elastic belt 106 is connected to the first end region 108a of the second elastic belt 108 at the first side seam 178, and the second end region 106b of the first elastic belt 106 is connected to the second end region 108b of the second elastic belt 108 at the second side seam 180 to define the annular elastic belt 104 and the waist opening 110 and the leg openings 112. It should be understood that the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 can be permanently or refastenably connected to each other at the first side seam 178 and the second side seam 180. The side seams 178, 180 can include permanent bonds, such as heat, pressure or adhesive bonds, or can be releasable bonds, such as mechanical or cohesive fasteners.

[0107] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the first elastic band 106 also defines an outer side extending edge 107a and an inner side extending edge 107b, and the second elastic band 108 defines an outer side extending edge 109a and an inner side extending edge 109b. Figure 1 As shown, the peripheral edge 112a of one leg opening may be defined by portions of the inboard extending edge 107b of the first elastic belt 106, portions of the inboard extending edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108, and portions of the first longitudinal or right side edge 128 of the chassis 102. And the peripheral edge 112b of the other leg opening may be defined by portions of the inboard extending edge 107b, portions of the inboard extending edge 109b, and portions of the second longitudinal or left side edge 130 of the chassis 102. The outboard laterally extending edges 107a, 109a may also define a front waist edge 121 and a laterally extending back waist edge 122 of the diaper pant 100P.

[0108] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 can define different sizes and shapes. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can define a curved profile. For example, the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b of the first elastic band and / or the second elastic band 106, 108 can include non-linear portions or curved portions in the first and second end regions relative to each other. Such curved profiles can help define a desired shape for the leg opening 112, for example, a relatively rounded leg opening. In addition to having a curved profile, the elastic bands 106, 108 can also include elastic strands 168 extending along a non-linear path or a curved path, which can correspond to the curved profiles of the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b.

[0109] Figure 2C A configuration is shown in which both the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 define a generally rectangular shape. Figure 2C As shown, the outer side extending edge 107a of the first elastic band 106 may have a lateral width W1D, and the inner side extending edge 107b may have a lateral width W1P, wherein W1D and W1P are equal or substantially equal. In addition, the outer side extending edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the inner side extending edge 109b may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D and W2P are equal or substantially equal.

[0110] In some configurations, at least one of the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 can include lateral edges having different lengths. Figure 2D The first elastic band 106 defines a generally rectangular shape (such as reference Figure 2C The outer side extending edge 109a and the inner side extending edge 109b of the second elastic band 108 have different lengths. Figure 2D As shown, the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the inner laterally extending edge 109b may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

[0111] In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 can each include lateral edges having different lengths. Figure 2E 1 shows a configuration in which the outer side extending edge 107a and the inner side extending edge 107b of the first elastic band 106 have different lengths, and in which the outer side extending edge 109a and the inner side extending edge 109b of the second elastic band 108 have different lengths. Figure 2EAs shown, the outer laterally extending edge 107a of the first elastic band 107 may have a lateral width W1D, and the inner laterally extending edge 107b may have a lateral width W1P, wherein W1D is greater than W1P, and wherein the outer laterally extending edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the inner laterally extending edge 109b may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

[0112] Reference FIG. 2C to FIG. 2E , the first elastic band 106 may define a longitudinal length LT1 extending between the outer laterally extending edge 107a and the inner laterally extending edge 107b, and the second elastic band 108 may define a longitudinal length LT2 extending between the outer laterally extending edge 109a and the inner laterally extending edge 109b. In some configurations, LT1 may be equal to LT2. In some configurations, LT1 may be less than or greater than LT2. FIG. 2C to FIG. 2E In some configurations, W1D may be equal to W1P, or W1D may be different from W1P. In some configurations, W2D may be equal to W2P, or W2D may be different from W2P. In some configurations, W1D and / or W1P may be equal to or different from W2D and / or W2P.

[0113] Reference Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may also each include a first substrate 162 and a second substrate 164. The first substrate 162 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the garment-facing surface of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, and the second substrate 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer-facing surface of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108. The first substrate 162 may extend a maximum length L1 from the proximal edge 162b to the distal edge 162a, and the second substrate 164 may extend a maximum length L2 from the proximal edge 164b to the distal edge 164a. It should be understood that the distal edge 162a and / or the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 may be straight and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. It should also be understood that the distal edge 164a and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may be straight and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Thus, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 162a and the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 164a and the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, L1 may be equal to, less than, or greater than L2. In some configurations, L1 may be equal to or less than LT1, and L2 may be equal to or less than LT2. In some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122, and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122. Thus, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110.

[0114] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 can extend continuously from the first belt 106 to the second belt 108. For example, the first substrate 162 can be configured to define an adjacent outer cover 162' that extends continuously from the first waist edge 121 to the second waist edge 122, such as Figure 1A , Figure 2F and Figure 3C It should also be understood that Figure 1A , Figure 2F and Figure 3C As shown, a diaper pant 100P with an adjoining outer cover may also be constructed to include various aspects of the frangible pathways and fastener components discussed herein.

[0115] It should be understood that the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 may define various lateral widths that may or may not be equal. Figure 2BAs shown, the first substrate 162 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 162e and the second longitudinal edge 162f to define a first lateral width W1, and the second substrate 164 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 164e and the second longitudinal edge 164f to define a second lateral width W2.

[0116] In some configurations, the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 can extend laterally across the backsheet 134. Figures 2A to 3 As shown, the first substrate 162 includes a garment-facing surface 162c and an opposite wearer-facing surface 162d, and the second substrate 164 includes a garment-facing surface 164c and an opposite wearer-facing surface 164d.

[0117] In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include at least a folded portion of the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164. For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include a folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162, which extends longitudinally between the fold line 162h and the lateral edge 162i in the first substrate 162. Therefore, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 can be connected to the wearer-facing surface 164d of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 can also be connected to and / or overlap the base structure 102. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 can also be connected to the wearer-facing surface 162d of the second substrate 162. In some configurations, a portion of the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may not be bonded to the base structure 102 and / or the second substrate 164, thereby forming a waste pocket with an opening oriented toward the lateral centerline 162c of the base structure 102. In another example, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include a folded portion of the second substrate 164 that extends longitudinally between a fold line in the second substrate 164 and a lateral edge. Thus, the folded portion of the second substrate 164 may be connected to the garment-facing surface 162c of the first substrate 162. Thus, in some configurations, the fold line of the first substrate 162 and / or the fold line of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110. It should be understood that various waist configurations may be used. For example, as Figure 3A1 As shown, the folded portion 162g can be sandwiched between the second substrate 164 and the backsheet 136. Figure 3A2 In another example shown, the second substrate 164 can be sandwiched between the folded portion 162g and the bottom sheet 136. Figure 3A1 and Figure 3A2The configuration of the first strap 106 is shown, but it should be understood that such a configuration may be applied to the second strap 108 .

[0118] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may contain the same material and / or may have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band may contain different materials and / or may have different structures. It should also be understood that the components of the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 (such as the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164) may be constructed of various materials. For example, the first band and / or the second band may include a first substrate 162 and / or a second substrate 164 that may be made of a material such as a plastic film; an open-cell plastic film; a woven or nonwoven web of the following fibers: a natural material (e.g., wood fiber or cotton fiber), a synthetic fiber (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene fiber), or a combination of natural fibers and / or synthetic fibers; or a coated woven or nonwoven web. In some configurations, the first band and / or the second band may include a first substrate 162 and / or a second substrate 164 of a nonwoven web containing synthetic fibers, and may include a stretchable nonwoven. In some configurations, the first elastic belt and the second elastic belt may include an inner hydrophobic non-stretchable nonwoven material and an outer hydrophobic non-stretchable nonwoven material. It should be understood that the belt can be constructed in various ways, such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent Application 63 / 111,790 and Chinese Patent Application CN2021 / 077843, both of which are incorporated by reference.

[0119] The elastic material 167 may be positioned between the wearer-facing surface 162d of the first substrate 162 and the garment-facing surface 164c of the second substrate 164. It should be understood that the elastic material 167 may include one or more elastic elements, such as strands, ribbons, elastic films or sheets extending along the length of the elastic band. Figure 2A and Figure 3 As shown, the elastic material 167 may include a plurality of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be an elastic film used to form a zero strain elastic laminate that includes an elastic film bonded to one or more nonwoven layers and subsequently subjected to a mechanical deformation or activation sufficient to weaken the nonwoven layers and enable the laminate to elastically stretch and recover.

[0120] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can be bonded together and / or to other components (such as the chassis 102) using adhesives and / or mechanical bonds. It should be understood that adhesive bonding and mechanical bonding can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0121] In some configurations, when the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164 and / or the elastic material 167 are combined to form the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108, an adhesive can be applied to at least one of them. In some configurations, when the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164 and / or the elastic material 167 are combined to form the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108, a mechanical bonding device can apply a mechanical bonding piece to at least one of them. Such mechanical bonding pieces can be applied using heat, pressure and / or ultrasonic devices. In some configurations, a mechanical bonding device can apply a bonding piece that bonds the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164 and / or the elastic material 167 together, and / or can be used to capture or fix the contraction elastic strands of discrete lengths in the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108.

[0122] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164 and / or the elastic material 167 can be bonded together using various methods and equipment to produce various elastomeric laminates, such as U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 20180168878 A1, 20180168877 A1, 20180168880 A1, 20180170027 A1, 20180169964 A1, 20180168879 A1, 20180170026 A1, 20180168889 A1, 20180168874 A1, 20180168875 A1, 20180168890 A1, 20180168887 A1, 20180168892 A1, 20180168893 A1, 20180168894 A1, 20180168895 A1, 20180168896 A1, 20180168891 A1, 20190070042 A1 and 20190070041A1 and described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 62 / 989,059 and 62 / 984,837 and combinations thereof, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0123] It should be understood that the components of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can be assembled in various ways and in various combinations to produce various desired characteristics, which can vary along the lateral width and / or longitudinal length of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108. Such characteristics can include, for example, dtex value, bonding pattern, hole arrangement, elastic positioning, average dtex value, average pre-strain value, roughness frequency, roughness wavelength, height value and / or contact area. It should be understood that different characteristics can be imparted to various components (such as, for example, the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164 and the elastic material 167) before and / or during the assembly stage of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108.

[0124] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include various configurations of band elastic material 167 arranged relative to each other and relative to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. As discussed above, the elastic material 167 may include configurations of one or more elastic elements (such as strands, ribbons, films, or sheets) positioned in various arrangements. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may include various elastic components, elastic features and arrangements, and methods for assembly, such as 2018 / 0168889 A1, 2018 / 0168874 A1, 2018 / 0168875 A1, 2018 / 0168890 A1, 2018 / 0168887A1, 2018 / 0168892 A1, 2018 / 0168876 A1, 2018 / 0168891 A1, 2019 / 0298586 A1, 2019 / 0070042 A1, 2018 / 0168878 A1, 2018 / 0168877 A1, 2018 / 0168880 A1, 2018 / 0168887A1 A1, 2018 / 0169964 A1, 2018 / 0168879 A1, 2018 / 0170026 A1 and 2019 / 0070041 A1 and described in U.S. Patent Application 62 / 989,059 and 62 / 984,837, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 herein can be configured to have the same or different colors in various different positions on the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108.

[0125] In some configurations, the elastic material 167 can be constructed as elastic strands 168 arranged at constant intervals in the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the elastic strands 168 can be arranged at different intervals in the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 in a stretched state can be inserted and joined between the uncontracted substrate layers. When the elastic material 167 relaxes, the elastic material 167 returns to the unstretched state and contracts the substrate layer. The elastic material 167 can provide a desired change in contraction force in the area of ​​the annular elastic band. It should be understood that the base structure 102 and the elastic bands 106, 108 can be constructed in a manner different from that shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 material can be continuously or intermittently joined to the substrate along the interface between the elastic material 167 material and the substrate. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be in the form of extruded elastic strands, which may also be bonded to the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 in a pre-corrugated configuration, such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,302, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0126] As mentioned above, for example, Figure 2A and Figure 3 As discussed, the elastic material 167 discussed herein can be in the form of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 can be parallel to each other and / or to the lateral axis 126. It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can be configured to include various amounts of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 can be grouped in pairs. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can include about 100 to about 1500 elastic strands 168. It should also be understood that the elastic strands 168 herein can have various decitex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values, and such elastic strands 168 can be used with other elastic strands to produce the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 including elastic strands 168 with various combinations of decitex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values. For example, in some configurations, the average decitex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be greater than 500. In some configurations, the average decitex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be about 10 to about 1500, specifically listing all 1 decitex increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of less than or equal to 4 mm. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, specifically listing all 0.01 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing greater than 4 mm. In some configurations, the average prestrain of each of the plurality of elastic strands may be about 50% to about 400%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 include an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average decitex of about 10 to about 500. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 can have an average pre-strain of about 75% to about 300%.

[0127] In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands may have a first average prestrain of about 75% to about 300%, and the second plurality of elastic strands may have a second average prestrain greater than the first average prestrain. In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands have an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average decitex of about 10 to about 500; and the second plurality of elastic strands may have an average strand spacing greater than about 4 mm and an average decitex greater than about 450.

[0128] In some configurations, such as Figure 2AAs shown, the elastic strands 168 may be referred to herein as outer waist elastic components 170 and inner waist elastic components 172. Elastic strands 168, such as the outer waist elastic components 170, may extend laterally continuously between the opposing first and second end regions 106a, 106b of the first elastic belt 106 and between the opposing first and second end regions 108a, 108b of the second elastic belt 108. Some elastic strands 168, such as the inner waist elastic components 172, may be configured to be discontinuous in certain areas, such as, for example, where the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap portions of the chassis 102, such as the absorbent assembly 140.

[0129] like Figure 2A As shown, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may be configured to have a low stretch area 701 and a high stretch area 703. The first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a first high stretch area 703a and a second high stretch area 703b separated laterally by the low stretch area 701. Portions of the chassis 102 (such as the backsheet 136 and the absorbent assembly 140) may be connected to the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 in the low stretch area 701 in the first waist region 116 and / or the second waist region 118. The high stretch area 703 is elasticized by an elastic material 167 such as elastic strands 168, 172; and the low stretch area 701 may include a cut line that separates the elastic material 167 (such as elastic strands 168, 172). In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut in an unbonded area where the elastic material is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. Therefore, the elastic material 167 retracts from the unbonded area and forms a low stretch area 701. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 can be cut into several discrete pieces. Then, the low stretch area 701 defines an area of ​​the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 that has relatively less elasticity than the high stretch area 703. The discrete elastic material 167 that has been cut and elastically contracted does not add any significant amount of elasticity to the low stretch area 701. Therefore, after applying a force, the high stretch area 703 will stretch more than the low stretch area 701. As provided above, the term "elastic", "elastomer" or "elastomeric" refers to a material that exhibits elastic properties, which includes any material that can stretch or stretch to an elongation length exceeding 10% of its initial length when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, and will substantially recover to about its initial length when the applied force is released. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be configured to have elastic, high-stretch regions 703 and can be configured to have inelastic or “non-elastic” low-stretch regions 701 .

