Absorbent article and method for manufacturing an absorbent article having a weak path

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an absorbent article including an elastic laminate, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article having an elastic laminate in a front waist region and / or a rear waist region with a weak path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles having a front and / or rear waist region that includes one or more weak paths.

Background Art

[0002] Some absorbent articles have components that include an elastomeric laminate. Such an elastomeric laminate can include an elastic material bonded to one or more nonwoven fabrics. The elastic material can include an elastic film and / or elastic strands. In some laminates, multiple elastic strands are joined to the nonwoven fabric while the strands are in a stretched 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 configured 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, stretched 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 to be 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, the caregiver may have to use force to tear open the joined side panels. Next, 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 with 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's legs by slipping them off or tearing the joined side seams, some diaper pants can be configured to have tear lines in the front or rear belts. Such tear lines may include perforations that allow the caregiver to more easily separate the belt along the perforation line. Once 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 form. Additionally, the pant-type diaper may include certain disposal features, such as hooks or tapes, that allow the caregiver to maintain the soiled diaper in a rolled disposal configuration.

[0006] As a result, it is beneficial to provide a diaper pant assembly apparatus having a tear line in one or more belts, and such an apparatus and method are configured using a manufacturing variation implemented in a manner or sequence that avoids placing a disposal feature on the belt without interference from the elastomer within the belt that could adversely affect the fixation of such disposal features on the diaper pant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] In one form, a method for assembling an absorbent article includes providing an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate including an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, the inner and outer waist elastic strands extending in the machine direction, the elastic laminate further including a first edge separated in the transverse direction from a second edge, the elastic laminate including a first laminate width defined by a distance extending in the transverse direction between the first edge and the second edge, the inner waist elastic strand being intermittently joined along the machine direction to the first substrate and the second substrate to form a non-joined region where the inner waist elastic strand is not joined to the first substrate and the second substrate; advancing the elastic laminate in the machine direction; forming a first low-elongation zone by cutting at least one first inner waist elastic strand within the non-joined region such that the at least one first inner waist elastic strand retreats within the non-joined region; joining a fastener component to the second substrate in the first low-elongation zone; forming a second low-elongation zone by cutting at least one second inner waist elastic strand within the non-joined region such that the at least one second inner waist elastic strand retreats within the non-joined region after joining the fastener component; and forming a first transverse weak path after joining the fastener component, the first transverse weak path including a weak line, and the inner and outer waist elastic strands intersected by the first transverse weak path being cut by the weak line.

[0008] In another form, a method for assembling an absorbent article comprises the step of providing an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate being disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate and including an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand, the inner and outer waist elastic strands extending in the machine direction, the elastic laminate further including a first edge laterally separated from a second edge, the elastic laminate including a first laminate width defined by a laterally extending distance between the first edge and the second edge, the inner waist elastic strand being intermittently joined along the machine direction to the first substrate and the second substrate to form a non-joined region where the inner waist elastic strand is not joined to the first substrate and the second substrate; the step of advancing the elastic laminate in the machine direction; the step of forming a low-elongation zone by cutting the inner waist elastic strand within the non-joined region such that the cut inner waist elastic strand retreats the non-joined region; the step of joining a fastener component to the first substrate in the low-elongation zone after cutting the inner waist elastic strand; and the step of forming a laterally extending weak path after joining the fastener component, the weak path including a weak line, and the inner and outer waist elastic strands intersected by the weak path being cut at the weak line.

[0009] In yet another 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 disposed longitudinally outward of the inner edge, the first belt being disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, and further including an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand connected thereto; a second belt, wherein end portions of the second belt facing each other in the lateral direction are connected to end portions of the first belt facing 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 disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, a chassis comprising a first side edge extending in the longitudinal direction, and a second side edge extending in the longitudinal direction 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, end regions of the chassis facing each other in the longitudinal direction being connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a part of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a first high-elongation zone and a second high-elongation zone laterally separated by a low-elongation zone, the first and second high-elongation zones being made elastic by the inner waist elastic strand, the low-elongation zone including the inner waist elastic strand cut within the chassis overlap region; a fastening component coupled to the first substrate in the low-elongation zone; and a weak path within the first belt extending across an overlap region between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Definitions In understanding the present disclosure, the following glossary of terms may be useful.

[0012] "Absorbent article" refers to an implement for absorbing and confining body exudates, and more particularly, 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 diaper pants (i.e., diapers having preformed waist openings and leg openings as shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,120,487), refastenable diapers or diaper pants, incontinence briefs and undergarments, diaper holders and liners, panty liners, absorbent inserts, feminine hygiene garments such as menstrual pads, and the like.

[0013] "Facing the body" and "facing the clothing" each refer to the relative position of an element, or the surface of an element, or a group of elements. "Facing the body" indicates that an element or surface is closer to the wearer during use than some other element or surface. "Facing the clothing" indicates that an element or surface is further from the wearer during use than some other element or surface (i.e., the element or surface is in proximity to the wearer's clothing that can be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

[0014] The terms "elastic," "elastomer," or "elastomeric" refer to materials that exhibit elastic properties, which include 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 its initial length and, when the applied force is released, will substantially recover to approximately its initial length. Examples of elastomeric materials can include elastomeric films, scrims, nonwovens, ribbons, strands, and other sheet-like structures.

[0015] As used herein, the term "connected" encompasses configurations where one element is directly affixed 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 and the intermediate member is attached to another element such that the one element is indirectly affixed to the other element.

[0016] As used herein, the term "distal" is used to describe a position that is placed away from the center of the body or the point of attachment, and the term "proximal" is used to describe a position that is placed closer to the center of the body or the point of attachment.

[0017] As used herein, the term "substrate" is used to describe a material that is primarily 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, polymeric 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] As used herein, the term "machine direction" (MD) is used to refer to the direction of flow of the material passing 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 as it passes through the process.

[0020] As used herein, the term "cross direction" (CD) is used to refer to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction.

[0021] "Pre-strain" refers to the strain imposed on an elastic or elastomeric material before it is combined with an elastomeric laminate or another element of an absorbent article. 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.

[0022] "Decitex", also known as Dtex, is a measurement used in the fiber industry to measure 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.

[0023] 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 center line in a state where the inner surface of one waist region is in contact with the inner surface of the opposite waist region without integrally fastening or connecting the waist regions. Examples of tape diapers with various suitable configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,167,897; 5,360,420; 5,599,335; 5,643,588; 5,674,216; 5,702,551; 5,968,025; 6,107,537; 6,118,041; 6,153,209; 6,410,129; 6,426,444; 6,586,652; 6,627,787; 6,617,016; 6,825,393; and 6,861,571, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0072887(A1); 2013 / 0211356(A1); and 2013 / 0306226(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] 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 continuous waist opening at the outer edge and a continuous leg opening at the 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 a variety of 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 connect 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.

[0025] The "closed configuration" means that, upon packaging, the waist regions on opposite sides are joined either permanently or re-fastenable to form a continuous waist opening and leg openings.

[0026] The term "open configuration" means that the waist regions on opposite sides of each other are not joined in the initial state so as 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 the wearer of the article to form the waist opening and the leg openings.

[0027] 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, each belt comprising a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a central region. The first end region of the first belt is connected to the first end region of the second belt, and the second end region of the first belt is connected to the second end region of the second belt to form a waist opening. The absorbent article may further include a chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The chassis may further comprise a first end region and a second end region longitudinally separated from the first end region by a crotch region. The first end region of the chassis may be connected to the central region of the first belt, and the second end region of the chassis may be connected to the central region of the second belt. The first belt may comprise a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being positioned longitudinally outside of the inner edge.

[0028] As discussed in more detail below, the first belt and / or the second belt may comprise one or more frangible paths. For example, a frangible path within the first and / or second belt may extend between a proximal end on an inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on an outer edge of the first belt. A gripping region with an accessible opening may be positioned between the outer and inner edges of the first and / or second belt. Next, the frangible path may comprise a first tear zone extending from the accessible opening to the distal end, and a second tear zone may extend from the accessible opening to the proximal end. Such a frangible path configuration provides a feature that enables the elastic belt of the diaper pants to be relatively easily torn along the frangible path when removing the diaper pants from the wearer, avoiding the need to remove the diaper pants by sliding them over the wearer's legs. The frangible path may also be configured and / or arranged to provide access and / or functionality to other features, such as disposal features, which may be configured as fastener components. Various devices and methods are described below in various operational sequences to assist in providing the placement of such fastener components on the diaper pants without interference from other features, such as belt elastics.

