Absorbent article including a waist panel

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an absorbent article having a waist panel that forms a pocket and a bonding configuration that defines a reinforcement zone. The waist panel may be connected to an absorbent chassis. The waist panel may be bonded to components within first and second zones of mechanical bonding in the first and second lateral end regions. The waist panel may also be bonded to components within first and second zones of adhesive in the first and second lateral end regions. The first and second zones of adhesive may be adjacent to the inner lateral edge and may overlap with the first and second zones of mechanical bonding. Additionally, a third zone of adhesive adjacent the outer lateral edge of the waist panel may bond the waist panel to the chassis. The zone of mechanical bonding may also overlap with the third zone of adhesive.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles including waist panels, and more particularly to waist panels having a joining configuration that forms a pocket and defines a reinforced zone. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of articles, such as, for example, diapers and other absorbent articles, can be assembled by adding components to and / or otherwise modifying a continuous advancing web of material along an assembly line. For example, in some processes, an advancing web of material is combined with other advancing webs of material. In other examples, individual components created from an advancing web of material are combined with an advancing web of material, which are then combined with other advancing webs of material. In some examples, individual components created from an advancing web(s) are combined with other individual components created from other advancing webs. The webs of material and component portions used to manufacture diapers can include various types of elastic webs and elastic portions, such as backsheets, topsheets, leg cuffs, waistbands, absorbent core components, front and / or back ears, fastening components, and leg elastics, barrier leg cuff elastics, stretch side panels, and waist elastics. Once the desired components have been assembled, the advancing web(s) and components are subjected to a final knife cut to separate the web(s) into separate diapers or other absorbent articles.

[0003] Some absorbent articles, such as diapers, have a component that includes a waist panel, which may also be referred to as a waistband. In some configurations, the waistband may be provided as a single layer of elastic material, such as an elastic film. In some configurations, the waistband may be provided as an elastic laminate, which may include an elastic material bonded to one or more substrates, such as a nonwoven, and the elastic material may include an elastic film and / or elastic strands. In some assembly operations, the waistband is connected to an advancing carrier web, such as a continuous topsheet or backsheet web, while the waistband is in an extended state. Thus, as the waistband relaxes, gathers are formed in the carrier web to form corrugations. The resulting laminate is stretchable to the extent that the corrugations allow the waistband to elongate.

[0004] When manufacturing the diaper, the waistband may be provided as a continuous length of waistband material that can be stretched, cut into separate waistbands, and joined to an advancing carrier web, such as a continuous topsheet or backsheet web, while the waistband is in a stretched state. In some diapers, it may be desirable to include a front waistband in the front waist region and a rear waistband in the opposing rear waist region. In some assembly operations, a piece of waistband material may be applied to the advancing carrier web, which is then cut into separate front and rear waistbands when the advancing carrier web is subjected to a final knife cut that separates the carrier web into separate diapers. The front and rear waistbands may then be produced from the same continuous length of waistband material.

[0005] In some configurations, it may be desirable to provide a diaper having front and / or back waistbands that have an area joined to the topsheet and one or more areas that are not joined (attached) to the topsheet, thereby forming a pocket between the waistband and the topsheet. Such a pocket may help contain body exudates and / or help prevent leakage from the absorbent article. In some configurations, the pocket may be formed by attaching the waistband to the topsheet along three edges of the waistband, with a fourth edge of the waistband remaining unattached to the topsheet.

[0006] There are sometimes challenges associated with manufacturing absorbent articles with waistbands having pockets. For example, the intersections between the joining regions along the three edges of the waistband may leave small gaps between the waistband and the topsheet. Such gaps may then be prone to undesirable leakage during use. In addition, depending on the particular manufacturing configuration, the unattached edges of the waistband may be oriented to define the front edge of the waistband during advancement through various assembly operations. Thus, in some instances, air may be forced into the pockets while the waistband advances through the assembly operations, causing the waistband to act like a sail or parachute by repeatedly lifting and / or separating from the topsheet and / or distorting the shape of the waistband. Such repeated lifting and / or deformation may cause the waistband to be partially or completely torn away from the topsheet. In some configurations, frictional forces acting on the diaper components advancing along various assembly devices, such as folding plows, may drag or pull the unattached edges, which in turn may cause partial or complete removal of the waistband. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It would therefore be beneficial to provide an absorbent article having a waist panel configured with edges that are unattached from other diaper components, such as the topsheet, so as to form a pocket during use, and the bond area between the waistband and absorbent article components, such as the topsheet, may include reinforced areas, which can help prevent and / or reduce separation of the waistband from such absorbent article components during assembly and use, and help reduce the likelihood of leakage occurring during use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In one form, the absorbent article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region; a first waist panel positioned within the front waist region or the rear waist region, the first waist panel including an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, the first waist panel further including a first lateral end region adjacent the first longitudinal edge and a second lateral end region adjacent the second longitudinal edge, the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region being separated by a central region; a first zone of mechanical bond in the first lateral end region joining the panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket element; a second zone of mechanical bond in the second lateral end region joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket element; a first zone of adhesive in the first lateral end region adjacent the inner lateral edge joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket element; and a second zone of adhesive in the second lateral end region adjacent the inner lateral edge joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket element, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region.

[0009] In another form, an absorbent article includes a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region; a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region; a zone of adhesive adjacent the outer lateral edge and extending laterally through the central region and connecting the first waist panel to the chassis; a first waist panel located in the front waist region or the rear waist region and including an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, a first lateral end region adjacent the first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge adjacent the second longitudinal edge. the first lumbar panel further comprising a second lateral end region that is spaced apart from the chassis, the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region being separated by a central region; a first zone of mechanical bond in the first lateral end region that joins the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and the first leg gasket element; and a second zone of mechanical bond in the second lateral end region that joins the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and the second leg gasket element, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region and between the inner lateral edge and the zone of adhesive, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bond and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bond overlap a portion of the zone of adhesive.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a method of assembling an absorbent article includes the steps of advancing a carrier substrate in a machine direction; providing elastics having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated in a transverse direction from the first longitudinal edge, the elastics further comprising the first edge and the second edge separated in the machine direction from the first edge, a first end region and the second end region separated in a transverse direction from the first end region by a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic to the carrier substrate with a first zone of adhesive in the first end region adjacent the first edge; adhesively bonding each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a second zone of adhesive at a second end region adjacent the elastic portion; mechanically bonding the first end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bond at the first end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge; and mechanically bonding the second end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bond at the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portion is not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region.

[0011] In yet another aspect, a method of assembling an absorbent article includes the steps of advancing a carrier substrate in a machine direction; providing elastics having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated in a transverse direction from the first longitudinal edge, the elastics further comprising a first end region and a second end region separated in a transverse direction from the first end region by a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic to the carrier substrate with a zone of adhesive adjacent the second edge and extending through the central region; and adhesively bonding each elastic to the carrier substrate with a zone of adhesive adjacent the second edge and extending through the central region. and mechanically bonding a first end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bond extending between the first edge and the second edge; and mechanically bonding a second end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bond at the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portions are not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region and between the first edge and the zone of adhesive, and wherein a portion of the first zone of mechanical bond and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bond overlap a portion of the zone of adhesive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a partial cutaway plan view of an absorbent article in the form of a taped diaper, which may include one or more substrates constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer facing towards the viewer. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a plan view of the absorbent article of FIG. 1A, which may include one or more substrates constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing toward the viewer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the first waist panel with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing towards the viewer. [Figure 2A] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the first lumbar panel of FIG. 2 showing the joining configuration. [Figure 2B]FIG. 2B is a detailed view of the first waist panel of FIG. 2A showing a first joining configuration. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2B is a detailed view of the first lumbar panel of FIG. 2A showing a second joining configuration. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the second waist panel, with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing towards the viewer. [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the second lumbar panel of FIG. 3 showing the joining configuration. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the second waist panel of FIG. 3A showing a first joining configuration. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the first waist panel of FIG. 3A showing a second joining configuration. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for bonding elastics to an advancing carrier web; [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic diagram of a bonding apparatus having a pressing surface with an ultrasonic bonding device. [Diagram 5] 5 is a view of the carrier substrate taken along section 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5 is a view of the carrier substrate with leg cuffs taken along section 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a view of the continuous elastic substrate taken along section 6-6 of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 7 is a view of a continuous elastic substrate having discrete patches of adhesive taken along section 7-7 of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 8 is a view of a separate elastic portion laid flat with a zone of adhesive thereon, taken along section 8-8 of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a view of the cutting device, the transport device, and the joining device taken along section 9-9 of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 10 is a view of the transfer device and bonding device taken along section 10-10 of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the spreader mechanism taken along section 11-11 of FIG. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a radially protruding nub on the outer rim of the disk. [Figure 12] 12 is a view of a separate elastic portion laid flat and stretched having a zone of adhesive thereon, taken along section 12-12 of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the pattern roll of FIG. 9 taken along line 13-13, showing interface elements extending radially outward from the outer circumferential surface. FIG. [Figure 13A] 13A is a detailed view of a portion of the peripheral surface of the pattern roll taken along line 13A-13A, showing the interface element of FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a view of a laminate including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate taken along cross section 14-14 of FIG. 4. [Figure 14A] FIG. 15 is a view of the laminate of FIG. 14 including elastics and a carrier substrate after being subjected to a final knife cutting operation that applies cut lines through the carrier substrate and the separate elastics. [Figure 14B] 14 is a view of another configuration of a laminate including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate taken along cross section 14-14 of FIG. 4. [Figure 14C] FIG. 5 is a diagram of another configuration of the laminate of FIG. 4, including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate, after being subjected to a final knife cutting operation that applies a cut line through the carrier substrate and the separate elastic portion. [Figure 15] 15 is a view of a laminate including an elastic portion and a carrier substrate taken along section 15-15 of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 16 is a view of the carrier substrate and adhesive taken along section 16-16 of FIG. 4. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary lumbar panel. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view of the lumbar panel of FIG. 17 in a relaxed contracted state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following terminology explanations may be useful in understanding the present disclosure.

[0014] "Absorbent article" is used herein to refer to consumer products whose primary function is to absorb and retain waste and excrement. Absorbent articles may include sanitary napkins, tampons, panty liners, interlabial devices, wound dressings, wipes, disposable diapers, including taped diapers and diaper pants, inserts for diapers having reusable outer covers, adult incontinence diapers, adult incontinence pads, and adult incontinence pants. The term "disposable" is used herein to describe absorbent articles that are generally not intended to be washed or otherwise regenerated or reused as absorbent articles (e.g., they are intended to be discarded after a single use and may be configured to be recycled, composted, or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).

[0015] "Elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refers to a material exhibiting elastic properties, including any material that can be stretched or elongated when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length to an elongated length that is more than 10% greater than the initial length, and that will substantially recover to approximately its initial length when the applied force is released.

[0016] "Consolidation," "compaction," and "compacted" refer to a material that undergoes a reduction in elongation from a first stretched length to a second stretched length that is less than the first stretched length and greater than zero.

[0017] "Relaxed state" defines the length of a material when not stretched by an applied force.

[0018] In the context of this specification, 0% elongation refers to the material in a relaxed state having a relaxed length of L, and 150% elongation represents 2.5 times the relaxed length L of the material. For example, an elastic film having a relaxed length of 100 millimeters will have a length of 250 millimeters at 150% elongation, and an elastic film having a relaxed length of 100 millimeters will have a length of 180 millimeters at 80% elongation.

[0019] In the context of this specification, a 60% shrinkage represents a shrinkage of 0.6 times the initial stretched length L of the material. For example, an elastic film having an initial stretched length of 250 millimeters will have a shrinkage length of 100 millimeters at 60% shrinkage, and an elastic film having an initial stretched length of 180 millimeters will have a length of 100 millimeters at 44% shrinkage.

[0020] As used herein, the term "coupled" encompasses an arrangement in which an element is directly secured to another element by directly attaching the element to the other element, as well as an arrangement in which an element is indirectly secured to another element by attaching the element to an intermediate member and then attaching the intermediate member to the other element.

[0021] The term "substrate" is used herein to describe a material that is primarily two-dimensional (i.e., in the XY plane) and has a relatively small thickness (Z direction) compared to its length (X direction) and width (Y direction) (i.e., 1 / 10 or less). Non-limiting examples of substrates include webs, layers or layers or fibrous materials, nonwovens, films and foils such as polymeric films or metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a web is a substrate.

[0022] The term "nonwoven" as used herein refers to materials made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or non-continuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, etc. In some configurations, the nonwoven may include polyolefin-based nonwovens, including but not limited to nonwovens having polypropylene and / or polyethylene fibers, and / or bicomponent fibers that include polyolefins. Non-limiting examples of suitable fibers include spunbond, spunlaid, meltblown, spunmelt, solvent spun, electrospun, carded, film fibrillated, melt film fibrillated, airlaid, drylaid, wetlaid staple fibers, and other nonwoven web materials formed in part or in whole of polymeric fibers known in the art, and processable combinations thereof. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern. It is understood that nonwovens having a variety of basis weights may be used according to the methods herein. For example, some nonwoven fabrics may have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm, 12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 65 gsm. Some nonwoven fabrics may have a basis weight of from about 8 gsm to about 65 gsm, specifically recited in 1 gsm increments within the above ranges and all ranges formed by or within the ranges.