[0130] As discussed above, reference Figures 1 to 3CThe described diaper pants 100P may include one or more breakable paths in the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108. For example, FIG. 4A to FIG. 5B An example diaper pant 100P is shown having a first belt 106 including a frangible path 700. The frangible path 700 can be configured to allow the first elastic belt 106 to tear relatively easily along the frangible path 700, such as when removing the diaper pant 100P from a wearer. Figure 4B and Figure 5B Shown respectively from Figure 4A and Figure 5A 100P, showing the first belt 106 after it has been torn along the breakable path 700 through both the outer longitudinally outwardly extending edge 107a and the inwardly extending edge 107b of the first belt 106. Figure 4B and Figure 5B The first elastic band 106 is shown separated by opposing tear lines 705. It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 can be separated along Figure 4B and Figure 5B The two breakable paths 700 in the embodiment are torn. For example, Figure 5C Show Figure 5A Diaper pants of FIG. 700, showing that the front belt has been torn along two breakable paths 700. Figure 5C As shown, after the opposing first and second end regions 106a, 106b are separated from the central region 106c by tearing the elastic band 106 along the breakable pathway 700, the central region 106c of the first elastic band 106 may remain bonded to the chassis 102.

[0131] As discussed in more detail below, the breakable pathway 700 includes a plurality of lines of weakness 704 that are configured such that all of the elastic strands 168 in the first elastic belt 106 are severed at least once in the breakable pathway 700. Severing the elastic strands 168 in the breakable pathway 700 helps to make it relatively easy to tear the first elastic belt 106 along the breakable pathway 700. For example, when the elastic strands 168 are severed, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 need only be torn without also tearing the uncut elastic strands 168. It should be understood that the diaper pant 100P may include various amounts of breakable pathways 700 that may: be positioned in various locations; define various shapes; and extend various lengths. For example, the first elastic band 106 may have a first band length defined by the longitudinal distance between the proximal edge 107b and the distal edge 107a, and the breakable passage 700 may extend a total length from the outermost edge of the line of weakness 704 closest to the proximal edge 107b of the first band 106 to the outermost edge of the line of weakness 704 closest to the distal edge 107a of the first band 106. In some configurations, the breakable passage 700 may extend a total length greater than, equal to, or less than the first band length. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may extend a certain length from the first end to the second end, and the sum of all lengths of the line of weakness 704 in the breakable passage 700 may be greater than the total breakable passage length.

[0132] In some configurations, the diaper pant 100P may be constructed such that one or both of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 include one or more breakable paths 700. The breakable paths 700 may be positioned in various locations on the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108. For example, Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the breakable passage 700 can be positioned laterally between the first side seam 178 and the second side seam 180 and the chassis 102. In another example, such as FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C As shown, the breakable path 700 can extend to overlap the base structure 102. In some configurations, the breakable path 700 can extend in a straight line and / or can be curved and / or have curved portions. In some configurations, the breakable path 700 can extend longitudinally the entire length of the first band 106 and / or the second band 108 or less than the entire length thereof.

[0133] In some configurations, the frangible passage 700 can be constructed and / or positioned to provide access to and / or function with other features, such as a disposal feature. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5CThe diaper pant 100P shown in includes a fastener component 707 positioned on the wearer-facing surface of the first elastic band 106. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be positioned between the first elastic band 106 and the chassis 102. The fastener component 707 may be configured to be refastenably connected to other parts of the diaper pant 100P. Therefore, once the first elastic band 106 is torn along the breakable path 700, the diaper pant 100P can be removed from the wearer and rolled up or folded for disposal, and the fastener component 707 can be connected to another part of the diaper pant 100P to help keep the diaper pant 100P in the disposal configuration. For example, Figure 5C The diaper pant 100P is shown after tearing the first elastic band 106 along two frangible paths. Figure 5D Show Figure 5C A diaper pant 100P in which the chassis 102 is rolled up on itself in the longitudinal direction. And Figure 5E Shows Figure 5D The diaper pants 100P of the present invention is provided in which the fastener components 707 are connected to the backsheet 134 of the chassis 102 to maintain the diaper pants 100P in the disposal configuration. In some configurations, when tearing the elastic band along the breakable path 700, the tearing process can be initiated by tearing from the outer edge 107a or the inner edge 107b of the elastic band 106. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 can also include a slit positioned adjacent to or near the fastener components 707 and the weakened area 700 to help facilitate the initiation of longitudinal tearing of the breakable path 700 in the area between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the elastic band 106.

[0134] It should also be understood that the fastener component 707 can be constructed in various ways (such as hooks, loops and / or adhesives). For example, the fastener component 707 may include a hook element or adhesive adapted to be refastenably connected to another surface of the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may include a loop element adapted to be refastenably connected to the hook surface on the diaper pants 100P. The fastener component 707 may be a separate element connected to the elastic band 106 in various ways (such as mechanical bonding, adhesive bonding or both). In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be integrally formed by the material of the elastic bands 106, 108. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be printed and / or include materials of various different colors so that the fastener component 707 may be visible from the outside of the diaper pants 100P.

[0135] As previously mentioned, fastener component 707 may include hook material, which may be engaged with substrate (such as nonwoven) in a refastenable manner on the outer surface of diaper pants 100P. For example, fastener component 707 may include a substrate with hook, wherein the substrate is bonded to elastic bands 106, 108, such as the second substrate 164 which may be in the form of nonwoven. It should be understood that the substrate may be bonded to elastic bands 106, 108 in various ways (such as, for example, using mechanical bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding and / or adhesive bonding or a combination thereof). In some configurations, the hook may be integrally formed by the second substrate 164, which may be in the form of nonwoven. Fastener component 707 may include a material or a combination of two or more materials arranged in at least partially overlapping configurations. In some configurations, fastener component 707 may include other fastener types as known in the art.

[0136] It should be understood that the fastener component 707 may include any of a variety of shapes, including a rectangular or other polygonal shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a shape with an external convex or concave surface, or a combination thereof, or one or more lines or geometric shapes forming an array. It should be understood that the fastener component 707 may include various sizes. For example, in some configurations, the fastener component 707 may have a lateral width between about 5 mm and about 100 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may have a longitudinal length between about 10 mm and about 100 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The fastener component 707 may be aligned parallel to the lateral centerline 126a, 126b of the elastic band 106, 108, or may be oriented at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal centerline 126a, 126 of the elastic band 106, 108. The fastener component 707 may include an array of two or more spaced apart fastening elements. The fastener component 707 may have a color visible through any layer of the elastic band 106, 108 on which the fastener component 707 is positioned. The elastic band 106, 108 and / or the base structure 102 may include printing or other markings that highlight the location, function and / or use of the fastener component 707 to the caregiver. The bonding piece or bonding pattern that attaches the fastener component 707 to the elastic band 106, 108 may be visually or tactilely different from the surrounding band material to provide a signal or mechanical gripping advantage to the caregiver.

[0137] It should also be understood that the breakable path may include a line of weakness 704 that is: constructed in various ways; positioned in various positions and orientations relative to each other; defined by various shapes; and extends various lengths. For example, in some configurations, the line of weakness 704 includes discrete cut lines that penetrate some or all layers of the elastic band 106. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 includes discrete bonds, wherein the materials of the first substrate and the second substrate are fused together. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 can be linear, curvilinear, or have a regular or irregular geometry, and may include one or more of perforations, bonds, orifices, or mechanically thinned regions of materials such as nonwovens, or combinations thereof. It should also be understood that the line of weakness 704 can be formed to have different lengths and spacings to achieve different separation forces.

[0138] It should be understood that various apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure may be used to assemble the various components of the prefastened pant diaper 100 described herein. For example, Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a converting apparatus 300 suitable for manufacturing a pant-type diaper 100P having an easy-to-break passage 700 is shown. Figures 1 to 5B The various components of the pant diaper 100 shown are used to describe the method of operation of the converting apparatus 300. Although the following method is Figures 1 to 5B The diaper 100 shown is provided below, but it should be understood that various embodiments of diaper pants can be made according to the methods disclosed herein, for example, absorbent articles disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Patent No. 7,569,039, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2005 / 0107764 A1, 2012 / 0061016 A1 and 2012 / 0061015 A1, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. When assembled Figures 1 to 5B When the diaper 100 is shown in Figure 6 The longitudinal direction MD of the elastic belts 106 , 108 discussed in the accompanying drawings may be parallel to the lateral centerlines 126a , 126b of the elastic belts 106 , 108 .

[0139] As described in more detail below, Figure 6The conversion processing equipment 300 shown in the figure can be operated to provide and advance the elastic laminate 200 and form a breakable path in the elastic laminate 200 and cut the elastic strand extending through the breakable path. The elastic laminate can also be cut and separated into strips along the longitudinal MD, such as the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b. In addition, the infrastructure component 102a of continuous length can be advanced and cut into discrete infrastructure 102. The discrete infrastructure 102 can be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal MD, and the relative waist area of ​​the infrastructure 102 spaced apart is subsequently connected with the first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b that are advanced. Then the edge portion of the first belt laminate 200a can be folded onto itself, and then the edge portion of the second belt laminate 200b can be folded inward onto itself. The infrastructure 102 can be folded so that the first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b are in a facing relationship, and the first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b are bonded together. The first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b are then cut in the cross-machine direction CD through the bonded areas to produce discrete pant-type diapers 100P, such as Figures 1 to 5B shown.

[0140] As previously described, the apparatus 300 may include various apparatuses and utilize various methods to produce an elastomeric laminate 200 according to the present disclosure that may be used to construct diaper components, such as the elastic bands 106, 108. For example, Figure 6 The device 300 shown in FIG. 1 may include Figure 7 and Figure 8 , which is suitable for manufacturing an elastomeric laminate 200. As described in more detail below, Figure 7 and Figure 8 The converting apparatus 301 shown operates to advance a continuous length of elastic material 202, a continuous length of a first substrate 204, and a continuous length of a second substrate 206 in the machine direction MD. It should also be understood that in some configurations, the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 herein may be defined by two discrete substrates, or may be defined by a folded portion of a single substrate. The apparatus 300 stretches the elastic material 202 and joins the stretched elastic material 202 with the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 to produce the elastomeric laminate 200. Although the elastic material 202 is shown and referred to herein as a strand 208, it should be understood that in some configurations, the elastic material 202 may include one or more continuous lengths of elastic strands, ribbons, and / or films.

[0141] It should be understood that the methods and apparatus herein may be adapted to operate with various types of absorbent article assembly processes, such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Publications 2013 / 0255861 A1, 2013 / 0255862 A1, 2013 / 0255863 A1, 2013 / 0255864 A1, and 2013 / 0255865 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the elastomeric laminate 200 may be used as a continuous length of elastomeric belt material as follows, which may be converted into the absorbent article assembly processes described above. Figure 1-5B The first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 discussed. Thus, the elastic material 202 can correspond to the belt elastic material 168 interposed between the outer layer 162 and the inner layer 164, which in turn can correspond to the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206. In other examples, the elastomeric laminate 200 can be used to construct a waistband and / or side panels in a taped diaper configuration.

[0142] It should be understood that the elastic laminate 200 can be assembled and / or supplied in a variety of ways. For example, Figure 7 and Figure 8 An example of a converting apparatus 301 for producing an elastomeric laminate 200 is shown, which may include a first metering device 312 and a second metering device 314. The first metering device 312 may be configured as an elastic strand supply device, such as one or more unwinders 302, which are generally represented by dashed rectangles and may include one or more reels of elastic strands 208. During operation, the elastic strands 208 are advanced from the unwinders 302 to the second metering device 314 in the machine direction MD. In addition, when advancing between the unwinders 302 and the second metering device 314, the elastic strands 208 may be stretched in the machine direction MD. The stretched elastic strands 208 are also joined to the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 at the second metering device 314 to produce the elastomeric laminate 200. It should be understood that the elastic strands 208 may be advanced along and / or around one or more guide rollers. It should also be understood that the elastic strands 208 can be stretched along a continuous path while advancing in the machine direction MD, or can be stretched in various steps providing multiple increases in elongation while advancing in the machine direction MD.

[0143] like Figure 7As shown, the second metering device 314 may include: a first roller 316 having an outer circumferential surface 318 and rotating about a first rotation axis 320; and a second roller 322 having an outer circumferential surface 324 and rotating about a second rotation axis 326. The first roller 316 and the second roller 322 rotate in opposite directions, and the first roller 316 is adjacent to the second roller 322 to define a roller gap 328 between the first roller 316 and the second roller 322. The first roller 316 may rotate so that the outer circumferential surface 318 has a surface speed S1, and the second roller 322 may rotate so that the outer circumferential surface 324 has the same or substantially the same surface speed S1.

[0144] like Figure 7 As shown, the first substrate 204 includes a first surface 210 and an opposite second surface 212, and the first substrate 204 is advanced to the first roller 316. Specifically, the first substrate 204 is advanced to the first roller 316 at a speed S1, wherein the first substrate 204 is partially wrapped around the outer circumferential surface 318 of the first roller 316 and is advanced through the roller gap 328. Therefore, the first surface 210 of the first substrate 204 travels in the same direction as the outer circumferential surface 318 of the first roller 316 and contacts the outer circumferential surface. In addition, the second substrate 206 includes a first surface 214 and an opposite second surface 216, and the second substrate 206 is advanced to the second roller 322. Specifically, the second substrate 206 is advanced to the second roller 322 at a speed S1, wherein the second substrate 206 is partially wrapped around the outer circumferential surface 324 of the second roller 322 and is advanced through the roller gap 328. Thus, the second surface 216 of the second substrate 206 travels in the same direction as and contacts the outer circumferential surface 324 of the second roller 322. It should be appreciated that the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 can be advanced at various speeds S1. In some configurations, the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 can be advanced at a speed S1 of about 150 meters / minute to about 500 meters / minute, specifically reciting all 1 meter / minute increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby.

[0145] In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 can also be stretched in the machine direction MD and combined with the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 in a stretched state. Figure 7 and Figure 8, the unwinder 302 can unwind or otherwise supply the elastic strand 208 advancing at a speed S2 in the machine direction MD to the nip 328. In some configurations, the speed S2 is less than the speed S1, and therefore, the elastic strand 208 is stretched in the machine direction MD. Then, the stretched elastic strand 208 advances through the nip 328 between the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206, so that the elastic strand 208 is joined with the second surface 212 of the first substrate 204 and the first surface 214 of the second substrate 206 to produce a continuous length of the elastomeric laminate 200.

[0146] like Figure 8 As shown, the first substrate 204 defines a width in the transverse direction CD between the first and second longitudinal edges 204a, 204b. And the second substrate 206 defines a width in the transverse direction CD between the first and second longitudinal edges 206a, 206b. Figure 8 As shown, the width of the first substrate 204 can be greater than the width of the second substrate 206. Thus, the first extension portion 204c of the first substrate 204 can extend outwardly in the lateral direction from the first edge 206a of the second substrate 206 to the first edge 204a of the first substrate 204, and the second extension portion 204d of the first substrate 204 can extend outwardly in the lateral direction from the second edge 206b of the second substrate 206 to the second edge 204b of the first substrate 204. It should be understood that in some embodiments, the width of the second substrate 206 can be the same as or greater than the width of the first substrate 204.

