Absorbent article having an absorbent chassis and belt elastic construction and a weak path

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article comprising a first belt and a second belt, the absorbent article may include a frangible path including a frangible line. The belt may also include elastic strands positioned between and connected to the first substrate and the second substrate. The elastic strands may be severed by the frangible line, and the severed elastic strands may be continuously joined between the first substrate and the second substrate. The arrangement of the frangible path relative to the belt elasticity position herein may be configured to help ensure that the belt can be relatively easily torn along the frangible path without the need to also tear the uncut elastic strands.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to absorbent articles having a belt elastic configuration in the front and / or rear waist regions that include one or more vulnerable paths.

Background Art

[0002] Some absorbent articles have components that include an elastomeric laminate. Such an elastomeric laminate may include an elastic material bonded to one or more nonwoven fabrics. The elastic material may include an elastic film and / or elastic strands. In some laminates, a plurality of elastic strands are joined to the nonwoven fabric while the plurality of strands are in an extended state, such that when the elastic strands relax, the nonwoven fabric forms pleats, thereby forming undulations and wrinkles. The resulting elastomeric laminate is stretchable to an extent that the elastic strands can be stretched by the undulations.

[0003] Also, absorbent articles in the form of diaper pants may be constructed using an absorbent chassis connected to front and rear elastic belts, and the opposing end regions of the front and rear belts are connected to each other at the side seams. In some examples, the elasticity of the front and rear belts may be removed within the region where the absorbent chassis is connected to the belts. Therefore, in some conversion configurations adapted to assemble such diaper pants, extended elastic strands are adhered between two continuous nonwoven webs to form an elastic laminate. Next, each region of the elastic strands may be intermittently deactivated along the length of the elastic laminate by cutting the elastic strands in the area where they are connected to the chassis, which is sometimes referred to as belly elastic cutting.

[0004] Some caregivers of older incontinent infants or toddlers may prefer closed pant-type disposable absorbent articles to allow for application to and removal from the child while the child is in a standing position. One drawback of this product form is that removal and disposal of the fecal containment product can be unhygienic and inconvenient. For example, pulling the product down can potentially soil the user's legs with feces. In other instances, a caregiver may tear open the joined side portions using force. Then, the force used can lead to a rapid release of energy from the diaper, causing the caregiver to lose control of the product and feces to spill out. In contrast, removal and disposal of conventional open or tape-type diaper forms having fasteners can be easily accomplished while the child is lying on their back. In this case, the fasteners are opened, the diaper is removed from under the child, rolled into a near-cylindrical shape, and then the fasteners are secured around the rolled, soiled diaper and the leg openings are closed for hygienic disposal.

[0005] To avoid having to remove soiled diaper pants from the wearer by slipping the soiled diaper pants off the wearer's legs or by tearing apart the joined side seams, some diaper pants can be configured to have a tear line in a front belt or a rear belt. Such a tear line may include a stitch line that enables a caregiver to more easily separate the belt along the stitch line. When the belt is separated, the diaper pants can be more easily removed from the wearer without having to slip the diaper pants off the wearer's legs, similar to a conventional open-tape-type diaper configuration. However, there can be various issues associated with diaper pants having a tear line. For example, some elastic belts may include some elastic strands, and thus, there can be issues related to cutting the elastic strands at the location of the stitch line. There can be issues related to ensuring that all elastic strands extending through the tear line are consistently cut. If an uncut elastic strand extends through the tear line of the belt of the diaper pants, such an uncut elastic strand would need to be broken when removing the diaper pants from the wearer. Such an uncut elastic strand can be very difficult to break or tear, causing the tear to propagate away from the intended path and potentially requiring the caregiver to restart the tear at the location of the tear deviation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] As a result, it would be beneficial to create a pant-type article that provides a caregiver with the ability to remove and discard soiled products in a manner similar to a conventional open-diaper configuration. Additionally, a pant-type diaper having a weak path within an elastic belt that extends through consistently cut elastic strands would be beneficial.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0007] In one form, the absorbent article is a first belt including an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, further including a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge, a first belt, a second belt, wherein an end portion of the second belt facing laterally is connected to an end portion of the first belt facing laterally at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening, a second belt, a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a longitudinally extending first side edge, and a longitudinally extending second side edge separated laterally from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis facing longitudinally are connected to the first belt and the second belt, a chassis, a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a vulnerable path within the first belt extending across the overlap region between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge, the first vulnerable path including a first tear zone extending from the overlap region to the distal end and a second tear zone extending from the overlap region to the proximal end, the distal end and the proximal end being positioned laterally between the first side edge of the chassis and the first side seam.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Definitions The following term explanations may be useful in understanding the present disclosure.

[0010] "Absorbent article" refers to an implement that absorbs and confines body exudates, and more specifically, an implement that is placed in contact with or in proximity to the body of the wearer and absorbs and confines various exudates discharged from the body. Examples of absorbent articles include diapers, training pants, pull-on pant-type diapers (i.e., diapers having pre-formed waist openings and leg openings as shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,487), re-fastenable diapers or pant-type diapers, incontinence briefs and underwear, diaper holders and liners, panty liners, absorbent inserts, feminine hygiene garments such as menstrual pads, and the like.

[0011] The terms "body side" and "garment side" each refer to an element, or the surface of an element, or the relative position of a group of elements. The "body side" indicates that an element or surface is closer to the wearer during use than some other element or surface. The "garment side" indicates that an element or surface is farther from the wearer during use (i.e., the element or surface is closer to the wearer's clothing that can be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

[0012] The terms "elastic", "elastomer", or "elastomeric" refer to a material exhibiting elastic properties, which includes any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, can stretch or elongate to an extended length that exceeds 10% of the initial length and, when the applied force is released, will substantially recover to approximately the initial length. Examples of elastomeric materials include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwoven fabrics, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0013] As used herein, the term "joined" encompasses configurations where one element is directly secured to another element by attaching the one element directly to the other, as well as configurations where one element is attached to an intermediate member(s) and the intermediate member is attached to another element such that the one element is indirectly secured to the other element.

[0014] As used herein, the term "distal" is used to describe a position placed away from the center of the body or the point of attachment, and the term "proximal" is used to describe a position placed closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment.

[0015] As used herein, the term "substrate" is used primarily to describe a material that is two-dimensional (i.e., within the XY plane) and has a relatively small thickness (i.e., 1 / 10 or less) compared to its length (X direction) and width (Y direction). Non-limiting examples of substrates include webs, layers (one or more) or fibrous materials, nonwovens, polymer films or films and foils such as metal foils. These materials may be used alone or may include two or more layers laminated together. Thus, a web is a substrate.

[0016] As used herein, the term "nonwoven" refers to a material made from continuous (long) filaments (fibers) and / or discontinuous (short) filaments (fibers) by processes such as spunbonding, meltblowing, carding, etc. Nonwovens do not have a woven or knitted filament pattern.

[0017] As used herein, the term "machine direction" (MD) is used to refer to the direction of flow of the material through the process. In addition, the relative placement and movement of the material can be described as flowing in the machine direction from upstream to downstream of the process through the process.

[0018] As used herein, the term "cross direction" (CD) is used to refer to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0019] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomeric material before it is combined with another element of an elastomeric laminate or absorbent article. The pre-strain is determined by the following equation: pre-strain = ((extended length of the elastomer - relaxed length of the elastomer) / relaxed length of the elastomer) * multiplied by 100.

[0020] "Decitex", also known as Dtex, is a measurement used in the fiber industry for measuring yarns or filaments. 1 decitex = 1 gram per 10,000 meters. In other words, if a yarn or filament has a weight of 500 grams for 10,000 linear meters, then that yarn or filament will have 500 decitex.

[0021] The term "tape diaper" (also referred to as "open diaper") refers to a disposable absorbent article having an initial front waist region and an initial rear waist region that are not fastened, pre-fastened, or connected to each other during packaging before being applied to the wearer. The tape diaper may be folded around the lateral centerline with the inner surface of one waist region in contact with the inner surface of the opposite waist region without integrally fastening or joining the waist regions. Examples of various suitable configurations of tape diapers are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897; 5,360,420; 5,599,335; 5,643,588; 5,674,216; 5,702,551; 5,968,025; 6,107,537; 6,118,041; 6,153,209; 6,410,129; 6,426,444; 6,586,652; 6,627,787; 6,617,016; 6,825,393; and 6,861,571, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887 (A1); 2013 / 0211356 (A1); and 2013 / 0306226 (A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0022] As used herein, the term "pants" (also referred to as "training pants", "pre-closed diapers", "diaper pants", "pant-type diapers", and "pull-on diapers") refers to a disposable absorbent article designed for infant or adult wearers and having a waist opening with a continuous outer edge and leg openings with a continuous outer edge. The pants may be configured to have a continuous or closed waist opening and at least one continuous closed leg opening prior to the article being applied to the wearer. The pants may be preformed or pre-fastened by various techniques including, but not limited to, using any re-fastenable and / or permanent closure member (e.g., seams, heat seals, pressure welds, adhesives, adhesive bonds, mechanical fasteners, etc.) to integrally join a portion of the article. The pants may be preformed at any location along the outer periphery of the article in the waist region (e.g., the sides are fastened or joined, the front waist is fastened or joined, the back waist is fastened or joined). Examples of diaper pants of various configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,940,464, 5,092,861, 5,246,433, 5,569,234, 5,897,545, 5,957,908, 6,120,487, 6,120,489, 7,569,039, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003 / 0233082(A1), 2005 / 0107764(A1), 2012 / 0061016(A1), 2012 / 0061015(A1), 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1), and 2013 / 0255865(A1), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0023] "Closed configuration" means that, upon packaging, the waist regions on opposite sides of each other are joined either permanently or re-fastenable to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

[0024] "Open configuration" means that the waist regions on opposite sides of each other are not joined in the initial state to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings, but include closing means such as a fastening system for joining the waist regions before or during application of the article to a wearer to form the waist opening and leg openings.

[0025] The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article including an elastic laminate, and more particularly to an absorbent article having an elastic laminate in a front waist region and / or a rear waist region with a weak path. In some configurations, the absorbent article may include a first belt and a second belt. The first belt may include an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, a laterally extending inner edge, and a laterally extending outer edge, and the outer edge is positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge. End portions of the second belt that face each other in the lateral direction may be connected to end portions of the first belt that face each other in the lateral direction at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening. The absorbent article may further include a chassis including a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis may include a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction that is laterally separated from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge. End regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction are connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a portion of the chassis overlaps the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region. The weak path in the first belt may extend across a portion of the overlap region between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge. The weak path may include a weak line. The first weak path may also include a first tear zone extending from the overlap region to the distal end and a second tear zone extending from the overlap region to the proximal end. The distal end and the proximal end may be positioned laterally between the first side edge and the first side seam.

[0026] As discussed in more detail below, the first belt may also include elastic strands positioned between and connected to the first and second substrates. The frangible line may cut some of the elastic strands, and the cut elastic strands may be continuously joined between the first and second substrates. The frangible line may also cut all of the elastic strands extending through a first tear zone between the first side edge and the distal end of the chassis, and the frangible line may cut all of the elastic strands extending through a second tear zone between the first side edge and the proximal end of the chassis. The frangible line cuts at least one elastic strand extending through the first tear zone or the second tear zone at at least one location between the first side edge and the second side edge of the chassis. The frangible line may not cut at least one elastic strand extending between the first side edge and the second side edge of the chassis. As described below, the arrangement of the frangible path relative to the belt elastic position herein is configured to ensure that the belt can be relatively easily torn along the frangible path without the need to also tear uncut elastic strands.