[0023] It is understood that films having a variety of basis weights may be used according to the methods herein. For example, some films may have a basis weight of at least about 8 gsm, 12 gsm, 16 gsm, 20 gsm, 25 gsm, 30 gsm, 40 gsm, or 60 gsm. Some films may have a basis weight of about 5 gsm to about 150 gsm, including inclusive values ​​within the ranges listed above in 1 gsm increments, including all ranges within or formed by the ranges.

[0024] It should be understood that the elastic films discussed herein may include a variety of materials and / or components. Some elastomeric compositions may include thermoplastic elastomers selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyetheramides, and combinations thereof. Suitable styrenic block copolymers may be diblock, triblock, tetrablock, or other multiblock copolymers having at least one styrenic block. Exemplary styrenic block copolymers include styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene-ethylene / butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene / propylene-styrene, and the like. Commercially available styrenic block copolymers include KRATON (styrenic block copolymer; available from Kraton Chemical Company, Houston, TX), SEPTON (styrenic block copolymer; available from Kuraray America, Inc., New York, NY), VECTOR (styrenic block copolymer; available from TSRC Dexco Chemical Company, Houston, TX), and may be used. Additional commercially available elastomers include ESTANE (a polyurethane; available from Lubrizol, Inc., Ohio), PEBAX (a polyether-based block amide; available from Arkema Chemicals, Philadelphia, Pa.), and HYTREL (a polyester; available from DuPont, Wilmington, Del.).

[0025] Semicrystalline polyolefins or metallocene polyolefins may be used in disposable absorbent products. Polyolefin elastomeric materials herein may include, but are not limited to, any polymer or copolymer of polyolefins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Examples of elastomeric polypropylenes include elastic random poly(propylene / olefin) copolymers, isotactic polypropylenes containing stereoirregularity, isotactic / atactic polypropylene block copolymers, isotactic polypropylene / random poly(propylene / olefin) copolymer block copolymers, stereoblock elastic polypropylenes, syndiotactic polypropylene block poly(ethylene-co-propylene) block syndiotactic polypropylene triblock copolymers, isotactic polypropylene block regioregular polypropylene block isotactic polypropylene triblock copolymers, polyethylene random (ethylene / olefin) copolymer block copolymers, reactor blend polypropylenes, very low density polypropylenes (or, in the same sense, ultra-low density polypropylenes), metallocene polypropylenes, and blends or combinations thereof. Some homopolyolefins and random copolymers, as well as blends of such random copolymers, known by the trademark Vistamaxx™ available from ExxonMobil and VERSIFY™ available from Dow, tend to exhibit elastic performance. In some embodiments, two or more elastomers may be blended to achieve the desired elastic performance. For example, styrene block copolymers may be blended with polyolefin-based elastomers, or polypropylene-based elastomers may be blended with other polyolefin-based elastomers.

[0026] Components of the absorbent articles described herein may be at least partially composed of bio-based components as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 (A1). For example, superabsorbent polymer components may be bio-based by deriving them from bio-based acrylic acid. Bio-based acrylic acid and methods of manufacture are further described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 (A1), as well as U.S. Patent Nos. 8,703,450, 9,630,901, and 9,822,197. Other components, such as nonwoven and film components, may include bio-based polyolefin materials. Bio-based polyolefins are further discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011 / 0139657(A1), 2011 / 0139658(A1), 2011 / 0152812(A1), and 2016 / 0206774(A1), and U.S. Patent No. 9,169,366. Exemplary bio-based polyolefins for use in the present disclosure include polymers available under the designations SHA7260™, SHE150™, or SGM9450F™ (all available from Braskem SA).

[0027] The absorbent article component may comprise a biobased content value 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% using, for example, ASTM D6866-10, Method B.

[0028] The components of the absorbent articles described herein may be recycled for other uses, regardless of whether they are at least partially formed from recyclable materials. Examples of absorbent article materials that may be recycled are nonwovens, films, fluff pulp, and superabsorbent polymers. The recycling process may use an autoclave to sterilize the absorbent articles, which may then be shredded and separated into different by-product streams. Exemplary by-product streams may include plastics, superabsorbent polymers, and cellulose fibers such as pulp. These by-product streams may be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastic manufacturing articles, paper products, viscose, building materials, absorbent pads for pets or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details regarding absorbent articles that aid in recycling, designs of diapers that are easy to recycle, and designs of diapers that are easy to recycle and have bio-based components are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0192723(A1), published June 27, 2019.

[0029] The term "machine direction" (MD) is used herein to refer to the direction of flow of material through a process. In addition, the relative placement and movement of material can be described as flowing in the machine direction through a process from upstream in the process to downstream in the process.

[0030] The term "cross direction" (CD) is used herein to refer to a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0031] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to absorbent articles with waist panels having a joining configuration that forms a pocket and defines a reinforcement zone. As discussed below, the absorbent article may include a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the rear waist region. In addition, the absorbent article may include a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The first and second leg gasket elements may be connected to the chassis extending from the front waist region to the rear waist region. The waist panel may be connected to the chassis and disposed in the front waist region or the rear waist region. In some configurations, similarly or differently configured waist panels may be disposed in both the front waist region and the rear waist region. The lumbar panel may comprise an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, the first lumbar panel further comprising a first lateral end region adjacent the first longitudinal edge and a second lateral end region adjacent the second longitudinal edge, the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region being separated by a central region. The lumbar panel may be joined to at least one of the chassis and the leg gasket element at first and second zones of mechanical bonding in the first and second lateral end regions. The lumbar panel may also be joined to at least one of the chassis and the leg gasket element at first and second zones of adhesive in the first and second lateral end regions. The first and second zones of adhesive may be adjacent the inner lateral edge and may overlap the first and second zones of mechanical bonding. In addition, a third zone of adhesive adjacent the outer lateral edge of the lumbar panel may bond the lumbar panel to the chassis. The zone of mechanical bonding may also overlap the third zone of adhesive. The lumbar panel may be unattached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region and between the inner lateral edge and the third zone of adhesive, forming a pocket.The placement of the adhesive zone adjacent the inner lateral edge and / or the overlap of the adhesive zone with the mechanical bond zone may help reinforce and / or strengthen the bond area and may help prevent and / or reduce the occurrence of instances where the waist panel separates from other components of the absorbent article during assembly and / or use. The overlap of the adhesive zone and the mechanical bond zone may also help reduce the likelihood of undesirable leakage in the overlapped area during use. Waist panels are discussed below in the context of absorbent articles that may be configured as taped diapers or pant diapers.

[0032] The term "taped diaper" (also referred to as "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article having initial front and back waist regions that are not fastened, prefastened, or connected to one another during packaging prior to application to a wearer. A taped diaper may be folded about a lateral centerline with the inside of one waist region in surface-to-surface contact with the inside of the opposing waist region without fastening or connecting the waist regions together. Examples of tape diapers of various suitable configurations are shown in U.S. Pat. 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, 6,426,441, and 6,450,441. Nos. 4, 6,586,652, 6,627,787, 6,617,016, 6,825,393, and 6,861,571, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887(A1), 2013 / 0211356(A1), and 2013 / 0306226(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] The term "pants" (also referred to herein as "training pants", "preclosed diapers", "diaper pants", "pant-type diapers", and "pull-on diapers") refers to a disposable absorbent article having a continuous waist opening at its perimeter and continuous leg openings at its perimeter designed for an infant or adult wearer. A pant may be constructed with a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening before the article is applied to the wearer. A pant may be preformed or prefastened by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, connecting portions of the article together using any refastenable and / or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat bonds, pressure welding, adhesives, cohesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.). A pant may be preformed anywhere 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 diaper pants of various configurations can be found in U.S. Pat. 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, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003 / 0233082(A1), 2003 / 0233082(A2), and 2003 / 0233083. Nos. 2005 / 0107764(A1), 2012 / 0061016(A1), 2012 / 0061015(A1), 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1) and 2013 / 0255865(A1).

[0034] For illustrative purposes, Figures 1A and 1B show an example of an absorbent article 100 that may be constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1A shows an example of a plan view of an absorbent article 100 configured as a taped diaper 100T with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer facing the viewer. Figure 1B also shows a plan view of the diaper 100 with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing the viewer. The taped diaper 100T shown in Figures 1A and 1B includes an absorbent chassis 102, a first rear side panel 104 and a second rear side panel 106, and a first front side panel 108 and a second front side panel 110.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 and chassis 102 each include a first waist region 116, a second waist region 118, and a crotch region 119 disposed intermediate the first and second waist regions. 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. In some embodiments, the length of each of the front waist region, the back waist region, and the crotch region may be 1 / 3 of the length of the absorbent article 100. The absorbent article 100 may also include a laterally extending first waist edge 120 in the first waist region 116, which may be configured as a front waist edge. In addition, the absorbent article 100 may include a laterally extending second waist edge 122 in the second waist region 118, which may be configured as a back waist edge. To provide a frame of reference for this discussion, the diaper 100T in FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown with a longitudinal axis 124 and a lateral axis 126. The longitudinal axis 124 may extend through a midpoint of the front waist edge 120 and through a midpoint of the back waist edge 122. And, the lateral axis 126 may extend through a midpoint of the first longitudinal or right edge 128 and through the second longitudinal or left edge 130.

[0036] 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 includes an inner wearer-facing surface 132 and an outer garment-facing surface 134. Accordingly, it should be understood that the various components of the absorbent article described below may each include an inner wearer-facing surface 132 and an outer garment-facing surface 134. The chassis 102 may include a backsheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 including an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As discussed in more detail below, the absorbent article 100 may also include other features, such as leg gasket elements, waist panels, and / or flaps, e.g., side panels and / or ears, to improve fit around the legs and waist of the wearer.

[0037] 1A and 1B, the periphery of the chassis 102 may be defined by a first longitudinal side edge 128, a second longitudinal side edge 130, a first laterally extending edge 144 disposed in the first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending edge 146 disposed in the second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first edge 144 and the second edge 146. As shown in FIG. 1A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist edge 120 in the front waist region 116 and a portion of the longitudinally opposed laterally extending back waist edge 122 in the back waist region 118. The distance between the first lateral edge 144 and the second lateral edge 146 may define a pitch length (PL) of the chassis 102. When the absorbent article 100 is worn on the lower torso of a wearer, the front waist edge 120 and the back waist edge 122 may encircle a portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may encircle at least a portion of the wearer's legs. The crotch region 119 may also be generally disposed between the wearer's legs, with the absorbent core 142 extending from the front waist region 116, through the crotch region 119, to the back waist region 118.

[0038] It should also be understood that a portion or the entire absorbent article 100 may be manufactured to have lateral extensibility. This additional extensibility may be helpful in allowing the absorbent article 100 to conform to the wearer's body while the wearer is moving. This additional extensibility may also assist a user of an absorbent article 100 that includes a chassis 102 having a particular size before stretching to stretch the front waist region 116, the back waist region 118, or both waist regions of the absorbent article 100 and / or the chassis 102, for example, to provide additional body coverage for wearers of various sizes, i.e., to tailor the absorbent article to the individual wearer. Such stretching of one or more waist regions, so long as the crotch region extends to a relatively lesser extent than the one or more waist regions, may impart a generally hourglass shape to the absorbent article and may impart a fitted appearance to the article when it is worn.

[0039] As mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may include a backsheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define the outer surface 134 of the chassis 102. The backsheet 136 may be impermeable to liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and / or liquid feces) and may be fabricated in part from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impermeable materials may also be used. The backsheet 136 may prevent the exudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wetting articles that come into contact with the absorbent article 100, such as bed sheets, pajamas, and undergarments. The backsheet 136 may also include a woven or nonwoven material, a polymeric film, such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, and / or a multi-layer or composite material including a film and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and an outer nonwoven layer). The backsheet 136 may also include an elastomeric film. An exemplary backsheet 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). Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by Clopay Corporation (Cincinnati, Ohio) under the product designations BR-120 and BR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products (Terre Haute, Ind.) under the product designation XP-39385. The backsheet 136 may also be embossed and / or matte finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Furthermore, the backsheet 136 may allow vapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable), while still preventing exudates from passing through the backsheet 136. The size of the backsheet 136 may be determined by the size of the absorbent core 142 and / or the particular configuration or size of the absorbent article 100.

[0040] As also mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may include a topsheet 138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or a portion of the inner surface 132 of the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin. The topsheet may be elastically stretchable in one or two directions. Additionally, the topsheet 138 may be liquid permeable, allowing liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and / or liquid feces) to penetrate through its thickness. The topsheet 138 may be manufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwoven materials, perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films, perforated nonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic scrims. The woven or nonwoven materials may include natural fibers, such as wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 138 comprises fibers, the fibers may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as known in the art.

[0041] The topsheet 138 may be selected from lofty nonwoven topsheets, apertured film topsheets, and apertured nonwoven topsheets. Apertured film topsheets may be permeable to body exudates, but may be substantially non-absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow fluids to pass back through the topsheet and rewet the wearer's skin. Exemplary apertured films may include those disclosed 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.

[0042] As mentioned above, the absorbent article 100 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 coupled to the chassis 102. As shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a laterally extending front edge 148 in the front waist region 116 and a longitudinally opposed, laterally extending rear edge 150 in the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a longitudinally extending right edge 152 and a laterally opposed, longitudinally extending left edge 154, both of which may extend longitudinally between the front edge 148 and the rear edge 150. The absorbent assembly 140 may additionally include one or more absorbent cores 142 or absorbent core layers. The absorbent core 142 may be at least partially disposed between the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136 and may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes compatible with absorbent articles. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure include those disclosed 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.