[0029] Figures 1 - 2B show an example of an absorbent article 100 in the form of diaper pants 100P that may include components constructed according to the configurations disclosed herein. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of diaper pants 100P in a pre-fastened configuration. FIG. 2A shows a plan view of diaper pants 100P with the portion of the diaper facing away from the wearer facing the observer, and FIG. 2B shows a plan view of diaper pants 100P with the portion of the diaper facing the wearer facing the observer. Diaper pants 100P include 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.

[0030] 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 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.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, the diaper pants 100P may include an inner surface 132 facing the body and an outer surface 134 facing the clothing. The chassis 102 may include a backsheet 136 and a topsheet 138. The chassis 102 may also include an absorbent assembly 140 including an absorbent core 142 disposed between a part 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 elastic members and / or leg cuffs to enhance the fit around the wearer's legs.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2A, the peripheral edge 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 the first waist region 116, and a second laterally extending edge 146 disposed within the second waist region 118. Both side edges 128 and 130 extend longitudinally between the first edge 144 and the second edge 146. As shown in FIG. 2A, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be located longitudinally inward from the front waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front waist region 116 and from the rear waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. In some configurations, the laterally extending edges 144 and 146 may be adjacent to or located longitudinally outward from the front waist edge 121 that extends laterally in the front waist region 116 and the rear waist edge 122 that extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. When the diaper pants 100P are worn on the lower torso of the wearer, the front waist edge 121 and the rear waist edge 122 may surround the waist portion of the wearer. 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 waist region 116 through the crotch region 119 to the rear waist region 118.

[0033] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a backsheet 136. The backsheet 136 may also define a surface 134 facing the clothing outside the chassis 102. The backsheet 136 may also include a woven or non-woven 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 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 vapor to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet is breathable).

[0034] Also as described above, the diaper pants 100P may include a topsheet 138. The topsheet 138 may also define all or part of the surface 132 facing the wearer inside the chassis 102. The topsheet 138 is liquid-permeable and liquid (e.g., menstrual blood, urine and / or liquid feces) may 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 includes fibers, the fibers may be treated by a spunbond method, a carding method, a wet method, a meltblown method, a hydroentanglement method, 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. Pat. Nos. 5,628,097, 5,916,661, 6,545,197, and 6,107,539, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0035] As described above, the diaper pants 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 laterally in the front waist region 116, and may also have a rear edge 150 that faces longitudinally and extends laterally in the rear waist region 118. The absorbent assembly may have a right side edge 152 that extends longitudinally, and a left side edge 154 that is on the opposite side laterally 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 compatible with the diaper. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core of the present disclosure are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231, and 4,834,735, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] 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. Patent Nos. 5,599,335, 5,562,646, 5,669,894, and 6,790,798, and U.S. Patent Publications 2004 / 0158212(A1) and 2004 / 0097895(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0037] 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 gasketting 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 Publication No. 2009 / 0312730(A1), all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0038] 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 are connected to each other and provided to the consumer in a packaged configuration. Thus, the diaper pants may have a continuous outer peripheral waist opening 110 and a continuous outer peripheral leg opening 112 as shown in FIG. 1. 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 lateral direction.

[0039] 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 permanently or re-fastenable connected to each other at the first side seam 178 and the second side seam 180. The side seams 178, 180 may include a permanent connection such as heat bonding, pressure bonding, or adhesive bonding, or may be a releasable connection such as a mechanical fastener or an adhesive fastener.

[0040] 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 108 of the second belt 109 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.

[0041] 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 opening 112, such as a relatively rounded leg opening. 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 clothing-side surface 115a and the clothing-side surface 117a of the first elastic belt 106 and of the second elastic belt 108, and the second substrate 164 may be oriented to define at least a portion of the wearer-side surface 115b of the first elastic belt 106 and of the wear-side surface 117b of the second elastic belt 108. The first substrate 162 may extend over a maximum length L1 from a proximal edge 162b to a distal edge 162a, and the second substrate 164 may extend over a maximum length L2 from a proximal edge 164b to a 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 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 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 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 to 3, the first substrate 162 includes a clothing-side surface 162c and a surface 162d facing the opposite wearer, and the second substrate 164 includes a clothing-side surface 164c and a surface 164d facing the opposite wearer.

[0050] 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 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 oriented 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.

[0051] 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, can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, the first and / or second belt may include the first substrate 162, and / or a plastic film; a perforated plastic film; a natural material (e.g., wood fiber or cotton fiber), a synthetic fiber (e.g., a polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene fiber), or a woven or non-woven web of a combination of natural and / or synthetic fibers; or a coated woven or non-woven web, etc., and may also include the second substrate 164. In some configurations, the first and / or second belt may include the first substrate 162, and / or the second substrate 164 including 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 material and an outer hydrophobic non-elastic non-woven material. The belts may be configured in a variety of ways, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0142828(A1) and Chinese Patent Application No. 2021 / 077843, both of which are incorporated by reference.

[0052] The elastic material 167 can be positioned between the surface 162d of the first substrate 162 facing the wearer and the clothing-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 layers are weakened to form a zero-strain elastic laminate including an elastic film that undergoes sufficient mechanical deformation or activation to allow the laminate to elastically stretch and recover. The elastic material 167 can be an elastic film used for this purpose.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 with heat, pressure, and / or an ultrasonic device. 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 separate lengths of the contracted elastic strands within the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0055] The first substrate 162, the second substrate 164, and / or the elastic material 167 may be joined to each other using various methods and apparatuses for generating various elastomeric laminates as described in U.S. Patent 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), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0056] 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 longitudinal length of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such features can include, for example, Dtex value, joint 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, before and / or during the assembly stage of the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108.

[0057] 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, U.S. Patent Application Publication 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 elastic materials, 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.

[0058] 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-shrunk 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-waved configuration, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,681,302, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0059] For example, as described above with respect to the embodiments with reference to FIGS. 2A to 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 the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 including 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 strand 168 includes 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 strand 168 may have an average pre-strain of from about 75% to about 300%.

[0060] 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.

[0061] In some configurations, as shown in FIG. 2A, the elastic strand 168 may be referred to herein as an outer waist elastic member 170 and an inner waist elastic member 172. The elastic strand 168 (e.g., the outer waist elastic member 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. Some elastic strands 168, such as the inner waist elastic member 172, may be configured with discontinuities, for example, within an area where the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 overlap a portion of the chassis 102, such as the absorbent assembly 140.

[0062] 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 cutting 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 exceeding 10% of the initial length and, when the applied force is released, substantially returns to its approximate initial length. In some configurations, the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108 may be composed of the elastic high-elongation zone 703 and may be composed of the non-elastic or “non-elastic” low-elongation zone 701.

[0063] 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 longitudinal outer lateral edge 107a and the inner lateral edge 107b extending in the lateral direction. Thus, 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.

[0064] 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 make it relatively easy to 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 as well. It should be understood that the diaper pants 100P can include various amounts of frangible paths 700 that can be positioned at various locations, define various shapes, and extend to various lengths. For example, the first elastic belt 106 may have 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.

[0065] 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, either partially or entirely, between the first and second side seams 178, 180 and the chassis 102.

[0066] 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 a disposal feature. For example, the diaper pant 100P shown in FIGS. 4A-4C includes a fastening component 707 positioned on the wear 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 will be 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.

[0067] 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 adapted to releasably connect to another surface of the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may include a loop element adapted to releasably connect to a hook surface on the diaper pants 100P. In some configurations, the loop element may be configured as a separate patch of loops connected to the belt, and in some configurations, the loop element may be formed from the belt material itself. The fastening component 707 may be a separate element connected to the elastic belt 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 so that the fastening component 707 can be seen from the outside of the diaper pants 100P.

[0068] 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 including hooks, and the substrate may be bonded 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 bonded to the elastic belts 106, 108 in various ways such as mechanical bonding, 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 combination of one material or 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.

[0069] 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 array. 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 from 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 from 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 array 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 in which the fastening component 707 is located. The elastic belts 106, 108 and / or the chassis 102 may include printing or other indicia that emphasize the location, function, and / or method of use 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 the caregiver with the advantage of signaling or mechanical gripping.

[0070] It should also be understood that the frangible path 700 may be configured in various ways, positioned at various positions and orientations 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 nonwovens, or combinations thereof. It should also be understood that the frangible line 704 can be formed with different lengths and spacings to achieve different separation forces.

[0071] As described above, an absorbent article 100, such as the diaper pant 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 a soiled diaper pant from a wearer without the need to slide the soiled diaper pant 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 pant 100P from the wearer. Additionally, the frangible path 700 may also be configured to provide access to a fastening component 707 that can be used to assist in holding the soiled product in a disposal configuration. The following provides a discussion of exemplary embodiments of the frangible path 700 on the diaper pant 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.

