Resecurable absorbent article comprising band with partitioned elasticity

Abstract

An absorbent article includes a chassis and first and second elastic bands. Transversely opposite end regions of the first and second elastic bands are repeatably securely connected to form a waist opening and two leg openings. The first elastic band includes a first upper elastic region positioned near a laterally extending outer edge of the first elastic band, a first lower elastic region positioned near a laterally extending inner edge of the first elastic band, and a first central elastic region disposed between the first upper elastic region and the first lower elastic region. The first upper elastic region has a first tension, the first central elastic region has a second elastic force, and the first lower elastic region has a third tension. The second tension is smaller than the third tension. The absorbent article has a fit circumferential force greater than 2N.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to absorbent articles, particularly absorbent articles comprising re-fastening elastic bands having zoned elasticity. Background Technology

[0002] Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent fabrics to receive and contain urine and other bodily fluids such as feces. Some caregivers may prefer re-fastening trouser-style disposable fabrics for easy and hygienic removal and disposal of soiled absorbent fabrics. Current disposable re-fastening trouser-style absorbent fabrics typically consist of an absorbent base structure connected to front and back elastic bands, with the opposing end areas of the front and back bands re-fastening each other at the side seams. When placing the fabric on the wearer, caregivers tend to first secure the top of the fastening component to the opposing elastic band. However, if the tension at the bottom of the band is too high, the fastening component may buckle and / or bend. This can create large gaps, making it difficult for caregivers to secure the entire length of the fastening component to the opposing elastic band. This can result in insufficient engagement of the fastening component with the opposing band, adversely affecting fit and performance, and potentially causing discomfort, especially if the hooks of the fastening component are in contact with the skin and / or clothing.

[0003] There is a need for disposable, re-fastening trouser-style absorbent products that provide a comfortable and secure fit while preventing fastener components from buckling and / or bending, thus avoiding the difficulty of securing elastic bands around the wearer's waist. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure solves the problem of undesirable fastener bending and / or buckling caused during the fastening of absorbent articles that can be repeatedly fastened around the wearer's waist by providing an elastic band with zoned elasticity.

[0005] This document describes an absorbent article comprising: a base structure including a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the bottom sheet; the base structure further including a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region; and the absorbent article further including a first elastic band and a second elastic band, the first elastic band including the first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region, and the second elastic band including the first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region. The first end region of the base structure is connected to the central region of the first elastic band, and the second end region of the base structure is connected to the central region of the second elastic band. The laterally opposite end regions of the first elastic band and the laterally opposite end regions of the second elastic band are repeatedly and securely connected to form a waist opening and two leg openings. Each of the first and second elastic bands includes a laterally extending outer edge extending along a portion of the waist opening and a laterally extending inner edge extending along a portion of each of the leg openings. The first elastic band includes a first upper elastic region with a first plurality of elastic strands, a first central elastic region with a second plurality of elastic strands, and a first lower elastic region with a third plurality of elastic strands. The first upper elastic region is located near the outer edge of the lateral extension of the first band, the first lower elastic region is located near the inner edge of the lateral extension of the first band, and the first central elastic region is located between the first upper elastic region and the first lower elastic region. The first upper elastic region has a first tension, the first central elastic region has a second elastic force, and the first lower elastic region has a third tension. The second tension is less than the third tension. The absorbent article has a circumferential force of adhesion greater than 2N. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of a re-fastening diaper in a pre-fastening configuration is shown.

[0007] Figure 2A It shows Figure 1 A top view of the diaper pants.

[0008] Figure 2B It shows the state of compression. Figure 2A A top view of the diaper pants.

[0009] Figure 2C1 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection with a first configuration having a laminated structure.

[0010] Figure 2C2 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection with a second configuration having a laminated structure.

[0011] Figure 2C3 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection with a third configuration featuring a laminated structure.

[0012] Figure 2C4 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection of a fourth configuration with a laminated structure, wherein the second band is provided with a reinforcing patch.

[0013] Figure 2C5 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection of the fifth configuration with a laminated structure, wherein the second band is provided with a reinforcing patch.

[0014] Figure 2C6 It is a section taken along line 2C-2C. Figure 2B A cross-sectional view of the diaper pants, showing details of the flange connection of the sixth configuration with a laminated structure, wherein the second band is provided with a reinforcing patch.

[0015] Figure 2D This is a detailed cross-sectional view of the bonding structure between the flange and the substrate of the first strip, which comprises an adhesive that is substantially free of tackifiers.

[0016] Figure 2E It is applied between two nonwoven substrates Figure 2D Detailed view of the adhesive structure.

[0017] Figure 3A A plan view of a diaper trousers is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented towards the observer.

[0018] Figure 3B A plan view of a diaper trousers is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing the wearer is oriented towards the observer.

[0019] Figure 3C A plan view of a diaper trousers in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented toward the observer is shown, illustrating an example arrangement of elastic material in the first and second straps.

[0020] Figure 3D A plan view of a diaper trousers is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented toward the observer, illustrating the size and shape characteristics of the first and second straps.

[0021] Figure 3E A plan view of a diaper trousers is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented toward the observer, illustrating the size and shape characteristics of the first and second straps.

[0022] Figure 3F A plan view of a diaper trousers is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented toward the observer, illustrating the size and shape characteristics of the first and second straps.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a section taken along line 4-4. Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing a first elastic band and a second elastic band with sheet-like structures.

[0024] Figure 4A It is a detailed sectional view of the first strip with layers, one layer folded over another.

[0025] Figure 4A1 This is a detailed sectional view of another example configuration, where the first band is set with layers, one layer folded over another layer.

[0026] Figure 4A2 This is a detailed sectional view of another example configuration, where the first band is set with layers, one layer folded over another layer.

[0027] Figure 4B It is a detailed sectional view of a second strip with layers, one layer folded over another.

[0028] Figure 5A A perspective view of a diaper trouser with a continuous outer cover in a pre-fastened configuration is shown.

[0029] Figure 5B A plan view of a diaper trouser with a continuous outer cover is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented towards the observer.

[0030] Figure 5C It was taken from line 5C-5C. Figure 5B A cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing a first elastic band and a second elastic band provided with a sheet and a continuous outer cover.

[0031] Figure 5D This is a cross-sectional view of a diaper pants, showing a first elastic band and a second elastic band with sheets formed by a continuous inner layer and a continuous outer cover.

[0032] Figure 6A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the diaper pants, showing that the first end region of the second belt is partially disconnected from the first flange.

[0033] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A A perspective view of the diaper pants, showing that the second end region of the second belt is partially disconnected from the second flange.

[0034] Figure 7A This is a detailed view of the diaper pants, showing the flange bonded to the first strap and repeatedly and securely connected to the second strap.

[0035] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A detailed view of the diaper pants, showing the second strap partially disconnected from the flange.

[0036] Figure 7C yes Figure 7B A detailed view of the diaper pants, showing that the second strap is completely disconnected from the flange.

[0037] Figure 8 It is a plan view of the fastener components on the flange.

[0038] Figure 9A It is a section taken along line 9-9. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a flange and fastener component, showing the base of the fastener component bonded to the flange.

[0039] Figure 9B It is a section taken along line 9-9. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a flange and fastener component, showing the base of the fastener component extruded and bonded to a backing layer which is bonded to the flange.

[0040] Figure 9C It is a section taken along line 9-9. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a flange and fastener component, showing the base of the fastener component extruded and bonded to the flange.

[0041] Figure 9D It is a section taken along line 9-9. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a flange and fastener component, showing the base of the fastener component extruded and bonded to the flange.

[0042] Figure 9E It is a section taken along line 9-9. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of an example configuration of a flange and fastener component, showing a fastener component including a hook formed directly from the material of the flange.

[0043] Figure 10A This is a detailed view of the diaper pants, showing the straps and fasteners located on the flanges that are directly and repeatedly fastened together.

[0044] Figure 10B This is a detailed view of the diaper pants, showing the fastener components located on the belt and the flange directly and repeatedly fastened together.

[0045] Figure 10CThis is a detailed view of the diaper pants, showing that fastener components including loops on the belt and fastener components including hooks on the flange are repeatedly and securely connected.

[0046] Figure 10D This is a detailed view of the diaper pants, showing that fastener components including hooks on the belt and fastener components including rings on the flange are repeatedly and securely connected.

[0047] Figure 11 This is a side plan view of a diaper in a flat, unshrinked state, showing the surface facing the garment and illustrating an example arrangement of elastic material in the first and second straps.

[0048] Figure 12 This is a side plan view of the first belt, in which the fastener component is positioned on the flange before engaging with the second belt, illustrating the positioning of the fastener component relative to the elastic strand.

[0049] Figure 13 This is a front plan view of the diaper pants, showing the surface facing the garment and illustrating various positional relationships with the base structure, attachment area, and elastic area.

[0050] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a hanging sample fixture based on "full product force measurement". Detailed Implementation

[0051] definition

[0052] The following definitions of terms will help in understanding this disclosure:

[0053] "Absorbent articles" are devices for absorbing and containing bodily excretions, and more specifically, devices that are worn or adjacent to the wearer's body to absorb and contain various bodily excretions. Exemplary absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, pantsuit diapers (i.e., diapers with pre-formed waist and leg openings, such as those shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,487), re-fastening diapers or pantsuit diapers, incontinence briefs and underwear, diaper fasteners and linings, feminine hygiene underwear such as tights linings, absorbent inserts, menstrual pads, etc.

[0054] "Facing the body" and "facing the clothing" refer to the relative position of an element or the relative position of the surface of an element or a group of elements, respectively. "Facing the body" (also referred to herein as facing the wearer) means that an element or surface is closer to the wearer than some other elements or surfaces during wear. "Facing the clothing" means that an element or surface is further away from the wearer than some other elements or surfaces during wear (i.e., the element or surface is closer to the wearer's clothing, which may be worn over a disposable absorbent material).

[0055] The terms "elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refer to materials that exhibit elastic properties. These include any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, can stretch or elongate to a length exceeding 10% of its initial length, and will substantially return to approximately its initial length upon release of the applied force. Elastomer materials can include elastomeric films, loosely woven fabrics, nonwovens, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0056] As used herein, the term "joint" includes a configuration in which an element is directly fixed to another element by directly attaching the element to the other element, and a configuration in which an element is indirectly fixed to another element by attaching the element to an intermediate member (which in turn is attached to the other element).

[0057] As used herein, the term "distal" is used to describe a location far from the body's center or attachment point, and the term "proximal" is used to describe a location closer to the body's center or attachment point.

[0058] 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 fibrous material, nonwovens, membranes, and foils such as polymer films or metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may comprise two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a fiber web is a substrate.

[0059] The term "nonwoven fabric" as used herein refers to materials made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) through processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, and carding. Nonwoven fabrics do not have woven filaments or braided filament patterns.

[0060] The term "longitudinal" (MD) is used in this document to refer to the direction of material flow during the process. Furthermore, the relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowing longitudinally through the process from upstream to downstream.

[0061] The term “lateral” (CD) is used in this article to refer to a direction that is roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0062] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain applied to an elastic or elastomeric material before it is combined with another component of an elastomeric laminate or absorbent article. Pre-strain is determined by the following formula: Pre-strain = ((Extension of the elastic relaxation length of the elastic component) / Relaxation length of the elastic component) 100.

[0063] "Decitex" (Dtex) is a measure used in the textile industry to measure yarn or filament. 1 dtex = 1 gram / 10,000 meters. In other words, if 10,000 linear meters of yarn or filament weighs 500 grams, then the yarn or filament will have 500 dtex.

[0064] The term "adhesive diaper" (also known as "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent product that has an initial front waist area and an initial back waist area that are not secured, pre-secured, or connected to each other during packaging before being worn by the wearer. Adhesive diapers can be folded around a transverse centerline, with the interior of one waist area contacting the interior of the opposite waist area in a surface-to-surface manner without securing or joining the waist areas together. Exemplary adhesive diapers of various suitable configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897, 5,360,420, 5,599,335, 5,643,588, 5,674,216, 5,702,551, 5,968,025, 6,107,537, 6,118,041, 6,153,209, 6,410,129, 6,426,444, 6,586,652, 6,627,787, 6,617,016, 6,825,393, and 6,861,571; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013 / 0072887. All of these patents, namely A1, 2013 / 0211356 A1 and 2013 / 0306226 A1, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] The term "pants" (also known as "training pants," "pre-closed diapers," "diaper pants," "pants-style diapers," and "over-the-leg diapers") refers herein to a disposable absorbent article having a continuous perimeter waist opening and continuous perimeter leg openings, designed for use by an infant or adult wearer. Pants may be constructed to have a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the wearer puts the article on. Pants may be pre-formed or pre-fastened using a variety of techniques, including but not limited to using any re-fastening closure and / or permanent closure (e.g., stitching, thermal bonding, pressure welding, adhesives, glue bonding, mechanical fasteners, etc.) to join the parts of the article together. Pants may be pre-formed at any location along the perimeter of the article in the waist region (e.g., side-fastened or seamed, front waist-fastened or seamed, back waist-fastened or seamed). Examples of various configurations of diaper pants are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,940,464, 5,092,861, 5,246,433, 5,569,234, 5,897,545, 5,957,908, 6,120,487, 6,120,489, and 7,569,039; and U.S. Patent Publications Nos. 2003 / 0233082 A1, 2005 / 0107764 A1, 2012 / 0061016 A1, 2012 / 0061015 A1, 2013 / 0255861 A1, 2013 / 0255862 A1, and 2013 / 0255863. All of these patents, namely A1, 2013 / 0255864 A1 and 2013 / 0255865 A1, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] "Closed" refers to the fact that opposite waist areas are permanently or repeatedly fastened together during packaging to form a continuous waist opening and leg opening.