[0043] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core containing a reduced amount of cellulosic airfelt material. For example, such cores may include less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even about 1% cellulosic airfelt material. Such cores may include primarily absorbent gelling material in an amount of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100%, with the remainder of the core including microfiber adhesive (where applicable). Such cores, microfiber adhesives, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004 / 0158212(A1) and 2004 / 0097895(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0044] In some configurations, the absorbent assembly 140 may include an acquisition system disposed between the topsheet 138 and the wearer-facing side of the absorbent core 142. The acquisition system may be in direct contact with the absorbent core 142 and may include a single layer or multiple layers, such as an upper acquisition layer (also referred to herein as a first acquisition layer) that faces the wearer's skin and a lower acquisition layer (also referred to herein as a second acquisition layer) that faces the wearer's garment. In some configurations, the acquisition system may function to receive a surge of liquid, such as a gush of urine. In this manner, the acquisition system may act as a temporary reservoir of liquid until the absorbent core 142 can absorb the liquid. Exemplary acquisition systems and associated manufacturing processes are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,603,277 and 8,568,566, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012 / 0316046(A1) and 2014 / 0163504(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] In some configurations, the acquisition system may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers. Such cross-linked cellulose fibers may have various absorbent properties. Representative chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,537. Citric acid is one representative cross-linking agent. In some embodiments, polyacrylic acid may be used. In some configurations, the cross-linked cellulose fibers may be crimped, twisted, or curled, or a combination thereof including crimped, twisted, and curled.

[0046] In some configurations, one or both of the upper and lower acquisition layers may include a nonwoven fabric, which may be hydrophilic. Additionally, in some configurations, one or both of the upper and lower acquisition layers may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers, which may or may not form part of the nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the upper acquisition layer may include a nonwoven fabric without cross-linked cellulose fibers, and the lower acquisition layer may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers. Additionally, in some configurations, the lower acquisition layer may include chemically cross-linked cellulose fibers mixed with other fibers, such as natural or synthetic polymeric fibers. According to some embodiments, such other natural or synthetic polymeric fibers may include high surface area fibers, thermoplastic bonded fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, PET fibers, rayon fibers, lyocell fibers, and mixtures thereof.

[0047] Exemplary absorbent assemblies 140, absorbent cores 142, and related components that may be adapted for use with the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, 4,834,735, 4,888,231, 5,260,345, 5,387,207, 5,397,316, 8,603,277, and 8,568,566, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012 / 0316046(A1) and 2014 / 0163504(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0048] The taped diaper may be manufactured and provided to the consumer in a configuration in which the front and rear waist regions are not fastened, prefastened, or connected to one another when packaged prior to application to the wearer. For example, the taped diaper 100T may be folded about the lateral centerline with the inner surface 132 of the first waist region 116 in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 132 of the second waist region 118, without fastening or connecting the waist regions together. The rear side panels 104 and 106 and / or the front side panels 108 and 110 may also be folded laterally inward toward the inner surfaces 132 of the waist regions 116 and 118.

[0049] The absorbent article 100 may also include various configurations of fastening elements that allow the front waist region 116 and the back waist region 118 to be fastened together to form a closed waist circumference and leg openings when the absorbent article is placed on a wearer. For example, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, the absorbent article 100 may include a first fastening member 162 and a second fastening member 164, also referred to as tabs, connected with the first back side panel 104 and the second back side panel 106, respectively. The absorbent article may also include a first front side panel 108 and a second front side panel 110, which may or may not include fastening members.

[0050] With continued reference to Figures 1A and 1B, each side panel 104, 106 and / or fastening members 162 and 164 may form part of the chassis 102 or may be permanently joined, adhered or otherwise connected, directly or indirectly, to the chassis 102, laterally inward from the side edges 128 and 130, in one of the front waist region 116 or the back waist region 118. Alternatively, the fastening members 162, 164 may form a portion of the first and second rear panels 104, 106 and / or the first and second front side panels 108, 110 or may be permanently joined, adhered or otherwise connected, directly or indirectly, at or adjacent the distal edges of the first and second rear panels 104, 106 and / or at or adjacent the distal edges of the first and second front side panels 108, 110. It should be understood that the fastening members and / or side panels may be assembled in a variety of manners, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,371,302, which is incorporated herein by reference. The fastening members 162, 164 and / or side panels 104, 106, 108, 110 may also be permanently joined or coupled at or adjacent the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102 in a variety of manners, such as, for example, adhesive bonds, sonic bonds, pressure bonds, thermal bonds, or combinations thereof, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,551, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] 1B, the first fastening member 162 and / or the second fastening member 164 may include various types of releasably engageable fasteners. The first fastening member 162 and / or the second fastening member 164 may also include various types of refastenable fastening structures. For example, the first fastening member 162 and the second fastening member 164 may include mechanical fasteners 166 in the form of hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-hook fasteners, macro fasteners, buttons, snaps, tab-and-slot fasteners, tape fasteners, adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, magnetic fasteners, hermaphroditic fasteners, etc. Some examples of fastening systems and / or fastening members 162, 164 are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594, 4,662,875, 4,846,815, 4,894,060, 4,946,527, 5,151,092, 5,221,274, 5,242,436, 6,251,097, 6,669,618, and 6,432,098, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007 / 0078427(A1) and 2007 / 0093769(A1), and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 685,230, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] As mentioned above, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be constructed from various materials and may be constructed as a laminated structure. The fastening members 162 and 164 may also be adapted to releasably and / or refastenably engage or connect with another portion of the absorbent article 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the absorbent article 100 may include a connection zone 168, sometimes referred to as a landing zone, in the first waist region 116. Thus, when the tape-type absorbent article 100 is placed on a wearer, the fastening members 162 and 164 may be pulled around the waist of the wearer and connected with the connection zone 168 in the first waist region 116 to form a closed waist perimeter and a pair of laterally opposed leg openings. It should be understood that the connection zone may be constructed from a separate substrate that is connected with the chassis 102 of the absorbent article. In some embodiments, the connection zone may be integrally formed as part of the backsheet 136 of the absorbent article 100, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,840 and 5,928,212, which are incorporated herein by reference, or may be formed as part of the first front panel 108 and the second front panel 110.

[0053] 1B, the absorbent article 100 may also include leg gasket elements 156. It will be understood that the leg gasket elements 156 may be, and are sometimes referred to as, leg cuffs, leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasket cuffs. The leg gasket elements 156 may be elasticized and configured in various manners to help reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg regions. Exemplary leg gasket elements 156 may include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, and 4,704,115, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1B , the absorbent article 100 may include longitudinally extending and laterally opposed leg gasket elements 156 disposed on the inner surface 132 of the chassis 102 that faces inwardly toward and contacts the wearer. Each leg gasket element 156 may have a first side edge 157 and a second side edge 159, with the first side edge 157 disposed laterally inward of the second side edge 159. The leg gasket elements 156 may also overlap the absorbent assembly 140, with the first side edge 157 extending laterally inward of the respective side edges 152 and 154 of the absorbent assembly 140. In some configurations, the leg gasket elements 156 may not overlap the absorbent assembly 140. It should be appreciated that the leg gasket elements 156 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as by folding a portion of the chassis 102 laterally, inwardly, i.e., toward the longitudinal axis 124, to form both the respective side gasket elements and the side edges 128 and 130 of the chassis 102. In another example, the leg gasket elements 156 may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers to the chassis 102 at or adjacent each of the corresponding side edges of the chassis 102. Each of the leg gasket elements 156 may be coupled to the inner surface 132 of the chassis and / or absorbent assembly 140 at a leg gasket element attachment zone in the front waist region 116 and a leg gasket element attachment zone in the rear waist region 118. The leg gasket elements 156 may extend to the same longitudinal extent as the absorbent article 100, or alternatively, the leg gasket elements 156 may have a narrower longitudinal extent than the absorbent article 100. In some configurations, the leg gasketing elements may be configured to define an inner cuff, an outer cuff, or both an inner cuff and an outer cuff.

[0055] The absorbent article 100 may also include one or more waist panels 158, as shown in FIG. 1B. The waist panel 158 may provide improved fit and containment and may be a portion or zone of the absorbent article 100 that may elastically expand and contract to dynamically conform to the waist of the wearer. The absorbent article 100 may also include multiple waist panels 158, for example having a first panel 158a disposed in the first waist region 116 and a second panel 158b disposed in the second waist region 118, although other configurations may be configured with a single waist panel 158. The lumbar panel 158 may be constructed in many different configurations, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and 5,151,092, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003 / 75807(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2021 / 0128366(A1), and 2021 / 0128369(A1), all of which are incorporated by reference into this specification.

[0056] It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 herein may be constructed in a variety of ways and may include one or more elastic materials, such as, for example, elastic films and / or strands. For example, the lumbar panel 158 may be constructed as a single layer of elastic film. In some configurations, the lumbar panel 158 may be constructed as a laminate of two or more substrates. For example, the lumbar panel 158 may be constructed as an elastic film bonded between two or more nonwoven substrates and / or may be bonded to one or more nonwoven substrates. For example, the lumbar panel 158 may be constructed as a bi-layer laminate with an elastic film bonded to a single nonwoven substrate. In another example, the lumbar panel 158 may be constructed as an elastic film bonded between two or more substrates, and the substrates may include nonwovens. It should also be understood that the nonwoven substrates of the lumbar panel 158 may be the same or different materials and / or basis weights and may be constructed as elastomeric nonwovens or nonelastic nonwovens. In some configurations, the one or more nonwoven substrates of the lumbar panel 158 may be the same or different material and / or basis weight as the one or more nonwoven substrates of the topsheet 138, the backsheet 136, and / or the leg gasket elements 156.

[0057] It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 herein may be formed in a variety of ways and may include a variety of components bonded together in a variety of ways and with different or the same bond patterns. For example, the lumbar panel 158 herein may include a laminate of an elastic film bonded with at least one nonwoven fabric in an extended state. For example, FIGS. 17 and 18 show cross-sectional views of a lumbar panel 158 configured as a laminate 400 including a first substrate 402, a second substrate 410, and an elastic film 408 disposed between the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410, where the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410 may be configured as a nonwoven fabric as discussed above. In some configurations, the laminate may be bonded continuously or discontinuously. In some configurations, the laminate may be bonded with a plurality of individual bond sites, which may or may not form a visually distinguishable pattern. The first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410 of the lumbar panel 158 may be the same type of nonwoven or different types of nonwoven and / or may have the same basis weight or different basis weight. In addition, the chassis 102 may include one or more nonwoven substrates. Thus, the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410 of the lumbar panel 158 may be the same type of nonwoven or different types of nonwoven and / or may have the same basis weight or different basis weight as the nonwoven substrate of the chassis 102. In addition, the nonwoven substrate of the lumbar panel 158, such as, for example, the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410, may include a nonwoven substrate having the same fiber orientation or a different fiber orientation as the nonwoven substrate of the chassis 102. The lumbar panel 158 and the topsheet or backsheet within the absorbent article may then each comprise a nonwoven substrate that is the same or a different type of nonwoven, and / or may have the same or a different basis weight, and / or may have the same or a different fiber orientation.

[0058] It should be appreciated that the components of the lumbar panel 158 may be joined together in a variety of ways, such as, for example, by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, heat bonding, or combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that the components of the lumbar panel 158 may be joined together with adhesive applied in a variety of ways, such as, for example, by a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the components of the lumbar panel 158 may be continuously bonded with adhesive or continuously bonded with a patterned adhesive. In some configurations, the adhesive may be applied according to the apparatus and / or methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, all of the components of panel 158 may be mechanically (pressure) joined together by applying pressure (and optionally heat) in a variety of manners, including, for example, the mechanical joining devices and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,984; 6,248,195; 8,778,127; 9,005,392; 9,962,297; and 10,052,237, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, the components of the waist panel 158 may be mechanically (pressure) joined using ultrasonic bonding methods configured in a variety of ways, including, for example, linear or rotational type configurations and those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,113,225; 3,562,041; 3,733,238; 5,110,403; 6,036,796; 6,508,641; and 6,645,330.