[0072] The frangible path 700 may be positioned at 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. For example, the diaper pants 100P shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may include one or more frangible paths 700 extending 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] It should also be understood that the first proximal end 810a and the second proximal end 810a 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.

[0075] It should be understood that the first distal end 808a and the second distal end 808b may be arranged 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 arranged 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 arranged 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 arranged 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 part of the first and / or second side seams 178, 180.

[0076] 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 the 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 penetrate 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.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6B, the diaper pants 100P may include a first gripping region 801a including a first accessible opening 802a and a second gripping region 801b including a second accessible opening 802b within the first belt 106. 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 transverse 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 vulnerable path 700a may include a first tear zone 813a extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first distal end 810a and a second tear zone 813b extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first proximal end 808a. The second vulnerable path 700b may include a first tear zone 813a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second distal end 810b and a second tear zone 813b extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second proximal end 808b.

[0078] It should be understood that the vulnerable path 700 may include one or more functional zones. Next, the vulnerable path may include a transition zone that operably connects such zones to facilitate the propagation of tearing along the vulnerable path 700 from one zone to another. The vulnerable lines within the transition zone may be of a particular length and / or angle relative to the lateral centerline and column spacing, for example, to help provide a desired propagation of material breakage when removing the product from the wearer. It should be understood that the length, angle, and spacing of the transition zone may be different from the length, angle, and spacing of the adjacent vulnerable lines.

[0079] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may include a first initial tear zone 815a extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the first transition zone 817a. In addition, the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may comprise a secondary tear zone 819a extending from the first transition zone 817a to the first distal end 808a. The first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may also comprise a second initial tear zone 815b extending from the first accessible opening 802a to the second transition zone 817b. Further, the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a may comprise a second secondary tear zone 819b extending from the second transition zone 817b to the first proximal end 810a. The first transition zone 817a can help facilitate propagation of a tear from the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a along the first vulnerable path 700a by operably connecting the first initial tear zone 815a to the first secondary tear zone 819a. Continuing to refer to FIG. 6B, the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may comprise a first initial tear zone 815a extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the first transition zone 817a. In addition, the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may comprise a secondary tear zone 819a extending from the first transition zone 817a to the second distal end 808b. The first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may also comprise a second initial tear zone 815b extending from the second accessible opening 802b to the second transition zone 817b. Further, the first tear zone 813a of the second vulnerable path 700b may comprise a second secondary tear zone 819b extending from the second transition zone 817b to the second proximal end 810b. The second transition zone 817b can help facilitate propagation of a tear from the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b along the second vulnerable path 700b by operably connecting the second initial tear zone 815b to the second secondary tear zone 819b.

[0080] As will be described in more detail below, the accessible opening 802 can 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 vulnerable path 700. In some configurations, the tear lines may simultaneously spread laterally outward from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 toward the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810, along the first tear zone 813a and the second tear zone 813b. As will be described in more detail below, the diaper pants 100P may also be configured such that the tear line propagating along the first tear zone 813a and the tear line propagating along the second tear zone 813b can reach the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810 simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. It should also be understood that some diaper pants 100P herein may be configured to include a vulnerable path 700 that extends through or around the fastening component 707 without an accessible opening. Next, the user can initiate the tearing process along the vulnerable path 700 by pinching and / or pulling on the belt where the vulnerable path 700 is located at or adjacent to the fastening component 707.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 6B, the vulnerable path 700 may be configured to extend laterally inward from the distal end 808 and / or the proximal end 810. Next, each portion of the vulnerable 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. Accordingly, the vulnerable 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 described above with reference to FIGS. 2C-2E.

[0082] 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 to 6F, the weak path 700 may be configured to enable a caregiver or the wearer to start tearing 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. In addition, the first belt 106 may be separable along the first weak path 700a and the 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.

[0083] 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 to grip 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. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, the user's first hand may apply a tensile force Fp to the first gripping region 801a of the first belt 106 so as to move away from the wearer to start tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a.

[0084] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6C, a tensile force Fp, generally represented by an arrow, can be 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 Fp 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 extends from the first accessible opening 802a, along the first tear zone 813a of the first vulnerable path 700a, partially through and adjacent to the first fastening component 707a in the longitudinal and transverse directions, 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 within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106. Simultaneously, the second tear line 705b extends from the first accessible opening 802a, partially through and adjacent to the first fastening component 707a in the longitudinal and transverse directions, along the second tear zone 813b of the first vulnerable path 700a, and from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally transversely outward and longitudinally inward direction D2 toward the first proximal end 810a within the first end region 106a of the first belt 106.

[0085] In some configurations, the first tear line 705a may propagate from the first accessible opening 802a along the first initial tear zone 815a of the first vulnerable path 700a to the first transition zone 817a. From the first transition zone 817a, the first tear line 705a may then propagate along the first secondary tear zone 819a to the first distal end 808a. Additionally, the second tear line 705b may propagate from the first accessible opening 802a along the second initial tear zone 815b of the first vulnerable path 700a to the second transition zone 817b. From the second transition zone 817b, the second tear line 705b may then propagate along the second secondary tear zone 819b to the first proximal end 810a. As will be described in more detail below, the first vulnerable path 700a may be configured such that the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b can reach the first distal end 808a and the first proximal end 810a, respectively, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 6D, the first belt 106 may be separable along the first vulnerable path 700a so as to define a first belt zone 831. For example, the first belt zone 831 may be formed after the first tear line 705a propagates through the first distal end 808a and the 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, the first edge 831a of the first belt zone 831 is formed by tearing the first vulnerable path 700a. Additionally, the first edge 833a of the third belt zone 833, which will be discussed in more detail below, is also formed by tearing the first vulnerable 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. Additionally, the first belt zone 831 may include a first fastening component 707a. As will be described below, the first belt zone 831 may include all or a portion of the first fastening component 707a.

[0087] 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 an outward pulling force Fp to the second gripping region 801b of the first belt 106 away from the wearer to initiate tearing of the first belt 106 along the second weak path 700b, as shown in FIG. 6E.

[0088] Continuing to refer to FIG. 6E, a tensile force Fp, generally represented by an arrow, is applied to the second gripping region 801b in a direction generally toward the second end region 106b of the first belt 106 and / or outwardly away from the first belt 106. When the tensile force Fp 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 extends from the second accessible opening 802b, along the first tear zone 813a of the second weak path 700b, partially through and adjacent to the second fastening component 707b in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and then from the central region 106c of the first belt 106 in a generally transverse and longitudinally outward direction D1, toward the second distal end 808b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106. Simultaneously, the second tear line 705b extends from the second accessible opening 802b, partially through and adjacent to the second fastening component 707b in the longitudinal and transverse directions, along the second tear zone 813b of the second weak path 700b, in a generally transversely outward and longitudinally inward direction D2 from the central region 106c of the first belt 106, toward the second proximal end 810b within the second end region 106b of the first belt 106.

[0089] In some configurations, the first tear line 705a may propagate from the second accessible opening 802b along the first initial tear zone 815a of the second frangible path 700b to the first transition zone 817a. From the first transition zone 817a, the first tear line 705a may then propagate along the first secondary tear zone 819a to the second distal end 808b. Additionally, the second tear line 705b may propagate from the second accessible opening 802b along the second initial tear zone 815b of the second frangible path 700b to the second transition zone 817b. From the second transition zone 817b, the second tear line 705b may then propagate along the second secondary tear zone 819b to the second proximal end 810b. As will be described in more detail below, the second frangible path 700b may be configured such that the first tear line 705a and the second tear line 705b can reach the second distal end 808b and the second proximal end 810b, respectively, simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.

[0090] 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 810b and the second tear line 705b propagates to the second proximal end 808b, 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.

[0091] Although the tearing process has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6F as tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a before tearing the first belt along the 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 various different orders and different ways. For example, the first belt 106 may be torn along the second weak path 700b to define the second belt zone 832 before tearing the first belt 106 along the first weak path 700a to define the 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 so as to define the first belt zone 831, the second belt zone 832, and the third belt zone 833.

[0092] When the first belt 106 is torn along the vulnerable path 700 to define the first belt zone 831, the second belt zone 832, and the 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 disposed in a disposal configuration as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B by winding and / or folding itself longitudinally thereon. 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.

[0093] Referring to the various aspects of the above figures, it should be understood that the gripping region 801 and the accessible opening 802 can be disposed 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 region 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 portion 802b may be positioned entirely 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 lateral 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 lateral 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 lateral 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 lateral edge 144 of the chassis 102.