[0067] "Open" means that, before or during wearing the garment, the opposing waist areas are not initially joined to form a continuous waist opening and leg opening, but instead include a closing device (such as a fastening system) to join the waist areas to form the waist opening and leg opening.

[0068] Regarding the positioning of a first feature of the article and its relative to a second feature or location on the article, "inner" means, along a horizontal xy-plane, that the first feature is closer to the corresponding axis of the article than the second feature or location, which is occupied by the article when it is laid flat and extends to the full longitudinal and transverse dimensions of its component fiber web material to counteract any shrinkage caused by any included pre-strained elastomer material on a horizontal surface. "Transversely inner" means the first feature is closer to the longitudinal axis, and "longitudinally inner" means the first feature is closer to the transverse axis. Conversely, regarding the position of a first feature of the article and its relative to a second feature or location on the article, "outer" means the first feature is farther from the corresponding axis of the article than the second feature or location.

[0069] This disclosure relates to absorbent articles, and more specifically, to absorbent articles having a front waist region and a back waist region that are repeatedly and securely connected. In some configurations, the absorbent article may include: a base structure including a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The base structure may also include a first end region and a second end region, the second end region being longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region. The absorbent article may include a first elastic band and a second elastic band, each band including a surface facing the garment and an opposing surface facing the wearer, and each band including a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region. The first end region of the base structure may be connected to the central region of the first elastic band, and the second end region of the base structure may be connected to the central region of the second elastic band. Each elastic band may also include a laterally extending outer edge and a longitudinally opposing laterally extending inner edge. The absorbent article may also include a first flange and a second flange, each flange including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and each flange including a first end region and a second end region. A first surface of a first end region of a first flange is bonded to the wearer-facing surface of a first end region of a first elastic band, and a second surface of a second end region of the first flange faces the wearer-facing surface of a second elastic band. The second end region of the first flange and the first end region of the second elastic band are repeatedly and securely connected. Furthermore, a first surface of a first end region of the second flange is bonded to the wearer-facing surface of a second end region of the first elastic band, and a second surface of a second end region of the second flange faces the wearer-facing surface of the second elastic band. The second end region of the second flange and the second end region of the second elastic band are repeatedly and securely connected.

[0070] The first and / or second bands may include elastic zones configured to provide force distribution that helps improve the ease of engaging the fastener component with the opposing elastic band, while still providing a good fit and comfort of the absorbent article. As discussed below, the arrangement of the elastic zones herein may be configured to help ensure that the fastener component does not bend and / or buckle during fastening.

[0071] Figures 1 to 3B An example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of a diaper trouser 100P is shown, which may include components constructed according to the configuration disclosed herein. Specifically, Figure 1 A perspective view of the diaper pants 100P in a pre-fastened configuration is shown. Figure 2A It shows Figure 1 A top view of the diaper pants, and Figure 2B It shows the state of compression. Figure 2A A top view of the diaper pants. Figure 3A A plan view of diaper pants 100P is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer is oriented towards the observer. Figure 3B A plan view of a diaper trouser 100P is shown, in which the portion of the diaper facing the wearer is oriented toward the observer. The diaper trouser 100P includes a base structure 102 and an annular elastic band 104. As discussed in more detail below, a first elastic band 106 (also referred to herein as the first band) and a second elastic band 108 (also referred herein as the second band) are repeatedly and securely connected together to form the annular elastic band 104.

[0072] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 3B The diaper pants 100P and the base structure 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 base structure 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 may be configured as a front waist region, and the second waist region 118 may be configured as a back waist region. The diaper 100P may also include a laterally extending front waist edge 121 (also referred to herein as a first waist edge) in the first waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist edge 122 (also referred to herein as a second waist edge) in the back waist region 118 (also referred to herein as a second waist region). For the purpose of providing a frame of reference for this discussion, Figure 3A and Figure 3BA diaper 100P and a base structure 102 having a longitudinal axis 124 and a transverse axis 126 are shown. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 124 may extend through the front waist edge 121 and through the back waist edge 122. The transverse axis 126 may extend through the first longitudinal or right edge 128 and the second longitudinal or left edge 130 of the base structure 102. As previously mentioned, the longitudinal axis 124 extends perpendicularly through the front waist edge 121 and the back waist edge 122, and the transverse axis 126 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 124. When the diaper 100P is worn, the longitudinal direction may extend from the wearer's front waist through the crotch to the wearer's back waist.

[0073] like Figures 1 to 3B As shown, the diaper 100P may include an inner surface 132 facing the body and an outer surface 134 facing the clothing. The base structure 102 may include a bottom sheet 136 and a top sheet 138. The base structure 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 having an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the top sheet 138 and the bottom sheet 136. As discussed in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other structures, such as leg elastic components and / or leg bands, to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0074] like Figure 3A As shown, the periphery of the base structure 102 may be defined by the following portions: 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 3A As shown, the laterally extending end edges 144 and 146 may be located longitudinally inside the laterally extending front waist edge 121 in the first waist region 116 and the laterally extending rear waist edge 122 in the second waist region 118. In some configurations, the laterally extending end edges 144 and 146 may be adjacent to, or located longitudinally outside, the laterally extending front waist edge 121 in the first waist region 116 and the laterally extending rear waist edge 122 in the second waist region 118. When the diaper pants 100P are worn on the wearer's lower body, the front waist edge 121 and the rear waist edge 122 may wrap around a portion of the wearer's waist. Simultaneously, the side edges 128 and 130 may wrap around at least a portion of the wearer's legs. And the crotch region 119 may generally be positioned between the wearer's legs, wherein the absorbent core 142 extends from the first waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the second waist region 118.

[0075] As previously mentioned, the diaper 100P may include a backing sheet 136. The backing sheet 136 may also define the outer surface 134 of the base structure 102 facing the garment. The backing sheet 136 may also include woven or nonwoven materials, thermoplastic films such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and / or multilayers or composites comprising films and nonwoven materials. The backing sheet may also include an elastomer film. An example backing sheet 136 may be a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5 mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mil). Furthermore, the backing sheet 136 may allow vapor to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backing sheet is breathable) while still preventing effluent from penetrating the backing sheet 136.

[0076] As described above, the diaper trousers 100P may include a top sheet 138. The top sheet 138 may also define all or part of the wearer-facing inner surface 132 of the base structure 102. Furthermore, the top sheet 138 may be liquid-permeable, allowing liquids (e.g., menstrual fluid, urine, and / or loose stools) to permeate its thickness. The top sheet 138 may be made of a variety of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials; open-cell or hydroformed thermoplastic films; open-cell nonwovens, porous foams; mesh foams; mesh thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic loose fabrics. Woven 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 into a web, wet-laid, melt-blown, hydroentangling, 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 open-cell membranes may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may also include an absorbent assembly 140 coupled to the base structure 102. For example... Figure 3AAs shown, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a laterally extending front edge 148 in a first waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposing and laterally extending rear edge 150 in a second waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a longitudinally extending right edge 152 and a laterally opposing and longitudinally extending left edge 154, both of which 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 disposed between the top sheet 138 and the bottom sheet 136 and may be formed in various sizes and shapes compatible with diapers. Exemplary absorbent structures used as absorbent cores of this disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0078] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core comprising a reduced amount of cellulose breathable felt material. For example, such a core may comprise less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even 1% of cellulose breathable felt material. Such a core may primarily comprise at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100% absorbent gelling material, wherein the remainder of the core comprises microfiber adhesive (if applicable). Such cores, microfiber adhesives, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, and U.S. Patent Publications Nos. 2004 / 0158212 A1 and 2004 / 0097895 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0079] As previously mentioned, diaper 100P may also include an elastic leg cuff 156. It should be understood that the leg cuff 156 may be, and sometimes referred to as, a leg band, side wing, barrier cuff, elastic cuff, or liner cuff. The elastic leg cuff 156 may be constructed in various ways to help reduce leakage of bodily fluids in the leg area. Exemplary leg cuffs 156 may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, 4,909,803, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009 / 0312730 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0080] As mentioned above, diaper pants can be manufactured with a ring-shaped elastic band 104 and provided to the consumer in a configuration where the first waist region 116 and the second waist region 118 are connected to each other, as in the packaging, before being applied to the wearer. Therefore, diaper pants can have continuous peripheral waist openings 110 and continuous peripheral leg openings 112, such as... Figure 1 As shown. The annular elastic band can be formed by joining a first elastic band to a second elastic band using an openable and reclosable fastening system located on or adjacent to the transversely opposite side of the band.

[0081] As previously mentioned, the annular elastic band 104 may be defined by a first elastic band 106 connected to the second elastic band 108. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a first elastic band 106 extends between a first longitudinal side edge 111a and a second longitudinal side edge 111b, defining opposing first end regions 106a and 106b, and a central region 106c. A second elastic band 108 extends between a first longitudinal side edge 113a and a second longitudinal side edge 113b, defining opposing first end regions 108a and 108b, and a central region 108c. As measured in the extended state, the distance between the first longitudinal side edges 111a and 111b defines the pitch length PL of the first elastic band 106, and the distance between the first longitudinal side edges 113a and 113b defines the pitch length PL of the second elastic band 108. The central region 106c of the first elastic band is connected to a first waist region 116 or a first end region 116a of the base structure 102, and the central region 108c of the second elastic band 108 is connected to a second waist region 118 or a second end region 118a of the base structure 102.

[0082] like Figures 1 to 2B As shown, the flange 300, bonded to the opposite end region of the first belt 106, is repeatedly and securely connected to the opposite end region of the second belt 108 to define the annular elastic belt 104, the waist opening 110, and the leg opening 112. For example, the first flange 300a may be bonded to the first end region 106a of the first belt 106 at a first flange joint 302a, and the second flange 300b may be bonded to the second end region 106b of the first belt 106 at a second flange joint 302b. Subsequently, the first flange 300a may be repeatedly and securely connected to the first end region 108a of the second belt 108, and the second flange 300b may be repeatedly and securely connected to the second end region 108b of the second belt 108. For example, as Figures 1 to 2BAs shown, a first fastener component 304a on the first flange 300a can repeatedly and securely connect the first flange 300a to the second belt 108, and a second fastener component 304b on the second flange 300b can repeatedly and securely connect the second flange 300b to the second belt 108. Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the configuration shown, fastener component 304 can be adapted to be directly and repeatedly fastened to the second band 108. It should be understood that various configurations of fastener component 304 can be located on flange 300, first band 106, and / or second band 108, as discussed in more detail below. It should also be understood that in some configurations, flange 300 can be bonded to the opposite end region of the second band 108 and can be adapted to be repeatedly and repeatedly fastened to the opposite end region of the first band 106. It should also be understood that the first band can be positioned in the front or rear waist region, and the second band can be positioned in the front or rear waist region.

[0083] It should also be understood that fastener component 304 can be constructed in various ways, such as hooks, loops, and / or adhesives. For example, fastener component 304 may include hook elements or adhesives suitable for repeated fastening to another surface of diaper 100P. In some configurations, fastener component 304 may include loop elements suitable for repeated fastening to hook surfaces on diaper 100P. Fastener component 304 may be a separate element connected to the first band 106, the second band 108, and / or the flange 300 in various ways, such as mechanical bonding, adhesive bonding, or both. In some configurations, fastener component 304 may be integrally formed from the material of the first band 106, the second band 108, and / or the flange 300. In some configurations, the flange 300 and / or fastener component 304 may be printed and / or include materials of various different colors to help enhance visibility from the outside of diaper 100P.

[0084] It should be understood that flange 300 can be constructed from various types of materials, such as plastic films; open-cell plastic films; woven or nonwoven fiber webs of the following fibers: natural materials (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers), or combinations of natural and / or synthetic fibers; or coated woven or nonwoven fiber webs. In some configurations, flange 300 may comprise various types of nonwovens, such as spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, and hydroentangled. Flange 300 may be configured to be stretchable or nonstretchable and / or hydrophilic or hydrophobic. In some configurations, flange 300 may be configured as a single layer of material or a laminate comprising two or more layers of material.