[0059] In some configurations, the elastic film 408 may be integrally bonded to the first substrate 402 and / or the second substrate 410, although the first substrate 402 may be directly bonded to the second substrate 410 in the area of ​​the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410 may be directly bonded to one another through openings in the elastic film 408, although such openings may be formed during the bonding process. In some configurations, the elastic film 408 may participate or be involved in the bond between the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410, although "involved" may mean that the elastic film 408 may be in intimate contact with, and possibly partially fused to, one or both of the first substrate 402 and the second substrate 410 to some extent. This involvement may be due to actual melt bonding around the bond site, or may be due to mechanical interaction, such as by entanglement of the fibrous elastic layer between the fibrous nonwoven layers, also around the bond site. It should be understood that the lumbar panel 158 may be formed using various types of joining configurations, examples of which include those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), and 2018 / 0042780(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be formed as a zero strain stretch laminate that may be connected to the chassis 102 in a stretched state. In some configurations, the zero strain stretch laminate may include at least a layer of nonwoven material and an elastomeric element. The elastomeric element may be attached to the layer of nonwoven material while in a relaxed or substantially relaxed state, but the resulting laminate becomes stretchable (or more broadly stretchable) by subjecting it to an activation process that permanently elongates the nonwoven layer and temporarily elongates the elastomeric element. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may be a separate component, in which case the elastomeric element is attached to the nonwoven layer to form a laminate, which is then connected to the chassis 102. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may be integral with at least a portion of the chassis 102, in which case the elastomeric element may be attached to the nonwoven layer, and the nonwoven / elastomeric element laminate is then activated. In some configurations, the lumbar panel may be an extrusion bonded laminate. If one or more layers of the lumbar panel 158 are provided separately, the lumbar panel 158 may be activated either before or after attachment to the chassis 102. Examples of zero strain activation processes are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897 and 5,156,793, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0061] It should be understood that the waist panel 158 may be located in various positions relative to the garment facing surface 132 and the wearer facing surface 134 of the various absorbent article components. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be disposed on the wearer facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be disposed on the wearer facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138 and on the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be disposed on the wearer facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138, and laterally opposed end regions of the waist panel 158 may be disposed between the leg gasket element 156 and the topsheet 138. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be disposed between the garment facing surface 132 of the topsheet 138 and the wearer facing surface 132 of the backsheet 136. Also, in some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be disposed on the garment facing surface 134 of the backsheet 136.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b herein may each include a first lateral edge 170 and a second lateral edge 172, where the second lateral edge 172 is disposed longitudinally inward relative to the first lateral edge 170. Thus, the first lateral edge 170 may be configured as an outer lateral edge and the second lateral edge 172 may be configured as an inner lateral edge. Additionally, the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b may include a first longitudinal end region 174 adjacent the first lateral edge 170 and a second longitudinal end region 176 adjacent the second lateral edge 172, where the first longitudinal end region 174 and the second longitudinal end region 176 are separated by a central region 178. The first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172 may be connected to or separated by the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. Thus, the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b may also include a first lateral end region 184 adjacent the first longitudinal edge 180 and a second lateral end region 186 adjacent the second longitudinal edge 182, but the first lateral end region 184 and the second lateral end region 186 are separated by the central region 178. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170, the second lateral edge 172, the first longitudinal edge 180, and / or the second longitudinal edge 182 may be defined by folds, although one or more layers of the waist panel 158 may be folded over itself or onto another layer during assembly. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170, the second lateral edge 172, the first longitudinal edge 180, and / or the second longitudinal edge 182 may be defined by unfolded edges or cut lines, although one or more layers of the waist panel 158 may be cut or trimmed during assembly.

[0063] As discussed above, the waist panel 158 herein may be elastic, but may include at least one stretch direction. In some configurations, the stretch direction may be oriented laterally between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. In some configurations, the first waist panel 158a and / or the second waist panel 158b may be configured to stretch at least about 10 mm with an applied force of greater than 0 to about 3 N. It should also be appreciated that the first waist panel 158a may comprise stretch characteristics that are the same or different from the stretch characteristics of the second waist panel 158b. Such stretch characteristics may include a contraction rate or an elongation rate. In some configurations, the stretch characteristics of the first waist panel 158a may be the same or different between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172 and / or between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. Also, in some configurations, the stretch characteristics of the second waist panel 158b may be the same or different between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172 and / or between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182.

[0064] It should be understood that the waist panels 158 herein may be configured in a variety of shapes and / or sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first waist panel 158a may include a first width PW1 extending between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182, while the second waist panel 158b may include a second width PW2 extending between the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182. It should be understood that the first width PW1 and the second width PW2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first width PW1 and / or the second width PW2 may be from about 80 mm to about 250 mm, specifically all 1 mm increments within the above ranges and any ranges therein or formed thereby are recited. The first waist panel 158a can include a first length PL1 extending between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172, while the second waist panel 158b can include a second length PL2 extending between the first lateral edge 170 and the second lateral edge 172. It should be understood that the first length PL1 and the second length PL2 can be equal or different. In some configurations, the first length PL1 and / or the second length PL2 can be from about 5 mm to about 80 mm, and specifically, all 1 mm increments within the above ranges and any ranges therein or formed thereby are recited.

[0065] It should be understood that the waist panel 158 may be located in various lateral and longitudinal positions relative to the various absorbent article components. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned such that the first and second longitudinal edges 180, 182 of the waist panel 158 are laterally inboard of the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the waist panel 158 may be positioned such that the first and second longitudinal edges 180, 182 and the first and second longitudinal end regions 174, 176 of the waist panel 158 overlap the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the first waist panel 158a may be positioned longitudinally inward from the first waist edge 120 of the absorbent article 100 and / or toward or overlapping the first lateral edge 148 of the absorbent assembly 140, and the second waist panel 158b may be positioned longitudinally inward from the second waist edge 122 of the absorbent article 100 and / or toward or overlapping the second lateral edge 150 of the absorbent assembly 140. In some configurations, the first waist panel 158a and / or the second waist panel 158b may overlap the first lateral edge 148 and / or the second lateral edge 150 of the absorbent assembly 140 by about 1 mm to about 45 mm, including all 1 mm increments within the aforementioned ranges and all ranges therein or formed thereby. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the first waist panel 158a may be disposed longitudinally inboard from the first waist edge 120 by an offset distance OD1 greater than zero. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the second waist panel 158b may be disposed longitudinally inboard from the second waist edge 122 by an offset distance OD2 greater than zero. In some configurations, the offset distance OD1 and / or the offset distance OD2 may be at least 5 mm. In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the first waist panel 158a may be coterminous with the first waist edge 120 such that the offset distance OD1 is zero.In some configurations, the first lateral edge 170 of the second waist panel 158b may meet the second waist edge 122 such that the offset distance OD2 is zero.

[0066] It should be appreciated that the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 in various manners, such as, for example, by adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, pressure bonding, heat bonding, or combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 using adhesive applied in various manners, such as, for example, by a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be continuously joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 by adhesive or may be continuously joined with a patterned adhesive. In some configurations, the adhesive may be applied according to the apparatus and / or methods disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be mechanically (pressure) bonded to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 in a variety of manners by applying pressure (and optionally heat), examples of such mechanical bonding devices and methods include those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,854,984, 6,248,195, 8,778,127, 9,005,392, 9,962,297, and 10,052,237, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.In some configurations, the first lumbar panel 158a and / or the second lumbar panel 158b may be mechanically (by pressure) joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 using ultrasonic bonding methods configured in a variety of ways, such as linear or rotational type configurations, and examples of such configurations include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,113,225, 3,562,041, 3,733,238, 5,110,403, 6,036,796, 6,508,641, and 6,645,330.

[0067] As previously mentioned, it should be understood that the waist panels 158 herein may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 with a combination of adhesive and pressure bonds. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the first longitudinal end region 174 of the first waist panel 158a may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 with an adhesive bond 188, generally indicated by the shaded area. In addition, the first lateral end region 184 and the second lateral end region 186 of the first waist panel 158a may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or leg gasket elements 156 with a pressure bond 190. In some configurations, the first lateral end region 184 and the second lateral end region 186 of the first waist panel 158a may be joined to the inner cuff and / or the outer cuff of the leg gasket elements 156. As shown in FIG. 3A, the first longitudinal end region 174 of the second waist panel 158b may be adhered to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 by an adhesive bond 188, which is generally indicated by the shaded area.

[0068] Additionally, the first lateral end region 184 and the second lateral end region 186 of the second waist panel 158b may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 by pressure joints 190. In some configurations, the first lateral end region 184 and the second lateral end region 186 of the second waist panel 158b may be joined to the inner cuff and / or the outer cuff of the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the pressure joints 190 may be a discontinuous pattern of separate bond sites. It should be understood that the separate bond sites may define various sizes and shapes, but may be separated from one another by various distances. For example, in some configurations, the separate bond sites may be separated from one another by at least 0.2 mm. It should also be understood that the separate bond sites may cover various different sized areas of the waist panel. For example, in some configurations, the multiple separate bond sites may include about 5% to about 50% of the area of ​​the waist panel. In some configurations, a first lateral end region 184 and a second lateral end region 186 extending along the first longitudinal edge 180 and the second longitudinal edge 182 may be joined to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 by a continuous joint that defines a sealed edge.

[0069] In some configurations, one or more areas of the lumbar panel 158 (referred to herein as bonded areas 191) may be bonded to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156, and one or more areas of the lumbar panel 158 (referred to herein as non-bonded areas 192) may not be bonded (attached) to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156, thereby forming a pocket 194 between the lumbar panel 158 and the chassis 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A , the first waist panel 158a may have a bonded region 191a where the first longitudinal end region 174, the first lateral end region 184, and the second lateral end region 186 of the first waist panel 158a are bonded to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156, but the first waist panel 158a may include at least one non-bonded region 192a (generally indicated by a rectangle with a dashed border) in which a portion of the second longitudinal end region 176 and at least a portion of the second lateral edge 172 may not be attached to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156. 3A, the second waist panel 158b may have bonded regions 191b where the first longitudinal end region 174, the first lateral end region 184, and the second lateral end region 186 of the second waist panel 158b are bonded to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156, while the second waist panel 158b may include at least one non-bonded region 192b (generally indicated by a rectangle with a dashed border) where a portion of the second longitudinal end region 176 and at least a portion of the second lateral edge 172 may not be attached to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156.

[0070] It should be understood that the waist panels 158 herein may be configured with one or more non-bonded regions having various shapes and / or sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2A and 3A, the first waist panel 158a may include a first non-bonded region 192a, while the second waist panel 158b may include a second non-bonded region 192b. Thus, the first non-bonded region 192a may include a first width UW1 extending laterally and a first length UL1 extending vertically, while the second non-bonded region 192b may include a second width UW2 extending laterally and a second length UL2 extending vertically. It should be understood that the first width UW1 and the second width UW2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first width UW1 and / or the second width UW2 may be between about 40 mm and about 200 mm, specifically all 1 mm increments within the ranges described above and any ranges formed therein or thereby. It should also be understood that the first length UL1 and the second length UL2 may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first length UL1 and / or the second length UL2 may be between about 10 mm and about 50 mm, specifically all 1 mm increments within the ranges described above and any ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the first non-bonded region 192a may include a first area A1 and / or the second non-bonded region 192b may include a second area A2, and the first area A1 and the second area may be equal or different. In some configurations, the first area A1 and / or the second area A2 may be between about 400 mm and / or about 500 mm. 2 ~about 10000mm 2 Specifically, every 1 mm within the above ranges and any ranges therein or formed thereby. 2 are listed. It should be understood that the waist panel 158 may also be joined to the absorbent article components using permanent and frangible joining configurations, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 208,019, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0071] It should be understood that the adhesive bond 188 and / or mechanical bond 190 described above with reference to the first waist panel 158a and / or the second waist panel 158b of Figures 2A and 3A may be configured in a variety of ways to define various zones having different shapes and sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2A-2C and 3A-3C, the adhesive bond 188 may be arranged to define a first zone 188a of adhesive 188, a second zone 188b of adhesive 188, and a third zone 188c of adhesive 188. In addition, the pressure bond 190 may be arranged to define a first zone 190a of mechanical bond 190 and a second zone 190b of mechanical bond 190. It should be understood that the same or different types of adhesive may be applied to the first zone 188a, the second zone 188b, and the third zone 188c of adhesive 188. It should also be understood that the first zone 188a, second zone 188b, and third zone 188c of adhesive 188 may be applied in the same or different manners, such as using a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device.

[0072] 2A-2C and 3A-3C, a first zone 188a of adhesive 188 may be positioned in the first lateral end region 184 adjacent the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158, and a second zone 188b of adhesive 188 may be positioned in the second lateral end region 186 adjacent the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. The first zone 188a of adhesive 188 and / or the second zone 188b of adhesive 188 may bond the waist panel 158 to at least one of the chassis 102 and the leg gasket element 156. A third zone 188c of adhesive 188 may be positioned in the first longitudinal end region 174, adjacent the outer lateral edge 170 of the waist panel 158, and may extend laterally through the central region 178. A third zone 188 c of adhesive 188 may join the waist panel 158 to the chassis 102 and / or the leg gasket element 156 .

[0073] 2A-2C and 3A-3C , a first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 may be located in the first lateral end region 184 and may extend between the outer lateral edge 170 and the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158, and a second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may be located in the second lateral end region 186 and may extend between the outer lateral edge 170 and the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. The first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 and / or the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may join the waist panel 158 to at least one of the chassis 102 and the leg gasket element 156.

[0074] It should be appreciated that the first zone 188a, the second zone 188b, and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be positioned in a variety of ways relative to the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 and / or the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190. For example, in some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have an overlapping portion with the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190, and the second zone 188b and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have an overlapping portion with the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190. In some configurations, the first zone 188a and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be completely separate from or partially border the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190, and the second zone 188b and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may be completely separate from or partially border the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190. For example, as shown in Figures 2B and 3B, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 may overlap the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190, and the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may overlap the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190. In another example, as shown in Figures 2C and 3C, the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may overlap the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 and the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190.

[0075] It should also be understood that the first zone 188a, the second zone 188b, and / or the third zone 188c of the adhesive 188 may have a variety of different shapes and sizes, and the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 and / or the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may have a variety of different shapes and sizes. For example, as shown in Figures 2B and 3B, the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 may include a lateral width MZ1W, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 may include a lateral width AZ1W, the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may include a lateral width MZ2W, and the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may include a lateral width AZ2W. In some configurations, the lateral width MZ1W is greater than the lateral width AZ1W and / or the lateral width MZ2W is greater than the lateral width AZ2W. In some configurations, the lateral width MZ1W may be less than or equal to the lateral width AZ1W and / or the lateral width MZ2W may be less than or equal to the lateral width AZ2W. The third zone 188c of adhesive 188 may include a lateral width AZ3W that is less than or equal to the first width PW1 of the first waist panel 158a and / or the second width PW2 of the second waist panel 158b.