[0094] 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 inside 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.

[0095] 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 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 have a length dimension in the range of 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.

[0096] As described above, the diaper pants 100P may include one or more fastening components 707 adapted to releasably connect 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. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the fastening component 707 may include a lateral centerline 126d oriented 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 oriented 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.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 7AA1, in some configurations, the fastener component 707 may be disposed on and connected to 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 substrate 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 fastener 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 an 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 U.S. Patent 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 fastener 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.

[0098] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a portion of the chassis 102 may overlap the inner wearer side surface 115b of the first belt 106 to define a chassis overlap region 850. Thus, the chassis overlap region 850 may 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. 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 chassis overlap region 850 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 substrate 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. 8B, the vulnerable path 700 may extend through the fastener component 700 and effectively divide the fastener component 707 into a first fastener portion 707' and a second fastener portion 707''. The first fastening portion 707' is separated from the second fastening portion 707'' when the vulnerable path is torn.When the tearing operation is completed, the first belt zone 831 and the second belt zone 832 include the first fastening portion 707', and the third belt zone 833 includes the second fastening portion 707'' separated from the respective first fastening portions 707' during the tearing of the weak path 700.

[0099] In the configurations shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, both the weak path 700 and the accessible opening 802 may extend through the fastener component, effectively dividing the fastener component 707 into a first fastener portion 707' and a second fastener portion 707''. The accessible opening 802 shown in FIG. 7A may comprise a slit generally oriented in the longitudinal direction. Additionally, the accessible opening 802 may extend through the fastening component 707 and be positioned entirely within the outer perimeter of the fastening component. It should be understood that such slits may be linear and / or curved. In some configurations, the longitudinally extending accessible opening 802 may define a length dimension in the range of about 10 mm to about 30 mm, specifically all increments of 0.1 mm within the aforementioned 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 increments of 0.1 mm within the aforementioned range, and all ranges formed therein or thereby.

[0100] In another configuration shown in FIG. 9, the diaper pants 100P may include one fastening component 707 joined to the wearer-side surface 115b of the first belt 106 at a position 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 102c of the chassis 124. 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 in the vicinity of 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 a wearer can access and grip the fastening component 707 through the accessible opening 802, and then separate the weak path 700 into the first and second fastening components 707a, 707b.

[0101] It will be appreciated that the various devices and methods according to the present disclosure can be used to assemble the various components of the pre-fastened pant diaper 100P described herein. For example, FIGS. 10-18 show schematic views of various aspects of a conversion device 300 adapted to manufacture a diaper pant 100P having a weak path 700. The method of operation of the conversion device 300 can be described with reference to the various components of the pant diaper 100 shown above in FIGS. 1-9. The following methods are provided in connection with the diaper pant 100P described above and shown in FIGS. 1-9, but it should be understood that various embodiments of the diaper pant can also include, for example, a weak path 700, a weak line 704, an accessible opening 802, and / or a fastener component 707, such as the absorbent articles disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,569,039, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0061016 (A1), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0061015 (A1), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, and can be manufactured according to the methods disclosed herein. When assembling a diaper pant 100P as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the machine direction MD of the elastic belts 106, 108 discussed below in FIGS. 10-18 may be parallel to the transverse centerlines 126a, 126b of the elastic belts 106, 108.

[0102] As will be described in more detail below, the conversion device 300 shown in FIGS. 10 to 19 may operate to provide and advance the elastic laminate 200, form a vulnerable path 700 in the elastic laminate 200, and cut the elastic strands extending through the vulnerable path. The elastic laminate 200 may also be slit and separated into lanes, such as a first elastic laminate 200a and a second elastic laminate 200b, along the machine direction MD. In a further diaper pant assembly operation, a continuous length of chassis assembly may be advanced and cut into individual chassis 102. The individual chassis 102 may be spaced apart from each other along the machine direction MD, and the opposing waist regions of the spaced-apart chassis 102 may be connected to the advancing first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b. The chassis 102 may be folded so as to bring the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b into a facing relationship, and the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b may be joined to each other. Next, the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b may be cut in the transverse direction CD through the joining region to produce separate diaper-type diapers 100P as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 to 9. Thus, the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b may be converted into the first and second belts 106, 108 of the diaper pant 100P described above.

[0103] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the apparatus 300 may include various devices and utilize various methods to manufacture an elastic laminate 200 according to the present disclosure that can be used to construct diaper components such as elastic belts 106, 108. For example, the apparatus 300 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may include a laminate conversion device 301 adapted to provide and / or manufacture an elastic laminate 200 as shown in FIG. 12. The methods and apparatus herein can be adapted to operate in various types of absorbent article assembly processes, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2013 / 0255861(A1), 2013 / 0255862(A1), 2013 / 0255863(A1), 2013 / 0255864(A1); and 2013 / 0255865(A1); and International Publication No. 2023 / 088179(A1), as well as U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 63 / 357,043; 63 / 432,400, 63 / 432,401, 63 / 432,402, 63 / 432,403, 63 / 432,404, 63 / 432,406, 63 / 432,410, and 63 / 432,413.

[0104] As will be described in more detail below, the elastic laminate 200 can be used as a continuous length of elastic belt material that can be converted into the first and second elastic belts 106, 108 described above in connection with FIGS. 1-9. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the elastic laminate 200 may include an elastic material 167 corresponding to a belt elastic material 167 sandwiched between a first substrate 162, also referred to as an outer layer 162, and a second substrate 164, also referred to as an inner layer 164. A portion of the elastic laminate 200 has been cut away in FIG. 12 to show a portion of the first substrate 162. An apparatus 301 can manufacture the elastic laminate 200 by stretching the elastic material 167 and joining the stretched elastic material 167 to the first and second substrates 162, 164. In this specification, the elastic material 167 is illustrated and referred to as elastic strands 168, but it should be understood that in some configurations, the elastic material 167 may include one or more continuous lengths of elastic strands, ribbons, and / or films. Thus, a plurality of stretched elastic strands 168 may be disposed and joined between the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. As shown in FIG. 12, the elastic strands 168 may be arranged to correspond to the outer waist elastic member 170 and the inner waist elastic member 172 described above with reference to the first and second elastic belts 106, 108.

[0105] It should also be recognized that in some configurations, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 of this specification may be defined by two separate substrates or may be defined by folded portions of a single substrate. Also, the first and second substrates 162, 164 may have various forms of edge configurations that can correspond to the waist edge configuration, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-3C and as disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 432,410 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2022 / 0362068(A1), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0106] It should be understood that different components can be used to construct the elastic laminate 200 by the methods and apparatuses of this specification. As described above, the elastic laminate 200 may be converted into the first and second belts 106, 108 described above, and thus, the components of the elastic laminate 200 may be assembled in various ways and in various combinations to produce various features that may be described with reference to the first elastic belt 106 and / or the second elastic belt 108. Such features can include, for example, a base material, Dtex value, bonding pattern, aperture arrangement, elastic arrangement, average Dtex value, average pre-strain value, durability frequency, durability wavelength, height value, and / or contact area. For example, the first base material 162 and / or the second base material 164 can include a non-woven material and / or a film. Further, the elastic strands 168 can be configured in various forms and can have various decitex values as described above. In some configurations, the elastic strands 168 can be configured to have a decitex value in the range of about 10 decitex to about 1000 decitex, specifically, all values in 1 decitex increments within the above range, and all ranges within or given by the above range are described. The elastic laminate 200 assembled herein can include various amounts of elastic strands 168 spaced apart from each other at various distances and can have various decitex values. It should be understood that, for example, the elastic laminate 200 of this specification can have various elastic densities that can be defined as decitex per width of the elastic laminate. For example, some elastic laminates 200 can have an elastic density in the range of about 30 decitex / mm to about 150 decitex / mm, specifically, all values in 1 decitex / mm increments within the above range, and all ranges within or given by the above range are described. In another example, the elastic laminate 200 of this specification can have various numbers of elastic strands arranged in the transverse CD per 1 meter of the transverse width of the elastic laminate.For example, some elastic laminates 200 can have from about 500 elastic strands per meter of laminate width to about 2000 elastic strands per meter of laminate width, specifically, all values in increments of 1 elastic strand / meter within the above range, and all ranges within or given by the above range are described.

[0107] 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 discussed in more detail below, FIGS. 10 - 19 show schematic views of various arrangements of assembly conversions that can be utilized to assemble the diaper pants 100P having the belts and frangible paths described herein.