[0085] It should also be understood that various types of adhesive 306 (such as...) can be used. Figure 2A and Figure 2B(As illustrated) to bond the flange 300 to the first strip 106 at the flange joint 302. For example, the bonding portion 306 at the flange joint 302 may include a mechanical bonding portion, a thermal bonding portion, a pressure bonding portion and / or an adhesive bonding portion.

[0086] In some configurations, the adhesive portion 306 may include an adhesive structure 403 comprising an adhesive that is substantially free of tackifiers or a tackifier-free adhesive, such as that discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US20200047420A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. The term “tackifier-free adhesive” is used herein to refer to an adhesive composition comprising a polymer and / or copolymer, wherein the adhesive composition contains no or no tackifier. Examples of such tackifier-free adhesives are disclosed in U.S. Patent Publications Nos. US20190322900A1, US20190322901A1, US20190322909A1, US20190321241A1, US20190321242A1, and US20200108167A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the terms “without”, “free from”, etc., indicate that the adhesive composition does not possess, in a manner exceeding the background level of trace amounts, the given material, component, or property following these qualifiers; that the amount of the material or component would not cause harm or irritation to a consumer typically associated with that material or component; or that the material or component was not intentionally added to the adhesive composition. In some applications, “without” and “free from” may indicate the absence of a measurable amount of the material or component. For example, some forms of adhesive compositions may not contain a measurable amount of tackifier. “Adhesives substantially free of tackifiers” is used herein to refer to adhesive compositions comprising polymers and / or copolymers, wherein the adhesive composition contains less than 10% by weight of tackifier. Therefore, “adhesives free of tackifiers” is also “adhesives substantially free of tackifiers.” The term “tackifier” refers to those conventional tackifier resins commonly available in the adhesives field and industry for typical hot-melt adhesives. Examples of conventional tackifier resins include aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic modified aliphatic hydrocarbon resins, hydrogenated polycyclopentadiene resins, polycyclopentadiene resins, rosin, rosin esters, wood rosin, wood rosin esters, tall oil rosin, tall oil rosin esters, polyterpenes, aromatic modified polyterpenes, terpene-phenolic resins, aromatic modified hydrogenated polycyclopentadiene resins, hydrogenated aliphatic resins, hydrogenated aliphatic aromatic resins, hydrogenated terpenes and modified terpenes, and hydrogenated rosin esters.

[0087] When the flange 300 and the first belt 106 include a nonwoven layer, the adhesive, which is essentially free of tackifiers, penetrates into the nonwoven fabric and causes the adhesive, which is essentially free of tackifiers, to interweave and bond with the fibers within the nonwoven fabric, thereby helping to strengthen the bond between them. Figure 2D An example is illustrated of an adhesive portion 306 including an adhesive structure 903 comprising a substantially tackifier-free adhesive 900 between a first substrate 800 of a flange 300 and a second substrate 802 of a first strip 106. Specifically, Figure 2D An example of a detailed cross-sectional view of a layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier after pressure is applied to a first substrate 800 and a second substrate 802 to form an adhesive structure 903 between the first substrate 800 and the second substrate 802. Figure 2D As shown, the adhesive portion 903 includes a first portion 901a of a layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier, which has penetrated into the first substrate 800, and a second portion 901b of a layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier, which has penetrated into the second substrate 802. Specifically, the first portion 901a of the layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier penetrates the second surface 808 of the first substrate 800 but does not reach or exit the first surface 806 of the first substrate 800. And the second portion 901b of the layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier penetrates the first surface 812 of the second substrate 802 but does not reach or exit the second surface 814 of the second substrate 802. Therefore, the first portion 901a of the layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier does not completely penetrate the thickness of the first substrate 800, and the second portion 901b of the layer 901 of adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifier does not completely penetrate the thickness of the second substrate 802. Continue to refer to Figure 2D The adhesive portion 903 also includes a central portion 901c of layer 901, wherein layer 901 of adhesive 900, which is substantially free of tackifier, includes a central portion 901c extending between a first portion 901a and a second portion 901b. As illustrated, the second surface 808 of the first substrate 800 and the first surface 812 of the second substrate 802 are separated from each other by the central portion 901c of layer 901 of adhesive 900, which is substantially free of tackifier.

[0088] As previously mentioned, the first substrate 800 may include a first nonwoven fabric 800', and / or the second substrate 802 may include a second nonwoven fabric 802', such as Figure 2E As shown, a portion of the adhesive portion 903 comprises an adhesive 900 that is substantially free of tackifiers, interwoven with the fibers of the first nonwoven fabric 800' and the second nonwoven fabric 802'. Figure 2EAs shown, the first nonwoven fabric 800' may include first fibers 820, and the second nonwoven fabric includes second fibers 822. A first portion 901a of a layer 901 of a substantially tackifier-free adhesive 900 interweaves with the first fibers 820 at a second surface 808 of the first nonwoven fabric 800', and a second portion 901b of a substantially tackifier-free adhesive layer 901 interweaves with the second fibers 822 at a first surface 812 of the second nonwoven fabric 802'. Figure 2E As shown, one or more first fibers 820 at and / or near the second surface 808 of the first nonwoven fabric 800' may include an outer periphery 821, which is completely surrounded by a substantially tack-free adhesive 900 of the first region 901a of layer 901. And one or more second fibers 822 at and / or near the first surface 812 of the second nonwoven fabric 802' may include an outer periphery 823, which is completely surrounded by a substantially tack-free adhesive 900 of the second region 901b of layer 901. It should be understood that the substantially tack-free adhesive 900 may completely surround the outer periphery 821 of additional first fibers 820 positioned away from the second surface 808 and further into the internal thickness of the first nonwoven fabric 800', and / or the substantially tack-free adhesive 900 may completely surround the outer periphery 823 of additional second fibers 822 positioned away from the first surface 812 and further into the internal thickness of the second nonwoven fabric 802'. It should be understood that the adhesive 900, which is substantially free of tackifiers, may be partially positioned around the outer periphery 821 of the additional first fibers 820 in the inner thickness of the first nonwoven fabric 800', away from the second surface 808, and / or the adhesive 900, which is substantially free of tackifiers, may be partially positioned around the outer periphery 823 of the additional second fibers 822 in the inner thickness of the second nonwoven fabric 802', away from the first surface 812.

[0089] Continue to refer to Figure 2E The first fiber 820 may have a first diameter D1, and the second fiber 822 may have a second diameter D2. The first diameter D1 may be the same as or different from the second diameter D1. It should be understood that the central portion 901c of the layer 901 of the substantially tackifier-free adhesive 900 may have a thickness Tc. In some configurations, the thickness Tc is greater than the first diameter D1 and / or the second diameter D2. In some configurations, the thickness Tc may be greater than three times the first diameter D1 and / or three times the second diameter D2.

[0090] Now for reference Figure 3A and Figure 3BThe first elastic band 106 also defines a laterally extending outer edge 107a and a laterally extending inner edge 107b, and the second elastic band 108 defines a laterally extending outer edge 109a and a laterally extending inner edge 109b. The outer edge 107a of the first band 106 is located longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b, and the outer edge 109a of the second band 108 is located longitudinally outside the inner edge 109b. Therefore, as Figure 1 As shown, the peripheral edge 112a of one leg opening may be defined by a portion of the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first elastic band 106, a portion of the laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic band 108, and a portion of the first longitudinal or right side edge 128 of the base structure 102. The peripheral edge 112b of the other leg opening may be defined by a portion of the laterally extending inner edge 107b, a portion of the laterally extending inner edge 109b, and a portion of the second longitudinal or left side edge 130 of the base structure 102. The laterally extending outer edges 107a and 109a may also define the front waist edge 121 and the laterally extending back waist edge 122 of the diaper trousers 100P.

[0091] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may define different sizes and shapes. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may define a curved profile. For example, the lateral inner edges 107b, 109b of the first elastic band and / or the second elastic band 106, 108 may include non-linear portions or curved portions in opposing first and second end regions. Such curved profiles can help define the desired shape of the leg opening 112, such as a relatively rounded leg opening. In addition to having a curved profile, the elastic bands 106, 108 may also include elastic strands 168 extending along non-linear or curved paths, which may correspond to the curved profile of the lateral inner edges 107b, 109b.

[0092] Figure 3D This illustrates a configuration in which both the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 define a generally rectangular shape. For example, as... Figure 3D As shown, the laterally extending outer edge 107a of the first elastic band 106 may have a lateral width W1D, and the laterally extending inner edge 107b may have a lateral width W1P, wherein W1D and W1P are equal or substantially equal. Furthermore, the laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D and W2P are equal or substantially equal.

[0093] In some configurations, at least one of the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may include lateral edges of different lengths. For example, Figure 3EThe first elastic band 106 is shown to define a generally rectangular shape (as shown in the reference). Figure 3D (as described above) and wherein the laterally extending outer edge 109a and laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic band 108 have configurations with different lengths. Figure 3E As shown, the laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

[0094] In some configurations, both the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may include lateral edges of different lengths. For example, Figure 3F This illustrates a configuration in which the laterally extending outer edge 107a and laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first elastic band 106 have different lengths, and where the laterally extending outer edge 109a and laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic band 108 have different lengths. (See diagram) Figure 3F As shown, the outer edge 107a of the first elastic band 107 may have a lateral width W1D, and the inner edge 107b of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W1P, wherein W1D is greater than W1P. The outer edge 109a of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2D, and the inner edge 109b of the second elastic band 108 may have a lateral width W2P, wherein W2D is greater than W2P.

[0095] refer to Figures 3D to 3F A first elastic band 106 may be defined as extending a longitudinal length LT1 between a laterally extending outer edge 107a and a laterally extending inner edge 107b, and a second elastic band 108 may be defined as extending a longitudinal length LT2 between a laterally extending outer edge 109a and a laterally extending inner edge 109b. In some configurations, LT1 may be equal to LT2. In some configurations, LT1 may be less than or greater than LT2. (Continue to refer to...) Figures 3D to 3F 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.

[0096] refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4The first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may each include a first base 162 and a second base 164. The first base 162 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the garment-facing surface 115a of the first elastic band 106 and the garment-facing surface 117a of the second elastic band 108, and the second base 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer-facing surface 115b of the first elastic band 106 and the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second elastic band 108. The first base 162 may extend a maximum length L1 from its proximal edge 162b to its distal edge 162a, and the second base 164 may extend a maximum length L2 from its proximal edge 164b to its distal edge 164a. It should be understood that the distal edge 162a and / or the proximal edge 162b of the first base 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 proximal edge 164b of the second base 164 may be straight and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Therefore, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest longitudinal distance extending between the distal edge 162a and proximal edge 162b of the first base 162, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest longitudinal distance extending between the distal edge 164a and proximal edge 164b of the second base 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 base 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 base 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. Therefore, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first base 162 and / or the distal edge 164a of the second base 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110.

[0097] It should be understood that the first base 162 and the second base 164 may define various lateral widths that may be equal or unequal. For example, such as Figure 3B As shown, the first base 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 base 164 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 164e and the second longitudinal edge 164f to define a second lateral width W2.

[0098] In some configurations, the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may extend laterally across the film 136. For example... Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4As shown, the first base 162 includes a surface 162c facing the clothing and an opposite surface 162d facing the wearer, and the second base 164 includes a surface 164c facing the clothing and an opposite surface 164d facing the wearer.

[0099] In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include folded portions of at least the first base 162 and / or the second base 164. For example, as Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include a folded portion 162g of the first base 162, which extends longitudinally between the fold line 162h and the lateral edge 162i in the first base 162. Therefore, the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 may be connected to the wearer-facing surface 164d of the second base 164. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 may also be connected to and / or overlap with the base structure 102. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 may also be connected to the wearer-facing surface 162d of the second base 162. In some configurations, a portion of the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 may be unbonded to the base structure 102 and / or the second base 164, thereby forming a 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 base 164, which extends longitudinally between the fold line in the second base 164 and the lateral edge. Thus, the folded portion of the second base 164 may connect to the garment-facing surface 162c of the first base 162. Therefore, in some configurations, the fold line of the first base 162 and / or the fold line of the second base 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110. It should be understood that various waist configurations can be used. For example, such as... Figure 4A1 As shown, the folded portion 162g can be sandwiched between the second base 164 and the film 136. Figure 4A2 In another example shown, the second substrate 164 can be sandwiched between the folded portion 162g and the film 136. Although Figure 4A1 and Figure 4A2 The configuration of the first band 106 is shown, but it should be understood that such a configuration can be applied to the second band 108.