[0076] 2B and 3B, the first zone 190a of the mechanical bond 190 may include a longitudinal length MZ1L, the first zone 188a of the adhesive 188 may include a longitudinal length AZ1L, the second zone 190b of the mechanical bond 190 may include a longitudinal length MZ2L, and the second zone 188b of the adhesive 188 may include a longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the longitudinal length MZ1L is greater than the longitudinal length AZ1L and / or the longitudinal length MZ2L is greater than the longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the longitudinal length MZ1L may be less than or equal to the longitudinal length AZ1L and / or the longitudinal length MZ2L may be less than or equal to the longitudinal length AZ2L. In some configurations, the longitudinal length AZ1L and / or the longitudinal length AZ2L may be less than or equal to half of the first waist panel 158a and / or less than or equal to half of the second length PL2 of the second waist panel 158b. In some configurations, the longitudinal length MZ1L, the longitudinal length AZ1L, the longitudinal length MZ2L, and / or the longitudinal length AZ2L may be less than or equal to the first length PL1 of the first waist panel 158a and / or less than or equal to the second length PL2 of the second waist panel 158b. The third zone 188c of adhesive 188 may comprise a longitudinal length AZ3L that is less than or equal to the first length PL1 of the first waist panel 158a and / or less than or equal to the second length PL2 of the second waist panel 158b.

[0077] In some configurations, the first zone 188a of adhesive 188 and / or the second zone 188b of adhesive 188 may be bounded by and / or positioned longitudinally outboard of the inner lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first zone 188a of adhesive 188 and / or the second zone 188b of adhesive 188 may be bounded by the inner lateral edge 172 and / or the outer lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, the first zone 188a of adhesive 188 and / or the second zone 188b of adhesive 188 may be longitudinally offset from the inner lateral edge 172 and / or the outer lateral edge 172 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, a first zone 188a of adhesive 188 and / or a first zone 190a of mechanical bond 190 may be bounded by or laterally offset from a first longitudinal edge 180 of the waist panel 158, and / or a second zone 188b of adhesive 188 and / or a second zone 190b of mechanical bond 190 may be bounded by or laterally offset from a second longitudinal edge 182 of the waist panel 158. In some configurations, a third zone 188c of adhesive 188 may be bounded by or longitudinally inboard of an outer edge 170 of the waist panel 158, and / or may be bounded by or laterally offset from a first longitudinal edge 180 and / or a second longitudinal edge 182 of the waist panel 158.

[0078] It should be understood that the lateral widths of the first, second, and / or third zones 188a, 188b, and / or 188c of adhesive and / or the lateral widths of the first and / or second zones 190a and / or 190b of mechanical bond 190 may vary along the longitudinal length. For example, as shown in Figures 2C and 3C, the lateral width MZ1W of the first zone 190a of mechanical bond 190 and / or the lateral width MZ2W of the second zone 190b of mechanical bond 190 may vary. As shown, the first zone 190a of the mechanical joint 190 may include a first lateral width MZ1WI and a second lateral width MZ1WO that is longitudinally outboard of the first lateral width MZ1WI, and the second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190 may include a first lateral width MZ2WI and a second lateral width MZ2WO that is longitudinally outboard of the first lateral width MZ2WI. In some configurations, the first lateral width MZ1WI may be smaller than the second lateral width MZ1WO and / or the first lateral width MZ2WI may be smaller than the second lateral width MZ2WO. In some configurations, the first lateral width MZ1WI may be equal to or larger than the second lateral width MZ1WO and / or the first lateral width MZ2WI may be equal to or larger than the second lateral width MZ2WO.

[0079] It should be appreciated that overlapping the first 188a, second 188b, and / or third 188c zones of adhesive 188 with the first 190a and / or second 190b zones of mechanical bond 190 and / or disposing the first 188a and second 188b zones of adhesive on or adjacent to the inner edge 172 of the waist panel 158 may help to reinforce and / or strengthen the bond area. Such reinforcement may help to prevent and / or reduce instances of separation of the waist panel 158 of other absorbent articles from the topsheet 138 and / or leg gasket elements 156 during assembly and / or use.

[0080] In the context of the previous discussion, various devices and methods may be adapted to assemble the absorbent article 100 to the first and second waist panels 158a, 158b having various adhesive and mechanical zones on the first and / or second waist panels 158a, 158b. For example, Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a converting process including an apparatus or system 300 that bonds separate elastics 200 under tension with an advancing carrier substrate 202 to form a laminate 204 during assembly of the absorbent article 100. Various aspects of the apparatus 300 and associated assemblies shown in FIG. 4 are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2020 / 0375807(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2021 / 0128366(A1), and 2021 / 0128369(A1), all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0081] 4 and 5, the carrier substrate 202 may advance in a machine direction MD at a first speed S1. The carrier substrate has a first longitudinal edge 206 and a width W CS and a second longitudinal edge 208 separated in the transverse direction CD from the first longitudinal edge 206 to define a first longitudinal edge 208. The carrier substrate 202 also includes a first surface 210 and an opposing second surface 212. As will be discussed in more detail below, the separate elastic portion 200 is joined to the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202.

[0082] In the context of the components of the absorbent article 100 and its assembly process discussed above, the elastics 200 may be configured as a waist panel 158. In some configurations, each separate elastic 200 may be configured as a first waist panel 158a, a second waist panel 158b, or may be a portion that is subsequently cut with the carrier substrate 202 to be formed into the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b. The carrier substrate 202 may be configured as a continuous topsheet 138, backsheet 136, or a continuous laminate of the combined topsheet 138 and backsheet 136 that may also be a portion of a continuous length of the chassis 102. The laminate 204 may be configured as a continuous length of the absorbent article 100. In some configurations, the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 may correspond to the wearer-facing surface 132 or the garment-facing surface 134 of the topsheet 138 or backsheet 136. In some configurations, the elastic 200 may be joined between the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. For example, the elastic 200 may be joined with the wearer-facing surface 132 of the backsheet 136, which is then joined with the topsheet 138. In another example, the elastic 200 may be joined with the garment-facing surface 134 of the topsheet 138, which is then joined with the backsheet 136. In yet another example, the elastic 200 may be joined with the garment-facing surface 134 of the backsheet 136, and the wearer-facing surface 132 of the backsheet 136 may be pre-joined with the topsheet 138 or may be subsequently joined with the topsheet 138. In another example, the elastic 200 may be joined with the wearer-facing surface 132 of the topsheet 136, and the garment-facing surface 134 of the topsheet 138 may be pre-joined with the backsheet 136 or may be subsequently joined with the backsheet 136. As discussed above with reference to Figures 17 and 18, it should be understood that the waist panel 158 and chassis 102 may include various material combinations and configurations, and therefore such combinations are also applicable to the elastic substrate 200a, the elastic portion 200, and the carrier substrate 202.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 5A, the carrier substrate 202 may also include a leg gasket element 156 disposed on the first surface 210 adjacent the first longitudinal edge 206 and the second longitudinal edge 208. Thus, each portion of the separate elastic portion 200 may also be joined with the leg gasket element 156. In some configurations, the separate elastic portion 200 may be joined with the carrier substrate 202, but the leg gasket element 156 may be subsequently joined with the carrier substrate 202. The leg gasket element 156 may be positioned relative to the elastic portion 200 such that the leg gasket element 156 may partially cover or overlap the opposing end portions of the elastic portion 200, or may not cover or overlap. In some configurations, the leg gasket element 156 may be sandwiched between the elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202. Also, in some configurations, the elastic portion 200 may be sandwiched between the leg gasket element 156 and the carrier substrate 202.

[0084] 4 and 6, the continuous elastic substrate 200a is advanced in the machine direction MD at a second speed S2, which is slower than the first speed S1. The continuous elastic substrate 200a has a first longitudinal edge 214 and a width W ES The continuous elastic substrate 200a includes a first longitudinal edge 214 and a second longitudinal edge 216 separated in the transverse direction CD from the first longitudinal edge 214 to define a width W of the continuous elastic substrate 200a. The continuous elastic substrate 200a also includes a first surface 218 and an opposing second surface 220. The continuous elastic substrate 200a is extensible in at least one direction and is oriented such that the continuous elastic substrate 200a is extensible in the transverse direction CD. Thus, the width W of the continuous elastic substrate is ES may be the unstretched width. In some configurations, the width W of the continuous elastic substrate 200a ES may be the width at partial stretching.

[0085] With continued reference to Figures 4, 6, and 7, the system 300 may include one or more adhesive applicator devices 302 that deposit the adhesive 222 onto the second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a. It should be appreciated that the adhesive applicator device 302 may be configured in a variety of ways, such as, for example, a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the adhesive applicator device 302 may be configured in accordance with the apparatus and / or methods disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,186,296, 9,265,672, 9,248,054, and 9,295,590, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0148773 A1, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0086] It should be appreciated that the adhesive 222 may be applied to the continuous elastic substrate 200a in a manner that defines zones 224 of adhesive 222 having various shapes and sizes on the second surface 220. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the adhesive 222 may be applied to the second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a intermittently along the machine direction MD to define a first zone 224a, a second zone 224b, and a third zone 224c. The first zone 224a and the second zone 224b may be offset from or share a border with the edges 214, 216 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a, respectively. In some configurations, the first zone 224a and the second zone 224b may be offset from, share a shared edge with, or overlap the third zone 224c. In some configurations, the first zone 224a and the second zone 224b may extend continuously along the machine direction MD, as opposed to being intermittently spaced apart. ADH In some configurations, the adhesive 222 may extend in a transverse direction CD to define a width W ADH is the width W of the continuous elastic substrate 200a ES and in some configurations, the width W ADH is the width W of the continuous elastic substrate 200aES As described below, the continuous elastic substrate 200a may be converted into the waist panel 158 described herein, and thus the first zone 224a, second zone 224b, and third zone 224c may correspond to the first zone 188a, second zone 188b, and third zone 188c of adhesive, respectively, described above. It should be understood that the adhesive 222 may be applied from one or more adhesive application devices 302 to define the zones 224a, 224b, 224c of adhesive 222.

[0087] 4, 7, and 8, the continuous elastic substrate 200a may advance in the machine direction MD from an adhesive applicator device 302 to a cutting device 304 that cuts and separates the separate elastic portions 200 from the continuous elastic substrate 200a. Thus, the separate elastic portions 200 each include a leading edge 230 and a trailing edge 232, and have a length L extending in the machine direction MD from the leading edge 230 to the trailing edge 232. EP The elastic portion 200 also includes a first longitudinal edge 214 and a second longitudinal edge 216 that correspond to the longitudinal edges 214, 216 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a extending between the front edge 230 and the rear edge 232. Additionally, the elastic portion 200 includes a first surface 218 and a second surface 220 that correspond to the first surface 218 and the second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 8, the separate elastic portion 200 also includes a first end region 234 adjacent to the first longitudinal edge 214 and a second end region 236 adjacent to the second longitudinal edge 216, the second end region 236 being separated from the first end region 234 in the cross direction CD by a central region 238. As discussed above, an adhesive 222 may be applied to the second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a. Thus, the separate elastic portion 200 may include a zone 240 of adhesive 222 on the second surface 220. It should be understood that the zone 240 of adhesive 222 may define various sizes and shapes relative to the elastic portion 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a first zone 240a of adhesive 222 may be positioned in the first end region 216 and a second zone 240b of adhesive 222 may be positioned in the second end region 218. The third zone 240c of adhesive 222 may extend in the cross direction CD across less than the entire width W1 of the separate elastic 200. In some configurations, the third zone 240c of adhesive 222 may be disposed only on the central region 238 of the separate elastic 200, or may also extend into the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the second surface 220 of the separate elastic 200. As described below, the separate elastic 200 may be converted into a waist panel 158 described herein, and thus the first zone 240a, second zone 240b, and third zone 240c may correspond to the first zone 188a, second zone 188b, and third zone 188c of adhesive, respectively, described above.

[0089] As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the cutting device 304 may include a knife roll 306 disposed adjacent to an anvil roll 308 to define a nip 310 therebetween. The knife roll 306 may include an outer circumferential surface 312 and one or more blades 314 adapted to rotate in a first direction Dir1 about an axis 316. The anvil roll 308 may include an outer circumferential surface 318 adapted to rotate in a second direction Dir2 opposite the first direction Dir1 about an axis 320 such that the outer circumferential surface 318 advances at a third speed S3, the third speed S3 being faster than the second speed S2. With continued reference to Figure 4, as the continuous elastic substrate 200a advances through the nip 310 between the knife roll 306 and the anvil roll 310, the blades 314 operate to cut the separate elastic portions 200 from the continuous elastic substrate 200a. As the outer circumferential surface 318 of the anvil roll 308 advances at the third speed S3, the cut separate elastic portions 200 may then accelerate from the second speed S2 to a third speed S3 on the outer circumferential surface 318 of the anvil roll 308. It should also be appreciated that one or more components of the cutting device 304 may be configured to operate at a constant and / or variable speed. For example, the knife roll 306 and / or the anvil roll 308 may be connected to various types of motors, such as, for example, servo motors, that may rotate the knife roll 306 and / or the anvil roll 308 at a constant and / or variable angular velocity.