[0147] As previously mentioned, the apparatus 301 may include an elastic strand supply apparatus, such as one or more unwinders 302, which supply a plurality of elastic strands 208. It should be understood that the unwinders 302 herein may be configured in various ways. For example, the unwinders 302 may be configured with a separate reel, an unwinder with a spindle and / or a surface drive, an over-the-end unwinder, and / or a cross-beam unwinder (also referred to as a warp beam). Various types of unwinders are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,676,054, 7,878,447, 7,905,446, 9,156,648, 4,525,905, 5,060,881, and 5,775,380; U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 189,476 filed on March 2, 2021; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004 / 0219854 A1, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168879 A1, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0170026 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional examples of elastic components and associated handling equipment are available from Karl Mayer Corporation. It should be understood that the apparatus 301 can be configured to assemble the elastomeric laminate 200 using elastic strands 208 that are unwound from more than one unwinder 302, in combination with elastic strands supplied by the same and / or different types of elastic unwinder configurations. It should also be understood that the elastic strands 208 can include various types of spun finishes (also referred to herein as yarn finishes) that are configured as coatings on the elastic strands 208 and can be intended to help prevent the elastic strands from adhering to themselves, to each other, and / or to downstream handling equipment. Thus, the apparatus can also be configured to remove or partially remove spun finishes from the elastic strands, such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168877 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0148] As previously mentioned, the apparatus 301 may include one or more unwinders 302 that may supply various amounts of elastic strands. In some configurations, the unwinder 302 herein may include 1 to about 3000 spools positioned thereon, and thus may have 1 to about 3000 elastic strands 208 advanced therefrom, specifically reciting all 1 spool and 1 strand increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In turn, the elastomeric laminate 200 herein may include 1 to about 3000 elastic strands 208 spaced apart from one another in the cross-machine direction CD, specifically reciting all 1 elastic strand increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0149] It should also be understood that the apparatus and process can be configured such that the elastic strand 208 can be advanced from the unwinder 302 and directly advanced to the assembly process without having to contact additional machine components, such as, for example, guide rollers. It should also be understood that in some configurations, the elastic strand 208 can be advanced from the unwinder 302 and can be redirected and / or otherwise contacted and / or redirected by machine components (such as, for example, guide rollers) before being advanced to the assembly process.

[0150] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the elastic strands 208 can also be advanced through the strand guides 310 before being combined with the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206. The strand guides 310 can space or separate adjacent elastic strands 208 from each other by a desired distance in the cross-machine direction CD before being combined with the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the elastic strands may be advanced through a strand guide 310 positioned between the unwinder 302 and the nip 328. The strand guide 310 may be operable to change and / or indicate and / or fix the transverse CD separation distance between adjacent elastic strands 208 advanced into the nip 328 and in the assembled elastomeric laminate 200. It should be understood that the elastic strands 208 may be separated from each other by various distances along the transverse CD advanced into the nip 328 and in the assembled elastomeric laminate 200. In some configurations, adjacent elastic strands 208 may be separated from each other in the transverse CD by about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. It should be understood that the strand guide 310 may be configured in various ways. In some configurations, the strand guide 310 may be configured as a comb, which may include a plurality of tines or reeds. The advancing elastic strands 208 are then separated and spaced apart from each other in the cross-CD by the tines or reeds.In some configurations, the strand guide 310 can include a plurality of rollers that separate and space the elastic strands from each other in the cross-CD.

[0151] It should be understood that different components can be used to construct the elastomeric laminate 200 according to the methods and apparatuses herein. For example, the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 can include a nonwoven and / or a film. In addition, the elastic strands 208 can be constructed in various ways and can have various decitex values. In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 can be configured to have a decitex value ranging from about 10 decitex to about 1000 decitex, specifically listing all 1 decitex increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0152] As discussed above, it should be understood that the elastomeric laminates 200 assembled herein may include various amounts of elastic strands 208 spaced apart from each other at various distances, and may include various decitex values. For example, the elastomeric laminates 200 herein may have various elastic densities, where the elastic density may be defined as decitex per elastomeric laminate width. For example, some elastomeric laminates 200 may have an elastic density of about 30 decitex / mm to about 150 decitex / mm, specifically listing all 1 decitex / mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therefrom or therefrom. In another example, the elastomeric laminates 200 herein may have various numbers of elastic strands arranged per meter of elastomeric laminate transverse width in the cross-machine direction CD. For example, some elastomeric laminates 200 may have from about 500 elastic strands per meter of elastomeric laminate width to about 2000 elastic strands per meter of elastomeric laminate width, specifically listing all 1 elastic strand / meter increments within the above range and all ranges formed therefrom or therefrom.

[0153] like Figure 7 As shown, the apparatus 301 may include one or more adhesive applicator devices 334 that may apply adhesive 218 to at least one of the elastic strands 208, the first substrate 204, and the second substrate 206 prior to combination to form the elastomeric laminate 200. For example, the first substrate 204 may be advanced through an adhesive applicator device 334a that applies adhesive 218 to the second surface 212 of the first substrate 204 prior to advancing to the nip 328. It should be understood that the adhesive 218 may be applied to the first substrate 204 upstream of the first roller 316 and / or while the first substrate 204 partially surrounds the outer circumferential surface 318 of the first roller 316. In another example, the second substrate 206 may be advanced through an adhesive applicator device 334b ​​that applies adhesive 218 to the first surface 214 of the second substrate 206 prior to advancing to the nip 328. It should be appreciated that the adhesive 218 can be applied to the second substrate 206 upstream of the second roller 322 and / or while the second substrate 206 is partially wrapped around the outer circumferential surface 324 of the second roller 324. In another example, the adhesive applicator device 334c can be configured to apply the adhesive 218 to the elastic strands 208 prior to and / or while engaging the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206.

[0154] It should be understood that the adhesive applicator device 334 herein is constructed in various ways, such as a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the adhesive applicator device 334 can be constructed according to the apparatus and / or method disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014 / 0148773 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0155] It should be understood that the elastic strands 208 may be continuously or intermittently bonded to the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the interface between the elastic strand 208 material and the substrates 204, 206. Thus, the elastic laminate 200 may include non-bonded areas intermittently spaced apart in the machine direction MD between the bonded areas, wherein the elastic strands 208 are not bonded to the first substrate 204 or the second substrate 206 in the non-bonded areas. Thus, the elastic strands 208 may be severed in the non-bonded areas in a subsequent process step, and thus, for example, the above-described low-stretch regions 701 may be formed.

[0156] In some configurations, adhesive 334 may be intermittently applied to the first substrate 204, the second substrate 206, and / or the elastic strands 208 to create intermittent bonds between the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the length of the elastic strands 208. It should be understood that the intermittent application of adhesive 334 can be produced using a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device that applies an intermittent pattern of adhesive 334. In some configurations, adhesive 334 may be intermittently applied along the length of the advancing elastic strands 208 to create intermittent bonds between the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the length of the elastic strands 208. In some configurations, the slot coating device can be configured to continuously apply adhesive 334 to the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 at a relatively low basis weight, wherein the relatively low adhesive basis weight results in intermittent bonds between the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the length of the elastic strands 208. In some configurations, the slot coating apparatus can be configured to continuously apply the adhesive 334 to the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 at a relatively high basis weight, wherein the relatively high adhesive basis weight results in a continuous bond between the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the length of the elastic strand 208. In some configurations, the adhesive 334 can be continuously applied along the length of the advancing elastic strand 208 to create a continuous bond between the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 along the length of the elastic strand 208.

[0157] In some configurations, the apparatus 301 may include a mechanical bonding device that applies a mechanical bond to the elastomeric laminate 200, such as, for example, a bond that can be applied using heat, pressure, and / or ultrasonic devices. Examples of ultrasonic bonding devices (which may include linear or rotary configurations) are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,113,225, 3,562,041, 3,733,238, 5,110,403, 6,036,796, 6,508,641, and 6,645,330. In some configurations, the ultrasonic bonding device may be configured as a linear oscillating sonotrode, such as, for example, a linear oscillating sonotrode available from Herrmann Ultrasonic, Inc. Additional examples of mechanical bonding devices and methods are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,854,984, 6,291,039, 6,248,195, 8,778,127 and 9,005,392 and U.S. Patent Publications 2014 / 0377513 A1 and 2014 / 0377506 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the mechanical bonding device can apply mechanical bonding members to the elastomer laminate at or downstream of the roller gap 328. The mechanical bonding device can apply bonding that bonds the first substrate 204, the second substrate 206 and / or the elastic strands 208 together, and / or can be used to capture or fix the discrete lengths of the constructed elastic strands 208 in the elastomer laminate 200. It should also be understood that the apparatus herein may include one, some or all of the adhesive applicator devices 334a, 334b, 334c and mechanical bonding devices mentioned herein.

[0158] It should also be understood that the elastic strands 208 can be bonded to the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206 using various methods and apparatuses to produce various elastomeric laminates, such as those described in U.S. Patent Publications 2018 / 0168878 A1, 2018 / 0168877 A1, 2018 / 0168880 A1, 2018 / 0170027 A1, 2018 / 0169964 A1, 2018 / 0168879 A1, 2018 / 0170026 A1, 2018 / 0168889 A1, 2018 / 0168874 A1, 2018 / 0168875 A1, 2018 / 0168890 A1, 2018 / 0168887 A1, 2018 / 0168892 A1 A1, 2018 / 0168876 A1, 2018 / 0168891 A1, 2019 / 0070042 A1 and 2019 / 0070041 A1 and combinations thereof, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0159] It should be understood that the apparatus 301 herein can be configured in various ways with various features described herein to assemble an elastomeric laminate 200 having various stretch properties. For example, when the elastomeric laminate 200 is stretched, some elastic strands 208 can apply a different contraction force in the longitudinal direction MD than the contraction force applied by other elastic strands 208. Such different stretch properties can be achieved by stretching some elastic strands 208 more or less than other elastic strands 208 before the elastic strands are joined to the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206. As discussed above, the reels of the elastic strands 208 can be unwound from one or more unwinders 302 at different speeds from each other, and therefore, when combined with the first substrate and the second substrate, the elastic strands 208 can be stretched more or less. For example, as previously discussed, the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 can each advance at a speed S1. In some configurations, some elastic strands 208 can be advanced at a speed S2 that is less than the speed S1 and also different from the advancement speed of other elastic strands. Thus, when combined with the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206, some of the elastic strands 208 are stretched different amounts in the machine direction MD.

[0160] As discussed herein, the elastic strands 208 may be pre-strained before joining the elastic strands 208 to the first substrate layer 204 or the second substrate layer 206. In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 may be pre-strained from about 75% to about 300%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 may be pre-strained from about 80% to about 250%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Pre-strain refers to the strain applied to the elastic material or elastomeric material before combining the elastic material or elastomeric material with another element of the elastomeric laminate or absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by the following equation: Pre-strain = ((extended length of elastic relaxation length of elastic thread) / relaxed length of elastic thread)*100.

[0161] It should also be understood that the elastic strands 208 may have a variety of different material configurations and / or decitex values ​​to form an elastomeric laminate 200 having different stretch properties in different areas. In some configurations, reels of elastic strands 208 with different decitex values ​​may be positioned on one or more unwinders 302 and advanced from the one or more unwinders. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate 200 may have regions where the elastic strands 208 are relatively closely spaced from each other in the cross-CD, and other regions where the elastic strands 208 are relatively further spaced from each other in the cross-CD to form different stretch properties in different regions. In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 may be supplied on reels in a stretched state, and therefore, additional stretching may not be required (or relatively less additional stretching may be required) before being combined with the first substrate 204 and / or the second substrate 206. In some configurations, different stretch properties in the elastomeric laminate 200 may be formed by bonding another substrate and / or an elastomeric laminate and / or an elastic film to a specific region of the elastomeric laminate. In some configurations, different stretch properties in the elastomeric laminate 200 can be created by folding a portion of the elastomeric laminate upon itself in specific areas of the elastomeric laminate.

[0162] In some configurations, the elastic strands 208 can be joined to the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 so that the elastomeric laminate 200 can have different stretch properties in different zones along the cross-machine direction CD, such as described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2006 / 0094319 A1, 2006 / 0032578 A1, 2018 / 0168878 A1, 2018 / 0168877 A1, 2018 / 0168880 A1, 2018 / 0170027 A1, 2018 / 0169964 A1, 2018 / 0168879 A1, 20180170026 A1, 2018 / 0168889 A1, 2018 / 0168874 A1, 2018 / 0168875 A1, 2018 / 0168890 A1, 2018 / 0168887 A1, 2018 / 0168892 A1, 2018 / 0168876 A1, 2018 / 0168891 A1, 2019 / 0070042 A1 and 2019 / 0070041 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, the elastomeric laminate 200 may include different tension zones, and the tension zones may help make some web handling operations less cumbersome, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002 / 0009940 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0163] See again Figure 6, the elastic laminate 200 can be advanced in the machine direction MD to a cutting device 500 suitable for forming a breakable passage 700 in the elastic laminate 200. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the cutting device 500 may include a knife roll 502 positioned adjacent to an anvil roll 504 to define a nip 506 therebetween. The knife roll 502 may include an outer circumferential surface 508 and a blade 510 extending radially outward to a blade edge 604 and adapted to rotate about an axis 514 in a first direction Dir1. The anvil roll 504 may include an outer circumferential surface 516 adapted to rotate about an axis 518 in a second direction Dir2 opposite to the first direction Dir1. When the elastic laminate 200 is advanced through the nip 506 between the knife roll 502 and the anvil roll 504, the blade 510 operates to form a breakable passage 700 in the elastic laminate 200. As discussed in more detail below, the blade edge 604 acts on the elastic laminate 200 to create discrete weak lines 704 defining each breakable passage 700. When forming the weak lines 704, the blade edge 604 may also cut the elastic strands 208 extending through the weak lines 704. As discussed in more detail below, the blade 510 can be configured such that all elastic strands 208 extending through the breakable passage 700 are cut at the line of weakness 704, such that some elastic strands are cut only once, and such that some elastic strands are cut more than once.

[0164] It should be understood that the cutting device 500 can be configured in various ways to have various different blade configurations suitable for forming different configurations of the frangible passage 700. For example, Fig. 10A Another configuration of a cutting device 500 suitable for forming a frangible pathway 700 in an elastic laminate 200 is shown.

[0165] In some configurations, the cutting device 500 may also be adapted to cut the elastic strands 208 to create areas of reduced elasticity in the elastic laminate 200, which may also be referred to as raised elastic cutting. For example, zones of the elastic strands 208 may be intermittently failed along the length of the elastic laminate 200 by cutting the elastic strands 208 to create low stretch areas 701 spaced longitudinally between high stretch areas 703, as described above with reference to Figure 2A Subsequently, the chassis 102 may be subsequently connected to the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b so as to overlap the low stretch zone 701. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the knife roll 502 may include a blade 511 adapted to cut the elastic strands 208 to form the low stretch area 701. For example, the blade 511 may cut the elastic strands 208 in an unbonded area where the length of the elastic strands 208 is not bonded to the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206. The raised cut area 709 where the blade 511 contacts the elastic laminate 200 is formed at Fig.10, generally shown as a cross-hatched area. Thus, the cut elastic strands 208 can be retracted from the unbonded area to form a low-stretch area 701. In some configurations, the blade 511 can cut the elastic strands 208 into several pieces along the longitudinal direction MD to form a low-stretch area 701, such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 281,113 filed on November 19, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. The cutting device 500 can be constructed with various aspects of the cutting devices and blades disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,440,043, 10,759,153, and 10,807,263 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0180182 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference. In contrast to or in addition to a blade, it should be understood that the cutting device 500 can be configured to perform a cutting operation in various ways, such as using a laser or ultrasonic waves, for example as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2016 / 0354254 A1, 2016 / 0128874 A1, 2017 / 0266941 A1, 2017 / 0266057 A1, and 2017 / 0266056 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the apparatus 300 can be configured to include an additional cutting device separate from the cutting device 500 to perform a ridge cutting operation.

[0166] In some configurations, such as Figure 6 The apparatus 300 shown may be configured to assemble an elastomeric laminate 200 that may be cut in the machine direction MD to define individual elastic strips of the elastomeric laminate 200. For example, Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the continuous elastomeric laminate 200 can be advanced to a cutting device 350, wherein the elastomeric laminate 200 is cut and separated into strips, such as, for example, a first continuous elastomeric laminate 200a and a second continuous elastomeric laminate 200b, along the machine direction MD. It should be understood that the elastomeric laminate 200 can be cut by a shear cutting operation or an extrusion cutting operation. In an extrusion cutting operation, the first substrate 204 and the second substrate 206 can be bonded together during the cutting operation.