[0100] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may contain the same material and / or have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 may contain different materials and / or have different structures. It should also be understood that 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 from various materials. For example, the first band and / or the second band may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 made of a material such as a plastic film; an open-cell plastic film; a woven or nonwoven fiber web of the following fibers: natural materials (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers), or a combination of natural and / or synthetic fibers; or a coated woven or nonwoven fiber web. In some configurations, the first band and / or the second band may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 comprising a nonwoven fiber web of synthetic fibers, and may include a stretchable nonwoven fabric. In some configurations, the first and second elastic bands may comprise an inner hydrophobic non-stretchable nonwoven material and an outer hydrophobic non-stretchable nonwoven material. In some configurations, the first and / or second bands may comprise a first substrate 162 and / or a second substrate 164, the first and / or second substrates comprising a nonwoven material having a basis weight of about 10 gsm to about 35 gsm, or about 15 gsm to about 25 gsm. It should be understood that the bands may be constructed in various ways, such as those disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0142828A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0101] Elastic material 167 may be positioned between the wearer-facing surface 162d of the first base 162 and the garment-facing surface 164c of the second base 164. It should be understood that elastic material 167 may include one or more elastic elements, such as strands, strips, elastic films, or sheets extending along the length of an elastic band. Figure 3C and Figure 4 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 membrane for forming a zero-strain elastic laminate, the elastic laminate comprising an elastic membrane bonded to one or more nonwoven layers and subsequently subjected to mechanical deformation or activation sufficient to weaken the nonwoven layers and enable the laminate to elastically stretch and recover.

[0102] 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 with adhesives and / or mechanical adhesives and / or bonded to other components (such as the base structure 102). It should be understood that adhesive bonding and mechanical bonding can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0103] 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 may 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 may apply a mechanically bonded portion to at least one of them. Such a mechanically bonded portion may be applied using heat, pressure, and / or ultrasonic devices. In some configurations, the mechanically bonded device may apply an adhesive portion that bonds the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 together, and / or may be used to capture or fix discrete lengths of shrinkable elastic strands in the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108.

[0104] 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 combinations to produce various desired features, which may vary along the transverse width and / or longitudinal length of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108. Such features may include, for example, partial characteristics, bonding patterns, hole arrangements, elastic positioning, average partial characteristics, average pre-strain values, roughness frequencies, roughness wavelengths, height values, and / or contact areas. It should be understood that different features may be assigned 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.

[0105] It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include elastic material 167 in various configurations 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, strips, 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 / 0170027 The patents described in A1, 2018 / 0169964 A1, 2018 / 0168879 A1, 2018 / 0170026 A1, 2019 / 0070041 A1, 2021 / 0282797A1 and 2021 / 0275362 A1 are all incorporated herein by reference. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 herein may be configured to have the same or different colors at various locations on the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108.

[0106] In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be configured as elastic strands 168 arranged at constant intervals along the longitudinal direction. In other embodiments, the elastic strands 168 may be arranged at varying intervals along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the partial characteristic value of the elastic strands 168 may be constant or varied along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 in a stretched state may be inserted and bonded between unshrinked substrate layers. When the elastic material 167 relaxes, the elastic material 167 returns to an unstretched state and causes the substrate layer to shrink. The elastic material 167 may provide a desired variation in contractile force in the region of the annular elastic band. It should be understood that the base structure 102 and the elastic bands 106, 108 may be constructed in a manner different from that shown in the figures. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 may be continuously or intermittently bonded to the substrate along the interface between the elastic material 167 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-wrinkled configuration, such as that disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,302, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] For example, see the above. Figure 3C and Figure 4 The elastic material 167 discussed herein may be in the form of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be parallel to each other and / or parallel to the transverse axis 126. It should be understood that the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may be constructed to include various amounts of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be grouped in pairs. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may comprise about 10 to about 1500 elastic strands 168.

[0108] It should also be understood that the elastic strands 168 described herein may have various fractional values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values, and such elastic strands 168 may be used with other elastic strands to produce a first elastic band 106 and a second elastic band 108 comprising various combinations of fractional values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values. For example, in some configurations, the average fractional value of one or more elastic strands 168 may be greater than 500. In some configurations, the average fractional value of one or more elastic strands 168 may be from about 10 to about 1500, specifically listing all fractional increments of 1 fraction within the above range and all ranges thereof or formed therefrom. In some configurations, multiple elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of less than or equal to 15 mm. In some configurations, multiple elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of less than or equal to 4 mm. In some configurations, the multiple elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 15 mm, specifically listing all 0.01 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therefrom. In some configurations, the multiple elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing greater than 4 mm. In some configurations, the average prestrain of each of the multiple elastic strands may be about 50% to about 400%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above range and all ranges formed therefrom. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 include an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average decibel of about 10 to about 500. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may have an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 8 mm and an average decibel of about 10 to about 1000. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may have an average prestrain of about 75% to about 300%.

[0109] 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 has an average strand spacing of about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average density 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 density greater than about 450.

[0110] In some configurations, such as Figure 3C As shown, the elastic strands 168 herein may be referred to as outer waist elastic members 170 and inner waist elastic members 172. Elastic strands 168, such as outer waist elastic members 170, may extend continuously laterally between opposing first end regions 106a and 106b of the first elastic band 106 and between opposing first end regions 108a and 108b of the second elastic band 108. Some elastic strands 168 (such as inner waist elastic members 172) may be configured to be discontinuous in certain regions (such as, for example, where the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 overlap with portions of the base structure 102 (such as the absorber assembly 140). In some configurations, some outer waist elastic members 170 and / or inner waist elastic members 172 may be configured to be discontinuous in regions suitable for repeated fastening with the flange 300.

[0111] like Figure 3CAs shown, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may be configured to have a low-tension region 701 and a high-tension region 703. The first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may include a first high-tension region 703a and a second high-tension region 703b laterally separated by a central low-tension region 701c. Parts of the base structure 102 (such as the backing sheet 136 and the absorbent assembly 140) may be connected to the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 in the central low-tension region 701c of the first waist region 116 and / or the second waist region 118. The first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may also include a first lateral low-tension region 701a and a second lateral low-tension region 701b. In some configurations, the second band 108 may include a first lateral low-tension region 701a and a second lateral low-tension region 701b located in a region of the flange 300 that can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second band 108. In some configurations, the first low-tension region 701a and the second low-tension region 701b may be positioned near the outer edge 109a of the laterally extending second strip 108. The first low-tension region 701a and the second low-tension region 701b may have a lateral width of about 20 mm to about 50 mm, or about 30 mm to about 40 mm. The first low-tension region 701a and the second low-tension region 701b may have a longitudinal length of about 110 mm to about 160 mm, or about 115 mm to about 155 mm, or about 120 mm to about 150 mm. In some configurations, the longitudinal length of the first low-tension region 701a and / or the second low-tension region 701b may be about 10 mm longer than the longitudinal length of the fastener component 304.

[0112] In some configurations, the first low-tension region 701a and / or the second low-tension region 701b of the second belt 108 may include a reinforcing patch 400 in the region where the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second belt 108. Without being theoretically limited, it is believed that the reinforcing patch 400 can help increase the stiffness of the first and second end regions of the second belt and aid in belt fastening (and repeated fastening) by reducing the collapse of the second belt and / or creating a flatter area that can engage more effectively with fastener components on the first belt.

[0113] The high-tension region 703 is elasticized by an elastic material 167, such as elastic strands 168, 172; and the low-tension region 701 may include cut lines separating the elastic material 167 (such as elastic strands 168, 172). In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut in an unbonded region where the elastic material is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. Thus, the elastic material 167 retracts from the unbonded region and forms the low-tension region 701. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut into discrete blocks. The low-tension region 701 then defines a region of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 with relatively less elasticity than the high-tension region 703. The cut and elastically contracted discrete elastic material 167 does not add any significant amount of elasticity to the low-tension region 701. Therefore, after a force is applied, the high-tension region 703 will elongate more than the low-tension region 701. As provided above, the terms "elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refer to materials that exhibit elastic properties. These include any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, is able to stretch or elongate to a length exceeding 10% of its initial length, and will substantially return to approximately its initial length upon release of the applied force. In some configurations, the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 may be configured to have a high-tension region 703 and may be configured to have a low-tension region 701 that is inelastic or "inelastic."

[0114] It should also be understood that the diaper pants 100P may be configured to have a first base 162 and / or a second base 164 that can continuously extend from the first band 106 to the second band 108. For example, the first base 162 may be configured to define a continuous outer cover 162' extending continuously from the first waist edge 121 to the second waist edge 122, such as Figures 5A to 5C As shown. Figure 5D Diaper pants 100P are shown, having both a first base 162 configured to define a continuous outer cover 162' and a second base 164 configured to define a continuous inner layer 164', the continuous outer cover and the continuous inner layer extending continuously from a first waist edge 121 to a second waist edge 122. It should also be understood that diaper pants 100P having a continuous outer cover (such as...) Figures 5A to 5D (As shown) can also be configured to include various aspects of the elastic material 167, flange 300, and fastener component 304 discussed herein, as well as references Figures 4 to 4A2 The waist edge configuration described.

[0115] As discussed above, the diaper 100P may include a flange 300 bonded to the opposite end region of the first band 106, and the flange 300 may be repeatedly and securely connected to the opposite end region of the second band 108. Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, flanges 300 may each include a first surface 308 and an opposing second surface 310. Flanges 300 may also include a first lateral end region 312 and a second lateral end region 314. The first surface 308 of the first lateral end region 312 of the first flange 300a may be bonded to the first end region 106a of the first band 106 at a first flange joint 302a, and the second surface 310 of the second lateral end region 314 of the first flange 300a may be repeatedly and securely connected to the first end region 108a of the second band 108. In some configurations, a first fastener component 304a on the second surface 310 of the second lateral end region 314 of the first flange 300a may be repeatedly and securely connected to the first end region 108a of the second band 108. Furthermore, the first surface 308 of the first lateral end region 312 of the second flange 300b can be bonded to the second end region 106b of the first band 106 at the second flange joint 302b, and the second surface 310 of the second lateral end region 314 of the second flange 302b can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second end region 108b of the second band 108. In some configurations, the second fastener component 304b on the second surface 310 of the second lateral end region 314 of the second flange 300a can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second end region 108b of the second band 108. In some configurations, the fastener component 304 can be positioned laterally inside the flange joint 302. In some configurations, the fastener component 304 and the flange joint 302 can be spaced apart by a distance of about 3 mm to about 11 mm, or about 5 mm to about 8 mm.

[0116] refer to Figure 2B When the diaper pants 100P are in a compressed or folded state, such as when placed in packaging, the wearer-facing surface 115b of the first strap 106 is positioned to directly face the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108. In this case, the first surfaces 308 of the first flanges 300a and 300b directly face the wearer-facing surface 115b of the first strap 106. Furthermore, the second surfaces 310 of the first flanges 300a and 300b directly face the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108. Figure 2A As shown, when the diaper pants 100P are in an unfolded state, such as when worn or placed on a wearer, the wearer-facing surface 115b of the first strap 106 separates from the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108. At this time, the first surfaces 308 of the first flange 300a and the second flange 300b define the wearer-facing surfaces and are in direct contact with the wearer. Furthermore, the second surfaces 310 of the first flange 300a and the second flange 300b define the clothing-facing surfaces and remain in direct contact with the wearer-facing surface 117a of the second strap 108.

[0117] As discussed herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108 can be configured as a laminate that may include regions with different numbers of base layers. Therefore, it should be understood that the flange can be bonded to and repeatedly and securely connected to various arrangements of the base layers of the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108.

[0118] For example, Figure 2C1 These are cross-sectional views of the first band 106 and the second band 108, which are configured to have the same characteristics as those referenced above. Figure 4 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above. For example... Figure 2C1 As shown, the first surface 308 of the flange 300 can be bonded to the wearer-facing surface 115b of the first band 106, and the second surface 310 of the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second band 108. More specifically, the first surface 308 of the flange 300 can be bonded to the second base 164 of the first band 106, and the fastener component 304 on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second base 164 of the second band 108.

[0119] In the other configurations described above, at least one substrate of the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108 may be folded to partially overlap with itself and / or another substrate, which in turn may define regions of strips with different numbers of substrate layers. For example, Figure 2C2 These are cross-sectional views of the first band 106 and the second band 108, which are configured to have the same characteristics as those referenced above. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4A1 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above. For example... Figure 2C2 As shown, the first surface 308 of the flange 300 can be bonded to the second base 164 of the first strip 106 and the folded portion 162g of the first base 162. In addition, the fastener component 304 on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second base 164 of the second strip 108 and the folded portion 162g of the first base 162.

[0120] Figure 2C3 Another cross-sectional view of the first band 106 and the second band 108 is shown, the first band and the second band being configured to have the same characteristics as referenced above. Figure 4A2 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above. For example... Figure 2C3As shown, the first surface 308 of the flange 300 can be bonded to the second base 164 in the region where the second base 164 of the first strip 106 overlaps with the folded portion 162g of the first base 162. Furthermore, the fastener component 304 on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second base 164 in the region where the second base 164 of the second strip 108 overlaps with the folded portion 162g of the first base 162.