[0108] Referring now to the first device 300a of FIG. 10, the elastic laminate 200 advances in the machine direction MD. As shown in FIG. 12, the elastic laminate 200 may be disposed between and connected to a first substrate 162 and a second substrate 164 and include an outer waist elastic body 170 and an inner waist elastic body 172 in the form of elastic strands 168. The inner and outer waist elastic strands 170, 172 extend in the machine direction, and the elastic laminate 200 further includes a first edge 200 - 1 separated from a second edge 200 - 2 in the cross - direction CD, and the elastic laminate 200 has a width defined by the distance extending in the cross - direction CD between the first edge 200 - 1 and the second edge 200 - 2.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 12, the outer waist elastic strand 170 may be continuously coupled to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 along the machine direction MD. In addition, the inner waist elastic strand 172 may be intermittently coupled to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 along the machine direction MD to form an unbonded region 400 where the inner waist elastic strand 172 is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. The unbonded region 400 may be intermittently spaced along the machine direction between the bonded regions 402 where the inner waist elastic strand 172 is bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164. The peripheral shape of the unbonded region 400 is generally represented by the dashed boundary 401 shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows the dashed boundary 401 as an irregular shape so that the inner waist elastic strand 172 can have various lengths where it is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 in the unbonded region 400, but it should be understood that the unbonded region 400 may be configured with a dashed boundary 401 that defines other shapes of the unbonded region 400, such as square, rectangular, circular, and elliptical. Thus, in some configurations, the inner waist elastic strand 172 may have equal lengths where it is not bonded to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 in the unbonded region 400. The inner waist elastic strand 172 may be continuously coupled to the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 along the machine direction MD in the bonded regions 402 that extend between the unbonded regions 400.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 10, 12, and 13, the elastic laminate 200 may advance to a first cutting station 302-1 where one or more first inner waist strands 172-1 are cut in the non-bonding region 400, which may be referred to as a first abdominal elastic cutting operation. As shown in FIG. 13, the cut first inner waist elastic strand 172-1 retreats along the machine direction MD within the non-bonding region 400 to form a first low-elongation zone 701-1. For example, the cut first inner waist elastic strand 172-1 may retreat in the opposite direction from the first cutting line 404-1 of the non-bonding region 400 towards the bonding region 402 as indicated by the direction arrow in FIG. 13. Next, the first low-elongation zones 701-1 may be intermittently spaced apart from each other by high-elongation zones 703 along the machine direction MD.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 13, the first inner waist strand 172-1 may be cut once at the first cutting station 302-1 as indicated by the first cutting line 404-1 in FIG. 13. However, it should be understood that the first cutting station 302-1 may be configured to cut the first inner waist strand 172-1 one or more times with a plurality of first cutting lines 404-1. It should also be understood that one or both of the first and second substrates 162, 164 of the elastic laminate 200 may be cut by the first cutting line 404-1. Also, in some configurations, neither the first nor the second substrate 162, 164 of the elastic laminate 200 is cut by the first cutting line 404-1. It should be understood that the first cutting station 302 may be adapted to cut various amounts of the first inner waist elastic strands 172-1.

[0112] It should be understood that the first cutting station 302-1 may be configured in various ways. For example, the first cutting station 302-1 may include various arrangements of a knife roll 304 and an anvil roll 306 having blades, as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2023 / 088179 (A1), U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,440,043, 10,759,153, and 10,807,263, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0180182 (A1), which are incorporated herein by reference, as well as U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 63 / 357,043 and 63 / 432,413. Thus, the elastic laminate 200 can advance between the knife roll 304 and the anvil roll 306 and be cut at the first cutting station 302-1 to form the first inner waist strand 172-1. In contrast to or in addition to the blade, the first cutting station 302-1 may be configured to perform the cutting operation in various other ways, such as by laser or ultrasonic, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2016 / 0354254 (A1), 2016 / 0128874 (A1), 2017 / 0266941 (A1), 2017 / 0266057 (A1), and 2017 / 0266056 (A1), which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0113] As shown in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14, the elastic laminate 200 may advance from the first cutting station 302-1 to a fastener placement station 308 that places a fastener component 707, such as a hook, on a first low-elongation zone 701-1 on the elastic laminate 200. The fastener placement station 308 may be configured to couple the fastener component 707 to the elastic laminate 200 in the first low-elongation zone 701-1. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, two fastener components 707 may be coupled to the second substrate 164 in each first low-elongation zone 701-1. This process may be configured such that the cut first inner waist elastic strand 172-1 has a time to retreat along the machine direction MD from the region of the unbonded region 400 where the fastener component 707 is bonded to the elastic laminate 200. Thus, the fastener component 707 may be coupled to the elastic laminate 200 such that the elastic strand 168 is not disposed directly under the fastener component 707. Next, the fastener component 707 may be disposed on the elastic laminate 200 so as not to overlap the elastic strand 168. It should be understood that if the fastener component 707 is disposed on the elastic laminate 200 so as to overlap the extended elastic strand 168, the retreat of such an elastic strand 168 within the diaper pants 100P may cause the fastener component 707 to buckle and / or wrinkle.

[0114] The cut elastic strand 168 may retreat within the unbonded region 400, but as shown in FIG. 20, it should be understood that in some configurations, some portions of the cut and retreated elastic strand 168 may be present under the fastener component 707. Such portions of the cut and retreated elastic strand 168 may not be coupled to the first and second substrates 162, 164 and the fastener component 707, or may be coupled in a non-extended state in other ways, and thus it should also be understood that such portions of the cut and retreated elastic strand 168 may not contribute to the retreat force in the low-elongation zone 701.

[0115] It should be understood that the fastening component 707 can be configured in various ways as described above. For example, in some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be configured as a separate element that is connected to the elastic laminate 200 at the fastening arrangement station 308. In some configurations, the fastening arrangement station 308 may include one or more cutting and slipping processes and apparatuses for applying a separate length of the fastening component 707 to the advancing elastic laminate 200. In some configurations, the fastening component 707 may be integrally formed from the material of the elastic laminate 200 at the fastening arrangement station 308. Thus, the fastening arrangement station 308 may be configured to couple the fastening component 707, which may include a separate hook patch of hooks or loops, to the elastic laminate 200 in various ways such as by adhesive, mechanical coupling, and / or extrusion bonding. In some configurations, for example where the fastening component 707 may include an adhesive and / or a tackifier, the fastening arrangement station 308 may be configured to apply such an adhesive and / or a tackifier to the elastic laminate 200. In some configurations, the fastening arrangement station 308 may also be configured to modify the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164 to form the fastening component 707 directly from the material of the first substrate 162 and / or the second substrate 164.

[0116] Referring now to FIGS. 10, 14, and 15, the elastic laminate 200 may advance from the fastener placement station 308 to the second cutting station 302-2. The second cutting station 302-2 may operate to cut one or more second inner waist strands 172-2 in the unbonded region 400, which may be referred to as a second abdominal elastic cutting operation. As shown in FIG. 15, the cut second inner waist elastic strands 172-2 retreat along the machine direction MD within the unbonded region 400 to form a second low-elongation zone 701-2. For example, the cut second inner waist elastic strands 172-2 may retreat in the opposite direction from the second cutting line 404-2 in the unbonded region 400 toward the bonded region 402 as indicated by the direction arrows shown in FIG. 15. Next, the second low-elongation zones 701-2 may be intermittently spaced apart from each other by high-elongation zones 703 along the machine direction MD. Thus, the elastic laminate 200 shown in FIG. 15 includes low-elongation zones 701, and each low-elongation zone 701 includes a combination of a first low-elongation zone 701-1 and a second low-elongation zone 701-2.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 15, the second inner waist strand 172-2 may be cut one or more times at the second cutting station 302-2 by the second cutting line 404-2 shown in FIG. 15 in the second abdominal elastic cutting operation. Four rows of the second cutting line 404-2 are shown in FIG. 15, but it should be understood that the second cutting station 302-2 may be configured to cut the second inner waist strand 172-2 only once with a single second cutting line 404-2 in the second abdominal elastic cutting operation. It should also be understood that one or both of the first and second substrates 162, 164 of the elastic laminate may be cut by the second cutting line 404-2. Also, in some configurations, neither the first nor the second substrate 162, 164 of the elastic laminate is cut by the second cutting line 404-2.