[0090] In some configurations, the third speed S3 may be equal to the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202. In some configurations, the third speed S3 may be less than or greater than the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202, and thus the separate elastic portion 200 may be accelerated or decelerated downstream of the anvil roll 308 from the third speed S3 to the first speed S1 before being combined with the carrier substrate 202. Because the first speed S1 of the carrier substrate is greater than the second speed S2, the separate elastic portion 200 is accelerated from the second speed S2 to the first speed S1 before being combined with the carrier substrate 202. By accelerating the separate elastic portions 200 from the second speed S2 to the first speed S1, the trailing edges 232 (or leading edges 230) of the successively cut separate elastic portions 200 may be separated from one another in the machine direction MD by a pitch distance PD as shown in Figure 14, which may correspond to the pitch length PL described above with reference to Figures 1A and 1B. The anvil roll 308 may also be configured to apply a vacuum pressure to the separate elastic portions 200 to help retain the separate elastic portions 200 on the peripheral surface 318 as the anvil roll 308 rotates.

[0091] It should be understood that the cutting device 304 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, in some configurations, the blade 314 may be configured such that the resulting cut line and corresponding leading and trailing edges 230 and 232 of the separate elastic portions 200 may be straight and / or curved. Also, the cutting device 304 may be adapted to cut the separate elastic portions 200 such that the material along the cut line adjacent the leading and trailing edges 230 and 232 are fused and / or pressure bonded to one another. It should also be understood that the positions of the knife roll 306 and the anvil roll 308 may be reversed from that shown in FIG. 4 such that the separate elastic portions 200 may remain on the circumferential surface 312 of the knife roll 306 as opposed to the anvil roll 308. It should also be understood that the cutting device 304 may be configured to transfer and / or cut the separate elastic portions 200 in different manners.

[0092] 4, the apparatus 300 may include a rotatable transfer device 322 that transfers the separate elastic portions 200 from the cutting device 304 to a joining device 324, which then combines the elastic portions 200 with the carrier substrate 202. The transfer device 322 may also be configured to stretch the separate elastic portions 200 in the cross direction CD. As such, the transfer device 322 may be configured as a spreader mechanism 326 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 9, and 10, the transfer device 322 may be disposed adjacent to the anvil roll 308 to define a nip 328 therebetween. As discussed in more detail below, the separate elastic portions 200 are received from the anvil roll 308 and the spreader mechanism 326 operates to stretch the separate elastic portions 200 in the cross direction CD. The stretched discrete elastic portions 200 are then advanced from the spreader mechanism 326 onto a rotating component of a bonding device 324 which then bonds the stretched discrete elastic portions 200 onto the carrier substrate 202 .

[0093] 9 and 10, the spreader mechanism 326 may include a first disk 330 and a second disk 332, where the first disk 330 is displaced from the second disk 332 in a transverse direction CD. The first disk 330 is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis 330a, and the second disk 332 is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis 332a, where the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 may rotate in a third direction Dir3 opposite the second direction Dir2. As shown in FIG. 11, the first disk 330 includes an outer rim 330b extending axially between an inner edge 330c and an outer edge 330d, and the second disk 332 includes an outer rim 332b extending axially between an inner edge 332c and an outer edge 332d.

[0094] As shown in Figures 9-11, the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 are inclined relative to each other such that the outer rims 330b, 332b are separated from each other by a distance D that increases from a minimum distance Dmin at a first location to a maximum distance Dmax at a second location. As discussed below, the separate elastic portion 200 is transferred from the cutting device 304 onto the outer rims 330b, 332b during operation. Because the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 are inclined, the rotation of the disks 330, 332 causes the rims 330b, 332b to pull the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200, stretching the central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200 in the transverse direction CD before the separate elastic portion 200 is transferred to the joining device 324. As shown in Figures 4, 8, and 12, the spreader mechanism 326 can operate to transversely stretch the separate elastic portions 200 from a first width W1 to a second width W2 that is greater than the first width W1.

[0095] 4, 9, and 10, the disks 330, 332 may also be configured to help grip the opposing first and second end regions 234, 236 of the separate elastic portions 200 during operation. For example, the first and second disks 330, 332 may each be fluidly connected to a vacuum pressure source 334. Thus, vacuum pressure may be used to help hold the separate elastic portions 200 on the rims 330b, 332b during operation. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, the disks 330, 332 may also include nubs 336 that protrude radially outward from the rims 330b, 332b. Thus, the nubs 336 may also help prevent the first and second end regions 234, 236 of the separate elastic portions 200 from sliding along the rims 330b, 332b while stretching the central region 238 of the separate elastic portions 200. It should also be noted that because the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the separate elastic portion 200 are held on the rims 330b, 332b during the stretching operation, the central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200 is stretched, but the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 may not be stretched or may be stretched to a much lesser extent than the central region 238.

[0096] As previously discussed with reference to Figure 8, the elastic portion 200 may include a zone 240 of adhesive 222 disposed on a central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200, and portions of the first end region 234 and second end region 236 of the second surface 220 of the separate elastic portion 200 may be completely free of adhesive 222. As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, upon transfer to a transfer device 322, the elastic portion 200 may be oriented such that the first surface 218 may face radially outward and such that the second surface 220 and zone 240 of adhesive 222 may face radially inward. Thus, the configuration of the disks 330, 322 of the spreader mechanism 326 provides the ability to rotatably transport the elastic portion 200 from the cutting device 304 to the joining device 324 with a zone 240 of adhesive 222 facing radially inward without the adhesive 222 contacting the disks 330, 332 or with minimal contact of the adhesive 222 with the disks 330, 332.

[0097] As discussed above, the cut separate elastic portions 200 accelerate on the peripheral surface 318 of the anvil roll 308 from the second speed S2 to a third speed S3, which in some configurations may be slower or faster than the first speed S1 of the advancing carrier substrate 202. Thus, the transfer device 322 may be configured to rotate at a variable angular velocity to accelerate or decelerate the separate elastic portions 200 to the first speed S1. For example, if the third speed S3 is slower than the first speed S1, the transfer device 322 may be configured to receive the separate elastic portions 200 from the anvil roll 308 while the rim 330b of the first disk 330 and the rim 332b of the second disk 332 move through the nip 328 at the third speed S3. The angular velocity of the disks 330, 332 may then be changed to accelerate the separate elastic portions 200 to the first velocity S1 before transferring the separate elastic portions 200 to the joining device 324. In another example, if the third velocity S3 is faster than the first velocity S1, the angular velocity of the disks 330, 332 may be changed to decelerate the separate elastic portions 200 to the first velocity S1 before transferring the separate elastic portions 200 to the joining device 324. In a situation where the third velocity S3 is equal to the first velocity S1, the disks 330, 332 may rotate at a constant angular velocity. It should be understood that the spreader mechanism 326 may be configured in various ways to address the need to rotate at variable angular velocities, for example, as disclosed in European Patent Publication No. EP2260813(B1), which is incorporated herein by reference. The ability to rotate in the transport device 326 at variable angular speeds can help reduce the need to replace components of the apparatus 300 when assembling smaller or larger sized absorbent articles 100, although this may require a reduction or increase in the pitch distance between successively cut separate elastic portions 200.

[0098] As previously mentioned, the rotatable transfer device 322 may be configured to transfer the separate elastic portions 200 from the cutting device 304 to the joining device 324. As shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the joining device 324 may be positioned adjacent to the first and second disks 330, 332 of the spreader device 326 to define a nip 338 therebetween. In some configurations, the first and second disks 330, 332 may be configured to apply positive air pressure, sometimes referred to as blow-off air, to the separate elastic portions 200 adjacent the nip 338 to aid in detaching the separate elastic portions 200 from the disks 330, 332 during transfer to the joining device 324. As discussed in more detail below, the separate elastic portions 200 are received from the spreader mechanism 326 with the central region 238 stretched in the cross direction CD, and the bonding device 324 transfers and bonds the separate elastic portions 200 in a stretched state to the advancing carrier substrate 202.

[0099] It should be understood that the bonding device 324 may be configured in various ways. For example, as shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the bonding device 324 may be configured with a pattern roll 340 and a pressing surface 342 adjacent to the pattern roll 340 to define a nip 344 therebetween. The pattern roll 340 includes an outer peripheral surface 346 and rotates about a rotation axis 348, and the pattern roll 340 may rotate in a fourth direction Dir4 opposite to the third direction Dir3. In addition, the pattern roll 340 may rotate such that the outer peripheral surface 346 advances at or approximately at the first speed S1. During operation, the separate elastic portions 200 in a stretched state are transferred from the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 to the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340. The pattern roll 340 rotates to advance the stretched elastics 200 between the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll and the advancing carrier substrate 202. Specifically, the first surfaces 218 of the discrete elastics 200 may be disposed in facing relationship and direct contact with the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340. Thus, the zones 240 of adhesive 222 and the second surfaces of the discrete elastics 200 may face radially outward from the axis of rotation 348. The carrier substrate 202 advances toward the pattern roll 340 such that the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 200 is in direct contact and facing relationship with the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340. As the pattern roll 340 rotates, the second surfaces 220 of the discrete elastics 200 are disposed in direct contact and facing relationship with the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 200. The combined discrete elastic portions 200 and carrier substrate 202 advance through a nip 344 between a pattern roll 340 and a pressing surface 342 to mechanically bond the discrete elastic portions 200 and carrier substrate 202 together.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 4, the bonding device 324 may be configured as a mechanical bonding device including an anvil roll 350. The anvil roll 350 may include an outer peripheral surface 352 and may rotate about an axis of rotation 354, where the anvil roll 350 may rotate in a fifth direction Dir5 opposite the fourth direction Dir4. The outer peripheral surface 352 of the anvil roll 350 may define a pressing surface 342 that operates with the pattern roll 340. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 13A, the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340 may also include one or more bonding surfaces 356 defined by bonding elements 358 extending radially outward. As the pattern roll 340 rotates, the separate elastics 200 and carrier substrate 202 are advanced between the joining surface 356 and the pressing surface 342 to mechanically bond or weld the elastics 200 and carrier substrate 202 together to create a first zone 242a of the mechanical joint 242 and a second zone 242b of the mechanical joint 242 between the elastics 200 and carrier substrate 202. As described below, the elastics 200 may be converted into waist panels 158 as described herein, and thus the first zone 242a and second zone 242b may correspond, respectively, to the first zone 190a and second zone 190b of the mechanical joint 190 described above. Heat and / or pressure between the pressing surface 342 and the pattern roll 340 may melt and bond the carrier substrate 202 and the elastics 200 together in the areas supported by the joining surface 356 on the pattern roll 340. As shown in FIG. 14, the mechanical joints and / or mechanical joints 242 of zones 242 a , 242 b may have a shape that may correspond to and mirror the shape of the joining surface 356 .

[0101] Thus, as the laminate 204 advances through the nip 344, the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastic portions 200 are mechanically bonded or welded together. It should be understood that the bonding device 324 herein may be configured in a variety of ways with various features described herein for bonding the separate elastic portions 200 to the carrier substrate 202. Thus, the pattern roll 340 and / or anvil roll 350 may be configured to apply heat and pressure in a variety of ways to effect mechanical bonding, including, for example, the mechanical bonding devices and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,984; 6,248,195; 8,778,127; 9,005,392; 9,962,297; and 10,052,237. It should also be understood that the positions of the pattern roll 340 and the anvil roll 350 may be reversed from that shown in FIG. 4, such that the separate elastic sections 200 may be transferred from the transfer device 322 to the outer circumferential surface 352 of the anvil roll 350 as opposed to the pattern roll 340. It should also be understood that one or more components of the bonding device 324 may be configured to operate at constant and / or variable speeds. For example, the pattern roll 340 and / or the anvil roll 350 may be connected to various types of motors, such as, for example, servo motors, that may rotate the pattern roll 340 and / or the anvil roll 350 at constant and / or variable angular velocities.

[0102] In some configurations, the carrier substrate 202 may be partially wrapped around the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340. Thus, the bonding device 324 may include one or more rolls that help guide the carrier substrate 202 to and / or from the pattern roll 340. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the bonding device may include a guide roll 360 that helps guide the carrier substrate 202 onto the outer peripheral surface 346 of the pattern roll 340 downstream of the nip 338 where the elastic portion 202 is received from the transfer device 322 and upstream of the nip 344 between the pattern roll 340 and the pressing surface 342. The guide roll 360 may also be configured to apply pressure against the carrier substrate 202 and the elastic portion 200 to help enhance bonding between the adhesive 222 of the adhesive zone 240 and the carrier substrate 202.

[0103] It should be appreciated that the bonding device 324 may be configured in a variety of ways, such as a heated or unheated pattern roll, an anvil roll, and / or an ultrasonic bonding device. For example, the bonding device 324 shown generally in FIG. 4A may include a pattern roll 340 and a pressing surface 342 that includes an energy transfer surface 362 of an ultrasonic bonding device 364. Thus, the bonding device 364 may include a horn 366 and may be configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the combined elastic portion 200 and carrier substrate 202 on the pattern roll 340.