[0121] In other configurations, the second band 108 may include a reinforcing patch 400. Figure 2C4 A cross-sectional view of a first band 106 and a second band 108 is shown, the first band and the second band being configured to have the same features as referenced above. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4A1 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above, wherein the second band 108 includes a reinforcing patch 400. For example... Figure 2C4 As shown, the reinforcing patch 400 may include a first surface 401 and a second surface 403, wherein the second surface 403 may be bonded to a portion of the second base 164 of the second strip 108 and a portion of the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 of the second strip 108. Furthermore, a fastener component 304 on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 may be repeatedly and securely connected to the first surface 401 of the reinforcing patch 400.

[0122] Figure 2C5 Another cross-sectional view of the first band 106 and the second band 108 is shown, the first band and the second band being configured to have the same characteristics as referenced above. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4A1 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above, wherein the second band 108 includes a reinforcing patch 400. For example... Figure 2C5 As shown, the reinforcing patch 400 can be positioned between the first base 162 and the second base 164 of the second strip 108. In addition, the fastener component 304 on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 can be repeatedly and securely connected to the second base 164 of the second strip 108 and the folded portion 162g of the first base 162.

[0123] Figure 2C6 Another cross-sectional view of the first band 106 and the second band 108 is shown, the first band and the second band being configured to have the same characteristics as referenced above. Figure 4A , Figure 4B and Figure 4A1 The laminated structure shown corresponds to the laminated structure described above, wherein the second band 108 includes a reinforcing patch 400. For example... Figure 2C6As shown, the second surface 403 of the reinforcing patch 400 can be bonded to the second base 164 of the second strip 108, and the folded portion 162g of the first base 162 of the second strip can overlap and bond to a portion of the first surface 401 of the reinforcing patch 400.

[0124] The reinforcing patch 400 can be attached to the tape in various ways (such as mechanical bonding, adhesive bonding, or both). Although Figures 2C4 to 2C6 An example of a reinforcing patch 400 positioned on the second band 108 is shown, but it should be understood that in some configurations where the flange 300 can be bonded to the opposite end region of the second band, the reinforcing patch can be positioned on the first band 106.

[0125] As discussed above, the diaper pants 100P described herein may include one or more reusable fastening connections between the first strap 106 and the second strap 108. For example, Figure 1 , Figure 6A and Figure 6B An example diaper trouser 100P is shown, wherein a first strap 106 and a second strap 108 are reusably and securely connected. This reusable connection between the straps allows the first elastic strap 106 and the second elastic strap 108 to be partially or completely separated from each other, such as when inspecting the worn diaper trouser 100P to determine if it may be soiled. If it is determined that the diaper trouser 100P is suitable for continued use, the first strap 106 and the second strap 108 can be reconnected to each other. For example, Figure 6A yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the diaper pants 100P, showing that the first end region 108a of the second belt 108 is partially disconnected from the first flange 300a. According to... Figure 6A As illustrated, it should be understood that by applying force to the second band 108 (generally indicated by a double-headed arrow), the broken portion of the first end region 108a of the second band 108 can be reconnected to the first fastener component 304a. It should also be understood that by applying force to the second band 108 (generally indicated by a double-headed arrow), the remaining connected portion of the first end region 108a of the second band 108 can be further disconnected from the first fastener component 304a.

[0126] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A A perspective view of the diaper pants, showing that the first end region 108a of the second belt 108 has been completely disconnected from the first fastener component 304a on the first flange 300a. Figure 6B It is also shown that the second end region 108b of the second band 108 is partially disconnected from the second flange 300b. According to... Figure 6BAs illustrated, it should be understood that by applying force (generally indicated by a double-headed arrow) to the second band 108, the disconnected portions of the first end region 108a and the second end region 108b of the second band 108 can be reconnected to the first fastener component 304a and the second fastener component 304b, respectively. It should also be understood that by applying force (generally indicated by a double-headed arrow) to the second band 108, the remaining connected portion of the second end region 108b of the second band 108 can be further disconnected from the second fastener component 304b.

[0127] As previously discussed, the repeatable fastening connection between straps 106 and 108 can be configured to allow the first elastic strap 106 and the second strap 108 to be relatively easy and completely separated from each other, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. For example, Figures 7A to 7C This illustrates the process by which the first band 106 and the second band 108 can be completely disconnected from each other. Specifically, Figure 7A This is a detailed view of diaper pants 100P, showing the flange 300 bonded to the first belt 106 and repeatedly and securely connected to the second belt 108. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A detailed view of the diaper pants 100P shows the second strap 108 partially disconnected from the flange 300, and Figure 7C yes Figure 7B A detailed view of the diaper pants 100P shows the second band 108 completely disconnected from the flange 300. Therefore, once the opposing ends of the first elastic band 106 and the second elastic band 108 are completely disconnected, the diaper pants 100P can be removed from the wearer in a manner similar to that of an adhesive diaper.

[0128] It should be understood that the flange 300 and / or fastener component 304 may include any of a variety of shapes, including rectangular or other polygonal shapes, circular shapes, elliptical shapes, shapes with external convex or concave surfaces, or combinations thereof, or one or more lines or geometries forming an array. It should also be understood that more than one fastener component 304 may be positioned on the flange. It should also be understood that the fastener component 304 and the flange 300 may be configured to have various sizes and shapes. For example, Figure 8 A detailed plan view of a fastener component 304 positioned on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 is shown. For the purpose of providing a frame of reference, in Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a longitudinal axis 124 and a transverse axis 126, which correspond to the directional reference frames provided by the longitudinal axis 124 and transverse axis 126 shown in other figures herein. Figure 8As shown, flange 300 may define a lateral width FW and a longitudinal length FL, and fastener component 304 may define a lateral width FTW and a longitudinal length FTL. In some configurations, FW may be equal to or greater than FTW, and FL may be equal to or greater than FTL. Flange 300 may have a lateral width FW of about 26 mm to about 40 mm, or about 30 mm to about 38 mm, and a longitudinal length FL of about 110 mm to about 130 mm, or about 115 mm to about 125 mm. Fastener component 304 may have a lateral width FTW of about 10 mm to about 18 mm, or about 12 mm to about 15 mm, and a longitudinal length FTL of about 105 mm to about 120 mm, or about 108 mm to about 115 mm. In some configurations, a gap region 340 may be defined on flange 300 by omitting a portion of fastener component 304.

[0129] Continue to refer to Figure 8 The flange 300 may include a first side edge 316 laterally separated from the second side edge 318, and may include a first end edge 320 longitudinally separated from the second end edge 322. Furthermore, the fastener component 304 may include a first side edge 324 laterally separated from the second side edge 326, and may include a first end edge 328 longitudinally separated from the second end edge 330. In some configurations, the first side edge 324 of the fastener component 304 may be adjacent to or laterally inward of the first side edge 316 of the flange 300, and / or the second side edge 326 of the fastener component 304 may be adjacent to or laterally inward of the second side edge 318 of the flange 300. In some configurations, the first side edge 324 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned at a distance W from approximately 8 mm to approximately 21 mm, or approximately 10 mm to approximately 18 mm, laterally inward of the first side edge 316 of the flange 300, and / or the second side edge 326 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned at a distance W1 from approximately 1 mm to approximately 9 mm, or approximately 3 mm to approximately 7 mm, laterally inward of the second side edge 318 of the flange 300. Without being theoretically limited, it is believed that if the fastener component 304 is positioned at a distance greater than approximately 9 mm from the second side edge 318 of the flange 300, the gap region 340 of the flange 300 may fold and cover a portion of the fastener component 304, thereby interfering with the engagement of the fastener component 304 with the opposing belt.

[0130] In some configurations, the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304 may be adjacent to or longitudinally inner of the first end edge 320 of the flange 300, and / or the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304 may be adjacent to or longitudinally inner of the second end edge 322 of the flange 300. In some configurations, the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned at a distance X of approximately 2 mm to approximately 8 mm, or approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm, longitudinally inner of the first end edge 320 of the flange 300, and / or the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned at a distance X1 of approximately 2 mm to approximately 8 mm, or approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm, longitudinally inner of the second end edge 322 of the flange 300. Without being limited by theory, it is believed that such placement of the first end edge 328 and / or the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304 relative to the first end edge 320 and / or the second end edge 330 of the flange 300 can help prevent the fastener component 304 from protruding longitudinally to the outside of the first waist edge and coming into contact with the skin during use.

[0131] It should also be understood that fastener components can be constructed in various ways and can be connected to flanges in various ways. As discussed above, fastener components may include hook material that can be repeatedly and securely engaged with a substrate (such as a nonwoven fabric). For example, fastener components may include a base or laminated structure having protrusions (such as hooks), wherein the base or laminated structure is bonded to a flange (or strip) that may include a nonwoven fabric. It should be understood that the base or laminated structure can be bonded to the flange (or strip) in various ways, such as, for example, using mechanical bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding and / or adhesive bonding or combinations thereof.

[0132] For example, such as Figure 9A As shown, fastener component 304 may include a plurality of protrusions 331 extending from base 334. Protrusions 331 may be hooks, nodules, or other protrusions of various shapes, configured to engage a receiving component or another fastener component. In some configurations, fastener component 304 may include hooks 332 protruding from base 334, and adhesive 336 may bond the base 334 of fastener component 304 to the second surface 310 of flange 300. It should be understood that, as a supplement to or alternative to adhesive 336, fastener component 304 may be mechanically bonded to flange 300. It should also be understood that base 334 may be constructed in various ways. For example, base 334 may include a thermoplastic film. Furthermore, adhesive 336 between base 334 and flange 300 may extend longitudinally over the entire length FTL of base or less than the entire length FTL of base. Furthermore, the adhesive 336 between the base 334 and the flange 300 can extend laterally across the entire width FTW of the base or less than the entire length FTW of the base.

[0133] In some configurations, base 334 may comprise a laminate having individual layers bonded together. It should also be understood that such layers can be bonded together in various ways, such as using adhesives, mechanical bonding, and / or extrusion bonding. In some configurations, the layers of base 334 may be bonded together by extrusion or melt bonding, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0045931A1. For example, as... Figure 9B As shown, the base 334 may include a thermoplastic film layer 334a and a nonwoven backing layer 334b, wherein the thermoplastic film layer 334a is bonded to the nonwoven backing layer 334b ​​via an extrusion bonding portion 338. Subsequently, the nonwoven backing layer 334b ​​may be bonded to the flange 300 via an adhesive 336.

[0134] In some configurations, such as, for example Figure 9C and Figure 9D As shown, the base can be directly bonded to the flange by extrusion or melt bonding, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2021 / 0045931A1. For example, the base 334 may include a thermoplastic film layer, and the flange 300 may include a nonwoven layer, wherein the thermoplastic film base 334 is bonded to the nonwoven flange 300 via an extrusion bond 338. In some configurations, such as Figure 9C As shown, the base 334 may extend longitudinally over the entire length FL of the flange 300, such as from the first end edge 320 of the flange 300 to the second end edge 322 of the flange 300, and the hook 332 may extend longitudinally less than the entire length FL of the flange 300. Furthermore, the extruded bond 338 between the base 334 and the flange 300 may extend longitudinally over the entire length FL, FTL of both the flange 300 and the base 334. Additionally, the extruded bond 338 between the base 334 and the flange 300 may extend laterally over the entire width FTW of the base 334 or less than the entire length FTW of the base. In some configurations, such as... Figure 9D As shown, the longitudinal length FTL of the base 334 may be less than the entire length FL of the flange 300. Furthermore, the extruded bond 338 between the base 334 and the flange 300 may extend longitudinally over the entire length FTL of the base 334 or be less than the entire length FTL of the base. Additionally, the extruded bond 338 between the base 334 and the flange 300 may extend laterally over the entire width FTW of the base 334 or be less than the entire length FTW of the base. Therefore, in some configurations, the edge region 342 of the base 334 adjacent to the first side edge 324, the second side edge 326, the first end edge 328, and / or the second end edge 330 may not be bonded to the flange 300.

[0135] In some configurations, the protrusion 331 may be integrally formed by the flange 300. In some configurations, the protrusion 331 may be a hook 332 integrally formed by the flange 300, which may be, for example, in the form of a nonwoven fabric. For example, as Figure 9E As shown, the fastener component 304 may be integrally formed from the material of the flange 300, or may be integrally formed from other materials that may subsequently be attached to the flange 300.

[0136] It should be understood that the above discussion and description of the bonding arrangement and configuration between fastener component 304 and flange 300 also applies to the bonding arrangement and configuration between fastener component 304 and the material of the first band 106 and / or the second band 108.