[0118] Continuing to refer to FIG. 15, the second cutting station 302-2 may also be configured to form an accessible opening 802 and / or a frangible path 700 that extends in the transverse direction CD between the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810. The frangible path 700 may be configured as the frangible path 700 described above, and thus may include the frangible line 704 described above. As shown in FIG. 15, the second cutting station 302-2 may be adapted to form a plurality of frangible paths 700 and accessible openings 802 that are intermittently spaced along the machine direction MD. The second cutting station 302-2 may operate to dispose the accessible opening 802 and / or the frangible line 704 outside, adjacent to, and / or through the fastener component 707. Thus, the second cutting station 302-2 may or may not operate to cut both the elastic laminate 200 and the fastener component 707 when forming the frangible path 700 and / or the accessible opening 802. The inner waist elastic strands 172 and the outer waist elastic strands 170 intersected by the frangible path 700 may also be cut at the frangible line 704. As shown in FIG. 15, the distal end 808 may be disposed at or near the first edge 200-1 of the elastic laminate 200, the proximal end 810 may be spaced from the distal end 808 in the transverse direction CD, and may be disposed in the central region of the elastic laminate 200 between the first edge 200-1 and the second edge 200-2.

[0119] It should be understood that an elastic strand that is extended or under significant tension can be cut more readily and / or consistently than an elastic strand that is retracted and / or in a relaxed state. As described above, the first inner waist elastomer 172-1 may be cut at the first cutting station 302-1, and the second cutting station 302-2 may be configured to form an accessible opening 802. Thus, the apparatus 300 of the present specification may be configured such that the first inner waist elastomer 172-1 cut at the first cutting station 302-1 retreats from the location where the accessible opening 802 is formed at the second cutting station 302-2. Such a retreat from the location where the accessible opening 802 is formed can help to avoid situations where the second cutting station 302-2 has to cut a relaxed portion of the cut first inner waist elastic strand 172-1, or a retracted cut first inner waist elastic strand 172-1.

[0120] It should also be understood that the second cutting station 302-2 may be configured in various ways. For example, the second cutting station 302-2 may comprise various arrangements of a knife roll and an anvil roll having blades, as disclosed in International Publication No. WO 2023 / 088179 (A1). It may also comprise various arrangements of a knife roll 304 and an anvil roll 306 having blades, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,440,043, 10,759,153, and 10,807,263, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2020 / 0180182 (A1), and U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 63 / 357,043 and 63 / 432,413. Thus, the elastic laminate 200 may advance between the knife roll 304 and the anvil roll 306 to form the frangible path 700, the frangible line 704, and / or the accessible opening 802, and may also cut the second inner waist strand 172-2 in the second abdominal cutting operation. In some configurations, the second cutting station 302-2 may comprise a knife roll having blades and an anvil roll adapted to form the frangible path 700, the frangible line 704, and / or the accessible opening 802, and a separate knife roll having blades and an anvil roll adapted to cut the second inner waist strand 172-2 in the second abdominal cutting operation. In contrast to, or in addition to, the blades, it should be understood that the second cutting station may be configured to perform the cutting operation in various other ways, such as with a laser or ultrasonic waves, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2016 / 0354254 (A1), 2016 / 0128874 (A1), 2017 / 0266941 (A1), 2017 / 0266057 (A1), and 2017 / 0266056 (A1).

[0121] Referring now to FIGS. 10, 15, and 16, the elastic laminate 200 may advance from the second slitting station 302-2 to a slitting station 310 configured to slit the elastic laminate 200 along the machine direction MD to define separate lanes of the individual elastic laminates 200. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the slitting station 310 may include a slitting device 312 having a knife and an anvil that slit and separate the elastic laminate 200 along the machine direction MD into lanes such as, for example, a first elastic laminate 200a and a second elastic laminate 200b. It should be understood that the slitting station 310 may be adapted to slit the elastic laminate 200 in various ways such as, for example, a shear slitting operation or a crush slitting operation. In a crush slitting operation, the first substrate 162 and the second substrate 164 may be bonded together during the slitting operation. The slitting station 310 may be configured to perform slitting and / or cutting operations in various other ways such as, for example, with a laser or ultrasonic waves as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2016 / 0354254(A1), 2016 / 0128874(A1), 2017 / 0266941(A1), 2017 / 0266057(A1), and 2017 / 0266056(A1).

[0122] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 10 and 16, the slit station 310 may be configured to cut the elastic laminate 200 in the machine direction MD along a cut line 406 that extends through the second low-elongation zone 701-2. Thus, the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate may each include a low-elongation zone 701. The cut line 406 may also be arranged to extend adjacent to the proximal end 810 of the vulnerable path 700. As described above, the first elastic laminate 200a may be converted into the first elastic belt 106, and the second elastic laminate 200b may be converted into the second elastic belt 108 described above. Thus, the first elastic laminate 200a may include an outer edge 200-1 and an inner edge 107b, and the second elastic laminate 200b may include an outer edge 200-2 and an inner edge 109b. The outer edge 200-1 of the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond to the outer edge 106a of the first belt 107, or it should be understood that it may undergo subsequent operations such as folding of the waist edge to define the outer edge 107a of the first belt 106. It should also be understood that the outer edge 200-2 of the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the outer edge 1098a of the second belt 108, or it may undergo subsequent operations such as folding of the waist edge to define the outer edge 109a of the second belt 108.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 17, the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b may advance from the slit station 310 through a diverter 314 that separates the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b from each other in the cross direction CD. In some configurations, the diverter may separate the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b in the cross direction CD to define a gap between the inner edge 107b of the first elastic laminate 200a and the inner edge 109b of the second elastic laminate 200b.

[0124] It should be understood that the diverter 314 can be configured in various manners. For example, in some embodiments, the diverter 314 may include a diverter bar oriented at 45 degrees or some other angle with respect to the machine direction MD. In some embodiments, the diverter can include a camber roller. In some embodiments, the diverter 314 can include a pivot or tracking table, such as a FIFE-500 web guiding system by Maxess-FIFE Corporation, that can adjust the positions of the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b in the cross direction CD. Other suitable pivot or tracking tables are available from Erhardt & Leimer, Inc. The diverter may further include instruments and web edge control mechanisms that enable precise active control of the substrate position.

[0125] As described above, the first elastic laminate 200a may correspond to the first elastic belt 106, and the second elastic laminate 200b may correspond to the second elastic belt 108 described above. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, when assembling the diaper pants 100P, the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b may be separated from each other in the cross direction CD. Next, the opposing end regions of the chassis 102 may be connected to the low-elongation zone 701 within the first elastic belt laminate 200a and / or the low-elongation zone 701 within the second elastic belt laminate 200b. During subsequent assembly operations, the chassis 102 may be folded so as to place the first elastic belt laminate 200a in a facing relationship with the second elastic belt laminate 200b. The overlapping elastic laminates 200a, 200b may be joined to each other, and then the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b may be separated into the first and second belts 106, 108 by cutting along the cross direction CD through the joined region of the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b, thereby forming separate diaper pants 100P. Accordingly, the joined region may be divided so as to define the first and second side seams 178, 180, respectively.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 18, the first elastic belt laminate 200a and the second elastic belt laminate 200b are separated from each other in the transverse direction CD, and the adhesive 408 may be applied intermittently to the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b. As shown in FIG. 18, the adhesive 408 may be applied in a pattern that defines an adhesive region 410. It should be understood that the adhesive 408 may be applied in various ways and may define various shapes, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 432,401, which is incorporated herein by reference. As described above, a chassis 102 may be provided that includes a body-side surface 132 and a clothing-side surface 134, and an absorbent core 140 disposed between the body-side surface 132 and the clothing-side surface 134. The chassis 102 may further include a first end region 118a and a second end region 116a that are separated from the first end region 116a in the transverse direction CD by the crotch region 119. Next, the opposing end regions 116a, 118a of the chassis 102 may be permanently joined with the adhesive 408 in an overlapping region 850 on the first elastic laminate 200a and / or the second elastic laminate 200b (represented by the dashed arrow "A"). In addition, the first end region 116a of the chassis 102 may be joined to the first elastic laminate 200a that overlaps the low-elongation zone 701, and the second end region 118a of the chassis 102 may be joined to the second elastic laminate 200b that overlaps the low-elongation zone 701. The first end region 116a of the chassis 102 may also be disposed between the first vulnerable path 700 and the second vulnerable path 700. Thus, the first end region 116a of the chassis 102 may overlap a portion of the first vulnerable path 700 and the second vulnerable path 700. In addition, the fastener component 707 may be disposed between the chassis 102 and the first elastic laminate 200a.

[0127] During the subsequent assembly operation shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the chassis 102 may be folded in the crotch region 119 (represented by the dashed arrow "B") so as to dispose the first elastic laminate 200a in a face-to-face relationship with the second elastic laminate 200b as shown in FIG. 19. The joining portion 410 may be applied to the overlapping belt laminates 200a, 200b. Thereafter, by cutting the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b along the transverse direction CD (represented by the dashed arrow "C"), by separating the first and second belt laminates 200a, 200b into the first and second belts 106, 108, separate diaper pants 100P may be formed. Accordingly, the joining portion 410 may be divided so as to define the first and second side seams 178, 180, respectively.