[0167] Continue to refer Fig.10, the cutting device 350 can be configured to cut the elastic laminate 200 along the longitudinal direction MD, cutting through the low stretch area 701 to produce the first low stretch area 701a and the second low stretch area 701b. It should be understood that the first elastic laminate 200a can correspond to the above-mentioned first elastic belt 106, and the second elastic laminate 200b can correspond to the above-mentioned second elastic belt 108. As discussed in more detail below, when assembling the diaper pants 100P, the elastic laminate 200 can be converted into the first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or the second elastic belt laminate 200b. The first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b can be separated from each other in the transverse direction CD. Then, the opposite end areas of the base structure 102 can be connected to the low stretch area 701a in the first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or the low stretch area 701b in the second elastic belt laminate 200b. During a subsequent assembly operation, the chassis 102 can be folded so as to position the first elastic belt laminate 200a in a facing relationship with the second elastic belt laminate 200b. The overlapping belt laminates 200a, 200b can be bonded together and then formed into discrete diaper pants 100P by separating the first belt laminate 200a and the second belt laminate 200b into the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 by cutting through the bonded areas of the first belt laminate 200a and the second belt laminate 200b in the cross-machine direction CD. Thus, the bonded areas can be divided to define the first side seams 178 and the second side seams 180, respectively.

[0168] The first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b can be advanced from the cutting device 350 through a diverter 352, which separates the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b from each other in the transverse CD. It should be understood that the diverter 352 can be constructed in various ways. For example, in some embodiments, the diverter 352 may include a turning rod at an angle of 45 degrees or some other angle relative to the longitudinal MD. In some embodiments, the diverter may include a convex roller. In some embodiments, the diverter 352 may include a pivot or tracking station, such as, for example, the FIFE-500 fiber web guide system manufactured by Maxcess-FIFE Corporation, which can adjust the position of the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b along the transverse CD. Other suitable pivots or tracking stations are available from Erhardt & Leimer, Inc. The diverter may also include an instrument and a fiber web edge control structure that allows precise active control of the substrate position.

[0169] It should be understood that the device 300 can be configured in various ways and perform more or fewer converting operations and / or in various different execution orders. For example, the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b can be formed from independent continuous lengths of material similar to those described above, and therefore, a cutting step and / or a turning step would not be required. In some configurations, the elastic laminate 200 can be first advanced to the cutting device 350, and the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b can then be introduced to the cutting device 500.

[0170] refer to Figure 6 and Fig. 6A , the first elastic laminate 200a includes an outer longitudinal edge 200aa and an inner longitudinal edge 200ab, which can define a substantially constant width W1 along the transverse CD. The second elastic laminate 200b includes an outer longitudinal edge 200ba and an inner longitudinal edge 200bb, which can define a substantially constant width W2 along the transverse CD. In some configurations, W1 and W2 can be equal or unequal. For example, in some configurations, W2 can be greater than W1. The first elastic laminate 200a is separated from the second elastic laminate 200b along the transverse CD to define a gap between the inner longitudinal edge 200ab of the first elastic laminate 200a and the inner longitudinal edge 200bb of the second elastic laminate 200b. It should be understood that the first elastic laminate 200a can correspond to and be converted into the first elastic belt 106 of the assembled diaper pants 100P, and the second elastic laminate 200b can correspond to and be converted into the first elastic belt 108 of the assembled diaper pants 100P. Thus, the inner longitudinal edge 200ab of the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond to the inner laterally extending edge 107b of the first elastic belt 106, and the inner longitudinal edge 200bb of the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the inner laterally extending edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108. As discussed in more detail below, the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b are advanced from the diverter 352 and combined with the discrete chassis 102.

[0171] Reference now Figure 6 and Figure 6B The continuous length of the basic structure component 102a is advanced in the longitudinal direction MD and defines a width in the transverse direction CD. The continuous length of the basic structure component 102a may include an absorbent assembly 140 sandwiched between the top sheet material 138 and the back sheet material 136, leg elastic components, barrier leg cuffs, etc.

[0172] like Figure 6 , Figure 6B and Fig.6C1As shown, the continuous length of chassis assembly 102a can be advanced to a cutting device 354 and can be cut into discrete chassis 102. Subsequently, the discrete chassis 102 is combined with the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b. In some configurations, the discrete chassis 102 is advanced from the cutting device 354 to a carrier device 356, which is Figure 6 102 and the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b are combined, which may also be referred to herein as a base structure-belt combing operation. It should be understood that various forms of carrier devices 356 can be used with the method herein, such as, for example, carrier devices disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Patent No. 7,587,966 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013 / 0270065 A1, 2013 / 0270069 A1, 2013 / 0270066 A1 and 2013 / 0270067 A1. In some embodiments, the carrier device 356 can rotate at a variable angular velocity, which can be changed or adjusted by a controller to change the relative placement of the base structure 102 and the advancing belt laminates 200a, 200b.

[0173] exist Figure 6 and Fig.6C1 In the exemplary operation shown, after the discrete absorbent base structures 102 are cut by the cutting device 354, the carrier device 356 is arranged in the machine direction MD. Fig.6C1 The orientation shown advances the discrete chassis 102. The carrier device 356 also changes the orientation of the advancing chassis 102. In changing the orientation of the chassis, the carrier device 356 can turn each chassis 102 so that the lateral axis 126 of the chassis 102 is parallel or substantially parallel to the machine direction MD, such as Fig.6C2 The carrier device 356 can also change the speed at which the chassis 102 is advanced in the machine direction MD to a different speed. Fig.6C2 The orientation of the chassis 102 on the carrier device 308 during advancement in the machine direction MD is shown. More specifically, Fig.6C2 The chassis 102 is shown with the lateral axis 126 of the chassis 102 being substantially parallel to the machine direction MD. Figure 6 As shown, adhesive 358 may be intermittently applied to first and second tape laminates 200a, 200b prior to being combined with discrete chassis 102 from carrier apparatus 356. It should be appreciated that adhesive 358 may include one or more adhesives that may be applied by one or more adhesive applicators.

[0174] As referenced below Figure 6 , Fig.6D1 , Fig.6D2 , Fig. 6E and Fig. 6F As described, the discrete chassis 102 is transferred from the carrier apparatus 356 and combined with an advancing continuous length of belt laminate 200a , 200b , which is subsequently cut to form the first and second elastic belts 106 , 108 on the diaper 100 .

[0175] like Figure 6 , Fig.6D1 and Fig.6D2 As shown, the chassis 102 is transferred from the carrier device 356 and combined with the continuous length of the advancing first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b. The chassis 102 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction MD. The first waist region 116 of the chassis 102 can be bonded to the second substrate 208 of the first elastic laminate 200a, and the second waist region 118 of the chassis 102 can be bonded to the second substrate 208 of the second elastic laminate 200b. As previously described, the first elastic laminate 200a can correspond to and be converted into the first elastic belt 106 of the assembled diaper pants 100P, and the second elastic laminate 200b can correspond to and be converted into the first elastic belt 108 of the assembled diaper pants 100P. Therefore, the first substrate 204 of the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b can correspond to the first substrate 162 on the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, respectively. And the second substrate 206 of the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the second substrate 164 on the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, respectively.

[0176] like Figure 6 As shown, the combined chassis 102, first belt laminate 200a and second belt laminate 200b are advanced to an edge transformation device 360. In some configurations, the edge transformation device 360 ​​may be configured as a folding device that operates to fold the first belt laminate 200a and / or the second belt laminate 200b in the cross-machine direction CD along a fold line extending in the machine direction MD, which may also be referred to herein as a waist edge folding operation. Fig.6D1 and Fig.6D2 As shown, the edge transformation device 360 ​​operates to fold the first substrate 204 longitudinally on the first elastic laminate 200a to position the second surface 212 of the first extension portion 204c of the first substrate 204 in a facing relationship with the first surface 214 of the second substrate 206. The edge transformation device 360 ​​also operates to fold the first substrate 204 longitudinally on the second elastic laminate 200b to position the second surface 212 of the second extension portion 204d of the first substrate 204 in a facing relationship with the first surface 214 of the second substrate 206.

[0177] Thus, the edge transformation apparatus 360 generates a fold line 204h extending in the machine direction MD in the first belt laminate 200a. The edge transformation apparatus 360 also generates a fold line 204h extending in the machine direction MD in the second belt laminate 200b. Subsequently, the fold line 204h in the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond to the fold line 162h defining the outer longitudinal edge 107a of the first elastic belt 106 in the assembled diaper pant 100P, and the fold line 204h in the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the fold line 162h defining the outer longitudinal edge 109a of the second elastic belt 108 in the assembled diaper pant 100P, as described above with reference to Figure 3A and Figure 3B discussed.

[0178] like Fig.6D2 As shown, the edge transformation device 360 ​​forms a folded portion 204g in the first belt laminate 200a, which extends between the first outer longitudinal edge 204a of the first substrate 204 and the fold line 200h. And the edge transformation device 360 ​​forms a folded portion 204g in the second belt laminate 200b, which extends between the second longitudinal edge 204b of the first substrate 204 and the fold line 200h. Fig.6D2 As shown, the folded portion 204g of the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b is folded so as to overlap the first laterally extending end edge 144 and / or the second laterally extending end edge 146 of each chassis 102 and the top sheet 138. In turn, the folded portion 204g in the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond to the folded portion 162g of the first elastic belt 106 in the assembled diaper pant 100P, and the folded portion 204g in the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the folded portion 162g of the second elastic belt 108 in the assembled diaper pant 100P, as described above with reference to Figure 3A and Figure 3B It should be understood that the folded portion 204g, the opposing end regions of the top sheet 138, and the first surface 214 of the second substrate 206 may be bonded together in a variety of ways, such as with an adhesive and / or a mechanical bond.

[0179] Return to see Figure 6 , Fig.6D1 and 6D2 , the continuous length of absorbent article 100a is defined by a plurality of discrete base structures 102 that are separated from one another along the machine direction MD and connected to one another by the second belt laminate 200b and the first belt laminate 200a. Figure 6As shown, a continuous length of absorbent articles 100a can be advanced from an edge transformation device 360 ​​to a folding device 362. At the folding device 362, each chassis 102 is folded in the cross-direction CD parallel to or along the lateral axis 126 to place the first waist region 116 (and specifically, the body-facing inner surface 132) in a facing, surface-to-surface orientation with the inner body surface 132 of the second waist region 118. The folding of the chassis also positions the second belt laminate 200b extending between each chassis 102 in a facing relationship with the first belt laminate 200a extending between each chassis 102. It should be understood that the folding device 364 can be configured in various ways, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013 / 0203580 A1 and 2017 / 0304124 A1, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0180] like Figure 6 and Fig. 6E As shown, the folded discrete infrastructure 102 connected with the first belt laminate 200a and the second belt laminate 200b can be advanced to the bonding machine device 364 from the folding device 362. The bonding machine device 364 operates to form the bonding zone 250 spaced apart intermittently along the longitudinal direction, and the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b are bonded together by this bonding zone, which may also be referred to as the side seam operation in this article. It should be understood that the bonding machine device 364 can be constructed in various ways so as to produce the bonding zone in various ways, such as for example utilizing heat, adhesive, pressure and / or ultrasonic waves. It should also be understood that in some embodiments, except permanent bonding or contrary to permanent bonding, the equipment 300 may also be configured to bond the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b together in a refastening manner. Therefore, the bonding zone 250 may be configured to be refastening, such as with a hook and loop.

[0181] See now Figure 6 and Fig. 6F , the continuous length of absorbent articles 100a is advanced from the bonder 364 to the cutting device 366, wherein the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b are cut through the bonding areas 250 in the cross-machine direction CD to produce discrete absorbent articles 100 having first and second bonding areas 250a, 250b, which may also be referred to herein as a final knife cutting operation. Fig. 6FAs shown, the first belt laminate 200a and the second belt laminate 200b are cut into discrete pieces to form the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, each elastic belt having a pitch PL extending along the longitudinal direction MD. Thus, the bonding area 250a can correspond to and form the first side seam 178 on the absorbent article 100, and the bonding area 250b can correspond to and form the second side seam 180 on the subsequently advanced absorbent article. In addition, the assembled absorbent article 100P can also include a breakable passage 700 in the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108, such as the above reference FIG. 4A to FIG. 5B discussed.

[0182] As mentioned above Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As discussed and as referenced below FIG. 11A to FIG. 12B As discussed, the cutting device 500 can form the breakable pathway 700 in a variety of ways and in a variety of shapes, and can be positioned in various locations on the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b relative to other features and / or elements formed in other process operations, such as, for example: a chassis-belt combination operation; a waist edge folding operation; a side seam operation; and a final knife cutting operation.

[0183] Fig.11A It can be shown by referring to the above Fig. 9 and Fig.10 An example of a first frangible via 700a and a second frangible via 700b formed on a first elastic substrate 200a is discussed with the cutting device 500. Fig.11A The breakable passage 700 in the embodiment extends from the inner longitudinal edge 200ab of the first elastic laminate 200a to the outer longitudinal edge 200aa in the cross-machine direction CD. The breakable passages 700 herein may each include one or more zones 7000 (such as 7001, 7002, ..., 700n) including weak lines 704 of different types, numbers, sizes and / or orientations. For example, the breakable passages 700a, 700b may each include a first zone 7001 extending from the inner longitudinal edge 200ab adjacent to the first elastic laminate 200a in the cross-machine direction CD to a second zone 7002. Fig.11AAs shown, the second zone 7002 includes a longer length than the first zone 7001 extending in the longitudinal direction MD. Therefore, the breakable path can transition from the first zone to the second zone, wherein the longitudinal length increases in the longitudinal direction MD. The second zone 7002 can extend from the first zone 7001 in the transverse direction CD and transition to the third zone 7003 adjacent to the first longitudinal edge 206a of the second substrate 206. And the third zone 7003 can extend from the second zone 7002 in the transverse direction CD to the first outer longitudinal edge 204a adjacent to the first substrate 204. Therefore, the third zone 7003 can extend from the first longitudinal edge 206a adjacent to the second substrate 206 across the extension portion 204c of the first substrate 204 to the first outer longitudinal edge 204a adjacent to the first substrate 204.

[0184] It should be understood that the first zone 7001, the second zone 7002, and the third zone 7003 can define different shapes; different lengths along the machine direction MD; and / or define different widths along the cross direction CD. In addition, the first zone 7001, the second zone 7002, and the third zone 7003 can be oriented in various different ways relative to the machine direction MD and / or the cross direction CD. For example, as discussed above, the breakable path 700 includes a plurality of weak lines 704. Fig.11A As shown, the lines of weakness 704 in the third zone 7003 can be sized, shaped, oriented, arranged and / or positioned to define a pattern that is a mirror image of the pattern of the lines of weakness 704 in the second zone 7002 with respect to a reference line extending in the machine direction MD (such as, for example, relative to the first longitudinal edge 206a of the second substrate 206). Thus, when the first elastic laminate 200a is subjected to a waist edge folding operation, such as described above with reference to Fig.6D1 and Fig.6D2 As discussed, when the extension portion 204c is folded along the folding line 200h, the line of weakness 704 in the third region 7003 may overlap and may be aligned with the line of weakness 704 in the second region 7002, such as Fig. 11B shown.