[0137] As discussed above, it should be understood that various arrangements and types of fastener components 304 and flanges 300 can be configured to repeatedly and securely connect opposite end regions of the first band 106 to the second band 108. For example, Figure 10A This is a detailed view of the diaper pants 100P, showing the second strap 108 directly and repeatedly fastened to a fastener component 304 located on the flange 300. The fastener component 304 may include a hook 332 adapted to be directly and repeatedly fastened to a material (such as, for example, a first base 162 and / or 164 of the second strap 108) defining the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108. In another example, Figure 10B A detailed view of diaper pants 100P is shown, which have a fastener component 304 including a hook 332 located on the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108. This hook is adapted to be directly and repeatedly fastened to the material of the second surface 310 defining a flange 300. In yet another example, Figure 10C A detailed view of diaper pants 100P is shown, which have fastener components 304 including hooks 332 on a second surface 310 of flange 300 and fastener components 304 including loops 344 on a wearer-facing surface 117b of second strap 108, wherein the hooks 332 are adapted to be repeatedly and securely connected to the loops 344. In another example, Figure 10D This is a detailed view of diaper pants 100P, which have a fastener component 304 including a ring 344 located on the second surface 310 of the flange 300 and a fastener component 304 including a hook 332 located on the wearer-facing surface 117b of the second strap 108, wherein the hook 332 is adapted to be repeatedly and securely connected to the ring 344. It should be understood that in some configurations, adhesives may be used instead of or supplementing the above-referenced material. Figures 10A to 10D The hook mentioned above.

[0138] As discussed above, the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108 can be assembled in various ways and combinations to produce a variety of desired features, which may vary along the lateral width and / or longitudinal length of the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108. In some configurations, the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108 may include one or more elastic zones extending in the lateral direction. In some configurations, the first strip 106 and / or the second strip 108 may include two, three, four, or more elastic zones. The elastic zones may be continuous or discontinuous, for example, when damaged by the foundation structure 102.

[0139] In some configurations, the tension (N) of the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 can be distributed, such that the tension in each elastic zone may vary along the longitudinal length of the belt. In some configurations, the first belt may have distributed tension, and the second belt may have substantially uniform tension.

[0140] Figure 11 This is a side plan view of a diaper trouser 100P in a flat, unshrinked state, showing the surface facing the garment and illustrating an example arrangement of elastic material 167 in the first band 106 and the second band 108. Figure 11 As shown, the first strip 106 may include a first upper elastic region 502 located near the laterally extending outer edge 107a, a first lower elastic region 506 located near the laterally extending inner edge 107b, and a first central elastic region 504 disposed between the first upper elastic region and the first lower elastic region. The first upper elastic region 502 may include a first longitudinal length LE1 of approximately 40% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first strip. The first central elastic region 504 may include a second longitudinal length LE2 of approximately 30% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first strip. The first lower elastic region 506 may include a third longitudinal length LE3 of approximately 30% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first strip.

[0141] In some configurations, the second band 108 may include a second upper elastic region 522 located near the laterally extending outer edge 109a, a second central elastic region 524 located longitudinally inside the second upper elastic region 522, and a second lower elastic region 526 located longitudinally inside the second central elastic region 524. In some configurations, the second band 108 may also include a second lower leg elastic region 530 located near the laterally extending inner edge 109b. The second upper elastic region 522 may have a fourth longitudinal length LE4 of approximately 40% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first band. The second central elastic region 524 may have a fifth longitudinal length LE5 of approximately 30% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first band. The second lower elastic region 526 may have a sixth longitudinal length LE6 of approximately 30% of the longitudinal length LT1 of the first band. The second lower leg elastic region 530 may have a seventh longitudinal length LE7.

[0142] Each elastic zone may include elastic material 167. In some configurations, each elastic zone may include multiple elastic strands 168. It should be understood that each elastic zone is separated by cutting through the longitudinal center between the bottom elastic strand of a zone and the top elastic strand of the adjacent zone, taking care not to cut any portions of elastic strands that are substantially parallel to each other in the lateral direction. If there are any elastic strands on the boundary of an elastic zone, the zone is separated at the longitudinal center between the elastic strand on the boundary and the adjacent elastic strand closest to the central elastic zone.

[0143] Elastic strands 168 may be evenly distributed between elastic zones. Elastic strands 168 may also be unevenly distributed between different elastic zones. Elastic strands 168 located in the first central elastic zone 504, the second central elastic zone 524, the first lower elastic zone 506, and the second lower elastic zone 526 may be laterally interrupted by the base structure 102. The first upper elastic zone 502 may include a first plurality of elastic strands 602 and have a first tension. The first central elastic zone 504 may include a second plurality of elastic strands 604 and have a second tension. The first lower elastic zone 506 may include a third plurality of elastic strands 606 and have a third tension. The second upper elastic zone 522 may include a fourth plurality of elastic strands 622 and have a fourth tension. The second central elastic zone 524 may include a fifth plurality of elastic strands 624 and have a fifth tension. The second lower elastic zone 526 may include a sixth plurality of elastic strands 626 and have a sixth tension. The second lower leg elastic zone 530 may include a seventh plurality of elastic strands 630 and have a seventh tension.

[0144] In some configurations, the first tension may be greater than the second and / or third tension. In some configurations, the second tension may be less than or equal to the third tension. In some configurations, the second and / or third tension may be less than about 1.20 N. In some configurations, the second and / or third tension may be about 0.10 N to about 1.20 N, or about 0.50 N to about 1.10 N. In some configurations, the second tension may be about 5% to about 50% less than the third tension. In some configurations, the second and third tensions may be less than about 2.00 N. In some configurations, the fourth tension may be greater than the fifth tension. In some configurations, the fifth tension may be less than or equal to the sixth tension. The fifth and / or sixth tension may be about 0.50 N to about 2.30 N, or about 0.80 N to about 2.10 N. The fifth tension may be about 0% to about 30% less than the sixth tension. In some configurations, the fifth and sixth tensions may be less than about 3.00 N. In some configurations, the first and fourth tensions can be from about 0.50 N to about 3.00 N. Without being theoretically limited, it is believed that by making the second and / or fifth tensions less than the third and / or sixth tensions, the elastic band is easier to secure around the wearer's waist while still providing a good fit and comfort. It is believed that when a caregiver places the re-fastening absorbent material around the wearer's waist, the caregiver will first secure the first edge region of the fastener component to the opposing band. If the second and / or fifth tensions are greater than the third and / or sixth tensions, the fastener component may buckle and / or bend, resulting in large gaps and making it difficult for the caregiver to secure the entire length of the fastener component to the opposing band.

[0145] In some configurations, according to the “full product force measurement” described below, the diaper pants 100P may have a circumferential force of greater than 2N, or about 3N to about 10N, or about 4N to about 6N.

[0146] In some configurations, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and / or sixth elastic strands may have an average fractional density of about 10 to about 1000. In some configurations, the first elastic strand 602 and / or the fourth elastic strand 622 may have an average fractional density of about 200 to about 800, or about 300 to about 700. The second elastic strand 604 and / or the fifth elastic strand 624 may have an average fractional density of about 200 to about 800, or about 300 to about 700. The third elastic strand 606 and / or the sixth elastic strand 626 may have an average fractional density of about 400 to about 1000.

[0147] In some configurations, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and / or sixth elastic strands may have an average pre-strain of about 150% to about 300%. In some configurations, the first elastic strand 602 and / or the fourth elastic strand 622 may have an average pre-strain of less than about 300%, or about 150% to about 300%, or about 180% to about 300%, or about 220% to about 300%. The second elastic strand 604 and / or the fifth elastic strand 624 may have an average pre-strain of less than about 300%, or about 150% to about 275%, or about 180% to about 275%. The third elastic strand 606 and / or the sixth elastic strand 626 may have an average pre-strain of less than about 300%, or about 250% to about 275%. In some configurations, the average prestrain of the second multiple elastic strand 604 and / or the fifth multiple elastic strand 624 may be less than or equal to the average prestrain of the third multiple elastic strand 606 and the sixth multiple elastic strand 626.

[0148] In some configurations, the pitch (measured from the center of one elastic strand to the center of the adjacent elastic strand) between the elastic strands in the first upper elastic region 502 and the first central elastic region 504 may be greater than the pitch between the elastic strands in the first lower elastic region 506. The pitch between the elastic strands in the first upper elastic region 502 and the first central elastic region 504 may be approximately 4 mm to approximately 16 mm, or approximately 6 mm to approximately 12 mm, or approximately 7 mm to approximately 9 mm. The pitch between the elastic strands in the first lower elastic region 506 may be approximately 4 mm to approximately 8 mm, or approximately 5 mm to approximately 7 mm. The pitch between the elastic strands in the second upper elastic region 522, the second central elastic region 524, and the second lower elastic region 526 may be substantially equal. The gap between the elastic strands in the second upper elastic region 522, the second central elastic region 524, and the second lower elastic region 526 may be approximately 4 mm to approximately 16 mm, or approximately 6 mm to approximately 12 mm, or approximately 7 mm to approximately 9 mm. In some configurations, the pitch between the elastic strands of the first elastic band 106 and / or the second elastic band 108 can be from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm.

[0149] Figure 12 This is a side plan view of the diaper trousers 100P in a flat, unshrinked state, showing the first strip 106 with a fastener component 304 positioned on the flange 300 before engagement with the second strip 108, illustrating the positioning of the fastener component 304 relative to the elastic strand 168. Figure 12As shown, the first plurality of elastic strands 602 may include at least a first elastic strand 602a positioned near the laterally extending outer edge 107a of the first band 106 and a second elastic strand 602b positioned longitudinally inside the first elastic strand 602a. In some configurations, the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned between the first elastic strand 602a and the second elastic strand 602b of the first plurality of elastic strands 602. In some configurations, the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned longitudinally outside the first elastic strand 602a of the first plurality of elastic strands 602. In some configurations, no more than one elastic strand may be positioned longitudinally outside the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304. In some configurations, the first elastic strand 602a and the first end edge 328 of the fastener component 304 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance DF of about 0 mm to about 8 mm, or about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In some configurations, the third plurality of elastic strands 606 may include at least a first elastic strand 606a positioned near the laterally extending inner edge 107b and a second elastic strand 606b positioned longitudinally inside the first elastic strand 606a. In some configurations, the first elastic strand 606a in the third plurality of elastic strands 606 and the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance DF1 of about 0 mm to about 8 mm, or about 1 mm to about 6 mm, or about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

[0150] It should be understood that various types of adhesive arrangements can be used to connect the base structure 102 to the first strip 106 and the second strip 108. For example... Figure 13 As shown, a portion of the base structure 102 overlaps with the wearer-facing surface of the first band 106 to define a base structure overlap region 200. The base structure overlap region 200 may extend laterally between a first longitudinal edge 128 and a second longitudinal edge 130 of the base structure 102, and longitudinally between a first lateral edge 144 of the base structure 102 and a laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first band 106. The base structure overlap region 200 may include an attachment region 202 in which an adhesive 203 is positioned between the backing sheet 136 of the base structure 102 and the wearer-facing surface of the first band 106. Thus, the adhesive 203 in the attachment region 202 may bond the base structure 102 to the first band 106. It should be understood that the adhesive 203 may be applied in the attachment region 202 in various ways. For example, the attachment region 202 may include laterally extending strips of adhesive 203 that are longitudinally separated from each other. In some configurations, the attachment region 202 may include a continuous layer of adhesive 203. In some configurations, the attachment region 202 may include longitudinally extending strips of adhesive that are laterally separated from each other.

[0151] The attachment region 202 may include a first attachment region 212 and a second attachment region 224. The first attachment region 212 may be located near the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first band 106, and the second attachment region 224 may be located near the first lateral edge 144 of the base structure 102. In some configurations, the first attachment region 212 may be adjacent to or longitudinally spaced from the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first band 106. In some configurations, the second attachment region 224 may be adjacent to or longitudinally spaced from the first end edge 144 of the base structure 102. In some configurations, the first attachment region 212 and / or the second attachment region 224 may be adjacent to or laterally spaced from the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the second longitudinal edge 130 of the base structure 102.

[0152] It should be understood that the first attachment region 212 and the second attachment region 224 may have various relative longitudinal lengths and lateral widths. For example, the first attachment region 212 may have a first lateral width LW1 and a first longitudinal length LL1, and the second attachment region 224 may have a second lateral width LW2 and a second longitudinal length LL2. In some configurations, the first lateral width LW1 may be smaller than the second lateral width LW2. The first lateral width LW1 may be about 10% to about 15% smaller than the second lateral width LW2. In some configurations, the first lateral width LW1 may be about 150 mm to about 175 mm, or about 155 mm to about 170 mm, and / or the second lateral width LW2 may be about 180 mm to about 200 mm, or about 185 mm to about 190 mm. The first lateral width LW1 may be about 75% to about 85% of the lateral width LWC of the foundation overlap region 200. In some configurations, the first longitudinal length LL1 may be smaller than the second longitudinal length LL2. The first longitudinal length LL1 may be about 30% to about 40% of the second longitudinal length LL2. In some configurations, the first longitudinal length LL1 may be about 25 mm to about 40 mm, or about 30 mm to about 35 mm, and / or the second longitudinal length LL2 may be about 70 mm to about 85 mm, or about 75 mm to about 80 mm.