[0027] Figures 1 - 2B show an example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of a diaper pant 100P that may include components constructed in accordance with the configurations disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a diaper pant 100P in a pre-fastened configuration. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of the diaper pant 100P with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer oriented towards the observer, and FIG. 2B shows a plan view of the diaper pant 100P with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer oriented towards the observer. The diaper pant 100P includes a chassis 102 and an annular elastic belt 104. As described in further detail below, a first elastic belt 106 and a second elastic belt 108 are integrally joined to form the annular elastic belt 104.

[0028] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 to 2B, the diaper pants 100P and the chassis 102 each include a first waist region 116, a second waist region 118, and a crotch region 119 disposed intermediate the first waist region and the second waist region. It can also be described that the chassis 102 includes a first end region 116a, a second end region 118a, and a crotch region 119 disposed intermediate the first end region 116a and the second end region 118a. The first waist region 116 may be configured as a front waist region, and the second waist region 118 may be configured as a rear waist region. The diaper 100P may also include a front waist edge 121 that extends horizontally in the front waist region 116 and a rear waist edge 122 that faces longitudinally and extends horizontally in the rear waist region 118. To provide a reference frame for this discussion, the diaper 100P and the chassis 102 of FIGS. 2A and 2B are shown as including a longitudinal axis 124 and a transverse axis 126. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 124 may extend through the front waist edge 121 and through the rear waist edge 122. The transverse axis 126 may extend through the first longitudinal or right edge 128 of the chassis 102 and through the second longitudinal or left edge 130. As described above, the longitudinal axis 124 extends vertically through the front waist edge 121 and the rear waist edge 122, and the transverse axis 126 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 124. When the diaper pants 100P are worn, the longitudinal direction may extend from the front waist of the wearer through the crotch to the rear waist of the wearer. To provide a further reference frame for this discussion, the diaper 100P of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 18B is shown, the first elastic belt 106 includes a longitudinal centerline 124a and a transverse centerline 126a, the second elastic belt 108 includes a longitudinal centerline 124b and a transverse centerline 126b, and the chassis 102 includes a longitudinal centerline 124c and a transverse centerline 126c. The longitudinal centerlines 124a, 124b, 124c are perpendicular to the transverse centerlines 126a, 126b, 126c.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, the diaper pants 100P may include an inner, body-side surface 132 and an outer, clothing-side surface 134. The chassis 102 may include a backsheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 that includes an absorbent core 142 disposed between a portion of the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136. As will be described in more detail below, the diaper 100P may also include other features such as leg elastics and / or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2A, the perimeter of the chassis 102 may be defined by a first longitudinally extending side edge 128, a second longitudinally extending side edge 130, a first laterally extending edge 144 disposed within a first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending edge 146 disposed within a 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. 2A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be located longitudinally inward from a front-side waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front-side waist region 116 and from a rear-side waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear-side waist region 118. In some configurations, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be adjacent to or located longitudinally outward from the front-side waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front-side waist region 116 and the rear-side waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear-side waist region 118. When the diaper pants 100P are worn on the wearer's lower torso, the front-side waist edge 121 and the rear-side waist edge 122 may surround the portion of the wearer's waist. At the same time, the side edges 128 and 130 may surround at least a portion of the wearer's legs. Also, the crotch region 119 may generally be disposed between the wearer's legs, and the absorbent core 142 extends from the front-side waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the rear-side waist region 118.

[0031] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a backsheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define a clothing-side surface 134 outside the chassis 102. The backsheet 136 may also include a woven or non-woven fabric material, a polymer film such as a thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, and / or a multilayer or composite material including a film and a non-woven fabric material. The backsheet may also include an elastomeric film. The 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). Further, the backsheet 136 can prevent excrement from passing through the backsheet 136 while allowing steam to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable).

[0032] Also, as described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a topsheet 138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or part of the wearer-side surface 132 inside the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 may be liquid-permeable, allowing liquids (e.g., menstrual blood, 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 non-woven materials, perforated or hydroformed thermoplastic films, perforated non-wovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplastic films, and thermoplastic scrims. The woven or non-woven material may be made from natural fibers such as wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof. If the topsheet 138 contains fibers, the fibers may be treated by a spunbond process, a carding process, a wet process, a meltblown process, a hydroentanglement process, or another method known in the art. The topsheet 138 may be selected from a bulky non-woven topsheet, a perforated film topsheet, and a perforated non-woven topsheet. Exemplary perforated films may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0033] As described above, the diaper pant 100P may also include an absorbent assembly 140 joined to the chassis 102. As shown in FIG. 2A, the absorbent assembly 140 may have a front edge 148 that extends horizontally in the front waist region 116, and may also have a rear edge 150 that faces longitudinally and extends horizontally in the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a right side edge 152 that extends longitudinally, and may have a left side edge 154 that faces horizontally and extends longitudinally. Both side edges 152 and 154 of the absorbent assembly 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 disposed at least partially between the topsheet 138 and the backsheet 136, and may be formed in various sizes and shapes that are compatible with the diaper. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Some absorbent core embodiments may include a fluid storage core containing a reduced amount of cellulosic airfelt material. For example, such a core may include less than about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even less than about 1% cellulosic airfelt material. Such a core may primarily include an absorbent gel 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 a microfiber adhesive (where applicable). Such cores, microfiber adhesives, and absorbent gel materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004 / 0158212 (A1) and 2004 / 0097895 (A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] As described above, the diaper 100P may also include an elastic leg cuff 156. The leg cuff 156 can be a leg band, a side flap, a barrier cuff, an elastic cuff, or a gasketing cuff, and it should be understood that it may be referred to as such in some cases. The elastic leg cuff 156 may be configured in various ways to help reduce leakage of body exudates in the leg region. Exemplary leg cuffs 156 may include those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, 4,909,803, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] As described above, the diaper pants are manufactured to have an annular elastic belt 104, and before being applied to the wearer, the front waist region 116 and the rear waist region 118 may be connected to each other and provided to the consumer in a packaged configuration. Thus, the diaper pants may have a waist opening 110 with a continuous outer edge as shown in FIG. 1, and a leg opening 112 with a continuous outer edge. This annular elastic belt can be formed by joining a first elastic belt to a second elastic belt using a permanent side seam or using a releasable and reclosable fastening system disposed on or adjacent to the sides of the belt that face each other in the transverse direction.

[0037] As described above, the annular elastic belt 104 may be defined by a first elastic belt 106 connected to a second elastic belt 108. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first elastic belt 106 extends between a first longitudinal side edge 111a and a second longitudinal side edge 111b, defining first and second opposing end regions 106a, 106b and a central region 106c. The second elastic belt 108 extends between a first longitudinal side edge 113a and a second longitudinal side edge 113b, defining first and second opposing end regions 108a, 108b and a central region 108c. When measured in the extended state, the distance between the first longitudinal side edge 111a and the second longitudinal side edge 111b defines the pitch length PL of the first elastic belt 106, and the distance between the first longitudinal side edge 113a and the second longitudinal side edge 113b defines the pitch length PL of the second elastic belt 108. The central region 106c of the first elastic belt is connected to the first waist region 116 or the first end region 116a of the chassis 102, and the central region 108c of the second elastic belt is connected to the second waist region 118 or the second end region 118a of the chassis 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the first end region 106a of the first elastic belt 106 is connected to the first end region 108a of the second elastic belt 108 at the first side seam 178, and the second end region 106b of the first elastic belt 106 is connected to the second end region 108b of the second elastic belt 108 at the second side seam 180, defining the annular elastic belt 104 and the waist opening 110 and the leg openings 112. It should be understood that the first belt 106 and the second belt 108 may be connected to each other permanently or re-fastenable at the first side seam 178 and the second side seam 180. The side seams 178, 180 may include a permanent bond such as heat bonding, pressure bonding, or adhesive bonding, or may be a releasable bond such as a mechanical fastener or an adhesive fastener.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first elastic belt 106 also defines a laterally extending outer edge 107a and a laterally extending inner edge 107b, and the second elastic belt 108 defines a laterally extending outer edge 109a and a laterally extending inner edge 109b. The outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b, and the outer edge 109a of the second belt 108 is positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge 109b. In this way, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer edge 112a of one leg opening can be defined by the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first elastic belt 106, the laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108, and a portion of the first longitudinal or right side edge 128 of the chassis 102. Further, the outer edge 112b of the other leg opening can be defined by the laterally extending inner edge 107b, the laterally extending inner edge 109b, and a portion of the second longitudinal or left side edge 130 of the chassis 102. The laterally extending outer edges 107a, 109a can also define the front waist edge 121 and the laterally extending rear waist edge 122 of the diaper pants 100P.

[0039] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 can define different sizes and shapes. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can define a curved profile. For example, the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b of the first and / or second elastic belts 106, 108 can include non-linear or curved portions at the first and second opposing end regions. Such a curved profile can help define a desired shape for the leg openings 112, such as relatively rounded leg openings. In addition to having a curved profile, the elastic belts 106, 108 can include elastic strands 168 that extend along a non-linear or curved path that can coincide with the curved profile of the inner lateral edges 107b, 109b.

[0040] FIG. 2C shows a configuration in which both the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 generally define a rectangular shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the laterally extending outer edge 107a of the first elastic belt 106 may include the lateral width of W1D, and the laterally extending inner edge 107b may include the lateral width of W1P, and W1D and W1P are equal or substantially equal. In addition, the laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic belt 108 may include the lateral width of W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may include the lateral width of W2P, and W2D and W2P are equal or substantially equal.

[0041] In some configurations, at least one of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include laterally extending edges having different lengths. For example, FIG. 2D shows a configuration in which the first elastic belt 106 defines a generally rectangular shape as described with reference to FIG. 2C, and the laterally extending outer edge 109a and the laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108 have different lengths. As shown in FIG. 2D, the laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic belt 108 may include the lateral width of W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may include the lateral width of W2P, and W2D is greater than W2P.

[0042] In some configurations, both the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include lateral edges having different lengths. For example, FIG. 2E shows a configuration in which the laterally extending outer edge 107a and the laterally extending inner edge 107b of the first elastic belt 106 have different lengths, and the laterally extending outer edge 109a and the laterally extending inner edge 109b of the second elastic belt 108 have different lengths. As shown in FIG. 2E, the laterally extending outer edge 107a of the first elastic belt 107 may include the lateral width of W1D, and the laterally extending inner edge 107b may include the lateral width of W1P, where W1D is greater than W1P. The laterally extending outer edge 109a of the second elastic belt 108 may include the lateral width of W2D, and the laterally extending inner edge 109b may include the lateral width of W2P, where W2D is greater than W2P.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 2C-2E, the first elastic belt 106 may define a longitudinal length LT1 that extends between a laterally extending outer edge 107a and a laterally extending inner edge 107b, and the second elastic belt 108 may define a longitudinal length LT2 that extends between a laterally extending outer edge 109a and a laterally extending inner edge 109b. In some configurations, LT1 may be equal to LT2. In some configurations, LT1 may be smaller or larger than LT2. Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2C-2E, in some configurations, W1D may be equal to W1P, or W1D may be different from W1P. In some configurations, W2D may be equal to W2P, or W2D may be different from W2P. In some configurations, W1D and / or W1P may be equal to or different from W2D and / or W2P.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may each also include a first substrate 162 and a second substrate 164. The first substrate 162 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the garment side surfaces 115a and 117a of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, and the second substrate 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer side surfaces 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and 117b of the second elastic belt 108. The first substrate 162 may extend over a maximum length L1 from the proximal edge 162b to the distal edge 162a, and the second substrate 164 may extend over a maximum length L2 from the proximal edge 164b to the distal edge 164a. It should be understood that the distal edge 162a and / or the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 may be linear and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Also, it should be understood that the distal edge 164a and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may be linear and / or curved and / or may be parallel or non-parallel to each other. Thus, the maximum length L1 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 162a and the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162, and the maximum length L2 refers to the longest distance extending longitudinally between the distal edge 164a and the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, L1 may be equal to, smaller than, or larger than L2. In some configurations, L1 may be less than or equal to LT1, and L2 may be less than or equal to LT2. In some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122, and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the front waist edge 121 and / or at least a portion of the rear waist edge 122. Thus, in some configurations, the distal edge 162a of the first substrate 162 and / or the distal edge 164a of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110.