[0185] As discussed above, the breakable pathway 700 may be positioned in various locations on the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b relative to other features and / or elements formed in other process operations, such as, for example: the chassis-belt combination operation; the waist edge folding operation; the side seam operation; and the final knife cutting operation. For example, Fig. 11C An example of a bonded area 250 formed during a side seaming operation using a bonder apparatus 364 is shown, as described above with reference to FIG. Figure 6 and Fig. 6E As stated. Fig. 11C As shown, the bonding area 250 can be positioned between the first breakable via 700a and the second breakable via 700b. Fig.11D As shown in the above reference Figure 6and Figure 6 After the final knife cutting operation discussed above, the first frangible passage 700a may be adjacent to the first side seam 178 of an assembled diaper pant 100P, and the second frangible passage 700b may be adjacent to the second side seam 180 of another assembled diaper pant 100P.

[0186] As discussed above, the frangible pathway 700 can include a line of weakness 704 that can be sized, shaped, oriented, arranged, and / or positioned in a variety of different ways and / or sized, shaped, oriented, arranged, and / or positioned to define a variety of patterns. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B For example, in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D Detailed view of the line of weakness 704 of a portion of the frangible passage 700 in the first belt 106 and the second belt of the pant diaper 100P is shown. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B As shown, the line of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 cuts and separates the elastic strand 208 (168) at least once. The line of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 may also cut and separate the elastic strand into discrete pieces 706. For clarity, the elastic strand 208 (168) and the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168) are shown in FIG. Fig. 12A The weak line 704 is not shown in FIG. Fig. 12B The elastic strands 208 (168) and the discrete blocks 706 of the elastic strands 208 (168) are lightened in the middle to enhance the visibility of the elastic strands 208 (168) and the discrete blocks 706 of the elastic strands 208 (168). In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 penetrates the elastic strands 208 (168), the first substrate 204, and the second substrate 164. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may penetrate the elastic strands 208 (168) and only one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may penetrate the elastic strands 208 (168) that bond the first substrate 204 (162) to the second substrate 206 (164). In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may sever the elastic strands 208 (168) in a manner such that the severed elastic strands 208 (168) do not retract toward each other at the line of weakness and do not separate from each other at the line of weakness 704. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 can damage the elastic strand 208 ( 168 ) at the line of weakness 704 in such a manner that some portion of the damaged elastic strand 208 ( 168 ) resides in and / or extends through the line of weakness 704 .

[0187] It should be understood that relative to the reference Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The description provided with respect to the details of the frangible pathway 700 and the line of weakness 704 described also applies to the frangible pathway 700 shown in the other figures described herein. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12BWhen the description of the breakable path 700 of the elastic laminate 200a in FIG. 1 is applied to the breakable path 700 and the weakness line 704 in the figure showing the assembled diaper pants 100P, the orientation of the breakable path 700 and the weakness line 704 relative to the longitudinal direction MD and the transverse direction CD can also be intercepted relative to the lateral axis 126 and the longitudinal axis 124 of the first belt 106 of the assembled diaper pants 100P, respectively.

[0188] It should be understood that the lines of weakness 704 can be arranged in a variety of orientations and sizes. Fig. 12A As shown, the line of weakness can be oriented to define an offset angle 708 relative to the machine direction MD. The offset angle 708 can be sized to help minimize or prevent separation of the opposite sides 704a, 704b of the line of weakness 704 when the elastic laminate 200a (108) is subjected to opposing forces in the longitudinal or lateral directions, such as when the elastic bands 106, 108 are stretched laterally. In some configurations, the offset angle 708 can be greater than 10 degrees and less than 80 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby.

[0189] Continue to refer Fig. 12A , the weak lines 704 may be arranged in rows 710, which include at least a first row 710a and a second row 710b adjacent to the first row 710a. The weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and the second row 710b may extend a length 712 from a first end 704c to a second end 704d. In some configurations, the length 712 of each weak line 704 in the first row 710a and the second row 710b may be about 1mm to about 10mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and the weak lines 704 in the second row 710b are parallel to each other. The weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and / or the second row 710b may be separated from each other by a cutting line gap distance 714. In some configurations, the cut line gap distance 714 can be from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. The first ends 704c of the cut lines 704 in the first row 710b and the first ends 704c of the weak lines 704 in the second row 710b can be aligned along a first reference line 716 oriented to define a row angle 720 relative to the lateral axis 126. In some configurations, the row angle 720 can be from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. As Fig. 12AAs shown, the second end 704d of the weak line 704 in the first row 710a and the second end 704d of the weak line 704 in the second row 710b can be aligned along the second reference line 718. In some configurations, the second reference line 718 is parallel to the first reference line 716. In addition, the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a can be separated from the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b by a row gap distance 722. When the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a is located downstream of the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b in the machine direction MD, the row gap distance 722 can be expressed as a positive number. When the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a is located upstream of the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b in the machine direction MD, the row gap distance 722 can be expressed as a negative number. In some configurations, the row gap distance 722 can be about -10 mm to about 10 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0190] As previously described, the lines of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 may cut some of the elastic strands 208 (168) once, and may cut some of the elastic strands 208 (168) more than once to separate some of the elastic strands 208 (168) into discrete pieces 706. Fig. 12B As shown, the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand (208) 168 extend an elastic piece length 724 between a first end 725 and a second end 726. In some configurations, the first elastic piece length 724 of the discrete pieces 706 can be defined by the distance extending laterally between the lines of weakness 704 in the first row 710a and the lines of weakness 704 in the second row 710b. As previously mentioned, the elastic strand 168 can be continuously bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164), or can be intermittently bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). Thus, the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168) can be continuously bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164), or can be intermittently bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). It should also be appreciated that the elastic strands 208 (168) and discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strands 208 (168) may be bonded with an adhesive applied to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162), the second substrate 206 (164), and the elastic strands 208 (168).

[0191] As mentioned above, the knife roll 502 may include blades 510 that extend radially outward to a blade edge 604 that is adapted to rotate about an axis 514. Thus, the blade edge 604 may be oriented to cut the elastic strands 208 on the first substrate 200a into breakable pathways 700 in the elastic laminate 200a, the breakable pathways having corresponding lines of weakness 704 and discrete elastic blocks 706, as described above with reference to Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B described. Fig.13 An exemplary orientation of a portion of a set of blade edges 604 on the knife roll 502 is shown. It should be appreciated that the knife roll 502 may be configured to rotate at a variable angular velocity or a constant angular velocity and may be driven by a servo motor.

[0192] It should be understood that the blade edge 604 can be arranged in various orientations and sizes. Fig.13 As shown, the blade edge 604 can be oriented to define an offset angle 608 relative to the rotation axis 514. In some configurations, the offset angle 608 can be greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Fig.13 , the blade edges 604 may be arranged in rows 610, which include at least a first row 610a and a second row 610b adjacent to the first row 610a. The blade edges in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may extend a length 612 from a first end 604c to a second end 604d. In some configurations, the length 612 of each blade edge 604 in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may be about 1mm to about 10mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the blade edges 604 in the first row 610a and the blade edges 604 in the second row 610b are parallel to each other. The blade edges 604 in the first row 610a and / or the second row 610b may be separated from each other by a blade edge gap distance 614. In some configurations, the blade edge gap distance 614 may be about 1mm to about 10mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The first ends 604c of the blade edges 604 in the first row 610b and the first ends 604c of the blade edges 604 in the second row 610b can be aligned along a first reference line 616 oriented to define a row angle 620 relative to the rotation axis 514. In some configurations, the row angle 620 can be from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby. Fig.13As shown, the second end 604d of the blade edge 604 in the first row 610a and the second end 604d of the blade edge 604 in the second row 610b can be aligned along the second reference line 618. In some configurations, the second reference line 618 is parallel to the first reference line 616. In addition, the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a can be separated from the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b by a row gap distance 622. When the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a is located upstream of the machine direction MD of the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b, the row gap distance 622 can be expressed as a positive number. When the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a is located downstream of the machine direction MD of the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b, the row gap distance 622 can be expressed as a negative number. In some configurations, the row gap distance 622 can be about -10 mm to about 10 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0193] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14D2 The above references are provided Figure 6 , Fig. 9 and Fig. 10A Illustrations of additional examples of how the cutting device 500 discussed may form a breakable path 700 in various manners and various shapes, which breakable path may be positioned in various locations on the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b relative to other features and / or elements formed in other process operations, such as, for example: a chassis-belt combination operation and a waist edge folding operation.

[0194] Fig.14A As shown in the above reference Fig. 9 and Fig. 10A The first elastic substrate 200a is advanced longitudinally upstream of the cutting device 500 discussed. The first elastic substrate 200a includes a fastener component 707 that can be bonded to the second surface 216 of the second substrate 206, such as the fastener component 707 described above with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C It should be understood that such fastener components 707 may be bonded to the first elastic laminate 200a in various ways and at various times relative to other assembly operations. For example, Figure 6 A bonding device 368 is shown that can apply fastener components 707 to the advancing elastic laminate 200. Figure 6 As shown, the bonding device 368 can be located upstream of the cutting device 500. It should be understood that the bonding device 368 can also be located at other locations in the assembly process, for example, the bonding device 368 can be located downstream of the cutting device 500.

[0195] See now Fig. 14B Examples of the first breakable path 700a and the second breakable path 700b can be found in the above reference. Fig. 9and Fig.10 The cutting device 500 in question is formed in Fig.14A On the first elastic substrate 200a. Fig. 14B Also shown are examples of raised cut areas 709 and low stretch regions 701 that may be formed by the cutting device 500. Fig. 14B The breakable passage 700 in the present invention extends from the inner longitudinal edge 200ab of the first elastic laminate 200a to the outer longitudinal edge 200aa in the cross-machine direction CD and may include various zones. As discussed above, the breakable passage 700 herein may include one or more zones 7000 (such as 7001, 7002, ..., 700n) including weak lines 704 of different types, numbers, sizes and / or orientations. For example, the breakable passages 700a, 700b may each include a first zone 7001 extending from the inner longitudinal edge 200ab adjacent to the first elastic laminate 200a to a second zone 7002 in the cross-machine direction CD. Fig. 14B As shown, the second zone 7002 may include a line of weakness 704 that extends in the machine direction MD and the cross-machine direction CD to partially surround the fastener component 707. Fig. 14B The breakable path 700 in the embodiment of the present invention may also include a third zone 7003 extending from the second zone 7002 to the first longitudinal edge 206a adjacent to the second substrate 206 in the cross direction CD. In addition, the breakable path 700 may include a fourth zone 7004, which may include a series of weak lines 704. The fourth zone 7004 may include a first sub-zone 7004a and a second sub-zone 7004b. The first sub-zone 7004a may be positioned between the third zone 7003 and the first longitudinal edge 206a of the second substrate 206, and the second sub-zone 7004b may extend between the first longitudinal edge 206a of the second substrate 206 across the extension portion 204c of the first substrate 204 to the first outer longitudinal edge 204a adjacent to the first substrate 204.

[0196] It should be understood that the first zone 7001, the second zone 7002, the third zone 7003, and the fourth zone 7004 can define different shapes. Different lengths along the longitudinal direction MD; and / or define different widths along the transverse direction CD. In addition, the first zone 7001, the second zone 7002, the third zone 7003, and the fourth zone 7004 can be oriented in various different ways relative to the longitudinal direction MD and / or the transverse direction CD. For example, as discussed above, the breakable path 700 includes multiple weak lines 704. Fig. 14BAs shown, the lines of weakness 704 in the third zone 7003 can be sized, shaped, oriented, arranged and / or positioned to define a pattern that is a mirror image of the pattern of the lines of weakness 704 in the first zone 7001 with respect to a reference line extending in the machine direction MD (such as, for example, relative to a reference line extending in the machine direction MD that bisects the second zone 7002). In addition, the lines of weakness 704 in the first breakable pathway 700a can be sized, shaped, oriented, arranged and / or positioned to define a pattern that is a mirror image of the pattern of the lines of weakness 704 in the second breakable pathway 700b with respect to a reference line extending in the cross direction CD (such as, for example, relative to the raised cut zone 709).

[0197] As discussed above, the breakable pathway 700 may be positioned in various locations on the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b relative to other features and / or elements formed in other process operations, such as, for example, a chassis-belt combination operation. Fig. 14C An example of a chassis 102 positioned on a first elastic laminate 200a after a chassis assembly operation, such as described above with reference to Figure 6 , Fig.6C1 , Fig.6C2 and Fig.6D1 As stated. Fig. 14C As shown, the chassis 102 can be positioned between the first breakable pathway 700a and the second breakable pathway 700b. In addition, portions of the first breakable pathway 700a and the second breakable pathway 700b can overlap the chassis 102. For example, the second region 7002 of the first breakable pathway 700a and the second breakable pathway 700b can be positioned relative to the chassis 102 such that the fastening element 707 is sandwiched between the first elastic laminate 200a and the chassis 102. In a particular example, the fastening element 707 can be sandwiched between the first elastic laminate second surface 216 of the second substrate 206 and the backsheet 134 of the chassis 102.

[0198] Fig.14D1 and Fig.14D2 An example of the substrate 102 and the first elastic laminate 200a after undergoing a waist edge folding operation, such as described above with reference to Fig.6D1 and Fig.6D2 As shown in the figure, when the extension portion 204c is folded along the folding line 200h, the folded portion 204g of the first elastic laminate 200a is folded so as to overlap with the first laterally extending end edge 144 of the chassis 102. In addition, the second sub-region 7004b of the fourth region 7004 of the first breakable passage 700a and the second breakable passage 700b is positioned on the folded portion 204g, as shown in FIG. Fig.14D1And the first sub-region 7004a of the fourth region 7004 of the first breakable path 700a and the second breakable path 700b is located adjacent to the folding line 200h, as shown in FIG. Fig.14D2 In addition, Fig.14D1 and Fig.14D2 As shown, the plurality of lines of weakness 704 of the fourth zone 7004 may be generally aligned with the lines of weakness 704 of the third zone 7003. Because the fourth zone 7004 includes a series of lines of weakness 704, highly precise alignment of the lines of weakness 704 of the third zone 7003 and the fourth zone 7004 may not be required during the waist edge folding operation.

[0199] As discussed above, the frangible pathway 700 can include a line of weakness 704 that can be sized, shaped, oriented, arranged, and / or positioned in a variety of different ways and / or sized, shaped, oriented, arranged, and / or positioned to define a variety of patterns. Fig.15A and Fig. 15B Show for example Fig. 14B Detailed view of a line of weakness 704 as a portion of a breakable passage 700 as discussed above, which may be employed in the first belt 106 and second belt of a pant-type diaper 100P as described above. Fig.15A and Fig. 15B As shown, the line of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 cuts and separates the elastic strand 208 (168) at least once. The line of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 may also cut and separate the elastic strand into discrete pieces 706. For clarity, the elastic strand 208 (168) and the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168) are shown in FIG. Fig.15A The weak line 704 is not shown in FIG. Fig. 15B The elastic strand 208 (168) and the discrete blocks 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168) are lightened in some configurations to enhance visibility of the elastic strand 208 (168) and the discrete blocks 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168). In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 penetrates the elastic strand 208 (168), the first substrate 204, and the second substrate 164. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may penetrate the elastic strand 208 (168) and only one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 may penetrate the elastic strand 208 (168) bonding the first substrate 204 (162) to the second substrate 206 (164).