[0153] Continue to refer to Figure 13The attachment region 202 can be configured to define a first unbonded region 228 and a second unbonded region 229 within the overlapping region 200 of the base structure. The base structure 102 may not be bonded to the first strip 106 in the first unbonded region 228 and the second unbonded region 229. The first unbonded region 228 may extend laterally between the first attachment region 212 and the first longitudinal side edge 128 of the base structure 102, and the second unbonded region 229 may extend laterally between the first attachment region 212 and the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the base structure 102. It has been found that because the base structure 102 and the first strip 106 are not bonded together in the unbonded regions 228, 229, the problem of the first strip curling inward during use (and thus the resulting hook contact with the thigh skin) can be reduced, and therefore a more comfortable fit can be provided. It should be understood that the above description of the bonding arrangement and configuration between the first strip and the base structure also applies to the bonding arrangement and configuration between the second strip and the base structure.

[0154] In some configurations, such as Figure 13 As shown, the first band 106 may include a laterally extending first upper elastic region 502' and a laterally extending first lower elastic region 506'. The first lower elastic region 506' may be located longitudinally inside the second attachment region 224 and laterally outside the first attachment region 212. The first upper elastic region 502' may be located longitudinally outside the first lower elastic region 506'. In some configurations, the first lower elastic region 506' may have a tension of less than about 1.2 N. In some configurations, the first lower elastic region 506' may have a tension of about 0.1 N to about 1.2 N, or about 0.5 N to about 1.1 N. In some configurations, the first upper elastic region 502' may include more than one region, such as a first upper elastic region and a first central elastic region as previously described.

[0155] In some configurations, the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304 may be positioned longitudinally inside the second attachment region 224 and laterally outside the first attachment region 212. In some configurations, the first lower resilient regions 506, 506' may be adjacent to the second end edge 330 of the fastener component 304.

[0156] The first band 106, the second band 108, and / or the flange 300 may include one or more design elements adapted to indicate the correct alignment of the first band 106, the second band 108, and / or the flange 300 to produce an annular elastic band 104, including one or more of badges, letters, words, graphics, logos, colors, fonts, shapes, or combinations thereof. In some configurations, the first band 106 and the second band 108 may have a first color, and the flange 300 may have a second color different from the first color. When the first band 106 and the second band 108 are joined, the second color of the flange 300 may be substantially covered by the band, thereby signaling to caregivers that the bands are correctly joined and reassuring them that the absorbent article is correctly fitted to the user. In other configurations, the first band 106 may include a first portion of a graphic, and the second band may include a second portion of a graphic. When the first and second bands are joined, the graphic is complete, thereby signaling to caregivers that the bands are correctly joined and reassuring them that the absorbent article is correctly fitted to the user.

[0157] One or more design elements may be printed on the garment-facing surface of the first belt 106, the second belt 108, and / or the flange 300. The design elements may extend substantially around the entire circumference of the diaper pants 100P and may be positioned across the longitudinal side edges of the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 as described in U.S. Patent No. 9,498,389, thereby producing an article that more closely resembles underwear.

[0158] Example

[0159] The following data and examples (including comparative examples) are provided to help illustrate the absorbent articles described herein. The illustrated structures are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, as many variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0160] Examples 1 and 2 are absorbent articles (sizes 4 and 5 respectively) according to the present disclosure, which have the following characteristics: Figure 11 The elasticity distribution is shown in Table 1a below. Comparative Examples A to C are commercially available products. Descriptions of Comparative Examples A to C are listed in Table 1b.

[0161] Table 1a: Elasticity distribution of absorbent products

[0162]

[0163] The elastic strands indicated as "belly-cut" are de-elasticized at the central region where the elastic band overlaps with the base structure 102. The elastic strands indicated as "side-cut" are de-elasticized at the low-tension zones 701a and 701b.

[0164] Table 1b: Commercially available re-fastening trouser diapers

[0165]

[0166] Examples 1 to 2 and Comparative Examples A to C were evaluated according to the “Full-Production Force Test and Belt Tension Method” as described herein.

[0167] Table 2

[0168]

[0169] For Examples 1 and 2, the tension provided by the first central elastic region and the second central region is less than that of the first lower elastic region and the second lower elastic region, respectively. Furthermore, the circumferential force of the fit is greater than 3N, indicating that the waist region of Examples 1 and 2 can be stretched to maintain a fit within the body size range. For Comparative Examples A to C, the tension provided by the first central elastic region and the second central elastic region is less than 0.10N, and the circumferential force of the fit is less than 1N.

[0170] Average score

[0171] The average fractional tex method is used to calculate the average fractional tex of elastic fibers present in a whole article or a sample of interest extracted from the article on a length-weighted basis. The fractional tex value is the mass in grams of fibers present in 10,000 meters of the material in a relaxed state. The fractional tex values ​​of elastic fibers or elastic laminates containing elastic fibers are typically reported by the manufacturer as part of the specifications for the elastic fibers or elastic laminates containing elastic fibers. If available, the average fractional tex is calculated against these specifications. Alternatively, if these specified values ​​are unknown, the fractional tex value of a single elastic fiber is measured by determining the cross-sectional area of ​​the fiber in a relaxed state using a suitable microscopy technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the fiber composition by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and subsequently using a literature value of the density of the composition to calculate the mass in grams of fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber. The fractional tex values ​​of individual elastic fibers removed from the whole article or a sample extracted from the article, provided by the manufacturer or measured experimentally, are used in the expression below, where a length-weighted average of the fractional tex values ​​among the present elastic fibers is determined.

[0172] If known, the lengths of the elastic fibers present in the article or a sample extracted from the article are calculated based on the overall dimensions of the article or sample having these and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with the component of the article or sample. Alternatively, if 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. This disassembly may be carried out, for example, by gentle heating to soften the adhesive, by using a cryogenic spray (e.g., Quick-Freeze, Miller-Stephenson Company, Danbury, CT), or by using a suitable solvent that will remove the adhesive without swelling, altering, or damaging the elastic fibers. The length of each elastic fiber in its relaxed state is measured and recorded in millimeters (mm), accurate to the millimeter.

[0173] Calculate the average score

[0174] The relaxation length L present in the absorbent article or in a sample extracted from the absorbent article i and fiber fractional value d i Individual elastic fibers f (obtained from manufacturer's specifications or measured experimentally) i For each of the absorbent articles or samples extracted from absorbent articles, the average fractional cup is defined as:

[0175]

[0176] Where n is the total number of elastic fibers present in the absorbent material or a sample extracted from the absorbent material. Report the average decibels, accurate to the integer value of decibels (g / 10,000 m).

[0177] If the fractional value of any individual fiber is not known from the specifications, it is determined experimentally as described below, and the fractional values ​​of (one or more) fibers are used in the above formula to determine the average fractional value.

[0178] Experimental determination of fiber partial characteristics

[0179] For each of the elastic fibers removed from the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article according to the above process, each elastic fiber L in its relaxed state k The length of each fiber was measured and recorded in millimeters (mm), accurate to the millimeter. The composition and density of each elastic fiber were determined by FT-IR spectroscopy. The values ​​were determined based on available literature. Finally, each fiber was analyzed by SEM. The fiber was perpendicularly cut along its length at three approximately equal locations using a sharp blade to produce clean cross-sections for SEM analysis. The three fiber segments exposing these cross-sections were mounted on a relaxed SEM sample holder, sputter-coated with gold, introduced into the SEM for analysis, and imaged at a resolution sufficient to clearly elucidate the fiber cross-sections. The fiber cross-sections were oriented as perpendicular to the detector as possible to minimize any tilt distortion in the measured cross-sections. Fiber cross-sections can vary in shape, and some fibers may consist of multiple individual filaments. In any case, the area of ​​each of the three fiber cross-sections was determined (e.g., 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 The three regions a of an elastic fiber, with each region being a unit. k The average value, accurate to 0.1 μm 2 The measured fractional properties d of the kth elastic fiber k Calculated using the following formula:

[0180]

[0181] Where d k In grams (per 10,000 meters of calculated length), a k With μm 2 As a unit, and In grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm³) 3 The unit is L. For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentally determined L... k and d k The value is then used in the expression above for the average.

[0182] Average line spacing

[0183] 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, accurate to 0.5 mm, and then divide by the number of strands in that segment - 1.

[0184] Average spacing between stock lines = d / (n-1), where n>1

[0185] The report is accurate to 0.1 mm.

[0186] Mean prestrain

[0187] The average pre-strain of the samples was measured using a load sensor on a constant-rate tensile testing apparatus (the appropriate instrument is the MTS Insight with Testworks 4.0 software, available from MTS Systems Corp., Eden Prairie, MN), with the measured force within 1% to 90% of the load sensor's limits. The articles were conditioned for 2 hours at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity prior to analysis, and subsequently tested under the same environmental conditions.

[0188] Program the tension tester to perform elongation at break after initial gauge length adjustment. First, lift the clamp at 10 mm / min until a force of 0.05 N is applied. Set the current gauge length to the adjusted gauge length. Lift the clamp at 100 mm / min until the sample breaks (force decreases by 20% after the maximum peak force). Return the clamp to its original position. Acquire force and elongation data at 100 Hz throughout the experiment.

[0189] Set the nominal gauge length to 40 mm using a calibrated caliper block and zero the clamp. Insert the sample into the upper clamp so that the center of the test strip is positioned 20 mm below the clamp. The sample can be folded perpendicular to the pull shaft and placed in the clamp to achieve this position. After the clamp is closed, excess material can be trimmed. Insert the sample into the lower clamp and close the lower clamp. Again, the strip can be folded and subsequently trimmed after the clamp is 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.

[0190] The force (N) is constructed against the extension (mm) based on the data. The average prestrain is calculated based on the bending of the curve corresponding to the extension joined to the nonwoven fabric in the elastic component. Two lines are plotted, corresponding to the region of the curve before bending (mainly the elastic component) and the region after bending (mainly the nonwoven fabric). The extension where these two lines intersect is read, and the % prestrain is calculated based on the extension and corrected measured length. This is recorded as % prestrain 0.1%. The arithmetic mean and average prestrain of three replicate samples for each elastomer laminate are calculated, accurate to 0.1%.

[0191] Full Product Strength Testing

[0192] The total tensile circumference and fit circumferential force of a re-fastening trouser diaper with a pre-tightened fastening side feature were measured using a full-product force test method. A sample of the diaper of interest was mounted on a set of clamping bars on a tension tester, which allowed the waistband of the diaper to be stretched as if worn. The total tensile circumference and fit circumferential force were determined from force-displacement data. The tests were conducted at 23±3°C and 50±2% relative humidity, and the sample products were conditioned under these identical environmental conditions for at least two hours prior to testing.

[0193] equipment

[0194] The constant speed stretching tension tester is equipped with, for example, Figure 14 The clamp rods 1302 are shown. Each clamp rod has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 10.0 mm and is made of a material that is rigid under the typical circumferential waist extension of the diaper. The surface of each clamp rod is smooth enough to not restrict the slippage of the diaper on the surface during stretching. The length of the horizontal rod section (perpendicular to the axis of the clamp separation of the tension tester) is sufficient to accommodate the entire pre-tightened fastening side feature of the diaper and remains parallel and in the same vertical plane throughout the testing procedure. At any clamp position, the gauge length perimeter is defined by the following formula:

[0195] Gauge length perimeter = 2H + 2D + πD

[0196] Where H and D are the spacing between horizontal bars and the bar diameter, respectively. Figure 14 As shown.

[0197] Process

[0198] Place the diaper sample on the upper horizontal bar, ensuring the bar passes through the waist opening and one leg opening of the diaper sample, and that the pre-tightened, repeatable side features remain fully closed. Raise the clamps until the diaper sample hangs above the lower bar but does not touch it. Then, balance the load sensor and lower the clamps so that the lower bar can easily insert through the waist opening and the other leg opening without stretching the diaper sample. At this point, adjust the diaper sample so that the longitudinal center lines of both the front and rear of the diaper sample are midway between the upper and lower bars. The longitudinal center of the side contacting the bar is located on the axis between the upper clamp attachment point, the lower clamp attachment point, and the load sensor.

[0199] The clamp is then slowly raised while the diaper sample is manually stabilized (as necessary to maintain the desired position) until the force is 0.075 ± 0.025 N. The clamp (separation bar) is then moved upward at 254.0 mm / min until a final load of 19.61 N is reached, at which point the clamp immediately returns to its initial position at 254.0 mm / min. Data is acquired at 50 Hz throughout the process. The gauge length circumference at the maximum load (19.61 N) is determined and recorded as the full tensile circumference of the diaper sample, accurate to 0.1 mm. The load corresponding to 75% of the full tensile circumference when the tension tester subsequently returns to half its movement is determined and recorded as the circumferential force of the diaper sample, accurate to 0.01 N.

[0200] Analyze five similar diaper samples of interest as specified. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the total stretched circumference of the five diaper samples and report it as the total stretched circumference of the diaper, accurate to 0.1 mm. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the circumferential force of the five diaper samples and report it as the circumferential force of the diaper, accurate to 0.01 N.