[0045] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 may extend continuously from the first belt 106 to the second belt 108. For example, the first substrate 162 may be configured to define a continuous outer cover 162' that extends continuously from the first waist edge 121 to the second waist edge 122, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2F, and 3C. It should also be understood that diaper pants 100P having a continuous outer cover as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2F, and 3C may also be configured to include various aspects of the vulnerable paths and fastening components described herein.

[0046] It should be understood that the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 may define various lateral widths, which may be equal or unequal. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the first substrate 162 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 162e and the second longitudinal edge 162f to define a first lateral width W1, and the second substrate 164 may extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 164e and the second longitudinal edge 164f to define a second lateral width W2.

[0047] In some configurations, the proximal edge 162b of the first substrate 162 and / or the proximal edge 164b of the second substrate 164 may extend laterally across the backsheet 136. As shown in FIGS. 2A-3, the first substrate 162 includes a garment-side surface 162c and an opposite wearer-side surface 162d, and the second substrate 164 includes a garment-side surface 164c and an opposite wearer-side surface 164d.

[0048] In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include at least the folded portion of the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 that extends longitudinally between the fold 162h and the lateral edge 162i of the first substrate 162. Thus, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may be connected to the wearer-side surface 164d of the second substrate 164. In some configurations, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may also be connected to and / or overlap with the chassis 102. Thus, the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may also be connected to the wearer-side surface 162d of the first substrate 162. In some configurations, a portion of the folded portion 162g of the first substrate 162 may be left unconnected to the chassis 102 and / or the second substrate 164 to form a pocket having an opening directed toward the lateral centerline 162c of the chassis 102. In another example, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a folded portion of the second substrate 164 that extends longitudinally between the fold and the lateral edge of the second substrate 164. Thus, the folded portion of the second substrate 164 may be connected to the clothing-side surface 162c of the first substrate 162. Thus, in some configurations, the fold of the first substrate 162 and / or the fold of the second substrate 164 may define at least a portion of the waist opening 110. It should be understood that various waist configurations may be utilized. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A1, the folded portion 162g may be sandwiched between the second substrate 164 and the backsheet 136. In another example shown in FIG. 3A2, the second substrate 164 may be sandwiched between the folded portion 162g and the backsheet 136. FIGS. 3A1 and 3A2 show the configuration of the first belt 106, but it should be understood that such a configuration may be applied to the second belt 108.

[0049] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 may include the same material and / or may have the same structure. In some embodiments, the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt may include different materials and / or may have different structures. It should also be understood that components of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108, such as the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the first and / or second belts may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, which may be manufactured from materials such as plastic film; perforated plastic film; natural materials (e.g., wood fibers or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene fibers), or a woven or non-woven web of natural and / or synthetic fiber combinations; or a coated woven or non-woven web. In some configurations, the first and / or second belts may include the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164, which may include a non-woven web of synthetic fibers, and may also include an extensible non-woven fabric. In some configurations, the first and second elastic belts may include an inner hydrophobic non-elastic non-woven fabric material and an outer hydrophobic non-elastic non-woven fabric material. It should be understood that the belts may be constructed in a variety of ways, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0142828 (A1) and Chinese Patent Application No. 2021 / 077843, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0050] The elastic material 167 can be positioned between the wearer-side surface 162d of the first substrate 162 and the garment-side surface 164c of the second substrate 164. It should be understood that the elastic material 167 can include one or more elastic elements extending along the length of an elastic belt, such as strands, ribbons, elastic films, or panels. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3, the elastic material 167 can include a plurality of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 can be bonded to one or more nonwoven layers and then the nonwoven layer(s) is weakened and subjected to sufficient mechanical deformation or activation to allow the laminate to elastically stretch and recover, and can be an elastic film used to form a zero-strain elastic laminate including the elastic film.

[0051] It should also be understood that the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be bonded together and / or to other components such as the chassis 102 by adhesives and / or mechanical couplings. It should be understood that the adhesive and mechanical joining methods can be used alone or in combination with each other.

[0052] In some configurations, when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108, an adhesive can be applied to at least one of the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167. In some configurations, when combined to form the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108, a mechanical coupling device can apply a mechanical coupling to at least one of the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167. Such mechanical joining can be applied using heat, pressure, and / or ultrasonic devices. In some configurations, the mechanical coupling device can apply a coupling that bonds the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 together, and / or can act to capture or immobilize discrete lengths of contracted elastic strands within the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0053] The first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 are all incorporated herein by reference, and are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2018 / 0168878(A1), 2018 / 0168877(A1), 2018 / 0168880(A1), 2018 / 0170027(A1), 2018 / 0169964(A1), 2018 / 0168879(A1), 2018 / 0170026(A1), 2018 / 0168889(A1), 2018 / 0168874(A1), 2018 / 0168875(A1), 2018 / 0168890(A1), 2018 / 0168887(A1), 2018 / 0168892(A1), 2018 / 0168876(A1), 2018 / 0168891(A1), 2019 / 0070042(A1), 2019 / 0070041(A1), 2021 / 0282797A1(A1), and 2021 / 0275362(A1). It should also be understood that they can be combined using various methods and apparatuses as described therein to produce various elastomeric laminates.

[0054] It should be understood that the components of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be assembled in various ways and in various combinations to create various desirable features that can vary along the lateral width and / or the longitudinal length of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such features can include, for example, Dtex value, joining pattern, hole arrangement, elastic positioning, average Dtex value, average pre-strain value, wrinkle frequency, wrinkle wavelength, height value, and / or contact area. It should be understood that different features can be imparted to various components such as the first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and the elastic material 167, for example, before and / or during the assembly stage of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0055] It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include belt elastic materials 167 of various configurations arranged relative to each other and relative to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. As described above, the elastic material 167 may include a configuration of one or more elastic elements such as strands, ribbons, films, or panels positioned in various arrangements. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2018 / 0168889(A1), 2018 / 0168874(A1), 2018 / 0168875(A1), 2018 / 0168890(A1), 2018 / 0168887(A1), 2018 / 0168892(A1), 2018 / 0168876(A1), 2018 / 0168891(A1), 2019 / 0298586(A1), 2019 / 0070042(A1), 2018 / 0168878(A1), 2018 / 0168877(A1), 2018 / 0168880(A1), 2018 / 0170027(A1), 2018 / 0169964(A1), 2018 / 0168879(A1), 2018 / 0170026(A1), 2019 / 0070041(A1), 2021 / 0282797(A1), and 2021 / 0275362(A1), and may include various elastomers, elastic characteristics and configurations, and processes for assembly. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 herein may be configured in the same or different colors at various different locations on the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0056] In some embodiments, the elastic material 167 may be configured as elastic strands 168 disposed longitudinally at regular intervals. In other embodiments, the elastic strands 168 may be disposed at different intervals longitudinally. In some configurations, the Dtex value of the elastic strands 168 may be constant or may vary along the longitudinal direction. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 in the stretched state may be sandwiched and joined between the non-shrinking substrate layers. When the elastic material 167 is relaxed, the elastic material 167 returns to the non-stretched state and causes the substrate layer to contract. The elastic material 167 may provide a desired change in the contraction force within the area of the annular elastic belt. It should be understood that the chassis 102 and the elastic belts 106, 108 may be configured in a manner different from that depicted in the accompanying figures. It should also be understood that the elastic material 167 material may be joined to the substrate continuously or intermittently along the interface between the elastic material 167 material and the substrate. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be in the form of extruded elastic strands, which may also be joined to the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 in a pre-corrugated configuration, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,302, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0057] For example, as described above with respect to the embodiments with reference to FIGS. 2A and 3, the elastic material 167 contemplated herein can be in the form of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be parallel to each other and / or to the transverse axis 126. It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can be configured to include various amounts of elastic strands 168. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may be grouped in pairs. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 can include from about 10 to about 1500 elastic strands 168. The elastic strands 168 herein may include various Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values, and such elastic strands 168 can be utilized with other elastic strands to create first and second elastic belts 106, 108 that include elastic strands 168 in various combinations of Dtex values, strand spacing values, and pre-strain values. For example, in some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be greater than 500. In some configurations, the average Dtex of one or more elastic strands 168 may be from about 10 to about 1500, specifically listing all 1 Dtex increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may include an average strand spacing of 4 mm or less. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may include an average strand spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, specifically listing all 0.01 mm increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the plurality of elastic strands 168 may include an average strand spacing greater than 4 mm. In some configurations, the average pre-strain of each of the plurality of elastic strands may be from about 50% to about 400%, specifically listing all 1% increments within the above range and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 include an average strand spacing from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm and an average Dtex from about 10 to about 500.In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 may have an average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%.

[0058] In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands may include a first average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%, and the second plurality of elastic strands may include a second average pre-strain greater than the first average pre-strain. In some configurations, the first plurality of elastic strands may include an average strand spacing of from about 0.25 mm to about 4 mm, and an average Dtex of from about 10 to about 500, and the second plurality of elastic strands may include an average strand spacing greater than about 4 mm, and an average Dtex greater than about 450.

[0059] In some configurations, as shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic strands 168 may be referred to herein as outer waist elastomers 170 and inner waist elastomers 172. The elastic strands 168 (e.g., outer waist elastomers 170) may extend continuously laterally between the opposing first end regions 106a and second end regions 106b of the first elastic belt 106, and between the opposing first end regions 108a and second end regions 108b of the second elastic belt 108. Some elastic strands 168, such as inner waist elastomers 172, may be configured with discontinuities, for example, in an area where the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap a portion of the chassis 102, such as the absorbent assembly 140.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2A, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may be configured with a low-elongation zone 701 and a high-elongation zone 703. The first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a first high-elongation zone 703a and a second high-elongation zone 703b that are laterally separated by the low-elongation zone 701. Portions of the chassis 102, such as the backsheet 136 and the absorbent assembly 140, may be connected to the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 in the low-elongation zone 701 of the first waist region 116 and / or the second waist region 118. The high-elongation zone 703 is provided with elasticity by an elastic material 167 such as elastic strands 168, 172, and the low-elongation zone 701 may include a cut line that separates the elastic material 167 such as elastic strands 168, 172. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut in an unbonded region where the elastic material is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. Thus, the elastic material 167 retreats from the unbonded region to form the low-elongation zone 701. In some configurations, the elastic material 167 may be cut into several separate pieces. Next, the low-elongation zone 701 defines a region of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 that has a relatively lower elasticity than the high-elongation zone 703. The separate elastic material 167 that is cut and elastically contracted does not add a significant amount of elasticity to the low-elongation zone 701. Thus, when a force is applied, the high-elongation zone 703 extends longer than the low-elongation zone 701. As defined above, the terms “elastic,” “elastomer,” or “elastomeric” refer to a material exhibiting elastic properties, which includes any material that, when a force is applied to its relaxed initial length, can elongate or stretch to an elongated length that exceeds 10% of the initial length and, when the applied force is released, substantially returns to approximately the initial length. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may be composed of the high-elongation zone 703 that is elastic, or may be composed of the low-elongation zone 701 that is not elastic, i.e., “non-elastic.”