[0200] It should be understood that relative to the reference Fig.15A and Fig. 15B The description provided with respect to the details of the frangible pathway 700 and the line of weakness 704 described also applies to the frangible pathway 700 shown in the other figures described herein. Fig.15A and Fig. 15BWhen the description of the breakable path 700 of the elastic laminate 200a in FIG. 1 is applied to the breakable path 700 and the weakness line 704 in the figure showing the assembled diaper pants 100P, the orientation of the breakable path 700 and the weakness line 704 relative to the longitudinal direction MD and the transverse direction CD can also be intercepted relative to the lateral axis 126 and the longitudinal axis 124 of the first belt 106 of the assembled diaper pants 100P, respectively.

[0201] It should be understood that the lines of weakness 704 can be arranged in a variety of orientations and sizes. Fig.15A As shown, the line of weakness can be oriented to define an offset angle 708 relative to the machine direction MD. The offset angle 708 can be sized to help minimize or prevent separation of the opposite sides 704a, 704b of the line of weakness 704 when the elastic laminate 200a (108) is subjected to opposing forces in the longitudinal or lateral directions, such as when the elastic bands 106, 108 are stretched laterally. In some configurations, the offset angle 708 can be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

[0202] Continue to refer Fig.15A , the weak lines 704 may be arranged in rows 710, which include at least a first row 710a and a second row 710b adjacent to the first row 710a. The weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and the second row 710b may extend a length 712 from a first end 704c to a second end 704d. In some configurations, the length 712 of each weak line 704 in the first row 710a and the second row 710b may be about 1mm to about 50mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and the weak lines 704 in the second row 710b are parallel to each other. The weak lines 704 in the first row 710a and / or the second row 710b may be separated from each other by a cutting line gap distance 714. In some configurations, the cut line gap distance 714 can be from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. The first ends 704c of the cut lines 704 in the first row 710b and the first ends 704c of the weak lines 704 in the second row 710b can be aligned along a first reference line 716 oriented to define a row angle 720 relative to the lateral axis 126. In some configurations, the row angle 720 can be from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. As Fig.15AAs shown, the second end 704d of the weak line 704 in the first row 710a and the second end 704d of the weak line 704 in the second row 710b can be aligned along the second reference line 718. In some configurations, the second reference line 718 is parallel to the first reference line 716. In addition, the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a can be separated from the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b by a row gap distance 722. When the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a is located downstream of the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b in the machine direction MD, the row gap distance 722 can be expressed as a positive number. When the second reference line 718 of the first row 710a is located upstream of the first reference line 716 of the second row 710b in the machine direction MD, the row gap distance 722 can be expressed as a negative number. In some configurations, the row gap distance 722 can be about -10 mm to about 10 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0203] As previously described, the lines of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 may cut some of the elastic strands 208 (168) once, and may cut some of the elastic strands 208 (168) more than once to separate some of the elastic strands 208 (168) into discrete pieces 706. Fig. 15B As shown, the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand (208) 168 extend an elastic piece length 724 between a first end 725 and a second end 726. In some configurations, the first elastic piece length 722 of the discrete pieces 706 can be defined by the distance extending laterally between the lines of weakness 704 in the first row 710a and the lines of weakness 704 in the second row 710b. As previously mentioned, the elastic strand 168 can be continuously bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164), or can be intermittently bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). Thus, the discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strand 208 (168) can be continuously bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164), or can be intermittently bonded to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162) and the second substrate 206 (164). It should also be appreciated that the elastic strands 208 (168) and discrete pieces 706 of the elastic strands 208 (168) may be bonded with an adhesive applied to at least one of the first substrate 204 (162), the second substrate 206 (164), and the elastic strands 208 (168).

[0204] As mentioned above, the knife roll 502 may include blades 510 that extend radially outward to a blade edge 604 that is adapted to rotate about an axis 514. Thus, the blade edge 604 may be oriented to cut the elastic strands 208 on the first substrate 200a into breakable pathways 700 in the elastic laminate 200a, the breakable pathways having corresponding lines of weakness 704 and discrete elastic blocks 706, as described above with reference to Fig.15A and Fig. 15B described. Fig.16 An exemplary orientation of a portion of a set of blade edges 604 on the knife roll 502 is shown. It should be appreciated that the knife roll 502 may be configured to rotate at a variable angular velocity or a constant angular velocity and may be driven by a servo motor.

[0205] It should be understood that the blade edge 604 can be arranged in various orientations and sizes. Fig.16 As shown, the blade edge 604 can be oriented to define an offset angle 608 relative to the rotation axis 514. In some configurations, the offset angle 608 can be from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. Fig.13 , the blade edges 604 may be arranged in rows 610, which include at least a first row 610a and a second row 610b adjacent to the first row 610a. The blade edges in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may extend a length 612 from a first end 604c to a second end 604d. In some configurations, the length 612 of each blade edge 604 in the first row 610a and the second row 610b may be about 1mm to about 50mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the blade edges 604 in the first row 610a and the blade edges 604 in the second row 610b are parallel to each other. The blade edges 604 in the first row 610a and / or the second row 610b may be separated from each other by a blade edge gap distance 614. In some configurations, the blade edge gap distance 614 may be about 1mm to about 50mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The first ends 604c of the blade edges 604 in the first row 610b and the first ends 604c of the blade edges 604 in the second row 610b can be aligned along a first reference line 616 oriented to define a row angle 620 relative to the rotation axis 514. In some configurations, the row angle 620 can be from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby. Fig.16As shown, the second end 604d of the blade edge 604 in the first row 610a and the second end 604d of the blade edge 604 in the second row 610b can be aligned along the second reference line 618. In some configurations, the second reference line 618 is parallel to the first reference line 616. In addition, the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a can be separated from the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b by a row gap distance 622. When the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a is located upstream of the machine direction MD of the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b, the row gap distance 622 can be expressed as a positive number. When the second reference line 618 of the first row 610a is located downstream of the machine direction MD of the first reference line 616 of the second row 610b, the row gap distance 622 can be expressed as a negative number. In some configurations, the row gap distance 622 can be about -10 mm to about 10 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0206] FIG. 17A to FIG. 1 7E shows the above reference FIG. 14B to FIG. 14D2 Additional variations and configurations of the described breakable paths. For example, Fig.17A As shown, Fig. 14B The breakable path 700 of the embodiment can be changed so that the first zone 7001 includes a first sub-zone 7001a and a second sub-zone 7001b, wherein the first sub-zone 7001a extends at a different angle relative to the longitudinal direction than the second sub-zone 7001b. In addition, the third zone 7003 may include a first sub-zone 7003a and a second sub-zone 7003b, wherein the first sub-zone 7003a extends at a different angle relative to the longitudinal direction MD than the second sub-zone 7003b. For example, in some configurations, the first sub-zone 7003a may extend at an angle of about 20 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction MD, and the second sub-zone 7003b may extend at an angle of about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal direction MD, specifically listing all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0207] In yet another example, the second zone 7002 may include a single discrete line of weakness 704 that defines a perimeter that extends partially around the fastener component 707. In some configurations, the line of weakness 704 of the second zone 7002 may include a slit or cut that extends completely through the first elastic laminate 200a. Such a slit or cut may help provide a relatively easier way to initiate tearing of the elastic band and / or help provide relatively easier access to the fastener component 707 during use of the assembled absorbent article 100P. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be sized relative to the second zone 7002 so that the line of weakness 704 also penetrates a portion of the fastener component 707, such as, for example Fig. 17B shown.

[0208] As mentioned above Fig. 14B , Fig. 15B As discussed with reference to frangible via 700 in FIG. 15C , row 710 may include more than two lines of weakness 704. For example, Fig. 17C A breakable via is shown where the rows 710 in the first zone 7001 and the third zone 7003 may include three lines of weakness 710. Fig.17D1 and Fig.17D2 In yet another variation shown, the second zone 7002 of the breakable via 700 may include a single discrete line of weakness 704 combined with a plurality of lines of weakness 704 defining a perimeter extending partially around the fastener component 707 .

[0209] As discussed above, an absorbent article 100, such as a diaper pant 100P, can be configured with a breakable path 700 that includes a line of weakness 704 arranged in various ways to help improve a caregiver's ability to remove a soiled diaper pant 100P from a wearer without having to remove the soiled diaper pant from a wearer by sliding the soiled diaper pant down the wearer's legs. As discussed above, the breakable path 700 can be configured to allow the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 to tear relatively easily along the breakable path 700, such as when removing the diaper pant 100P from a wearer. In addition, the breakable path 700 can also be configured to provide access to a fastening component 707 that can be used to help keep the soiled product in a disposal configuration. A discussion of additional exemplary implementations of the frangible passage 700 on the diaper pant 100P is provided below in the context of the above description of various details of the absorbent article 100, the fastening components 707, the frangible passage 700, and the line of weakness 704. It should be understood that the discussion of the frangible passage 700 in the first elastic belt 106 may also apply to the frangible passage 700 in the second elastic belt 108.

[0210] It should be understood that the fastener component 707 can be positioned in a variety of positions and / or orientations relative to the other components of the absorbent article 100. Fig.18B and Fig.18D1As shown, the fastener component 707 may include a lateral centerline 126d oriented substantially parallel to the lateral centerline 126a of the first elastic belt 108 and / or the lateral centerline 126b of the second elastic belt 106 and / or the lateral centerline 126c of the chassis 102. The fastener component 707 may include a longitudinal centerline 124d oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline 124a of the first elastic belt 108 and / or the longitudinal centerline 124b of the second elastic belt 106 and / or the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be positioned on and connected to the wearer-facing surface of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 in the area where the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be sandwiched between the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 or the second elastic belt 108 and the backsheet 134 of the chassis 102. To help prevent the fastener component 707 from contacting the wearer's skin when the diaper pant 100P is worn, the fastener component 707 may be positioned at least about 25 mm or at least about 50 mm longitudinally inward from the front belt waist edge 121 (or the back belt waist edge 122), specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be positioned at least about 20 mm or at least about 80 mm laterally inward from the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments in the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 is positioned approximately equidistant from both the outer and inner laterally extending edges 107a, 107b of the first elastic band 106 and / or both the outer and inner laterally extending edges 109a, 109b of the second elastic band 108.

[0211] As described above, the central chassis 102 is connected or bonded to each elastic band 106, 108 to form the pant-type diaper 100P. Fig.18B and Fig.18D1As shown, the elastic bands 106, 108 may include a detachable region 800 that may be configured to be detached from the central infrastructure 102 under a relatively low force applied by a caregiver. The detachable region 800 may include at least a portion of the fastener component 707 and the band material adjacent to the fastener component 707. In some configurations, the detachable region 800 may extend outward from the periphery of the fastener component 707 to a distance of about 8 mm to about 40 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The detachable region 800 may be substantially free of adhesive, or may include an adhesive bond that is relatively weaker than the rest of the band region bonded to the infrastructure 102. The relatively weak adhesive bond may be formed in various ways, such as, for example, in the following forms: a reduced amount of adhesive; a geometric pattern of adhesive, such as a relatively low coverage area of ​​adhesive; an adhesive with relatively low adhesive force; or a brittle adhesive. If a lower adhesion adhesive is used, the adhesive may be applied to the entire elastic band 106, 108 in the area overlapping the chassis 102, as such areas may include both types of adhesive.

[0212] To help the caregiver access the fastener component 707 relatively more easily with a finger or thumb, an accessible opening 802 may be positioned in the elastic band 106, 108 adjacent to the fastener component 707. The accessible opening 802 may be defined in some or all layers of the elastic band 106, 108. The accessible opening 802 may be at least partially located in a region of the elastic band 106, 108 that includes the fastener component 707. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may be positioned adjacent to the edge 707c of the fastener component 707, or in a region of the elastic band 106, 108 surrounding the fastener component 707 that extends inwardly or outwardly from the edge 707c of the fastener component 707 by about 5 mm or less, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby. The access opening 802 may include one or more components 804, such as a linear slit and / or a curved opening. The accessible opening 802 may be disposed only near at least a portion of the longitudinal and / or lateral inner edge of the fastener component 707, or may be disposed near at least a portion of one of such edges and at least a portion of the longitudinal outer edge of the fastener component 707. The accessible opening 802 or its component 804 may have a length dimension in the range of about 5 mm to about 50 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. In a configuration in which the accessible opening 802 includes two or more components 804, the spacing between each component 804 and the nearest neighbor may be greater than zero and no greater than about 3 mm.

[0213] In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 can be at least partially located in a region of the elastic band 106, 108 that can penetrate the thickness of at least a portion of the fastener component 707. Fig.18D2 As shown, the first portion 707a of the fastener component 707, which is at least partially surrounded by the component 804, can be separated from the second portion 707b of the fastener component 707. In some configurations, the first portion 707a of the fastener 707 can include a lateral centerline 126d1 parallel to the lateral centerline 126d of the fastener component 707, and / or can include a longitudinal centerline 124d1 parallel to the longitudinal centerline 124d of the fastener component 707. In some configurations, the first portion 707a of the fastener component 707 can include a lateral width of about 35 mm or between about 10 mm and about 50 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. In some configurations, the first portion 707a of the fastener component 707 can include a longitudinal length of about 25 mm or between about 10 mm and about 50 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom.

[0214] like Fig.18A and Fig.18BAs shown, the breakable passage 700 can extend from an operative proximity of the accessible opening 802 to an operative proximity of both the outer laterally extending edge 107a and the inner laterally extending edge 107b of the first elastic band 106. The term "operative proximity" refers to the distance at which a tear will reliably extend from one line of weakness to another line of weakness in the intended direction under a reasonable force that would be applied by a caregiver. When removing and disposing of the soiled pants, the caregiver can access the fastener component 707 through the accessible opening 802; grasp at least a portion of the fastener component 707; pull the fastener component away from the rest of the elastic band 106; and open the elastic band 106 by continuing to pull the fastening component 707 as the tear extends away from both the accessible opening 802 and the longitudinal inner and outer edges of the fastening component 707 until the tear reaches the outer and inner laterally extending edges 107a, 107b of the first elastic band 106, thereby completely separating the elastic band 106 into a plurality of discrete segments at the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810. The portion of the fastening component 707 that is separated from the rest of the elastic band 106 due to the tearing operation, such as the first portion 707a discussed above, may be referred to herein as a disposal fastener 806. In some configurations, the tear may reach and break through the outer and inner laterally extending edges 107a, 107b of the first elastic band 106 at approximately the same time. The distal end 808 and / or the proximal end 810 of the breakable passage 700 may be positioned in various positions along the outer and inner laterally extending edges 107a, 107b of the first elastic band 106, respectively. In some configurations, the distal end 808 and / or the proximal end 810 of the breakable passage 700 may be positioned at a lateral distance of about 0 mm to about 100 mm from the side seams 178, 180, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby.

[0215] like Fig. 18CAs shown, once the tearing operation described above is completed, the disposal ear region 812 of the elastic band 106 can be defined by the accessible opening 802, the breakable passage 700, and the side seams 178, 180, and also includes the disposal fastener 806. As previously described, in order to remove the pants from the wearer, the caregiver can access at least a portion of the disposal fastener 806 through the accessible opening 802. The caregiver can grasp the fastening component 707 and pull it away from the remaining portion of the elastic band 106, thereby tearing the band 106 along the entire breakable passage 700 and through the outer side extending edge 107a and the inner side extending edge 107b of the first elastic band 106 during this action, thereby releasing the disposal ear region 812 for disposal of the diaper pants 100P. The caregiver can then remove the remainder of the diaper pant 100P from the wearer, roll up and wrap the chassis 102 including the pant leg openings within the belt 106 including the disposal ear regions 812, and use the disposal fasteners 806 to secure the rolled pant for easy and sanitary disposal, as described above, for example, with reference to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5E As discussed. To facilitate this function, the entire breakable passage 700 is disposed in the detachable region 800 of the belt 106, and the region of the belt 106 is disposed laterally outward of the base structure 102. It should be understood that the breakable passage 700 and the belt 106 can be configured to define various sizes and shapes of the disposal ear region 812. In some configurations, the disposal ear region 812 may have a lateral dimension between about 100 mm and about 200 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby, as measured from the side seams 178, 180 to the edge of the disposal ear region 812 closest to the longitudinal centerline 124c of the base structure 102 before separating the breakable passage 700. In a configuration in which the fastener component 707 is positioned relatively closer to the longitudinal centerline 124c of the base structure 102, a relatively long disposal ear region 812 can be provided, which can help the caregiver more easily fully wrap and close the leg opening of the soiled pants after removal.