[0201] Belt tension method

[0202] The band tension test method is used to characterize the tension properties of a band of interest (e.g., bands 502, 504, 506, 522, 524, or 526) from a repeatable diaper of interest. This method utilizes the total tensile perimeter as measured by a full-article force test method. The band of interest is cut from the finished product and stretched on a constant-rate stretching tension tester. The force at the point of interest on the clamp extension is recorded. The test is conducted at 23 ± 3 °C and 50 ± 2% relative humidity, and the sample article to be tested is conditioned under these same environmental conditions for at least two hours prior to testing.

[0203] Sample preparation

[0204] Before cutting any zone of interest and before separating the pre-fastened, repeatable side features, mark the distance between the inner and outer edges of the longitudinally extending portion of each repeatable side feature on the front and rear strip sections. Then separate the side features and measure and record the distance between the inner and outer edges of each side feature. For any article, record the arithmetic mean of these two measurements as the fastener width of that article.

[0205] Then, the zone of interest is cut from five similar articles. This typically involves first separating the front and rear sections from the body before dividing the zone of interest. Cryo-spraying can be used, but its purpose is to minimize the impact on the adhesion of elastic components within the elastic body.

[0206] Equipment and processes

[0207] The constant-rate stretching tension tester is constructed with a clamping element at least as wide as the longitudinal extent of the strip to be measured. The tension tester is set to an initial gauge length of 90 mm. The final gauge length utilizes results from a full-product force testing method. Specifically, the final gauge length is set as the difference between half the full tensile circumference and the fastener width (measured for a specific product as described above).

[0208] The strip sample was mounted in a tension tester, with the lateral extent of the strip oriented along the axis of movement of the tester's clamps (so that the tensile force somewhat resembled the circumferential tension on the entire workpiece). The clamps were positioned on the strip such that the edge of the clamp defining the gauge length coincided with the markings on the inner lateral edge indicating the side features. The clamps were then disengaged at 254.0 mm / min until the final gauge length was reached, at which point the clamps immediately returned at a rate of 254.0 mm / min, terminating at their original 90 mm interval. Force data was acquired at 50 Hz throughout the process, and the force versus absolute displacement data was recorded. All five similar strip samples were analyzed in this manner.

[0209] Analysis and Recording

[0210] For each of five similar strip test samples, record the force at 75% of the final gauge length on the extended section of the test tension. Calculate the arithmetic mean of these five force values ​​and report the strip tension, in Newtons (N), to the nearest 0.01 N for the tested strip of interest (e.g., strips 502, 504, 506, 522, 524, or 526).

[0211] combination

[0212] A1. An absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising:

[0213] The basic structure includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The basic structure also includes a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region through a crotch region.

[0214] A first elastic band, the first elastic band including a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region, the first end region of the foundation structure being connected to the central region of the first elastic band; and

[0215] The second elastic band includes a first end region and a second end region that is laterally separated from the first end region through a central region, wherein the second end region of the foundation structure is connected to the central region of the second elastic band;

[0216] The laterally opposite end regions of the first elastic band and the laterally opposite end regions of the second elastic band can be repeatedly and securely connected to form a waist opening and two leg openings.

[0217] The first elastic band and the second elastic band each include a laterally extending outer edge extending along a portion of the waist opening and a laterally extending inner edge extending along a portion of each leg opening in the leg openings;

[0218] The first elastic band includes a first upper elastic zone with a first plurality of elastic strands, a first central elastic zone with a second plurality of elastic strands, and a first lower elastic zone with a third plurality of elastic strands.

[0219] The first upper elastic region is located near the outer edge of the lateral extension of the first strip, the first lower elastic region is located near the inner edge of the lateral extension of the first strip, and the first central elastic region is disposed between the first upper elastic region and the first lower elastic region.

[0220] The first upper elastic region has a first tension, the first central elastic region has a second elastic force, and the first lower elastic region has a third tension.

[0221] Wherein the second tension is less than the third tension; and

[0222] The absorbent article described therein has a circumferential force of greater than 2N.

[0223] A2. The absorbent article according to paragraph A1, wherein the first elastic band has a first longitudinal length, wherein the first upper elastic region has a first longitudinal length of 40% of the first longitudinal length, the first central elastic region has a second longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length, and the first lower elastic region has a third longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length.

[0224] A3. The absorbent article according to paragraph A1 or A2, wherein the second tension is 5% to 50% less than the third tension.

[0225] A4. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A3, wherein the second tension is less than 1.20 N.

[0226] A5. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A4, wherein the circumferential force of the adhesion is 3N to 10N.

[0227] A6. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A5, wherein the second elastic band includes a second upper elastic region having a fourth plurality of elastic strands, a second central elastic region having a fifth plurality of elastic strands, and a second lower elastic region having a sixth plurality of elastic strands; wherein the second upper elastic region is located near the outer edge of the lateral extension of the second band, the second central elastic region is located longitudinally inside the second upper elastic region, and the second lower elastic region is located longitudinally inside the second central elastic region.

[0228] A7. The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the second upper elastic region has a fourth tension, the second central elastic region has a fifth tension, and the second lower elastic region has a sixth tension, wherein the fifth tension is less than the sixth tension.

[0229] A8. The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the first elastic band has a first longitudinal length, wherein the second upper elastic region has a fourth longitudinal length of 40% of the first longitudinal length, the second central elastic region has a fifth longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length, and the second lower elastic region has a sixth longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length.

[0230] A9. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A8, wherein the second plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strength of 200 to 800 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

[0231] A10. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A9, wherein the third plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strain of 400 to 1000 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

[0232] A11. The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the fifth multiple elastic strands have an average fractional strength of 200 to 800 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

[0233] A12. The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the sixth multiple elastic strands have an average fractional strength of 400 to 1000 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

[0234] A13. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A12, wherein the absorbent article comprises a first flange connected to the first end region of the first strip and a second flange connected to the second end region of the first elastic strip; wherein the first flange and the second flange each comprise at least one fastener component.

[0235] A14. The absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the first upper elastic region includes an outer end adjacent to the laterally extending outer edge of the first band and an inner end longitudinally opposite to the outer end, wherein each fastener component includes a first fastener end edge positioned near the waist opening and a second fastener end edge longitudinally opposite to the first fastener end edge, wherein the outer end of the first upper elastic region and the first fastener end edge are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0 mm to 8 mm.

[0236] A15. The absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the first plurality of elastic strands includes at least a first elastic strand and a second elastic strand, wherein each of the fastener components includes a first fastener end edge adjacent to the waist opening and a second fastener end edge longitudinally opposite to the first fastener end edge, wherein the first fastener end edge is positioned between the first elastic strand and the second elastic strand.

[0237] A16. The absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the fastener component includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the base.

[0238] A17. The absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the fastener component includes a plurality of protrusions integrally formed from the material of the flange.

[0239] A18. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A17, wherein the first tension is greater than at least one of the second tension and the third tension.

[0240] A19. The absorbent article according to paragraph A7, wherein the fourth tension is greater than the fifth tension.

[0241] Bio-based content of components

[0242] Components of the absorbent articles described herein may be at least partially composed of a bio-based content, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2007 / 0219521 A1. For example, superabsorbent polymer components may be bio-based rather than derived from bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid and methods for producing it are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 and U.S. Patent Nos. 8,703,450, 9,630,901, and 9,822,197. Other components, such as nonwoven and membrane components, may comprise bio-based polyolefin materials. Bio-based polyolefins are further discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos. 2011 / 0139657, 2011 / 0139658, 2011 / 0152812, and 2016 / 0206774 and U.S. Patent No. 9,169,366. Example bio-based polyolefins used in this disclosure include those that may be named SHA7260. ™ SHE150 ™ Or SGM9450F ™ The obtained polymers (all available from Braskem SA).

[0243] Absorbent article components may include, for example, bio-based content values ​​of about 10% to about 100%, about 25% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 75% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100%, as measured using ASTM D6866-10 Method B.

[0244] Recycling-friendly and bio-based absorbent products

[0245] Components of the absorbent articles described herein can be recycled for other uses, regardless of whether they are (at least partially) formed from recyclable materials. Examples of recyclable absorbent article materials are nonwovens, membranes, fluff pulp, and superabsorbent polymers. The recycling process may involve sterilizing the absorbent articles using an autoclave, after which the absorbent articles can be shredded and separated into different byproduct streams. Example byproduct streams may include plastics, superabsorbent polymers, and cellulosic fibers, such as pulp. These byproduct streams can be used to produce fertilizers, manufacture plastic articles, paper products, adhesives, building materials, absorbent pads for pet or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details regarding absorbent articles that facilitate recycling, the design of recycling-friendly diapers, and the design of recycling-friendly and bio-based component diapers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0192723, published June 27, 2019.

[0246] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​cited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and the range surrounding its functional equivalent. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0247] Unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited, every reference cited herein, including any cross-references or related patents or patent applications, and any patent application or patent claiming priority to or benefiting from it, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Reference to any reference is not an endorsement of it as prior art to any disclosed or protected art herein, nor is it an endorsement of any such invention, either on its own or in combination with any one or more references. Furthermore, where any meaning or definition of a term in this invention conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in referenced documents, the meaning or definition given to that term in this invention shall prevail.

[0248] While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, the absorbent article comprising: The basic structure includes a top sheet, a bottom sheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The basic structure also includes a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region through a crotch region. A first elastic band, the first elastic band including a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region, the first end region of the foundation structure being connected to the central region of the first elastic band; and The second elastic band includes a first end region and a second end region that is laterally separated from the first end region through a central region, wherein the second end region of the foundation structure is connected to the central region of the second elastic band; The laterally opposite end regions of the first elastic band and the laterally opposite end regions of the second elastic band can be repeatedly and securely connected to form a waist opening and two leg openings. The first elastic band and the second elastic band each include a laterally extending outer edge extending along a portion of the waist opening and a laterally extending inner edge extending along a portion of each leg opening in the leg openings; The first elastic band includes a first upper elastic zone with a first plurality of elastic strands, a first central elastic zone with a second plurality of elastic strands, and a first lower elastic zone with a third plurality of elastic strands. The first upper elastic region is located near the outer edge of the lateral extension of the first strip, the first lower elastic region is located near the inner edge of the lateral extension of the first strip, and the first central elastic region is disposed between the first upper elastic region and the first lower elastic region. The first upper elastic region has a first tension, the first central elastic region has a second elastic force, and the first lower elastic region has a third tension. Wherein the second tension is less than the third tension; and The absorbent article described therein has a circumferential force of greater than 2N.

2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic band has a first longitudinal length, wherein the first upper elastic region has a first longitudinal length of 40% of the first longitudinal length, the first central elastic region has a second longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length, and the first lower elastic region has a third longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length.

3. The absorbent article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second tension is 5% to 50% less than the third tension.

4. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second tension is less than 1.20 N.

5. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the circumferential force of the adhesion is 3N to 6N.

6. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second elastic band comprises a second upper elastic region having a fourth plurality of elastic strands, a second central elastic region having a fifth plurality of elastic strands, and a second lower elastic region having a sixth plurality of elastic strands; wherein the second upper elastic region is located near the outer edge of the lateral extension of the second band, the second central elastic region is located longitudinally inside the second upper elastic region, and the second lower elastic region is located longitudinally inside the second central elastic region.

7. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the second upper elastic region has a fourth tension, the second central elastic region has a fifth tension, and the second lower elastic region has a sixth tension, wherein the fifth tension is less than the sixth tension.

8. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the first elastic band has a first longitudinal length, wherein the second upper elastic region has a fourth longitudinal length of 40% of the first longitudinal length, the second central elastic region has a fifth longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length, and the second lower elastic region has a sixth longitudinal length of 30% of the first longitudinal length.

9. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strength of 200 to 800 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strength of 400 to 1000 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the fifth plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strength of 200 to 800 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

12. The absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the sixth plurality of elastic strands has an average fractional strength of 400 to 1000 and an average pre-strain of less than 300%.

13. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the absorbent article comprises a first flange connected to the first end region of the first strip and a second flange connected to the second end region of the first elastic strip; wherein the first flange and the second flange each comprise at least one fastener component.

14. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the first upper elastic region includes an outer end adjacent to the laterally extending outer edge of the first strip and an inner end longitudinally opposite to the outer end, wherein each fastener component includes a first fastener end edge positioned near the waist opening and a second fastener end edge longitudinally opposite to the first fastener end edge, wherein the outer end of the first upper elastic region and the first fastener end edge are spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0 mm to 8 mm.

15. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the first plurality of elastic strands includes at least a first elastic strand and a second elastic strand, wherein each of the fastener components includes a first fastener end edge adjacent to the waist opening and a second fastener end edge longitudinally opposite to the first fastener end edge, wherein the first fastener end edge is positioned between the first elastic strand and the second elastic strand.

16. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the fastener component includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the base.

17. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein the fastener component comprises a plurality of protrusions integrally formed of the material of the flange.

18. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tension is greater than at least one of the second tension and the third tension.

19. The absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the fourth tension is greater than the fifth tension.

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