[0061] As described above, the diaper pants 100P described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C may include one or more vulnerable paths within the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108. For example, FIGS. 4A to 4C show an exemplary diaper pants 100P having a first belt 106 that includes a vulnerable path 700. The vulnerable path 700 may be configured to allow the first elastic belt 106 to be relatively easily torn along the vulnerable path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. FIG. 4B shows a view of the diaper pants 100P from FIG. 4A, showing the first belt 106 after being torn along the vulnerable path 700 through both the outer edge portion 107a extending in the lateral direction of the outer longitudinal direction of the first belt 106 and the inner edge portion 107b extending in the lateral direction. Accordingly, the first elastic belt 106 shown in FIG. 4B is separated by opposing tear lines 705. It should be understood that the first elastic belt 106 may be torn along both vulnerable paths 700 in FIG. 4B. For example, FIG. 4C shows the diaper pants of FIG. 4A showing the front belt torn along two vulnerable paths 700. As shown in FIG. 4C, the central region 106c of the first elastic belt 106 may remain coupled to the chassis 102 even after separating the first and second opposing end regions 106a, 106b from the central region 106c by tearing the elastic belt 106 along the vulnerable path 700.

[0062] As will be described in more detail below, the frangible path 700 includes a plurality of frangible lines 704 configured such that all of the elastic strands 168 within the first elastic belt 106 are severed at least once within the frangible path 700. Severing the elastic strands 168 within the frangible path 700 serves to relatively easily tear the first elastic belt 106 along the frangible path 700. For example, when the elastic strands 168 are severed, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first elastic belt 106 only need to be torn, and the uncut elastic strands 168 do not need to be torn. It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P can include various amounts of frangible paths 700 that can be positioned in various locations, define various shapes, and extend to various lengths. For example, the first elastic belt 106 may include a first belt length defined by the longitudinal distance between the proximal edge 107b and the distal edge 107a, and the frangible path 700 may extend over the entire length from the outermost edge of the frangible line 704 closest to the proximal edge 107b of the first belt 106 to the outermost edge of the frangible line 704 closest to the distal edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the frangible path 700 may extend over a total length that exceeds, is equal to, or is less than the first belt length. In some configurations, the frangible lines 704 may extend over a length from a first end to a second end, and the sum of the lengths of all of the frangible lines 704 within the frangible path 700 may be greater than the total length of the frangible path.

[0063] In some configurations, the diaper pants 100P may be configured such that one or both of the first elastic belt 106 and the second elastic belt 108 include one or more weak paths 700. The weak paths 700 may be positioned at various locations on the first and second elastic belts 106, 108. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the weak paths 700 may extend so as to overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may extend linearly and / or may be curved and / or may have curved portions. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may extend longitudinally over the entire length or less than the entire length of the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108. In some configurations, the weak paths 700 may be positioned laterally, partially or entirely, between the first and second side seams 178, 180 and the chassis 102.

[0064] In some configurations, the weak path 700 may be configured and / or positioned to provide access to and / or function with other features such as disposal features. For example, the diaper pant 100P shown in FIGS. 4A-4C includes a fastening component 707 positioned on the wearing side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be positioned between the first elastic belt 106 and the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may be configured to releasably connect to other portions of the diaper pant 100P, such as, for example, the clothing side surface of the first elastic belt 106, the second elastic belt 108, or the chassis 102. Thus, when the first elastic belt 106 is torn along the weak path 700, the diaper pant 100P may be removed from the wearer and wound or folded for disposal, and the fastening component 707 may be connected to another portion of the diaper pant 100P to help maintain the diaper pant 100P in a disposal configuration. For example, FIG. 4C shows the diaper pant 100P after the first elastic belt 106 has been torn along two weak paths. FIG. 5A shows the diaper pant 100P of FIG. 4C with the chassis 102 wound longitudinally onto itself. Also, FIG. 5B shows the diaper pant 100P of FIG. 5A with the fastening component 707 releasably connected to the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102 to maintain the diaper pant 100P in a disposal configuration. In some configurations, when tearing the elastic belt along the weak path 700, the tearing process may begin by tearing from the outer edge 107a or the inner edge 107b of the elastic belt 106. As discussed in more detail below, in some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 may also include an opening such as a slit positioned adjacent to or proximate to the fastening component 707 and the weak region 700 to help facilitate starting to tear the weak path 700 in the longitudinal region of the elastic belt 106 between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b.

[0065] It should also be understood that the fastening component 707 may be configured in various ways, such as hooks, loops, and / or adhesives. For example, the fastening component 707 may include a hook element or an adhesive that is adapted to releasably connect to another surface of the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may include a loop element that is adapted to releasably connect to a hook surface on the diaper pants 100P. The fastening component 707 may be a separate element connected to the elastic belts 106 in various ways, such as mechanical coupling, adhesive bonding, or both. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be integrally formed from the material of the elastic belts 106, 108. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be printed and / or may include materials of various different colors such that the fastening component 707 is visible from the outside of the diaper pants 100P.

[0066] As described above, the fastening component 707 may include a hook material that can releasably engage a substrate, such as a non-woven fabric, on the outer surface of the diaper pants 100P. For example, the fastening component 707 may include a substrate that includes hooks, and the substrate may be coupled to the elastic belts 106, 108, such as a second substrate 164 that may be in the form of a non-woven fabric. It should be understood that the substrate may be coupled to the elastic belts 106, 108 in various ways, such as mechanical coupling, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and / or adhesive bonding, or combinations thereof. In some configurations, the hooks may be integrally formed from a second substrate 164 that may be in the form of a non-woven fabric. The fastening component 707 may include a single material, or a combination of two or more materials arranged in a configuration that at least partially overlaps. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be able to include other types of fasteners known in the art.

[0067] It should be understood that the fastening component 707 can include any of a variety of shapes, including rectangular or other polygonal, circular, oval, external convex or concave portions, or combinations thereof, or one or more lines or geometric shapes forming an arrangement. It should be understood that the fastening component 707 can include various sizes. For example, in some configurations, the fastening component 707 may have a lateral width of about 5 mm to about 100 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may have a longitudinal length of about 10 mm to about 100 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. The fastening component 707 may be aligned parallel to the lateral centerlines 126a, 126b of the elastic belts 106, 108, or may be oriented at an angle of 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal centerlines 126a, 126 of the elastic belts 106, 108. The fastening component 707 may include an arrangement of two or more spaced fastening elements. The fastening component 707 may have a color that is visible through any layer of the elastic belts 106, 108 on which the fastening component 707 is located. The elastic belts 106, 108 and / or the chassis 102 may include printing or other markings that emphasize the location, function, and / or usage method of the fastening component 707 to the caregiver. The coupling or coupling pattern for attaching the fastening component 707 to the elastic belts 106, 108 may be visually or tactilely different from the surrounding belt material to provide an advantage of signaling or mechanical gripping to the caregiver.

[0068] It should also be understood that the frangible path 700 may be configured in various ways, positioned in various orientations at various locations relative to each other, defined by various shapes, and may include a frangible line 704 extending over various lengths. For example, in some configurations, the frangible line 704 includes discrete cut lines that penetrate some or all of the layers of the elastic belt 106. In some configurations, the frangible line 704 includes discrete joints where the materials of the first substrate and the second substrate are fused to each other. In some configurations, the frangible line 704 may be straight or curved, or may have regular or irregular geometric shapes, and may include one or more of mechanically thinned regions of materials such as perforations, joints, apertures, or nonwoven fabrics, or combinations thereof. It should also be understood that the frangible line 704 may be formed with different lengths and spacings to achieve different separation forces.

[0069] As described above, an absorbent article 100, such as the diaper pants 100P, may be configured to have a frangible path 700 that includes a frangible line 704 configured in various ways to assist in improving the ability of a caregiver to remove the soiled diaper pants 100P from the wearer without the need to slide the soiled diaper pants off the wearer's legs. As described above, the frangible path 700 may be configured to allow the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 to be relatively easily torn along the frangible path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. Additionally, the frangible path 700 may also be configured to provide access to a fastening component 707 that may be used to help hold the soiled product in a disposal configuration. The following provides a discussion of exemplary embodiments of the frangible path 700 on the diaper pants 100P in the context of the above detailed description of the various details of the absorbent article 100, the fastening component 707, the frangible path 700, and the frangible line 704. It should be understood that the discussion of the frangible path 700 within the first elastic belt 106 herein may also apply to the frangible path 700 within the second elastic belt 108.

[0070] The frangible path 700 may be positioned in various locations and / or orientations relative to the other components of the absorbent article 100 and / or may be configured to function in various ways to facilitate removal of the diaper pants from the wearer. It should be understood, for example, that the diaper pants 100P shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include one or more frangible paths 700 that extend between a distal end 808 on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a distal end 810 on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the diaper pants 100P include a first frangible path 700a and a second frangible path 700b within the first belt 106. The first frangible path 700a may extend between a first distal end 808a on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a first proximal end 810a on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the second frangible path 700b may extend between a second distal end 808b on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and a second proximal end 810b on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. It should be understood that the first and second frangible paths 700a, 700b may comprise a frangible line 704 as described above.

[0071] It should be understood that the first distal end 808a and the second distal end 808b may be located at various lateral positions on the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, the first distal end 808a and / or the second distal end 808b may be positioned in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a and / or the second distal end 808b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a and / or the second distal end 808b may be positioned in the first end region 106a and / or the second end region 106b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a and / or the second distal end 808b may be positioned laterally outside the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a and / or the second distal end 808b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178, and / or may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a may be laterally aligned with the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 or the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first distal end 808a may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second distal end 808b may be laterally aligned with the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 or the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second distal end 808b may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106.

[0072] It should also be understood that the first proximal end 810a and the second proximal end 810b can be arranged at various lateral positions on the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second proximal end 810b may be positioned in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second distal end 810b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second proximal end 810b may be positioned in the first end region 106a and / or the second end region 106b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second proximal end 810b may be positioned laterally outside the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a and / or the second proximal end 810b may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first side seam 178, and / or may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second side seam 180. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a may be laterally aligned with the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 or the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first proximal end 810a may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second proximal end 810b may be laterally aligned with the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 or the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second proximal end 810b may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106.

[0073] It should be understood that the first distal end 808a and the second distal end 808b may be disposed at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, the first proximal end 810a and the second proximal end 810b may be disposed at various longitudinal positions between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. For example, in some configurations as shown in FIG. 6B1, for example, the first distal end 808a and / or the first proximal end 810a may be disposed on the first side seam 178 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Also, as shown in FIG. 6B1, the second distal end 808b and / or the second proximal end 810b may be disposed on the second side seam 180 at a position longitudinally inside the outer edge 107a and longitudinally outside the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Thus, completing the tearing process of the first belt 106 may also require tearing each portion of the first and / or second side seams 178, 180.

[0074] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6B, the first belt 106 may also include a gripping region 801 that provides a location where a user can grip a portion of the first belt 106 and initiate a process of tearing the first belt along the weak path 700. The gripping region 801 may include an accessible opening 802 within the first belt 106 and may also include a fastening component 707 positioned adjacent to the accessible opening 802. The accessible opening 802 may include a slit and / or an opening within the first belt 106 and may extend through some or all of the layers of the first belt 106. It should be understood that such a slit or opening may be curved and / or linear. The accessible opening 802 may also be considered a part of the weak path 700.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 6B, the diaper pants 100P may include, within the first belt 106, a first gripping region 801a including a first accessible opening 802a and a second gripping region 801b including a second accessible opening 802b. The first and second accessible openings 802a, 802b may be positioned between the outer edge 107a and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. The first and second accessible openings 802a, 802b may also be positioned within the central region 106c of the first belt 106 and may be positioned between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102, the second longitudinal edge 130, and the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102. Additionally, the first fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the first accessible opening 802a, and the second fastening component 707a may be positioned adjacent to the second accessible opening 802a. The first weak path 700a includes a first tear zone 813a extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first distal end 808a and a second tear zone 813b extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first proximal end 810a. The second weak path 700b includes a first tear zone 813a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second distal end 808b and a second tear zone 813b extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second proximal end 810b. As will be described in more detail below, the accessible opening 802 may assist a caregiver or the wearer in accessing and / or gripping the fastening component 707 within the gripping region 801 with a finger or thumb. Next, the caregiver or user may pull on the gripping region 801 to begin tearing the first belt 106 along the weak path 700. In some configurations, the tear line may propagate simultaneously along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b laterally outwardly from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 towards the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810. It should also be understood that some diaper pants 100P herein may be configured to include a weak path 700 that extends through or around the fastening component 707 without an accessible opening.Next, the user can initiate a tearing process along the frangible path 700 by pinching and / or pulling a belt in which the frangible path 700 is disposed at or adjacent to the fastening component 707.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6B, the frangible path 700 may be configured to extend laterally inwardly from the distal end 808 and / or the proximal end 810. Next, each portion of the frangible path 700 may extend to define an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the outer edge 107a and / or the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. Thus, the frangible path may define an overall length that is longer than the longitudinal length LT1 of the first belt 106 and / or the longitudinal length LT2 of the second belt 108 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2C-2E.