[0216] As mentioned above Figure 10 to Figure 17D2 As discussed, the frangible pathway 700 herein may include one or more zones 7000 (such as 7001, 7002, ..., 700n) that include weak lines 704 of different types, numbers, sizes, and / or orientations. In some examples, the weak lines may be arranged in an array that may have different angles or orientations relative to the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106. The array may include linear or curvilinear sequences, parallel lines, stepped parallel lines, herringbone patterns, and any other weak line patterns. It should be understood that the zone 7000 may also differ from one or more other zones in the number of material layers involved in the perforation. Subsequently, the zones 7000 of the frangible pathway 700 may be configured to define different functional areas of the frangible pathway 700.

[0217] For example, Fig.18E As shown, the breakable pathway 700 may include a first area referred to as an initial tear area 814. The line of weakness 704 in the initial tear area 814 may be arranged such that the breakable pathway 700 defines an initial tear area angle 816 between the breakable pathway and the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106. In some configurations, the initial tear area angle 816 may be in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, specifically reciting all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. In some configurations, a relatively small initial tear area angle 816 may be used to help minimize the required longitudinal dimension of the separable region 800 and maximize the area and mechanical integrity of the waistband bonded to the central chassis.

[0218] The lines of weakness 704 in the breakable pathway 700 may be arranged in a "railroad track" pattern, wherein the breakable pathway 700 includes two or more rows of substantially parallel lines of weakness 704, which include, for example, individual perforations. The individual perforations may have a length in the range of about 10 mm or less, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above range and all ranges therein or formed thereby. The angle of the individual perforations relative to the lateral centerline 126a may be different from the angle of the breakable pathway 700 relative to the belt lateral centerline 126a. The closest distance between perforations in parallel rows may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm, specifically reciting all 0.1 mm increments within the above range and all ranges therein or formed thereby.

[0219] In some configurations, the lines of weakness 704 in the initial tear region 814 may be arranged in a "lapped" SD step-like orientation relative to each other, such as Fig.18F In the "lapped" SD configuration, each line of weakness 704 in sequence along the breakable pathway 700 (such as a line of weakness laterally outboard of the immediately preceding line of weakness) overlaps the preceding line of weakness in the longitudinal direction toward the lateral centerline 126d of the fastening component 707. The amount of overlap may be about 50% of the length of the preceding line of weakness, and may be in the range of about 35% to about 60% of the length of the line of weakness 704.

[0220] Continue to refer Fig.18E , the frangible passage 700 may further include a waist tear region 818. The lines of weakness 704 in the waist tear region 818 may be arranged in a "railway track" configuration as described above. The lines of weakness 704 in the waist tear region 818 may be arranged such that the frangible passage 700 defines a waist tear region angle 820 between the frangible passage and the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106.

[0221] In some configurations, the lines of weakness 704 in the waist tear region 814 may be arranged in an "overlapping" SU stepped orientation relative to each other, such as Fig.18FIn the "overlap" SU configuration, each line of weakness 704 in sequence along the breakable pathway 700 (such as a line of weakness laterally outboard of the immediately preceding line of weakness) overlaps the preceding line of weakness in a longitudinal direction away from the lateral centerline 126d of the fastening component 707. The amount of overlap may be about 30% of the length of the preceding line of weakness, and may be in the range of about 10% to about 50% of the length of the line of weakness.

[0222] As discussed above, the outer longitudinal edge 107a of the first elastic band 106 may be defined by a fold line 162h. Where the absorbent article 100P includes a folded waistband edge 162h, the waist tear region 818 may include a base waist region 818a and a folded waist region 818b disposed longitudinally outboard of the base waist region 818a and may be folded and bonded to the base waist region 818a during the formation of the folded waistband edge 162h. In such a configuration, when in a fold and bond configuration, the line of weakness 704 in the folded waist region 818b may overlap or may be in operational proximity to the line of weakness 704 in the base waist region 818a and may help enable the breakable pathway 700 to tear to extend to the waist edge 107a and release the disposal ear region 812 for use. One of the base waist region 818a and the folded waist region 818b may include a line of weakness that may have a greater lateral length than the other to achieve overlap or operational proximity in the folded configuration over the full range of possible manufacturing overlap tolerances, such as FIG. 14B to FIG. 14D2 As shown. The breakable passage 700 in the folded waist region 818b may have a similar width relative to the base waist region 818a, or may be greater than the base waist region 818a, and may have a width range of about 10mm to about 50mm, specifically listing all 0.1mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The waist tear area angles 820 in the base waist region 818a and the folded waist region 818b may be mirror images of each other relative to the lateral centerline 126a of the waistband 106. Alternatively, the waistband edge may be folded and bonded to form a folded belt edge before forming a weak line including perforations. In these embodiments, the breakable passage 700 does not require a mirror angle and can proceed directly to the waist edge of the belt 121. In the finished belt state, whether or not there is a folded waist edge, the absolute values ​​of the angles of these arrays are in the range of about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to the lateral centerline. Higher angles are preferred to maximize the robustness of separation of the breakable pathways 700 in this region, particularly when more than two nonwoven layers are involved in the tear. The force required to tear the breakable pathways 700 in the folded waist region 818b may be lower than the force required to tear the breakable pathways 700 in the base waist region 818a.

[0223] Continue to refer Fig.18E, the breakable pathway 700 may also include a leg edge region 822. The line of weakness 704 in the leg edge region 822 may be arranged such that the breakable pathway 700 defines a leg edge region angle 824 between the breakable pathway 700 and the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106. The leg edge region angle 824 may be in the range of about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees, specifically listing all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therein or therefrom. The relatively high leg edge region angle 824 may help increase the robustness of separating the breakable pathway 700 in the leg edge region 822. The force required to tear the breakable pathway 700 in the leg edge region 822 may be higher than the force required to tear the breakable pathway 700 in other areas of the belt 106 to prevent the breakable pathway 700 from being accidentally torn by the wearer's legs during typical movements of wearing activities.

[0224] In some configurations, the breakable pathway 700 may also include a transition region 826 that operably connects regions to help promote tearing from one region to another along the breakable pathway 700. For example, the transition region 826 operably connects the initial tear region 814 and the base waist region 818a. In another example, the transition region may operably connect the initial tear region 814 or the waist tear region 818 to the leg edge region 822. The weak line in the transition region may have a specific length and / or angle relative to the lateral centerline and have a row spacing to help provide a desired extension of material failure when, for example, removing the product from the wearer. It should be understood that the length, angle, and spacing in the transition region may be different from those in adjacent weak lines.

[0225] exist Fig.19In another configuration shown, the elastic band 106 includes a fastener component 707 joined to the inner surface of the elastic band 106 at a location overlapping the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102. The longitudinal centerline 124d of the fastener component 707 is coincident with or adjacent to the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102. The frangible passage 700 can separate the fastener component 707 into two disposal fasteners 707a, 707b having substantially similar sizes and geometries. The accessible opening 802 can be disposed at or near the longitudinally inner lateral edges of the fastener component 707. Longitudinally outward of the lateral edges of the fastener component 707, the frangible passage 700 extends in the longitudinal and lateral directions to the waist edge 121 and the leg edge 107b of the elastic band 106. The caregiver can access and grasp the fastener component 707 through the accessible opening 802, and then separate the frangible passage 700 into two disposable ear regions 812, each ear region including one of the disposable fasteners 707a, 707b. In this embodiment, a higher adhesion area between the elastic band 106 and the chassis 102 can be provided between the fastener component 707 and the longitudinal inner edge 107b of the first elastic band 106 to help prevent unintentional separation of the band edge 107b from the chassis 102.

[0226] exist FIG. 20A to FIG. 20F An example of the progression of a tear along the frangible pathway 700 as a caregiver pulls the disposal fastener 806 and the disposal ear region 812 away from the remainder of the strap 106 is depicted in FIG. Fig. 20A The frangible passage 700 is shown prior to opening by a caregiver. Fig. 20B The accessible opening 802 is shown in an open state, and the beginning of separation of the frangible via 700 in the initial tear region 814 when the first perforation is almost open. Fig. 20C The initial line of weakness opening and continued extension of the tear along the frangible via 700 is shown. Fig.20D The initial tear region 814 is shown fully open. Fig.20E The first perforation in the waist tear region 818 is shown about to open. Fig.20F The continued extension of the tear along the frangible pathway 700 in the waist tear region 818 is shown.

[0227] In some configurations, the breakable pathway 700 does not include a change in angle between the accessible opening 802 and the waist edge or leg edge of the belt. In these configurations, the breakable pathway 700 includes an initial tear region 814, but may not include one or more of a waist tear region 818, a base waist region 818a, a folded waist region 818b, a leg edge region 822, or a transition region 826.

[0228] The size and orientation of the individual weak lines 704, including perforations, can help provide a desired pants removal experience to the caregiver. In some configurations, the length of the perforations can be from about 1 mm to about 10 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therefrom or thereby. In some configurations, the distance between each perforation and the nearest neighbor can be between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm, specifically listing all 0.1 mm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therefrom or thereby. The angle of each individual perforation relative to the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106 may not exceed about 45 degrees to help prevent the perforation from accidentally opening during manufacture or use. In some configurations, the angle of each individual perforation relative to the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 106 can be within the range of about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees, specifically listing all 1 degree increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed therefrom or thereby. In some configurations, the cut width of the perforations can be in the range of about 10 microns to about 200 microns, specifically reciting all 1 micron increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or therefrom.

[0229] As described above, the breakable pathways may also be configured such that each elastic member is cut along the breakable pathways 700 to help ensure clean separation of the disposal ear region 812 from the remainder of the belt 106. Each elastic member may be cut at one or more locations. That is, one or more perforations or lines of weakness may pass through each elastic strand along the entire breakable pathway 700. In some configurations, any imaginary line drawn on the belt 106 parallel to the lateral centerline 126a of the belt 126 may intersect at least one perforation or line of weakness 704 on each side of the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102.

[0230] It should be understood that the number of nonwoven layers in the belt 106 can vary along the longitudinal dimension of the breakable pathway 700. For example, the initial tear region 814 can include two nonwoven layers, while the folded waist region 818b can include three nonwoven layers. To help the caregiver understand the use of the product, the outer nonwoven of the belt 106 can include printing or other markings in, adjacent to, or aligned with the breakable pathway 700 and / or at least a portion of the line of weakness 704 that includes the breakable pathway 700.

[0231] As the disposal ear region 812 separates from the remainder of the waistband along the frangible pathway 700 , the force required to open the frangible pathway 700 may vary over time depending on the location of the tear along the frangible pathway 700 .

[0232] Average score

[0233] The average decitex method is used to calculate the average decitex of elastic fibers present in the entire article or in a sample of interest extracted from the article on a length-weighted basis. The decitex value is the mass grams of fibers present in 10,000 meters of the material in a relaxed state. The decitex value of elastic fibers or elastic laminates containing elastic fibers is usually reported by the manufacturer as part of the specifications of the elastic fibers or elastic laminates including elastic fibers. If available, the average decitex will be calculated according to these specifications. Alternatively, if these specified values ​​are unknown, the decitex value of a single elastic fiber is measured as follows: the cross-sectional area of ​​the fiber in a relaxed state is determined by a suitable microscopy technique (such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), the composition of the fiber is determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then the literature value of the density of the composition is used to calculate the mass grams of fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber. The decitex value provided by the manufacturer or experimentally measured for individual elastic fibers removed from the entire article or from a sample extracted from the article is used in the expression below, where the length-weighted average of the decitex values ​​between the elastic fibers present is determined.

[0234] The length of the elastic fibers present in the article or a sample extracted from the article, if known, is calculated from the overall dimensions of the article or sample having these and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with the components of the article or sample, respectively. Alternatively, the dimensions and / or elastic fiber pre-strain ratio are unknown, the absorbent article or a sample extracted from the absorbent article is disassembled, and all elastic fibers are removed. Such disassembly can be performed, for example, using mild heating to soften the adhesive, using a low temperature spray (e.g., Quick-Freeze, Miller-Stephenson Company, Danbury, CT), or using an appropriate solvent that will remove the adhesive but will not swell, alter, or destroy the elastic fibers. The length of each elastic fiber in its relaxed state is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm), accurate to the nearest mm.

[0235] Calculate the average decimal point

[0236] The relaxed length L present in an absorbent article or a sample extracted from an absorbent article i and fiber dtex i Individual elastic fibers f (obtained from manufacturer's specifications or measured experimentally) i For each of the absorbent articles or samples taken from the absorbent articles, the average cup decote of the absorbent article is defined as:

[0237]

[0238] Where n is the total number of elastic fibers present in the absorbent article or a sample extracted from the absorbent article. Report the average decitex to the nearest whole decitex value (grams / 10000 m).

[0239] If the dtex value of any individual fiber is not known from the specification, it is determined experimentally as described below, and the resulting fiber dtex value(s) are used in the above formula to determine the average dtex.

[0240] Experimental determination of the decitex value of fibers

[0241] For each of the elastic fibers removed from the absorbent article or the sample taken from the absorbent article according to the above procedure, each elastic fiber L in its relaxed state k The length of each elastic fiber is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm), accurate to mm. Each elastic fiber is analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy to determine its composition, and its density ρk is determined according to the available literature value. Finally, each fiber is analyzed by SEM. Use a sharp blade to cut the fiber vertically in three approximately equal positions along its length to produce a clean cross section for SEM analysis. The three fiber segments exposed with these cross sections are mounted on the SEM sample holder in a relaxed state, sputter-coated with gold, introduced into the SEM for analysis, and imaged with a resolution sufficient to clearly illustrate the fiber cross section. The fiber cross section is oriented as perpendicular to the detector as possible to minimize any tilt deformation in the measured cross section. The fiber cross section can vary in shape, and some fibers can be composed of multiple individual filaments. In any case, the area of ​​each of the three fiber cross sections is determined (for example, using the diameter of a circular fiber, the major and minor axes of an elliptical fiber, and image analysis of more complex shapes), and recorded in micrometers squared (μm 2 ) is the average value of the three regions ak of the elastic fiber, accurate to 0.1 μm 2 The measured decitex of the kth elastic fiber is d k Calculated by the following formula:

[0242] d k =10 000m×a k ×ρ k ×10 -6

[0243] where d k In grams (per 10,000 m of calculated length), a k In μm 2 is a unit, and ρ k In grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm 3 ) is the unit. For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentally determined L k and d k The value is then used in the above expression for average dtex.

[0244] Average strand spacing

[0245] Using a ruler calibrated to a certified NIST ruler and accurate to 0.5 mm, measure the distance between the two distal strands within a segment to the nearest 0.5 mm and then divide by the number of strands in the segment - 1

[0246] Average strand spacing = d / (n-1), where n>1

[0247] Report, accurate to 0.1mm.

[0248] Average prestrain

[0249] The average pre-strain of the specimen is measured using a load cell on a constant rate of extension tensile tester (a suitable instrument is MTS Insight using Testworks 4.0 software, available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, MN), with the force measured within 1% to 90% of the limit of the load cell. The article is conditioned at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity for 2 hours prior to analysis and subsequently tested under the same environmental conditions.