[0128] As described above, the apparatus 300 of the present specification may be configured to perform various conversions in various assembly orders. FIG. 11 shows a schematic side view of a second apparatus 300b configured to provide and advance the elastic laminate 200, form a weak path 700 in the elastic laminate 200, and slit and separate the elastic laminate 200a into the first elastic laminate 300 and the second elastic laminate 200b along the machine direction MD, as described above with reference to FIG. 10. However, the apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 11 may have a modified arrangement of the assembly stations as described above with reference to FIG. 10. In particular, the apparatus 300 of FIG. 11 may be configured to combine the first and second abdominal elastic cutting operations described above with reference to FIG. 10 into a single abdominal elastic cutting operation performed at the first cutting station 302-1.

[0129] As shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13A, the elastic laminate 200 may advance to the first cutting station 302-1, where one or more first inner waist strands 172-1 and one or more second inner waist strands 172-2 are cut in the non-bonding region 400, which may be referred to as an abdominal elastic cutting operation. As shown in FIG. 13A, the cut first inner waist elastic strands 172-1 and second inner waist elastic strands 172-1 retreat along the machine direction MD from the non-bonding region 400 to form the low-elongation zone 701.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 13A, the first and second inner waist strands 172-1, 172-2 may be cut one or more times at the first cutting station 302-1 as indicated by the cutting line 404 in FIG. 13A in the abdominal elastic cutting operation. Although four rows of cutting lines 404 are shown in FIG. 13A, it should be understood that the first cutting station 302-1 may be configured to cut the first and second inner waist strands 172-1, 172-2 only once with a single cutting line 404 in the abdominal elastic cutting operation. It should also be understood that one or both of the first and second substrates 162, 164 of the elastic laminate may be cut by the cutting line 404. Also, in some configurations, neither the first nor the second substrate 162, 164 of the elastic laminate is cut by the cutting line 404.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 11, 13A, and 14A, the elastic laminate 200 advances from the first cutting station 302-1 to a fastener placement station 308 that places a fastener component 707, such as a hook, onto the elastic laminate 200 within the low-elongation zone 701. As shown in FIGS. 11, 14A, and 15A, the elastic laminate 200 may advance from the fastener placement station 308 to a second cutting station 302-2. The second cutting station 302-2 may be configured to form an accessible opening 802 and / or a frangible path 700 that extends in the transverse direction CD between the distal end 808 and the proximal end 810, as described above. As shown in FIGS. 11, 15A, and 16A, the elastic laminate 200 advances from the second cutting slit station 302-2 to a slit station 310 that is configured to cut the elastic laminate 200 along the machine direction MD to define the first elastic laminate 200a and the second elastic laminate 200b as described above. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 17A, the diverter 314 may separate the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b from each other in the transverse direction CD.

[0132] It should be understood that the apparatus 300 of FIGS. 10 and 11 may be modified to place the slit station 310 at other locations in the assembly process. For example, the slit station 310 may be placed downstream of the fastener placement station 308 and upstream of the second cutting station 302-2. In another example, the slit station 310 may be placed downstream of the first cutting station 302-1 and upstream of the fastener placement station 308. In yet another example, the slit station 310 may be placed upstream of the first cutting station 302-1.

[0133] Also, the laminate converting apparatus 301 may be configured to assemble and provide the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b, and thus, it should be understood that the necessity of the slit station 310 in the above-described apparatus 300 is eliminated. In yet another example, the laminate converting apparatus 301 may be configured to assemble and provide the first and second elastic laminates 200a, 200b connected to each other by one or more substrates extending in the cross direction CD, such as when assembling the disposable diaper 100P described above with reference to FIGS. 1A, 2F, and 3E, whereby the necessity of the slit station 310 in the above-described apparatus 300 can be eliminated.

[0134] Furthermore, it should be understood that the first cutting station 302-1 and / or the second cutting station 302-2 described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 may be configured to perform an abdominal cutting operation on the elastic laminate 200 to define separate low-elongation zones 701 staggered or offset from each other along the machine direction MD in the cross direction CD. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the elastic laminate 200 may include a first region 203a and a second region 203b, and the first region 203a and the second region 203b are separated from each other along the cross direction CD. Next, the first cutting station 302-1 and / or the second cutting station 302-2 may be configured to cut the inner waist elastic strand 172 to form a first region low-elongation zone 701a in the first region 203a of the elastic laminate 200 and a second region low-elongation zone 701b in the second region 203b of the elastic laminate 200. The first region low-elongation zone 701a may be separated from each other along the machine direction MD by a first region high-elongation zone 703a, and the second region low-elongation zone 701b may be separated from each other along the machine direction MD by a second region high-elongation zone 703b. In addition, the first region low-elongation zone 701a may be offset or staggered from the second region low-elongation zone 701b along the machine direction MD.

[0135] Average decitex (average Dtex) Using the average decitex method, the average Dtex for 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 determining the cross-sectional area of the fiber in a relaxed state via a suitable microscopy technique such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determining the composition of the fiber via Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and then calculating the mass in grams of the fibers present in 10,000 meters of fiber 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 among the elastic fibers present is determined.

[0136] If the length of each elastic fiber present in an article or a sample extracted from the article is known, it 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 done, 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. Measure the length of each elastic fiber in the relaxed state and record it to the nearest millimeter (mm) in millimeters (mm).

[0137] 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:

[0138]

Equation

[0139] 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 is used in the above equation to determine the average Dtex.

[0140] Experimental Determination of Fiber Decitex Value For each of the elastic fibers taken from an absorbent article or a sample extracted from an absorbent article according to the above procedure, for each elastic fiber L k measure the relaxed length and record it to the nearest millimeter (mm). Each elastic fiber is analyzed via FT-IR spectroscopy to determine its composition, and its density ρ k is determined from available literature values. Finally, each fiber is analyzed via SEM. The fiber is cut perpendicularly along its length at three approximately equal positions 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, orient the fiber cross-section 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 measured decitex d k of the k-th 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.

[0141] Average strand interval Using a precision gauge calibrated to 0.5 mm increments 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 - 1 within that section Average strand interval = d / (n - 1) where n > 1 Report in 0.1 mm increments

[0142] 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 for 2 hours at 23°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% relative humidity and then test under the same environmental conditions

[0143] 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

[0144] 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, but then trimming can be done 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.

[0145] From the data, calculate force (N) vs. 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 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.

[0146] Combination A1. A method for assembling an absorbent article, the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate being disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate and including an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand, the inner and outer waist elastic strands extending in the machine direction, the elastic laminate further including a first edge separated from a second edge in the transverse direction, the elastic laminate including a first laminate width defined by a transverse distance between the first edge and the second edge, the inner waist elastic strand being intermittently joined to the first and second substrates along the machine direction to form a non-joined region where the inner waist elastic strand is not joined to the first and second substrates; advancing the elastic laminate in the machine direction; forming a first low-elongation zone by cutting at least one first inner waist elastic strand within the non-joined region such that the at least one first inner waist elastic strand retreats within the non-joined region; joining a fastener component to the first substrate in the first low-elongation zone; after joining the fastener component, forming a second low-elongation zone by cutting at least one second inner waist elastic strand within the non-joined region such that the at least one second inner waist elastic strand retreats within the non-joined region; and after joining the fastener component, forming a first transverse weak path, the first transverse weak path including a weak line, and cutting the inner and outer waist elastic strands intersected by the first transverse weak path along the weak line.

[0147] A2. The method according to paragraph A1, further comprising the step of slitting the elastic laminate along the machine direction to form a first elastic laminate and a second elastic laminate.

[0148] A3. The method according to paragraph A2, wherein the slitting step is performed after the step of joining the fastener component.

[0149] A4. The method according to any one of paragraphs A1 to A3, wherein the step of forming the first low-elongation zone further comprises cutting at least one first inner waist elastic strand only once.

[0150] A5. The method according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A4, wherein the step of forming the second low - elongation zone further comprises cutting at least one second inner waist elastic strand one or more times.

[0151] A6. The method according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A5, wherein the outer waist elastic strand crossed by the first weak path is cut along a weak line outside the first and second low - elongation zones.

[0152] A7. The method according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A6, further comprising the step of advancing the elastic laminate between a knife roll and an anvil roll, wherein the knife roll forms the second low - elongation zone and the first weak path.