[0077] It should be understood that the gripping area 801 and the accessible opening 802 can be arranged at various positions within the first end region 106a, the second end region 106b, and / or the central region 106c of the first belt 106. The gripping area 801 and the accessible opening 802 may be positioned between the first longitudinal side edge 111a, the second longitudinal side edge 111b, the outer edge 107a, and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. For example, the first accessible opening 802a and / or the second accessible part 802b may be positioned completely laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first accessible opening 802a may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal side edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106 and / or the first side seam 178. In some configurations, the second accessible opening 802b may be positioned laterally between the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106 and / or the second side seam 180. In some configurations, the first accessible opening 802a and / or the second accessible opening 802b may be positioned longitudinally between the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106, and / or may be positioned longitudinally between the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the first accessible opening 802a may extend across the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102, and / or the second accessible opening 802b may extend across the second longitudinal edge 130 and / or the first transverse edge 144 of the chassis 102.

[0078] It should also be understood that the accessible opening 802 may be disposed at various positions relative to the fastening component 707. For example, in some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may be longitudinally positioned between the fastening component 707 and the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may be longitudinally positioned between the fastening component 707 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may be positioned laterally inward of the fastening component 707. It should also be understood that two or more accessible openings 802 may be disposed adjacent to the fastening component 707. As will be discussed in more detail below, the accessible opening 802 may also be configured to extend partially or completely through the fastening component 707 and may divide the fastening component 707 into two or more parts.

[0079] As described above, the accessible opening 802 may comprise a slit and / or an opening in the first belt 106 and may be curved and / or linear. It should also be understood that the accessible opening 802 may be oriented in various ways. For example, the accessible opening 802 may be oriented generally perpendicular to the outer edge 107a and / or the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may be oriented generally parallel to the outer edge 107a and / or the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may include a slit extending along a lateral line defining an angle of from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees relative to the outer edge 107a and / or the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106, specifically including all one-degree increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the accessible opening 802 may define a length dimension in the range of from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, specifically including all 0.1-mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0080] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include one or more fastening components 707 that are adapted to be releasably connected to at least one other component of the diaper pants 100P in a disposal configuration. It should be understood that the fastening components 707 may be configured in various shapes and sizes and may be disposed at various positions relative to other components of the diaper pants 100P. As shown in FIG. 7A, the fastening component 707 may include a lateral centerline 126d that is substantially parallel to the lateral centerline 126a of the first elastic belt 106, and / or the lateral centerline 126b of the second elastic belt 108, and / or the lateral centerline 126c of the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may include a longitudinal centerline 124d that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline 124a of the first elastic belt 106, and / or the longitudinal centerline 124b of the second elastic belt 108, and / or the longitudinal centerline 124c of the chassis 102.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 7AA1, in some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be positioned and connected on the wearer-side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 in the region where the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 overlap the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be sandwiched between the second base material 164 of the first elastic belt 106 or the second elastic belt 108 and the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102. In some configurations such as shown in FIG. 7AA1, the fastening component 707 includes a hook 715 protruding from a base 717, and the hook 715 extends from the first belt 106 toward the backsheet 136. The fastening component 707 may be configured as a separate individual element that can be connected to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 7AA1, an adhesive 716 may connect the base 717 of the fastening component 707 to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106. It should be understood that the fastening component 707 may be connected to the first belt 106 by mechanical coupling in addition to or instead of the adhesive. It will be recognized that the base 717 can be configured in various shapes. For example, the base 717 can include a thermoplastic film. In some configurations, the base 717 can include a laminate having various layers bonded to each other, such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0045931(A1). For example, the base 717 may include a thermoplastic film layer bonded to a nonwoven layer. It should be understood that such layers may be bonded to each other in various ways such as by adhesive, mechanical joining, and / or extrusion joining. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be integrally formed from the material of the first belt 106, or integrally formed from the material and attached to the first belt, as shown in FIG. 7AA2, for example.

[0082] To help prevent the fastening component 707 from contacting the wearer's skin while the diaper pants 100P are being worn, the fastening component 707 may be positioned on and connected to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the wearer-side surface 117b of the second elastic belt 108 in the region where the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 overlap the chassis 102. For example, the fastening component 707 may be sandwiched between the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 and the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be sandwiched between the second base material 164 of the first elastic belt 106 or the second elastic belt 108 and the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be positioned laterally between the first longitudinal side edge 128 and the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the chassis 102. The fastening component 707 may also be positioned longitudinally between the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. As shown in FIG. 7A, the fastening component 707 may be positioned adjacent to the vulnerable path 700. An accessible opening 802 that can be considered part of the vulnerable path 700 may be positioned adjacent to the fastening component 707. Thus, the vulnerable path 700 can partially surround the fastening component 707. In some configurations, such as shown in FIG. 7B, the vulnerable path 700 may extend through the fastening component 707 and effectively divide the fastening component 707 into a first fastener portion 707' and a second fastener portion 707''.

[0083] In another configuration shown in FIGS. 7C, 7D, and 7E, both the vulnerable path 700 and the accessible opening 802 extend through a fastening component, and the fastening component 707 may be effectively divided into a first fastener portion 707' and a second fastener portion 707''. The accessible opening 802 shown in FIG. 7C may generally include a longitudinally oriented slit. Additionally, the accessible opening 802 may extend through the fastening component 707 and be completely positioned within the outer side portion of the fastening component. It should be understood that such a slit may be linear and / or curved. In some configurations, the longitudinally extending accessible opening 802 may define a length dimension within the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. Additionally, in some configurations, the longitudinally extending accessible opening 802 may also be curved such that it extends laterally in the range of about 2 mm to about 20 mm, specifically, all in 0.1 mm increments within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0084] In another configuration shown in FIG. 7F, the diaper pants 100P may include one fastening component 707 joined to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 at a location overlapping the longitudinal center line 124c of the chassis 102. The longitudinal center line 124d of the fastening component 707 may coincide with or be in the vicinity of the longitudinal center line 124c of the chassis 102. The weak path 700 can divide the fastening component 707 into a first fastening component 707a and a second fastening component 707b of substantially the same size and shape. The accessible opening 802 may be disposed at or near the longitudinal inner lateral edge of the fastening component 707. Outside the longitudinal direction of the lateral edge of the fastening component 707, the weak path 700 may extend longitudinally and laterally to the waist edge 121 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. A caregiver or the wearer can access and grip the fastening component 707 through the accessible opening 802, and then separate the weak path 700 into the first fastening component 707a and the second fastening component 707b.

[0085] As described above, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 can be relatively easily torn along the weak path 700, such as when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. As will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6A-6F, the weak path 700 may be configured to allow a caregiver or the wearer to start and / or completely tear the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 with one hand when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer. Additionally, the first belt 106 may be separable along a first weak path 700a and a second weak path 700b so as to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833 positioned laterally between the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832.

[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer, the user may grip the first belt 106 within the gripping region 801 by inserting one or more fingers and / or the thumb into the accessible opening 802 and gripping a portion of the first belt 106 and the fastening component 707. For example, referring to FIGS. 6B and 6C, the caregiver may insert a finger or thumb through the first accessible opening 802a and grip the first belt 106 and the first fastening component 707a with the first hand. The second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may be used to assist in stabilizing the wearer. For example, the second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may apply a holding or stabilizing force to the wearer at the central region 106c of the first belt 106. The user's first hand may then apply a tensile force F to the first gripping region 801a of the first belt 106 to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the first vulnerable path 700a away from the wearer, as shown in FIG. 6C.

[0087] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6C, a force F, generally represented by an arrow, is applied to the first gripping region 801a in a direction generally toward the first end region 106a of the first belt 106 and / or outwardly away from the first belt 106 and the wearer. When the force F is applied, the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b can propagate simultaneously along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b, respectively. The first tear line 705a propagates longitudinally and transversely around the first fastening component 707a from the first accessible opening 802a along the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a, and then from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally transverse and longitudinally outward direction D1 toward the first distal end 808a at the first end region 106a of the first belt 106. At the same time, the second tear line 705b can propagate from the first accessible opening 802a along the second tear zone 813b of the first vulnerable path 700a in a generally transverse outward and longitudinally inward direction D2 toward the first proximal end 810a within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106. Similar to the figure shown in FIG. 6C, FIG. 7E shows a front view of the diaper pants of FIG. 7C when the first vulnerable path 700a is torn. As shown in FIG. 7E, the first fastening portion 707' is separated from the second fastening portion 707'' when the vulnerable path is torn.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6D, the first belt 106 may be separable along the first weak path 700a so as to define a first belt zone 831. For example, the first belt zone 831 may be formed after a first tear line 705a propagates through the first distal end 808a and a second tear line 705b propagates to the first proximal end 810a, and the first belt zone 831 may be formed. As shown in FIG. 6D, a first edge 831a of the first belt zone 831 is formed by tearing the first weak path 700a. In addition, a first edge 833a of a third belt zone 833, which will be discussed in more detail below, is also formed by tearing the first weak path 700a. The first belt zone 831 may extend from the first edge 831a of the first and second tear lines 705a, 705b to the first side seam 178 or the first longitudinal side edge 111a of the first belt 106. In addition, the first belt zone 831 may include a first fastening component 707a.

[0089] With the first belt zone 831 defined by tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a, the user may proceed to define a second belt zone 832 by tearing the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b. Referring now to FIGS. 6D and 6E, the caregiver may insert a finger or thumb through the second accessible opening 802b and grasp the first belt 106 and the second fastening component 707b with the first hand. The second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may be used to assist in stabilizing the wearer. For example, the second hand on the opposite side of the caregiver may apply a holding or stabilizing force to the wearer in the central region 106c of the first belt 106. The user's first hand may then apply a tensile force F outwardly away from the wearer to the second gripping region 801b of the first belt 106 to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b, as shown in FIG. 6E.

[0090] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6E, a force F, generally represented by an arrow, is applied to the second gripping region 801b generally in a direction toward the second end region 106b of the first belt 106 and / or outwardly away from the first belt 106. When the force F is applied, the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b can simultaneously propagate along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b, respectively. The first tear line 705a propagates longitudinally and transversely around the second fastening component 707b from the second accessible opening 802b along the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b, and then generally transversely and longitudinally outwardly in the direction D1 from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 toward the second distal end 808b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106. Simultaneously, the second tear line 705b may propagate from the second accessible opening 802b along the second tear zone 813b of the second vulnerable path 700b generally transversely outwardly and longitudinally inwardly in the direction D2 toward the second proximal end 810b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 6F, the first belt 106 may be separable along the second weak path 700b so as to define a second belt zone 832 and a third belt zone 833. For example, the second belt zone 832 may be formed after the first tear line 705a propagates through the second distal end 808b and the second tear line 705b propagates to the second proximal end 810b, and the second belt zone 832 may be formed. As shown in FIG. 6F, the first edge 832a of the second belt zone 832 is formed by tearing the second weak path 700b. In addition, the second edge 833b of the third belt zone 833 is also formed by tearing the second weak path 700b. The second belt zone 832 may extend from the first edge 832a of the first and second tear lines 705a, 705b to the second side seam 180 or the second longitudinal side edge 111b of the first belt 106. In addition, the second belt zone 832 may include a second fastening component 707b. The third belt zone 833 may extend laterally between the first edge 833a and the second edge 833b and may remain connected to the chassis 102. When the tearing operation is completed with the configuration shown in FIGS. 7C-7E, the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 include a first fastening portion 707', and the third belt zone 833 includes a second fastening portion 707'' separated from the respective first fastening portions 707' during the tearing of the weak path 700.