[0104] It should be appreciated that embodiments of the ultrasonic bonding device 364 may be configured in a variety of ways, such as, for example, linear or rotary type configurations, and such as those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,113,225, 3,562,041, 3,733,238, 5,110,403, 6,036,796, 6,508,641, and 6,645,330. In some configurations, the ultrasonic bonding device 364 may be configured as a linear vibration type sonotrode, such as available from Herrmann Ultrasonic, Inc. In some configurations, the sonotrode may include multiple sonotrodes nested together in the transverse direction CD. It should also be appreciated that the rotating horn may be configured to rotate at a constant and / or variable angular velocity.

[0105] As discussed above, the pattern roll 340 includes interface elements 358 extending radially outward to define an interface surface 356. The interface and / or interface zone 242 between the individual elastic portions 200 and the carrier substrate 202 can then have a shape that corresponds to and can mirror the shape of the interface surface 356. It should be understood that the pattern roll 340 can have a variety of amounts and / or shapes of interface surfaces 356, and such interface surfaces 356 can be disposed in a variety of locations on the pattern roll 340. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13, 13A, 14, and 15, the interface elements 358 and interface surfaces 356 can be disposed to correspond to the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the individual elastic portions 200. Thus, the bonding device 340 may operate to mechanically bond the first end region 234 and the second end region 236 of the elastic portion 200 without mechanically bonding the stretched central region 238. In some configurations, the bonding elements 358 and bonding surfaces 356 may be arranged such that a mechanical bond 242 is also applied to bond the central region 238 of the separate elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202 together.

[0106] The pattern roll 340 may also be configured to apply vacuum pressure to the separate elastic portions 200 to help hold them on the outer peripheral surface 346 as the pattern roll 340 rotates. The vacuum pressure may also help hold the separate elastic portions 200 in an extended state while disposed on the pattern roll 340. In addition, the interface elements 358 and interface surfaces 356 may also help grip the elastic portions 200 and help hold the elastic portions 200 in an extended state. In addition, the pattern roll 340 may also be configured to apply vacuum pressure through the interface surfaces 356 of the interface elements 358. Furthermore, the pattern roll 340 may be configured to interface with the first disk 330 and the second disk 332 of the spreader mechanism 326 to help maintain the extended state of the separate elastic portions 200 during transfer to the pattern roll 340 at the nip 338. For example, as discussed above, the disks 330, 332 of the spreader mechanism 326 may include various amounts of nubs 336 protruding radially outward from the rims 330b, 332b, which may help prevent the first and second end regions 234, 236 of the elastic portions 200 from sliding toward each other along the rims 330b, 332b during stretching of the separate elastic portions 200. It should be understood that the nubs 336 may be configured in various shapes and sizes, spacing, and may be constructed from various types of materials. In some configurations, the interface elements 358 on the pattern roll 340 may be configured to mate with the nubs 336 protruding from the rims 330b, 332b of the first disk 330 and the rims 332b of the second disk 332. The interlocking between the nubs 336 and the joining elements 358 can help maintain the extension of the separate elastic portions 200 as the apparatus 300 is transferred from the delivery device 322 to the joining device 324 .

[0107] As shown in FIG. 4, after the discrete elastics 200 are joined with the carrier substrate 202 to create the laminate 204, the laminate 204 can continue to advance in the machine direction MD from the joining device 324 and can be subjected to additional converting operations, such as cutting, folding, and / or packaging operations. In some configurations, the laminate 204 may define a continuous length of absorbent article, or may be combined with additional substrates and / or components to define a continuous length of absorbent article. The continuous length of absorbent article can then be subjected to a final knife cut that separates the discrete absorbent articles from the continuous length of absorbent article. As previously mentioned, the discrete elastics 200 can correspond to the waist panels 158 on the absorbent article 100, while the carrier substrate 202 can correspond to the topsheet substrate 138 or the backsheet substrate 136. In some configurations, the apparatus and methods herein can be configured to apply the discrete elastics 200 as discrete front and / or back waist panels 158. In some configurations, the separate elastics 200 may be applied to the carrier substrate 202, after which the separate elastics 200 are cut during a final knife cutting operation into a front waist panel 158a positioned in the front waist region 116 and a back waist panel 158b positioned in the back waist region 118, as discussed further below with reference to FIGS. 14-14C. It should be appreciated that such a final knife cutting operation may be configured to apply straight and / or curved cut lines through the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastics 200. It should also be appreciated that the carrier substrate 202 may include portions, such as, for example, laterally extending side panels, attached to the carrier substrate 202 upstream of the bonding device 324. Accordingly, the system 300 may also include devices, such as rails and / or conveyors, to help guide and control the carrier substrate 202, and particularly such laterally extending features, into the bonding device 324 to help prevent unintentional bonding of such features.

[0108] As discussed above, the separate elastics may be combined with carrier substrate adhesion and / or mechanical bonding. It should be understood that the adhesion and mechanical bonding may be configured in various ways. It should also be understood that the zones 240 of adhesive 222 may be applied to define a variety of different shapes and sizes relative to the separate elastics 200 and / or the carrier substrate 202. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the first zone 240a and the second zone 240b of adhesive 222 may extend in the machine direction MD and may be bounded by the third zone 240c and / or one or both of the leading edge 230 and the trailing edge 232 of the elastics 200. In some configurations, the first zone 240a and the second zone 240b may be offset from one or both of the leading edge 230 and the trailing edge 232 of the elastics 200. Also, the third zone 240c of adhesive 222 may be extended in the machine direction MD by a length L 1 . AZ In some configurations, the length L of the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may be defined as AZ is the total length L of the separate elastic portion 200 EP In some configurations, the third zone 240c of adhesive 222 may extend in the cross direction CD and may be bounded by one or both of the leading edge 230 and the trailing edge 232 of the elastic portion 200. In some configurations, the length L of the third zone 240c of adhesive 222 may be less than 100 mm. AZ is the total length L of the separate elastic portion 200 extending from the front edge 230 to the rear edge 232. EP In some configurations, the first zone 242a and the second zone 242b of the mechanical bond 242 may vary in width along the transverse direction CD. In some configurations, the first zone 242a of the mechanical bond 242 and / or the second zone 242b of the mechanical bond 242 may be relatively wide in the transverse direction adjacent to the zone 240c of the adhesive. In addition, the first zone 240a and / or the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may or may not overlap with the first zone 242a of the mechanical bond 242, and the second zone 240b and / or the third zone 240c of the adhesive 222 may or may not overlap with the second zone 242b of the mechanical bond 242.

[0109] As discussed above with reference to FIG. 4, the system 300 may include an adhesive applicator device 302 that may be configured to apply adhesive 222 to the continuous elastic substrate 200a upstream of the nip 310 between the knife roll 306 and the anvil roll 308. Also, the separate elastic portions 200 separated from the continuous elastic substrate 200a may include a zone 240 of adhesive 222 adapted to adhesively bond the elastic portions 200 to the carrier substrate 202. It should be understood that the zone 240 of adhesive 222 may include adhesive 222 that is applied to the continuous elastic substrate 200a, the elastic portions 200, and / or the carrier substrate 202 in various configurations and / or locations in the assembly process. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the system 300 may include an adhesive applicator device 302a that may be configured to apply adhesive 222 to the separate elastic portions 200 at a location downstream of the nip 310 between the knife roll 306 and the anvil roll 308. 4, the apparatus 300 may include an adhesive applicator device 302b that deposits adhesive 222 onto the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 to define one or more zones 240 of adhesive 222 that bond the elastic portion 200 to the carrier substrate 202. It should be understood that the adhesive applicator device 302a may be configured to operate in addition to or in place of the adhesive applicators 302, 302b, while the adhesive applicator device 302b may be configured to operate in addition to or in place of the adhesive applicators 302, 302a. For example, the adhesive application apparatus 302 may deposit adhesive 222 onto the continuous elastic substrate 200a to define a first zone 224a, a second zone 224b, and / or a third zone 224c of adhesive 222. In another example, the adhesive applicator 302a may deposit the adhesive 222 on the elastic portion 200 to define a first zone 240a, a second zone 240b, and / or a third zone 240c of the adhesive 222. In another example, the adhesive applicator 302b may deposit the adhesive 222 on the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 to define a first zone 240a, a second zone 240b, and / or a third zone 240c of the adhesive 222.In another example, the adhesive applicator 302b may deposit the adhesive 222 on the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 to define a first zone 240a and a second zone 240b of the adhesive 222, and the adhesive applicator 302 may deposit the adhesive 222 on the continuous elastic substrate 200a to define a third zone 224c of the adhesive 222. In another example, the adhesive applicator 302b may deposit the adhesive 222 on the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 to define a third zone 240c of the adhesive 222, and the adhesive applicator 302 may deposit the adhesive 222 on the continuous elastic substrate 200a to define a first zone 224a and a second zone 224b of the adhesive 222. It should also be appreciated that the adhesive applicator devices 302a, 302b may be configured in various forms, such as the adhesive applicator 302 described above, such as, for example, a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device, etc. It should also be appreciated that in some configurations, the separate elastic portion 200 may be coupled to the carrier substrate 202 using only mechanical bonding without the use of adhesives.

[0110] According to the above discussion of various shapes and sizes of the zones 240 of adhesive 222, it should be understood that the adhesive 222 may be applied to the continuous elastic substrate 200a and / or the carrier substrate 202 in various manners to define the zones 240 of adhesive 222. For example, as discussed above with reference to Figs. 4 and 7, the adhesive 222 may be applied to the continuous elastic substrate 200a to define zones 224 of adhesive 222 in separate patches in the machine direction MD on the continuous elastic substrate 200a. In another example, the adhesive 222 may be applied to the second surface 220 of the continuous elastic substrate 200a to extend continuously in the machine direction MD and / or the cross direction CD. In another example, as shown in Fig. 16, the adhesive 222 may be applied to the first surface 210 of the carrier substrate 202 in separate zones 240 in the machine direction MD on the carrier substrate 202. It should be understood that the adhesive 222 may be applied to the continuous elastic substrate 200a, the elastic portion 200, and / or the carrier substrate 202 in a shape and size that defines zones 240 of adhesive 222 that bond the elastic portion 200 and the carrier substrate 202 together. The separate patch zones 240 of adhesive 222 may be separated from one another in the machine direction MD on the carrier substrate 202 by a pitch distance PD.

[0111] The lumbar panel 158 of the present specification may also be constructed as described in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), 2018 / 0042780, and 2018 / 0042781. It should be understood that the elastic layer may be assembled in various manners with a continuous elastic substrate and discrete elastic portions, such as those disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 2020 / 0375807(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2020 / 0375815(A1), 2021 / 0128366(A1), and 2021 / 0128369(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0112] It should be understood that the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 herein may be configured in various ways and may include one or more elastic materials, such as elastic films and / or strands. For example, the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 may be configured as a single layer of elastic film. In some configurations, the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 may be configured as a laminate of two or more substrates. For example, the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 may be configured as an elastic film bonded between two or more nonwoven substrates and / or may be bonded to one or more nonwoven substrates. For example, the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 may be configured as a bi-layer laminate with an elastic film bonded to a single nonwoven substrate. In another example, the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portions 200 may be configured as an elastic film bonded between two or more substrates, which may include nonwovens. It should be understood that the nonwoven substrate of the elastic substrate 200a and the separate elastic portion 200 may be of the same material and / or basis weight or of different materials and / or basis weights. In some configurations, the nonwoven substrate of the elastic substrate 200a and the one or more nonwoven substrates of the separate elastic portion 200 may be of the same material and / or basis weight or of different materials and / or basis weights as the one or more nonwoven substrates of the carrier substrate 202.

[0113] It should also be understood that the continuous elastic substrate 200a and the discrete elastic portions 200 may be constructed in a variety of manners, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,572,595, 6,830,800, 7,087,287, and 7,803,244, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0042778(A1), 2018 / 0042787(A1), 2018 / 0042779(A1), and 2018 / 0042780(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0114] As previously mentioned, the apparatus and methods for assembling waist panels and / or joining waist panels with other absorbent article components may be adapted to assemble the first waist panel 158a and the second waist panel 158b into the absorbent article 100 as described above. For example, FIG. 14A is a view of the laminate 204 of FIG. 14 showing the elastics 200 and the carrier substrate 202 after being subjected to a final knife cutting operation that applies a cut line 231 through the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastics 200. Thus, the separate elastics 200 may be cut into a first elastic 200b and a second elastic 200c. In some configurations, the first elastic 200b may correspond to the front waist panel 158a located in the front waist region 116, while the second elastic 200c may correspond to the back waist panel 158b located in the back waist region 118. In some configurations, the curved cut line 231 may be adapted to create an umbilical notch as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,608,720 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0246052 A1, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0115] In another exemplary configuration of FIG. 14B, the zone 240 of adhesive 222 may extend to or near the rear edge 232 of the elastic. As noted above with respect to some configurations, the elastic 200 may not be cut, but rather may correspond to the first waist panel 158a or the second waist panel 158b. For example, the elastic 202 shown in FIG. 14B may correspond to the first waist panel 158a or the second waist panel 158b. It should be understood that such a configuration shown in FIG. 14B may also be subjected to a final knife cut. For example, FIG. 14C is a view of the laminate 204 showing the elastic 200 and carrier substrate 202 after being subjected to a final knife cut operation that applies a cut line 231 through the carrier substrate 202 and the separate elastic 200. Thus, the separate elastic 200 may be cut into a first elastic 200b and a second elastic 200c. In some configurations, the first elastic portion 200b may correspond to a front waist panel 158a disposed in the front waist region 116, while the second elastic portion 200c may correspond to a back waist panel 158b disposed in the back waist region 118. In some configurations, the curved cut line 231 may be adapted to create an umbilical notch as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,720 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0246052 A1, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0116] combination A1. A trouser comprising a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front waist region to the back waist region; a first waist panel located in the front waist region or the back waist region and comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, the first waist panel further comprising a first lateral end region adjacent the first longitudinal edge and a second lateral end region adjacent the second longitudinal edge, the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region being separated by a central region; a trouser comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first zone of mechanical bond in the first lateral end region joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements; a second zone of mechanical bond in the second lateral end region joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements; a first zone of adhesive in the first lateral end region adjacent the inner lateral edge joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the first leg gasket elements; and a second zone of adhesive in the second lateral end region adjacent the inner lateral edge joining the first lumbar panel to the chassis and at least one of the second leg gasket elements, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region.