[0153] A8. The method according to any one of paragraphs A1 - A7, further comprising the step of forming a second weak path separated from the first weak path in the machine direction in the elastic laminate.

[0154] A9. A step of providing a chassis including a body - side surface, a clothing - side surface, and an absorbent core disposed between the body - side surface and the clothing - side surface, the chassis further including a first end region and a second end region laterally separated from the first end region by a crotch region; a step of coupling the first end region of the chassis to a first elastic laminate overlapping the first and second low - elongation zones, wherein the first end region of the chassis is disposed between the first and second weak paths; the method according to paragraph A8.

[0155] A10. The method according to paragraph A9, wherein the first end region of the chassis overlaps a part of the first and second weak paths.

[0156] B1. A method for assembling an absorbent article, the method comprising the steps of providing an elastic laminate, the elastic laminate being disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate and including an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand, the inner and outer waist elastic strands extending in the machine direction, the elastic laminate further including a first edge separated from a second edge in the transverse direction, the elastic laminate including a first laminate width defined by a transverse distance between the first edge and the second edge, the inner waist elastic strand being intermittently bonded to the first and second substrates along the machine direction to form a non-bonded region where the inner waist elastic strand is not bonded to the first and second substrates; advancing the elastic laminate in the machine direction; forming a low-elongation zone by cutting the inner waist elastic strand within the non-bonded region such that the cut inner waist elastic strand retracts within the non-bonded region; after the cut inner waist elastic strand has retracted, bonding a fastener component to the first substrate in the low-elongation zone; and after bonding the fastener component, forming a transverse weak path, the first weak path including a weak line, wherein the inner and outer waist elastic strands intersected by the weak path are cut at the weak line.

[0157] B2. The method according to paragraph B1, further comprising the step of slitting the elastic laminate along the machine direction to form a first elastic laminate and a second elastic laminate.

[0158] B3. The method according to paragraph B2, wherein the slitting step is performed after the step of bonding the fastener component.

[0159] B4. The method according to any one of paragraphs B1 to B3, wherein the step of forming the low-elongation zone further comprises cutting the inner waist elastic strand only once.

[0160] B5. The method according to any one of paragraphs B1 to B4, wherein the outer waist elastic strand intersected by the weak path is cut at the weak line outside the low-elongation zone.

[0161] A first belt having an inner wearer-side surface and an outer garment-side surface, further comprising a laterally extending inner edge and a laterally extending outer edge, the outer edge being disposed longitudinally outside the inner edge, the first belt being disposed between and connected to a first substrate and a second substrate, and further comprising an inner waist elastic strand and an outer waist elastic strand connected thereto; 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 topsheet; a backsheet; and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. A chassis comprising a first side edge extending longitudinally, a second side edge extending longitudinally separated laterally from the first side edge by a first end edge and a second end edge longitudinally separated from the first end edge, the end regions of the chassis facing longitudinally being connected to the first belt and the second belt, and a part of the chassis overlapping the inner wearer-side surface of the first belt to define a chassis overlap region; a first high-elongation zone and a second high-elongation zone laterally separated by a low-elongation zone, the first and second high-elongation zones being provided with elasticity by inner waist elastic strands, and the low-elongation zone including inner waist elastic strands cut within the chassis overlap region; a fastening component coupled to the first substrate in the low-elongation zone; and a weak path within the first belt extending across an overlap region between the inner edge and the outer edge of the first belt. An absorbent article.

[0162] The absorbent article according to paragraph C1, wherein the weak path extends between a proximal end on the inner edge of the first belt and a distal end on the outer edge.

[0163] The absorbent article according to paragraph C2, wherein the distal end and the proximal end are disposed laterally between the first side edge of the chassis and the first side seam.

[0164] The low-elongation zone includes a first region and a second region, and at least one first inner waist elastic strand is cut once within the first region, and at least one second inner waist elastic strand is cut one or more times. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs C1 to C3.

[0165] The frangible path includes a frangible line, and the inner and outer waist elastic strands that intersect the frangible path are cut at the frangible line. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs C1 to C4.

[0166] The fastening component does not overlap with any of the inner waist elastic strands. The absorbent article according to any one of paragraphs C1 to C5.

[0167] 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 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 nonwoven and film components, may include bio-based polyolefin materials. Bio-based polyolefins are further discussed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2011 / 0139657, 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.).

[0168] The absorbent article component may contain a bio-based component value of about 10% to about 100%, about 25% to about 100%, about 40% to about 100%, about 50% to about 100%, about 75% to about 100%, or about 90% to about 100% using, for example, Method B of ASTM D6866-10.

[0169] Bio-based absorbent article suitable for recycling The components of the absorbent article described herein may be recycled for other uses regardless of whether they are at least partially formed from recyclable materials. Examples of absorbent article materials that 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 secondary streams. Exemplary secondary streams may include plastic, superabsorbent polymer, and cellulose fibers such as pulp. These secondary streams can be used in the manufacture of fertilizers, plastic products, paper products, viscose, building materials, absorbent pads for pet or hospital beds, and / or for other uses. Further details regarding absorbent articles that aid in 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.

[0170] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the recited exact numerical values. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and the functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

[0171] All documents cited herein, including any patents or patent applications that are cross-referenced or related, and any patent application or patent 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 it 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 control.

[0172] While particular 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, it is intended that all such changes and modifications within the scope of the invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for assembling an absorbent article, the method comprising: providing an elastic laminate (200), the elastic laminate (200) being disposed between and connected to a first substrate (162) and a second substrate (164) and comprising an inner waist elastic strand (172) and an outer waist elastic strand (170), the inner and outer waist elastic strands (172, 170) extending in the machine direction MD, the elastic laminate (200) further comprising a first edge (200-1) spaced from a second edge (200-2) in the cross direction CD, the elastic laminate (200) having a first laminate width defined by a distance extending in the cross direction CD between the first edge (200-1) and the second edge (200-2), the inner waist elastic strand (172) being intermittently joined to the first substrate (162) and the second substrate (164) along the machine direction MD to form a non-joined region (400) where the inner waist elastic strand (172) is not joined to the first substrate (162) and the second substrate (164); advancing the elastic laminate (200) in the machine direction MD; forming a first low-elongation zone (701-1) by cutting at least one first inner waist elastic strand (701-1) within the non-joined region (400) such that at least one first inner waist elastic strand (172-1) retracts (172-1) within the non-joined region; joining a fastener component (707) to the second substate within the first low-elongation zone; after joining the fastener component (707), forming a second low-elongation zone (701-2) by cutting at least one second inner waist elastic strand (172-2) within the non-joined region (400) such that at least one second inner waist elastic strand (172-2) retracts within the non-joined region (400); A step of forming a first fragile path (700) extending in the transverse direction CD after coupling the fastening components (707), the first fragile path (700) including a fragile line (704); and a method in which inner and outer waist elastic strands (170, 172) intersected by the first fragile path (700) are cut at the fragile line (704). **Claim 2** The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of slitting the elastic laminate (200) along the machine direction MD to form a first elastic laminate (200a) and a second elastic laminate (200b). **Claim 3** The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of slitting is performed after the step of coupling the fastening components (707). **Claim 4** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of forming the first low-elongation zone (701-1) further comprises cutting the at least one first inner waist elastic strand (172-1) only once. **Claim 5** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step of forming the second low-elongation zone (701-2) further comprises cutting the at least one second inner waist elastic strand (172-2) one or more times. **Claim 6** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer waist elastic strand (170) intersected by the first fragile path (700) is cut at the fragile line (704) outside the first low-elongation zone (701-1) and the second low-elongation zone (701-2). **Claim 7** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a step of advancing the elastic laminate (200) between a knife roll (304) and an anvil roll (306), the knife roll (304) forming the second low-elongation zone (701-2) and the first fragile path (700). **Claim 8** The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a step of forming a second fragile path (700) separated from the first fragile path (700) in the machine direction MD within the elastic laminate (200). **Claim 9** Providing a chassis (102) comprising a body side surface (132) and a garment side surface (134), and an absorbent core (140) disposed between the body side surface (132) and the garment side surface (134), the chassis (102) further comprising a first end region (116a) and a second end region (118a) separated from the first end region (116a) in the crossing direction CD by the crotch region (119). Coupling the first end region (116a) of the chassis (102) to the elastic laminate (200) overlapping the first low-elongation zone (701-1) and the second low-elongation zone (701-2), the first end region (116a) of the chassis (102) being positioned between the first weak path (700) and the second weak path (700). The method according to claim 8, further comprising.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first end region (116a) of the chassis (102) overlaps a part of the first weak path (700) and the second weak path (700).

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