[0092] The tearing process has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6F as tearing the first belt 106 along a first weak path 700a before tearing the first belt along a second weak path 700b. It should be understood that the tearing of the first belt 106 along the weak path 700 may be performed in a variety of different orders and different ways. For example, the first belt 106 may be torn along the second weak path 700b to define a second belt zone 832 before tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a to define a first belt zone 831. In another example, the first belt 106 may be torn simultaneously along the first weak path 700a and the second weak path 700b to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833.

[0093] When the first belt 106 is torn along the weak path 700 to define a first belt zone 831, a second belt zone 832, and a third belt zone 833, the diaper pants 100P can be removed from the wearer in a manner similar to a conventional tape-type diaper. After the diaper pants 100P are removed from the wearer, the chassis 102 may be placed in a disposal configuration as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B by winding and / or folding itself longitudinally. The first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 may be used to further wrap the diaper pants 100P around itself. Also, the fastening components 707 on the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 can be connected to another part of the diaper pants 100P to help maintain the diaper pants 100P in the disposal configuration.

[0094] It should be understood that various types of adhesive arrangements can be used to connect the chassis 102 to the first belt 106 and the second belt 108. As will be described later, such an adhesive arrangement may be configured to help ensure that the chassis 102 remains connected to the first and second belts 106, 108 during use, while at the same time reducing an impediment to the user's ability to initiate and complete tearing of the first belt 106 and / or the second belt 108 along the vulnerable path 700 when removing the diaper pants 100P from the wearer.

[0095] For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a portion of the chassis 102 overlaps the inner wearer side surface 115b of the first belt 106 to define a chassis overlap region 850. In this way, the chassis overlap region 850 can extend laterally between the first longitudinal edge 128 and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and longitudinally between the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 and the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. The chassis overlap region 850 may include an adhesion region 852 where an adhesive 854 is positioned between the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102 and the inner wearer side surface 115b of the first belt 106. Thus, the adhesive 854 within the adhesion region 852 can permanently bond the chassis 102 to the first belt 106. "Permanently bond" refers to attaching two or more elements or portions of elements together in a manner such that the elements are not intended to separate during normal use. The permanent bond in the adhesion region 852 can be formed, for example, by applying a melted adhesive or polymer between substrates; mechanical and / or thermal bonding; ultrasonic welding; mechanical interlacing using needle punching or hydrojets; stitching; and any other means common in the art used to connect substrates or garments. It should be understood that the separation of such a permanent joint results in the degradation of at least a portion of the element as well as the attachment portion. It should be understood that the adhesive 854 may be applied to the adhesion region 852 in various ways. For example, the adhesion region 852 may include laterally extending stripes of the adhesive 854 that are longitudinally separated from each other. In some configurations, the adhesion region 852 may include a continuous layer of the adhesive 854.

[0096] Continuing to refer to FIG. 8A, the adhesion region 852 may include a first adhesion zone 856, a second adhesion zone 858, and a third adhesion zone 860. The first adhesion zone may be positioned adjacent to the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106, and the second adhesion zone may be positioned adjacent to the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102. The third adhesion zone 860 may be longitudinally positioned between the first adhesion zone 856 and the second adhesion zone 858. In some configurations, the first adhesion zone 856 may be adjacent to or longitudinally outwardly spaced from the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106. In some configurations, the second adhesion zone 858 may be adjacent to or longitudinally inwardly spaced from the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the first adhesion zone 856 and / or the second adhesion zone 858 may be adjacent to or laterally inwardly spaced from the first longitudinal edge 128 and / or the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102.

[0097] It should be understood that the first adhesion zone 856, the second adhesion zone 858, and the third adhesion zone 860 may include various relative longitudinal lengths and widths. For example, the first adhesion zone 856 may include a first lateral width LW1 and a first longitudinal length LL1, the second adhesion zone may include a second lateral width LW2 and a second longitudinal length LL2, and the third adhesion zone may include a third lateral width LW3 and a third longitudinal length LL3. In some configurations, the first lateral width LW1 and / or the second lateral width LW2 may be greater than the third lateral width LW3. In some configurations, the first lateral width LW1 may be equal to or different from the second lateral width LW2. In some configurations, the first longitudinal length LL1, the second longitudinal length LL2, and the third longitudinal length LL3 may be equal to or different from each other. In some configurations, the third longitudinal length LL3 may be greater than the first longitudinal length LL1 and the second longitudinal length LL2, and the first longitudinal length LL1 may be greater than or equal to the second longitudinal length LL2.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 8A, the first vulnerable path 700a and the second vulnerable path 700b extend across the overlapping region 850 in opposite lateral outward directions from the third bonding zone 860. Thus, the first vulnerable path 700a and the second vulnerable path 700b may not extend across the third bonding zone 860. In addition, the first fastening component 707a, the first accessible opening 802a, and a portion of the first vulnerable path 700a may be positioned laterally between the third bonding zone 860 and the first longitudinal side edge 128 of the chassis 102, and may be positioned longitudinally between the first bonding zone 856 and the second bonding zone 858. The second fastening component 707b, the second accessible opening 802b, and a portion of the second vulnerable path 700b may be positioned laterally between the third bonding zone 860 and the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the chassis 102, and may be positioned longitudinally between the first bonding zone 856 and the second bonding zone 858. In some configurations, the first vulnerable path 700a and / or the second vulnerable path 700b may or may not extend across the first bonding zone 856 and / or the second bonding zone 858. It should be understood that the bonding region 852 and the vulnerable path 700 may be separated by various distances in the longitudinal and lateral directions. For example, in some configurations, the attachment region 852 and the vulnerable path 700 may be separated by about 1 mm to about 50 mm in the longitudinal and / or lateral directions, specifically, all increments of 0.1 mm within the above range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby. In some configurations, the bonding region 852 and the vulnerable path 700 may be separated by a distance of about 5 mm in the longitudinal direction, and / or a distance of about 5 mm in the lateral direction, and / or a distance of about 2.5 mm in both the longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0099] Continuing to refer to FIG. 8A, the adhesion region 852 may be configured to define a first pocket region 862 and a second pocket region 864 within the chassis overlap region 850. The chassis 102 may not be permanently coupled to the first belt 106 in the first pocket region 862 and the second pocket region 864. In some configurations, the adhesive between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 may not be present within the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. The first pocket region 862 may extend laterally between the third adhesion zone 860 and the first longitudinal side edge 128 of the chassis 102, and the second pocket region 864 may extend laterally between the third adhesion zone 860 and the second longitudinal side edge 130 of the chassis 102. Additionally, the first pocket region 862 and the second pocket region 864 may extend longitudinally between the first adhesion zone 856 and the second adhesion zone 858. In some configurations, a portion of the first fastening component 707a, the first accessible opening 802a, and / or the first weak path 700a may be positioned within the first pocket region 862. A portion of the second fastening component 707b, the second accessible opening 802b, and / or the second weak path 700b may be positioned within the second pocket region 864. Since the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 are not permanently coupled to each other in the pocket regions 862, 864, it may be relatively easy for a user to grip the first belt 106 and the fastening component 707 through the accessible opening 802 and to initiate and complete the belt tearing process as described above.

[0100] The chassis 102 and the first belt 106 may not be coupled to each other in the pocket regions 862, 864, which may help improve the ease with which a user can initiate and complete the belt tearing process, but increases the connection strength between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106, while at the same time, the ability of the user to grip the first belt 106 through the accessible opening 802, and the ability of the user to initiate and complete the belt tearing process. It may be desirable to provide a releasable and / or re-fastenable coupling arrangement in the pocket regions 862, 862 to help reduce the hindrance to.

[0101] For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a second adhesive 866 may be positioned between the first belt 106 and the chassis 102 in the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. Instead of permanently coupling the chassis 102 to the first belt 106, the second adhesive 866 may be configured to releasably couple the chassis 102 to the first belt 106 in the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. The second adhesive 866 may be configured to provide additional bonding strength between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 to help prevent unintentional separation between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 during use of the diaper pants 100P. When tearing the vulnerable path 700 during removal of the diaper pants 100P, the second adhesive 866 may be configured to allow the user to relatively easily peel or otherwise separate the first belt zone 831 and / or the second belt zone 832 from the chassis 102. Thus, the bonding area 852 may have a first bonding strength, the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864 may have a second bonding strength, and the first bonding strength may be greater than the second bonding strength. In some configurations, the second adhesive 866 may be the same as the adhesive 854 positioned in the bonding area 852. In some configurations, the second adhesive 866 may be different from the adhesive 854 positioned in the bonding area 852.

[0102] In some configurations, the adhesive 854 within the bonding region 852 may include a first basis weight, and the second adhesive 866 within the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864 may include a second basis weight, where the first basis weight may be equal to or different from the second basis weight. In some configurations, the first basis weight may be greater than the second basis weight. In some configurations, the same type or different types of adhesives may be positioned in the first pocket region 862 and the second pocket region 864.

[0103] As described above, the fastening component 707 may be positioned between the first belt 106 and the chassis 102 in the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be configured to releasably connect the first belt 106 to the chassis 102 in the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. Such a releasable connection between the fastening component 707 and the chassis 102 can provide additional bonding strength between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 to prevent unintentional separation between the chassis 102 and the first belt 106 during use of the diaper pants 100P. When tearing the vulnerable path 700 during removal of the diaper pants 100P, the releasable connection between the fastening component 707 and the chassis may be configured to allow the user to relatively easily peel or otherwise separate the first belt zone 831 and / or the second belt zone 832 from the chassis 102.

[0104] As described above, the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102 may include a laminate including a film layer and a nonwoven layer. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may completely cover the film layer and define the clothing-side surface 134 of the chassis 102. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may partially cover the film layer, and thus, both the film layer and the nonwoven layer may define the clothing-side surface 134 of the chassis 102. For example, in some configurations, the film layer may completely extend between the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106 and the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102, and the nonwoven layer may also completely extend between the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106 and the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102 to completely cover the film layer and define the clothing-side surface 134 of the chassis 102 in the overlapping region 850. Thus, the first belt 106 may be coupled to the nonwoven layer at the first adhesive zone 856, the second adhesive zone 858, and the third adhesive zone 860. In some configurations, the nonwoven layer may not completely extend between the inner edge 107b of the first belt 106 and the first lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102, in which case a portion of the film layer may be positioned in direct contact with the first belt 106. Thus, the first belt 106 may be coupled to a portion of the nonwoven layer and a portion of the film layer in the adhesive region 852. For example, the first belt 106 may be coupled to a portion of the nonwoven layer of the backsheet 136 at the first adhesive zone 856, not coupled at the second adhesive zone 858, and not coupled at the third adhesive zone 860. The first belt 106 may be coupled to a portion of the film layer of the backsheet 136 at the first adhesive zone 856, as well as at the second adhesive zone 858 and the third adhesive zone 860.