[0117] A2. The absorbent article of paragraph A1, further comprising a third zone of adhesive adjacent the outer lateral edge, extending laterally through the central region and connecting the first lumbar panel to the chassis, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region and between the inner lateral edge and the third zone of adhesive.

[0118] A3. The absorbent article of paragraph A2, wherein a portion of the first zone of mechanical bond and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bond overlap a portion of the third zone of adhesive.

[0119] A4. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein a portion of the first zone of the mechanical bond overlaps a portion of the first zone of the adhesive.

[0120] A5. An absorbent article described in any one of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the first zone of mechanical bond has a first lateral width and the first zone of adhesive has a second lateral width, the first lateral width being greater than the second lateral width.

[0121] A6. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the first zone of mechanical joining has a first lateral width adjacent the outer lateral edge of the first waist panel and a second lateral width adjacent the inner lateral edge of the first waist panel, the first lateral width being greater than the second lateral width.

[0122] A7. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally from the inner lateral edge to the outer lateral edge of the first waist panel.

[0123] A8. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the first waist panel has a longitudinal length defined by the distance extending between the inner lateral edge and the outer lateral edge, and the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally over a distance less than half of the longitudinal length of the first waist panel.

[0124] A9. The absorbent article of paragraph A8, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends lengthwise from the inner lateral edge.

[0125] A10. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A7, wherein the first zone of adhesive extends longitudinally offset from the inner lateral edge.

[0126] A11. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A10, further comprising a first waist edge and a second waist edge separated longitudinally from the first waist edge, wherein an outer lateral edge of the first waist panel coexists with the first waist edge.

[0127] A12. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A11, further comprising a second waist panel disposed in the front waist region, and the first waist panel disposed in the rear waist region.

[0128] A13. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A12, wherein the first waist panel comprises an elastic material.

[0129] A14. The absorbent article of paragraph A13, wherein the first waist panel comprises an elastic film joined in a stretched state to the nonwoven.

[0130] A15. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs A1-A15, wherein at least one of the first zone of mechanical bond and the second zone of mechanical bond extends between the outer lateral edge and the inner lateral edge.

[0131] B16. A fabric comprising a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the front waist region and the back waist region; a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected to the chassis and extending from the front waist region to the back waist region; a zone of adhesive adjacent the outer lateral edge and extending laterally through the central region and connecting the first waist panel to the chassis; a first waist panel located in the front waist region or the back waist region and comprising an inner lateral edge, an outer lateral edge, a first longitudinal edge, and a second longitudinal edge, the first lateral end region adjacent the first longitudinal edge, and the second lateral end region adjacent the second longitudinal edge. an absorbent article further comprising: a first lumbar panel, the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region being separated by a central region; a first zone of mechanical bonding in the first lateral end region joining the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and the first leg gasket element; and a second zone of mechanical bonding in the second lateral end region joining the first lumbar panel to at least one of the chassis and the second leg gasket element, wherein the first lumbar panel is not attached to the chassis between the first lateral end region and the second lateral end region and between the inner lateral edge and the zone of adhesive, and a portion of the first zone of mechanical bonding and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bonding overlap a portion of the zone of adhesive.

[0132] B17. The absorbent article of paragraph B16, wherein the first zone of mechanical attachment has a first lateral width adjacent an outer lateral edge of the first waist panel and a second lateral width adjacent an inner lateral edge of the first waist panel, the first lateral width being greater than the second lateral width.

[0133] B18. The absorbent article of paragraphs B16 or B17, further comprising a first waist edge and a second waist edge separated longitudinally from the first waist edge, wherein an outer lateral edge of the first waist panel is coterminous with the first waist edge.

[0134] B19. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs B16-B18, further comprising a second waist panel disposed in the front waist region, and the first waist panel disposed in the rear waist region.

[0135] B20. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs B16-B19, wherein the first waist panel comprises an elastic material.

[0136] B21. The absorbent article of paragraph B20, wherein the first waist panel comprises an elastic film joined in a stretched state to the nonwoven.

[0137] B22. The absorbent article of any one of paragraphs B16-B21, wherein at least one of the first zone of mechanical bonds and the second zone of mechanical bonds extends between the outer lateral edge and the inner lateral edge.

[0138] C23. A method of assembling an absorbent article, comprising the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in a machine direction; providing an elastic portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated in a transverse direction from the first longitudinal edge, the elastic portion further comprising a first end region and a second end region separated in a machine direction from the first edge, the second end region further comprising a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a first zone of adhesive in the first end region adjacent the first edge; and adhesively bonding the elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a first zone of adhesive in the first end region adjacent the first edge. adhesively bonding each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a second zone of adhesive at an abutting second end region; mechanically bonding the first end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a first zone of mechanical bond at the first end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge; and mechanically bonding the second end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate using a second zone of mechanical bond at the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portions are not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region.

[0139] C24. The method of paragraph C23, further comprising adhesively bonding each elastic portion to the carrier substrate with a third zone of adhesive adjacent the second edge and extending through the central region, wherein the elastic portions are not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region and between the first edge and the third zone of adhesive.

[0140] C25. The method of paragraph C23 or C24, wherein the step of providing an elastic portion further comprises the steps of advancing a continuous elastic substrate and severing the elastic portion from the continuous elastic substrate.

[0141] C26. The method of paragraph C25, further comprising applying adhesive to a continuous elastic substrate to form a third zone of adhesive.

[0142] C27. The method of any one of paragraphs C23-C26, further comprising applying an adhesive to the continuous elastic substrate to form a first zone of adhesive and a second zone of adhesive.

[0143] C28. The method of paragraph C27, wherein the step of applying adhesive to the continuous elastic substrate further includes applying discrete lengths of adhesive.

[0144] C29. The method of any one of paragraphs C23 and C28, further comprising applying an adhesive to a carrier substrate to form a first zone of adhesive and a second zone of adhesive.

[0145] C30. The method of paragraph C29, wherein the step of applying adhesive to the carrier substrate further includes applying discrete lengths of adhesive.

[0146] C31. The method of any one of paragraphs C23-C30, wherein the first zone of adhesive and the second zone of adhesive extend in the machine direction from the first edge to the second edge of the elastic.

[0147] C32. The method of paragraph C31, wherein the first edge comprises a leading edge and the second edge comprises a trailing edge.

[0148] C33. The method of any one of paragraphs C23-C32, wherein the carrier substrate includes a first leg gasket element and a second leg gasket element connected with the topsheet substrate.

[0149] C34. The method of paragraph C33, further comprising positioning the elastic portion in a facing relationship with the topsheet substrate, wherein a portion of the first leg gasket element and a portion of the second leg gasket element are positioned between the elastic portion and the topsheet substrate.

[0150] C35. The method of any one of paragraphs C23-C34, further comprising cutting the carrier substrate along the transverse direction to form individual absorbent articles.

[0151] C36. The method of paragraph C35, wherein the cutting step further includes dividing the elastic into a first waist panel and a second waist panel.

[0152] C37. The method of any one of paragraphs C23-C36, wherein the first zone of the mechanical bond overlaps with the first zone of the adhesive and the second zone of the mechanical bond overlaps with the second zone of the adhesive.

[0153] D38. A method of assembling an absorbent article comprising the steps of: advancing a carrier substrate in a machine direction; providing elastics having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge separated in a transverse direction from the first longitudinal edge, the elastics further comprising a first end region and a second end region separated in a machine direction from the first edge, the second end region being separated in a transverse direction from the first end region by a central region; adhesively bonding each elastic to the carrier substrate with a zone of adhesive adjacent the second edge and extending through the central region; and providing an adhesive layer in the first end region and a second end region separated in a transverse direction from the first end region by a central region. and mechanically bonding a first end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate with a first zone of mechanical bond extending between a first edge and a second edge, and mechanically bonding a second end region of each elastic portion to the carrier substrate with a second zone of mechanical bond at the second end region and extending between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the elastic portions are not attached to the carrier substrate between the first end region and the second end region and between the first edge and the zone of adhesive, and wherein a portion of the first zone of mechanical bond and a portion of the second zone of mechanical bond overlap a portion of the zone of adhesive.

[0154] D39. The method of paragraph D38, wherein the first zone of mechanical bond and the second zone of mechanical bond are relatively wide in the transverse direction adjacent to the zone of adhesive.

[0155] Dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​recited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0156] All documents cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patents or patent applications, and any patent applications or patents to which this application claims priority or benefit, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, unless expressly stated to the contrary. The citation of any document shall not be deemed to be prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or to teach, suggest, or disclose any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other reference or references. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document shall govern.

[0157] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious 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. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. a front waist region (116), a back waist region (118), and a crotch region (119) disposed between said front waist region (116) and said back waist region (118); a chassis (102) including a topsheet (138), a backsheet (136), and an absorbent core (140) disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a first leg gasket element (156) and a second leg gasket element (156) connected to the chassis (102) and extending from the front waist region (116) to the rear waist region (118); a first waist panel (158a) disposed within said front waist region (116) or said back waist region (118), said first waist panel (158a) having an inner lateral edge (172), an outer lateral edge (170), a first longitudinal edge (180), and a second longitudinal edge (182), said first lateral end region (184) adjacent said first longitudinal edge (180), and a second lateral end region (186) adjacent said second longitudinal edge (182), said first lateral end region (184) and said second lateral end region (186) being separated by a central region (178); a first zone (190a) of mechanical bonds (190) in said first lateral end region (184) joining said first waist panel (158a) to at least one of said chassis (102) and said first leg gasket element (156); a second zone (190b) of mechanical bonds (190) in said second lateral end region (186) joining said first waist panel (158a) to at least one of said chassis (102) and said second leg gasket element (156); a first zone (188a) of adhesive (188) in said first lateral end region (184) adjacent said inner lateral edge (172) and joining said first waist panel (158a) to at least one of said chassis (102) and said first leg gasket element (156); a second zone (188b) of adhesive (188) in said second lateral end region (186) adjacent said inner lateral edge (172) and joining said first waist panel (156a) to at least one of said chassis (102) and said second leg gasket element (156), The absorbent article, wherein the first waist panel (158a) is not attached to the chassis (102) between the first lateral end region (184) and the second lateral end region (186).

2. a third zone (188c) of adhesive (188) adjacent said outer lateral edge (170) and extending laterally through said central region (178) and connecting said first waist panel (158a) to said chassis (102); 2. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the first waist panel (158a) is not attached to the chassis (102) between the first lateral end region (184) and the second lateral end region (186), and between the inner lateral edge (172) and a third zone (188c) of the adhesive (188).

3. 3. The absorbent article of claim 2, wherein a portion of the first zone (190a) of the mechanical bond (190) and a portion of the second zone (190b) of the mechanical bond (190) overlap a portion of the third zone (188c) of the adhesive (188).

4. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of the first zone (190a) of the mechanical bond (190) overlaps a portion of the first zone (188a) of the adhesive (188).

5. 5. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first zone (190a) of the mechanical bond (190) has a first lateral width and the first zone (188a) of the adhesive (188) has a second lateral width, the first lateral width being greater than the second lateral width.

6. A first zone (190a) of the mechanical bond (190) a first lateral width adjacent said outer lateral edge (170) of said first waist panel (158a); a second lateral width adjacent the inner lateral edge (172) of the first waist panel (158a); The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first lateral width is greater than the second lateral width.

7. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a first zone (188a) of said adhesive (188) extends longitudinally from said inner lateral edge (172) to said outer lateral edge (170) of said first waist panel (158a).

8. 8. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first waist panel (158a) has a longitudinal length defined by the distance extending between the inner lateral edge (172) and the outer lateral edge (170), and the first zone (188a) of adhesive (188) extends longitudinally over a distance less than half of the longitudinal length of the first waist panel (158a).

9. The absorbent article of claim 8, wherein a first zone (188a) of said adhesive (188) extends longitudinally from said inner lateral edge (172).

10. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first zone (188a) of said adhesive (188) extends longitudinally offset from said inner lateral edge (172).

11. a first waist edge (120) and a second waist edge (122) longitudinally separated from said first waist edge (120); The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the outer lateral edge (170) of the first waist panel (158a) is coterminous with the first waist edge (120).

12. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a second waist panel (158b) disposed in the front waist region (116), and the first waist panel (158a) disposed in the rear waist region (118).

13. The absorbent article of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said first waist panel (158a) comprises an elastic material.

14. 14. The absorbent article of claim 13, wherein said first waist panel (158a) comprises an elastic film joined in a stretched state to a nonwoven.

15. 15. The absorbent article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of a first zone (190a) of the mechanical bond (190) and a second zone (190b) of the mechanical bond (190) extends between the outer lateral edge (170) and the inner lateral edge (172).

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