[0250] Program the tensile tester to perform elongation at break after the initial gauge length adjustment. First raise the grips at a rate of 10 mm / min until a force of 0.05 N is achieved. Set the current gauge length to the adjusted gauge length. Raise the grips at a rate of 100 mm / min until the sample breaks (a 20% drop in force after the maximum peak force). Return the grips to their original position. Obtain force and extension data at a rate of 100 Hz throughout the experiment.

[0251] The nominal gauge length is set to 40 mm using a calibrated caliper block and the grips are zeroed. The sample is inserted into the upper grip so that the middle of the test strip is positioned 20 mm below the grip. The sample can be folded perpendicular to the pull axis and placed in the grip to achieve this position. After the grips are closed, excess material can be trimmed. The sample is inserted into the lower grip and the lower grip is closed. Again, the strip can be folded and then trimmed after the grips are closed. Zero the load cell. The sample should have minimal slack but less than 0.05 N of force on the load cell. Start the test procedure.

[0252] According to the data, force (N) is constructed to extension (mm). Average prestrain is calculated according to the bend in the curve corresponding to the extension that the nonwoven in the elastic component is engaged. Two lines are drawn, corresponding to the area of ​​the curve before bending (mainly elastic component) and the area after bending (mainly nonwoven). Read the extension where these two lines intersect, and calculate % prestrain according to the measured length of extension and correction. Record as % prestrain 0.1%. Calculate the arithmetic mean and average prestrain of three repeated samples of each elastomer laminate, accurate to 0.1%.

[0253] combination

[0254] A1. An absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising: a base structure, the base structure comprising a top sheet, a back sheet and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the back sheet, the base structure also comprising a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region; a first band connected to the first end region of the base structure; a second band connected to the second end region of the base structure, wherein lateral opposite ends of the second band are connected to lateral opposite ends of the first band to form a waist opening; wherein the first band comprises: a proximal edge and a distal edge; an elastic strand positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate; and a first breakable path extending in the first band between the proximal edge and the distal edge, the first breakable path comprising a weakness line, wherein all elastic strands extending through the first breakable path are cut at the weakness line, so that the first plurality of elastic strands are cut only once, and the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once.

[0255] A2. The absorbent article of paragraph A1 further comprising a second breakable pathway in the first belt laterally separated from the first breakable pathway.

[0256] A3. The absorbent article of paragraph A2, wherein the first end region of the chassis is positioned between the first breakable pathway and the second breakable pathway.

[0257] A4. An absorbent article according to paragraph A2 or A3, wherein the first end region of the chassis overlaps portions of the first and second breakable pathways.

[0258] A5. The absorbent article of any of paragraphs A1 to A4, further comprising a low stretch zone in the first belt, wherein the first end region of the chassis overlaps the low stretch zone.

[0259] A6. An absorbent article according to any of paragraphs A1 to A5, wherein the first breakable path includes a first zone and a second zone; and wherein a portion of the first substrate is folded onto the second substrate and the first end zone of the chassis so that the first zone of the first breakable path overlaps with the second zone of the first breakable path.

[0260] A7. The absorbent article of any of paragraphs A1 to A6, further comprising a fastener component positioned between the first belt and the backsheet.

[0261] A8. The absorbent article of paragraph A7, wherein the first breakable pathway comprises a first region and a second region longitudinally separated from the first region by a third region, and wherein the fastener component is positioned adjacent the third region of the breakable pathway.

[0262] A9. The absorbent article of paragraph A7 or A8, further comprising a slit in the third zone adjacent to the fastening component.

[0263] A10. The absorbent article of any of paragraphs A7 to A9, wherein the fastener component comprises hooks capable of being refastenably attached to an outer surface of at least one of the chassis, the first belt, and the second belt.

[0264] A11. The absorbent article of any of paragraphs A1 to A10, wherein the line of weakness comprises discrete cut lines.

[0265] A12. The absorbent article of any of paragraphs A1 to A11, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate comprise a nonwoven, and wherein the line of weakness comprises discrete bonds wherein material of the nonwoven is fused together.

[0266] A13. An absorbent article according to any of paragraphs A1 to A12, wherein the first breakable path extends the total length of the first breakable path from the outermost edge of the weakness line closest to the proximal edge of the first band to the outermost edge of the weakness line closest to the distal edge of the first band.

[0267] A14. An absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the first belt has a first belt length defined by the longitudinal distance between the proximal edge and the distal edge, and the total length of the first frangible pathway is equal to or less than the first belt length.

[0268] A15. The absorbent article of paragraph A13, wherein the first belt has a first belt length defined by a longitudinal distance between a proximal edge and a distal edge, and wherein a total length of the first breakable pathway is greater than the first belt length.

[0269] A16. An absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the weakness line extends a certain length from the first end to the second end, and wherein the sum of all lengths of the weakness lines in the first breakable pathway is greater than the total length of the first breakable pathway.

[0270] B1. A method for assembling an absorbent article, the method comprising the following steps: providing a first elastic laminate, the first elastic laminate comprising elastic strands positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, the elastic strands extending in a longitudinal direction, the first elastic laminate further comprising a first edge separated from the second edge in a transverse direction, wherein the first elastic laminate comprises a first laminate width defined by a distance extending in a transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge; advancing the first elastic laminate in the longitudinal direction; and forming a first breakable path in the first elastic laminate extending in a transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge, the first breakable path comprising a weakness line, wherein all elastic strands extending through the first breakable path are cut at the weakness line, such that the first plurality of elastic strands are cut only once, and such that the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once.

[0271] B2. The method of paragraph B1, further comprising the step of forming a second breakable pathway in the first elastic laminate that is separated from the first breakable pathway in the machine direction.

[0272] B3. The method described in paragraph B1 or B2 further includes the following steps: providing a second elastic laminate; providing a base structure comprising a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface and an absorbent core positioned between the body-facing surface and the garment-facing surface, the base structure further comprising a first end region and a second end region separated from the first end region in a transverse direction by a crotch region; and bonding the first end region of the base structure to the first elastic laminate and bonding the second end region of the base structure to the second elastic laminate.

[0273] B4. The method of paragraph B3, wherein the first end region of the chassis is positioned between the first breakable via and the second breakable via.

[0274] B5. The method of any of paragraphs B1 to B4, wherein the first end region of the base structure overlaps portions of the first and second frangible vias.

[0275] B6. The method of any of paragraphs B1 to B4, further comprising the step of forming a low stretch region in the first elastic laminate.

[0276] B7. The method of paragraph B6, wherein the first end region of the chassis overlaps the low stretch area.

[0277] B8. A method according to any of paragraphs B6 or B7, wherein the step of forming a low stretch area also includes the following steps: intermittently bonding the elastic strands to the first substrate and the second substrate to form an unbonded area in which the strands are not bonded to the first substrate and the second substrate; and cutting the elastic strands in the unbonded area so that the strands retract from the unbonded area.

[0278] B9. The method of paragraph B6 or B7, wherein the step of forming the low stretch zone further comprises the step of cutting the elastic strands into a plurality of discrete pieces.

[0279] B10. The method described in any one of paragraphs B1 to B9 further includes the following steps: folding the base structure in the crotch region to position the first elastic laminate in a facing relationship with the second elastic laminate; forming a bonding member between the first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate, wherein the bonding member is positioned between the first breakable path and the second breakable path; and cutting the first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate transversely through the bonding member to form discrete absorbent articles.

[0280] B11. The method according to any one of paragraphs B1 to B10 also includes the following steps: forming a first area of ​​a first breakable path and a second area of ​​the first breakable path in the first elastic laminate; after the step of forming the first area and the second area of ​​the first breakable path, bonding the first end area of ​​the base structure to the first elastic laminate; and after the step of bonding the first end area of ​​the base structure to the first elastic laminate, folding a portion of the first substrate onto the second substrate and the first end area of ​​the base structure so that the first area of ​​the first breakable path overlaps with the second area of ​​the first breakable path.

[0281] B12. The method of any of paragraphs B1 to B10, further comprising the step of bonding a fastener component to the first elastic laminate.

[0282] B13. The method of paragraph B12, wherein the first frangible passage comprises a first region and a second region laterally separated from the first region by a third region, and wherein the fastener component is positioned adjacent the third region of the frangible passage.

[0283] B14. The method of paragraph B12, wherein the fastener component is positioned between the first end region of the chassis and the first elastic laminate.

[0284] B15. The method of any of paragraphs B11 to B14, wherein the fastener component includes hooks capable of being refastenably attached to an outer surface of at least one of the chassis, the first elastic laminate, and the second elastic laminate.

[0285] B16. The method of any of paragraphs B11 to B15, further comprising cutting a slit in a third region adjacent to the fastening component.

[0286] B17. The method of any of paragraphs B1 to B16, wherein each line of weakness is oriented to define an offset angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the machine direction.

[0287] B18. The method of any of paragraphs B1 to B17, wherein the step of forming a first breakable via further comprises cutting through the first substrate and the second substrate such that the line of weakness comprises discrete cut lines.

[0288] B19. A method according to any of paragraphs B1 to B18, wherein the step of forming the first breakable path also includes pressure bonding the first substrate and the second substrate together so that the weakness line includes discrete bonds, wherein the materials of the first substrate and the second substrate are fused together.

[0289] B20. A method according to any of paragraphs B1 to B19, wherein a second plurality of elastic components are cut more than once in the first breakable passage to form first discrete blocks and second discrete blocks of elastic strands, wherein the first discrete blocks of the elastic strands include a first length, and wherein the second discrete blocks of the elastic strands include a second length, wherein the second length is greater than the first length.

[0290] B21. The method of paragraph B20, wherein the lines of weakness are arranged in a first row and a second row adjacent to the first row.

[0291] B22. The method of paragraph B21, wherein the first length of the first discrete pieces of elastic strands is defined by a distance extending in the machine direction between adjacent lines of weakness in the first row.

[0292] B23. The method of paragraph B22, wherein the second length of the second discrete pieces of elastic strands is defined by a distance extending in the machine direction between the line of weakness in the first row and the line of weakness in the second row.

[0293] B24. A method according to any of paragraphs B1 to B23, wherein the first breakable path extends a total length of the first breakable path from the outermost edge of the weakness line closest to the first edge of the first elastic laminate to the outermost edge of the weakness line closest to the second edge of the first elastic laminate.

[0294] B25. The method of paragraph B24, wherein the total length of the first frangible via is equal to or less than the first laminate width.

[0295] B26. The method of paragraph B24, wherein the total length of the first frangible via is greater than the width of the first laminate.

[0296] B27. A method according to any of paragraphs B1 to B26, wherein the weakness line extends a certain length from the first end to the second end, and wherein the sum of all lengths of the weakness lines in the first breakable path is greater than the total length of the first breakable path.

[0297] C1. A cutting apparatus comprising: a knife roll including means for forming breakable pathways in an elastic laminate and means for producing low stretch areas in the elastic laminate.

[0298] D1. A cutting apparatus comprising: a knife roll including means for forming breakable pathways in an elastic laminate and means for cutting the elastic laminate into discrete pieces.

[0299] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​cited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[0300] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or patent application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or the benefit of, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art to any of the present invention disclosed or claimed herein, or an admission that it, by itself or in combination with any one or more of the references, proposes, suggests, or discloses any such invention. In addition, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this invention shall govern.

[0301] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention be covered in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for assembling an absorbent article, the method comprising the steps of: Providing a first elastic laminate (200a), the first elastic laminate (200a) comprising an elastic strand (208) positioned between and connected to a first substrate (204) and a second substrate (206), the elastic strand (208) extending in a longitudinal direction, the first elastic laminate (200a) further comprising a first edge (200aa) separated from a second edge (200ab) in a transverse direction, wherein the first elastic laminate (200a) comprises a first laminate width defined by a distance extending in the transverse direction between the first edge (200aa) and the second edge (200ab); advancing the first elastic laminate (200a) in the longitudinal direction; as well as A first breakable path (700a) extending in the transverse direction between the first edge (200aa) and the second edge (200ab) is formed in the first elastic laminate (200a), the first breakable path (700a) comprising a weakness line (704), wherein all elastic strands (208) extending through the first breakable path (700a) are cut at the weakness line (704), so that the first plurality of elastic strands are cut only once, and so that the second plurality of elastic strands are cut more than once.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming a second breakable path (700b) in the first elastic laminate (200a) separated from the first breakable path (700a) in the longitudinal direction.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following steps: Providing a second elastic laminate (200b); Providing a chassis (102) comprising a body-facing surface (132) and a garment-facing surface (134) and an absorbent core (140) positioned between the body-facing surface (132) and the garment-facing surface (134), the chassis (102) further comprising a first end region (116a) and a second end region (118a) separated from the first end region (116a) in a transverse direction by a crotch region (119); and The first end region (116a) of the chassis (102) is bonded to the first elastic laminate (200a) and the second end region (118a) of the chassis (102) is bonded to the second elastic laminate (200b).

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first end region (116a) of the base structure (102) is positioned between the first frangible via (700a) and the second frangible via (700b).

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the first end region (116a) of the base structure (102) overlaps portions of the first frangible via (700a) and the second frangible via (700b).

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of forming low stretch areas (701) in the first elastic laminate (700a).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first end region (116a) of the base structure (102) overlaps the low stretch area (701).

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the step of forming the low stretch region (701) further comprises the following steps: intermittently bonding the elastic strand (208) to the first substrate (204) and the second substrate (206) to form unbonded areas wherein the elastic strand (208) is not bonded to the first substrate (204) and the second substrate (206); as well as The elastic strands (208) are cut in the unbonded areas so that the strands retract from the unbonded areas.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the step of forming the low stretch zone (701) further comprises the step of cutting the elastic strand (208) into a plurality of discrete pieces.

10. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: folding the chassis (102) in the crotch region (119) to position the first elastic laminate (200a) in a facing relationship with the second elastic laminate (200b); forming a bond between the first elastic laminate (200a) and the second elastic laminate (200b), wherein the bond is positioned between the first breakable pathway (700a) and the second breakable pathway (700b); and The first elastic laminate (200a) and the second elastic laminate (200b) are cut in the cross-machine direction through the bonds to form discrete absorbent articles.

11. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, further comprising the following steps: forming a first region (7001) of the first breakable pathway (700a) and a second region (7002) of the first breakable pathway (700a) in the first elastic laminate (200a); bonding said first end region (116a) of said chassis (102) to said first elastic laminate (700a) after said step of forming said first region (7001) and said second region (7002) of said first breakable pathway (700a); and After the step of bonding the first end region (116a) of the base structure (102) to the first elastic laminate (200a), a portion of the first substrate (204) is folded onto the second substrate (206) and the first end region (116a) of the base structure (102) so that the first region (7001) of the first breakable pathway (700a) overlaps with the second region (7002) of the first breakable pathway (700a).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of bonding a fastener component (707) to the first elastic laminate (700a).

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first breakable passage (700a) includes a first zone (7001) and a second zone (7002) separated from the first zone (7002) along the lateral direction by a third zone (7003), and wherein the fastener component (707) is positioned adjacent to the third zone (7003) of the first breakable passage (700a).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the fastener component (707) is positioned between the first end region (116a) of the chassis (102) and the first elastic laminate (200a).

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the fastener component (707) includes a hook that is capable of being repeatedly fastened to the outer surface of at least one of the base structure, the first elastic laminate and the second elastic laminate, and the method also includes cutting a slit in the third zone adjacent to the fastening component.

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