[0105] In some configurations, a portion of the nonwoven layer of the backsheet 136 may be positioned between the fastening component 707 and the first belt 106. For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 7AA1 and 7AA2, the fastening component 707 may include a hook 715 that extends toward the backsheet 136 of the chassis 102. Thus, the hook of the fastening component 707 may be releasably or reattachably connected to the nonwoven layer of the backsheet 136. In some configurations, the hook of the fastening component 707 may not be releasably or reattachably connected to the film layer of the backsheet 136. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive instead of a hook, and thus, the pressure-sensitive adhesive may releasably connect the fastening component 707 to the backsheet 136 in the first pocket region 862 and / or the second pocket region 864. In some configurations, such a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be configured to releasably or reattachably connect the first belt 106 to the nonwoven layer and / or the film layer of the backsheet 136.

[0106] It should be understood that the absorbent articles of this specification may be assembled in various ways using various types of devices configured to perform various deformations in various assembly sequences. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C, when assembling the diaper pants 100P, the elastic laminate 200 may be processed into a first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or a second elastic belt laminate 200b (represented by the dashed arrow "A"). The first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b may be separated from each other in the transverse direction CD. The adhesive 854 may be intermittently applied to the first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b. As shown in FIG. 8C, the adhesive 854 may be applied in a pattern that defines an adhesive region 852 as described above with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. It should be understood that the adhesive 854 can be applied using a coating device configured in various ways, such as a spray nozzle and / or a slot coating device. In some configurations, the adhesive applicator device may be configured according to the devices 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), which are all incorporated herein by reference. Next, the opposing end regions of the chassis 102 may be permanently joined with the adhesive 854 in the overlapping region 850 on the first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or the second elastic belt laminate 200b (represented by the dashed arrow "B"). During subsequent assembly operations, the chassis 102 may be folded to position the first elastic belt laminate 200a in a facing relationship with the second elastic belt laminate 200b (represented by the dashed arrow "C"). The joint 246 may be applied to the overlapping belt laminates 200a, 200b. Then, by cutting the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b along the transverse direction CD adjacent to the joint 246 (represented by the dashed arrow "D"), separate diaper pants 100P may be formed by separating the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b into the first and second belts 106, 108.Accordingly, the joint portion 246 may be divided to define the first and second side seams 178, 180, respectively. It should be understood that the weak path 700 may be formed before and / or after combining the chassis 102 with the first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or the second elastic belt laminate 200b.

[0107] As described above, when the frangible path 700 is configured to extend across the severed elastic strands 168 within the first belt 106 or the second belt 108, it may be relatively easy for a user to tear the first belt 106 or the second belt 108 along the frangible path 700. For example, the frangible path 700 may include a plurality of frangible lines 704 configured such that all of the elastic strands 168 within the first elastic belt 106 that would otherwise extend across the frangible path 700 are severed at least once within the frangible path 700. Thus, when the elastic strands 168 are severed, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first belt 106 need only be torn along the frangible path 700 without also tearing the uncut elastic strands 168. As further described above with reference to FIG. 2A, the diaper pants 100P may include an outer waist elastomer 170 and an inner waist elastomer 172. The outer waist elastomer 170 may extend continuously laterally between the opposing first end region 106a and the second end region 106b of the first elastic belt 106 and between the opposing first end region 108a and the second end region 108b of the second elastic belt 108. In addition, the inner waist elastomer 172 may be configured with discontinuities, for example, within an area such that the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap each portion of the chassis 102 such as the overlapping region 850 described above. As further explained above, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may be configured with a low elongation zone 701 and a high elongation zone 703. The first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may include a first high elongation zone 703a and a second high elongation zone 703b that are laterally separated by the low elongation zone 701. It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P may include various amounts of frangible path 700 positioned at various locations relative to the outer waist elastomer 170, the inner waist elastomer 172, the low elongation zone 701, and the high elongation zone 703.

[0108] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary configuration of the diaper pants 100P showing various positional relationships between the vulnerable path 700 and the elastic strands 168 in the first belt 106. As shown in FIG. 9, all elastic strands 168 extending transversely through the first tear zone 813a between the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and the first distal end 808a may be severed or cut at the weak line 704 of the first vulnerable path 700a, and / or may be severed or cut by the weak line 704 of the first vulnerable path 700a. All elastic strands 168 extending transversely through the first tear zone 813a between the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and the second distal end 808b may be severed or cut at the weak line 704 of the second vulnerable path 700b, and / or may be severed or cut by the weak line 704 of the second vulnerable path 700b. In some configurations, all elastic strands 168 extending transversely through the first tear zone 813a and / or the second tear zone 813b between the first accessible opening 803a and the first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 may be severed or cut at the weak line 704 of the first vulnerable path 700a, and / or may be severed or cut by the weak line 704 of the first vulnerable path 700a. All elastic strands 168 extending transversely through the first tear zone 813a and / or the second tear zone 813b between the second accessible opening 802b and the second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 may be severed or cut at the weak line 704 of the second vulnerable path 700b, and / or may be severed or cut by the weak line 704 of the second vulnerable path 700b.In some configurations, all elastic strands 168 that extend transversely through a second tear zone 813a between a first longitudinal edge 128 of the chassis 102 and a first proximal end 810a may be severed or cut at a frangible line 704 of a first frangible path 700a and / or may be severed or cut by the frangible line 704 of the first frangible path 700a. All elastic strands 168 that extend transversely through the second tear zone 813a between a second longitudinal edge 130 of the chassis 102 and a second proximal end 810b may be severed or cut at a frangible line 704 of a second frangible path 700b and / or may be severed or cut by the frangible line 704 of the second frangible path 700b and may be severed or cut.

[0109] Referring further to FIG. 9, the frangible line 704 of the frangible path 700 may extend through the severed or cut outer waist elastomer 170, and the outer waist elastomer 170 may be severed or cut. For example, the first tear zone 813a of the first frangible path 700a may extend through the severed outer waist elastomer 170, and the first tear zone 813a of the second frangible path 700b may extend through the severed outer waist elastomer 170. In some configurations, the outer waist elastomer 170 may extend across the overlap region 850. In some configurations, the outer waist elastomer 170 may be longitudinally positioned between the overlap region 850 and the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106 and may not extend across the overlap region 850. In some configurations, the outer waist elastomer 170 may be severed by the frangible path 700 within the overlap region 850 and / or the outer waist elastomer 170 may be severed by the frangible path 700 outside the overlap region 850. Additionally, the outer waist elastomer 170 may be severed at at least two locations by the first and second frangible paths 700a, 700b. The outer waist elastomer 170 may be continuously bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first belt 106 and between them. Thus, the severed ends of the outer waist elastomer 170 may not recede, or may recede a relatively short distance from the frangible line 704 of the frangible path 700.

[0110] Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, the frangible line 704 of the frangible path 700 may extend through some or all of the severed inner waist elastomers 172, and some or all of the inner waist elastomers 172 may be severed. For example, the second tear zone 813b of the first frangible path 700a may extend through the severed inner waist elastomer 172, and the second tear zone 813b of the second frangible path 700b may extend through the severed inner waist elastomer 172. In some configurations, the inner waist elastomer 172 may be severed by the frangible path 700 within the overlap region 850 and / or the inner waist elastomer 172 may be severed by the frangible path 700 outside the overlap region 850.

[0111] In some configurations, the inner waist elastomer 172 may be severed at at least three locations. For example, the inner waist elastomer may be severed at a first opportunity by a cutting process when forming the low elongation zone 701, and may also be severed at second and third opportunities by the first and second weak paths 700a, 700b. The inner waist elastomer 172 may also be continuously joined between the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of the first belt 106 in the high elongation zone 703. Thus, the severed ends of the inner waist elastomer 172 may not recede, or may recede a relatively short distance from the weak line 704 of the weak path 700.

[0112] In some configurations, the first high elongation zone 703a and the second high elongation zone 703b may partially overlap the overlap region 850, or may be completely located laterally outside the overlap region 850. As described above, the inner waist elastomer 172 may be severed during the cutting operation when forming the low elongation zone 701 and the high elongation zone 703. When forming the low elongation zone 701, the severed inner waist elastomer 172 may recede laterally outward by the same distance or different distances. In some configurations, some of the inner waist elastomers 172 may be longitudinally aligned with the fastening component 704, but may be configured to contract to a location laterally outside the fastening component 704. Thus, the inner waist elastomer 172 in the high elongation zone 703 may be located laterally outside the fastening component 704 and may also be configured not to overlap the fastening component 704.

[0113] Average decitex (average DTEX) Using the average decitex method, the average Dtex for the elastic fibers present in a complete article or in a sample of the subject extracted from the article is calculated on a length-weighted basis. The decitex value is the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of that material in a relaxed state. The decitex value of an elastic fiber or an elastic laminate containing elastic fibers is often reported by the manufacturer as part of the specification of the elastic fiber or elastic laminate containing elastic fibers. The average Dtex can be calculated from these specifications if available. Alternatively, if these specified values are not known, the decitex value of an individual elastic fiber is determined by a suitable microscopic technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the cross-sectional area of the fiber in a relaxed state, the composition of the fiber is determined by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber is calculated using literature values for the density of the composition. The decitex values for individual elastic fibers removed from a complete article or a sample extracted from the article, provided by the manufacturer or measured experimentally, are used in the equation described below, in which the length-weighted average of the decitex values between the elastic fibers present is determined.

[0114] If the lengths of the elastic fibers present in an article or a sample extracted from the article are known, respectively, the length of each elastic fiber is calculated from the overall dimensions of the article having the component or the sample, and the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio associated with the component of the article having the component or the sample. Alternatively, if the dimensions and / or the elastic fiber pre-strain ratio are not known, the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article is disassembled and all the elastic fibers are removed. This disassembly can be performed, for example, by gently heating to soften the adhesive, using a cryogenic spray (e.g., Quick-Freeze, Miller-Stephenson Company, Danbury, CT), or using a suitable solvent that removes the adhesive but does not expand, modify, or break the elastic fibers. The length of each elastic fiber in the relaxed state is measured and recorded to the nearest millimeter (mm) in millimeters (mm).

[0115] Calculation of average Dtex For each individual elastic fiber f i in the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article, having a relaxed length L i (either obtained from the manufacturer's specifications or measured experimentally) and a fiber decitex value d i the average Dtex of the absorbent article or the sample extracted from the absorbent article is defined as follows:

[0116]

Number

[0117] If the decitex value of any individual fiber is not known from the specifications, it is determined experimentally as described below, and the resulting fiber decitex value(s) are used in the above equation to determine the average Dtex.

[0118] Experimental determination of the decitex value of the fiber For each of the elastic fibers taken from the absorbent article or a sample extracted from the absorbent article according to the above procedure, for each elastic fiber L k the relaxed length is measured and recorded to the nearest millimeter (mm). Each elastic fiber is analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy to determine its composition, and its density ρ k is determined from available literature values. Finally, each fiber is analyzed by SEM. The fiber is cut vertically at three approximately equal positions along its length using a sharp blade to create a clean cross-section for SEM analysis. The three fiber sections with these exposed cross-sections are mounted in a relaxed state on an SEM specimen holder, sputter-coated with gold, introduced into the SEM and analyzed, and imaged at a resolution sufficient to clearly elucidate the fiber cross-section. To minimize any oblique distortion in the measured cross-section, the fiber cross-section is oriented as perpendicular as possible to the detector. The shape of the fiber cross-section varies, and some fibers are composed of multiple individual filaments. In any case, the area of each of the three fiber cross-sections is determined (e.g., the diameter of a circular fiber, the major and minor axes of an elliptical fiber, and using image analysis for more complex shapes), and the average of the three areas a k of the elastic fiber is recorded in square micrometers (μm 2 ) to the nearest 0.1 μm 2 . The decitex d k of the k-th measured elastic fiber is calculated as follows: d k = 10000m × a k × ρ k × 10 -6 where the unit of d k is grams per 10,000 meters of calculated length, the unit of a k is μm 2 , and the unit of ρ k is grams per cubic centimeter (g / cm 3 ). For any elastic fiber analyzed, the experimentally determined L k value and d k value are later used in the equation for the above average Dtex.

[0119] Average strand spacing Using a gauge accurate to 0.5 mm calibrated against a certified NIST gauge, measure the distance between two distal strands within a section in 0.5 mm increments and then divide by the number of strands in that section minus 1. Average strand spacing = d / (n - 1) where n > 1 Report in 0.1 mm increments.

[0120] Average pre-strain Measure the average pre-strain of the sample using a constant-speed tensile testing machine with a load cell such that the measured force is within 1% to 90% of the cell's limit. (A suitable instrument is MTS Insight using Testworks 4.0 Software, available from MTS Systems Corp. (Eden Prairie, MN)). Prior to analysis, condition the article at 23 °C ± 2 °C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity for 2 hours and then test under the same environmental conditions.

[0121] After adjusting the initial gauge length, program the tensile testing machine to perform elongation until breakage. First, raise the crosshead at 10 mm / min to a force of 0.05 N. Set the gauge at this point to the adjusted gauge length. Raise the crosshead at a speed of 100 mm / min until the sample breaks (the force drops 20% after the maximum peak force). Return the crosshead to its original position. Force and elongation data are obtained at a rate of 100 Hz throughout the experiment.

[0122] Set the nominal gauge length to 40 mm using a calibrated caliper block and zero the crosshead. Insert the sample into the grip such that the center of the test strip is positioned 20 mm below the upper grip. The sample may be folded perpendicular to the tensile axis and placed within the grip to achieve this position. After closing the grip, excess material can be trimmed. Insert the sample into the lower gripping part and close it. Once again, the strip can be folded and then trimmed after closing the grip. Zero the load cell. The sample should have a minimum of slack but a force on the load cell less than 0.05 N. Start the test program.

[0123] From the data, calculate force (N) versus extension (mm). Calculate the average pre-strain from the inflection point of the curve corresponding to the extension when the non-woven fabric in the elastomer is engaged. Plot two lines corresponding to the region of the curve before the inflection point (mainly the elastomer) and the region of the curve after the inflection point (mainly the non-woven fabric). Read the extension when these two lines intersect and calculate the pre-strain % from this extension and the corrected gauge length. Record the pre-strain % as 0.1%. Calculate the arithmetic mean of the three replicate test pieces for each elastomer laminate and the average pre-strain in 0.1% units.

[0124] Combination An absorbent article comprising: a first belt including an inner wearer side surface and an outer clothing side surface, further including a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outside the inner edge; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt that face each other in the lateral direction are connected to end portions of the first belt that face each other in the lateral direction at a first side seam and a second side seam to form a waist opening; a topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet, the chassis comprising: a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction; and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction and separated from the first side edge in the lateral direction by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, wherein end regions of the chassis that face each other in the longitudinal direction are connected to the first belt and the second belt, a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region, a vulnerable path in the first belt extending across the overlap region between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge, the vulnerable path including a first tear zone extending from the overlap region to the distal end and a second tear zone extending from the overlap region to the proximal end, the distal end and the proximal end being positioned laterally between the first side edge of the chassis and the first side seam.

[0125] The absorbent article according to paragraph A1, wherein the first belt further comprises elastic strands positioned between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, and the vulnerable path comprises a vulnerable line.

[0126] The absorbent article according to paragraph A2, wherein some of the elastic strands are severed at the vulnerable line and the severed elastic strands are continuously joined between the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0127] The absorbent article according to paragraph A2 or A3, wherein all elastic strands extending through a first tear zone between a first side edge and a distal end of the chassis are separated by a frangible line.

[0128] The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A2 to A4, wherein elastic strands extending through a second tear zone between a first side edge and a proximal end of the chassis are separated by a frangible line.

[0129] The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A2 to A5, wherein the frangible line cuts at least one elastic strand extending through the first tear zone or the second tear zone at at least one location between a first side edge of the chassis and a second side edge of the chassis.

[0130] The absorbent article according to paragraph A6, wherein the frangible line does not cut at least one elastic strand extending between a first side edge of the chassis and a second side edge of the chassis.

[0131] The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A2 to A7, wherein the frangible line includes discrete cut lines.

[0132] The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A2 to A8, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate include nonwoven fabrics, the frangible line includes discrete joints, and the nonwoven fabric materials are at least partially fused.

[0133] The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A9, further comprising a fastening component connected to an inner wearer side surface of the first belt in an overlapping region adjacent to the frangible path, the fastening component being adapted to be re-connectably connected to at least one other component of the absorbent article.

[0134] The absorbent article according to paragraph A10, further comprising an accessible opening in the first belt located within an overlapping region adjacent to the fastening component.

[0135] Absorbent article according to paragraph A11, wherein the first tear zone extends from the accessible opening to the distal end and the second tear zone extends from the accessible opening to the proximal end.

[0136] Absorbent article according to paragraph A11 or A12, wherein the accessible opening includes a slit in the first belt.

[0137] Absorbent article according to paragraph A13, wherein the slit extends along a transverse line and defines an angle of about 0 degrees to about 10 degrees with respect to the outer edge of the first belt.

[0138] Absorbent article according to paragraph A13 or A14, wherein the slit is curved and extends longitudinally.

[0139] Absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A14, wherein the accessible opening is positioned between the fastening component and the inner edge of the first belt.

[0140] Absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A14, wherein the accessible opening is positioned between the fastening component and the outer edge of the first belt.

[0141] Absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A16, wherein the weak path and the accessible opening partially surround the fastening component.

[0142] Absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A17, wherein the fastening component includes hooks that extend towards the backsheet.

[0143] Absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A18, wherein the weak path extends through the fastening component and divides the fastening component into at least two parts.

[0144] The chassis overlap region includes an adhesive region where the adhesive is positioned between the chassis and the inner wearer side surface of the first belt, and the accessible opening is positioned outside the adhesive region. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs A11 - A19.

[0145] Bio - based components for components The components of the absorbent article described herein may be at least partially composed of bio - based components as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521 (A1). For example, superabsorbent polymer components may be made bio - based by deriving them from bio - based acrylic acid. Bio - based acrylic acid and manufacturing methods are further described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0219521, as well as U.S. Patents Nos. 8,703,450, 9,630,901, and 9,822,197. Other components, such as non - woven and film components, may include bio - based polyolefin materials. Bio - based polyolefins are further considered in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011 / 0139657, 2011 / 0139658, 2011 / 0152812, and 2016 / 0206774, as well as U.S. Patent No. 9,169,366. Exemplary bio - based polyolefins for use in the present disclosure include polymers available under the designations SHA7260 (trademark), SHE150 (trademark), or SGM9450F (trademark) (all available from Braskem S.A.).

[0146] The absorbent article components may include bio - based component values of about 10% - about 100%, about 25% - about 100%, about 40% - about 100%, about 50% - about 100%, about 75% - about 100%, or about 90% - about 100% using, for example, Method B of ASTM D6866 - 10.

[0147] Bio - based absorbent articles suitable for recycling The components of the absorbent article described herein may be recycled for other uses, whether or not they are at least partially formed from recyclable materials. Examples of absorbent article materials that can be recycled are nonwoven fabrics, films, fluff pulp, and superabsorbent polymers. The recycling process may use an autoclave to sterilize the absorbent article, after which the absorbent article may be shredded and separated into different by-product streams. Exemplary by-product streams may include cellulose fibers such as plastics, superabsorbent polymers, and pulp. These by-product streams can be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastic articles, paper products, viscose, building materials, absorbent pads for pet or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details regarding absorbent articles that aid recycling, diaper designs suitable for recycling, and diaper designs of bio-based components suitable for recycling are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0192723, published on June 27, 2019.

[0148] The 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".

[0149] All documents cited herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent applications or patents for which this application claims priority or the benefit thereof, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or limited. The citation of any document shall not be construed as an admission that such document is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, nor shall it be construed as teaching, suggesting, or disclosing any such invention, either alone or in combination with any other one or more references. Further, in the event of any conflict between any meaning or definition of a term in this document and any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to the term in this document shall prevail.

[0150] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An absorbent article, comprising: a first belt (106) including an inner wearer-side surface (115b) and an outer garment-side surface (115a), further including a laterally extending inner edge (107b) and a laterally extending outer edge (107a), wherein the outer edge (107a) is positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge (107b); a second belt (108), wherein opposing end portions (108a, 108b) of the second belt (108) in the lateral direction are connected to opposing end portions (106a, 106b) of the first belt (106) at a first side seam (178) and a second side seam (180) to form a waist opening (110); a chassis (102) including a topsheet (138), a backsheet (136), and an absorbent core (140) positioned between the topsheet (138) and the backsheet (136), the chassis (102) comprising a longitudinally extending first side edge (128), a longitudinally extending second side edge (130) separated from the first side edge (128) in the lateral direction by a first end edge (144) and a second end edge (146) longitudinally separated from the first end edge (144), wherein opposing end regions (116a, 118a) of the chassis (102) in the longitudinal direction are connected to the first belt (106) and the second belt (108); a portion of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region (850); a weak path (700) within the first belt (106) extending across the overlap region (850) between a proximal end (810) on the inner edge (107b) of the first belt (106) and a distal end (808) on the outer edge (107a), the first weak path (700) including a first tear zone (813a) extending from the overlap region (850) to the distal end (808) and a second tear zone (813b) extending from the overlap region (850) to the proximal end (810); The absorbent article, wherein the distal end (808) and the proximal end (810) are positioned laterally between the first side edge (128) of the chassis (102) and the first side seam (178). **Claim 2** The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the first belt (106) is positioned between and connected to a first substrate (162) and a second substrate (164), and further comprises elastic strands (168), and the weak path (700) comprises a weak line (704). **Claim 3** The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein some of the elastic strands (168) are severed at the weak line (704), and the severed elastic strands (168) are continuously joined between the first substrate (162) and the second substrate (164). **Claim 4** The absorbent article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein all of the elastic strands (168) extending through the first tear zone (813a) between the first side edge (128) of the chassis (102) and the distal end (808) are severed at the weak line (704). **Claim 5** The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the elastic strands (168) extending through the second tear zone (813b) between the first side edge (128) of the chassis (102) and the proximal end (810) are severed at the weak line (704). **Claim 6** The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the weak line (704) cuts at least one elastic strand (168) extending through the first tear zone (813a) or the second tear zone (813b) at at least one location between the first side edge (128) of the chassis (102) and the second side edge (130) of the chassis (102). **Claim 7** The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the weak line (704) does not cut at least one elastic strand extending between the first side edge (128) of the chassis (102) and the second side edge (130) of the chassis (102). **Claim 8** The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the weak line (704) comprises discrete cut lines. **Claim 9** The first substrate (162) and the second substrate (164) include non-woven fabrics, the weak line (704) includes discrete joints, and the material of the non-woven fabrics is at least partially fused. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

10. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a fastening component (707) connected to the inner wearer-side surface (115b) of the first belt (106) in the overlapping region (850) adjacent to the weak path (700), and the fastening component (707) is adapted to be re-connectably connected to at least one other component of the absorbent article.

11. The absorbent article according to claim 10, further comprising an accessible opening (802) in the first belt (106) positioned within the overlapping region (850) adjacent to the fastening component (707).

12. The absorbent article according to claim 11, wherein the first tear zone (813a) extends from the accessible opening (802) to the distal end (808), and the second tear zone (813b) extends from the accessible opening (802) to the proximal end (810).

13. The absorbent article according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the accessible opening (802) includes a slit in the first belt.

14. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the weak path (707) extends through the fastening component (707) and divides the fastening component (707) into at least two parts.

15. The absorbent article according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the chassis overlapping region (850) includes an adhesive region (852) where an adhesive (854) is positioned between the chassis (102) and the inner wearer-side surface (115b) of the first belt (106), and the accessible opening (802) is positioned outside the adhesive region (852).

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